S 1078 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for employer-provided employee housing assistance, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

April 10, 2007

Mrs. CLINTON (for herself, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. REED, and Mr. SMITH) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for employer-provided employee housing assistance, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Housing America's Workforce Act'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) Findings- The Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Resurgent housing markets are pricing out low- and moderate-income families and are producing few lower-cost units.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) In many markets, housing costs have far outgrown the rate of inflation and the gap between wages and housing costs is widening, pushing affordable housing beyond the reach of an increasing number of working families.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Despite the lowest mortgage rates in our Nation's history, millions of working families still find it extremely difficult to rent or purchase a home. Many workers who fill jobs that provide the backbone of our communities--teachers, firefighters, and police officers--often cannot afford to live in the communities in which they serve.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers housing affordable when a family spends no more than 30 percent of its monthly income on rent and utilities. Entry-level wage earners with annual incomes of up to $30,000 spending no more than 30 percent of their income on rent can only afford to pay up to $750 for rent. In the high job-growth areas, such rents are not readily available.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) According to a study by the Center for Housing Policy in Washington, DC, the latest data available shows that in 2003, approximately 5 million families paid more than half of their income for housing or lived in dilapidated conditions, or both, despite the fact they were working full time jobs. Moreover, the number of working families with critical housing problems has increased 67 percent between 1997 and 2003.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Affordable housing is the key to creating and sustaining healthy, economically vibrant communities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) The lack of affordable housing across the United States has been shown to cause or contribute to labor shortages.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) Under employer-assisted housing (EAH) programs employers provide much needed housing assistance to their employees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) EAH programs are innovative local solutions that have increased affordable housing opportunities for thousands of working families across America while benefitting the economy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) According to findings of the Rutgers University American Affordable Housing Institute, employer-assisted housing increases productivity by reducing commuting time as well as saves money on recruitment and retention.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) The future growth of EAH programs will remain dependent upon increasing individual employer knowledge and implementation of these programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) EAH programs will not solve the Nation's housing problems but such programs do seek to address the challenge from a new perspective and allow the private sector to play a direct role in promoting housing affordability. Additionally, EAH programs can help to promote redevelopment and reinvestment in distressed communities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Purposes- The purposes of this Act are as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) To expand affordable housing opportunities to low- and moderate-income working individuals and families.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) To encourage employers, counties, and municipalities to invest in employer-assisted housing programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. TAX CREDIT FOR EMPLOYER-PROVIDED EMPLOYEE HOUSING ASSISTANCE.

(a) In General- Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related credits) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`SEC. 45O. EMPLOYER-PROVIDED EMPLOYEE HOUSING ASSISTANCE.

`(a) Allowance of Credit-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of section 38, the employer-provided employee housing assistance credit determined under this section for any taxable year is an amount equal to 50 percent of the qualified housing expenses paid by the employer during the taxable year if such expenses are furnished pursuant to a program described in subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) PER EMPLOYEE LIMITATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- The aggregate amount of qualified housing expenses taken into account with respect to any eligible employee for any taxable year shall not exceed, when added to any qualified housing expenses taken into account for any preceding taxable year with respect to such employee--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) in the case of homeownership assistance, the lesser of $10,000 or 6 percent of the purchase price of such employee's principal residence, andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) in the case of rental assistance, $2,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) IN GENERAL- In the case of any taxable year beginning after 2009, each dollar amount referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) such dollar amount, multiplied byCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (1)(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting `2008' for `1992'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) ROUNDING- If any amount as adjusted under clause (i) is not a multiple of $50, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Housing Assistance Program- For purposes of this section, a housing assistance program is a separate written plan of an employer for the exclusive benefit of such employer's employees to provide the qualified housing expenses of such employees and which meets requirements similar to the requirements of paragraphs (2) through (6) of section 127(b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Definitions and Special Rules- For purposes of this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `eligible employee' means any individual--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) employed by an employer,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) whose household income does not exceed 120 percent of the area median gross income (adjusted for household size) for the metropolitan statistical area (as defined in section 143(k)(2)(B)) in which the housing is located, andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) in the case of homeownership assistance, who is a qualified homebuyer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





