Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Shareholder Protection Act of
2010''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Corporations make significant political contributions
        and expenditures that directly or indirectly influence the
        election of candidates and support or oppose political causes.
        Decisions to use corporate funds for political contributions
        and expenditures are usually made by corporate boards and
        executives, rather than shareholders.
            (2) Corporations, acting through their boards and
        executives, are obligated to conduct business for the best
        interests of their owners, the shareholders.
            (3) Historically, shareholders have not had a way to know,
        or to influence, the political activities of corporations they
        own. Shareholders and the public have a right to know how
        corporations are spending their funds to make political
        contributions or expenditures benefitting candidates, political
        parties, and political causes.
            (4) Corporations should be accountable to their
        shareholders in making political contributions or expenditures
        affecting Federal governance and public policy. Requiring the
        express approval of a corporation's shareholders prior to
        making political contributions or expenditures will establish
        necessary accountability.

SEC. 3. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OF CORPORATE POLITICAL ACTIVITY.

    The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is amended by inserting after
section 14B the following new section:

``SEC. 14C. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OF CERTAIN POLITICAL EXPENDITURES AND
              DISCLOSURE OF VOTES OF INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS.

    ``(a) Shareholder Authorization for Political Expenditures.--Any
solicitation of any proxy or consent or authorization in respect of any
security of an issuer shall--
            ``(1) contain a description of the specific nature of any
        expenditures for political activities proposed to be made by
        the issuer for the forthcoming fiscal year not previously
        approved, to the extent the specific nature is known to the
        issuer and including the total amount of such proposed
        expenditures; and
            ``(2) provide for a separate shareholder vote to authorize
        such proposed expenditures in such amount.
    ``(b) Requirements for Expenditures.--No issuer shall make any
expenditure for political activities in any fiscal year unless--
            ``(1) such expenditure is of the nature of those proposed
        by the issuer pursuant to subsection (a)(1); and
            ``(2) authorization for such expenditures has been granted
        by votes representing a majority of outstanding shares pursuant
        to subsection (a)(2).
    ``(c) Fiduciary Duty; Liability.--A violation of subsection (b)
shall be considered a breach of a fiduciary duty of the officers and
directors who authorized such an expenditure. The officers and
directors who authorize such an expenditure without first obtaining
such authorization of shareholders shall be jointly and severally
liable in any action brought in any court of competent jurisdiction to
any individual or class of individuals who held shares at the time such
expenditure was made for an amount equal to 3 times the amount of such
expenditure.
    ``(d) Definition of Expenditure for Political Activities.--As used
in this section:
            ``(1) The term `expenditure for political activities'
        means--
                    ``(A) an independent expenditure, as such term is
                defined in section 301(17) of the Federal Election
                Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(17));
                    ``(B) an electioneering communication, as such term
                is defined in section 304(f)(3) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
                434(f)(3)) and any other public communication (as such
                term is defined in section 301(22) of such Act (2
                U.S.C. 431(22))) that would be an electioneering
                communication if it were a broadcast, cable, or
                satellite communication; or
                    ``(C) dues or other payments to trade associations
                or other tax exempt organizations that are, or could
                reasonably be anticipated to be, used or transferred to
                another association or organization for the purposes
                described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
            ``(2) Such term shall not include--
                    ``(A) direct lobbying efforts through registered
                lobbyists employed or hired by the issuer;
                    ``(B) communications by an issuer to its
                shareholders and executive or administrative personnel
                and their families; or
                    ``(C) the establishment and administration of
                contributions to a separate segregated fund to be
                utilized for political purposes by a corporation.
    ``(e) Disclosure of Votes.--Every institutional investment manager
subject to section 13(f) shall report at least annually how it voted on
any shareholder vote pursuant to subsection (a), unless such vote is
otherwise required to be reported publicly by rule or regulation of the
Commission. Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this
section, the Commission shall issue rules and regulations to implement
this subsection. Such rules shall require that such report be made not
later than 30 days after such a vote and be made available to the
public through the EDGAR system as soon as practicable.
    ``(f) Safe Harbor for Certain Divestment Decisions.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal or State law, no person
may bring any civil, criminal, or administrative action against any
institutional investment manager, or any employee, officer, or director
thereof, based solely upon a decision of the investment manager to
divest from, or not to invest in, securities of an issuer because of
expenditures for political activities made by that issuer. This
subsection shall not apply to any institutional investment manager, or
any employee, officer, or director thereof, unless the institutional
investment manager makes disclosures in accordance with regulations
prescribed by the Commission.''.

SEC. 4. REQUIRED BOARD VOTE ON CORPORATE EXPENDITURES FOR POLITICAL
              ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Required Vote.--The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is amended
by adding after section 16 the following new section:

``SEC. 16A. REQUIRED BOARD VOTE ON CORPORATE EXPENDITURES FOR POLITICAL
              ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Listing on Exchanges.--Effective not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall, by
rule, direct the national securities exchanges and national securities
associations to prohibit the listing of any class of equity security of
an issuer that is not in compliance with the requirements of any
portion of subsection (b).
    ``(b) Requirement for Vote in Corporate Bylaws.--The corporate
bylaws of an issuer shall expressly provide for a vote of the directors
of the issuer on any individual expenditure for political activities
(as such term is defined in section 14C(d)(1)) in excess of $50,000, or
any expenditure that makes the total amount spent by the issuer for the
particular election (as such term is defined in section 301(1) of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(1))) $50,000 or
more. An issuer shall make publicly available the individual votes of
the directors required by the preceding sentence within 48 hours of the
vote, including in a clear and conspicuous location on the Internet
website of the issuer.''.
    (b) No Effect on Determination of Coordination With Candidates or
Campaigns.--For purposes of determining whether an expenditure for
political activities by an issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 is an independent expenditure under the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971, the expenditure may not be treated as made in concert or
cooperation with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate or
committee solely on the grounds that any director of the issuer voted
on the expenditure as required under section 16A(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (as added by subsection (a)).

SEC. 5. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(r) Reporting Requirements Relating to Certain Political
Expenditures.--
            ``(1) Quarterly reports.--Not later than 180 days after the
        date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall
        modify its reporting rules under this section to require
        issuers to disclose quarterly any expenditure for political
        activities (as such term is defined in section 14C(d)(1)) made
        during the preceding quarter and the individual votes by board
        members authorizing such expenditures as required under section
        16A(b). Such a report shall be filed with the Commission and
        provided to shareholders and shall include--
                    ``(A) the date of each expenditure;
                    ``(B) the amount of each expenditure;
                    ``(C) if the expenditure was made for or against a
                candidate, the name of the candidate, the office sought
                by and the political party affiliation of the
                candidate; and
                    ``(D) the name or identity of trade associations or
                other tax-exempt organizations which receive dues or
                other payments as described in section 14C(d)(1)(B).
            ``(2) Annual reports.--Not later than 180 days after the
        date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall, by
        rule, require each issuer to include in its annual report to
        shareholders an annual summary of all expenditures for
        political activities (as such term is defined in section
        14C(d)(1)) made during the preceding year in excess of $10,000.
            ``(3) Disclosure of materials purchased by political
        expenditures.--The Commission shall, by rule, require each
        issuer to obtain and disclose in the reports required under
        this section, any materials created with or purchased by any
        expenditure for political activities (as such term is defined
        in section 14C(d)) made by the issuer. Such rule shall also
        require that each issuer disclose such materials in a clear and
        conspicuous location on the Internet website of the issuer
        within 48 hours of obtaining the materials.
            ``(4) Public availability.--The Commission shall ensure
        that, to the greatest extent practicable, the quarterly reports
        required by this subsection are publicly available through the
        Commission website and through the EDGAR system in a manner
        that is searchable, sortable, and downloadable, consistent with
        the requirements of section 24.''.

