Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Geologic Mapping
Reauthorization Act of 1996''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) in enacting the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992
        (43 U.S.C. 31a et seq.), Congress found, among other things,
        that--
                    (A) during the 2 decades preceding enactment of
                that Act, the production of geologic maps had been
                drastically curtailed;
                    (B) geologic maps are the primary data base for
                virtually all applied and basic earth-science
                investigations;
                    (C) Federal agencies, State and local governments,
                private industry, and the general public depend on the
                information provided by geologic maps to determine the
                extent of potential environmental damage before
                embarking on projects that could lead to preventable,
                costly environmental problems or litigation;
                    (D) the lack of proper geologic maps has led to the
                poor design of such structures as dams and waste-
                disposal facilities;
                    (E) geologic maps have proven indispensable in the
                search for needed fossil fuel and mineral resources;
                and
                    (F) a comprehensive nationwide program of geologic
                mapping is required in order to systematically build
                the Nation's geologic-map data base at a pace that
                responds to increasing demand;
            (2) the geologic mapping program called for by that Act has
        not been fully implemented; and
            (3) it is time for this important program to be fully
        implemented.

SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION AND AMENDMENT.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 3 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of
1992 (43 U.S.C. 31b) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``As used in this Act:'' and inserting ``In
        this Act:'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) as
        paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Association.--The term `Association' means the
        Association of American State Geologists.''; and
            (4) in each paragraph that does not have a heading, by
        inserting a heading, in the same style as the heading in
        paragraph (2), as added by paragraph (3), the text of which is
        comprised of the term defined in the paragraph.
    (b) Geologic Mapping Program.--Section 4 of the National Geologic
Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31c) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established a national
        cooperative geologic mapping program between the United States
        Geological Survey and the State geological surveys, acting
        through the Association.
            ``(2) Design, development, and administration.--The
        cooperative geologic mapping program shall be--
                    ``(A) designed and administered to achieve the
                objectives set forth in subsection (c);
                    ``(B) developed in consultation with the advisory
                committee; and
                    ``(C) administered through the Survey.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading by striking ``USGS''
                and inserting ``the Survey'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by single-indenting the paragraphs,
                        double-indenting the subparagraphs, and triple
                        indenting the clauses;
                            (ii) by inserting ``Lead agency.--'' before
                        ``The Survey'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``Committee on
                                Natural Resources'' and inserting
                                ``Committee on Resources''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``date of
                                enactment of this Act'' and inserting
                                ``date of enactment of the National
                                Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of
                                1996'';
                            (iv) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) by striking ``State geological
                                surveys'' and inserting
                                ``Association''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``date of
                                enactment of this Act'' and inserting
                                ``date of enactment of the National
                                Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of
                                1996''; and
                            (v) in subparagraph (C)--
                                    (I) by striking ``date of enactment
                                of this Act'' and inserting ``date of
                                enactment of the National Geologic
                                Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1996'';
                                    (II) by striking ``Committee on
                                Natural Resources'' and inserting
                                ``Committee on Resources'';
                                    (III) in clauses (i) and (ii) by
                                inserting ``and the Association'' after
                                ``the Survey'';
                                    (IV) by adding ``and'' at the end
                                of clause (ii); and
                                    (V) by striking ``; and'' at the
                                end of clause (iii) and all that
                                follows through the end of the
                                subparagraph and inserting a period;
                                and
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by inserting ``Responsibilities of the
                        secretary.--'' before ``In addition to''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A) by striking
                        ``State geological surveys'' and inserting
                        ``Association'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2) by striking ``interpretive''
                and inserting ``interpretative''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4) by striking ``awareness for''
                and inserting ``awareness of''; and
            (4) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``Federal
                component.--'' before ``A Federal'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by inserting ``Support component.--''
                        before ``A geologic''; and
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (D) and
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(D) geochronologic and isotopic investigations
                that--
                            ``(i) provide radiometric age dates for
                        geologic-map units; and
                            ``(ii) fingerprint the geothermometry,
                        geobarometry, and alteration history of
                        geologic-map units,
                which investigations shall be contributed to a national
                geochronologic data base;'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3) by inserting ``State
                component.--'' before ``A State''; and
                    (D) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the
                following:
            ``(4) Education component.--A geologic mapping education
        component--
                    ``(A) the objectives of which shall be--
                            ``(i) to develop the academic programs that
                        teach earth-science students the fundamental
                        principles of geologic mapping and field
                        analysis; and
                            ``(ii) to provide for broad education in
                        geologic mapping and field analysis through
                        support of field studies;
                    ``(B) investigations under which shall be
                integrated with the other mapping components of the
                geologic mapping program and shall respond to
                priorities identified for those components; and
                    ``(C) Federal funding for which shall be matched by
                non-Federal sources on a 1-to-1 basis.''.
    (c) Advisory Committee.--Section 5 of the National Geologic Mapping
Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31d) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--There shall be established a 10-member
        geologic mapping advisory committee to advise the Director on
        planning and implementation of the geologic mapping program.
            ``(2) Members ex officio.--Federal agency members shall
        include the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
        Agency or a designee, the Secretary of Energy or a designee,
        the Secretary of Agriculture or a designee, and the Assistant
        to the President for Science and Technology or a designee.
            ``(3) Appointed members.--Not later than 90 days after the
        date of enactment of the National Geologic Mapping
        Reauthorization Act of 1996, in consultation with the
        Association, the Secretary shall appoint to the advisory
        committee 2 representatives from the Survey (including the
        Chief Geologist, as Chairman), 2 representatives from the State
        geological surveys, 1 representative from academia, and 1
        representative from the private sector.''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(3) by striking ``and State'' and
        inserting ``, State, and university''.
    (d) Geologic Mapping Program Implementation Plan.--Section 6 of the
National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31e) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``cooperative'' after
        ``national'';
            (2) by striking paragraph (3)(C) and inserting the
        following:
                    ``(C) for the State geologic mapping component, a
                priority-setting mechanism that responds to--
                            ``(i) specific intrastate needs for
                        geologic-map information; and
                            ``(ii) interstate needs shared by adjacent
                        entities that have common requirements; and'';
            (3) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting the
        following:
            ``(4) a mechanism for adopting scientific and technical
        mapping standards for preparing and publishing general-purpose
        and special-purpose geologic maps to--
                    ``(A) ensure uniformity of cartographic and
                scientific conventions; and
                    ``(B) provide a basis for judgment as to the
                comparability and quality of map products; and''; and
            (4) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (5).
    (e) National Geologic-Map Data Base.--Section 7 of the National
Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31f) is amended by striking
subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Standardization.--
            ``(1) In general.--Geologic maps contributed to the
        national archives shall have format, symbols, and technical
        attributes that adhere to standards so that archival
        information can be accessed, exchanged, and compared
        efficiently and accurately, as required by Executive Order
        12906 (59 Fed. Reg. 17,671 (1994)), which established the
        National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
            ``(2) Development of standards.--Entities that contribute
        geologic maps to the national archives shall develop the
        standards described in paragraph (1) in cooperation with the
        Federal Geographic Data Committee, which is charged with
        standards development and other data coordination activities as
        described in Office of Management and Budget revised Circular
        A-16.''.
    (f) Annual Report.--Section 8 of the National Geologic Mapping Act
of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31g) is amended in the first sentence--
            (1) by striking ``Committee on Natural Resources'' and
        inserting ``Committee on Resources''; and
            (2) by striking ``program, and describing and evaluating
        progress'' and inserting ``program and describing and
        evaluating the progress''.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 9 of the National
Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31h) is amended to read as
follows:

``SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out the national cooperative geologic mapping program under this Act--
            ``(1) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 1997;
            ``(2) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
            ``(3) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 1999; and
            ``(4) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.
    ``(b) Allocation of Appropriated Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--Of the amount of funds that are
        appropriated under subsection (a) for any fiscal year up to the
        amount that is equal to the amount appropriated to carry out
        the national cooperative geologic mapping program for fiscal
        year 1996--
                    ``(A) not less than 20 percent shall be allocated
                to State mapping activities; and
                    ``(B) not less than 2 percent shall be allocated to
                educational mapping activities.
            ``(2) Increased appropriations.--Of the amount of funds
        that are appropriated under subsection (a) for any fiscal year
        up to the amount that exceeds the amount appropriated to carry
        out the national cooperative geologic mapping program for
        fiscal year 1996--
                    ``(A) for fiscal year 1997--
                            ``(i) 76 percent shall be allocated for
                        Federal mapping and support mapping activities;
                            ``(ii) 22 percent shall be allocated for
                        State mapping activities; and
                            ``(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated for
                        educational mapping activities;
                    ``(B) for fiscal year 1998--
                            ``(i) 75 percent shall be allocated for
                        Federal mapping and support mapping activities;
                            ``(ii) 23 percent shall be allocated for
                        State mapping activities; and
                            ``(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated for
                        educational mapping activities;
                    ``(C) for fiscal year 1999--
                            ``(i) 74 percent shall be allocated for
                        Federal mapping and support mapping activities;
                            ``(ii) 24 percent shall be allocated for
                        State mapping activities; and
                            ``(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated for
                        educational mapping activities; and
                    ``(D) for fiscal year 2000--
                            ``(i) 73 percent shall be allocated for
                        Federal mapping and support mapping activities;
                            ``(ii) 25 percent shall be allocated for
                        State mapping activities; and
                            ``(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated for
                        educational mapping activities.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 30, 1996.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.

Output:
National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1996 - Amends the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 to establish a national cooperative geologic mapping program between the U.S. Geological Survey and State geological surveys.
Establishes a geologic mapping advisory committee to advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey on planning and implementation of the geological mapping program.
Authorizes appropriations.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Troop Talent Act of 2013''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the
        unemployment rate for recent veterans of military operations in
        Iraq and Afghanistan was 9.4 percent in February 2013, compared
        with 7.6 percent in February 2012.
            (2) With the unemployment rate among such veterans higher
        than the national average and the number of veterans receiving
        unemployment benefits doubling since 2002, there is a
        significant need to assist members of the Armed Forces as they
        transition to the civilian workforce.
            (3) In order to remain competitive in the civilian
        employment market, members of the Armed Forces and veterans
        require information about how their military skill sets
        translate to the requirements of the civilian workforce.
        Members of the Armed Forces currently receive insufficient or
        inadequate information during their training for military
        occupational specialties on translating skills obtained during
        such training to civilian occupations and credentials.
            (4) In addition, there is a need for enhanced access by
        accredited credentialing agencies to military training
        curricula in order to facilitate and enhance the correlation
        between military training and applicable civilian credentialing
        courses and exams.
            (5) The information technology sector is one of the fastest
        growing industries, with tremendous job growth and demand for
        talented, qualified individuals. The information technology
        sector has an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent according to a
        Bureau of Labor Statistics report from February 2013.
            (6) The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a need for
        110,000 computer support specialists over the next decade.
        Currently, the size of the information technology workforce in
        the Armed Forces is about 160,000 members.

SEC. 3. ENHANCEMENT OF MECHANISMS TO CORRELATE SKILLS AND TRAINING FOR
              MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES WITH SKILLS AND
              TRAINING REQUIRED FOR CIVILIAN CERTIFICATIONS AND
              LICENSES.

    (a) Improvement of Information Available to Members of the Armed
Forces About Correlation.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretaries of the military
        departments, in coordination with the Under Secretary of
        Defense for Personnel and Readiness, shall, to the maximum
        extent practicable, make information on civilian credentialing
        opportunities available to members of the Armed Forces
        beginning with, and at every stage of, training of members for
        military occupational specialties, in order to permit members--
                    (A) to evaluate the extent to which such training
                correlates with the skills and training required in
                connection with various civilian certifications and
                licenses; and
                    (B) to assess the suitability of such training for
                obtaining or pursuing such civilian certifications and
                licenses.
            (2) Coordination with transition goals plans success
        program.--Information shall be made available under paragraph
        (1) in a manner consistent with the Transition Goals Plans
        Success (GPS) program.
            (3) Types of information.--The information made available
        under paragraph (1) shall include, but not be limited to, the
        following:
                    (A) Information on the civilian occupational
                equivalents of military occupational specialties (MOS).
                    (B) Information on civilian license or
                certification requirements, including examination
                requirements.
                    (C) Information on the availability and
                opportunities for use of educational benefits available
                to members of the Armed Forces, as appropriate,
                corresponding training, or continuing education that
                leads to a certification exam in order to provide a
                pathway to credentialing opportunities.
            (4) Use and adaptation of certain programs.--In making
        information available under paragraph (1), the Secretaries of
        the military departments may use and adapt appropriate portions
        of the Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) programs of
        the Army and the Navy and the Credentialing and Educational
        Research Tool (CERT) of the Air Force.
    (b) Improvement of Access of Accredited Civilian Credentialing
Agencies to Military Training Content.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretaries of the military
        departments, in coordination with the Under Secretary of
        Defense for Personnel and Readiness, shall, to the maximum
        extent practicable consistent with national security
        requirements, make available to accredited civilian
        credentialing agencies that issue certifications or licenses,
        upon request of such agencies, information such as military
        course training curricula, syllabi, and materials, levels of
        military advancement attained, and professional skills
        developed.
            (2) Central repository.--The actions taken pursuant to
        paragraph (1) may include the establishment of a central
        repository of information on training and training materials
        provided members in connection with military occupational
        specialties that is readily accessible by accredited civilian
        credentialing agencies described in that paragraph in order to
        meet requests described in that paragraph.

SEC. 4. USE OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR COURSES IN PURSUIT OF
              CIVILIAN CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES.

    (a) Courses Under Department of Defense Educational Assistance
Authorities.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 101 of title 10, United States
        Code, is amended by inserting after section 2015 the following
        new section:
``Sec. 2015a. Civilian certifications and licenses: use of educational
              assistance for courses in pursuit of civilian
              certifications or licenses
    ``(a) Limitation on Use of Assistance.--In the case of a member of
the armed forces who is enrolled in an educational institution in a
State for purposes of obtaining employment in an occupation or
profession requiring the approval or licensure of a board or agency of
that State, educational assistance specified in subsection (b) may be
used by the member for a course offered by the educational institution
that is a required element of the curriculum to be satisfied to obtain
employment in that occupation or profession only if--
            ``(1) the successful completion of the curriculum fully
        qualifies a student to--
                    ``(A) take any examination required for entry into
                the occupation or profession, including satisfying any
                State or professionally mandated programmatic and
                specialized accreditation requirements; and
                    ``(B) be certified or licensed or meet any other
                academically related pre-conditions that are required
                for entry into the occupation or profession; and
            ``(2) in the case of State licensing or professionally
        mandated requirements for entry into the occupation or
        profession that require specialized accreditation, the
        curriculum meets the requirement for specialized accreditation
        through its accreditation or pre-accreditation by an
        accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary
        of Education or designated by that State as a reliable
        authority as to the quality or training offered by the
        institution in that program.
    ``(b) Covered Educational Assistance.--The educational assistance
specified in this subsection is educational assistance as follows:
            ``(1) Educational assistance for members of the armed
        forces under section 2007 and 2015 of this title.
            ``(2) Educational assistance for persons enlisting for
        active duty under chapter 106A of this title.
            ``(3) Educational assistance for members of the armed
        forces held as captives under section 2183 of this title.
            ``(4) Educational assistance for members of the Selected
        Reserve under chapter 1606 of this title.
            ``(5) Educational assistance for reserve component members
        supporting contingency operations and other operations under
        chapter 1607 of this title.
            ``(6) Such other educational assistance provided members of
        the armed forces under the laws administered by the Secretary
        of Defense or the Secretaries of the military departments as
        the Secretary of Defense shall designate for purposes of this
        section.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
        beginning of chapter 101 of such title is amended by inserting
        after the item relating to section 2015 the following new item:

``2015a. Civilian certifications and licenses: use of educational
                            assistance for courses in pursuit of
                            civilian certifications or licenses.''.
    (b) Courses Under Educational Assistance Authorities Administered
by Secretary of Veterans Affairs.--Section 3679 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
    ``(c) A course offered by an educational institution in a State
that is a required element of the curriculum to be satisfied to obtain
employment in an occupation or profession requiring the approval or
licensure of a board or agency of that State may be treated as approved
for purposes of this chapter by an individual seeking to obtain
employment in that occupation or profession only if--
            ``(1) the successful completion of the curriculum fully
        qualifies a student to--
                    ``(A) take any examination required for entry into
                the occupation or profession, including satisfying any
                State or professionally mandated programmatic and
                specialized accreditation requirements; and
                    ``(B) be certified or licensed or meet any other
                academically related pre-conditions that are required
                for entry into the occupation or profession; and
            ``(2) in the case of State licensing or professionally
        mandated requirements for entry into the occupation or
        profession that require specialized accreditation, the
        curriculum meets the requirement for specialized accreditation
        through its accreditation or pre-accreditation by an
        accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary
        of Education or designated by that State as a reliable
        authority as to the quality or training offered by the
        institution in that program.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on August 1, 2014, and shall apply with respect to courses
pursued on or after that date.

SEC. 5. COVERAGE OF MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES RELATING TO
              MILITARY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UNDER PILOT PROGRAM ON
              RECEIPT OF CIVILIAN CREDENTIALS FOR SKILLS REQUIRED FOR
              MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES.

    The military occupational specialties designated for purposes of
the pilot program on receipt of civilian credentials for skills
required for military occupational specialties under section 558 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (10 U.S.C. 2015
note) shall include military occupational specialties relating to the
military information technology workforce.

SEC. 6. REVIVAL OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE ADVISORY
              COMMITTEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
reestablish the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory
Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs provided for under
section 3689(e) of title 38, United States Code. The Committee shall be
reestablished in accordance with the provisions of such section
3689(e), as amended by subsection (b), and shall carry out its duties
in conformance with, and subject to the requirements of such section,
as so amended.
    (b) Modification of Authorities and Requirements.--Section 3689(e)
of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(2)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new
                subparagraph:
    ``(B) In addition to the duties under subparagraph (A), the
Committee shall--
            ``(i) develop, in coordination with other appropriate
        agencies, guidance to be used by the Department or other
        entities to perform periodic audits of licensure and
        certification programs to ensure the highest quality education
        is available to veterans and members of the Armed Forces; and
            ``(ii) develop, in coordination with the Department of
        Defense, appropriate certification agencies, and other
        appropriate non-profit organizations, a plan to improve
        outreach to veterans and members of the Armed Forces on the
        importance of licensing and certification, as well as
        educational benefits available to them.'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``and the Secretary of
        Defense'' and inserting ``the Secretary of Defense, and the
        Secretary of Education'';
            (3) in paragraph (4), by striking subparagraph (B) and
        inserting the following new subparagraph:
    ``(B) The Committee shall meet with such frequency as the Committee
determines appropriate.''; and
            (4) in paragraph (5), by striking ``December 31, 2006'' and
        inserting ``December 31, 2019''.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
reestablishment of the Professional Certification and Licensure
Advisory Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to
this section, the Committee shall submit to Congress a report setting
forth an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of permitting
members of the Armed Forces to use educational assistance to which they
are entitled under chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, United States Code,
to obtain or pursue civilian employment certifications or licenses
without the use of such assistance for that purpose being charged
against the entitlement of such members to such educational assistance.

Output: Troop Talent Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretaries of the military departments, to the maximum extent practicable, to make information on civilian credentialing opportunities available to members of the Armed Forces (members) beginning with, and at every stage of, their training for military occupational specialities, in order to permit such members to: (1) evaluate the extent to which such training correlates with skills and training required for various civilian certifications and licenses, and (2) assess the suitability of such training for obtaining and pursuing such certifications and licenses. Requires the information made available to: (1) be consistent with the Transition Goals Plans Success program, and (2) include information on the civilian occupational equivalents of military occupational specialties. Requires such Secretaries to make available to civilian credentialing agencies specified information on the content of military training provided to members. Allows members or veterans to use educational assistance provided through the Department of Defense (DOD) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in pursuit of a civilian certification or license only if the successful completion of a curriculum fully qualifies such student to take the appropriate examination and be certified or licensed to meet any other academic conditions required for entry into that occupation or profession. Requires the military occupational specialties designated for a military skills to civilian credentialing pilot program under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to include those specialties relating to the military information technology workforce. Directs the VA Secretary to reestablish the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee (under current law, terminated on December 31, 2006). Provides additional Committee duties, including the development of: (1) guidance for audits of licensure and certification programs in order to ensure high-quality education to members and veterans, and (2) a plan to improve outreach to members and veterans on the importance of licensing and certification and the availability of educational benefits.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Biofuels Research and Development
Enhancement Act'' .

SEC. 2. BIOFUELS AND BIOREFINERY INFORMATION CENTER.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy (in this Act referred to
as the ``Secretary''), in cooperation with the Secretary of
Agriculture, shall establish an information center to make available to
interested parties information on research, development, and commercial
application of technologies related to biofuels and biorefineries,
including--
            (1) biochemical and thermochemical conversion technologies
        capable of making fuels from lignocellulosic feedstocks;
            (2) biotechnology processes capable of making biofuels with
        an emphasis on development of biorefinery technologies using
        enzyme-based processing systems; and
            (3) other advanced processes and technologies that will
        enable the development of biofuels.
    (b) Administration.--In administering the biofuels and biorefinery
information center, the Secretary shall--
            (1) continually update information provided by the center;
            (2) make information available to interested parties on the
        process for establishing a biorefinery; and
            (3) make information and assistance provided by the center
        available through a toll-free telephone number and website.

SEC. 3. BIOFUELS AND ADVANCED BIOFUELS INFRASTRUCTURE.

    Section 932 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16232) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) Biofuels and Advanced Biofuels Infrastructure.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program
        of research, development, and demonstration as it relates
        existing transportation fuel distribution infrastructure and
        new alternative distribution infrastructure. The program shall
        focus on the physical and chemical properties of biofuels and
        efforts to prevent or mitigate against adverse impacts of those
        properties in the following areas:
                    ``(A) Corrosion of metal, plastic, rubber, cork,
                fiberglass, glues, or any other material used in pipes
                and storage tanks.
                    ``(B) Dissolving of storage tank sediments.
                    ``(C) Clogging of filters.
                    ``(D) Contamination from water or other adulterants
                or pollutants.
                    ``(E) Poor flow properties related to low
                temperatures.
                    ``(F) Oxidative and thermal instability in long-
                term storage and use.
                    ``(G) Increased volatile emissions.
                    ``(H) Microbial contamination.
                    ``(I) Problems associated with electrical
                conductivity.
                    ``(J) Increased nitrogen oxide emissions.''.

SEC. 4. BIODIESEL.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on any research and
development challenges inherent in increasing to 5 percent the
proportion of diesel fuel sold in the United States that is biodiesel
(as defined in section 757 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16105)).

SEC. 5. BIORESEARCH CENTERS FOR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY PROGRAM.

    Section 977(a)(1) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16317(a)(1)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``, including the establishment of at least 11 bioresearch
centers of varying sizes, as appropriate, that focus on biofuels, of
which at least 2 centers shall be located in each of the 4 Petroleum
Administration for Defense Districts with no subdistricts and at least
1 center shall be located in each of the subdistricts of the Petroleum
Administration for Defense District with subdistricts''.

SEC. 6. GRANTS FOR BIOFUEL PRODUCTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN
              CERTAIN STATES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible
entities for research, development, demonstration, and commercial
application of biofuel production technologies in States with low rates
of ethanol production, including low rates of production of cellulosic
biomass ethanol, as determined by the Secretary.
    (b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
section, an entity shall--
            (1)(A) be an institution of higher education (as defined in
        section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801))
        located in a State described in subsection (a); or
            (B) be a consortium including at least 1 such institution
        of higher education, and industry, State agencies, Indian
        tribal agencies, or local government agencies located in the
        State; and
            (2) have proven experience and capabilities with relevant
        technologies.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $25,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2010.

SEC. 7. BIOREFINERY ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

    Section 932 of Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16232), is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(g) Biorefinery Energy Efficiency.--The Secretary shall establish
a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial
application for increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy
consumption in the operation of biorefinery facilities.''.

SEC. 8. STUDY OF INCREASED CONSUMPTION OF ETHANOL-BLENDED GASOLINE WITH
              HIGHER LEVELS OF ETHANOL.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary
of Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, and the Secretary of Transportation, and after providing notice
and an opportunity for public comment, shall conduct a study of the
feasibility of increasing consumption in the United States of ethanol-
blended gasoline with levels of ethanol that are not less than 10
percent and not more than 40 percent.
    (b) Study.--The study under subsection (a) shall include--
            (1) a review of production and infrastructure constraints
        on increasing consumption of ethanol;
            (2) an evaluation of the economic, market, and energy-
        related impacts of State and regional differences in ethanol
        blends;
            (3) an evaluation of the economic, market, and energy-
        related impacts on gasoline retailers and consumers of separate
        and distinctly labeled fuel storage facilities and dispensers;
            (4) an evaluation of the environmental impacts of the
        ethanol blends described in subsection (a) on evaporative and
        exhaust emissions from on-road, off-road, and marine vehicle
        engines;
            (5) an evaluation of the impacts of the ethanol blends
        described in subsection (a) on the operation, durability, and
        performance of on-road, off-road, and marine vehicle engines;
        and
            (6) an evaluation of the safety impacts of the ethanol
        blends described in subsection (a) on consumers that own and
        operate off-road and marine vehicle engines.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing
the results of the study conducted under this section.

SEC. 9. STUDY OF OPTIMIZATION OF FLEXIBLE FUELED VEHICLES TO USE E-85
              FUEL.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a study of whether
optimizing flexible fueled vehicles to operate using E-85 fuel would
increase the fuel efficiency of flexible fueled vehicles, and shall
include recommendations for how manufacturers can best optimize such
vehicles to increase fuel efficiency.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes the results of
the study under this section, including any recommendations of the
Secretary.

SEC. 10. STUDY OF ENGINE DURABILITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF
              BIODIESEL.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall initiate a study on the effects of the
use of biodiesel on engine durability.
    (b) Components.--The study under this section shall include--
            (1) an assessment of whether the use of biodiesel in
        conventional diesel engines lessens engine durability; and
            (2) an assessment of the effects referred to in subsection
        (a) with respect to biodiesel blends at varying concentrations,
        including the following percentage concentrations of biodiesel:
                    (A) 5 percent biodiesel.
                    (B) 10 percent biodiesel.
                    (C) 20 percent biodiesel.
                    (D) 30 percent biodiesel.
                    (E) 100 percent biodiesel.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes the results of
the study under this section, including any recommendations of the
Secretary.

SEC. 11. BIOENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AUTHORIZATION OF
              APPROPRIATION.

    (a) Section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16231)
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) at the end of paragraph (2) by striking
                ``and'';
                    (B) at the end of paragraph (3) by striking the
                period and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
            ``(4) $963,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$251,000,000''
                and inserting ``$377,000,000'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$274,000,000''
                and inserting ``$398,000,000''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
            ``(4) $419,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which
        $150,000,00 shall be for section 932(d).''.

Output:
Biofuels Research and Development Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish an information center on research, development, and commercial application of technologies related to biofuels and biorefineries, including: (1) biochemical and thermochemical conversion technologies to make fuels from lignocellulosic feedstocks; (2) biotechnology processes that emphasize enzyme-based processing systems; and (3) other advanced processes and technologies that will enable biofuel development.

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to instruct the Secretary to implement a research, development, and demonstration program relating to: (1) existing transportation fuel distribution infrastructure and new alternative distribution infrastructure, focusing on the physical and chemical properties of biofuels and prevention of or mitigation against certain adverse impacts; (2) bioresearch centers located in Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts, with a focus on biofuels; and (3) increased energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption in biorefinery facilities.

Directs the Secretary to make grants for research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of biofuel production technologies in states with low rates of ethanol production and of cellulosic biomass ethanol.

Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on: (1) research and development challenges in increasing to 5% biodiesel fuel sold in the United States; (2) the feasibility of increasing domestic consumption of ethanol-blended gasoline with specified levels of ethanol; (3) whether optimizing flexible fueled vehicles to use E-85 fuel would increase their fuel efficiency; and (4) the effects of biodiesel upon engine durability.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse
Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM TO STUDY INNOVATIVE RECRUITMENT TOOLS TO ADDRESS
              NURSING SHORTAGES AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
              HEALTH-CARE FACILITIES.

    (a) Pilot.--(1) Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
designate a health-care service region, or a section within such a
region, in which health-care facilities of the Department of Veterans
Affairs are adversely affected by a shortage of qualified nurses.
    (2) The Secretary shall conduct a pilot program in the region or
section designated under paragraph (1) to determine the effectiveness
of the use of innovative human-capital tools and techniques in the
recruitment of qualified nurses for positions at Department health-care
facilities and for the retention of nurses at such facilities. In
carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall enter into a
contract with a private-sector entity for services under the pilot
program for recruitment of qualified nurses.
    (b) Private-Sector Recruitment Practices.--For purposes of the
pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall identify and use
recruitment practices that have proven effective for placing qualified
individuals in positions that are difficult to fill due to shortages of
qualified individuals or other factors. Recruitment practices to be
reviewed by the Secretary for use in the pilot program shall include--
            (1) employer branding and interactive advertising
        strategies;
            (2) Internet technologies and automated staffing systems;
        and
            (3) the use of recruitment, advertising, and communication
        agencies.
    (c) Streamlined Hiring Process.--In carrying out the pilot program
under this section, the Secretary shall, at health-care facilities of
the Department in the region or section in which the pilot program is
conducted, revise procedures and systems for selecting and hiring
qualified nurses to reduce the length of the hiring process. If the
Secretary identifies measures to streamline and automate the hiring
process that can only be implemented if authorized by law, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives recommendations for such changes in
law as may be necessary to enable such measure to be implemented.
    (d) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report
on the extent to which the pilot program achieved the goal of improving
the recruitment and retention of nurses in Department of Veterans
Affairs health-care facilities.

SEC. 3. ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULES FOR NURSES.

    (a) Enhanced Shift Flexibility.--Chapter 74 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 7456 the following
new section:
``Sec. 7456a. Alternate work schedules
    ``(a) Applicability.--This section applies to registered nurses
appointed under this chapter.
    ``(b) 36/40 Work Schedule.--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), if the
Secretary determines it to be necessary in order to obtain or retain
the services of registered nurses at a Department health-care facility,
the Secretary may provide, in the case of registered nurses employed at
that facility, that such a nurse who works three regularly scheduled
12-hour tours of duty within a workweek shall be considered for all
purposes (except computation of full-time equivalent employees for the
purposes of determining compliance with personnel ceilings) to have
worked a full 40-hour basic workweek. Such a schedule may be referred
to as a `36/40 work schedule'.
    ``(2)(A) Basic and additional pay for a registered nurse who is
considered under paragraph (1) to have worked a full 40-hour basic
workweek is subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C).
    ``(B) The hourly rate of basic pay for such a nurse for service
performed as part of a regularly scheduled 36-hour tour of duty within
the workweek shall be derived by dividing the nurse's annual rate of
basic pay by 1,872.
    ``(C)(i) Such a nurse who performs a period of service in excess of
such nurse's regularly scheduled 36-hour tour of duty within a workweek
is entitled to overtime pay under section 7453(e) of this title, or
other applicable law, for officially ordered or approved service
performed in excess of--
            ``(I) eight hours on a day other than a day on which such
        nurse's regularly scheduled 12-hour tour falls;
            ``(II) 12 hours for any day included in the regularly
        scheduled 36-hour tour of duty; and
            ``(III) 40 hours during an administrative workweek.
    ``(ii) Except as provided in clause (i), a registered nurse to whom
this subsection is applicable is not entitled to additional pay under
section 7453 of this title, or other applicable law, for any period
included in a regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty.
    ``(3) A nurse who works a 36/40 work schedule described in this
subsection who is absent on approved sick leave or annual leave during
a regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty shall be charged for such
leave at a rate of ten hours of leave for nine hours of absence.
    ``(c) 7/7 Work Schedule--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), if the
Secretary determines it to be necessary in order to obtain or retain
the services of registered nurses at a Department health-care facility,
the Secretary may provide, in the case of registered nurses employed at
such facility, that such a nurse who works seven regularly scheduled
10-hour tours of duty, with seven days off duty, within a two-week pay
period, shall be considered for all purposes (except computation of
full-time equivalent employees for the purposes of determining
compliance with personnel ceilings) to have worked a full 80 hours for
the pay period. Such a schedule may be referred to as a `7/7 work
schedule'.
    ``(2)(A) Basic and additional pay for a registered nurse who is
considered under paragraph (1) to have worked a full 80-hour pay period
is subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C).
    ``(B) The hourly rate of basic pay for such a nurse for service
performed as part of a regularly scheduled 70-hour tour of duty within
the pay period shall be derived by dividing the nurse's annual rate of
basic pay by 1,820.
    ``(C)(i) Such a nurse who performs a period of service in excess of
such nurse's regularly scheduled 70-hour tour of duty within a pay
period is entitled to overtime pay under section 7453(e) of this title,
or other applicable law, for officially ordered or approved service
performed in excess of--
            ``(I) eight hours on a day other than a day on which such
        nurse's regularly scheduled 10-hour tour falls;
            ``(II) 10 hours for any day included in the regularly
        scheduled 70-hour tour of duty; and
            ``(III) 80 hours during a pay period.
    ``(ii) Except as provided in subparagraph (i), a registered nurse
to whom this subsection is applicable is not entitled to additional pay
under section 7453 of this title, or other applicable law, for any
period included in a regularly scheduled 10-hour tour of duty.
    ``(3) A nurse who works a 7/7 work schedule described in this
subsection who is absent on approved sick leave or annual leave during
a regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty shall be charged for such
leave at a rate of eight hours of leave for seven hours of absence.
    ``(d) 9-Month Work Schedule.--The Secretary may authorize a
registered nurse appointed under section 7405 of this title, with the
nurse's written consent, to work full-time for nine months with three
months off duty, within a fiscal year, and be paid at 75 percent of the
full-time rate for such nurse's grade for each pay period of that
fiscal year. A nurse working on such a schedule for any fiscal year
shall be considered a \3/4\ full-time equivalent employee for that
fiscal year in computing full-time equivalent employees for the
purposes of determining compliance with personnel ceilings. Service on
such a schedule shall be considered to be part-time service for
purposes of computing benefits under chapters 83 and 84 of title 5.
    ``(e) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations for
the implementation of this section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 74 of such title is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 7456 the following new item:

``7456a. Alternate work schedules.''.

SEC. 4. TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO LISTING OF CERTAIN HYBRID POSITIONS IN
              VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

    Section 7401(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and dental technologists'' and inserting
        ``technologists, dental hygienists, dental assistants''; and
            (2) by striking ``technicians, therapeutic radiologic
        technicians, and social workers'' and inserting
        ``technologists, therapeutic radiologic technologists, social
        workers, blind rehabilitation specialists, and blind
        rehabilitation outpatient specialists''.

SEC. 5. ASSISTANCE FOR HIRING AND RETENTION OF NURSES AT STATE VETERANS
              HOMES.

    (a) In General.--(1) Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 1743 the following new section:
``Sec. 1744. Hiring and retention of nurses: payments to assist States
    ``(a) Payment Program.--The Secretary shall make payments to States
under this section for the purpose of assisting State homes in the
hiring and retention of nurses and the reduction of nursing shortages
at State homes.
    ``(b) Eligible Recipients.--Payments to a State for a fiscal year
under this section shall, subject to submission of an application, be
made to any State that during that year--
            ``(1) receives per diem payments under this subchapter for
        that fiscal year; and
            ``(2) has in effect an employee incentive scholarship
        program or other employee incentive program at a State home
        designed to promote the hiring and retention of nursing staff
        and to reduce nursing shortages at that home.
    ``(c) Use of Funds Received.--A State may use an amount received
under this section only to provide funds for a program described in
subsection (b)(2). Any program shall meet such criteria as the
Secretary may prescribe. In prescribing such criteria, the Secretary
shall take into consideration the need for flexibility and innovation.
    ``(d) Limitations on Amount of Payment.--(1) A payment under this
section may not be used to provide more than 50 percent of the costs
for a fiscal year of the employee incentive scholarship or other
incentive program for which the payment is made.
    ``(2) The amount of the payment to a State under this section for
any fiscal year is, for each State home in that State with a program
described in subsection (b)(2), the amount equal to 2 percent of the
amount of payments estimated to be made to that State, for that State
home, under section 1741 of this title for that fiscal year.
    ``(e) Applications.--A payment under this section for any fiscal
year with respect to any State home may only be made based upon an
application submitted by the State seeking the payment with respect to
that State home. Any such application shall describe the nursing
shortage at the State home and the employee incentive scholarship
program or other incentive program described in subsection (c) for
which the payment is sought.
    ``(f) Source of Funds.--Payments under this section shall be made
from funds available for other payments under this subchapter.
    ``(g) Disbursement.--Payments under this section to a State home
shall be made as part of the disbursement of payments under section
1741 of this title with respect to that State home.
    ``(h) Use of Certain Receipts.--The Secretary shall require as a
condition of any payment under this section that, in any case in which
the State home receives a refund payment made by an employee in breach
of the terms of an agreement for employee assistance that used funds
provided under this section, the payment shall be returned to the State
home's incentive program account and credited as a non-Federal funding
source.
    ``(i) Annual Report From Payment Recipients.--Any State home
receiving a payment under this section for any fiscal year, shall, as a
condition of the payment, be required to agree to provide to the
Secretary a report setting forth in detail the use of funds received
through the payment, including a descriptive analysis of how effective
the incentive program has been on nurse staffing in the State home
during that fiscal year. The report for any fiscal year shall be
provided to the Secretary within 60 days of the close of the fiscal
year and shall be subject to audit by the Secretary. Eligibility for a
payment under this section for any later fiscal year is contingent upon
the receipt by the Secretary of the annual report under this subsection
for the previous year in accordance with this subsection.
    ``(j) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to
carry out this section. The regulations shall include the establishment
of criteria for the award of payments under this section.''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is
amended by inserting after section 1743 the following new item:

``1744. Hiring and retention of nurses: payments to assist States.''.
    (b) Implementation.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
implement section 1744 of title 38, United States Code, as added by
subsection (a), as expeditiously as possible. The Secretary shall
establish such interim procedures as necessary so as to ensure that
payments are made to eligible States under that section commencing not
later than January 1, 2005, notwithstanding that regulations under
subsection (j) of that section may not have become final.

SEC. 6. TECHNICAL CLARIFICATION.

    Section 8111(d)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
inserting before the period at the end of the last sentence the
following: ``and shall be available for any purpose authorized by this
section''.

SEC. 7. UNDER SECRETARY FOR HEALTH.

    Section 305(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
        ``shall be a doctor of medicine and''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and in health-care''
        and inserting ``or in health-care''.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 30, 2004.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.

Output:
Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a health care service region, or section within such a region, in which health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs are adversely affected by a shortage of qualified nurses, and to conduct a pilot program in such region or section on the use of innovative human-capital tools and techniques in the recruitment of qualified nurses for such positions. Requires the Secretary, as part of the pilot program, to: (1) identify and use private-sector nurse recruitment practices that have proven effective; and (2) revise procedures and systems to reduce the length of the hiring process. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on the extent to which the pilot program achieved the goal of improving the recruitment and retention of nurses in Department health-care facilities.

Authorizes the Secretary, with respect to appointed nurses, to provide: (1) a three 12-hour day work schedule, with authorized overtime after a 36-hour workweek; (2) a seven day, 10-hour work schedule for each two-week period, with authorized overtime after working 80 hours within such period; and (3) a nine-month work period with three months off, with such nurses paid at 75 percent of the full-time rate.

Includes dental hygienists, dental assistants, and blind rehabilitation specialists within those positions which the Secretary is authorized to make appointments.

Authorizes the Secretary to make payments to States to assist State homes in the hiring and retention of nurses and the reduction of nursing shortages at State homes. Limits payment amounts. Requires, from each State home receiving such assistance, an annual report to the Secretary on the use of such funds.

Removes the requirement that the Department's Under Secretary for Health be a doctor of medicine.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Arsenic-Treated Wood Prohibition
Act''.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN USES OF ARSENIC-TREATED WOOD; AMENDMENT
              TO FEDERAL INSECTICIDE, FUNGICIDE, AND RODENTICIDE ACT.

    (a) In General.--The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136a et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 33 and 34 as sections 34 and
        35, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 32 the following:

``SEC. 33. PROHIBITION AGAINST USE OF ARSENIC-TREATED WOOD TO
              MANUFACTURE CERTAIN PRODUCTS OR STRUCTURES.

    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not
later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the
Administrator shall promulgate regulations that prohibit--
            ``(1) the use of arsenic-treated wood to manufacture any
        product or structure that may be used for or by children,
        including--
                    ``(A) playground equipment, play houses, or other
                structures designed for frequent use specifically by
                children;
                    ``(B) fences;
                    ``(C) walkways;
                    ``(D) decks;
                    ``(E) docks and boat houses; and
                    ``(F) structures or products used in residential
                landscaping;
            ``(2) the use of arsenic-treated wood to manufacture mulch,
        compost, or soil-amendment products;
            ``(3) the use of arsenic-treated wood to manufacture
        railroad ties, marine pilings, or utility poles, except that
        this subsection does not apply to such a product or structure
        to the extent that the Administrator determines that the use of
        arsenic-treated wood in the product or structure is safe; and
            ``(4) such additional uses of arsenic-treated wood to
        manufacture products or structures as the Administrator
        determines to be appropriate, whether such products or
        structures are intended for residential use or commercial use.
    ``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            ``(1) Arsenic-treated wood.--The term `arsenic-treated
        wood' means wood that is treated with a pesticide that is a
        chromated copper arsenical or is treated with any other
        arsenical pesticide.
            ``(2) Manufacture.--The term `manufacture', with respect to
        the use of arsenic-treated wood in products and structures
        described in subsection (a), includes--
                    ``(A) the creation of a product designed to be
                assembled by a consumer; and
                    ``(B) the building of a product on behalf of a
                consumer in accordance with specifications given by the
                consumer.''.
    (b) Risk Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than March 15, 2004, the
        Administrator, in consultation with the Consumer Products
        Safety Commission, shall publish in the Federal Register an
        assessment of the risks posed by the production, cutting,
        milling, sanding, mulching, and use of CCA-treated wood.
            (2) Methodology.--In conducting the risk assessment, the
        Administrator shall follow the methodology recommended by the
        Scientific Advisory Panels that were organized by the
        Environmental Protection Agency and that met in October 2001.
            (3) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection:
                    (A) The term ``Administrator'' means the
                Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
                    (B) The term ``CCA-treated wood'' means wood that
                is treated with a pesticide that is a chromated copper
                arsenical.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. prec.
121) is amended by striking the items relating to sections 30 and 31
and inserting the following:

``Sec. 30. Minimum requirements for training of maintenance applicators
                            and service technicians.
``Sec. 31. Environmental Protection Agency minor use program.
``Sec. 32. Department of Agriculture minor use program.
        ``(a) In general.
        ``(b)(1) Minor use pesticide data.
            ``(2) Minor Use Pesticide Data Revolving Fund.
``Sec. 33. Prohibition of certain uses of arsenic-treated lumber.
        ``(a) In general.
        ``(b) Definitions.
            ``(1) Arsenic-treated wood.
            ``(2) Manufacture.
``Sec. 34. Severability.
``Sec. 35. Authorization for appropriations.''.

SEC. 3. DISPOSAL OF ARSENIC-TREATED WOOD; AMENDMENT TO SOLID WASTE
              DISPOSAL ACT.

    Section 3001(e) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6921(e))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(3)(A) Discarded arsenic-treated wood and sawdust from such wood
shall be deemed, for purposes of this Act, to be a listed hazardous
waste under subsection (b)(1) and shall be disposed of in a lined
landfill with a leachate collection system and groundwater monitoring
system (or such other system as the Administrator determines is
appropriate to capture arsenic and prevent arsenic from contaminating
groundwater).
    ``(B) As used in subparagraph (A):
            ``(i) The term `arsenic-treated wood' means wood that is
        treated with a pesticide that is a chromated copper arsenical
        or is treated with any other arsenical pesticide.
            ``(ii) The term `pesticide' has the meaning given such term
        in section 2 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
        Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136).''.

SEC. 4. ASSISTANCE TO CONSUMERS, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND
              SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

    (a) Educational Program.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the
Consumer Product Safety Commission, shall develop and conduct an
educational program to assist consumers, State and local governments,
school systems, and other institutions in--
            (1) testing arsenic levels in arsenic-treated wood and soil
        surrounding arsenic-treated wood;
            (2) making decisions relating to the containment and
        removal of arsenic-treated wood from homes, playgrounds,
        schools, and other facilities designed primarily for use by
        children; and
            (3) providing guidance regarding the decontamination of
        soils, mulches, and other media under structures made of
        arsenic-treated wood where children or pets may be exposed to
        arsenic.
    (b) Assistance for Schools.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a
        pilot program to provide grants and technical assistance to
        school systems to assist the school systems in--
                    (A) removing playground and other equipment
                containing arsenic-treated wood from grounds of the
                school systems;
                    (B) applying sealant to arsenic-treated wood
                structures; and
                    (C) conducting any necessary remediation relating
                to use of arsenic-treated wood.
            (2) Certain uses of grant.--The Administrator may authorize
        a grant under paragraph (1) to be used for the purpose of
        replacing playground equipment and related items that are
        removed because the equipment or items contain arsenic-treated
        wood. With respect to any portion of a grant under such
        paragraph that is authorized to be used for such purpose, the
        Administrator may require that the applicant involved make non-
        Federal contributions toward the cost of replacing the
        equipment or items.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of
        the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (2) The term ``arsenic-treated wood'' means wood that is
        treated with a pesticide that is a chromated copper arsenical
        or is treated with any other arsenical pesticide.
            (3) The term ``pesticide'' has the meaning given such term
        in section 2 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
        Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136).
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as
may be necessary for fiscal year 2004 and each subsequent fiscal year.

SEC. 5. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION; REPORT ON MITIGATION
              MEASURES REGARDING CHILDREN AND ARSENIC-TREATED WOOD.

    Not later than August 1, 2004, the Consumer Product Safety
Commission shall submit to the Congress a report on the status of the
efforts of the Commission to identify stains, sealants, or other
measures for reducing the exposure of children to arsenic from products
or structures that--
            (1) are constructed in whole or part with arsenic-treated
        wood, as defined in section 33 of the Federal Insecticide,
        Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as added by section 2 of this
        Act;
            (2) may be used for or by children; and
            (3) will remain in use after the effective date of the
        prohibition established in regulations under such section 33.

Output:
Arsenic-Treated Wood Prohibition Act - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations prohibiting the use of arsenic-treated wood (wood treated with a pesticide that is a chromated copper arsenical or another arsenical pesticide) in the manufacture of any product that may be used for or by children or for mulch, compost, a soil amendment, certain other construction and utility uses, and additional uses as determined to be appropriate.

Requires the Administrator to conduct an assessment of the risks posed by the production, processing, and use of CCA-treated wood (wood treated with a pesticide that is a chromated copper arsenical).

 Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to: (1) list arsenic-treated wood as a hazardous waste; and (2) require disposal of discarded arsenic-treated wood in a lined landfill with a leachate system and groundwater monitoring system.

Requires the Administrator to: (1) develop and conduct an educational program to assist consumers, State and local governments, school systems, and other institutions in testing arsenic levels and making decisions concerning arsenic-treated wood containment, removal, and decontamination; and (2) establish a pilot program of grants and technical assistance to assist school systems in removal of playground and other equipment containing arsenic-treated wood and remediation activities.

 Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to report to Congress on its efforts to identify measures (including stains and sealants) for reducing children's exposure to arsenic from products or structures constructed with arsenic-treated wood that will remain in use after the prohibition established by this Act.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``SMA Treatment Acceleration Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the number one genetic
        killer of children under the age of 2.
            (2) SMA is an inherited and often fatal disease that
        destroys the nerves controlling voluntary muscle movement,
        which affects crawling, walking, head and neck control, and
        even swallowing.
            (3) It is estimated that SMA occurs in nearly 1 of every
        6,000 births and is therefore similar in incidence and severity
        to other well-known genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis
        and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, both of which may also benefit
        from additional focus and progress on SMA.
            (4) SMA is caused by the mutation of a single gene. This is
        extremely advantageous for genetic screening and therapeutic
        development. The gene mutation that causes SMA is carried by
        one in every 40 people, or approximately 7,500,000 Americans.
        Each child of 2 carriers of the mutant gene has a 1 in 4 chance
        of developing SMA.
            (5) The discovery of the gene responsible for the disease,
        SMN1, as well as a disease modifying ``back-up'' SMN2 gene has
        opened the door to new SMA treatments. Modulating genes exist
        not only for SMA but also for other genetic disorders,
        including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson's, and
        Alzheimer's disease. The modulation of these genes might be
        expected to impact these disorders. Success with SMN2 induction
        for SMA will serve as an important proof of principle and
        impetus for ongoing research in these other conditions.
            (6) Based on the advanced genetic understanding of SMA, the
        disease was selected by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
        and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
        (NINDS) as the prototype for the National Institutes of
        Health's accelerated drug discovery effort, singling out SMA as
        the disease closest to treatment of more than 600 neurological
        disorders.
            (7) In 2003, the National Institute of Neurological
        Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) established the Spinal Muscular
        Atrophy Project: A Collaborative Program to Accelerate
        Therapeutics Development for SMA. The SMA Project's unique
        collaborative process between private, public, and non-profit
        partners provides a model translational research program that
        can be replicated to accelerate the development of safe and
        effective treatments for a wide variety of disorders.
            (8) National non-profit organizations dedicated to finding
        a treatment and cure for SMA continue to provide substantial
        private funding and are collaborating with private
        biotechnology companies, large pharmaceutical companies, and
        clinical investigators to identify new drug compounds and
        facilitate the rapid translation of promising new therapies to
        individuals with SMA. The aforementioned investment by national
        non-profit organizations towards finding a treatment and cure
        for SMA is approximately equal, on an annual basis, to the
        resources committed by the Federal Government.
            (9) A Food and Drug Administration-approved SMA animal
        model exists that closely mimics the human disease. A number of
        therapeutics have been identified which are effective in animal
        models of spinal muscular atrophy.
            (10) There is an urgent need to provide Federal support
        enabling investigators to mount national clinical trials to
        demonstrate that these treatments are safe and effective for
        SMA patients.
            (11) The establishment and support of a national clinical
        trials network and a data coordinating center will promote
        rigorous patient evaluation using common protocols and allow
        investigators to study large numbers of patients to provide
        answers more rapidly than individual sites acting alone.
            (12) There is a demonstrated need for greater interagency
        coordination on SMA research and involvement by additional
        government partners to support the ongoing work of NINDS on the
        SMA Project as well the work of private SMA voluntary
        organizations, including most notably the need for active
        engagement by the National Institute of Child Health and Human
        Development (NICHD), along with support from the National
        Center for Research Resources, the Centers for Disease Control
        and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the
        Health Resources and Services Administration
            (13) Despite such landmark legislation as the Orphan Drug
        Act and the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, additional
        incentives for industry to engage early in the drug development
        process and through to drug approval are warranted for diseases
        as severe and devastating in infant and children populations as
        SMA.
            (14) Educating the public and health care community
        throughout the country about this devastating disease is of
        paramount importance and is in every respect in the public
        interest and to the benefit of all communities. Furthermore,
        greater awareness of SMA may lead to the identification of pre-
        symptomatic SMA-afflicted children, which has significant
        benefits relative to clinical trials and the search for a
        treatment and cure.

SEC. 3. CLINICAL TRIALS NETWORK FOR SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY.

    (a) Clinical Trials Network.--The Director of NIH, in coordination
with the Directors of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke and the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, shall provide for the upgrading and unification of
existing SMA clinical trial sites to establish a national clinical
trials network for SMA. The Director of NIH shall ensure that such
network--
            (1) conducts coordinated, multisite, clinical trials of
        pharmacological approaches to the treatment of SMA; and
            (2) rapidly and efficiently disseminates scientific
        findings to the field.
    (b) Data Coordinating Center.--The Director of NIH, in coordination
with the Directors of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke and the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, shall establish a data coordinating center with respect to
SMA to--
            (1) provide expert assistance in the design, conduct, data
        analysis, and data management of collaborative clinical and
        descriptive research projects;
            (2) provide appropriate and capable leadership and
        expertise in biostatistics, developmental study design, data
        management, data analysis, and project management, including
        staff and site training and quality assurance procedures;
            (3) provide research support activities in designing data
        collection modules, operational and procedure manuals, quality
        control systems, and a communications system for clinical site
        principal investigators, research coordinators, and other
        network staff;
            (4) organize and conduct multi-site monitoring activities;
        and
            (5) provide regular reports to the National Institute of
        Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute of
        Child Health and Human Development on enrollment and the
        allocation of resources.
    (c) Pre-Clinical Activities.--The Director of NIH, in coordination
with the Directors of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke and the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, shall expand and intensify programs of such Institutes
with respect to pre-clinical translation research and medicinal
chemistry related to SMA.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL PATIENT REGISTRY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting
through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
shall enhance and provide ongoing support to the existing SMA patient
registry to provide for expanded research on the epidemiology of SMA.
    (b) Longitudinal Data.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Secretary shall ensure the collection and analysis of longitudinal data
related to individuals of all ages with SMA, including infants, young
children, adolescents, and adults of all ages.

SEC. 5. NIH COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON SMA.

    (a) Coordinating Committee.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish the Spinal
        Muscular Atrophy Coordinating Committee to coordinate
        activities across the National Institutes of Health and with
        other Federal health programs and activities relating to SMA.
            (2) Composition.--The Coordinating Committee shall consist
        of not more than 15 members to be appointed by the Secretary,
        of which--
                    (A) 2/3 of such members shall represent
                governmental agencies, including--
                            (i) the Directors (or their designees) of
                        the National Institute of Neurological
                        Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute of
                        Child Health and Human Development, other
                        national research institutes involved in
                        research with respect to SMA, and the National
                        Center for Research Resources;
                            (ii) representatives of all other Federal
                        departments, agencies, and advisory committees
                        whose programs involve health functions or
                        responsibilities relevant to SMA, including the
                        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
                        Health Resources and Services Administration,
                        the Food and Drug Administration, and the
                        Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders and
                        Genetic Diseases in Newborns and Children; and
                            (iii) representatives of other governmental
                        agencies that serve children with SMA, such as
                        the Department of Education; and
                    (B) 1/3 of such members shall be public members,
                including a broad cross section of persons affected
                with SMA, including parents or legal guardians,
                affected individuals, researchers, and clinicians.
            (3) Term.--Members of the Coordinating Committee appointed
        under paragraph (2)(B) shall be appointed for a term of 3
        years, and may serve for an unlimited number of terms if
        reappointed.
            (4) Chair.--
                    (A) In general.--With respect to SMA, the Chair of
                the Coordinating Committee shall serve as the principal
                advisor to the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary for
                Health, and the Director of NIH, and shall provide
                advice to the Director of the Centers for Disease
                Control and Prevention, the Commissioner of Food and
                Drugs, and to the heads of other relevant agencies.
                    (B) Appointment.--The Secretary shall appoint the
                Chair of the Coordinating Committee from among
                individuals nominated by the Coordinating Committee.
                The Chair shall be appointed for a term not to exceed 2
                years and may be reappointed for not more than 1
                additional term.
            (5) Administrative support; terms of service; other
        provisions.--The following shall apply with respect to the
        Coordinating Committee:
                    (A) The Secretary shall provide the Coordinating
                Committee with necessary and appropriate administrative
                support.
                    (B) The Coordinating Committee shall meet as
                determined appropriate by the Secretary, in
                consultation with the Chair of the Coordinating
                Committee, but no less than twice each year.
    (b) Study on Barriers to Drug Development.--
            (1) Study.--The Coordinating Committee shall conduct a
        study to identify current and potential future barriers to the
        development of drugs for treating SMA and other similar genetic
        disorders. Such study shall--
                    (A) identify barriers related to the activities of
                government, industry, and academic medicine;
                    (B) include substantial input from scientists and
                organizations with direct involvement in SMA research
                and drug development; and
                    (C) consider obstacles to drug development at all
                points along the research continuum from preclinical
                research to new drug approval.
            (2) Report to congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Coordinating Committee
        shall submit to the Congress a report on the results of the
        study described in paragraph (1) together with such
        recommendations for legislation or administrative action as the
        Coordinating Committee determines appropriate.

SEC. 6. NIH TRANS-INSTITUTE COLLABORATION ON SMA RESEARCH.

    (a) In General.--To ensure the success of the SMA Project that was
initiated and has been led by National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke, the Director of NIH shall establish a trans-
National Institutes of Health cooperative research initiative on SMA.
    (b) Duties.--The cooperative research initiative established under
subsection (a) shall consist of the following activities:
            (1) The Director of the National Institute of Neurological
        Disorders and Stroke shall report to the Director of NIH on the
        ongoing needs of the SMA Project and required next steps to
        ensure the continued success of the Project.
            (2) Based on the needs of the SMA Project identified in the
        report required by paragraph (1), the Director of the National
        Institute of Child Health and Human Development shall provide
        direct and ongoing support of SMA research and drug
        development.
            (3) The Director of NIH shall identify and promote
        opportunities for greater collaboration and involvement in SMA
        research and drug development by other national research
        institutes.

SEC. 7. DRUG DEVELOPMENT PROMOTION.

    Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary, in direct consultation with the Commissioner of
Food and Drugs and the Coordinating Committee, shall submit specific
recommendations to the Congress to improve and expand on the incentives
provided pursuant to the Orphan Drug Act (Public Law 97-414) and
related statutes to directly and indirectly promote SMA drug
development, such as through the creation of unique incentives for rare
pediatric treatments.

SEC. 8. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ON SMA FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and implement a
program to provide information and education on SMA to health
professionals and the general public, including information and
education on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of SMA and
training and continuing education through programs for scientists,
physicians, medical students, and other health professionals who
provide care for patients with SMA.
    (b) Stipends.--The Secretary may award stipends to health
professionals who are enrolled in training programs under this section.

SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) The term ``Director of NIH'' means the Director of the
        National Institutes of Health.
            (2) The term ``Coordinating Committee'' means the Spinal
        Muscular Atrophy Coordinating Committee.
            (3) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health
        and Human Services.
            (4) The term ``SMA'' means spinal muscular atrophy.

Output:
SMA Treatment Acceleration Act - Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to upgrade and unify existing spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) clinical trial sites to establish a national clinical trials network for SMA. Requires the Director of NIH to ensure that such network: (1) conducts coordinated, multisite, clinical trials of pharmacological approaches to the treatment of SMA; and (2) rapidly and effectively disseminates scientific findings to the field.

Requires the Director of NIH to: (1) establish an SMA data coordinating center; and (2) expand and intensify NIH programs with respect to preclinical translation research and medicinal chemistry related to SMA.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to enhance and provide ongoing support to the existing SMA patient registry to provide for expanded research on the epidemiology of SMA. Directs the Secretary to ensure the collection and analysis of longitudinal data related to individuals of all ages with SMA.

Requires the Secretary to establish the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Coordinating Committee to: (1) coordinate activities across NIH and with other federal health programs and activities relating to SMA; and (2) conduct a study to identify barriers to the development of drugs for treating SMA and similar genetic disorders.

Requires the Director of NIH to establish a trans-National Institutes of Health cooperative research initiative on SMA to ensure the success of the SMA projects led by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Requires the Secretary to submit recommendations to Congress to improve and expand on incentives provided under the Orphan Drug Act and related statutes to promote SMA drug development.