If the housing with respect to such employee is located in a high housing cost area (as defined in section 143(f)(5)(C)), the income limitation under subparagraph (B) shall be adjusted (but not reduced) by the application of the rule under section 143(f)(5) by substituting `120 percent' for `115 percent' in subparagraph (B)(I) thereof.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) CERTAIN EMPLOYEES NOT ELIGIBLE- The term `eligible employee' shall not include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) any individual described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 51(i)(1), andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) any 5-percent owner (as defined in section 416(i)(1)(B)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) QUALIFIED HOUSING EXPENSES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `qualified housing expenses' means rental assistance or homeownership assistance towards the lease or purchase of housing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) RENTAL ASSISTANCE- The term `rental assistance' means assistance with security deposits and rental payments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE- The term `homeownership assistance' means assistance for the purchase of a principal residence, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) payment of qualified acquisition costs (as defined in section 72(t)(8)(C)),CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) providing (or reducing the costs of) financing, including the funding of a permanent interest rate buydown,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) contributions to second mortgage pools or low interest loan programs accessible to eligible employees,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) mortgage guarantee programs for the repayment of any loans in default that are secured by an eligible employee and guaranteed by the employer,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(v) contributions to Individual Development Accounts (within the meaning of section 404(h) of the Social Security Act) which are designated exclusively for the purchase of a home, andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(vi) contributions to homebuyer education and homeownership counseling of eligible employees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE- The term `principal residence' has the same meaning as when used in section 121, except such term shall not include a residence with a purchase price exceeding the greater of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) 90 percent of the average area purchase price applicable to the residence, orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) 3.5 times the family income limit applicable to the eligible employee under paragraph (1)(A)(ii).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) QUALIFIED HOMEBUYER-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `qualified homebuyer' means any individual if such individual (and if married, such individual's spouse) had no present ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of the purchase of the principal residence to which this section applies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) ONE-TIME ONLY- If an individual is treated as a qualified homebuyer with respect to any principal residence, such individual may not be treated as a qualified homebuyer with respect to any other principal residence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) APPLICABLE RULES- Rules similar to the rules under section 127(c)(5)(A) shall apply for the purposes of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Treatment of Employers Not Able To Use Entire Credit-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ALLOWANCE OF CREDIT- Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any credit allowable under subsection (a) to any employer described in paragraph (2)(C) may be transferred as provided in this subsection and the determination as to whether the credit is allowable shall be made without regard to the tax-exempt status of the employer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) TRANSFER OF CREDIT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- An employer described in subparagraph (C) may transfer any credit to which paragraph (1) applies through an assignment to any other person. Such transfer may be revoked only with the consent of the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) REGULATIONS- The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as necessary to ensure that any credit described in subparagraph (A) is assigned once and not reassigned by such other person.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) EMPLOYER DESCRIBED- An employer is described in this subparagraph if the employer is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) a State or political subdivision thereof, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or an agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) an Indian tribal government (within the meaning of section 7871) or any agency or instrumentality thereof, orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) any entity exempt from taxation under section 501(a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) TRANSFER PROCEEDS TREATED AS ARISING FROM ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT FUNCTION- Any proceeds derived by a person described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (C) from the transfer under subparagraph (A) of any credit to which paragraph (1) applies shall be treated as arising from the exercise of an essential government function.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) CREDIT NOT INCOME- Any transfer under subparagraph (A) of any credit to which paragraph (1) applies shall not be treated as income for purposes of section 501(c)(12).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Credit Allowed as Part of General Business Credit- Section 38(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining current year business credit) is amended by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (30), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (31) and inserting `, plus', and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(32) the employer-provided employee housing assistance credit determined under section 45O(a).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Conforming Amendments-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Subsection (c) of section 196 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (13) and inserting `, and', and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(14) the employer-provided employee housing assistance credit determined under section 45O(a).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`Sec. 45O. Employer-provided employee housing assistance.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. EXCLUSION FROM INCOME OF EMPLOYER-PROVIDED EMPLOYEE HOUSING ASSISTANCE.

(a) In General- Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to items specifically excluded from gross income) is amended by inserting after section 139A the following new section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`SEC. 139B. EMPLOYEE HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

`(a) Exclusion From Gross Income-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- Gross income of an eligible employee does not include amounts paid or incurred by the employer of such employee for qualified housing expenses provided to the employee if the assistance is furnished pursuant to a program described in subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) LIMITATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- The aggregate amount of qualified housing expenses which may be excluded under paragraph (1) with respect to any eligible employee for any taxable year shall not exceed, when added to any qualified housing expenses excluded in any preceding taxable year with respect to such employee--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) in the case of homeownership assistance, the lesser of $10,000 or 6 percent of the purchase price of such employee's principal residence, andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) in the case of rental assistance, $2,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) IN GENERAL- In the case of any taxable year beginning after 2009, each dollar amount referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) such dollar amount, multiplied byCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section (1)(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting `2008' for `1992'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) ROUNDING- If any amount as adjusted under clause (i) is not a multiple of $50, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Housing Assistance Program- For purposes of this section, a housing assistance program is a separate written plan of an employer for the exclusive benefit of such employer's employees to provide the qualified housing expenses of such employees and which meets requirements similar to the requirements of paragraphs (2) through (6) of section 127(b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Definitions; Special Rules- For purposes of this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- Any term used in section 45O which is also used in this section shall have the same meaning as given such term by section 45O.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) APPLICABLE RULES- Rules similar to the rules under section 127(c)(5)(A) shall apply for purposes of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) BASIS ADJUSTMENT- For purposes of this subtitle, if an exclusion is allowed under subsection (a) with respect to a residence, the basis of such residence shall be reduced by the amount of the exclusion.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Reporting Requirements- Subsection (d)(1) of section 6039D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to returns and records with respect to certain fringe benefit plans) is amended by striking `or 137' and inserting `137, or 139B'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Conforming Amendments-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The table of sections for part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 139A the following new item:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`Sec. 139B. Employee housing assistance programs.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Subsection (a) of section 1016 of such Code (relating to adjustments to basis) is amended by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (36), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (37) and inserting `, and', and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(38) in the case of a residence with respect to which amounts were excluded from income under section 139B, to the extent provided in section 139B(c)(3).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning December 31, 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. GRANTS TO COVER EMPLOYER-ASSISTED HOUSING PROGRAM COSTS.