SEC. 6. REPORTS.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission shall annually assess the
compliance of public corporations and their management with the
requirements of the amendments made by this Act, and shall transmit to
Congress an annual report of its findings. The Comptroller General of
the United States shall periodically evaluate and report to Congress on
the effectiveness of the Securities and Exchange Commission's oversight
of the reporting and disclosure requirements of the amendments made by
this Act.

SEC. 7. SEVERABILITY.

    If any provision of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or the
application of such provision or amendment to any person or
circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act,
the amendments made by this Act, and the application of such provision
or amendment to any person or circumstance shall not be affected
thereby.

Output:
Shareholder Protection Act of 2010 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require that any solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any security of an issuer: (1) describe the specific nature and total amount of expenditures proposed for political activities for the forthcoming fiscal year; and (2) provide for a separate shareholder vote to authorize such proposed expenditures.

Prohibits an issuer from making an expenditure for political activities in any fiscal year unless: (1) such expenditure meets the requirements of this Act; and (2) authorization for such expenditure has been granted by votes representing a majority of outstanding shares.

Deems a violation of such prohibition a breach of the fiduciary duty of the officers and directors who authorized the expenditure. Subjects officers and directors who authorize the expenditure without prior shareholder authorization to joint and several liability to any individual shareholder or class of individuals who held shares at the time of such expenditure for three times the expenditure's amount.

Requires institutional investment managers to disclose annually in mandatory reports how they voted on corporate political expenditures. Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to promulgate regulations requiring: (1) investment managers to report how they voted within 30 days after the vote; and (2) the report to be made available to the public through the EDGAR system.

Prohibits any person from bringing any civil, criminal, or administrative action against an institutional investment manager, or any of its employees, officers, or directors, based solely upon the investment manager's decision to either divest from, or not to invest in, the securities of an issuer based upon political expenditures made by that issuer. Applies this prohibition only to an institutional investment manager, or its employees, officers, or directors, that makes such disclosures in accordance with SEC regulations.

(Sec. 4) Requires the SEC to direct the national securities exchanges and national securities associations to prohibit the listing of any class of equity security of an issuer whose corporate bylaws do not expressly provide for a vote by its board of directors on any individual expenditure: (1) for political activities in excess of $50,000; or (2) that makes the total expenditures by the issuer for a particular election $50,000 or more. Requires an issuer to make the individual votes of the directors regarding any such expenditure publicly available within 48 hours.

(Sec. 5) Directs the SEC to: (1) require issuers to disclose expenditures for political activities made during the preceding quarter, along with specified details, and the individual votes by board members authorizing such expenditures; (2) make such reports publicly available on its SEC website and through the EDGAR system; and (3) require each issuer to include in its annual report to shareholders a summary of all expenditures for political activities made during the preceding year in excess of $10,000.

Directs the SEC to require each issuer to: (1) obtain and disclose in its mandatory reports any materials created with or purchased by any expenditure for political activities; and (2) disclose such materials in a clear and conspicuous location on its Internet website within 48 hours of obtaining the materials.

 (Sec. 6) Directs the SEC to assess and report to Congress annually on the compliance of public corporations and their management with the requirements of this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to evaluate and report periodically to Congress on the effectiveness of the SEC's oversight of its reporting and disclosure requirements.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Government Audit Reform Act of
2010''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget should follow the recommendations of the
Government Accountability Office report entitled ``Single Audit:
Opportunities Exist to Improve the Single Audit Process and Oversight''
(GAO-09-307R), issued March 13, 2009.

SEC. 3. OVERSIGHT OF THE SINGLE AUDIT PROCESS.

    (a) Amendment to Single Audit Act.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 75 of title 31, United States
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
        section:
``Sec. 7508. Oversight and evaluation
    ``(a) Oversight and Evaluation.--The Director, or the head of the
office or entity designated by the Director under subsection (c), shall
monitor the risk, cost-benefit, efficiency, and effectiveness of the
implementation by Federal agencies of this chapter by--
            ``(1) evaluating such implementation governmentwide; and
            ``(2) identifying additional guidance and resources
        necessary to improve such implementation, including revisions
        to regulations, best practices, and processes.
    ``(b) Report.--The Director, or the head of the office or entity
designated by the Director under subsection (c), shall submit to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate,
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States a
report that includes the findings under subsection (a). The report
shall be submitted not later than September 30 of each year and shall
cover the previous year.
    ``(c) Designation of Oversight Entity.--The Director of the Office
of Management and Budget shall designate an office in the Office of
Management and Budget or another Federal entity to act on behalf of the
Director under subsection (a) and submit to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United States a report that describes
such office or entity and the resources made available to such office
or entity to adequately implement the provisions of this section.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
        beginning of chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code, is
        amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7507
        the following new item:

``7508. Oversight and evaluation.''.
    (b) Simplified Audit Process.--
            (1) Evaluation.--The Director, or the head of the office or
        entity designated by the Director under section 7508(c) of
        title 31, United States Code, shall evaluate the process for
        the single audit and the program-specific audit under chapter
        75 of title 31, United States Code, to identify simplified
        alternatives for achieving the purposes of the Single Audit Act
        of 1984 (Public Law 98-502; 98 Stat. 2327; 31 U.S.C. 7501 note)
        and the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (Public Law 104-
        156; 110 Stat. 1396; 31 U.S.C. 7501 note) for the audits of
        small recipients that also achieve the proper balance between
        risk and cost-effective accountability for small and large
        recipients.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the
        enactment of this Act, the Director, or the head of the office
        or entity designated by the Director under section 7508(c) of
        title 31, United States Code, shall submit to the Committee on
        Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the
        Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
        Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United
        States, a report on the results of the evaluation under
        paragraph (1).
            (3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    (A) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the
                Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
                    (B) Large recipient.--The term ``large recipient''
                means a non-Federal entity that expends a total amount
                of Federal awards equal to or in excess of $300,000 or
                such other amount specified by the Director under
                section 7502(a)(3) of title 31, United States Code, in
                any fiscal year.
                    (C) Non-federal entity.--The term ``non-Federal
                entity'' has the meaning given that term under section
                7501 of title 31, United States Code.
                    (D) Small recipient.--The term ``small recipient''
                means a non-Federal entity that expends a total amount
                of Federal awards of less than $300,000 or such other
                amount specified by the Director under section
                7502(a)(3) of title 31, United States Code, in any
                fiscal year.
    (c) Implementation of Recommendations To Improve Audit Quality.--
            (1) Evaluation.--The Director of the Office of Management
        and Budget shall evaluate the implementation of the
        recommendations made to the Office of Management and Budget by
        the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency in the
        report entitled ``Report on National Single Audit Sampling
        Project,'' dated June 2007.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the
        enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management
        and Budget shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security
        and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on
        Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
        Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United
        States a report on the results of the evaluation under
        paragraph (1).
    (d) Deadline for Designation of Oversight Entity.--Not later than
60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of
the Office of Management and Budget shall designate an office in the
Office of Management and Budget or another Federal entity under section
7508(c) of title 31, United States Code.

Output:
Government Audit Reform Act of 2010 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) should follow the recommendations of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report entitled "Single Audit: Opportunities Exist to Improve the Single Audit Process and Oversight" (GAO-09-307R), issued March 13, 2009.

Amends the Single Audit Act of 1984 to require the OMB Director (or a designee) to monitor and report annually to specified congressional committees and the Comptroller General on the risk, cost-benefit, efficiency, and effectiveness of the implementation of this Act by federal agencies by: (1) evaluating such implementation governmentwide; and (2) identifying additional guidance and resources necessary to improve such implementation, including revisions to regulations, best practices, and processes.

Requires the OMB Director to designate an OMB office or another federal entity (oversight entity) to act on OMB's behalf in such monitoring and reporting.

Requires the OMB Director (or a designated oversight entity) to evaluate and report to specified congressional committees and the Comptroller General on the process for the single audit and the program-specific audit to identify simplified alternatives for achieving the purposes of the Single Audit Act of 1984 and the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 for the audits of small recipients that also achieve the proper balance between risk and cost-effective accountability for small and large recipients.

Requires the OMB Director to evaluate and report to specified congressional committees and the Comptroller General on the implementation of the recommendations made to it by the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency in the report entitled "Report on National Single Audit Sampling Project," dated June 2007.

Establishes a deadline for OMB to designate such oversight entity.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Andrew Prior Act'' or ``Andrew's
Law''.

SEC. 2. DISCHARGE OF PRIVATE STUDENT LOANS.

    Section 128(e) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1638(e)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(12) Discharge of private educational loans in the event
        of the death of the borrower.--
                    ``(A) Definitions.--As used in this paragraph--
                            ``(i) the term `cosigner'--
                                    ``(I) means any individual who is
                                liable for the obligation of another
                                without compensation, regardless of how
                                designated in the contract or
                                instrument relating to the obligation;
                                    ``(II) includes any person whose
                                signature is requested as a condition
                                to grant credit or to forbear on
                                collection; and
                                    ``(III) does not include a spouse
                                of an individual referred to in
                                subclause (I) whose signature is needed
                                to perfect the security interest in the
                                loan;
                            ``(ii) the term `private educational
                        lender' has the same meaning as in section 140;
                            ``(iii) the term `private education loan'
                        has the same meaning as in section 140; and
                            ``(iv) the term `totally and permanently
                        disabled' means--
                                    ``(I) with respect to a person
                                other than a veteran, that the person
                                is unable to engage in any substantial
                                gainful activity because of a medically
                                determinable physical or mental
                                impairment that--
                                            ``(aa) can be expected to
                                        result in death;
                                            ``(bb) has lasted for a
                                        continuous period of not less
                                        than 60 months; or
                                            ``(cc) can be expected to
                                        last for a continuous period of
                                        not less than 60 months; and
                                    ``(II) in the case of a veteran (as
                                that term is defined in section 101 of
                                title 38, United States Code), a
                                determination from the Secretary of
                                Veterans Affairs that--
                                            ``(aa) such person has a
                                        service-connected disability or
                                        service-connected disabilities
                                        that are 100 percent disabling;
                                        or
                                            ``(bb) such person is
                                        totally disabled, based on an
                                        Individual Unemployability
                                        determination by the Secretary
                                        of Veterans Affairs.
                    ``(B) Private educational loans discharged.--In the
                event of the death of a borrower of a private
                educational loan, or if the borrower of a private
                educational loan is totally and permanently disabled,
                neither the estate of the borrower nor any cosigner of
                such private educational loan shall be obligated to
                repay the outstanding principal or interest on the
                loan.
                    ``(C) Limitations.--The Bureau--
                            ``(i) shall develop such safeguards as may
                        be necessary and appropriate to prevent fraud
                        and abuse in the discharge of liability under
                        this subsection; and
                            ``(ii) notwithstanding any other provision
                        of this subsection, may promulgate regulations
                        to reinstate the obligation of loans discharged
                        under this subsection in any case in which the
                        Director determines necessary to protect the
                        public interest.''.

SEC. 3. REGULATIONS.

    The Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection may
issue such regulations as may be necessary and appropriate to carry out
this Act.

Output: Andrew Prior Act or Andrew's Law - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to discharge the repayment obligations of the estate of a borrower and any cosigner of a private educational loan if the borrower dies or is totally and permanently disabled. Requires the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to develop necessary and appropriate safeguards to prevent fraud and abuse in the discharge of those obligations.  Authorizes the Director to promulgate regulations to reinstate those obligations in any case in which the Director determines that doing so is necessary to protect the public interest.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Critical Infrastructure Protection
Act'' or ``CIPA''.

SEC. 2. EMP PLANNING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND PROTECTION AND
              PREPAREDNESS.

    (a) In General.--The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121)
is amended--
            (1) in section 2 (6 U.S.C. 101), by inserting after
        paragraph (6) the following:
            ``(6a) EMP.--The term `EMP' means--
                    ``(A) an electromagnetic pulse caused by
                intentional means, including acts of terrorism; and
                    ``(B) a geomagnetic disturbance caused by solar
                storms or other naturally occurring phenomena.'';
            (2) in title V (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.), by adding at the end
        the following:

``SEC. 526. NATIONAL PLANNING SCENARIOS AND EDUCATION.

    ``The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable--
            ``(1) include in national planning scenarios the threat of
        EMP events; and
            ``(2) conduct outreach to educate owners and operators of
        critical infrastructure, emergency planners, and emergency
        responders at all levels of government of the threat of EMP
        events.'';
            (3) in title III (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), by adding at the
        end of the following:

``SEC. 318. EMP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--In furtherance of domestic preparedness and
response, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science
and Technology, and in consultation with other relevant agencies and
departments of the Federal Government and relevant owners and operators
of critical infrastructure, shall, to the extent practicable, conduct
research and development to mitigate the consequences of EMP events.
    ``(b) Scope.--The scope of the research and development under
subsection (a) shall include the following:
            ``(1) An objective scientific analysis of the risks to
        critical infrastructures from a range of EMP events.
            ``(2) Determination of the critical national security
        assets and vital civic utilities and infrastructures that are
        at risk from EMP events.
            ``(3) An evaluation of emergency planning and response
        technologies that would address the findings and
        recommendations of experts, including those of the Commission
        to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic
        Pulse Attack.
            ``(4) An analysis of technology options that are available
        to improve the resiliency of critical infrastructure to EMP.
            ``(5) The restoration and recovery capabilities of critical
        infrastructure under differing levels of damage and disruption
        from various EMP events.''; and
            (4) in section 201(d) (6 U.S.C. 121(d)), by adding at the
        end the following:
            ``(26)(A) Prepare and submit to the Committee on Homeland
        Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
        Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate--
                    ``(i) a recommended strategy to protect and prepare
                the critical infrastructure of the American homeland
                against EMP events, including from acts of terrorism;
                and
                    ``(ii) biennial updates on the status of the
                recommended strategy.
            ``(B) The recommended strategy shall--
                    ``(i) be based on findings of the research and
                development conducted under section 318;
                    ``(ii) be developed in consultation with the
                relevant Federal sector-specific agencies (as defined
                under Homeland Security Presidential Directive-7) for
                critical infrastructures;
                    ``(iii) be developed in consultation with the
                relevant sector coordinating councils for critical
                infrastructures; and
                    ``(iv) include a classified annex as needed.
            ``(C) The Secretary may, if appropriate, incorporate the
        recommended strategy into a broader recommendation developed by
        the Department to help protect and prepare critical
        infrastructure from terrorism and other threats if, as
        incorporated, the strategy complies with subparagraph (B).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
such Act is amended--
            (1) by adding at the end of the items relating to title V
        the following:

``Sec. 526. National planning scenarios and education.'';
        and
            (2) by adding at the end of the items relating to title III
        the following:

``Sec. 318. EMP research and development.''.
    (c) Deadline for Recommended Strategy.--The Secretary of Homeland
Security shall submit the recommended strategy required under the
amendment made by subsection (a)(4) by not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (d) Report.--The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress by not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act
describing the progress made in, and an estimated date by which the
Department of Homeland Security will have completed--
            (1) including EMP (as defined in the amendment made by
        subsection (a)(1)) threats in national planning scenarios;
            (2) research and development described in the amendment
        made by subsection (a)(3);
            (3) development of the comprehensive plan required under
        the amendment made by subsection (a)(4); and
            (4) outreach to educate owners and operators of critical
        infrastructure, emergency planners and emergency responders at
        all levels of government regarding the threat of EMP events.

SEC. 3. NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY.

    Nothing in this Act, including the amendments made by this Act,
shall be construed to grant any regulatory authority.

SEC. 4. NO NEW AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    This Act, including the amendments made by this Act, may be carried
out only by using funds appropriated under the authority of other laws.

            Passed the House of Representatives December 1, 2014.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.

Output: Critical Infrastructure Protection Act or CIPA - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) include in national planning scenarios the threat of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) events; and (2) conduct outreach to educate owners and operators of critical infrastructure, emergency planners, and emergency responders at all levels of government of the threat of EMP events. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to conduct research and development to mitigate the consequences of EMP events, including: (1) an objective scientific analysis of the risks to critical infrastructures from a range of EMP events; (2) determination of the critical national security assets and vital civic utilities and infrastructures that are at risk from EMP events; (3) an evaluation of emergency planning and response technologies that would address the findings and recommendations of experts, including those of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack; (4) an analysis of available technology options to improve the resiliency of critical infrastructure to EMP; and (5) the restoration and recovery capabilities of critical infrastructure under differing levels of damage and disruption from various EMP events. Includes among the responsibilities of the Secretary of Homeland Security relating to intelligence and analysis and infrastructure protection to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees: (1) a recommended strategy to protect and prepare the critical infrastructure of the American homeland against EMP events, including from acts of terrorism; and (2) biennial updates on the status of such strategy. Authorizes the Secretary to incorporate such strategy into a broader recommendation developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to help protect and prepare critical infrastructure from terrorism and other threats.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Clean Water Affordability Act of
2014''.

SEC. 2. INTEGRATED PERMITTING PROCESS.

    (a) In General.--Section 402(a) of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1342(a)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
            ``(6) Integrated permits.--
                    ``(A) Definition of publicly owned permittee.--In
                this paragraph, the term `publicly owned permittee'
                means either--
                            ``(i) a treatment works (as defined in
                        section 212) that is publicly owned; or
                            ``(ii) a municipal separate storm sewer
                        system referred to in this section.
                    ``(B) Planning approach.--The Administrator shall
                establish a comprehensive and integrated planning
                approach to the obligations under this section of a
                publicly owned permittee--
                            ``(i) under which permit obligations may be
                        implemented according to a schedule that--
                                    ``(I) accounts for the financial
                                capability of the publicly owned
                                permittee;
                                    ``(II) prioritizes permit
                                obligations according to the most cost-
                                effective and environmentally
                                beneficial outcomes;
                                    ``(III) accounts for the
                                preexisting maintenance, operational,
                                and regulatory obligations of the
                                publicly owned permittee under this
                                section; and
                                    ``(IV) enables the publicly owned
                                permittee to implement innovative
                                approaches to meet those obligations;
                                and
                            ``(ii) that accounts for changed
                        circumstances in the obligations of the
                        publicly owned permittee, such as--
                                    ``(I) new innovative treatment
                                approaches;
                                    ``(II) new regulatory requirements;
                                and
                                    ``(III) changes in financial
                                capability.''.
    (b) Duration of Permits.--Section 402(b)(1)(B) of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1342(b)(1)(B)) is amended by inserting
before the semicolon at the end the following: ``, except that a permit
with a term of more than 5 years but not more than 25 years may be
approved if the permittee has an approved integrated plan established
under subsection (a)(6)''.

SEC. 3. UPDATING OF GUIDANCE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (2) Affordability.--The term ``affordability'' means, with
        respect to payment of a utility bill, a measure of whether an
        individual customer or household can pay the bill without undue
        hardship or unreasonable sacrifice in the essential lifestyle
        or spending patterns of the individual or household, as
        determined by the Administrator.
            (3) Financial capability.--The term ``financial
        capability'' means the financial capability of a community to
        make investments necessary to make water quality-related
        improvements, taking into consideration the criteria described
        in subsection (b)(2)(A).
            (4) Guidance.--The term ``guidance'' means the guidance
        published by the Administrator entitled ``Combined Sewer
        Overflows--Guidance for Financial Capability Assessment and
        Schedule Development'' and dated February 1997, as applicable
        to combined sewer overflows and sanitary sewer overflows.
    (b) Updating.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall update the
        guidance to ensure that the evaluations by the Administrator of
        financial capability assessment and schedule development meet
        the criteria described in paragraph (2).
            (2) Criteria.--The criteria described in this paragraph are
        that, under the updated guidance--
                    (A) in assessing the financial capability of a
                community--
                            (i) greater emphasis should be placed on
                        local economic conditions;
                            (ii) for regional systems, consideration
                        should be given to the economic conditions of
                        political jurisdictions and significant
                        demographic groups within each region;
                            (iii) prescriptive formulas for use in
                        calculating financial capability and thresholds
                        for expenditure should not be considered to be
                        the only indicator of the financial capability
                        of a community;
                            (iv) site-specific local conditions should
                        be taken into consideration in analyzing
                        financial capability;
                            (v) a single measure of financial
                        capability or affordability (such as median
                        household income) should be viewed in the
                        context of other economic measures, rather than
                        as a threshold to be achieved; and
                            (vi)(I) consideration should be given to
                        the economic outlook of a community, including
                        the potential impact of program requirements
                        over time, in the development of implementation
                        schedules; and
                            (II) the assessment should take into
                        consideration other essential community
                        investments relating to water quality
                        improvements;
                    (B) with respect to the timing of implementation of
                water quality-related improvements--
                            (i) environmental improvement
                        implementation schedules should be structured
                        to mitigate the potential adverse impact on
                        distressed populations resulting from the costs
                        of the improvements;
                            (ii) implementation schedules should
                        reflect local community financial conditions
                        and economic impacts;
                            (iii) implementation schedules should allow
                        permittees up to 30 years to implement water
                        quality-related improvements in appropriate
                        cases in which the cost of implementing the
                        improvements places a high financial burden on
                        the permittee; and
                            (iv) existing implementation schedules
                        should be modified in appropriate cases taking
                        into consideration the criteria set forth in
                        this subparagraph;
                    (C) with respect to implementation--
                            (i) a determination of local financial
                        capability may be achieved through an
                        evaluation of an array of factors the relative
                        importance of which may vary across regions and
                        localities; and
                            (ii) an appropriate methodology should give
                        consideration to such various factors as are
                        appropriate to recognize the prevailing and
                        projected economic concerns in a community; and
                    (D) the residential indicator should be revised to
                include--
                            (i) a consideration of costs imposed upon
                        ratepayers for essential utilities;
                            (ii) increased consideration and
                        quantification of local community-imposed costs
                        in regional systems;
                            (iii) a mechanism to assess impacts on
                        communities with disparate economic conditions
                        throughout the entire service area of a
                        utility;
                            (iv) a consideration of the industrial and
                        population trends of a community;
                            (v) recognition that--
                                    (I) the median household income of
                                a service area reflects a numerical
                                median rather than the distribution of
                                incomes within the service area; and
                                    (II) more representative methods of
                                determining affordability, such as
                                shelter costs, essential utility
                                payments, State affordability criteria,
                                and State and local tax efforts, should
                                be considered;
                            (vi) a consideration of low-income
                        ratepayer percentages; and
                            (vii) impacts relating to program delivery,
                        such as water quality infrastructure market
                        saturation and program management.
            (3) Implementation.--The updated guidance should indicate
        that, in a case in which a previously approved long-term
        control plan or associated enforceable agreement does not
        prohibit modification of the plan or terms of the agreement
        (including financial capability considerations), and all
        parties are in agreement that a change is needed or that the
        plan or agreement does not prohibit reopening to address
        changes in the economic or financial status of the community
        since the effective date of the plan or agreement,
        reconsideration and modification of financial capability
        determinations and implementation schedules based on the
        criteria described in paragraph (2) is appropriate.
            (4) Applicability.--The Administrator shall apply the
        updated guidance, including the criteria described in paragraph
        (2), to each determination and analysis of affordability,
        financial capability, or widespread and substantial economic
        impact related to implementation of a program under the Federal
        Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.).
    (c) Publication and Submission.--Upon completion of the updating of
guidance under subsection (b), the Administrator shall publish in the
Federal Register and submit to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives the updated guidance.

SEC. 4. CAPITALIZATION GRANT AGREEMENTS.

    Section 602(b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1382(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (9);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (10) and
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) the State will use at least 15 percent of the amount
        of each capitalization grant received by the State under this
        title after September 30, 2015, to provide assistance to
        municipalities of fewer than 10,000 individuals that meet the
        affordability criteria established by the State under section
        603(i)(2) for activities included on the State's priority list
        established under section 603(g), to the extent that there are
        sufficient applications for such assistance.''.

SEC. 5. WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS.

    (a) Extended Repayment Period.--Section 603(d)(1) of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383(d)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``20 years'' and
        inserting ``the lesser of 30 years or the design life of the
        project to be financed with the proceeds of the loan''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``not later than 20
        years after project completion'' and inserting ``upon the
        expiration of the term of the loan''.
    (b) Additional Subsidization.--Section 603 of such Act (33 U.S.C.
1383) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(i) Additional Subsidization.--
            ``(1) In general.--In any case in which a State provides
        assistance to a municipality or intermunicipal, interstate, or
        State agency under subsection (d), the State may provide
        additional subsidization, including forgiveness of principal,
        negative interest loans, and grants to benefit a municipality
        that--
                    ``(A) meets the State's affordability criteria
                established under paragraph (2); or
                    ``(B) does not meet the State's affordability
                criteria if the recipient--
                            ``(i) seeks additional subsidization to
                        benefit individual ratepayers in the
                        residential user rate class; and
                            ``(ii) demonstrates to the State that such
                        ratepayers will experience a significant
                        hardship from the increase in rates necessary
                        to finance the project or activity for which
                        assistance is sought.
            ``(2) Affordability criteria.--
                    ``(A) Establishment.--On or before September 30,
                2015, and after providing notice and an opportunity for
                public comment, a State shall establish affordability
                criteria to assist in identifying municipalities that
                would experience a significant hardship raising the
                revenue necessary to finance a project or activity
                eligible for assistance under section 603(c)(1) if
                additional subsidization is not provided. Such criteria
                shall be based on income data, population trends, and
                other data determined relevant by the State, including
                whether the project or activity is to be carried out in
                an economically distressed area, as described in
                section 301 of the Public Works and Economic
                Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3161).
                    ``(B) Existing criteria.--If a State has previously
                established, after providing notice and an opportunity
                for public comment, affordability criteria that meet
                the requirements of subparagraph (A), the State may use
                the criteria for the purposes of this subsection. For
                purposes of this Act, any such criteria shall be
                treated as affordability criteria established under
                this paragraph.
                    ``(C) Information to assist states.--The
                Administrator may publish information to assist States
                in establishing affordability criteria under
                subparagraph (A).
            ``(3) Use of capitalization grants.--A State shall use not
        less than 20 percent but not more than 30 percent of the amount
        of the capitalization grants received by the State under this
        title in fiscal years beginning after September 30, 2015, to
        provide additional subsidization to eligible recipients under
        paragraph (1).''.

Output: Clean Water Affordability Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a comprehensive and integrated planning approach to the obligations concerning permits for pollutant discharges of a publicly owned permittee. Defines such a permittee as a treatment works that is publicly owned or a municipal separate storm sewer system.  Requires the approach to such obligations to: (1) include requirements for a schedule under which they may be implemented, and (2) account for changed circumstances in the obligations of the publicly owned permittee. Allows approval of a permit under a state-administered program with a term of more than 5 but no more than 25 years if the permittee has an integrated plan approved under this Act. Requires the Administrator to update the guidance entitled "Combined Sewer Overflows--Guidance for Financial Capability Assessment and Schedule Development," dated February 1997, to ensure that the evaluations by the Administrator of financial capability assessment and schedule development meet specified criteria, including criteria used in: (1) assessing financial capability of a community to make investments necessary to make water quality-related improvements, and (2) implementing water quality-related improvements.  Revises requirements for capitalization grant agreements with states for establishing water pollution control revolving funds. Requires states to set aside 15% of funds for assistance to municipalities of fewer than 10,000 individuals that meet specified affordability criteria. Authorizes the fund to be used to make loans at terms not to exceed 30 years or the design life of the project to be financed with the proceeds of the loan (currently 20 years). Authorizes a state to provide additional subsidization, including forgiveness of principal, negative interest loans, and grants to benefit a municipality that: (1) meets affordability criteria, or (2) does not meet such criteria if the recipient seeks the additional subsidization to benefit ratepayers that will experience a significant hardship from the increase in rates necessary to finance the project or activity for which assistance is sought. Establishes affordability criteria to assist in identifying municipalities that would experience a significant hardship raising the revenue necessary to finance a project or activity eligible for assistance.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Professional's Access To Health
Workforce Integration Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. CAREER SUPPORT FOR SKILLED, INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED HEALTH
              PROFESSIONALS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) According to the Association of Schools of Public
        Health, projections indicate a nationwide shortage of up to
        250,000 public health workers needed by 2020.
            (2) Similar trends are projected for other health
        professions indicating shortages across disciplines, including
        within the fields of nursing (500,000 by 2025), dentistry
        (15,000 by 2025), pharmacy (38,000 by 2030), mental and
        behavioral health, primary care (46,000 by 2025), and community
        and allied health.
            (3) A nationwide health workforce shortage will result in
        serious health threats and more severe and costly health care
        needs, due to, in part, a delayed response to food-borne
        outbreaks, emerging infectious diseases, natural disasters,
        fewer cancer screenings, and delayed treatment.
            (4) Vulnerable and underserved populations and health
        professional shortage areas will be most severely impacted by
        the health workforce shortage.
            (5) According to the Migration Policy Institute, over
        2,000,000 college-educated immigrants in the United States
        today are unemployed or underemployed in low- or semi-skilled
        jobs that fail to draw on their education and expertise.
            (6) Approximately 2 out of every 5 internationally educated
        immigrants are unemployed or underemployed.
            (7) According to Drexel University Center for Labor Markets
        and Policy, underemployment for internationally educated
        immigrant women is 28 percent higher than for their male
        counterparts.
            (8) According to the Drexel University Center for labor
        markets and policy, the mean annual earnings of underemployed
        immigrants were $32,000, or 43 percent less than United States
        born college graduates employed in the college labor market.
            (9) According to Upwardly Global and the Welcome Back
        Initiative, with proper guidance and support, underemployed
        skilled immigrants typically increase their income by 215
        percent to 900 percent.
            (10) According to the Brookings Institution and the
        Partnership for a New American Economy, immigrants working in
        the health workforce are, on average, better educated than
        United States-born workers in the health workforce.
    (b) Grants to Eligible Entities.--
            (1) Authority to provide grants.--The Secretary of Health
        and Human Services acting through the Bureau of Health
        Workforce within the Health Resources and Services
        Administration, the National Institute on Minority Health and
        Health Disparities, or the Office of Minority Health (in this
        section referred to as the ``Secretary'') may award grants to
        eligible entities to carry out activities described in
        subsection (c).
            (2) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
        this section, an entity shall--
                    (A) be a clinical, public health, or health
                services organization, a community-based or nonprofit
                entity, an academic institution, a faith-based
                organization, a State, county, or local government, an
                Area Health Education Center, or another entity
                determined appropriate by the Secretary; and
                    (B) submit to the Secretary an application at such
                time, in such manner, and containing such information
                as the Secretary may require.
    (c) Authorized Activities.--A grant awarded under this section
shall be used--
            (1) to provide services to assist unemployed and
        underemployed skilled immigrants, residing in the United
        States, who have legal, permanent work authorization and who
        are internationally educated health professionals, enter into
        the American health workforce with employment matching their
        health professional skills and education, and advance in
        employment to positions that better match their health
        professional education and expertise;
            (2) to provide training opportunities to reduce barriers to
        entry and advancement in the health workforce for skilled,
        internationally educated immigrants;
            (3) to educate employers regarding the abilities and
        capacities of internationally educated health professionals;
            (4) to assist in the evaluation of foreign credentials; and
            (5) to facilitate access to contextualized and accelerated
        courses on English as a second language.
    (d) Definition.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``health professional'' means an individual
        trained for employment or intended employment in the field of
        public health, health management, dentistry, health
        administration, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, social
        work, psychiatry, other mental and behavioral health, allied
        health, community health or wellness work, including fitness
        and nutrition, or other fields as determined appropriate by the
        Secretary.
            (2) The term ``underemployed'' means being employed at less
        skilled tasks than an employee's training or abilities would
        otherwise permit.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary
for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.

Output: Professional's Access To Health Workforce Integration Act of 2015 Directs the Department of Health and Human Services, acting through the Bureau of Health Workforce within the Health Resources and Services Administration, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, or the Office of Minority Health (HHS), to award grants to eligible entities to:  provide services to assist unemployed and underemployed skilled immigrants residing in the United States, who have legal, permanent work authorization and who are internationally educated health professionals, in entering into and advancing in the American health workforce with employment matching their health professional skills, education, and expertise;  provide training opportunities to reduce barriers to entry and advancement in the health workforce for skilled, internationally educated immigrants;   educate employers regarding the abilities and capacities of internationally educated health professionals;   assist in the evaluation of foreign credentials; and   facilitate access to contextualized and accelerated courses on English as a second language.  Includes as an eligible entity a clinical, public health, or health services organization, a community-based or nonprofit entity, an academic institution, a faith-based organization, a state, county, or local government, or an Area Health Education Center that submits an application that meets HHS requirements. Defines "health professional" as an individual trained for employment or intended employment in specified fields, including public health, health management, dentistry, health administration, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, social work, psychiatry, and other mental and behavioral health, allied health, and community health or wellness work.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Monument Creation and
Protection Act'' or the ``National Monument CAP Act''.

SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON SIZE; CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE OBJECTS.

    Section 320301 of title 54, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``historic landmarks,
        historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of
        historic or scientific interest'' and inserting ``object or
        objects of antiquity'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``confined to the
        smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of
        the objects to be protected'' and inserting ``in accordance
        with the limitations outlined in subsections (e), (f), (g), and
        (h)''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Limitation on Size of National Monuments.--Except as provided
by subsections (f), (g), and (h), after the date of the enactment of
this subsection, land may not be declared under this section in a
configuration that would create a national monument--
            ``(1) that is more than 640 acres; and
            ``(2) whose exterior boundary is less than 50 miles from
        the closest exterior boundary of another national monument
        declared under this section.
    ``(f) Exception for Monuments of Less Than 5,000 Acres.--Subsection
(e) shall not apply to the designation of a national monument under
this section if the national monument so designated--
            ``(1) would be less than 5,000 acres;
            ``(2) would have all exterior boundaries 50 miles or more
        from the closest exterior boundary of another national monument
        declared under this section; and
            ``(3) has been reviewed under the National Environmental
        Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) by the Secretary of
        the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate.
    ``(g) Exception for Monuments of 5,000 Acres and up to 10,000
Acres.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subsection (e) shall not apply to the
        designation of a national monument under this section if the
        national monument so designated--
                    ``(A) would be at least 5,000 acres but not more
                than 10,000 acres; and
                    ``(B) would have all exterior boundaries 50 miles
                or more from the closest exterior boundary of another
                national monument declaration under this section.
            ``(2) Other requirement.--A monument described in this
        subsection shall be subject to the preparation of an
        environmental assessment or environmental impact statement as
        part of a review under the National Environmental Policy Act of
        1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The choice of environmental
        review document shall be within the discretion of the Secretary
        of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as
        appropriate.
    ``(h) Exception for Monuments 10,000 Acres and up to 85,000
Acres.--Subsection (e) shall not apply to the designation of a national
monument under this section if the national monument so designated--
            ``(1) would be at least 10,000 acres but not more than
        85,000 acres;
            ``(2) would have all exterior boundaries 50 miles or more
        from the closest exterior boundary of another national monument
        declaration under this section; and
            ``(3) has been approved by the elected governing body of
        each county (or county equivalent), the legislature of each
        State, and the Governor of each State within whose boundaries
        the national monument will be located (and the Governor of each
        such State has transmitted a copy of each such approval to the
        President).
    ``(i) Exception for Emergency Designation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subsection (e) shall not apply to the
        designation under this section of a national monument of any
        acreage amount if designation is made to prevent imminent and
        irreparable harm to the object or objects of antiquity to be
        protected by the designation.
            ``(2) One year limitation.--A national monument designation
        under this subsection shall terminate on the date that is one
        calendar year after the date of the designation.
            ``(3) One time designation.--Land designated as a national
        monument under this subsection--
                    ``(A) may only be so designated one time; and
                    ``(B) may not also be permanently designated as a
                national monument under this section.
            ``(4) Rights and uses.--Land designated as a national
        monument under this subsection shall remain subject to--
                    ``(A) valid existing rights; and
                    ``(B) uses allowed on the day before such
                designation under an applicable Resource Management
                Plan or Forest Plan.
    ``(j) Presidential Authority To Reduce Size of Declared
Monuments.--The President may--
            ``(1) reduce the size of any national monument declared
        under this section by 85,000 acres or less; or
            ``(2) reduce the size of any national monument declared
        under this section by more than 85,000 acres only if the
        reduction--
                    ``(A) has been approved by the elected governing
                body of each county (or county equivalent), the
                legislature of each State, and the Governor of each
                State within whose boundaries the national monument
                will be located (and the Governor of each such State
                has transmitted a copy of each such approval to the
                President); and
                    ``(B) has been reviewed under the National
                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
                seq.) by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary
                of Agriculture, as appropriate.
    ``(k) Non-Federally Owned Property.--After the date of the
enactment of this subsection, land may not be declared as a national
monument under this section in a configuration that would place non-
federally owned property within the exterior boundaries of the national
monument without the express written consent of the owners of that non-
federally owned property.
    ``(l) Effect of Declaration on Federal Funds.--No declaration under
this section shall be construed to increase the amount of Federal funds
that are authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year.
    ``(m) Water Rights Associated With a Declaration.--Water rights
associated with a declaration under this section--
            ``(1) may not be reserved expressly or by implication by a
        declaration under this section; and
            ``(2) may be acquired for a declaration under this section
        only in accordance with the laws of the State in which the
        water rights are based.
    ``(n) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
            ``(1) Declaration; declared.--The terms `declaration' and
        `declared' shall only include the creation or expansion of a
        national monument under this section.
            ``(2) Land.--The term `land' shall not include submerged
        land or water.
            ``(3) Object or objects of antiquity.--
                    ``(A) The term `object or objects of antiquity'
                means--
                            ``(i) relics;
                            ``(ii) artifacts;
                            ``(iii) human or animal skeletal remains;
                            ``(iv) fossils (other than fossil fuels);
                        and
                            ``(v) certain buildings constructed before
                        the date of the enactment of this subsection.
                    ``(B) The term `object or objects of antiquity'
                does not include--
                            ``(i) natural geographic features; and
                            ``(ii) objects not made by humans, except
                        fossils (other than fossil fuels) or human or
                        animal skeletal remains.''.

Output: National Monument Creation and Protection Act This bill amends the Antiquities Act of 1906 to allow the President to declare by public proclamation an object or objects of antiquity (currently, historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest) that are situated on lands owned or controlled by the federal government to be national monuments. "Objects of antiquity" means relics, artifacts, human or animal skeletal remains, fossils, and certain buildings constructed before enactment of this bill. The bill prescribes limits on land that may be declared to be a national monument based on acreage, proximity to other national monuments, whether it has been reviewed by the Department of the Interior or Agriculture (USDA) under the National Environmental Policy Act, and whether it has been approved by each county and state within whose boundaries it will be located. Such limitation shall not apply to a designation made to prevent imminent and irreparable harm to the object or objects of antiquity to be protected. Such exception shall end after one year and may be used only once.  The President may reduce the size of any declared national monument: (1) by 85,000 acres or less; or (2) by more than 85,000 acres only if the reduction has been approved by each county and state within whose boundaries the monument will be located and reviewed by Interior or USDA under the National Environmental Policy Act.  The bill prohibits any land from being declared as a national monument in a configuration that would place nonfederally owned property within the monument without first obtaining the owners' written consent.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Veteran Home Loan
Act ''.

SEC. 2. PERMANENT AUTHORITY TO MAKE DIRECT HOUSING LOANS TO NATIVE
              AMERICAN VETERANS.

    (a) Permanent Authority.--Section 3761 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``establish and implement a pilot
                program under which the Secretary may'' in the first
                sentence; and
                    (B) by striking ``shall establish and implement the
                pilot program'' in the third sentence and inserting
                ``shall make such loans'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``In carrying out the
        pilot program under this subchapter, the'' and inserting
        ``The''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (c).
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3762 of such title is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)(E), by striking ``the pilot
        program established under this subchapter is implemented'' and
        inserting ``loans under this subchapter are made'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ``carry out the
        pilot program under this subchapter in a manner that
        demonstrates the advisability of making direct housing loans''
        in the second sentence and inserting ``make direct housing
        loans under this subchapter'';
            (3) in subsection (i)--
                    (A) by striking ``the pilot program provided for
                under this subchapter and'' in paragraph (1);
                    (B) by striking ``under the pilot program and in
                assisting such organizations and veterans in
                participating in the pilot program.'' in paragraph
                (2)(A) and inserting ``under this subchapter and in
                assisting such organizations and veterans with respect
                to such housing benefits.''; and
                    (C) by striking ``in participating in the pilot
                program.'' in paragraph (2)(E) and inserting ``with
                respect to such benefits.'';
            (4) in subsection (j)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``through 2006''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``the implementation of
                        the pilot program'' and inserting ``activities
                        conducted''; and
                    (B) by striking ``pilot program'' each place it
                appears in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) and inserting
                ``housing benefits under this subchapter''.
    (c) Establishment of Maximum Amount of Loans.--(1) Subsection
(c)(1)(B) of section 3762 of such title is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``(B) The'' and inserting ``(B)(i)
                The'';
                    (B) by striking ``The amount'' in the second
                sentence and inserting ``Subject to clause (ii), the
                amount''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
    ``(ii) The amount of any increase under clause (i) may not exceed
an amount determined by subtracting--
            ``(I) the amount referred to in subparagraph (A), from
            ``(II) the amount of the Freddie Mac conforming loan limit
        limitation determined under section 305(a)(2) of the Federal
        Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)) for a
        single-family residence, as adjusted for the year involved.''.
    (2) Subsection (j)(1) of such section is amended by inserting
``referred to in subsection (c)(1)(A)'' before the period at the end.
    (d) Technical Amendment.--Subsection (c)(1)(A) of section 3762 of
such title is amended by inserting ``veteran'' after ``Native
American''.
    (e) Clerical Amendments.--(1) The heading for subchapter V of
chapter 37 of such title is amended to read as follows:

  ``SUBCHAPTER V--DIRECT HOUSING LOANS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS''.

    (2) The heading for section 3761 of such title is amended to read
as follows:
``Sec. 3761. Permanent authority to make direct housing loans to Native
              American veterans''.
    (3) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 37 of such
title is amended by striking the items relating to subchapter V and
section 3761 and inserting the following new items:

   ``subchapter v--direct housing loans for native american veterans
``3761. Permanent authority to make direct housing loans to Native
                            American veterans.''.

SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR DIRECT LOANS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN
              VETERANS TO A VETERAN WHO IS THE SPOUSE OF A NATIVE
              AMERICAN.

    (a) Extension.--Subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 3764 as section 3765; and
            (2) by inserting after section 3763 the following new
        section:
``Sec. 3764. Qualified non-Native American veterans
    ``(a) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for
purposes of this subchapter, a qualified non-Native American veteran is
deemed to be a Native American veteran, except that any reference in
this subchapter to the jurisdiction of a tribal organization over a
Native American veteran is deemed to be a reference to the Native
American spouse of the qualified non-Native American veteran.
    ``(b) In making direct loans under this subchapter to a qualified
non-Native American veteran, the Secretary shall ensure that the tribal
organization permits, and the qualified non-Native American veteran
actually holds, possesses, or purchases, using the proceeds of the
loan, jointly with the Native American spouse of the qualified non-
Native American veteran, a meaningful interest in the lot, dwelling, or
both, that is located on trust land.
    ``(c) Nothing in subsection (b) shall be construed as precluding a
tribal organization from imposing reasonable restrictions on the right
of the qualified non-Native American veteran to convey, assign, or
otherwise dispose of such interest in the lot, dwelling, or both if
such restrictions are designed to ensure the continuation in trust
status of the lot, dwelling, or both. Such requirements may include the
termination of the interest of the qualified non-Native American
veteran in the lot, dwelling, or both upon the dissolution of the
marriage of the qualified non-Native American veteran to the Native
American spouse.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3765 of such title, as
redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
            ``(5) The term `qualified non-Native American veteran'
        means a veteran who--
                    ``(A) is the spouse of a Native American, but
                    ``(B) is not a Native American.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 37 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to
section 3764 and inserting after the item relating to section 3763 the
following new items:

``3764. Qualified non-Native American veterans.
``3765. Definitions.''.

Output: Native American Veteran Home Loan Act - Amends Federal veterans law to: (1) convert into a permanent program the pilot program (set to expire after December 31, 2008) under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may make direct housing loans to Native American veterans; (2) limit the amount of any increase in the principal amount of any direct housing loan made to a Native American; and (3) extend the eligibility for such direct loans to a non-Native American veteran who is the spouse of a Native American.


Input:
SECTION 1. HOMEBUYER CREDIT ALLOWED FOR ANY PURCHASE OF PRINCIPAL
              RESIDENCE.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 36 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``who is a first-time
homebuyer of a principal residence'' and inserting ``who purchases a
principal residence''.
    (b) Application to Only 1 Sale.--Subsection (b) of section 36 of
such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Application to only 1 sale.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subsection (a) shall not apply
                to more than 1 sale or exchange of a principal
                residence by the individual.
                    ``(B) Special rule for joint returns.--In the case
                of a joint return with respect to the sale or exchange
                of a principal residence, if a credit was allowable
                under subsection (a) to a spouse for a prior sale or
                exchange of a principal residence, paragraph (1) shall
                be applied by reducing the $8,000 in subparagraph (A)
                thereof and the $4,000 in subparagraph (B) thereof by
                the credit so allowable (one-half of such credit in the
                case of a joint return).''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Subsection (c) of section 36 of such Code is amended by
        striking paragraph (1) (defining first-time homebuyer) and by
        redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) as paragraphs
        (1), (2), (3), and (4), respectively.
            (2) The heading for section 36 of such Code is amended by
        striking ``First-time''.
            (3) The item in the table of sections for subpart C of part
        IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code relating to
        section 36 is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. Homebuyer credit.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to residences purchased after the date of the enactment of this
Act.

SEC. 2. 1-YEAR EXTENSION OF HOMEBUYER CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (h) of section 36 of the Internal
Revenue Code is amended by striking ``December 1, 2009'' and inserting
``December 1, 2010''.
    (b) Extension of Waiver of Recapture.--Subparagraph (D) of section
36(f)(4) of such Code is amended--
            (1) by striking ``December 1, 2009'' and inserting
        ``December 1, 2010'', and
            (2) in the heading by striking ``for purchases in 2009''
        and inserting ``certain purchases''.
    (c) Election To Treat Purchase in Prior Year.--Subsection (g) of
such Code is amended to read as follows:
    ``(g) Election To Treat Purchase in Prior Year.--For purposes of
this section (other than subsections (c) and (f)(4)(D)), a taxpayer may
elect to treat a purchase of a principal residence--
            ``(1) after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2010,
        as made on December 31, 2008, and
            ``(2) after December 31, 2009, and before December 1, 2010,
        as made on December 31, 2009.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. DEDUCTION FOR LOSS FROM SALE OF PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE.

    (a) In General.--Part VII of subchapter B of chapter I of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized
deductions for individuals) is amended by redesignating section 224 as
section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the following new
section:

``SEC. 224. LOSS FROM SALE OF PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE.

    ``(a) Allowance of Deduction.--In the case of an individual, there
shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year any loss
recognized on the sale or exchange of property during the taxable year
if, during the 5-year period ending on the date of the sale or
exchange, such property has been owned and used by the taxpayer as the
taxpayer's principal residence for periods aggregating 2 years or more.
    ``(b) Limitations.--
            ``(1) Aggregate limitation.--The aggregate amount allowed
        as a deduction under subsection (a) for all taxable years shall
        not exceed $6,000 ($12,000 in the case of a joint return).
            ``(2) Annual limitation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The amount allowed to a taxpayer
                as a deduction under subsection (a) for a taxable year
                shall not exceed $2,000 ($4,000 in the case of a joint
                return).
                    ``(B) Carryforward.--If the deduction allowable
                under subsection (a) for any taxable year exceeds the
                limitation imposed by subparagraph (A) for the taxable
                year, the excess shall be carried to each of the 2
                succeeding taxable years and added to the deduction
                allowable under subsection (a) for such succeeding
                year.
            ``(3) Exclusion of loss allocated to nonqualified use.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subsection (a) shall not apply
                to so much of the loss from the sale or exchange of
                property as is allocated to periods of nonqualified
                use.
                    ``(B) Allocation.--For purposes of subparagraph
                (A), loss shall be allocated to periods of nonqualified
                use based on the ratio which--
                            ``(i) the aggregate periods of nonqualified
                        use during the period such property was owned
                        by the taxpayer, bears to
                            ``(ii) the period such property was owned
                        by the taxpayer.
                    ``(C) Period of nonqualified use; coordination with
                recognition of gain attributable to depreciation.--For
                purposes of this paragraph, rules similar to the rules
                of subparagraphs (C) and (D) of section 121(b)(5) shall
                apply.
            ``(4) Application to only 1 sale.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subsection (a) shall not apply
                to more than 1 sale or exchange of a principal
                residence by the taxpayer.
                    ``(B) Special rule for joint returns.--In the case
                of a joint return with respect to the sale or exchange
                of a principal residence, if a deduction was allowable
                under subsection (a) to a spouse for a prior sale or
                exchange of a principal residence, paragraphs (1) and
                (2)(A) shall be applied by reducing the dollar amounts
                therein by the deduction so allowable (one-half of such
                deduction in the case of a joint return).
    ``(c) Applicable Rules.--For purposes of this section, rules
similar to the rules of subsection (d) of section 121 shall apply,
except that paragraph (6) thereof shall be applied by substituting
`loss' for `gain'.
    ``(d) Election To Have Section Not Apply.--This section shall not
apply to any sale or exchange with respect to which the taxpayer elects
not to have this section apply.
    ``(e) Termination.--The section shall not apply to the sale or
exchange of a principal residence after December 31, 2010.''.
    (b) Deduction Allowed in Computing Adjusted Gross Income.--
Subsection (a) of section 62 of such Code is amended by inserting
before the last sentence the following new paragraph:
            ``(22) Loss from sale of principal residence.--The
        deduction allowed by section 224.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of sections for part VII of
subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the item
relating to section 224 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 224. Loss from sale of principal residence.
``Sec. 225. Cross reference.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.

Output:
Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to the first-time homebuyer tax credit to: (1) extend such credit to all purchasers of a principal residence; (2) limit the credit to one sale or exchange of a principal residence; and (3) extend such credit through November 30, 2010.

Allows individual taxpayers a tax deduction through 2010 for losses from the sale or exchange of a principal residence.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Benefits Administration
Improvement Act of 2001''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department
        of Veterans Affairs is responsible for the timely and accurate
        processing of claims for veterans compensation and pension.
            (2) The accuracy of claims processing within the Veterans
        Benefits Administration has been a subject of concern to
        veterans, Congress, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (3) While the Veterans Benefits Administration has reported
        in the past a 95 percent accuracy rate in processing claims, a
        new accuracy measurement system known as the Systematic
        Technical Accuracy Review found that, in 1998 and again in
        2000, initial reviews of veterans claims were accurate only 64
        percent of the time.
            (4) The Veterans Benefits Administration could lose up to
        30 percent of its workforce to retirement by 2003, making
        adequate training for claims adjudicators even more necessary
        to ensure veterans claims are processed efficiently.
            (5) The Veterans Benefits Administration needs to take more
        aggressive steps to ensure that veterans claims are processed
        in an accurate and timely fashion so as to avoid unnecessary
        delays in providing veterans with compensation and pension
        benefits.
            (6) In 2001 the expected appeals processing time for a
        claim from notice of disagreement to final decision is 621
        days.
            (7) As of September 2001, the Veterans Benefits
        Administration backlog of pending work was 533,029 claims.

SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT OF PROCESSING OF VETERANS BENEFITS CLAIMS.

    (a) Plan Required.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of
Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives a comprehensive plan for the improvement
of the processing of claims for veterans compensation and pension.
    (b) Elements.--The plan under subsection (a) shall include the
following:
            (1) Mechanisms for the improvement of training of claims
        adjudicators and for the enhancement of employee accountability
        standards in order to ensure that initial reviews of claims are
        accurate and that unnecessary appeals of benefit decisions and
        delays in benefit payments are avoided.
            (2) Mechanisms for strengthening the ability of the
        Veterans Benefits Administration to identify recurring errors
        in claims adjudications by improving data collection and
        management relating to--
                    (A) the human body and impairments common in
                disability and pension claims; and
                    (B) recurring deficiencies in medical evidence and
                examinations.
            (3) Mechanisms for implementing a system for reviewing
        claims processing accuracy that meets the internal control
        standard of the Federal Government on separation of duties and
        the program performance audit standard of the Federal
        Government on organizational independence.
            (4) Mechanisms for evaluating the impact of the Training
        and Performance Support System on the accuracy and consistency
        of claims processing.
            (5) Quantifiable goals for each of the mechanisms developed
        under paragraphs (1) through (4).
    (c) Consultation.--In developing the plan under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall consult with and obtain the views of veterans
organizations, county veteran service associations, and other
interested parties.
    (d) Implementation.--The Secretary shall implement the plan under
subsection (a) commencing 60 days after the date of the submittal of
the plan under that subsection.
    (e) Modification.--(1) The Secretary may modify the plan submitted
under subsection (a).
    (2) Any modification under paragraph (1) shall not take effect
until 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of
Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives a notice regarding such modification.
    (f) Reports.--Not later than January 1, 2003, and every six months
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Majority
Leader of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a
report assessing implementation of the plan under subsection (a) during
the preceding 6 months, including an assessment of whether the goals
set forth under subsection (b)(5) are being achieved.
    (g) Funding.--The Secretary shall carry out the plan under this
section in any fiscal year using amounts appropriated or otherwise made
available for the Veterans Benefits Administration for that fiscal
year.

Output: Veterans Benefits Administration Improvement Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to the congressional veterans' committees, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Speaker of the House (the entities) a comprehensive plan for the improvement of the processing of claims for veterans' compensation and pension. Requires such plan to include the training of claims adjudicators and the enhancement of accountability standards to improve the timeliness and accuracy of such claims processing. Allows for plan modifications, but requires prior notification to the entities followed by a 30-day waiting period. Provides plan funding.