(a) Grants Authorized-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may award a grant to an eligible entity to pay--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the operating costs of administering an employer-assisted housing program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) for technical assistance provided by the eligible entity to an employer in connection with such a program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) for costs associated with promoting, publicizing, or otherwise attempting to distribute information relating to such a program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DURATION- Grants in an annual aggregate total of not more than $5,000,000 may be awarded under this subsection during each of fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) AWARD BASIS- The Secretary shall award grants under this section on a competitive basis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Eligible Entities- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall demonstrate that it is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) a nonprofit housing organization with a relevant mission and demonstrated track record in housing counseling or employer-assisted housing contracted by an employer to assist the employer in establishing or maintaining an employer-assisted housing program; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) a city, county, town, township, parish, village, hamlet, or other general purpose political subdivision of a State that seeks to establish or maintain, or otherwise participate in an employer-assisted housing program for its own employees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Application- Each eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Limitation on Use of Funds- A grant awarded to an eligible entity under this section shall be used only for the purposes described under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Reports-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall annually prepare and submit to the Secretary a report that describes the--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) amount of grant funds expended during the year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) total amount--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) of funds expended during the year to administer an employer-assisted housing program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) of down payment assistance provided by such a program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) total number of employees utilizing such a program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) number of employees utilizing such a program--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) who are time homebuyers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) who are previous homeowners; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) who live in high-cost housing areas;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) average--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) income of employees utilizing such a program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) age of employees utilizing such a program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) cost of a home purchased under such a program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) ethnicity of employees utilizing such a program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) number of housing units affected by such a program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CLEARINGHOUSE AND DISSEMINATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a national clearinghouse, including a website, designed--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) to provide information about employer-assisted housing programs to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) Federal, State, and local government entities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) interested groups, businesses, persons, and organizations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) to collect and disseminate the information gathered from the reports required under paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) WEBPOSTING- The Secretary shall ensure that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) each report submitted under paragraph (1) is posted to the website of the national clearinghouse established under subparagraph (A); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development provides a hyperlink to such reports on the website of the national clearinghouse.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Definitions- As used in this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) NONPROFIT HOUSING ORGANIZATION- The term `nonprofit housing organization' means any organization that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Internal Revenue Service has ruled is exempt from income taxation under paragraphs (3), (4), or (5) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) has as its stated purpose to produce, maintain, operate, or promote affordable housing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. EVALUATION OF EMPLOYER-ASSISTED HOUSING PROGRAMS.

(a) In General- A study of employer-assisted programs shall be carried out in accordance with subsection (b) for the purposes of evaluating the effects of the tax benefits provided under sections 3 and 4 and the grant program established under section 5 on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) such programs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the private sector resources leveraged to further fund such programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) National Evaluation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Comptroller General of the United States (in this section referred to as the `Comptroller General') shall conduct the study required under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REQUIREMENTS- The study required under subsection (a) shall include an analysis and summary of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the total number of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) employers participating in employer-assisted housing programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) States that have enacted employer-assisted housing program legislation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) States considering enacting such legislation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the extent to which Federal funds are being used to support employer-assisted housing programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the size and nature of existing Federal, State, and private employer-assisted housing programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the types of assistance offered to employees under employer-assisted housing programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the distribution of employers offering employer-assisted housing programs, including a review of the--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) geographic distribution of such employers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) industry distribution of such employers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) size distribution of such employers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) the extent to which employer-assisted housing programs are located in `high-cost' housing markets;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) the extent to which employers are able to, and have made, use of the tax benefits provided under this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) the information contained in the reports submitted under section 5(e);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) any other information that the Comptroller General determines would be relevant and helpful to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in this section referred to as the `Secretary') in evaluating the effects of the tax benefits provided under sections 3 and 4 and the grant program established under section 5.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Consultation- In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consult with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) appropriate Federal, State, and local government entities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) interested groups, businesses, persons, universities, and organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Report-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INTERIM REPORT- Not later than January 1, 2011, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Secretary an interim report on the findings of the study required under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) FINAL REPORT- Not later than December 31, 2012, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Secretary a final report that describes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the findings of the study required under subsection (a); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) any conclusions and recommendations of such study.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink