O000167 1961-08-04 28998 Barack 'obama':2,4,6 'barack':1,3,5 M 400629 Obama Barack_Obama Barack Obama 8812 N00009638 56866 Democrat United Church of Christ Barack Obama 3.69512195121951 C001041 1947-10-26 38260 Hillary 'd':4 'ny':5 'sen':1 'clinton':3,7,9 'hillari':2,6,8 F 300022 Clinton Hillary_Clinton Rodham Sen. Hillary Clinton [D, NY] 14835 N00000019 27701 Democrat Methodist NY Hillary Clinton 3.38356164383562 7 26 39317 Thu Jul 26 22:22:00 -0500 2007 false Mon Oct 27 22:12:27 -0500 2008 3004 true 67 283 224 0 On the Motion to Recommit (DeMint Motion to Recommit H.R. 1 to Conference, with Instructions ) true 1/2 Motion to Recommit Rejected On the Motion to Recommit Thu Sep 13 16:41:41 -0500 2007 senate h 917 39317 1167973200 false 0 1185569640 1204174800 157 1 7700 110 400402 1204174800 2008-02-28 Thu Nov 06 18:31:28 -0600 2008 110-h1 H.R.1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007 AbstainNay 3 80 39617 Thu Aug 02 10:53:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 21:45:25 -0500 2008 3486 true 17 293 131 0 On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Concur in the Amendment of the House to S.1 ) true 2/3 Cloture Motion Agreed to On the Cloture Motion Thu Sep 13 16:38:12 -0500 2007 senate s 172 39617 1167886800 false 0 1186077000 1189742400 19 1 14535 110 300082 1189742400 2007-09-14 Fri Nov 07 11:54:06 -0600 2008 110-s1 S.1 Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 AyeAye 3 63 39735 Wed Apr 11 16:53:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 21:29:59 -0500 2008 3009 true 34 127 179 0 On Passage of the Bill (S. 5 ) false 3/5 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 17:36:51 -0500 2007 senate s 188 39735 1167886800 false 0 1181239440 1182312000 53 5 5520 110 300082 1182312000 2007-06-20 Fri Nov 07 12:01:45 -0600 2008 110-s5 S.5 Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 AyeAye 7 65 40013 Thu Jun 21 22:25:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 21:15:51 -0500 2008 4127 true 27 226 204 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 6, As Amended ) false 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 17:01:46 -0500 2007 senate h 963 40013 1168578000 false 0 1198003500 1198040400 304 6 13621 110 400331 1198040400 2007-12-19 Thu Nov 06 18:31:50 -0600 2008 110-h6 H.R.6 Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 AyeAye 1 51 40769 Tue Jun 26 10:51:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 19:45:53 -0500 2008 3210 true 48 227 340 0 On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to Consider H.R.800 ) false 3/5 Cloture Motion Rejected On the Cloture Motion Thu Sep 13 17:01:27 -0500 2007 senate h 862 40769 1170651600 false 1182873060 1182830400 220 800 32846 This is the Democrats' chief labor bill (aka the Card-check bill). It would change the rules governing the formation of unions, the way first contracts between unions and employers are negotiated, and how employees' rights are enforced. Under the bill, unions could be certified once a majority of employees have signed union authorization cards. The bill also designates a time line for first contracts to be drawn up between unions and employees. Finally, it would increase the fines employers must pay if found guilty of violating their employees' right to unionize. 110 400278 1182830400 2007-06-26 Thu Nov 06 18:47:39 -0600 2008 110-h800 H.R.800 Employee Free Choice Act of 2007 AyeAye 1 68 40957 Thu Aug 02 21:18:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 21:16:31 -0500 2008 4151 true 31 307 215 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R.976 As Amended ) false 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 16:33:16 -0500 2007 senate h 472 40957 1170997200 false 1192727820 1192764600 146 976 4254 110 400333 1192724160 2007-10-18 Thu Nov 06 18:57:03 -0600 2008 110-h976 H.R.976 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 AyeAye 1 74 41853 Wed Oct 01 20:22:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 21:04:18 -0500 2008 5093 true 25 213 596 0 On Passage of the Bill (H. R. 1424 As Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Wed Oct 01 21:20:07 -0500 2008 senate h 1285 41853 1173416400 false 1223054520 1223051220 236 1424 51630 This bill would allow the government to use up to $700 billion in taxpayer money - $350 billion initially, and the rest with Congress's approval - to buy troubled assets from struggling financial institutions. It would also establish a program whereby the government would offer insurance to companies for their assets rather than buying them. It would also establish "appropriate standards" for the compensation of executives at companies that sell assets to the government, create a congressional oversight panel and require the government to collect warrants from bailed out companies so they can collect part of any profits that may result from the bailout. The size of bank deposits that the FDIC can insure would also be raised, from $100,000 to $250,000. <br> <br> Additionally, the bill contains a one-year patch of the alternative minimum tax, a mental health parity provision requiring insures that offer mental health coverage to do so in parity with their medical and surgical coverage, a renewable energy tax credit, tax relief for disaster victims, and many other unrelated tax relief provisions. <br> <br> The full text of the bill can be read at <a href="http://publicmarkup.org/bill/senate-emergency-economic-stabilization-act-2008/">PublicMarkup.org</a> 110 400215 1223006400 2008-10-03 Tue Nov 18 11:03:52 -0600 2008 110-h1424 H.R.1424 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 AyeAye 1 13194 56 42149 Wed Sep 19 09:47:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 19:54:51 -0500 2008 3285 true 43 340 169 0 On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Specter Amdt. No. 2022 ) false 3/5 Cloture Motion Rejected On the Cloture Motion Wed Sep 19 10:50:05 -0500 2007 senate h 1207 42149 1174363200 false 1197656760 1200440460 305 1585 18891 110 400377 1200440460 2008-01-15 Thu Nov 06 20:18:52 -0600 2008 110-h1585 H.R.1585 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 AyeAye 2 51 42155 Thu Mar 29 09:36:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 21:02:15 -0500 2008 3037 true 47 126 209 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 1591, As Amended ) false 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 17:37:10 -0500 2007 senate h 675 42155 1174363200 false 1178131020 1178164320 208 1591 8188 110 400300 1178127420 2007-05-02 Thu Nov 06 20:30:21 -0600 2008 110-h1591 H.R.1591 Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2007 AyeAye 1 57 43339 Tue Sep 18 13:31:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 21:17:19 -0500 2008 2604 true 42 339 159 0 On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to S. 1257 ) false 3/5 Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Tue Sep 18 14:38:16 -0500 2007 senate s 155 43339 1177992000 false 1190140260 1190088000 20 1257 1638 110 300067 1190088000 2007-09-18 Fri Nov 07 14:55:34 -0600 2008 110-s1257 S.1257 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 AyeAye 6 80 43550 Thu May 24 19:26:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 21:01:25 -0500 2008 3966 true 14 181 249 0 On the Motion (Motion to Concur in House Amdt. to Senate Amdt to H.R.2206 ) true 1/2 Motion Agreed to On the Motion Thu Sep 13 17:18:12 -0500 2007 senate h 483 43550 1178596800 false 1180052760 1180065600 97 2206 7010 110 400300 1180065600 2007-05-25 Thu Nov 06 21:47:20 -0600 2008 110-h2206 H.R.2206 U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 NayNay 4 34 43642 Thu Jun 07 10:59:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 21:14:23 -0500 2008 3573 true 61 204 225 0 On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on S. 1348 ) false 3/5 Cloture Motion Rejected On the Cloture Motion Thu Sep 13 17:09:27 -0500 2007 senate s 1018 43642 1178683200 false 1181262240 1181188800 305 1348 11239 110 300082 1181188800 2007-06-07 Fri Nov 07 15:05:53 -0600 2008 110-s1348 S.1348 Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 AyeAye 1 15277 56 43958 Thu Dec 13 08:50:00 -0600 2007 true Mon Oct 27 21:23:35 -0500 2008 3219 true 43 424 172 0 On the Amendment (Dorgan Amdt. No. 3695 as Modified ) false 3/5 Amendment Rejected On the Amendment Thu Dec 13 13:35:38 -0600 2007 senate h 902 43958 1179806400 false 1211471820 1211428800 233 2419 15436 110 400316 1211428800 2008-05-22 Thu Nov 06 22:12:35 -0600 2008 110-h2419 H.R.2419 Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 AyeAye 2 56 44780 Wed Apr 23 17:17:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 19:46:21 -0500 2008 4491 true 42 110 155 0 On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to Consider H.R. 2831 ) false 3/5 Cloture Motion Rejected On the Cloture Motion Wed Apr 23 18:20:05 -0500 2008 senate h 345 44780 1182484800 false 1208989020 1222142400 44 2831 5691 110 400278 1222142400 2008-09-23 Thu Nov 06 23:26:14 -0600 2008 110-h2831 H.R.2831 Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007 AyeAye 12 60 45638 Fri Aug 03 20:16:00 -0500 2007 false Mon Oct 27 21:41:05 -0500 2008 3364 true 28 309 145 0 On Passage of the Bill (S.1927 as Amended ) true 3/5 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 16:32:34 -0500 2007 senate s 219 45638 1185940800 false 1186280400 1190692800 33 1927 5727 110 300072 1190692800 2007-09-25 Fri Nov 07 16:22:27 -0600 2008 110-s1927 S.1927 Protect America Act of 2007 NayNay 8 79 47152 Thu Mar 06 15:53:00 -0600 2008 true Mon Oct 27 21:34:28 -0500 2008 3332 true 13 41 140 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 4040 As Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Mar 06 17:05:05 -0600 2008 senate h 368 47152 1193889600 false 1217548860 1220155200 91 4040 18739 110 400350 1218686400 2008-08-14 Fri Nov 07 02:35:46 -0600 2008 110-h4040 H.R.4040 Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act AbstainAbstain 3 81 48831 Thu Feb 07 15:36:00 -0600 2008 true Mon Oct 27 21:13:23 -0500 2008 3323 true 16 10 190 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 5140 As Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Feb 07 16:35:07 -0600 2008 senate h 525 48831 1201496400 false 1202431440 1202878800 124 5140 58007 This is the old economic stimulus package from the previous session of Congress. The one from President Obama being debated currently can be viewed at the link below:<br><br> <a href="http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h1/show">H.R. 1 - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009</a> (conference report <a href="http://www.opencongress.org/articles/view/876-Stimulus-Bill-Text">bill text</a>)<br><br> This bill, H.R. 5140, is designed to inject money into the economy through individual tax rebates, business tax incentives and increasing the number of loans the FHA and GSEs are allowed to buy up or insure. It would phase out the tax rebates for individuals with an adjusted gross income above $75,000 and for couples above $150,000. The bill totals $145.9 billion, but the business tax incentives, which encourage investment in FY08, would bring the total cost down to $117.2 billion over ten years. 110 400314 1202878800 2008-02-13 Fri Nov 07 04:40:50 -0600 2008 110-h5140 H.R.5140 Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008 AbstainAbstain 5 93 50673 Tue Sep 23 16:58:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 23:05:33 -0500 2008 5037 true 2 205 278 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R.6049 As Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Tue Sep 23 17:50:18 -0500 2008 senate h 719 50673 1210737600 false 1222207080 1222660800 170 6049 26320 110 400333 1222660800 2008-09-29 Thu Jan 01 11:05:40 -0600 2009 110-h6049 H.R.6049 Energy and Tax Extenders Act of 2008 AbstainAye 16 16584 48 50858 Fri Jun 06 08:03:00 -0500 2008 true Tue Oct 28 14:04:25 -0500 2008 4737 true 36 145 262 0 On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Boxer Amdt. No. 4825 ) false 3/5 Cloture Motion Rejected On the Cloture Motion Fri Jun 06 09:20:07 -0500 2008 senate s 234 50858 1211256000 false 1212757380 1212724800 79 3036 14847 110 300011 1212724800 2008-06-06 Fri Nov 07 18:37:41 -0600 2008 110-s3036 S.3036 Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 AbstainAbstain 3 69 51249 Wed Jul 09 13:47:00 -0500 2008 false Mon Oct 27 21:17:05 -0500 2008 4852 true 28 168 339 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 6304 ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Wed Jul 09 14:50:24 -0500 2008 senate h 635 51249 1213848000 false 1215629220 1215662400 82 6304 19110 This is Congress' surveillance bill that was recently signed into law. It includes a controversial provision giving retroactive immunity to the telecom companies that assisted the Bush administration in its warrantless wiretapping program. 110 400337 1215662400 2008-07-10 Fri Nov 07 06:58:13 -0600 2008 110-h6304 H.R.6304 FISA Amendments Act of 2008 AyeNay 1 69 51313 Wed Jul 09 15:11:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 21:37:08 -0500 2008 4853 true 30 169 163 0 On the Cloture Motion (Upon Reconsideration, Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to Consider H.R. 6331 ) false 3/5 Cloture Motion Agreed to On the Cloture Motion Wed Jul 09 16:20:09 -0500 2008 senate h 631 51313 1213934400 false 1216159080 1216151280 220 6331 31117 110 400333 1216094400 2008-07-15 Fri Nov 07 07:01:22 -0600 2008 110-h6331 H.R.6331 Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 AyeAye 3 94 39427 Thu Feb 01 16:00:00 -0600 2007 true 4442 3 42 195 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R.2, As Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 18:05:44 -0500 2007 senate h 651 39427 1167973200 false 0 1170367200 1170306000 84 2 9346 This bill seeks to increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour over a period of two years. It would extend the minimum wage increase to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, an area in political union with the United States, but not subject to U.S. labor laws. 110 400278

2/1/2007--Passed Senate amended. Title I: Fair Minimum Wage - Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 - (Sec. 101) Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage to: (1) $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after enactment of this Act; (2) $6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and (3) $7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day. (Sec. 102) Applies federal minimum wage requirements to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Increases the minimum wage in the Commonwealth: (1) to $3.55 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after enactment of this Act; and (2) by $0.50 an hour (or such lesser amount necessary to equal the federal minimum wage), beginning six months after enactment of this Act and every six months thereafter until such minimum wage equals the federal minimum wage. Title II: Small Business Tax Incentives - Small Business and Work Opportunity Act of 2007 - Subtitle A: Small Business Tax Relief Provisions - Part I: General Provisions - (Sec. 201) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010 the increased expensing allowance for small business assets. (Sec. 202) Extends though March 2008 accelerated depreciation of qualified leasehold and restaurant improvement property. Revises the definition of &quot;qualified restaurant property&quot; to eliminate the requirement that improvements to restaurant property must be placed in service more than three years after the original building is placed in service. Allows accelerated depreciation (i.e., 15-year recovery period, using the straight line method) for qualified retail improvement property. Defines &quot;qualified retail improvement property&quot; as improvements to the interior portion of a nonresidential building used as a retail trade or business serving the general public. Excludes as an improvement the enlargement of the building, any elevator or escalator, common area structures, or the internal structural framework of the building. (Sec. 203) Exempts certain small businesses from the requirement of using the accrual method of accounting (thus permitting such businesses to use a cash method). Limits such exemption to businesses that have annual gross receipts of not more than $10 million (increased from $5 million). Indexes such gross receipts amount for inflation after 2008. Exempts such small businesses eligible to use a cash accounting method from the requirement to use inventories. (Sec. 204) Extends through 2012 the combined work opportunity and welfare-to-work tax credit. Establishes as a new targeted group under such credit designated community residents (in lieu of high risk youth). Requires such residents to be between the ages of 18 and 40 and have a principal place of abode in an empowerment zone, enterprise community, or renewal community. Modifies the definition of vocational rehabilitation referral for purposes of such credit to include certain individual work plans developed and implemented by an employment network under the Social Security Act. Expands the eligibility of veterans for such credit to include veterans with service-connected disabilities incurred after September 10, 2001. Increases from $6,000 to $12,000 the amount of disabled veteran wages eligible for such credit. (Sec. 205) Provides rules for the treatment of certified professional employer organizations as employers for purposes of employment tax liability and other employment tax obligations. Sets forth requirements applicable to such organizations, including bond and independent financial review requirements. Part II: Subchapter S Provisions - (Sec. 211) Redefines &quot;passive investment income&quot; for purposes of S corporation revocation rules to exclude gain from the sale or exchange of stock or securities as an item of passive investment income. (Sec. 212) Excludes restricted bank director stock from treatment as S corporation stock. (Sec. 213) Sets forth a special accounting rule for banks that become S corporations and that change from the reserve method of accounting for bad debts. (Sec. 214) Revises the tax treatment of sales of stock of wholly-owned subsidiaries of S corporations. (Sec. 215) Sets forth a special rule for the treatment of the pre-1983 accumulated earnings and profits of certain corporations described by the Small Business Jobs Protection Act of 1996. (Sec. 216) Permits a nonresident alien to be a potential current beneficiary of an electing small business trust (ESBT). Subtitle B: Revenue Provisions - (Sec. 221) Changes the effective date (to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006) of certain loss deferral rules applicable to leases entered into with a foreign person or entity on or before March 12, 2004. (Sec. 222) Applies rules treating certain foreign corporations as domestic corporations for tax purposes for inversion transactions (sales or transfers of more than 80% of a domestic corporation's stock or assets to a foreign subsidiary for tax avoidance purposes) occurring after March 20, 2002, and before March 4, 2003. (Sec. 223) Denies a tax deduction for any amount paid or incurred as punitive damages. (Sec. 224) Revises tax rules that deny a tax deduction for fines or penalties paid to a government for the violation of any law to provide that no deduction shall be allowed for any such fine or penalty (whether by suit, agreement, or otherwise) to, or at the direction of, a government or nongovernmental regulatory entity for a violation or for the investigation or inquiry into a potential violation. Allows exceptions to the general rule of nondeductibility for: (1) certain restitution payments or payments required to come into compliance with law; (2) court-ordered payments not involving a government or nongovernmental regulatory entity; and (3) amounts paid or incurred as taxes due. Requires governmental agencies involved in a settlement with a taxpayer to report information about such settlement to the Secretary of the Treasury and the taxpayer, including the amount of the settlement, the amount paid as restitution or remediation of property, and the amount paid to come into compliance with law. (Sec. 225) Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens (expatriates) who terminate their citizenship or residency to avoid U.S. taxation. Taxes such expatriates on their property as if sold on the date before expatriation at its fair market value. Allows an exclusion of the first $600,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) of such gain. Allows expatriates to elect to continue being taxed as U.S. citizens. Allows a deferral of any tax owed resulting from such election, but requires the posting of adequate security for payment of any deferred amount. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of retirement plans, interests in trusts, gifts, and inheritances of expatriates. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to render inadmissible to the United States (deny reentry to) expatriates who fail to comply with their tax obligations as set forth in this Act. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to disclose to the Attorney General whether an expatriate is in compliance. (Sec. 226) Limits the annual aggregate amount which may be deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. (Sec. 227) Increases criminal fines and prison terms for attempts to evade or defeat tax, willful failure to file tax returns or pay tax, aggravated failure to file tax returns, and fraud and false statements in connection with a tax return. (Sec. 228) Doubles tax penalties, fines, and interest on underpayments of tax related to tax shelters involving offshore financial arrangements. Allows the Secretary to waive such penalties for certain businesses which use offshore payments in the ordinary course of business. (Sec. 229) Increases the penalty for tendering a bad check or money order for payment of tax. (Sec. 230) Sets forth requirements for regulations governing contingent payment convertible debt instruments. (Sec. 231) Extends the authorization for charging Internal Revenue Service (IRS) user fees through FY2016. (Sec. 232) Allows tax levies for federal employment taxes without pre-levy collection due process hearings. (Sec. 233) Modifies requirements for the IRS whistleblower program. Reduces from $2 million to $20,000 the required amount of tax in dispute for granting whistleblower awards. Establishes in the IRS a Whistleblower Office and authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on its establishment and operation. Authorizes the Tax Court to adopt rules to preserve the confidentiality of whistleblowers who appeal awards. (Sec. 234) Redefines &quot;covered employee&quot; for purposes of the limitation on the tax deduction for excessive employee remuneration. Subtitle C: General Provisions - (Sec. 241) Amends the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 to revise requirements for small business regulatory compliance guides by: (1) requiring such guides to be published on the websites of the federal agency promulgating the rule requiring small business compliance; (2) making such guides available to small businesses at the same time a federal agency rule becomes effective; and (3) including in such guides an explanation of actions a small business must take to comply with a federal agency rule. Requires each federal agency head to report to Congress annually on the status of each agency's compliance with revised requirements for making regulatory compliance guides available to small businesses. (Sec. 242) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program to assist states in establishing and operating employer-operated child care programs. Prohibits states from awarding a grant in excess of $500,000 to any single grant applicant. Requires states to report misuse of grant funds to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to conduct a two-year and a four-year study on various aspects of the employer-provided child care program and report to Congress. (Sec. 243) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to Congress on the benefits, costs, and other consequences of making advance payments of the earned income tax credit to all recipients of such credit. (Sec. 244) Expresses the sense of the Senate on promoting personal savings. (Sec. 245) Amends the Small Business Act to allow existing women's business centers to apply for three-year grants on an ongoing basis. Prohibits women's business centers from disclosing information about any assistance recipient without the recipient's consent except pursuant to a civil or criminal enforcement action or as required for financial auditing purposes. Repeals the four-year women's business center sustainability pilot project. (Sec. 246) Requires each federal agency head to report to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on the amount of agency acquisitions in FY2007-FY2011 of articles, materials, and supplies manufactured outside of the United States. (Sec. 247) Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should: (1) repeal the 1993 tax increase on social security benefits; and (2) make certain education tax incentives permanent (Sec. 249) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to impose new requirements for the debarment of government contractors who hire illegal aliens from future federal contracts. Allows certain waivers of debarment for national defense or security reasons.<br/>

1170306000 2007-02-01 Thu Jan 01 11:03:56 -0600 2009 AyeAye 2 96 39617 Thu Jan 18 20:04:00 -0600 2007 true 2726 2 19 192 0 On Passage of the Bill (S.1 As Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 18:13:19 -0500 2007 senate s 172 39617 1167886800 false 0 1186077000 1189742400 19 1 14535 110 300082

9/14/2007--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 31, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)<br/>Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 - Title I: Closing the Revolving Door - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal criminal code to extend from one to two years the ban on lobbying contacts by former: (1) very senior executive personnel with any Member, officer, or employee of the entity in which such person served before his or her tenure terminated; and (2) Senators with any Member, officer or employee of either chamber, or employee of any other legislative office.<br/>Continues the one-year ban on lobbying contacts by former: (1) Members of the House of Representatives with any Member, officer, or employee of either chamber, or employee of any other legislative office; (2) elected officers of the House with any House Member, officer, or employee; and (3) Senate officers, or a Senate employee (who, for at least 60 days during the one-year period before such employee's service terminated, was paid a salary equal to or greater than 75% of a Senator's salary) with any Senator or Senate officer or employee.<br/>Provides that the one-year ban on lobbying contacts by former legislative office employees shall apply to employees who, for at least 60 days during the one-year before such employee's service terminated, was employed in a position for which his or her salary, exclusive of any locality-based pay adjustment (currently, or any comparable adjustment pursuant to interim authority of the President), is equal to or greater than the salary for level IV of the Executive Schedule (currently, level 5 of the Senior Executive Schedule).<br/>Excludes from such bans any contacts with the staff of the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House regarding compliance with lobbying disclosure requirements under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA).<br/>Redefines &quot;employee of any other legislative office of Congress&quot; to exclude the Copyright Royalty Tribunal.<br/>(Sec. 102) Subjects to a fine or imprisonment of up to 15 years, or both, a Member of Congress or a congressional employee who with the intent to influence, solely on the basis of partisan political affiliation, an employment decision or employment practice of any private entity: (1) takes or withholds, or offers or threatens to take or withhold, an official act; or (2) influences, or offers or threatens to influence, the official act of another.<br/>Provides that such individual may be disqualified from holding any federal office of honor, trust, or profit.<br/>States that nothing in such prohibition shall be construed to create any inference regarding whether such activity was a criminal or civil offense before the enactment of this Act.<br/>(Sec. 103) Requires the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate, as appropriate, to: (1) notify former Members of Congress, officers, or congressional employees of post-employment restrictions; and (2) post the information contained in such notification on the Clerk's or Secretary's public Internet site.<br/>(Sec. 104) Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to authorize: (1) a federal officer or employee assigned to a tribal organization or an intertribal consortium to act as agent or attorney for, and appear on behalf of, such organization or consortium in connection with any matter related to a tribal governmental activity or federal Indian program or service pending before any department, agency, court, or commission, including any matter in which the United States is a party or has a direct and substantial interest; and (2) any former federal officer or employee who is carrying out official duties as an employee or as an elected or appointed official of a tribal organization or intertribal consortium to represent such entities in such matters.<br/>Title II: Full Public Disclosure of Lobbying - (Sec. 201) Amends the LDA to require: (1) quarterly instead of semiannual filing of lobbying disclosure reports; (2) identification after each client listing on a disclosure report of whether the client is a state or local government; and (3) semiannual reports on registered lobbyists' federal election-related political contributions.<br/>Requires the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate to report to Congress on the feasibility of requiring quarterly instead of semiannual reports on registered lobbyists' federal election-related political contributions.<br/>(Sec. 203) Expresses the sense of Congress that after the end of the two-year period beginning on the day on which the requirement for such semiannual reports first applies, they should be made on a quarterly basis if it is practicably feasible to do so.<br/>(Sec. 204) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require an authorized committee of a candidate, a leadership PAC, or a political party committee to include in its disclosure report after each covered period a separate schedule setting forth the name, address, and employer of each person reasonably known by the committee to be a current registered lobbyist, an individual who is listed on a LDA registration or report, or a political committee established or controlled by such a registrant or individual who provided two or more bundled contributions to the committee in an aggregate amount greater than $15,000 (applicable threshold) during the covered period, and the aggregate amount of the bundled contributions provided by each such person during such period.<br/>Excludes any contribution made to the committee by the person or the person's spouse in determining whether the amount of such bundled contributions exceeds the applicable threshold.<br/>Requires the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that: (1) information about such bundled contribution is publicly available through the FEC website in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable manner; and (2) such public database is linked electronically to the websites maintained by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House containing LDA reports and filings.<br/>Defines &quot;leadership PAC,&quot; with respect to a candidate for election to federal office or an individual holding federal office, as a political committee that is directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained or controlled by the candidate or the officeholder, but which is not an authorized committee of the candidate or officeholder, and is not affiliated with such an authorized committee. Excludes a political committee of a political party from the meaning of &quot;leadership PAC.&quot;<br/>(Sec. 205) Requires mandatory lobbyist reports to be filed electronically, in addition to any other form that the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House may require or allow. Requires them to use the same electronic software for receipt and recording of such filings.<br/>(Sec. 206) Amends the LDA to prohibit a registered lobbyist, any registered organization that employs one or more lobbyists, and any employee listed as a registered lobbyist from making a gift or providing travel to a covered legislative branch official, if such individual or organization has knowledge that the gift or travel may not be accepted under the rules of the House or the Senate.<br/>(Sec. 207) Revises requirements for the contents of lobbyist registrations, particularly disclosure of the identity of any organization, other than the client, that: (1) contributes over $5,000 to the registrant or the client in a quarterly period to fund the registrant's lobbying activities (currently, over $10,000 toward the registrant's lobbying activities in a semiannual period); and (2) participates actively in the planning, supervision, or control of such lobbying activities (currently, in whole or in major part plans, supervises, or controls such lobbying activities).<br/>Waives such disclosure if the organization that would be identified as affiliated with the client is listed on the client's publicly accessible Internet website as being a member of or contributor to the client, unless the organization in whole or in major part plans, supervises, or controls such lobbying activities. Provides that, if the registrant relies upon this general waiver, he or she must disclose the specific Internet address of the web page containing the information relied upon.<br/>(Sec. 208) Amends the requirements for the registration of a lobbyist to extend from two to 20 years the look-back period during which an employee of the lobbyist may have served as a covered executive branch official or a covered legislative branch official.<br/>(Sec. 209) Requires the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House, to the extent technically practicable, to maintain certain lobbying disclosure information in an electronic database, available to the public free of charge over the Internet.<br/>Authorizes appropriations.<br/>(Sec. 210) Requires the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House to make publicly available, semiannually, the aggregate number of registrants referred to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for LDA noncompliance.<br/>Requires the U.S. Attorney to report semiannually to specified congressional committees on the aggregate number of enforcement actions taken by the Department of Justice during such period and, by case, any sentence imposed, but not the names of individuals or personally identifiable information that is not already a matter of public record.<br/>(Sec. 211) Increases from $50,000 to $200,000 the civil penalty for failure to comply with LDA requirements.<br/>Subjects anyone who knowingly and corruptly fails to comply with LDA to imprisonment for up to five years or a specified fine, or both.<br/>(Sec. 212) Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) to require electronic filing of mandatory registration statements or supplements, in addition to any other form that may be required by the Attorney General.<br/>Requires the Attorney General, to the extent technically practicable, to maintain an electronic database (in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable manner), available to the public free of charge over the Internet, that: (1) includes the information contained in registration statements and updates filed under FARA; and (2) is searchable and sortable, at a minimum, by each of the categories described in the registration statements.<br/>Requires the Attorney General to make such electronic statements and updates available for public inspection over the Internet as soon as technically practicable after such information is filed.<br/>(Sec. 213) Requires the Comptroller General to audit and report to Congress annually on the extent of LDA compliance or noncompliance by lobbyists, lobbying firms, and registrants through a random sampling of publicly available annual LDA lobbying registrations and reports.<br/>(Sec. 214) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the use of a family relationship by a lobbyist who is an immediate family member of a Member of Congress to gain special advantages over other lobbyists is inappropriate; and (2) the lobbying community should develop proposals for multiple self-regulatory organizations which could provide for creation of standards, legal and ethical training, development of educational materials for the public on how to responsibly hire a lobbyist or lobby firm, standards for reasonable client fees, creation of a third-party certification program including ethics training, and disclosure to clients of fee schedule requirements and conflict of interest rules. Title III: Matters Relating to the House of Representatives - (Sec. 301) Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add Rule XXVII (Disclosure by Members and Staff of Employment Negotiations).<br/>Prohibits a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner (Member) from directly negotiating or having any agreement of future employment or compensation until after the election for his or her successor, unless such Member files a statement about such negotiations or agreement with the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct within three business days after their commencement. Requires inclusion in such a statement of: (1) the name of the private entity or entities involved in the negotiations or agreement; and (2) the commencement date.<br/>Requires a House officer or employee earning over 75% of the salary paid to a Member to notify the Committee, within three business days, that he or she is negotiating or has any agreement of future employment or compensation.<br/>Requires such Member, officer, or employee to recuse himself or herself from any matter in which there is or appears to be a conflict of interest under the Rule, and to notify the Committee of such recusal. Requires such individual also to submit to the Clerk of the House, for public disclosure, the statement of disclosure for which such recusal was made.<br/>(Sec. 302) Amends Rule XXV (Limitations on Outside Earned Income and Acceptance of Gifts) to require a Member of the House to prohibit all of his or her staff from making any lobbying contact with the Member's spouse if the spouse is a registered lobbyist or is employed or retained by a registered lobbyist to influence legislation.<br/>(Sec. 303) Amends Rule XXIII (Code of Official Conduct) to subject other members and employees of a firm, partnership, or other business organization to the same lobbying restrictions that apply to a member or employee acting under contract as a consultant to a House committee (treated by this Rule as a House employee).<br/>(Sec. 304) Requires the Clerk of the House, to the extent technically practicable, to: (1) post certain travel and financial disclosure reports on the public Internet site of the Clerk's Office in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable format; and (2) maintain such information for at least six years.<br/>Permits Members of the House to omit certain personally identifiable information from the reports before such posting.<br/>Requires the Clerk of the House to include in any informational materials about website disclosures an explanation of the procedures for protecting such personally identifiable information.<br/>(Sec. 305) Prohibits a Member, during the dates on which the Member's national political party holds its convention to nominate a candidate for President or Vice President, from participating in an event honoring him or her, other than in his or her capacity as a candidate for such office, if such event is directly paid for by a registered lobbyist or a private entity that retains or employs such lobbyist.<br/>Title IV: Congressional Pension Accountability - (Sec. 401) Amends federal civil service law regarding the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) to exclude from retirement accounting any service as a Member of Congress of an individual finally convicted of a felony involving: (1) bribery of public officials and witnesses; (2) acting as an agent of a foreign principal while a federal public official; (3) fraud by wire, radio, or television, including as part of a scheme to deprive citizens of honest services; (4) prohibited foreign trade practices by domestic concerns; (5) engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity; (6) tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant; (7) racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations; (8) conspiracy to commit an offense or to defraud the United States; (9) perjury; or (10) subornation of perjury. Entitles such individual, all the same, to so much of his or her lump-sum credit as is attributable to such service.<br/>Requires, with respect to each offense, that: (1) every act or commission of the individual that is needed to satisfy the elements of the offense occurs while the individual is a Member; (2) such act or omission directly relates to the performance of the individual's official duties as a Member; and (3) the offense is committed after enactment of this Act.<br/>Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations to ensure that the authority to make any payment to the spouse or children of an individual pursuant to this title shall be available only to the extent that the application of such regulation is considered necessary and appropriate, taking into account the totality of the circumstances, including: (1) the financial needs of the spouse or children; (2) whether the spouse or children participated in a specified offense of which such individual was finally convicted; and (3) what measures, if any, may be necessary to ensure that the convicted individual does not benefit from any such payment.<br/>Defines &quot;Member&quot; as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.<br/>Title V: Senate Legislative Transparency and Accountability - Subtitle A: Procedural Reform - (Sec. 511) Amends Rule XXVIII (Conference Committees; Reports; Open Meetings) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to revise procedures for disposal of points of order against consideration of: (1) new matter inserted in a conference report; or (2) the conference report when conferees violate specified requirements regarding a disagreement to an amendment in the nature of a substitute referred to them.<br/>Requires: (1) an affirmative vote of three-fifths (60) of the Members of the Senate to waive any or all of such points of order; and (2) the same three-fifths affirmative vote to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on them. Requires all motions to waive such points of order and to sustain such appeal to be debatable collectively and limited to one hour equally divided between the Majority and Minority Leaders or their designees. Makes a motion to waive all points of order unamendable.<br/>Makes it out of order to vote on the adoption of a conference report unless it is available to Members and the general public at least 48 hours before such vote.<br/>Declares that a conference report is made available to the general public as of the time it is posted on a publicly accessible website controlled by a Member, committee, the Library of Congress, or other office of Congress, or the Government Printing Office (GPO), as reported to the Presiding Officer by the Secretary of the Senate.<br/>Requires: (1) an affirmative vote of three-fifths (60) of the Members of the Senate to waive such point of order; and (2) the same three-fifths affirmative vote to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on it. Requires all motions to waive such point of order and to sustain such appeal to be debatable collectively and limited to one hour equally divided between the Majority and Minority Leaders or their designees.<br/>Allows such point of order to be waived by joint agreement of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate, upon their certification that such waiver is necessary because of a significant disruption to Senate facilities or to the availability of the Internet.<br/>Requires the Committee on Rules and Administration to promulgate regulations to implement the requirements for public availability of conference reports.<br/>(Sec. 512) Requires the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate (or their designees) to recognize a notice of intent of a Senator who is a member of their caucus to object to proceeding to a measure or matter only if the Senator: (1) submits such notice in writing to the appropriate leader (or designee) following the objection to a unanimous consent to proceeding to, and, or passage of, a measure or matter on their behalf; and (2) within six session days afterwards submits a similar notice for inclusion in the Congressional Record and in the applicable calendar.<br/>Requires the Secretary of the Senate to establish, for both the Senate Calendar of Business and the Senate Executive Calendar, a separate section entitled &quot;Notice of Intent to Object to Proceeding,&quot; containing the name of each Senator filing the notice, the measure or matter objected to, and the date the objection was filed.<br/>Authorizes a Senator to have such an item removed from a calendar upon submitting to the Congressional Record a statement of non-objection.<br/>(Sec. 513) Amends Rule XXVI (Committee Procedure) to require, except with respect to certain closed meetings, each committee and subcommittee to make publicly available through the Internet a video recording, audio recording, or transcript of any meeting within 21 business days after it occurs. Requires such information to be available until the end of Congress following the date of the meeting.<br/>Authorizes the Committee on Rules and Administration to waive this requirement for inability to comply with it for technical or logistical reasons.<br/>(Sec. 514) Revises Rule XV (Amendments and Motions) to require: (1) an amendment and any instruction accompanying a motion to recommit to be reduced to writing, read, and identical copies to be provided by the Senator offering the amendment or instruction to the desks of the Majority and Minority Leaders before being debated; and (2) a motion (currently all motions and amendments) to be reduced to writing, if desired by the Presiding Officer or by any Senator, and to be read before being debated.<br/>(Sec. 515) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) conference committees should hold regular, formal meetings of all conferees open to the public; (2) all conferees should be given adequate notice of the time and place of all such meetings; (3) all conferees should be afforded an opportunity to participate in full and complete debates of the matters that such conference committees may recommend to their respective chambers; and (4) the text of a conference report should not be changed after the Senate signature sheets have been signed by a majority of the Senate conferees.<br/>Subtitle B: Earmark Reform - (Sec. 521) Adds Rule XLIV (Congressionally Directed Spending and Related Items) to the Standing Rules of the Senate.<br/>Makes it out of order to vote on a motion to proceed to consider a bill or joint resolution reported or not reported by any committee unless the chairman of the committee of jurisdiction or the Majority Leader or his designee certifies that: (1) each congressionally directed spending item, limited tax benefit, and limited tariff benefit, if any, in such legislation or if applicable, in its committee report, has been identified through lists, charts, or other similar means including the name of each requesting Senator; and (2) that such information has been available on a publicly accessible congressional website in a searchable format at least 48 hours before such vote.<br/>Declares the motion to proceed suspended if the point of order is sustained until the sponsor of the motion or his or her designee has requested resumption and compliance with such requirements have been achieved.<br/>Makes it out of order to vote on the adoption of a conference report unless the chairman of the committee of jurisdiction or the Majority Leader or his designee certifies: (1) that each congressionally directed spending item, limited tax benefit, and limited tariff benefit, if any, in the conference report, or in the joint explanatory statement, has been identified through lists, charts, or other means, including the name of each requesting Senator; and (2) that such information has been available on a publicly accessible congressional website at least 48 hours before such vote.<br/>Requires the conference report to be set aside if such point of order is sustained.<br/>Provides that, if during consideration of a bill or joint resolution a Senator proposes an amendment containing a congressionally directed spending item, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit which was not included in such measure as placed on the calendar or as reported in its committee report (or a committee report of the Senate on a companion measure), then, as soon as practicable, the Senator shall ensure that a list of such items (and the name of any requesting Senator) is printed in the Congressional Record.<br/>Requires a committee, if it reports a bill or joint resolution that includes congressionally directed spending items, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits in such legislation or in its committee report to identify, as soon as practicable, on a publicly accessible congressional website each such item through lists, charts, or other similar means, including the name of each requesting Senator. Declares that availability on the Internet of a committee report containing such information shall satisfy such requirements.<br/>Requires such information, made available on publicly accessible congressional websites, to be provided in a searchable format to the extent technically feasible.<br/>Requires a Senator who requests a congressionally directed spending item, a limited tax benefit, or a limited tariff benefit in any bill or joint resolution (or an accompanying report) or in any conference report (or joint explanatory statement) to provide a written statement to the chairman and ranking member of the committee of jurisdiction, including: (1) the Senator's name; (2) in the case of a congressionally directed spending item, the name and location of the intended recipient or, if there is no specifically intended recipient, the intended location of the activity; (3) in the case of a limited tax or tariff benefit, identification of the individual or entities reasonably anticipated to benefit, to the extent known to the Senator; (4) the purpose of such congressionally directed spending item or limited tax or tariff benefit; and (5) a certification that neither the Senator nor the Senator's immediate family has a pecuniary interest in the item.<br/>Provides that, with respect to each item included in a Senate bill or joint resolution (or accompanying report) reported by committee or considered by the Senate, or included in a conference report (or joint explanatory statement) considered by the Senate, each committee of jurisdiction shall make such certifications available for public inspection on the Internet as soon as practicable.<br/>Requires the committee of jurisdiction for a bill, joint resolution, or conference report that contains congressionally directed spending items in any classified portion of a report accompanying the measure, to the greatest extent practicable, consistent with the need to protect national security, to include on the required list a general program description in unclassified language, funding level, and the name of the sponsor.<br/>Allows: (1) a Senator to raise a point of order against one or more provisions of a conference report if they constitute new directed spending provisions; and (2) the Presiding Officer to sustain the point of order as to some or all of the provisions against which the Senator raised it.<br/>Requires: (1) an affirmative vote of three-fifths (60) of the Members of the Senate to waive any or all of such points of order; and (2) the same three-fifths affirmative vote to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair. Requires all motions to waive such points of order and to sustain such appeal to be debatable collectively and limited to one hour equally divided between the Majority and Minority Leaders or their designees. Makes a motion to waive all points of order unamendable.<br/>Prohibits a Member, officer, or employee of the Senate from knowingly using his or her official position to introduce, request, or otherwise aid the progress or passage of congressionally directed spending items, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits to further only such individual's pecuniary interest, only the pecuniary interest of their immediate family, or only the pecuniary interest of a limited class of persons or enterprises, when the individual or their immediate family, or enterprises controlled by them, are members of the affected class.<br/>Requires: (1) an affirmative vote of three-fifths (60) of the Members of the Senate to waive application of certain points of order under this Rule with respect to a measure; and (2) the same three-fifths affirmative vote to sustain an appeal (limited to one only) of the ruling of the Chair. Requires all motions to waive such points of order and to sustain such appeal to be debatable collectively and limited to one hour equally divided between the Majority and Minority Leaders or their designees.<br/>Requires: (1) an affirmative vote of three-fifths (60) of the Members of the Senate to move to waive all points of order under this Rule with respect to the pending measure or motion; (2) the motions to waive all points of order to be debatable collectively and limited to one hour equally divided between the Majority and Minority Leaders or their designees; and (3) such motions to be unamendable.<br/>Allows certain points of order under this Rule to be waived by joint agreement of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate upon their certification that such waiver is necessary because of a significant disruption to Senate facilities or to the availability of the Internet.<br/>Subtitle C: Revolving Door Reform - (Sec. 531) Amends Rule XXXVII (Conflict of Interest) to prohibit a former: (1) Member, who is employed by an entity that employs or retains a registered lobbyist, from lobbying Members, officers, or employees of the Senate for two years after leaving office; or (2) employee on the staff of a Member, who is employed by an entity that employs or retains a registered lobbyist, from lobbying the Member for whom he or she worked or that Member's staff for one year after leaving that position.<br/>Prohibits a former employee on the staff of a committee, who becomes a registered lobbyist or is employed or retained by a registered lobbyist or an entity that employs or retains a registered lobbyist, from lobbying the members of the committee for which he or she worked, or the staff of that committee, for one year after leaving his or her position. Imposes a one-year lobbying moratorium, upon leaving such position, on an officer of the Senate or an employee on the staff of a Member or on the staff of a committee whose salary is equal to or greater than 75% of a Member's salary, and is employed at such salary for more than 60 days in a calendar year.<br/>(Sec. 532) Prohibits a Member from negotiating or having any arrangement concerning prospective private employment until after the election for his or her successor has been held, unless such Member files a signed statement with the Secretary of the Senate, for public disclosure, regarding such negotiations and arrangements within three business days after their commencement. Requires inclusion in such a statement of: (1) the name of the private entity or entities involved; and (2) the commencement date.<br/>Prohibits a Member from negotiating, or having any arrangement concerning, prospective employment for a job involving lobbying activities until after a successor has been elected.<br/>Requires a Senate employee earning over 75% of the salary paid to a Senator to notify the Select Committee on Ethics (Ethics Committee), within three business days, that he or she is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning prospective private employment.<br/>Requires such employee to: (1) recuse himself or herself from any contact or communication with the prospective employer on issues of legislative interest to the prospective employer, as well as any legislative matter in which there is or appears to be a conflict of interest for that employee under this Rule; and (2) notify the Ethics Committee of such recusal.<br/>(Sec. 533) Amends Rule XXIII (Privilege of the Floor) to deny floor privileges, when the Senate is in session, to former Senators and Senators-elect, Secretaries, Sergeants at Arms of the Senate, and Speakers of the House of Representatives if they: (1) are registered lobbyists or agents of a foreign principal; or (2) are in the employ of or represent any party or organization to influence, directly or indirectly, the passage, defeat, or amendment of any federal legislative proposal.<br/>Authorizes the Committee on Rules and Administration to promulgate regulations excepting from such prohibitions any ceremonial functions and events designated by the Majority and Minority Leaders.<br/>Denies such individuals use of the Senate athletic facilities or Member-only parking spaces.<br/>(Sec. 534) Amends Rule XLIII (Representation by Members) to prohibit a Member, with the intent to influence solely on the basis of partisan political affiliation an employment decision or employment practice of any private entity, from: (1) taking or withholding, or offering or threatening to take or withhold, an official act; or (2) influencing, or offering or threatening to influence, the official act of another.<br/>(Sec. 535) Requires the Secretary of the Senate to notify former Senators and Senate officers and employees of certain post-employment restrictions under Rule XXXVII.<br/>Subtitle D: Gift and Travel Reform - (Sec. 541) Amends Rule XXXV (Gifts) to prohibit Members, officers, or employees from knowingly accepting gifts from lobbyists, agents of a foreign principal, or private entities that retain or employ such individuals, except in specified circumstances.<br/>(Sec. 542) Prohibits a Member from participating, during the dates of the national party convention for the Member's political party, in an event honoring that Member, other than in his or her capacity as the party's presidential or vice presidential nominee or presumptive nominee, if the event is paid for by a registered lobbyist or a private entity that retains or employs such individual.<br/>(Sec. 543) Declares that the market value of a ticket to an entertainment or sporting event shall be its face value, or, in the case of a ticket without a face value, the value of the ticket with the highest face value for the event. Provides that if a ticket holder can establish in advance of the event to the Ethics Committee that the ticket at issue is equivalent to another ticket with a face value, then the market value shall be set at the face value of the equivalent ticket.<br/>Requires the ticket holder to provide written and independently verifiable information related to the primary features of the ticket, including, at a minimum: (1) the seat location; (2) access to parking; (3) availability of food and refreshments; and (4) access to venue areas not open to the public.<br/>Authorizes the Ethics Committee to make a determination of equivalency only if such information is provided in advance of the event.(Sec. 544) Prescribes conditions under which Members, officers, or employees of the Senate may accept reimbursement (including payment in kind) for transportation, lodging, and related expenses for travel to a meeting, speaking engagement, fact-finding trip, or similar event related to officeholder duties from an individual other than a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal that is a private entity that retains or employs one or more of such individuals. Deems such reimbursement to be reimbursement to the Senate, and not a prohibited gift, if it is: (1) provided only for attendance at or participation for a one-day event (exclusive of travel time and an overnight stay); or (2) sponsored by a nonprofit tax-exempt organization.<br/>Allows the regulations to permit a two-night stay when determined by the Ethics Committee to be practically required to participate in the one-day event but in no event may the stay exceed two nights.<br/>Requires an employee, before accepting reimbursement, to receive advance written authorization to accept it from the Member or officer under whose direct supervision he or she works.<br/>Requires each Member, officer, or employee that receives such reimbursement to disclose the expenses involved and (for an employee) advance authorization, and a copy of the certification to the Secretary of the Senate within 30 days after the travel is completed. Requires such disclosure to include a description of meetings and events attended.<br/>Prohibits a Member, officer, or employee from accepting a reimbursement (including payment in kind) for transportation, lodging, or related expenses for: (1) a trip that was planned, organized, or arranged by or at the request of a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal; (2) a trip on which a lobbyist accompanies the individual on any segment of the trip; or (3) all other trips allowed under this Rule on which a registered lobbyist accompanies the individual at any point throughout the trip. Requires the Ethics Committee to issue regulations identifying de minimis activities by lobbyists or foreign agents that would not violate this Rule.<br/>Sets forth requirements for certification to the Ethics Committee a Member, officer, or employee must meet before accepting from any source travel otherwise permissible.<br/>Requires Members, officers or employees to obtain prior approval of the Ethics Committee for such a reimbursement, once the Committee has promulgated regulations.<br/>Requires the Secretary of the Senate to make available to the public all advance authorizations, certifications, and disclosures filed pursuant to such travel restrictions as soon as possible upon their receipt but in no event before completion of the relevant travel.<br/>Requires the Ethics Committee to develop and revise annually guidelines on evaluating a trip proposal and judging the reasonableness of an expense or expenditure.<br/>Authorizes the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to extend for 30 days the deadline for the Ethics Committee's initial guidelines.<br/>Makes the fair market value for a (charter) flight (for which reimbursement must be made to the Senate) the pro rata share of the fair market value of the normal and usual charter fare or rental charge for a comparable plane of comparable size, as determined by dividing such cost by the number of Members, officers, or employees of Congress on the flight.<br/>Defines such a (charter) flight as any flight on an aircraft that is not: (1) operated or paid for by an air carrier or commercial operator certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and required to be conducted under air carrier safety rules; or (2) an air carrier or commercial operator certificated by an appropriate foreign civil aviation authority, in the case of travel abroad, and the flight is required to be conducted under air carrier safety rules.<br/>Excludes from such requirements an aircraft owned or leased by a governmental entity or by a Member of Congress or a Member's immediate family member (including an aircraft owned by an entity that is not a public corporation in which the Member or Member's immediate family member has an ownership interest, provided that the Member does not use the aircraft any more than the Member's or immediate family member's proportionate share of ownership allows).<br/>Amends Rule XXXVIII (Prohibition of Unofficial Office Accounts) to declare that the value, for reimbursement purposes, of a (charter) flight shall be the pro rata share of the fair market value.<br/>Requires the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch of the Senate Committee on Appropriations to consider and propose any adjustment to the Senator's Official Personnel and Office Expense Account needed in light of the enactment of this section, and any modifications of federal statutes or appropriations measures needed to accomplish such adjustments.<br/>Declares that nothing in this section or section 541 is meant to alter treatment under law or Senate rules of expenses that are governed by the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act or the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act.<br/>(Sec. 545) Allows a Member, officer, or employee to accept an offer of free attendance in the Member's home state at a conference, panel discussion, dinner event, reception, or similar event, provided by an event sponsor, if: (1) the cost of meals provided is less than $50; (2) the event is sponsored primarily by constituents of the Member (or the Member by whom the officer or employee is employed), and will be attended primarily by a group of at least five such constituents, providing no registered lobbyist attends; and (3) the Member, officer, or employee participates as a speaker or a panel participant, by presenting information related to Congress or matters before Congress, or by performing a ceremonial function appropriate to his or her official position, or attendance at the event is appropriate to the performance of the official duties or representative function of such individual.<br/>Allows a Member, officer, or employee who attends such an event to accept a sponsor's unsolicited offer of free attendance at the event for an accompanying individual if others in attendance will generally be similarly accompanied or if such attendance is appropriate to assist in the representation of the Senate.<br/>(Sec. 546) Requires the Secretary of the Senate to establish a publicly available website, free of charge, containing information on all officially related congressional travel (occurring on or after such date and subject to disclosure under Rule XXXV).<br/>Requires the Secretary to maintain such information on the Secretary's Internet site for up to four years.<br/>Authorizes appropriations.<br/>Subtitle E: Other Reforms - (Sec. 551) Exempts former Members, officers, and employees now employed as lobbyists from the one-year ban on Capitol contacts with respect to any contacts with staff of the Secretary of the Senate about compliance with LDA lobbying disclosure requirements.<br/>(Sec. 552) Requires a Member to prohibit all of his or her staff from having any official contact with the Member's spouse or immediate family member that constitutes a LDA lobbying contact if the spouse or family member is a registered lobbyist, is employed or retained by a registered lobbyist, or an entity that hires or retains a registered lobbyist to influence legislation.<br/>Prohibits Members and employees on a Member's staff from having any lobbying contact with any spouse of a Member who is a registered lobbyist or is employed or retained by one. States that this ban shall not apply to the spouse of a Member who was serving as a registered lobbyist at least one year before the Member's most recent election or at least one year before his or her marriage to the Member.<br/>(Sec. 553) Requires the Ethics Committee to conduct ongoing ethics training and awareness programs for Members of the Senate and Senate staff.<br/>(Sec. 554) Requires the Ethics Committee to report annually by January 31 on: (1) the number of alleged violations of Senate rules received from any source, including the number raised by a Senator or the Ethics Committee staff; (2) the number dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction or, in which, even if the complaint allegations are true, no violation of Senate rules would exist, or because they failed to provide sufficient facts as to any material violation of the Senate rules beyond mere allegation or assertion; (3) the number in which the committee staff conducted a preliminary inquiry; (4) the number that resulted in an adjudicatory review; (5) the number that the committee dismissed for lack of substantial merit; (6) the number of private or public letters of admonition issued; (7) the number of matters resulting in a disciplinary sanction; and (8) any other information deemed appropriate.<br/>Title VI: Prohibited Use of Private Aircraft - (Sec. 601) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit a federal election candidate or any authorized committee of such a candidate from making any expenditure for a flight on an aircraft unless: (1) the aircraft is operated by an air carrier or commercial operator certificated by the FAA and the flight is required to be conducted under air carrier safety rules or, in the case of travel abroad, by an air carrier or commercial operator certificated by an appropriate foreign civil aviation authority and the flight is required to be conducted under such rules; or (2) the candidate, the authorized committee, or other political committee pays the owner, lessee, or other person providing the airplane the pro rata share of the fair market value of such flight within a commercially reasonable time frame after the date on which the flight is taken.<br/>Prohibits an authorized committee and a leadership PAC of a candidate for the House of Representatives from making any expenditure for a flight unless: (1) the aircraft is operated by an air carrier or commercial operator certificated by the FAA and the flight is required to be conducted under air carrier safety rules, or, in the case of travel abroad, by an air carrier or commercial operator certificated by an appropriate foreign civil aviation authority and the flight is required to be conducted under such safety rules; or (2) the aircraft is operated by a federal or state entity.<br/>States that such requirements do not apply to a flight on an aircraft owned or leased by the candidate involved or an immediate family member (including an aircraft owned by an entity that is not a public corporation in which the candidate or an immediate family member has an ownership interest) so long as the candidate does not use the aircraft more than the proportionate share of ownership allows.<br/>Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 701) Expresses the sense of Congress that any applicable restrictions on congressional officials and employees in this Act should apply to the executive and judicial branches.<br/>(Sec. 702) Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to increase from $10,000 to $50,000 the civil penalty imposed on an individual who knowingly and willfully falsifies, or who knowingly or willfully fails to file or report, any financial disclosure information required under the Act.<br/>Makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly and willfully falsify such information or fail to file or report it.<br/>Subjects an individual to: (1) a fine, up to one year imprisonment, or both, for falsifying such information; and (2) a fine for knowingly and willfully failing to file or report it.<br/>(Sec. 703) Declares that nothing in this Act or the amendments made by it shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech, free exercise, or free association clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution.<br/>

1189742400 2007-09-14 Fri Nov 07 11:54:06 -0600 2008 AyeAye 2 60 39725 Tue Mar 13 16:11:00 -0500 2007 true 3402 38 73 182 0 On Passage of the Bill (S. 4 As Amended ) false 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 17:54:50 -0500 2007 senate s 97 39725 1167886800 false 0 1173820260 1183953600 24 4 3245 110 300082

3/13/2007--Passed Senate amended. Improving America's Security Act of 2007 - Provides for implementation of recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission). Title I: Improving Intelligence and Information Sharing within the Federal Government and with State, Local, and Tribal Governments - Subtitle A: Homeland Security Information Sharing Enhancement - (Sec. 111) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to administer the Homeland Security Advisory System to provide warnings regarding the risk of terrorist attacks on the homeland to federal, state, local, and tribal government authorities and to the people of the United States. Directs the Secretary to: (1) exercise primary responsibility for providing such warnings (2) establish criteria and develop a methodology for the issuance and revocation of such warnings; (3) provide, in each warning, specific information and advice regarding appropriate protective measures and countermeasures that may be taken to enable individuals, government entities, emergency response providers, and the private sector to act appropriately; and (4) limit the scope of each warning, whenever possible, to a specific region, locality, or economic sector believed to be at risk.<br/>Directs the Secretary to: (1) integrate and standardize the information of the intelligence components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), except for any internal protocols, to be administered by the Chief Intelligence Officer (CIO); and (2) designate, for each component, an information sharing and knowledge management officer who shall report to the CIO. Requires the CIO to: (1) establish DHS-wide procedures for the review and analysis of information gathered from government and private sector sources; and (2) integrate such information into information gathered by, and make such information available within, DHS and other federal agencies.<br/>Directs the Secretary to develop mechanisms to provide feedback regarding the analysis and utility of information provided.<br/>Requires the CIO to: (1) provide opportunities for training and education to DHS employees; and (2) evaluate how employees of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis and DHS intelligence components are utilizing homeland security information, sharing information within DHS, and participating in the information sharing environment established under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA).<br/>Amends HSA to modify the responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection to require: (1) access, receipt, analysis, and integration of information to be in support of DHS mission responsibilities and consistent with the functions of the National Counterterrorism Center; and (2) review, analysis, and recommendations for improvements in information-sharing to be made among the federal, state, local, and tribal government authorities.<br/>Amends IRTPA to require the information sharing environment to perform specified functions, including integrating information and technologies and incorporating continuous, real-time, and immutable audit capabilities. Expands the program manager's responsibilities, to include: (1) assisting in the development of policies to foster the development and proper operation of the information sharing environment; and (2) identifying and resolving information sharing disputes between federal departments.<br/>Requires: (1) the Information Sharing Council to assist the program manager in identifying and resolving such disputes and to identify appropriate personnel for assignment to the program manager to support staffing needs; (2) the departments represented on the Council, at the request of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), to detail appropriate personnel to the program manager on a reimbursable basis; and (3) the President to report to Congress each year on the state of the information sharing environment and of information sharing across the government. Directs the President to report to specified committees on the feasibility of: (1) eliminating the use of any marking or process to restrict the sharing of information within the scope of the information sharing environment among participants in such environment unless the President has specifically exempted categories of information from elimination; (2) continuing to use federal agency standards in effect for the collection, sharing, and access to such information relating to citizens and lawful permanent residents; (3) replacing those standards with one that would allow mission-based or threat-based permission to access or share information for a particular purpose that the government has determined to be lawfully permissible for a particular agency, component, or employee (an &quot;authorized use&quot; standard); and (4) the use of anonymized data by federal departments when such use is reasonably expected to produce results materially equivalent to the use of non-anonymized information and is consistent with any mission of that department involving personally identifiable information.<br/>Authorizes the program manager to hire up to 40 full-time employees to assist in: (1) identifying and resolving information sharing disputes between federal agencies; and (2) other activities associated with the implementation of the information sharing environment. (Sec. 113) Directs: (1) the Secretary, acting through the CIO, to develop a curriculum for the training of state, local, and tribal government officials relating to the handling, review, and development of intelligence material; and (2) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and other federal entities to carry out training programs. (Sec. 114) Authorizes the President or the head of an agency, in making cash awards, to consider an employee's success in sharing information in the information sharing environment and directs agency heads to adopt best practices regarding effective ways to educate and motivate federal officers and employees to engage in such environment.<br/>Subtitle B: Homeland Security Information Sharing Partnerships - (Sec. 121) Amends HSA to direct the Secretary to establish a State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative. Authorizes: (1) the CIO to assign officers and intelligence analysts from DHS components to state, local, and regional fusion centers; and (2) the Secretary to develop qualifying criteria for a fusion center to participate in assigning DHS officers or intelligence analysts. Lists as prerequisites for such assignment intelligence analysis, privacy, and civil liberties training. Grants each assigned individual direct access to all relevant federal databases and information systems. Directs the Secretary to: (1) create a mechanism for any state, local, or tribal emergency response provider who is a consumer of intelligence to voluntarily provide feedback to DHS; and (2) establish guidelines for fusion centers operated by state and local governments, including incorporating emergency response providers and the private sector into all relevant phases of the intelligence and fusion process through full time representatives or liaison officers. Requires: (1) the Secretary to submit to the House and Senate homeland security committees a concept of operations report; and (2) the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board to report on the privacy and civil liberties impact of the program.<br/>(Sec. 122) Directs the Secretary, acting through the CIO, to establish a Homeland Security Information Sharing Fellows Program. (Sec. 123) Establishes a Rural Policing Institute, which shall be administered by the Office of State and Local Training of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, to: (1) evaluate the needs of law enforcement agencies of units of local government and tribal governments located in rural areas; (2) develop and provide expert training programs to address those needs, including combating methamphetamine addiction and distribution, domestic violence, and response related to school shootings; and (3) conduct outreach. Subtitle C: Interagency Threat Assessment and Coordination Group - (Sec. 131) Directs the program manager for the information sharing environment to oversee and coordinate the creation and ongoing operation of an Interagency Threat Assessment and Coordination Group (ITACG), which shall facilitate the production of federally coordinated products derived from information within the scope of such environment intended for distribution to state, local, and tribal government officials and the private sector. Requires ITACG to be located at the facilities of the National Counterterrorism Center of the Office of the DNI.<br/>Directs the Secretary: (1) to assign a senior level officer to manage and direct ITACG administration; (2) to determine how specific products shall be distributed to state, local, and tribal officials and private sector partners; and (3) acting through the CIO, to establish standards for the admission of law enforcement and intelligence officials from a state, local, or tribal government into ITACG.<br/>Includes within ITACG representatives of DHS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and state, local, and tribal law enforcement and intelligence officials. Directs the program manager to develop qualifying criteria and establish procedures for selecting personnel assigned to ITACG and for the proper handling and safeguarding of information related to terrorism. Title II: Homeland Security Grants - Homeland Security Grant Enhancement Act of 2007 - (Sec. 202) Amends HSA to establish a Homeland Security Grant Program (consisting of an Urban Area Security Initiative, State Homeland Security Grant Program, and Emergency Communications and Interoperability Grants Program). Authorizes the Secretary to award Program grants through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Declares that the Program shall supersede specified programs under the USA PATRIOT Act, HSA, and the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. Requires grant programs to include policies and procedures for: (1) identifying funded activities that are susceptible to significant improper payments; and (2) reporting the incidence of improper payments to DHS. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish minimum performance requirements for entities that receive homeland security grants; (2) conduct simulations and exercises to test such requirements for emergencies and major disasters not less than twice each year and catastrophic incidents not less than once each year; and (3) ensure that entities that are failing to demonstrate minimum performance requirements establish a plan for the achievement of those requirements within a specified time frame. Provides that, at the Administrator's discretion, the occurrence of an actual emergency, major disaster, or catastrophic incident in an area may be deemed a simulation. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the homeland security committees on grantee performance, lessons learned, and efforts being made to remedy failed performance.<br/>Establishes the Urban Area Security Initiative to provide grants to assist high-risk metropolitan areas in preventing, preparing for, protecting against, responding to, and recovering from terrorist acts. Directs the Administrator, in allocating funds among metropolitan areas applying for such grants to consider specified factors, such as the relative threat, vulnerability, and consequences faced by the eligible metropolitan area from a terrorist attack and the anticipated effectiveness of the proposed spending plan for the eligible metropolitan area in increasing that area's ability to prevent, prepare for, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorism, to meet its target capabilities and to otherwise reduce the overall risk. Requires the Administrator to distribute grant funds to the states in which an approved eligible metropolitan area is located. Requires each state to provide the eligible metropolitan area at least 80% of grant funds and an accounting of the items or services on which any funds retained by the state were expended. Establishes the State Homeland Security Grant Program to assist state, local, and tribal governments in preventing, preparing for, protecting against, responding to, and recovering from terrorist acts. Directs the Administrator, in allocating funds among states applying for such grants, to: (1) consider specified factors, such as the relative threat, vulnerability, and consequences faced by the state from a terrorist attack, the anticipated effectiveness of the proposed state spending plan in reaching certain goals, and the need to balance the goals of ensuring that target capabilities of the highest risk areas are achieved quickly and that basic levels of preparedness are achieved nationwide; and (2) ensure that, for each fiscal year, no state receives less than .45% of the funds appropriated for the Program and that American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the Virgin Islands each receive not less than .08%. Allows the states to submit an application for multistate efforts. Lists minimum allocation amounts for states and directly eligible tribes. Lists permissible uses of grants, including the payment of appropriate personnel costs for protecting critical infrastructure and key resources identified in the Critical Infrastructure List. Directs the Administrator to designate not less than 25% of the combined amount appropriated for the Urban Area Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Grant Program for law enforcement terrorism prevention activities, including for information sharing to preempt attacks, target hardening, threat recognition, and certain overtime expenses.<br/>Establishes in DHS an Office for the Prevention of Terrorism, whose Director shall report directly to the Secretary. Requires the Director to establish a pilot project to determine the efficacy and feasibility of establishing law enforcement deployment teams that shall form the basis of a national network of standardized law enforcement resources to assist state, local, and tribal governments in responding to natural disasters, terrorist acts, or other man-made disasters. . Places upon the Administrator responsibility for administering all DHS-administered homeland security grant programs and for ensuring coordination and consistency. Requires any state or metropolitan area receiving grants to establish a planning committee to assist in preparing and revising state, regional, or local homeland security plans and in determining effective funding priorities (with an exception where the state or metropolitan area has established and uses a multijurisdictional planning committee or commission that meets specified requirements).<br/>Directs the Secretary, through the Administrator, to: (1) compile a comprehensive list of federal programs that provide assistance to state, local, and tribal governments for preventing, preparing for, and responding to, disasters and terrorist acts; (2) develop a proposal to coordinate the planning, reporting, application, and other requirements and guidance for homeland security assistance programs; and (3) submit the information and proposals to the House and Senate homeland security committees.<br/>Directs the Administrator to: (1) submit to Congress, as a component of the annual Federal Preparedness Report, an evaluation of the extent to which DHS-administered grants have contributed to the progress of state, local, and tribal governments in achieving target capabilities and have led to the reduction of risk nationally and in state, local, and tribal jurisdictions; (2) report to the homeland security committees, for each fiscal year, a detailed and comprehensive explanation of the methodology used to calculate risk and compute the allocation of funds; and (3) conduct periodic reviews of grants. Requires: (1) each grant recipient and DHS to provide the Government Accountability Office (GAO) with full access to information regarding activities carried out under this title; (2) the Comptroller General to conduct annual audits of the Homeland Security Grant Program and to report to the homeland security committees; (3) grant recipients that expend $500,000 or more in funds received under this title during any fiscal year to submit to the Administrator an organization-wide financial and compliance audit report; and (4) the Secretary to conduct a recovery audit for any DHS-administered grant valued at $1 million or greater. Sets forth remedies for noncompliance.<br/>Requires the DHS Inspector General to: (1) audit each entity that receives a grant under the Urban Area Security Initiative, State Homeland Security Grant Program, or Emergency Management Performance Grants Program (under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006) every two years and make each audit available on the Inspector General's website; (2) audit each entity that receives a grant under such programs to evaluate the use of any preparedness grant administered by DHS that was awarded before the date of this Act's enactment and make each audit available on the Inspector General's website; and (3) submit to Congress a consolidated report regarding audits conducted. Requires the Administrator to withhold 1% of the amount of each grant under such programs for audits. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) DHS should administer a coherent and coordinated system of both terrorism-focused and all-hazards grants; and (2) the amounts appropriated for grants under the Urban Area Security Initiative, the State Homeland Security Grant Program, and the Emergency Communications Operability and Interoperable Communications Grants Program in any fiscal year should be in direct proportion to the amounts authorized for those programs for FY2008 under this Act.<br/>(Sec. 203) Expresses the sense of the Senate that DHS shall conduct at least 7,500 trainings annually through the Domestic Preparedness Equipment Technical Assistance Program. Directs the Secretary to report annually to specified committees on: (1) the number of trainings conducted; and (2) why fewer trainings were needed if that number is less than 7,500.<br/>Title III: Communications Operability and Interoperability - (Sec. 301) Directs the Administrator to: (1) make grants to states for initiatives necessary to achieve, maintain, or enhance statewide, regional, national, and international emergency communications operability and interoperable communications; and (2) require any state applying for a grant to submit a Statewide Interoperable Communications Plan in coordination with local and tribal governments, emergency response providers, and other relevant state officers. Lists considerations in approving applications and awarding grants, including the nature of the threat, the location, risk, or vulnerability of critical infrastructure and key national assets, and the extent to which geographic barriers pose unusual obstacles to achieving, maintaining, or enhancing emergency communications operability or interoperable communications. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a panel to assist in reviewing grant applications; and (2) ensure that for each fiscal year no state receives less than .75% of the total funds appropriated and American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the Virgin Islands each receive no less than .25%. Requires the Administrator to determine a date by which a state that receives a grant shall make available to local and tribal governments and emergency response providers not less than 80% of the grant funds, an equal value of resources purchased with grant funds, or an equal value of grant funds combined with resources purchased with grant funds.<br/>Sets forth certification requirements regarding distribution of grant funds to local and tribal governments. Requires any state that receives a grant to submit a spending report to the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to make each report publicly available on the FEMA website. Establishes penalties for reporting delay. Prohibits grants from being used for recreational or social purposes. Provides that nothing in this section precludes the use of funds by a state for interim or long-term Internet Protocol-based interoperable solutions.<br/>Amends: (1) IRTPA to require interoperable communications plans to include information on the governance structure used to develop the plan, on the method by which multijurisdictional, multidisciplinary input was provided from all regions of the jurisdiction, and on the process for continuing to incorporate such input; and (2) HSA to require the National Emergency Communications Plan to set a date and interim benchmarks by which state, local, and tribal governments, federal agencies, emergency response providers, and the private sector will achieve interoperable communications.<br/>(Sec. 302) Establishes in DHS an International Border Community Interoperable Communications Demonstration Project. Requires the Secretary to select no fewer than six border communities to participate. Requires projects to address the interoperable communications needs of emergency response providers and the National Guard. Directs the Secretary to: (1) distribute funds to participating communities through the states; and (2) report to the House and Senate homeland security committees annually.<br/>Authorizes appropriations.<br/>Title IV: Emergency Management Performance Grants Program - (Sec. 401) Amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to replace a provision transferring the Noble Training Center to the Center for Domestic Preparedness with provisions establishing an Emergency Management Performance Grants Program to make grants to states to assist state, local, and tribal governments in preventing, preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating against all hazards. Allocates .75% of grant funds to each state and .25% to American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, with remaining funds allocated to each state in proportion to its population. Lists permissible uses of grants. Limits the federal share of costs to 50%. Requires a state to take into account the needs of local and tribal governments. Permits the Administrator to award grants to states to plan for, equip, or construct all-hazards state, local, or regional emergency operations centers. Prohibits grant awards from being used for construction that is not consistent with requirements under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Limits the federal share of costs to 75%. Authorizes appropriations.<br/>Title V: Enhancing Security of International Travel - (Sec. 501) Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should modernize and expand the visa waiver program by simultaneously enhancing program security requirements and extending visa-free travel privileges to nationals of foreign countries that are allies in the war on terrorism.<br/>Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary to certify to Congress when an air exit system is in place that can verify the departure of not less than 97% of foreign nationals that exit through U.S. airports. Provides for the waiver of low nonimmigrant visa refusal rate requirements for participation in the Visa Waiver Program after such certification if specified security conditions are met. Directs: (1) the Secretary and the Secretary of State to jointly use information from the system to establish a maximum visa overstay rate for countries participating in the Program pursuant to a waiver; and (2) the Secretary to submit to Congress and publish in the Federal Register a notice of the proposed maximum visa overstay rate and to issue a final rate not less than 60 days thereafter.<br/>Requires each alien traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, beginning on the date on which the electronic travel authorization system is fully operational, to electronically provide basic biographical information to the system before applying for admission. Directs the Secretary, upon review of such information, to determine whether the alien is eligible to travel to the United States under the Program. Revises requirements for eligibility as a Program country to require the government of a country to: (1) enter into an agreement with the United States to report or make available through Interpol to the U.S. government information about the theft or loss of passports within a strict time limit and in a specified manner; (2) accept for repatriation any citizen, former citizen, or national against whom a final executable order of removal is issued not later than three weeks after the issuance of the final order of removal; and (3) share information regarding whether nationals of that country traveling to the United States represent a threat. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress on the implementation of the electronic travel authorization system and the participation of new countries in the Program through a waiver; and (2) provide technical assistance to Program countries. Prohibits the Secretary from waiving an eligibility requirement without notifying the appropriate congressional committees at least 30 days before the effective date of the waiver.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a fully automated electronic travel authorization system to collect basic biographical information to determine, in advance of travel, the eligibility of an alien to travel to the United States under the Program; and (2) charge a fee for the use of the system. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations that provide for up to a three-year period during which a determination of eligibility to travel under the Program will be valid. Permits the Secretary to revoke such determination at any time. Denies judicial review of an eligibility determination under the system. Directs the Secretary to establish an exit system that records the departure on a flight leaving the United States of every alien participating in the Program. Requires this system to: (1) match biometric information of the alien against relevant watch lists and immigration information; and (2) compare biometric information against manifest information collected by air carriers on passengers departing the United States to confirm that such individuals have departed the United States. Authorizes appropriations.<br/>(Sec. 502) Amends IRTPA to direct the Secretary to nominate a U.S. government official to serve as the Director of the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center, to be staffed with not fewer than 40 full-time equivalent positions, detailed from specified agencies. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary to designate a DHS official to: (1) be responsible for carrying out the program to oversee implementation of the Secretary's responsibilities regarding terrorist travel; (2) assist in improving DHS's ability to prevent terrorists from entering or remaining undetected in the United States; and (3) serve as the Secretary's primary point of contact with the National Counterterrorism Center regarding terrorist travel initiatives and recommendations. (Sec. 504) Adds as a criterion to be met before implementation of a plan for requiring specified documents for travel in the United States certification of the signing by the Secretary and the Secretary of State of a memorandum of agreement to initiate a pilot program with not less than one state to determine if an enhanced driver's license that is machine-readable, tamper proof, and issued by such state may permit an individual to meet documentation requirements for entry into the United States from Canada. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on expansion of the pilot program and its impact on national security.<br/>(Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary to conduct: (1) a complete cost-benefit analysis of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative; and (2) a study of the mechanisms by which the execution fee for a PASS Card could be reduced, considering the potential increase in the number of applications.<br/>(Sec. 506) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a model ports-of-entry program to provide a more efficient and welcoming international arrival process in order to promote business and tourist travel to the United States while improving security; (2) implement the program initially at the 20 U.S. international airports with the greatest average annual number of arriving foreign visitors; and (3) employ at least an additional 200 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to address staff shortages at such airports. Title VI: Privacy and Civil Liberties Matters - (Sec. 601) Amends the National Security Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 to direct the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board to: (1) analyze and review executive branch actions to protect the nation from terrorism; (2) ensure that liberty concerns are appropriately considered in the development and implementation of laws, regulations, and policies related to efforts to protect the nation from terrorism; (3) review and assess reports and other information from privacy officers and civil liberties officers; (4) make recommendations to such officers regarding their activities and coordinate activities on relevant interagency matters; (5) report at least semiannually to specified committees and to the President; and (6) make its reports available to the public, hold public hearings, and otherwise inform the public of its activities consistent with the protection of classified information. Sets forth provisions regarding access to information, including review of subpoena requests, and security clearances. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 602) Directs the Attorney General, the Secretaries of Defense, State, Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, the DNI, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the head of any other department designated by the Board to designate a senior officer to: (1) assist the agency head in considering privacy and civil liberties concerns when developing or implementing laws, regulations, or guidelines related to efforts to protect the nation against terrorism; and (2) periodically investigate and review department actions, guidelines, and related laws to ensure adequate consideration of privacy and civil liberties. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) exceptions to the designation authority of privacy officers and civil liberties officers; (2) supervision, coordination, and cooperation; (3) reprisals for making complaints; and (4) periodic reports to Congress and availability to the public.<br/>(Sec. 603) Amends HSA to grant DHS's senior privacy officer access to records and authority, including subpoena power, to conduct investigations relating to DHS programs and operations. Directs such officer to: (1) report to, and be under the general supervision of, the Secretary; and (2) coordinate activities with DHS's Inspector General. Requires notification to Congress upon such official's removal or transfer. Directs that officer to report to Congress, including regarding requests for subpoenas.<br/>(Sec. 604) Federal Agency Data Mining Reporting Act of 2007 - Requires federal agency heads to report to Congress on any activity to use or develop data mining. Defines &quot;data mining&quot; as a query, search, or other analysis of one or more electronic databases, where: (1) a federal agency or a non-federal entity acting on the government's behalf is conducting the analysis to find a predictive pattern or anomaly indicating terrorist or criminal activity; and (2) the search does not use a specific individual's personal identifiers to retrieve information. Requires annual updates.<br/>Title VII: Enhanced Defenses Against Weapons of Mass Destruction - (Sec. 701) Amends HSA to direct the Secretary to establish, operate, and maintain a National Biosurveillance Integration Center (NBIC) under an existing office or directorate of DHS to oversee development and operation of a National Biosurveillance Integration System. Declares that the primary mission of the NBIC is to enhance the federal government's capability to: (1) rapidly identify and track a biological event of national significance by integrating and analyzing data from human health, animal, plant, food, and environmental monitoring systems; and (2) disseminate alerts and information to member agencies and to state, local, and tribal government agencies to enhance their ability to respond to such an event.<br/>Requires: (1) the NBIC to design the System to detect, as early as possible, a biological event of national significance that presents a risk to the United States or to the infrastructure or key assets of the United States; (2) the Secretary to ensure that the NBIC is fully operational by September 30, 2008, and to report to the House and Senate homeland security committees; and (3) NBIC's Directing Officer to establish an entity to perform operations and assessments, evaluate data for evidence of a biological event of national significance, and establish a method of real-time communication with the National Operations Center (the Biological Common Operating Picture). Directs member agencies to use best efforts to integrate biosurveillance information into the System.<br/>Requires the Directing Officer to: (1) establish an interagency coordination council to facilitate interagency cooperation and to advise the Directing Officer regarding recommendations to enhance DHS's biosurveillance capabilities; and (2) invite member agencies to serve on the council.<br/>Authorizes appropriations.<br/>(Sec. 702) Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the state of biosurveillance efforts.<br/>(Sec. 703) Amends HSA to direct the Secretary, the Attorney General, the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Energy, and the DNI to jointly take specified steps to ensure interagency coordination on the development and implementation of the global nuclear detection architecture.<br/>Title VIII: Private Sector Preparedness - (Sec. 801) Defines &quot;voluntary national preparedness standards&quot; to mean a common set of criteria for preparedness, disaster management, emergency management, and business continuity programs.<br/>(Sec. 802) Amends HSA to make the Special Assistant to the Secretary responsible for: (1) providing information to the private sector regarding such standards and the business justification for preparedness; and (2) promoting to the private sector the adoption of such standards. Includes among the functions of private sector advisory councils advising the Secretary on private sector preparedness issues.<br/>(Sec. 803) Directs the Secretary to: (1) support developing, promulgating, and updating of such standards; (2) develop, implement, and promote a program to certify the preparedness of private sector entities; (3) coordinate the program with other DHS private sector-related programs and with preparedness and business continuity programs in other federal agencies; (4) enter into agreements with the American National Standards Institute or other similarly qualified nongovernmental or other private sector entities to carry out accreditations and oversee the certification process; (5) regularly monitor and inspect the operations of any third party conducting certifications; and (6) maintain and make public a listing of any private sector entity certified as being in compliance with that entity's consent.<br/>Allows the certification program to use a multiple-tiered system to rate the preparedness of a private sector entity. Directs the selected entities to collaborate to develop procedures and requirements for accreditation and certification processes. Provides for revocation of accreditation and annual reviews. Makes certification voluntary for any private sector entity. (Sec. 804) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary or a designated entity should promote efforts to develop a consistent international standard for private sector preparedness. (Sec. 805) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a project to conduct demonstrations of security management systems that shall use a management system standards approach and that may be integrated into quality, safety, environmental, and other internationally adopted management systems; (2) enter into agreements with a private sector entity to conduct such demonstrations; and (3) report to the homeland security committees.<br/>(Sec. 807) Provides that nothing in this title may be construed to supersede any preparedness or business continuity standards, requirements, or best practices established under other federal law or by any sector-specific agency.<br/>Title IX: Transportation Security Planning and Information Sharing - (Sec. 901) Modifies provisions regarding transportation security strategic planning to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop, implement, and update as needed transportation modal and intermodal security plans addressing risks, threats, and vulnerabilities for aviation, bridge, tunnel, commuter rail and ferry, highway, maritime, pipeline, rail, mass transit, over-the-road bus, and other public transportation infrastructure assets.<br/>Requires the National Strategy for Transportation Security to include: (1) the development of risk-based priorities based on risk assessments conducted by the Secretary of Homeland Security, including of freight and passenger rail transportation, and public transportation security assessments by the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) required by this Act; (2) a strategic plan that sets forth the roles and missions of tribal authorities and includes mechanisms for encouraging cooperation and participation by private sector entities; and (3) a comprehensive delineation of prevention responsibilities and issues regarding threatened and executed acts of terrorism inside the United States and outside the United States to the extent such acts affect U.S. transportation systems. Requires transportation security research and development projects to be based on a prioritization of research and development objectives that support transportation security needs, giving a higher priority to research and development directed toward protecting vital transportation assets. Requires the Strategy also to include: (1) short- and long-term budget recommendations for federal transportation security programs that reflect National Strategy priorities; (2) methods for linking the individual transportation modal security plans and the programs contained therein and a plan for addressing the security needs of intermodal transportation hubs; and (3) transportation security modal and intermodal plans, including operational recovery plans to expedite the return of an adversely affected transportation system to its normal performance level preceding a major terrorist attack or another catastrophe. Requires such plans to be coordinated with the resumption of trade protocols required under the SAFE Port Act.<br/>Expands the scope of reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to provide an unclassified version of the National Strategy, including its component transportation modal security plans, to federal, state, regional, local, and tribal authorities, transportation system owners or operators, private sector stakeholders, and institutions of higher learning.<br/>(Sec. 902) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a Transportation Security Information Sharing Plan; (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees on updates to and implementation of the Plan; and (3) gather input on its development from private and public stakeholders and the program manager of the information sharing environment. Requires the Plan to include: (1) coordination with existing modal information sharing centers and the Information Sharing and Analysis Center for Public Transportation; (2) establishment of a point of contact for each mode of transportation within DHS for its sharing of transportation security information with public and private stakeholders; (3) an implementation deadline; and (4) a description of resource needs.<br/>Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a biennial survey of the satisfaction of each of the recipients of transportation intelligence reports disseminated under the Plan; (2) facilitate the security clearances needed for public and private stakeholders to receive and obtain access to classified information; (3) provide public and private stakeholders with specific and actionable information in an unclassified format; and (4) provide a semiannual report to specified committees that identifies the job titles and descriptions of those with whom such information is to be shared, describes the measures taken to ensure proper treatment and security for any classified information, and explains the reason for the denial of such information to any stakeholder who had previously received it.<br/>(Sec. 903) Defines &quot;TSA employee&quot; as an individual who holds: (1) any position that was transferred from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of DOT to DHS by HSA; and (2) any other position within DHS the duties and responsibilities of which include carrying out functions that were transferred from the TSA to the Secretary.<br/>Repeals provisions of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) authorizing the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to employ, appoint, discipline, terminate, and fix the compensation, terms, and conditions of employment in federal service for screener personnel. Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that all TSA employees are subject to the same personnel management system; and (2) take any measures which may be necessary to provide for the uniform treatment of all TSA employees under such system. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the homeland security committees on the pay system that applies with respect to TSA employees as of this Act's enactment and any changes to the system which would be made under any regulations which have been prescribed.<br/>(Sec. 904) Amends ATSA to make provisions regarding appeals of adverse actions applicable to individuals employed or appointed to carry out screening. Directs the Under Secretary of Transportation to provide a collaborative, integrated, employee engagement mechanism at every airport to address workplace issues, except that collective bargaining over working conditions shall not extend to pay. Denies employees the right to strike. Authorizes the Under Secretary to take necessary actions to carry out the agency mission in response to emergencies, newly imminent threats, or intelligence indicating a newly imminent emergency risk. Prohibits divulging classified information in any unauthorized forum.<br/>Amends HSA to grant screeners whistleblower protection. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the homeland security committees on: (1) the pay system that applies to TSA employees; and (2) any changes to such system that would be made under any regulations which have been prescribed under provisions regarding DHS.<br/>(Sec. 905) Amends the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act to require submission of an initial plan to scan 100% of cargo containers before they arrive in the United States, including: (1) specific annual benchmarks for the percentage of cargo containers destined for the United States that are scanned at a foreign port; (2) annual increases in the benchmarks until 100% of such containers are scanned before arriving in the United States, unless the Secretary explains in writing that inadequate progress has been made in meeting criteria for expanded scanning to be practical or feasible; (3) an analysis of how to effectively incorporate existing programs to reach the benchmarks; and (4) an analysis of the scanning equipment, personnel, and technology necessary to reach the goal of 100% scanning of cargo containers. Requires each subsequent report to include an assessment of progress toward implementing that plan.<br/>Title X: Incident Command System - (Sec. 1001) Amends HSA to include among the Regional Administrator's responsibilities to: (1) coordinate with the private sector to help ensure private sector preparedness for natural disasters, terrorist acts, or other man-made disasters; and (2) assist state, local, or tribal governments to pre-identify and evaluate suitable sites where a multijurisdictional incident command system can be established quickly.<br/>(Sec. 1002) Revises provisions concerning standards for credentialing of personnel and the typing of resources likely needed to respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. Requires such credentialing standards to: (1) include the minimum professional qualifications, certifications, training, and education requirements for specific emergency response functional positions that are applicable to federal, state, local, and tribal government; (2) be compatible with the National Incident Management System; (3) be consistent with standards for advance registration for health professions volunteers; and (4) be developed within six months of this Act's enactment. Requires the Secretary and the Administrator to ensure that all DHS personnel (including temporary personnel and individuals in the Surge Capacity Force) who are likely to respond are credentialed. Directs the Administrator to: (1) evaluate whether the FEMA workforce complies with FEMA's strategic human capital plan and is sufficient to respond to a catastrophic incident; (2) provide detailed written guidance and expertise to state, local, and tribal governments to facilitate the credentialing of state, local, and tribal emergency response providers commonly or likely to be used in responding; and (3) assist such governments with credentialing their personnel. Directs: (1) the Administrator to enter into a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on establishing nationwide standards for typing of resources (i.e., evaluating assets or resources for a specific function) commonly or likely to be used in responding to a natural disaster, terrorist act, or other man-made disaster; (2) the Secretary to ensure that all such DHS resources and assets are typed; and (3) the Administrator to provide such standards to all federal agencies with responsibilities under the National Response Plan. Requires the Administrator to provide leadership, guidance, and technical assistance to such agencies to facilitate the typing process, to establish and maintain a documentation and database system of such resources and assets, and to provide detailed written guidance and expedite and assist state, local, and tribal governments with typing their resources.<br/>Directs the Administrator to create model standards or guidelines that states may adopt in conjunction with critical infrastructure owners and operators and their employees to permit access to restricted areas in the event of a natural disaster, terrorist act, or other man-made disaster.<br/>Title XI: Critical Infrastructure Protection - (Sec. 1101) Directs the Secretary to establish a risk-based prioritized list of critical infrastructure and key resources that: (1) includes assets or systems that, if successfully destroyed or disrupted through a terrorist attack or natural catastrophe, would cause catastrophic national or regional impacts; and (2) reflects a cross-sector analysis of critical infrastructure to determine priorities for prevention, protection, recovery, and restoration. Requires the Secretary to include levees in the Department's list of critical infrastructure sectors. Authorizes the Secretary to establish additional critical infrastructure and key resources priority lists by sector. Requires: (1) each list to be reviewed and updated at least annually; (2) the Secretary to report annually to the House and Senate homeland security committees and submit with each report a classified annex for required information that cannot be made public; and (3) the classification of information required to be provided to Congress, DHS, or any other agency by a sector-specific agency to be binding.<br/>(Sec. 1102) Directs the Secretary, for each fiscal year beginning with FY2007, to prepare a risk assessment of the critical infrastructure and key resources of the nation: (1) organized by sector; and (2) containing any actions or countermeasures proposed to address security concerns. Authorizes DHS to rely on a vulnerability or risk assessment prepared by another federal agency that DHS determines is prepared in coordination with other DHS initiatives relating to critical infrastructure or key resource protection and partnerships between the government and private sector. Sets forth reporting requirements and provisions regarding the classification of information.<br/>(Sec. 1103) Directs the Secretary to use the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center, where appropriate, to carry out the actions required under this title.<br/>(Sec. 1104) Directs the Secretary to report to specified committees for each fiscal year detailing the actions taken by the government to ensure the preparedness of industry to: (1) reduce interruption of critical infrastructure operations during a terrorist attack, natural catastrophe, or other similar national emergency; and (2) minimize the impact of such catastrophes.<br/>Title XII: Congressional Oversight of Intelligence - (Sec. 1201) Requires: (1) the President to disclose to the public the aggregate amount of appropriations requested in the President's budget for each fiscal year for the National Intelligence Program; (2) Congress to disclose the aggregate amounts authorized and appropriated for the Program; and (3) the DNI to assess the advisability of disclosing the aggregate amounts requested in the President's budget and authorized and appropriated by Congress for each element of the intelligence community. (Sec. 1202) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to require the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, the Director of a national intelligence center, or the head of any element of the intelligence community to make available any intelligence assessment or information requested by specified relevant congressional committees not later than 15 days after receiving the request. Requires such officials to provide requested information unless the President certifies that the President is asserting a privilege pursuant to the Constitution.<br/>Denies any officer or element in the executive branch the authority to require a department head of the intelligence community to: (1) receive permission to testify before Congress; or (2) submit for approval or review prior to submission to Congress testimony, recommendations, or comments that include a statement that the views expressed are those of that head and do not necessarily represent the Administration's views.<br/>Allows an employee of a covered agency (any element of the intelligence community, a national intelligence center, and any other executive agency or unit determined by the President to have as its principal function the conduct of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities) or an employee of a contractor carrying out activities pursuant to a contract with a covered agency to disclose covered information (information an employee reasonably believes provides direct evidence of a false or inaccurate statement that is made to Congress or that is contained in an intelligence report or estimate) to an authorized individual without first reporting such information to the appropriate Inspector General.<br/>(Sec. 1203) Amends the Public Interest Declassification Act of 2000 to authorize the Public Interest Declassification Board, upon receiving a congressional request, to conduct a declassification review and make recommendations, regardless of whether the review is requested by the President. Requires recommendations submitted to the President by the Board to be submitted to the chairman and ranking member of the congressional committee that made the request. Terminates the Public Interest Declassification Act on December 31, 2012.<br/>(Sec. 1204) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate (each or jointly) should: (1) undertake a review of the recommendations made in the final report of the 9/11 Commission regarding intelligence reform and congressional intelligence oversight reform; (2) review and consider any other suggestions, options, or recommendations for improving intelligence oversight; and (3) report to the Senate by December 21, 2007, with any recommendations for carrying out such reforms.<br/>(Sec. 1205) Amends the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 to authorize the National Archives and Records Administration to obligate monies necessary to carry out the activities of the Public Interest Declassification Board.<br/>(Sec. 1206) Requires the Director of the CIA to: (1) prepare and make available to the public a version of the executive summary of the Office of Inspector General Report on CIA Accountability Regarding Findings and Conclusions of the Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001, issued in June 2005, that is declassified to the maximum extent possible, consistent with national security; and (2) submit to Congress a classified annex to the redacted executive summary that explains the reason that any redacted material was withheld from the public.<br/>Title XIII: International Cooperation on Antiterrorism Technologies - (Sec. 1301) Amends HSA to direct the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to establish the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office. Requires the Office's Director to: (1) be responsible for developing mechanisms, legal frameworks, and strategic priorities for international cooperative activity in support of homeland security research; (2) facilitate the matching of U.S. and foreign entities engaged in homeland security research so that they may partner in research activities; and (3) ensure that the activities are coordinated with those of other relevant research agencies.<br/>Requires the Director to ensure that funding and resources expended in international cooperative activity will be equitably matched by the foreign partner government or other entity through direct funding, the funding of complementary activities, or the provision of staff, facilities, material, or equipment. Authorizes the Director to require a grant recipient to match up to 50% of the cost of the proposed project Includes among partners Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and other allies in the global war on terrorism. Provides for funding for activities under this section to be paid from discretionary funds appropriated to DHS and reimbursements from foreign partners to be credited to appropriate accounts of the Directorate of Science and Technology.<br/>(Sec. 1302) Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure full and timely compliance with the requirements of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.<br/>Title XIV: Transportation and Interoperable Communication Capabilities - Transportation Security and Interoperable Communication Capabilities Act - Subtitle A: Surface Transportation and Rail Security - Part I: Improved Rail Security - (Sec. 1421) Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to complete a risk assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation, including: (1) an assessment of public and private operational recovery plans; and (2) an account of actions by public and private entities to address identified rail security issues and to assess the effective integration of such actions.<br/>Requires the Secretary to develop prioritized recommendations for improving rail security, including recommendations for: (1) improving the security of rail infrastructure and facilities, information systems, and other areas positing significant rail-related risks to public safety and interstate commerce; (2) deploying equipment and personnel to detect security threats; (3) training appropriate railroad or railroad shipper employees in terrorism prevention, preparedness, passenger evacuation, and response activities; (4) identifying the immediate and long-term costs of measures that may be required to address those risks; and (5) identifying public and private sector sources to fund such measures.<br/>Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the assessment; (2) such prioritized recommendations; and (3) a plan for the federal government to provide adequate security support at high or severe threat levels of alert, a plan for coordinating rail security initiatives undertaken by the public and private sectors, and a contingency plan to ensure the continued movement of freight and passengers in the event of an attack affecting the railroad system; and (4) an estimate of the cost to implement such recommendations. Requires annual updates.<br/>(Sec. 1422) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to Amtrak for: (1) protecting underwater and underground assets and systems; (2) protecting high risk and high consequence assets identified through system-wide risk assessments; (3) providing counterterrorism training; (4) providing both visible and unpredictable deterrence; and (5) conducting emergency preparedness drills and exercises.<br/>Directs the Secretary to make grants to: (1) secure major tunnel access points and ensure tunnel integrity in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.; (2) secure Amtrak trains and stations; (3) obtain a watch list identification system approved by the Secretary; (4) obtain train tracking and interoperable communications systems that are coordinated; (5) hire additional police officers; (6) expand emergency preparedness efforts; and (7) conduct employee security training.<br/>Directs: (1) the Secretary of Transportation to disburse funds to Amtrak for projects contained in a systemwide security plan approved by the Secretary; and (2) the Secretary to ensure that, subject to meeting the highest security needs on Amtrak's entire system and consistent with the required risk assessment, stations and facilities located outside of the Northeast Corridor receive an equitable share of authorized security funds. (Sec. 1423) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to Amtrak for fire and life-safety improvements to Amtrak tunnels on the Northeast Corridor in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Makes funds available for specified upgrades of the six New York and New Jersey tunnels, the Baltimore &amp;amp; Potomac tunnel and the Union tunnel, and the Washington, D.C. Union Station tunnels, and for the preliminary design of options for a new tunnel on a different alignment to augment the capacity of the existing Baltimore tunnels.<br/>Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from making funds available to Amtrak under this section until Amtrak has submitted and that Secretary has approved an engineering and financial plan and a project management plan for such projects. Provides for plan review. Directs that Secretary to: (1) consider the extent to which rail carriers other than Amtrak use or plan to use the tunnels; and (2) obtain financial contributions or commitments from such carriers at levels reflecting the extent of such use.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to freight railroads, the Alaska Railroad, hazardous materials officers, owners of rail cars used in the transportation of hazardous materials, universities, colleges and research centers, state and local governments (for rail passenger facilities and infrastructure not owned by Amtrak), and Amtrak for full or partial reimbursement of costs incurred in the conduct of activities to prevent or respond to acts of terrorism, sabotage, or other identified intercity passenger rail and freight rail security risks, including for (1) security and redundancy for critical communications, computer, and train control systems essential for secure rail operations; (2) the security of hazardous material transportation by rail; and (3) employee security awareness, preparedness, passenger evacuation, and emergency response training.<br/>Requires the Secretary to distribute the funds authorized by this section based on risk and to encourage nonfederal financial participation in funded projects<br/>Authorizes appropriations.<br/>(Sec. 1425) Directs the Secretary, through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology and the Assistant Secretary for Homeland Security, to carry out a research and development program to improve freight and intercity passenger security that may include research and development projects to: (1) reduce the risk of terrorist attacks on rail transportation; (2) test new emergency response techniques and technologies; (3) develop improved freight rail security technologies; (4) test wayside detectors that can detect tampering with railroad equipment; and (5) support enhanced security for the transportation of hazardous materials by rail. Directs the Secretary to ensure that such program is coordinated with other research and development initiatives at DHS and DOT. (Sec. 1426) Authorizes the Secretary to award contracts to audit and review the safety, security, procurement, management, and financial compliance of grant recipients under this title. Directs the Secretary to prescribe procedures and schedules for awarding such grants.<br/>(Sec. 1427) Directs Amtrak to submit to the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary a plan for addressing the needs of the families of passengers involved in any rail passenger accident involving an Amtrak intercity train resulting in a loss of life. (Sec. 1428) Requires the Secretary to submit to specified committees a report on: (1) the current system for screening passengers and baggage on passenger rail service between the United States and Canada; (2) progress by DHS towards finalizing a bilateral protocol with Canada that would provide for preclearance of passengers of trains operating between the United States and Canada; and (3) the feasibility of reinstating in-transit inspections onboard international Amtrak trains.<br/>(Sec. 1429) Directs the Secretary to issue detailed guidance for a rail worker security training program to prepare front-line workers for potential threat conditions, including information on determining the seriousness of any occurrence, the use of protective devices, and situational training exercises.<br/>Requires: (1) each railroad carrier to develop a rail worker security training program and the Secretary to review it; (2) the carrier to complete the training of all front-line workers within one year of that review; (3) the Secretary to update the guidance to reflect new or different security threats; and (4) each carrier to revise its program accordingly and provide additional training after the guidance is updated.<br/>(Sec. 1430) Sets forth certain whistleblower protections for rail employees providing information about perceived security threats. Establishes guidelines regarding disputes and the process of reporting to the Secretary regarding security problems, deficiencies, or vulnerabilities. Limits disclosure of the identity of such an employee. Prohibits retaliatory discharges or otherwise discriminating against an employee for reporting.<br/>(Sec. 1431) Directs the Secretary to require rail carriers transporting a high hazard material to develop a risk mitigation plan, including alternative routing and temporary shipment suspension options, to address risks to high consequence targets. Requires such plan to be put into effect by a rail carrier for the shipment of such materials when the threat levels of the Homeland Security Advisory System are high or severe, or when specific intelligence of a probable or imminent threat exists.<br/>(Sec. 1432) Provides for separate enforcement authority by the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense for violations of regulations and orders issued by the Secretary under this title. Establishes a civil penalty of $10,000 per violation. Provides for maximum penalties of $400,000 if the violation was committed by a person other than an individual or small business, or $50,000 if the violation was committed by an individual or small business.<br/>(Sec. 1433) Allows a rail police officer to be temporarily assigned to assist a second rail carrier under specified circumstances. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) develop model state legislation to address the problem of entities that claim to be rail carriers in order to establish and run a police force when such entities do not in fact provide rail transportation; and (2) make it available to state governments.<br/>(Sec. 1434) Directs the Secretary to develop a national plan for public outreach and awareness of measures that the public, railroad passengers, and railroad employees can take to increase railroad system security.<br/>(Sec. 1435) Directs the Secretary to develop a program that will encourage the equipping of rail cars transporting high hazard materials with technology that provides: (1) car position location and tracking capabilities; and (2) notification of rail car depressurization, breach, unsafe temperature, or release of hazardous materials. (Sec. 1436) Reenacts provisions with respect to the unified carrier registration system plan and agreement. (Sec. 1437) Authorizes appropriations for TSA and DOT.<br/>(Sec. 1438) Provides that any lease or contract entered into between the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and the State of Maryland shall be governed by the laws of the District of Columbia.<br/>Part II: Improved Motor Carrier, Bus, and Hazardous Material Security - (Sec. 1441) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) document existing and proposed routes for the transportation of hazardous materials by motor carrier and develop a framework for using a geographic information system-based approach to characterize routes in the National Hazardous Materials Route Registry; (2) assess existing and proposed routes for the transportation of such materials by motor carrier to identify measurable criteria for selecting routes based on safety and security concerns; and (3) prepare guidance materials to assist state officials in identifying and reducing safety concerns and security risks when designating highway routes for hazardous materials.<br/>Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) complete an assessment of the safety and national security benefits achieved under existing requirements for route plans for explosives and radioactive materials and to report to specified committees; and (2) require motor carriers that have a hazardous material safety permit to maintain, follow, and carry a route plan that meets specified requirements if the Secretary determines it would enhance security and safety without imposing unreasonable costs or burdens upon motor carriers.<br/>(Sec. 1442) Directs the Secretary to develop a program to facilitate the tracking of motor carrier shipments of high hazard materials and to equip vehicles used in such shipments with technology that provides frequent or continuous communications, vehicle position location and tracking capabilities, and a feature that allows the driver to broadcast an emergency message. Prohibits the Secretary from mandating the installation or utilization of such technology without additional congressional action.<br/>(Sec. 1443) Directs the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary to execute and develop an annex to the memorandum of agreement between DOT and DHS signed September 28, 2004, governing the specific roles, responsibilities, resources, and commitments of each in addressing motor carrier transportation security matters.<br/>(Sec. 1444) Directs the Secretary to establish a program within TSA for reviewing hazardous materials security plans. Provides for a civil penalty for failure to comply. Directs the Secretary, in reviewing compliance, to utilize risk assessment methodologies to prioritize review and enforcement actions of the highest risk hazardous materials transportation operations. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to study to what extent the insurance, security, and safety costs borne by railroad and other carriers associated with the transportation of hazardous materials are reflected in the rates paid by offerors of such commodities as compared to the costs and rates for the transportation of non-hazardous materials. (Sec. 1445) Directs the Secretary to report on security issues related to the trucking industry.<br/>(Sec. 1446) Requires the Secretary to consider the development of a national public sector response system to receive security alerts, emergency messages, and other information used to track the transportation of high hazard materials that can provide accurate, timely, and actionable information to appropriate first responder, law enforcement, public safety, and homeland security officials regarding accidents, threats, thefts, or other safety and security risks or incidents. Sets forth provisions regarding system capabilities and characteristics, carrier participation, data privacy, and reporting requirements. (Sec. 1447) Directs the Secretary to establish a program within TSA for making grants to private operators of over-the-road buses or over-the-road bus terminal operators for purposes of emergency preparedness drills and exercises, protecting high risk/high consequence assets identified through system-wide risk assessment, counterterrorism training, visible/unpredictable deterrence, and public awareness and preparedness campaigns. Requires prioritization of grant funding based on the magnitude and severity of security risks to bus passengers and the ability of the funded project to reduce or respond to that risk. Sets forth reporting requirements regarding bus security. (Sec. 1448) Directs the Secretary to develop a Pipeline Security and Incident Recovery Protocols Plan.<br/>(Sec. 1449) Requires the Secretary to establish a program for reviewing pipeline operator adoption of recommendations in the September 5, 2002, DOT Research and Special Programs Administration Pipeline Security Information Circular, including the review of pipeline security plans and critical facility inspections. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) develop and implement a plan for reviewing the pipeline security plan and an inspection of the critical facilities of the 100 most critical pipeline operators covered by that circular, where such facilities have not been inspected for security purposes since that date, by either DHS or DOT; and (2) develop and transmit to pipeline operators security recommendations for natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines and pipeline facilities. (Sec. 1450) Requires a state, upon application, to issue to an individual a license to operate a motor vehicle transporting a hazardous material without the required security assessment if the individual meets all other applicable requirements and the Secretary has previously determined that the individual does not pose a security risk.<br/>(Sec. 1451) Makes any statutory limitation on the number of TSA employees inapplicable to the extent that any such employees are responsible for implementing this title.<br/>(Sec. 1452) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the need for, and feasibility of, establishing a system of maritime and surface transportation-related user fees to provide necessary funding for legitimate improvements to, and maintenance of, maritime and surface transportation security.<br/>(Sec. 1453) Directs the Inspector General of DHS to submit a report to specified committees on the Trucking Security Grant Program for FY2004-FY2005 that: (1) addresses the grant announcement, application, receipt, review, award, monitoring, and closeout processes; and (2) states the amount obligated or expended for infrastructure protection, training, equipment, educational materials, program administration, marketing, and other functions.<br/>(Sec. 1454) Permanently disqualifies an individual who has been convicted, or found not guilty by reason of insanity, of specified felonies from being issued a biometric transportation security card, with exceptions.<br/>Subtitle B: Aviation Security Improvement - (Sec. 1461) Extends the authorization for aviation security funding through FY2009.<br/>(Sec. 1462) Requires the Secretary, acting through the TSA Administrator, to establish a system to screen all cargo transported on passenger aircraft operated by an air carrier or foreign air carrier in air transportation or intrastate air transportation. Requires the system to provide for a level of security comparable to that in effect for passenger checked baggage. Sets forth reporting requirements.<br/>Directs: (1) the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to report to Congress and to the Comptroller General assessing each exemption granted for the required screening for cargo transported on passenger aircraft and the risk of maintaining such exemption; and (2) the Comptroller General to review the report and provide to Congress an assessment of the methodology used for determinations made by the Secretary for maintaining, changing, or eliminating an exemption.<br/>(Sec. 1463) Requires the Administrator, before January 1, 2008, to: (1) evaluate the results of the blast-resistant cargo container pilot program; (2) begin the acquisition of a sufficient number of such containers to meet the requirements of TSA's cargo security program; and (3) develop a system under which the Administrator will make such containers available for use by passenger aircraft on a random or risk-assessment basis in sufficient number to enable the carriers to meet such requirements and provide for the storage, maintenance, and distribution of such containers. Directs the Administrator to implement that system and begin making such containers available to carriers as necessary.<br/>(Sec. 1464) Directs the Secretary to: (1) expedite research and development for technology that can disrupt or prevent an explosive device from being introduced onto a passenger plane or from damaging a passenger plane while in flight or on the ground; and (2) establish a grant program to fund pilot projects to deploy such technology and test technology to expedite the recovery, development, and analysis of information to determine the cause of aircraft accidents. (Sec. 1465) Extends funding for aviation security improvements. Requires the Secretary to report on in-line baggage screening.<br/>(Sec. 1466) Requires (current law authorizes) the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security of DHS to make grants to airport sponsors for specified airport security improvement projects. Modifies requirements regarding allocations of funds.<br/>(Sec. 1467) Amends ATSA to extend funding for research and development of aviation security technology. (Sec. 1468) Provides that any statutory limitation on the number of employees in TSA, before or after its transfer to DHS from DOT, does not apply after FY2007. Directs the Secretary to recruit and hire such personnel into TSA as necessary to provide appropriate levels of aviation security and to reduce the average aviation security-related delay experienced by airline passengers to less than 10 minutes.<br/>(Sec. 1469) Directs the Administrator to provide advanced training to transportation security officers for the development of specialized security skills, including behavior observation and analysis, explosives detection, and document examination.<br/>(Sec. 1470) Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue the strategic plan that the Secretary was required to have issued within 90 days after the enactment of IRTPA to promote the optimal utilization and deployment of explosive detection equipment at airports to screen individuals and their personal property; and (2) begin full implementation of the strategic plan within one year after the enactment of this title.<br/>(Sec. 1471) Amends HSA to direct the Secretary to establish: (1) a timely and fair process for individuals who believe they have been delayed or prohibited from boarding a commercial aircraft because they were wrongly identified as a threat; and (2) an Office of Appeals and Redress.<br/>(Sec. 1472) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the system to be utilized by DHS to assume the performance of comparing passenger information to the automatic selectee and no-fly lists, as well as the consolidated and integrated terrorist watchlist. Directs the Comptroller General to report on progress made by TSA in implementing the Secure Flight passenger prescreening program.<br/>(Sec. 1473) Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from certifying any foreign repair station if specified conditions are not met. Reduces the period in which a security review and audit of such stations must be accomplished. (Sec. 1474) Directs the TSA Administrator to: (1) develop a standardized threat and vulnerability assessment program for general aviation airports; (2) implement a program to perform such assessments on a risk-assessment basis at such airports; (3) complete a study of the feasibility of a program, based on a risk-managed approach, to provide grants to general aviation airport operators for projects to upgrade security at such airports; and (4) develop a risk-based system under which foreign-registered general aviation aircraft are required to submit passenger information at the same time as advance notification requirements for CBP before entering U.S. airspace and such information is checked against appropriate databases maintained by TSA. (Sec. 1475) Directs the Administrator to: (1) report to specified committees on the status of its efforts to institute a sterile area access system that will enhance security by properly identifying authorized airline flight deck and cabin crew members at screening checkpoints and granting them expedited access through screening checkpoints; and (2) begin full implementation of the system no later than one year after transmitting the report.<br/>(Sec. 1476) Directs the Secretary to: (1) begin to increase the capacity of DHS's National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program at Lackland Air Force Base to accommodate the training of up to 200 canine teams annually by the end of 2008; (2) explore other options, including creating a standardized TSA-approved canine program that private sector entities could use to provide training for additional explosives detection canine teams; and (3) use the additional teams as part of DHS's layers of enhanced mobile security across the nation's transportation network and to support other homeland security programs.<br/>(Sec. 1477) Modifies provisions regarding the use of biometric technology for law enforcement travel to direct the Secretary to establish a national registered armed law enforcement program for law enforcement officers needing to be armed when traveling by air. (Sec. 1478) Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (TSA) to establish a pilot program at a small, a medium, and a large hub airport for training students to perform screening of passengers and property. (Sec. 1479) Directs the TSA Administrator to conduct a pilot program to identify technological solutions for reducing the number of TSA employees at airport exit lanes. Subtitle C: Interoperable Emergency Communications - (Sec. 1481) Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to revise provisions concerning the grant program to assist public agencies in establishing the interoperability of public safety emergency communications to specify five (currently, one) grant activities. Requires the awarding of at least $1 billion by September 30, 2007, pursuant to provisions of the Call Home Act of 2006.<br/>Requires the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce to ensure that grant awards: (1) result in distributions to public safety entities among the several states that are consistent with the USA PATRIOT Act; and (2) are prioritized based upon threat and risk factors that reflect an all-hazards approach to communications preparedness and that takes into account the risks associated with, and the likelihood of the occurrence of, terrorist attacks or natural catastrophes in a state.<br/>Sets forth eligibility requirements and criteria for grants, including criteria for strategic technology reserve grants. Provides for the allocation of funds. Directs the Assistant Secretary to identify and encourage the development and implementation of voluntary consensus standards for interoperable communications systems. Authorizes the Secretary to seek assistance from other federal agencies. Directs the Department's Inspector General to conduct and report to specified committees on an annual assessment of the management of the grant program to assist public agencies in establishing the interoperability of public safety emergency communications. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to evaluate: (1) the technical feasibility of creating a back-up emergency communications system that complements existing communications resources and takes into account next generation and advanced telecommunications technologies; and (2) all reasonable options, including alternative transport mechanisms that can be used in tandem with existing technologies. Requires the Assistant Secretary and the FCC Chairman to establish a joint advisory committee to examine the communications capabilities and needs of emergency medical care facilities. Authorizes the Assistant Secretary to establish not more than 10 geographically dispersed project grants to emergency medical care facilities to improve the capabilities of emergency communications systems in such facilities. (Sec. 1482) Amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to prohibit construing such Act as limiting the authority of the Department of Commerce or the FCC.<br/>(Sec. 1483) Directs the FCC, in conjunction with DHS, OMB, and the Department of State, to report to specified committees on: (1) the status of the mechanism established by the President under IRTPA for coordinating cross border interoperability issues between the United States and Canada and between the United States and Mexico; (2) the status of treaty negotiations with Canada and Mexico regarding the coordination of the rebanding of 800 megahertz radios; and (3) communications between the FCC and the State Department over possible amendments to the bilateral legal agreements and protocols that govern the coordination process for license applications seeking to use channels and frequencies above Line A; (4) the annual rejection rate for the last five years by the United States of applications for new channels and frequencies by Canadian private and public entities; and (5) any additional procedures and mechanisms that the FCC can take to decrease the rejection rate for applications by U.S. entities seeking licenses to use channels and frequencies above Line A.<br/>Directs: (1) the FCC to continually provide updated reports to those committees on the status of treaty negotiations with each of Canada and Mexico until revised; and (2) the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the current process for considering applications by Canada for frequencies and channels by U.S. communities above line A, the status of current negotiations to reform and revise such process, the estimated date of conclusion for such negotiations, whether the current process permits automatic denials or dismissals of initial applications by the Canadian government, and certain communications between the State Department and the FCC.<br/>(Sec. 1484) Provides that two members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), if they are not affiliated with the same political party, shall constitute a quorum for the six-month period beginning on this Act's enactment date.<br/>(Sec. 1485) Requires the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to each receive specified reports that are received by the other committee.<br/>Title XV: Public Transportation Terrorism Prevention - Public Transportation Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - (Sec. 1503) Directs: (1) FTA to submit all public transportation security assessments and all other relevant information to the Secretary; and (2) the Secretary to review and augment such assessments by July 31, 2007, and use them as the basis for allocating funds under security assistance grants, unless the Secretary notifies the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs that an adjustment is necessary to respond to an urgent threat or significant factors.<br/>Directs the Secretary to: (1) update such security assessments; (2) conduct security assessments for all public transportation agencies considered to be at greatest risk of a terrorist attack; (3) use information collected to establish the process for developing public transportation security guidelines and designing a security improvement strategy; and (4) conduct security assessments to determine the specific needs of local bus-only public transportation systems and selected public transportation systems that receive formula grants for non-urbanized areas. (Sec. 1504) Directs the Secretary to: (1) award grants directly to public transportation agencies for allowable capital and operational security improvements based on established priorities; (2) ensure, in establishing such priorities and in awarding grants for improvements, that the Secretary's actions are consistent with relevant state homeland security plans; (3) give appropriate consideration to the risks of the entire system in cases where a public transportation system operates in more than one state; and (4) notify the Senate homeland security and banking committees of the intent to award such grant at least three days in advance. Requires each public transportation agency that receives a grant to: (1) identify a security improvements coordinator; (2) develop a comprehensive plan for the agency's capacity for operating and maintaining the equipment purchased under this Act; and (3) report annually on the use of grant funds. Requires the return to the Treasury of any amounts that a grantee used for an impermissible purpose.<br/>(Sec. 1505) Directs the Secretary to develop and issue detailed regulations for a public transportation worker security training program to prepare public transportation workers for potential threat conditions. Requires: (1) each public transportation system that receives a grant to develop such a program and submit it for approval; (2) the Secretary to review the program and approve it or require revisions; and (3) the public transportation system owner or operator to complete the training of all such workers within a specified time frame. (Sec. 1506) Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that DOT receives appropriate and timely notification of all credible terrorist threats against public transportation assets in the United States; (2) provide sufficient financial assistance for the reasonable costs of the Information Sharing and Analysis Center for Public Transportation (ISAC) established to protect critical infrastructure; (3) require public transportation agencies at significant risk of terrorist attack to participate in ISAC; and (4) encourage all other public transportation agencies to participate in ISAC. Prohibits the Secretary from charging a fee to any public transportation agency for such participation.<br/>(Sec. 1507) Directs the Secretary, through the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency in the Science and Technology Directorate, to award grants or contracts to public or private entities to conduct research into and demonstrate technologies and methods to reduce and deter terrorist threats or mitigate damages from terrorist attacks against public transportation systems. (Sec. 1508) Requires semiannual reports to Congress and annual reports to the governors of each state with a public transportation agency that has received a grant under this title.<br/>(Sec. 1509) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the capital security assistance program; (2) the operational security assistance program; (3) the public transportation security training program; and (4) research on reducing and deterring terrorist threats or mitigating damages resulting from terrorist attacks against public transportation systems.<br/>(Sec. 1510) Terminates the authority to make grants under this title on October 1, 2011.<br/>Title XVI: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 1601) Amends HSA to establish a Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security for Management to serve as the Chief Management Officer and principal advisor to the Secretary on matters related to management of DHS.<br/>(Sec. 1602) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Secretary should make a priority of countering domestic radicalization and extremism by specified means, including by pursuing broader avenues of dialogue with the Muslim community; and (2) the Senate should implement the 9/11 Commission's recommendation to create a single, principal point of oversight and review for homeland security.<br/>(Sec. 1604) Directs: (1) the Secretary to report to Congress regarding ongoing DHS initiatives to improve security along the U.S. northern border; and (2) the Comptroller General to report to Congress with a review and comments on that report and recommendations regarding any necessary additional actions to protect that border.<br/>(Sec. 1605) Requires the Secretary to establish a Law Enforcement Assistance Force to facilitate the contributions of retired law enforcement officers and agents during major disasters. Authorizes the Secretary, in the event of a major disaster, to request eligible participants to volunteer to assist the efforts of those agencies responding to such emergency and assign each willing participant to a specific law enforcement agency. Permits an eligible participant to refuse an assignment without any adverse consequences. (Sec. 1606) Directs the Secretary to establish a national homeland security strategy by the end of FY2008 and to review the strategy every four years. Requires each quadrennial review to: (1) delineate a national homeland security strategy consistent with the most recent National Response Plan; (2) describe the interagency cooperation, preparedness of federal response assets, infrastructure, budget plan, and other elements of the homeland security program and policies of the United States associated with the strategy required to execute successfully the full range of missions called for; and (3) identify the budget plan required to provide sufficient resources to successfully execute the full range of missions at a low-to-moderate level of risk and any additional resources required to achieve such a level of risk. Requires the level of risk assessment to be conducted by the DNI.<br/>Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit a report regarding each quadrennial homeland security review to Congress and make the report publicly available on the Internet by September 30 of the year in which the review is conducted; and (2) provide to Congress and make available on the Internet a detailed resource plan specifying the estimated budget and number of staff members that will be required for preparation of the initial quadrennial homeland security review.<br/>(Sec. 1607) Grants the Secretary responsibility for ensuring that chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear detection equipment and technologies are integrated with other border security systems and detection technologies. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress with a plan to develop a departmental technology assessment process to determine and certify the readiness levels of such technologies before their full deployment within the United States.<br/>Title XVII: 911 Modernization - 911 Modernization Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to authorize the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to borrow from the Treasury to make payments to implement the ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004. Requires repayment, without interest, as funds are deposited into the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund.<br/>Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to require the Assistant Secretary and the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to jointly issue regulations updating the criteria to provide priority for public safety answering points not capable of receiving 911 calls.<br/>Title XVIII: Modernization of the American National Red Cross - American National Red Cross Governance Modernization Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to charitable organizations and the American National Red Cross. (Sec. 1803) Amends federal law concerning the Red Cross to revise its governance structure. Increases the number of persons on the board of governors. Establishes an advisory council to the board.<br/>(Sec. 1811) Authorizes the Comptroller General to review the Red Cross's involvement in any federal program or activity. Establishes an Office of the Ombudsman, which shall report annually to specified congressional committees concerning any trends and systemic matters that the Office has identified as confronting the Red Cross.<br/>Title XIX: Advancement of Democratic Values - Advance Democratic Values, Address Non-democratic Countries, and Enhance Democracy Act of 2007 or the ADVANCE Democracy Act of 2007 - Subtitle A: Liaison Officers and Fellowship Program to Enhance the Promotion of Democracy - (Sec. 1911) Directs the Secretary of State to establish: (1) Democracy Liaison Officer positions; and (2) a Democracy Fellowship Program.<br/>(Sec. 1913) Requires the Broadcasting Board of Governors to transcribe into English all original broadcasting content and to post all English transcripts from its broadcasting content on a publicly available website within 30 days of the original broadcast.<br/>Subtitle B: Annual Report on Advancing Freedom and Democracy - (Sec. 1921) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 to name a specified report the Advancing Freedom and Democracy Report and to require any such report to be submitted not later than 90 days after the date of submission of a human rights report required under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.<br/>(Sec. 1922) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should continue to ensure and expand the timely translation of the Human Rights and International Religious Freedom reports and the Annual Report on Advancing Freedom and Democracy prepared by State Department personnel into the principal languages of as many countries as possible.<br/>Subtitle C: Advisory Committee on Democracy Promotion and the Internet Website of the Department of State - (Sec. 1931) Commends the Secretary of State for creating an Advisory Committee on Democracy Promotion. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Committee should play a significant role in the Department's transformational diplomacy by advising the Secretary of State regarding U.S. efforts to promote democracy and democratic transition in connection with the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy and foreign assistance.<br/>(Sec. 1932) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Secretary of State should continue and expand efforts to inform the public in foreign countries of U.S. efforts to promote democracy and defend human rights through the State Department's Internet website and continue to enhance the democracy promotion materials and resources on that website; and (2) such enhancement should include translated reports on democracy and human rights prepared by Department personnel and narratives and histories highlighting successful nonviolent democratic movements.<br/>Subtitle D: Training in Democracy and Human Rights; Promotions - (Sec. 1941) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should: (1) continue to enhance and expand the training provided to foreign service officers and civil service employees on how to strengthen and promote democracy and human rights, continue the use of case studies and practical workshops addressing potential challenges, and work with non-state actors, including nongovernmental organizations that support democratic principles; and (2) further strengthen the Department's capacity to carry out result-based democracy promotion efforts through the establishment of awards and other employee incentives and establish procedures for selecting award recipients.<br/>(Sec. 1943) Declares that the precepts for selection boards responsible for recommending promotions of foreign service officers should include consideration of a candidate's experience or service in promoting human rights and democracy.<br/>(Sec. 1944) Expresses the sense of Congress that each chief of mission should provide input on actions described in the Advancing Freedom and Democracy Report and intensify democracy and human rights promotion activities.<br/>Subtitle E: Alliances With Democratic Countries - (Sec. 1951) Urges and authorizes the Secretary of State to establish an Office for the Community of Democracies. Expresses support for the International Center for Democratic Transition, an initiative of the Hungarian government.<br/>Subtitle F: Funding for Promotion of Democracy - (Sec. 1961) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should work with other countries to enhance the goals and work of the United Nations Democracy Fund.<br/>(Sec. 1962) States that the purpose of the Human Rights and Democracy Fund should be to support innovative programming, media, and materials designed to uphold democratic principles, to support and strengthen democratic institutions, to promote human rights and the rule of law, and to build civil societies in countries around the world.<br/>

1183953600 2007-07-09 Fri Nov 07 11:56:35 -0600 2008 AyeAye 4 94 39879 Tue Mar 20 11:16:00 -0500 2007 true 4449 2 81 143 0 On Passage of the Bill (S.214 as Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 17:52:11 -0500 2007 senate s 115 39879 1168318800 false 0 1179865380 1181793600 23 214 1080 110 300043

6/14/2007--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on February 12, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)<br/>Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to: (1) allow a person appointed as U.S. attorney to serve until the qualification of a U.S. attorney for such district appointed by the President, or the expiration of 120 days after appointment by the Attorney General, whichever is earlier; and (2) provide that, if an appointment so expires, the district court for such district may appoint a U.S. attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled.<br/>Applies this Act to any person serving as a U.S. attorney on the day before the enactment of this Act who was appointed by the Attorney General under current law.<br/>

1181793600 2007-06-14 Fri Nov 07 12:45:27 -0600 2008 AyeAye 5 95 40115 Thu Apr 24 13:14:00 -0500 2008 true 2785 0 113 119 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R.493 as Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Apr 24 14:20:06 -0500 2008 senate h 394 40115 1168923600 false 0 1209660000 1211342400 65 493 7931 110 400378

5/21/2008--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on April 24, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here, with changes reflecting enrollment corrections.)<br/>Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 - Title I: Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance - (Sec. 101) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan from adjusting premium or contribution amounts for a group on the basis of genetic information.<br/>Prohibits a group health plan from requesting or requiring an individual or family member of an individual from undergoing a genetic test. Provides that such prohibition does not: (1) limit the authority of a health care professional to request an individual to undergo a genetic test; or (2) preclude a group health plan from obtaining or using the results of a genetic test in making a determination regarding payment. Requires the plan to request only the minimum amount of information necessary to accomplish the intended purpose.<br/>Allows a group health plan to request, but not require, a participant or beneficiary to undergo a genetic test for research purposes if certain requirements are met, including: (1) the plan clearly indicates that compliance is voluntary and that noncompliance will have no effect on enrollment status or premium or contribution amounts; (2) no genetic information collected or acquired is used for underwriting purposes; and (3) the plan notifies the Secretary of Health and Human Services that it is conducting activities pursuant to this exception and includes a description of the activities.<br/>Prohibits a group health plan from requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information: (1) for underwriting purposes; or (2) with respect to any individual prior to such individual's enrollment in connection with such enrollment (provides that incidentally obtains such information is not a violation).<br/>Applies such prohibitions to all group health plans, including small group health plans.<br/>Provides that any reference to genetic information concerning an individual or family member includes genetic information of: (1) a fetus carried by a pregnant woman; and (2) an embryo legally held by an individual or family member utilizing an assisted reproductive technology.<br/>Authorizes a penalty against any sponsor of a group health plan for any failure to meet requirements of this Act. Allows a waiver or limitation on such penalty if the failure was not discovered after exercising reasonable diligence or was due to reasonable cause.<br/>(Sec. 102) Amends the PHSA to prohibit: (1) a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in the individual market from establishing eligibility rules for enrollment based on genetic information; (2) discrimination on the basis of genetic information for health insurance offered in the individual market in the same manner as such discrimination is prohibited for group coverage; and (3) the imposition by a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in the individual market of a preexisting condition exclusion on the basis of genetic information.<br/>Applies such requirements to nonfederal governmental plans.<br/>(Sec. 104) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit an issuer of a Medicare supplemental policy, on the basis of genetic information, from: (1) denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of the policy, including the imposition of any exclusion of benefits based on a preexisting condition; or (2) discriminating in the pricing of the policy, including the adjustment of premium rates.<br/>Prohibits an issuer of a Medicare supplemental policy from: (1) requesting or requiring an individual or a family member to undergo a genetic test; or (2) requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information for underwriting purposes or for any individual prior to enrollment.<br/>(Sec. 105) Amends title XI (General Provisions, Peer Review, and Administrative Simplification) of SSA to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) privacy regulations to: (1) treat genetic information as health information; and (2) prohibit the use or disclosure by a group health plan, health insurance coverage, or Medicare supplemental policy of genetic information about an individual for underwriting purposes.<br/>(Sec. 106) Requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury to ensure that their regulations, rulings, and interpretations under this title are administered so as to have the same effect at all times and that they adopt a coordinated enforcement strategy.<br/>Title II: Prohibiting Employment Discrimination on the Basis of Genetic Information - (Sec. 202) Prohibits, as an unlawful employment practice, an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee from discriminating against an employee, individual, or member because of genetic information, including: (1) for an employer, by failing to hire or discharging an employee or otherwise discriminating against an employee with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment; (2) for an employment agency, by failing or refusing to refer an individual for employment; (3) for a labor organization, by excluding or expelling a member from the organization; (4) for an employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee, by causing or attempting to cause an employer to discriminate against a member in violation of this Act; or (5) for an employer, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee, by discriminating against an individual in admission to, or employment in, any program established to provide apprenticeships or other training or retraining.<br/>Prohibits, as an unlawful employment practice, an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee from limiting, segregating, or classifying employees, individuals, or members because of genetic information in any way that would deprive or tend to deprive such individuals of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect their status as employees.<br/>Prohibits, as an unlawful employment practice, an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee from requesting, requiring, or purchasing an employee's genetic information, except for certain purposes, which include where: (1) such information is requested or required to comply with certification requirements of family and medical leave laws; (2) the information involved is to be used for genetic monitoring of the biological effects of toxic substances in the workplace; and (3) the employer conducts DNA analysis for law enforcement purposes as a forensic laboratory or for purposes of human remains identification.<br/>(Sec. 206) Requires an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee that possesses any genetic information about an employee or member to maintain such information in separate files and treat such information as a confidential medical record.<br/>Prohibits an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee from disclosing such genetic information, except: (1) to the employee or member upon request; (2) to an occupational or other health researcher; (3) in response to a court order; (4) to a government official investigating compliance with this Act if the information is relevant to the investigation; (5) in connection with the employee's compliance with the certification provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 or such requirements under state family and medical leave laws; or (6) to a public health agency.<br/>(Sec. 207) Sets forth provisions regarding enforcement of this Act. (Sec. 208) Provides that disparate impact on the basis of genetic information does not establish a cause of action under this Act.<br/>Establishes the Genetic Nondiscrimination Study Commission six years after enactment of this Act to review the developing science of genetics and to make recommendations to Congress regarding whether to provide a disparate impact cause of action under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to carry out this section.<br/>(Sec. 212) Authorizes appropriations.<br/>Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 301) Provides that if any provision of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected.<br/>(Sec. 302) Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the maximum employer penalty for violations involving oppressive child labor provisions or certain child labor safety requirements. Establishes an additional civil penalty for any such violation that causes the death or serious injury of an employee under the age of 18, which may be doubled for a repeated or willful violation.<br/>Defines &quot;serious injury&quot; as: (1) permanent loss or substantial impairment of one of the senses or of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty; or (2) permanent paralysis or substantial impairment that causes loss of movement or mobility of a body part.<br/>Increases the maximum civil penalty for any repeated or willful violation of minimum wage or maximum hours requirements.

1211342400 2008-05-21 Thu Nov 06 18:43:14 -0600 2008 AbstainAbstain 8 70 40131 Tue Oct 30 15:29:00 -0500 2007 true 3612 22 400 152 0 On Passage of the Bill (S.294 as Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Tue Oct 30 16:35:08 -0500 2007 senate s 158 40131 1168923600 false 0 1193776140 1216785600 9 294 3276 110 300064

7/22/2008--Passed House amended. Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 - Title I: Authorizations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for: (1) Amtrak capital and operating grants, including capital grants to states, to the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General, and for accessibility improvements and barrier removal for individuals with disabilities; (2) Amtrak repayment of long-term debt and capital leases; and (3) the rail cooperative research program. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 for grants to Amtrak and states participating in the Next Generation Corridor Train Equipment Pool Committee. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to withhold up to one-half of 1% of certain funds for the costs of project management oversight of capital projects carried out by Amtrak. (Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations for costs associated with Amtrak early buyouts. (Sec. 104) Requires the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), working with Amtrak, the city of Baltimore, the state of Maryland, and non-Amtrak rail operators to: (1) approve a new rail tunnel alignment in Baltimore that will allow an increase in train speed and service reliability; and (2) ensure completion of the related environmental review process. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013. (Sec. 105) Bars the use of funds to employ unauthorized alien workers. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to finance in part the capital and preventive maintenance projects included in its Capital Improvement Program. Conditions the availability of funds, in part, on assurance that each licensed wireless provider serving the public within the rail system has access to the system on an ongoing basis. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Amtrak Reform and Operational Improvements - (Sec. 201) Amends federal transportation law to define the national rail passenger transportation system as: (1) Amtrak's Boston-Washington Northeast Corridor; (2) high-speed corridors designated by the Secretary once they have been improved for high-speed service; (3) long-distance routes (of greater than 750 miles) operated on the date of enactment of this Act; and (4) short-distance routes operated by Amtrak or a non-Amtrak recipient of federal capital assistance. Authorizes Amtrak and a state, regional or local authority, or another person to agree on the operation of an intercity route or service not included in the national rail transportation system. Declares that this Act does not preclude Amtrak from restoring, improving, or developing non-high-speed intercity passenger rail service. (Sec. 202) Replaces the Amtrak Reform Board with a reconstituted Board of Directors of Amtrak, with revised composition requirements. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Amtrak Board of Directors to employ an independent financial consultant with experience in railroad accounting to assist Amtrak in improving Amtrak's financial accounting and reporting system and practices. Requires the Amtrak Board to: (1) implement a modern financial accounting and reporting system; (2) submit to Congress each fiscal year through FY2013 a report that allocates Amtrak's revenues and costs to each of its routes and lines of business; and (3) develop a five-year financial plan. (Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary to establish substantive and procedural requirements for grant requests, including a 30-day approval process. (Sec. 206) Directs the Amtrak Board to develop and implement a single methodology for allocating train route operating and capital costs among states and Amtrak. (Sec. 207) Requires the FRA Administrator and Amtrak to develop jointly new or improve existing metrics and minimum standards for measuring the performance and service quality of intercity passenger train operations. (Sec. 208) Requires Amtrak to develop a Northeast Corridor state-of-good-repair capital project spending plan. (Sec. 209) Directs the Secretary to establish a Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission. Directs Amtrak to determine the infrastructure and equipment improvements necessary to provide regular Acela service between Washington, DC, and New York City and between New York City and Boston within specified periods of time. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 210) Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to make agreements to restructure Amtrak's long-term debt and capital leases. (Sec. 211) Directs Amtrak to evaluate improvements necessary to make all existing intercity rail stations readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities by 2010. Requires the FRA to monitor and conduct periodic reviews of Amtrak's compliance in making its services and facilities accessible to such individuals. (Sec. 213) Permits a state to make an agreement with Amtrak to use facilities and equipment of, or have services provided by, Amtrak, under terms agreed to by the state and Amtrak, to enable the state to utilize an entity other than Amtrak to provide services required for operation of the route. (Sec. 214) Repeals Amtrak self-sufficiency requirements. (Sec. 215) Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to assess progress made by Amtrak management and the DOT in implementing this Act. (Sec. 216) Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to determine the cost and benefits of expanding passenger rail service options in underserved communities. (Sec. 217) Authorizes the Secretary to make congestion grants to states, or to Amtrak in cooperation with states, for the capital costs of facilities and equipment for high priority rail corridor projects necessary to reduce congestion or facilitate ridership growth in intercity passenger rail transportation. (Sec. 218) Requires Amtrak to submit to Congress a plan for restoring passenger rail service between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Sanford, Florida. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 219) Directs the FRA to study and report to Congress on: (1) the extent to which Amtrak freight and passenger rail operations could use biofuel blends to power its fleet of locomotives; and (2) the feasibility of using biodegradable lubricants by Amtrak freight and passenger railroads. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 221) Subjects Amtrak to Buy American requirements for purchases of $100,000 or more. (Sec. 222) Directs the Inspector General of the DOT to: (1) develop metrics standards for evaluating the quality of performance and service of Amtrak intercity passenger rail services, including routes not currently served by Amtrak which might be able to support passenger rail service at a reasonable cost; (2) identify the five worst performing Amtrak routes; and (3) recommend to Congress a process for DOT to consider Amtrak and other proposals to serve underperforming routes and routes not currently served by Amtrak. (Sec. 223) Directs the Amtrak Inspector General to report to Congress on Amtrak's utilization of its facilities, including the Beech Grove Repair facility in Indiana. (Sec. 224) Directs the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to report to Congress on the effectiveness of preferring Amtrak service over freight transportation service. (Sec. 225) Directs the Secretary to: (1) find ways to streamline compliance with specified National Historic Preservation Act requirements for federally-funded railroad infrastructure repair and improvement projects; and (2) take immediate action to cooperate with named Alaska and North Carolina entities in expediting the decisionmaking process for safety-related projects involving railroad and Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor property and facilities that have disputed historic significance. (Sec. 226) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) expanded commuter rail service between New Haven, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts, is an important transportation priority; and (2) Amtrak should work cooperatively with the states of Connecticut and Massachusetts to enable such expanded service. (Sec. 227) Directs Amtrak to evaluate for Congress the passenger rail service between Cornwells Heights, Pennsylvania, and New York City and between Princeton Junction, New Jersey, and New York City to determine whether to expand the service on such routes by increasing the frequency of stops or reducing commuter ticket prices. Title III: Intercity Passenger Rail Policy - (Sec. 301) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to an applicant state, group of states, Interstate Compact, or public agency to assist in financing the capital costs of facilities, infrastructure, and equipment necessary to provide intercity passenger rail transportation. (Sec. 302) Authorizes states to prepare and maintain a state rail plan that: (1) sets forth state policy involving freight and passenger rail transportation (including commuter rail operations); and (2) includes a long-range rail investment program. Requires the Secretary to prescribe procedures for the review of state rail plans. (Sec. 303) Directs Amtrak to establish a Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee to design, develop specifications for, and procure standardized next-generation corridor equipment. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary to establish a rail cooperative research program to address intercity rail passenger and freight rail services, including ways to expand the transportation of international trade traffic, enhance the efficiency of intermodal interchange at ports and other intermodal terminals, and increase availability of rail service for seasonal freight needs. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory board to recommend research, technology, and technology transfer activities related to rail passenger and freight transportation. (Sec. 305) Directs the Comptroller General to compare the U.S. passenger rail system with the passenger rail systems in Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, China, Spain, and Japan and report findings to specified congressional committees. Title IV: Commuter Rail Transit Enhancement - (Sec. 401) Authorizes a public transportation authority or rail carrier to submit disputes over trackage use and railroad rights-of-way to the STB for nonbinding mediation. (Sec. 402) Requires Amtrak to engage in good faith discussions, with commuter rail entities and public transportation authorities operating on the same trackage owned by a rail carrier as Amtrak, with respect to: (1) the routing and timing of trains to most efficiently move, particularly during peak hours, the maximal number of commuters, intercity, and passenger rail passengers; and (2) the expansion and enhancement of commuter rail and regional rail public transportation service. Title V: High Speed Rail - (Sec. 501) Directs the Secretary to establish a high-speed rail corridor program. Authorizes the Secretary to make competitive grants to a state, a group of states, an Interstate Compact, a public agency, or Amtrak to finance capital projects in high-speed rail corridors. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary to: (1) solicit proposals for projects for an initial high-speed rail system between Washington, DC, and New York City (Northeast Corridor), as well as for additional projects on any other corridor; and (2) examine how to achieve maximum economic development of the Northeast Corridor. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary to conduct an alternatives analysis of the December 1, 1998, extension of the designation of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor, including feasibility analyses of the expansion of the South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor to the Port of Houston, Texas, to Memphis, Tennessee, and south of San Antonio to a location in far south Texas to be chosen at the discretion of the Secretary. (Sec. 504) Sets forth certain grant conditions for projects funded under this title, including collective bargaining requirements.<br/>

1216785600 2008-07-23 Thu Jan 01 11:05:50 -0600 2009 AbstainAbstain 3 97 41109 Thu Apr 19 13:05:00 -0500 2007 true 3428 0 135 135 0 On Passage of the Bill (Final Passage S. 378, As Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 17:34:15 -0500 2007 senate s 60 41109 1169614800 false 1177005900 1177087860 2 378 915 110 300065

4/19/2007--Passed Senate amended. Court Security Improvement Act of 2007 - Title I: Judicial Security Improvements and Funding - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal judicial code to require the Director of the U.S. Marshals Service to consult with the Judicial Conference of the United States (Judicial Conference) on a continuing basis regarding the security requirements of the judicial branch.<br/>(Sec. 102) Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to: (1) authorize the Judicial Conference to allow redactions of personal information of family members of judges from financial disclosure forms filed by such judges; (2) extend through 2009 the authority of the Judicial Conference to redact certain personal information of judges from financial disclosure reports; and (3) require the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to include in its annual report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees additional information about redactions from financial disclosure forms.<br/>(Sec. 104) Amends the federal judicial code and the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the U.S. Marshals Service to provide security for the U.S. Tax Court. (Sec. 105) Authorizes an additional appropriation in each of FY2007-FY2011 for the U.S. Marshals Service for protection of the judiciary. Requires such additional funding to be used for: (1) hiring entry-level deputy marshals to provide judicial security; (2) hiring senior-level deputy marshals for investigating threats to the judiciary and for providing protection for members of the judiciary and assistant U.S. attorneys; and (3) the Office of Protective Intelligence. Title II: Criminal Law Enhancements To Protect Judges, Family Members, and Witnesses - (Sec. 201) Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the filing (or attempts or conspiracies to file) in any public record any false lien or encumbrance against the real or personal property of any U.S. officer or employee on account of the performance of that officer's or employee's official duties, knowing such lien or encumbrance is false. Impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years for violations.<br/>(Sec. 202) Prohibits the public disclosure of restricted personal information about a federal officer or employee, witness, or juror (or immediate family members) with the intent to threaten or cause harm to such individuals. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to five years for violations.<br/>(Sec. 203) Prohibits the possession of dangerous weapons in federal court facilities. (Sec. 204) Sets forth venue requirements for prosecutions for retaliation against a witness. (Sec. 205) Increases maximum prison terms for tampering with, or retaliating against, a witness, victim, or informant.<br/>(Sec. 207) Increases maximum prison terms for voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. Title III: Protecting State And Local Judges And Related Grant Programs - (Sec. 301) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to include as a required use of community-based justice grants the creation and expansion of state, local, or Indian tribe witness protection programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2011.<br/>(Sec. 302) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to make state courts eligible for grants to improve court security (correctional options grants) and for armor vests. Title IV: Law Enforcement Officers - Requires the Attorney General to report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on the security of assistant U.S. attorneys and other federal attorneys arising from the prosecution of terrorists and other violent criminals. Requires such report to include information on the number and nature of threats and assaults against such attorneys, security measures in place to protect such attorneys, programs available to such attorneys for personal security training, secure parking spaces for such attorneys, and the role of the U.S. Marshals Service in protecting such attorneys.<br/>Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the federal judicial code to: (1) authorize through FY2010 the U.S. Sentencing Commission to enter into multi-year procurement contracts and to make advance, partial, progress, or other payments for property or services to the same extent as executive agencies; (2) extend certain life insurance benefits to bankruptcy, magistrate, and territorial judges; (3) expand the powers of judges who have retired from active service (senior judges) to include all powers of a sitting judge, including participation in the appointment of court officers, the selection of magistrate judges, rulemaking, governance, and administrative matters; (4) reduce the number of judges on the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 12 to 11; and (5) increase the number of judges on the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 28 to 29.

1177087860 2007-04-20 Fri Nov 07 13:06:14 -0600 2008 AyeAye 4 96 41262 Tue Sep 18 11:27:00 -0500 2007 true 4188 0 338 116 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 1124 as Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Tue Sep 18 12:20:04 -0500 2007 senate h 53 41262 1171602000 false 1190132820 1193198400 1124 651 110 400098

10/24/2007--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 19, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the District of Columbia Access Act of 1999 to authorize the public school and private school tuition assistance programs established under the Act through FY2012. Redefines the term &quot;eligible student&quot; under such Act to include an individual from a family with a taxable annual income of less than $1 million.<br/>

1193198400 2007-10-24 Thu Nov 06 19:18:09 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 20 47 41328 Sat Feb 17 13:18:00 -0600 2007 true 3138 33 52 136 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.Con.Res. 67 ) false 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 18:02:08 -0500 2007 senate hc 14 41328 1171602000 false 1171739880 1171947600 67 1010 110 400075

2/17/2007--Passed Senate without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Provides for an adjournment of the House of Representatives from February 16 or 17, 2007, until February 27, 2007 (or until another time of reassembly under this concurrent resolution), and a recess or an adjournment of the Senate from February 17, 2007-February 24, 2007, until February 26, 2007 (or until another time of reassembly). Authorizes the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate, or their respective designees, acting jointly after consultation with the Minority Leaders of the House and of the Senate, to notify the Members of the House and the Senate, respectively, to reassemble at such place and time as they may designate whenever, in their opinion, the public interest shall warrant it.<br/>

1171947600 2007-02-20 Thu Nov 06 18:25:47 -0600 2008 AyeAye 10 88 41398 Thu Apr 17 15:33:00 -0500 2008 true 2863 2 108 132 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 1195 As Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Apr 17 16:35:04 -0500 2008 senate h 98 41398 1172552400 false 1209588240 1212724800 31 1195 5427 110 400299

6/6/2008--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on April 17, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 - Title I: Highway Provisions - (Sec. 101) Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users or SAFETEA-LU to make certain revisions and technical corrections to the surface transportation program, including earmarking of public lands highway funds for forest roads, defining &quot;transportation systems management and operations,&quot; replacing &quot;federal-aid system&quot; with &quot;federal-aid highways&quot; in apportionment of highway safety improvement program funds, and authorizing a state to expend unused funds for installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings on highway safety improvement program projects. Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to revise the designations as high priority corridors on the National Highway System (NHS) of: (1) Interstate Route 69 to include specified segments; and (2) Interstate Route 376 to exclude the U.S. Route 422 segment from such designation. Amends the bridge program to make funds available for the removal of the Missisquoi Bay causeway in Vermont. Makes unexpended funds remaining for Missisquoi Bay Bridge projects available for replacement and reconstruction of state-maintained bridges in the state of Vermont, once the causeway is removed. Authorizes an Indian tribe to nominate a road as an All-American Road or one of America's Byways (as well as, under current law, a National Scenic Byway) only if a federal land management agency (other than the Bureau of Indian Affairs), a state, or a political subdivision of a state does not have jurisdiction over, or responsibility for managing, the road. Makes safety improvements to America's Byways eligible for federal-aid highway assistance. (Sec. 102) Increases funding for deployment of magnetic levitation (MAGLEV) projects through FY2009. Revises the allocation of funds to the Nevada department of transportation with respect to the MAGLEV project between Las Vegas and Primm, Nevada. Allows the 50% allocation for a MAGLEV project east of the Mississippi River to be used for multiple existing projects east of the Mississippi. (Sec. 103) Revises the item descriptions of certain national and regional significance projects. Earmarks funds for integrated highway realignment and grade separations at Port Huron, Michigan, to eliminate road blockages from NAFTA rail traffic. Replaces the project to: (1) relocate the El Paso, Texas, rail yard to Santa Teresa, New Mexico, with a project for regional rail expansion and transportation infrastructure in the vicinity of Santa Teresa, New Mexico; and (2) make improvements to I-80, Monroe County, Pa., with a project specifically for redesign and reconstruction of interchanges 298 and 299 of I-80 and accompanying improvements to any other public roads in the vicinity of Monroe County. Replaces the national corridor infrastructure improvement project for I-80, Indiana, with one for improvements to state road 312, Hammond, Indiana. (Sec. 104) Amends federal highway law to repeal the authority of a state to locate idling reduction facilities on Interstate System rights-of-way. (Sec. 105) Revises item descriptions of specified high priority project authorizations. Increases, decreases, or terminates certain project authorizations. Authorizes funds for high priority projects: (1) for U.S. 550, New Mexico State line to Durango, Colorado; and (2) to repair and restore a railroad bridge in Westerly, Rhode Island. Sets forth requirements for the use of unused obligation authority, or authorized funding that was reduced, for high priority projects. Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to transfer to the Commandant of the Coast Guard amounts made available for the replacement of the Galveston Causeway Railroad Bridge in Galveston, Texas, in order to carry out such project. Authorizes a state to expend for each of FY2008-FY2009 not more than $1 million of its apportionment of surface transportation funds for certain fuel tax activities, including participation in the Joint Operation Center for Fuel Compliance (JOC). Sets 100% as the federal share of projects to: (1) reconstruct the Neal Smith Trail, bicycle and pedestrian, Polk County, Iowa; and (2) construct the Foothills Parkway in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. (Sec. 106) Revises the nonmotorized transportation pilot program to require the construction of a network of nonmotorized transportation infrastructure facilities in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, to drop St. Paul from the project. (Sec. 107) Revises the description of the designation of a portion of U.S. Route 271 as part of the National Highway System (NHS) to specify the portion from Interstate Route 540 (instead of the portion from the Arkansas State Line, as specified in current law), west to the intersection with U.S. Route 59, and northwest to the intersection with Interstate Route 40, Sallisaw, Oklahoma. (Sec. 108) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal Highway Administration's (FHA) current application of the Buy American test only to components or parts of a bridge project, and not the entire bridge project, is inconsistent with the sense of Congress expressed in SAFETEA-LU. (Sec. 109) Revises the item descriptions to specified transportation improvement projects. Increases the authorization of appropriations for the transportation project to reconstruct various roads throughout the Municipality of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, including pavings and cold millings as well as construction of gutters. (Sec. 110) Directs the Secretary to make certain funds available for the design of the I-95/Contee Road interchange project in Prince George's County, Maryland. (Sec. 111) Requires the deduction of a specified amount from state federal-aid highway apportionments for the future strategic highway research program. Increases the funding for university transportation research through FY2009. Sets the federal share of surface transportation research and technology development projects, long-term bridge performance program projects (including innovative bridge research and deployment program projects), and national technology deployment program projects at 80%. Eliminates a requirement that the future strategic highway research program (F-SHRP) be based on certain program elements. Earmarks an amount of surface transportation research, development, and deployment program funds for FY2008-FY2009 for: (1) a certain infrastructure investment needs report to Congress; and (2) the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. Amends federal transportation law to revise provisions to require the Secretary to expend not more than 1.5% of amounts for grants to establish and operate university transportation centers for management and oversight of such centers through FY2009. (Sec. 112) Increases the rescission of unobligated balances of funds apportioned prior to September 30, 2009, for certain surface transportation programs. (Sec. 113) Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to authorize through FY2009 up to 15% of surface transportation program funds to be obligated on roads functionally classified as minor collectors in areas of less than 5,000 population. Revises the item descriptions of certain high priority projects, including extension of one project to reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, and repaving of the Beartooth Highway in Wyoming and Montana. (Sec. 114) Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to revise the designation of: (1) the Liberty Corridor, New Jersey, as a high priority corridor on the NHS to include U.S. Routes 1, 9, and 46, and State Routes 3 and 17; and (2) the corridor in an area of passage in New Jersey serving significant interstate and regional traffic, located near the cities of Camden, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a high priority corridor on the NHS to include State Route 42 and Interstate Route 76. Revises the item description of the Traverse City Bypass, Traverse City, Michigan innovative highway project to include contiguous counties. (Sec. 115) Amends federal highway law to revise the term &quot;repeat intoxicated driver law&quot; to mean a state law that provides, as a minimum penalty, that an individual convicted of a second or subsequent offense for driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence after a previous conviction for that offense shall, among other things, receive: (1) a driver's license suspension for not less than one year (as under current law); or (2) a combination of suspension of all driving privileges for the first 45 days of the suspension period followed by a reinstatement of limited driving privileges for the purpose of getting to and from work, school, or an alcohol treatment program, if an ignition interlock device is installed on the motor vehicles the individual owns and/or operates. (Sec. 116) Amends federal transportation law to increase from $2.225 million to $2.250 million the amount of a grant for FY2009 to establish a regional university transportation center. (Sec. 117) Requires the Secretary to: (1) publish in the Federal Register, and provide for public comment on, waivers of Buy America requirements with respect to surface transportation projects; and (2) report annually to Congress with respect to such waivers. (Sec. 118) Directs the Secretary to conduct, and report to Congress on, a study on the impacts of converting left and right highway safety shoulders to travel lanes. (Sec. 119) Directs the Secretary to designate as a future part of the Interstate System the Audubon Parkway and the Natcher Parkway in Owensboro, Kentucky, provided certain requirements are met. (Sec. 120) Allows certain high priority project funds for construction of S. 323 from Alzada to Ekalaka in Carter County, Montana, to be obligated for any other high priority project in such state. Title II: Transit Provisions - (Sec. 201) Excludes sightseeing from the term &quot;public transportation.&quot; Revises requirements for the allocation of funds to the metropolitan planning organization for the Lake Tahoe region. Extends through FY2009 the authority of the Secretary to award grants to finance the operating cost of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation in an urbanized area with a population of at least 200,000. Sets forth, based on a certain formula, the maximum amount of such funds that may be obligated to such areas for FY2008-FY2009. Directs the Secretary to give comparable, but not necessarily equal, numerical weight to each project justification criterion in calculating the overall project rating in determining project advancements for a major new fixed guideway capital project funded by a capital investment grant. Revises the 80% government share of costs for which a grant for other-than-urbanized areas may be used to specify 80% of net capital costs of the capital project or project administrative expenses. Names a certain program authorizing the Secretary to carry out qualified projects for alternative transportation in national parks and public lands as the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program. Makes specified allocations for fixed guideway modernization through FY2009. Increases the total obligation ceiling for FY2008 for the Mass Transit Account. Makes specified changes to: (1) certain project authorizations for new fixed guideway capital projects; (2) certain projects for bus and bus-related facilities; and (3) the hydrogen fuel cell shuttle deployment demonstration program. Requires the Secretary, in evaluating justifications for a major new fixed guideway capital project with a view toward approval of a capital investment grant, to analyze, evaluate, and consider certain factors relating to transit tunnels. Deems the acquisition of property for the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, for the Knoxville, Tennessee, Central Station project to qualify as an acquisition of land for protective purposes under specified federal regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to allow acquisition costs to be credited toward the nonfederal share for the project. Limits the Secretary to using not more than $3 million of discretionary funds made available for FY2007 for Federal Transit Administration Discretionary Programs, Bus and Bus Facilities to reimburse the California state department of transportation for maintenance and operation costs (less the amount of fares earned) for additional public transportation services it provided as a temporary substitute for highway traffic service following the freeway collapse at the interchange connecting Interstate Routes 80, 580, and 880 near the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on April 29, 2007, until the reopening of that facility on June 29, 2007. Sets the federal share of the cost of reimbursed activities at 100%. Title III: Other Surface Transportation Provisions - (Sec. 301) Authorizes fees collected under the Unified Carrier Registration System to be credited to the Department of Transportation (DOT) appropriations account and remain available until expended. Declares it to be an unreasonable burden upon interstate commerce for any state or any political subdivision of a state, or any political authority of two or more states to require an interstate motor carrier or motor private carrier that also performs intrastate operations to pay any fee or tax from which a carrier engaged exclusively in intrastate (currently, interstate) operations is exempt. Allows a state to continue to require a motor carrier, motor private carrier, freight forwarder, or leasing company to display identifying credentials on or in a commercial vehicle (other than as required by federal law) under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (current law) or under an applicable state law if, on October 1, 2006, the state has a form of highway use taxation not subject to collection through the Agreement. Replaces the term &quot;drive-away saddlemount with fullmount&quot; with &quot;driveaway saddlemount.&quot; Prohibits a state from enforcing a regulation that imposes a vehicle length limit of not less than nor more than 97 feet on all driveaway saddlemount vehicle transporter combinations. (Sec. 302) Makes technical amendments relating to hazardous materials transportation. (Sec. 303) Amends federal highway law to set, effective October 1, 2007, the minimum apportionment of federal funds to a state for highway safety programs at not less than three-quarters of 1%. (Current law requires not less than one-half of 1%.) (Sec. 304) Repeals the requirement that the Secretary contract with the National Academy of Sciences to review the research, design, methodology, and implementation of a mandatory study to collect on-scene motor vehicle collision causation data. Makes such a review contract discretionary. (Sec. 305) Revises the authority of the Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring minimum levels of financial responsibility for motor vehicle transportation of passengers across state lines or national borders. Limits the current requirement for such regulations to motor vehicle transportation of passengers for compensation. Authorizes (but does not require) the Secretary to prescribe such regulations for motor vehicle transportation of passengers for commercial purposes, but not for compensation. Repeals the limitation to commercial motor vehicles of regulations the Secretary is required to prescribe with respect to minimum levels of financial responsibility for motor vehicle transportation of property across state lines or national borders. Revises the requirement that the Secretary register freight forwarders and brokers for transportation of property to repeal the limitation of such requirement to freight forwarders and brokers of household goods. (Thus requires the registration of all freight forwarders and brokers for transportation of property.) (Sec. 306) Applies certain exemptions from minimum wage, maximum hour, child labor, and related requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to motor carrier and motor private carrier employees. Provides that motor carriers shall not be liable for a violation of requirements related to such exemptions if: (1) the violation occurred in the one-year period beginning on August 10, 2005; and (2) the carrier did not have actual knowledge of such requirements at the time of the violation. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 401) Requires the Administrator of General Services to convey all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the GSA Fleet Management Center (located in Anchorage, Alaska) to the Alaska Railroad Corporation in exchange for: (1) suitable replacement property and such other consideration as agreed to; or (2) payment of fair market value. Requires any proceeds received to be deposited into the Federal Buildings Fund. (Sec. 402) Directs the Administrator of General Services to convey to the city of St. Joseph, Michigan, by quitclaim deed, any interest retained by the United States in St. Joseph Memorial Hall. Requires the city of St. Joseph, as consideration for such conveyance, to pay $10,000 to the United States. Title V: Other Provisions - (Sec. 501) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to increase from $55 million to $75 million federal funding for a wastewater treatment project in DeSoto County, Mississippi. (Sec. 502) Requires the Department of Justice to review allegations of impropriety regarding the Coconut Rd. interchange I-75/Lee County, Florida, transportation improvement project in order to ascertain if a violation of federal criminal law has occurred.<br/>

1212724800 2008-06-06 Thu Nov 06 19:26:43 -0600 2008 AbstainAbstain 4 88 41648 Wed Apr 25 17:24:00 -0500 2007 true 2591 8 146 138 0 On Passage of the Bill (S. 761 As Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 17:30:15 -0500 2007 senate s 122 41648 1173070800 false 1177539840 1184817600 19 761 2038 110 300082

4/25/2007--Passed Senate amended. America COMPETES Act or America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act - Division A: Commerce and Science - American Innovation and Competitiveness Act - Title I: Office of Science and Technology Policy; Government-Wide Science - (Sec. 1101) Directs the President to: (1) convene a National Science and Technology Summit to examine the health and direction of the United States' science, technology, engineering, and mathematics enterprises; and (2) issue a report on Summit results. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to report annually to Congress on recommendations for areas of investment for federal research and technology programs. (Sec. 1102) Requires the: (1) OSTP Director to contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct and complete a study to identify, and review methods to mitigate, new forms of risk for businesses beyond conventional operational and financial risk that affect the ability to innovate; and (2) NAS to report study results to Congress. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1103) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to rename the National Technology Medal established under such Act the National Technology and Innovation Medal. (Sec. 1104) Requires the OSTP Director to develop and issue a set of principles to ensure the communication and open exchange of data and results to other agencies, policymakers, and the public of research conducted by a scientist employed by a federal civilian agency and to prevent the intentional or unintentional suppression or distortion of such research findings. (Sec. 1105) Expresses the sense of Congress that the OSTP Director should: (1) encourage all elementary and middle schools to observe a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Day twice in every school year; (2) initiate a program to encourage federal employees with scientific, technological, engineering, or mathematical skills to interact with school children on such Days; and (3) promote involvement in such Days by appropriate private sector and institution of higher education employees. (Sec. 1106) Expresses the sense of Congress that the federal government should better understand and respond strategically to the emerging management and learning discipline known as service science. Requires the OSTP Director to study and report to Congress on ways the federal government could support service science through research, education, and training. Title II: Innovation Promotion - (Sec. 1201) Directs the President to establish a President's Council on Innovation and Competitiveness to undertake various activities for promoting innovation and competitiveness in the United States, measure progress in such promotion, and report annually to the President and Congress on such progress. Requires the NAS to submit to the President a list of 50 recommended advisors to such Council. (Sec. 1202) Directs the President to: (1) establish the Innovation Acceleration Research Program to support and promote innovation in the United States through research projects; and (2) ensure that it is the goal of each executive agency that finances research in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology to allocate approximately 8% of that agency's total annual research and development (R&amp;amp;D) funding to research under the Program. Title III: National Aeronautics and Space Administration - (Sec. 1301) Requires that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) be a full participant in any interagency effort to promote innovation and economic competitiveness through near- and long-term basic scientific R&amp;amp;D and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Requires an annual report from the NASA Administrator to Congress and the President on promotional activities conducted. (Sec. 1302) Directs the NASA Administrator to establish an Aeronautics Institute for Research for managing NASA aeronautics research. (Sec. 1303) Requires the NASA Administrator, the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Secretaries of Energy, Defense, and Commerce to coordinate basic and fundamental research activities related to physical sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Directs the NASA Administrator, in order to effectuate such coordination, to establish a Basic Research Executive Council to oversee the distribution and management of NASA programs and resources engaged in support of basic research activity. (Sec. 1304) Expresses the sense of Congress that the NASA Administrator should implement a program to address aging workforce issues in aerospace that: (1) documents technical and management experiences before senior people leave NASA; (2) provides incentives for retirees to return and teach new employees about such experiences; and (3) provides for development of an award to recognize outstanding senior employees for their contributions to knowledge sharing. (Sec. 1306) Directs the NASA Administrator to increase funding for FY2008 for basic science and research, including for the Explorer Program, through transfer from other NASA accounts. Title IV: National Institute of Standards and Technology - (Sec. 1401) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. (Sec. 1402) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to repeal provisions establishing the Technology Administration within the Department of Commerce. (Sec. 1403) Requires the NIST Director to: (1) establish the Standards and Technology Acceleration Research Program to support and promote innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research; (2) set aside for such Program no less than 8% of the funds available to NIST each year; and (3) issue an annual report on Program activities. (Sec. 1404) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to require that a Manufacturing Center that has not received a positive evaluation shall be notified of the deficiencies in its performance and placed on probation for one year, after which an evaluation panel shall reevaluate such Center. Authorizes the acceptance of funds from other federal departments and agencies and the private sector for the purpose of strengthening U.S. manufacturing. (Sec. 1405) Requires the NIST Director to: (1) reestablish the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology to strengthen the technological competitiveness of states that have historically received less federal R&amp;amp;D funds than the majority of the states; and (2) report to specified congressional committees on such Program. (Sec. 1407) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to generally revise provisions concerning eligible contributions for the financial support of regional centers responsible for implementing the objectives of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. Title V: Ocean and Atmospheric Programs - (Sec. 1501) Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a program of ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmospheric R&amp;amp;D, in collaboration with academic institutions and other nongovernmental entities, to focus on the development of advanced technologies and methods to promote U.S. leadership in ocean and atmospheric science as well as competitiveness in applied uses of such R&amp;amp;D. (Sec. 1502) Requires the NOAA Administrator to: (1) conduct, develop, support, promote, and coordinate educational activities to enhance public awareness and understanding of ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmospheric science and stewardship by the general public and other coastal stakeholders; and (2) develop a 20-year ocean, coastal, and atmospheric science education plan. (Sec. 1503) Requires that NOAA be a full participant in any interagency effort to promote innovation and economic competitiveness through basic scientific R&amp;amp;D and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. (Sec. 1504) Requires the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce to conduct routine, independent reviews of activities carried out with NOAA grants or other financial assistance. Outlines provisions prohibiting conflicts of interests in the use of such financial assistance. Division B: Department of Energy - Protecting America's Competitive Edge Through Energy Act or PACE-Energy Act - (Sec. 2003) Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to require the Secretary of Energy (Secretary, for purposes of this Division) to appoint a Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education (MSEE) to administer mathematics, science, and engineering education at the Department of Energy (DOE). Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to establish a Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education Fund. Directs the Secretary to award grants to states for establishing or expanding public, statewide specialty schools for mathematics and science. Requires the MSEE Director to make funds available for a program using scientific and engineering staff of DOE national laboratories to: (1) assist teachers in teaching courses at schools funded under the program; (2) use national laboratory scientific equipment in teaching the courses; and (3) use distance education and other technologies in providing assistance to such schools. Limits to 50% the federal share of program costs. Allows funds to be used only for activities directly related to improving student academic achievement in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering. Requires: (1) states receiving assistance to carry out an evaluation and accountability plan for the use of such funds, and to report such evaluation and plan to the MSEE Director; and (2) the MSEE Director to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the impact of such activities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a summer internship program of at least two weeks for middle and secondary school students that: (1) provides students with internships at national laboratories; and (2) promotes hands-on learning in mathematics, science, technology, or engineering. Provides intern selection priorities, including students from low-income families. Directs the Secretary to establish outreach and experiential-based learning programs that encourage underrepresented minority students in kindergarten through grade 12 to pursue careers in mathematics, science, and engineering. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to establish at each of the national laboratories a program to support a Center of Excellence in Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering at one high-need public secondary school in the area. Requires the MSEE Director to make funds available for a program using scientific and engineering staff at the national laboratories to: (1) assist teachers in teaching courses at such Centers; and (2) use national laboratory scientific equipment in teaching the courses. Requires the MSEE Director to develop an evaluation and accountability plan for activities funded under the program. Directs the Secretary to establish or expand programs of summer institutes at each of the national laboratories to provide additional training to strengthen the mathematics, science, technology, and engineering skills of teachers employed at public schools for kindergarten through grade 12. Requires the Secretary to provide assistance to eligible partners (the mathematics, science, or engineering departments at institutions of higher education in the area) to participate in such program. Requires the: (1) MSEE Director to develop an evaluation and accountability plan for activities funded under the program; and (2) Secretary to report annually to Congress on the impact of the program. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to expand and enhance higher education nuclear science educational capabilities through the award of up to three grants per fiscal year to higher education institutions that partner with a national laboratory or other eligible nuclear-related entity. Authorizes such grants for five years at up to $1 million per year. Directs the Secretary to award up to ten grants per fiscal year to higher education institutions with existing academic degree programs that produce graduates in nuclear science. Authorizes such grants for five years at up to $500,000 per year. Authorizes appropriations for the grant programs. Requires the MSEE Director to establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities who are interested in careers in mathematics, science, and engineering. Directs the Secretary to annually: (1) evaluate program success; and (2) report evaluation results to Congress. Directs the Secretary to provide grants to states for establishing or expanding programs to enhance the quality of science education in elementary schools with respect to conventional and emerging energy sources and uses. Limits to 50% the federal share of program costs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 2004) Requires the Secretary to award not less than 65 grants per year to outstanding early-career researchers to support their work in DOE, particularly at national laboratories, or at other federally-funded R&amp;amp;D centers. Authorizes such grants for five years at up to $100,000 per year. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 2005) Directs the Secretary to establish an Advanced Research Projects Authority-Energy, headed by a Director, to overcome the long-term and high-risk technological barriers to the development of energy technologies. Requires the Secretary to establish an Advisory Board to make recommendations to the Secretary and the Director. Requires NAS to conduct two reviews of actions taken under this section, and to report review results to Congress, the Secretary, and the Director. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 2006) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to increase and extend through FY2012 the authorization of appropriations for basic research. (Sec. 2007) Requires the Secretary to establish multidisciplinary institutes centered at national laboratories to apply fundamental science and engineering discoveries to technological innovations related to missions of DOE and the global competitiveness of the United States. Requires, under the program, the establishing of partnerships between the institutes and institutions of higher education, private industry, state and local governments, and financing entities for technology commercialization. Allows up to three institutes to receive grants in a fiscal year. Requires NAS to review institutes' performance and report review results to Congress. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 2008) Directs the Secretary to establish a graduate fellowship program for students pursuing a doctoral degree in a DOE mission area. Limits fellowships to five years. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 2009) Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional energy committees on DOE actions taken to implement the recommendations in the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report numbered 04-639 (concerning compliance with title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972). Requires the Secretary to conduct annual reviews of at least two recipients of DOE grants concerning such compliance. (Sec. 2010) Requires the Secretary and the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey to each conduct a grant program to encourage the conduct of high-risk, high-reward research at their respective agencies. (Sec. 2011) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to support the joint appointment of distinguished scientists by higher education institutions and national laboratories. Makes such appointments for six years. Requires appointing institutions to pay at least 50% of appointment costs. Authorizes appropriations. Division C: Education - Title I: Teacher Assistance - Subtitle A: Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow - (Sec. 3113) Authorizes the Secretary of Education (Secretary, for purposes of this Division) to award grants to enable educational partnerships to develop and implement programs to provide courses of study in mathematics, science, engineering or critical foreign languages that: (1) are integrated with teacher education; and (2) lead to a baccalaureate degree with concurrent teacher certification. Requires an annual activities report from each recipient to the Secretary. (Sec. 3114) Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to educational partnerships to develop and implement: (1) two- or three-year part-time master's degree programs in mathematics, science, technology, or critical foreign language education for teachers in order to enhance the teacher's content knowledge and teaching skills; or (2) programs in mathematics, science, technology, or critical foreign language that lead to a one-year master's degree in teaching that results in teacher certification. Requires an annual activities report from each recipient to the Secretary. (Sec. 3115) Directs the Secretary to award each of the above grants for up to five years. Requires 50% non-federal matching funds. Requires: (1) an annual independent evaluation of activities assisted under this Subtitle; and (2) an annual report from the Secretary to specified congressional committees on evaluation results. (Sec. 3116) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs - (Sec. 3123) Authorizes the Secretary to award grants for up to five-year periods to enable educational agencies or partnerships to carry out activities designed to increase the number of: (1) qualified teachers serving high-needs (low-income or rural area) schools who are teaching advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages; and (2) students attending such schools who enroll in and pass the examinations for such courses. Requires: (1) each recipient to report annually to the Secretary on grant results; and (2) the Secretary to conduct an independent evaluation of the program and report evaluation results to specified congressional committees. Subtitle C: Promising Practices in Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering Teaching - (Sec. 3131) Authorizes the Secretary to contract with NAS to convene a national panel to identify promising practices in the teaching of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering in kindergarten through grade 12. Requires the dissemination of information collected by the panel to the public and state and local educational agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Mathematics - (Sec. 3201) Authorizes the Secretary to award grants for up to five-year periods to local educational agencies (LEAs), via states, to: (1) implement mathematics programs or initiatives that are research-based; (2) provide professional development and instructional leadership activities for teachers and administrators on the implementation of mathematics initiatives; and (3) conduct student mathematics progress monitoring and identify areas in which students need help in learning mathematics. Requires: (1) state grantees to contribute 50% of program costs; (2) state grantees to report annually to the Secretary on grant results; and (3) the Secretary to conduct an independent evaluation of the programs and report evaluation results to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3202) Directs the Secretary to carry out a demonstration program in which the Secretary awards grants to states for the federal share of summer learning grants for eligible students. Allows up to five grants per fiscal year. Limits to 50% the federal share of such grants. Requires: (1) the educational entities operating summer programs to report annually to the Secretary on activities and outcomes of each summer learning opportunity that enrolled a summer scholar; (2) the Secretary to report annually during the grant period to the education committees on the grant program; and (3) the Secretary to make accessible, on the Department of Education website, information for summer learning opportunities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3203) Authorizes appropriations for a four-year period during which the Secretary shall establish a program that provides grants to states, and through them, subgrants to LEAs for establishing mathematics programs to improve the overall mathematics performance of secondary school students. Provides: (1) a minimum grant amount of $500,000; and (2) a state matching funds requirement of 50% of program costs. Requires state grantees to report annually to the Secretary on grant results. Title III: Foreign Language Partnership Program - (Sec. 3303) Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to enable partnerships to establish programs of study in critical foreign languages that will enable students to advance successfully from elementary school through postsecondary education and achieve higher levels of proficiency in such language. Makes such grants for five-year periods, authorizing the Secretary to renew grants for up to two additional five-year periods. Outlines matching funds requirements. Directs the Secretary to report program evaluation results to specified congressional committees annually during the grant period. (Sec. 3304) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Alignment of Education Programs - (Sec. 3401) Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to enable states to work with a statewide partnership to: (1) promote better alignment of content knowledge requirements of secondary school graduation with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education, the 21st century workforce, or the Armed Forces; or (2) to establish or improve a statewide P-16 (preschool through baccalaureate degree) education data system. Requires each state to match grant fund amounts. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Mathematics and Science Partnership Bonus Grants - (Sec. 3501) Directs the Secretary to award grants, during school years 2007-2008 through 2010-2011, to each of the three elementary and three secondary schools with a high concentration of low-income students in each state whose students demonstrate the most improvement in mathematics and science, respectively. (Sec. 3502) Authorizes appropriations. Division D: National Science Foundation - (Sec. 4001) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2011 to the NSF. Requires the NSF Director to submit to specified congressional committees a comprehensive, multiyear plan that describes how such authorized funds, if appropriated, would be used. (Sec. 4002) Earmarks funds for NSF education and human resources programs for FY2008-FY2011. (Sec. 4003) Requires the NSF Director, during the four-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, to expand the NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship Program so that an additional 1,250 fellowships are awarded during such period to U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the NSF Director, during the same period, to expand the NSF's Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program so that an additional 1,250 U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents are awarded grants during such period. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4004) Requires the NSF Director to establish a clearinghouse, in collaboration with four-year institutions of higher education, industries, and federal agencies that employ science-trained personnel, to share program elements used in successful professional science master's degree programs and other advanced degree programs related to science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. Requires the Director to award four-year grants to such institutions of higher education to facilitate their creation or improvement of professional science master's degree programs. Allows the Director to award up to 200 of such grants, which shall be for a three-year period, with one authorized renewal for an additional two-year period. Requires the Director to evaluate the program and report evaluation results to Congress. Earmarks funds for such grants. (Sec. 4005) Earmarks funds to carry out the science, mathematics, engineering, and technology talent expansion program under the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002. Provides for program outreach. (Sec. 4006) Requires the NSF Director to: (1) consider the degree to which NSF-eligible awards and research activities may assist in meeting critical national needs in innovation, competitiveness, the physical and natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and (2) give priority in the selection of NSF awards, research resources, and grants to entities that can be expected to make contributions in such fields. (Sec. 4007) Prohibits anything in Divisions A or D of this Act from being construed to alter or modify the NSF merit-review system or peer-review process. (Sec. 4008) Earmarks funds for FY2008-FY2011 for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research under the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988. (Sec. 4009) Requires the NSF Director to: (1) establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; (2) establish a program to provide grants to community colleges to provide additional learning and training to allow women to enter higher-paying technical jobs in fields related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; and (3) evaluate such programs and report annually to Congress on evaluation results. (Sec. 4010) Requires the NSF Director to develop and publish a plan describing the current status for broadband access for scientific research purposes in states located in EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) eligible jurisdictions and outlines actions to ensure that such connections are available to participate in NSF programs which rely heavily on high-speed networking and collaborations across institutions and regions. (Sec. 4011) Requires the NSF Director to: (1) establish a grant program of basic research in advanced information and communications technologies focused on enhancing or facilitating the availability and affordability of advanced communications services to all people of the United States; and (2) establish a Federal Advanced Information and Communications Technology Research Board to aid and advise with respect to such efforts. Requires, as part of such grants, the establishment of multidisciplinary Centers for Communications Research. Earmarks funds for such purposes. (Sec. 4012) Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 concerning the Robert Noyce Scholarship Program to: (1) rename such Program the Robert Noyce Teacher Program; and (2) require the NSF Director to develop and implement a program to recruit and prepare mathematics, science, or engineering professionals to become NSF Teaching Fellows, and to recruit existing teachers to become NSF Master Teaching Fellows. Requires a 50% matching funds requirement from non-federal sources. Increases Program stipend amounts. Requires Teaching Fellows to serve for four years, and Master Teaching Fellows to serve five years, in a high-need LEA. Requires the NSF Director to report to Congress on program effectiveness. Earmarks funds for the Program. (Sec. 4013) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the NSF Director and the Secretary of Education should have ongoing collaboration to ensure that their respective mathematics and science partnership programs continue to work in concert (and not duplicatively) for the benefit of states and local practitioners. (Sec. 4014) Earmarks funds for FY2008-FY2011 for the NSF Teacher Institutes for the 21st Century program under the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002. Provides additional Program requirements. (Sec. 4015) Requires the NSF Director to establish the Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science pilot program to award grants to partnerships to pay the federal share of costs of improving laboratories and providing instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to enhance the quality of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology instruction at the secondary school level. Requires the Director to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of activities carried out under the pilot program; and (2) report evaluation results to specified congressional committees. Terminates the pilot program at the beginning of FY2012. Authorizes appropriations. Division E: General Provisions - (Sec. 5001) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program within the Bureau of Economic Analysis to collect and study data relating to the export and import of services. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5002) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board should complete promulgation of the final rules implementing section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (concerning auditing standards and their effect on small and mid-sized businesses). (Sec. 5003) Directs the Comptroller General, within three years after enactment of this Act, to report to Congress assessing, and recommending improvements to, activities, grants, and programs carried out under this Act. (Sec. 5004) Prohibits federal funds from being provided to any organization or entity that advocates against tax competition or U.S. tax competitiveness. (Sec. 5005) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to contract with the NAS to conduct and complete a feasibility study on creating a national, free online college degree program that would be available to all individuals eligible for student loan assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965 who wish to pursue a degree in a field of strategic importance to the United States and where expertise is in demand, such as mathematics, sciences, and foreign languages. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5006) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) government policies related to deemed exports should safeguard U.S. national security and protect fundamental research; (2) the Department of Commerce has established the Deemed Export Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for improving current controls on deemed exports; and (3) the Administration and Congress should consider the Committee's recommendations in its development and implementation of export control policy. (Sec. 5007) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) Congress, the President, regulators, industry leaders, and other stakeholders should take necessary steps to reclaim the preeminent U.S. position in the global financial services marketplace; (2) federal and state financial regulatory agencies should take certain steps to avoid adverse consequences on innovation with respect to financial products and services, and regulatory costs that are disproportionate to their benefits; and (3) Congress should exercise vigorous oversight over federal regulatory and statutory requirements affecting the financial services industry and consumers.<br/>

1184817600 2007-07-19 Fri Nov 07 13:52:02 -0600 2008 AyeAye 5 91 41956 Wed May 16 16:15:00 -0500 2007 true 4529 4 170 127 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 1495 As Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 17:21:59 -0500 2007 senate h 297 41956 1173758400 false 1194540300 1194584400 76 1495 4888 110 400299

11/8/2007--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since the Conference Report was filed in the House on July 31, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Water Resources Development Act of 2007 - Reauthorizes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Authorizes flood control, navigation, and environmental projects and studies by the Army Corps of Engineers.<br/>Title I: Water Resources Projects - (Sec. 1001) Authorizes projects for navigation, ecosystem or environmental restoration, and hurricane, flood, or storm damage reduction in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri and Kansas, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. Terminates specified projects in Florida.<br/>(Sec. 1002) Directs the Secretary of the Army (the Secretary) to conduct studies for projects for: (1) flood damage reduction in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming; (2) emergency streambank protection in California, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas and Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont; (3) navigation in Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin; (4) improvement of the quality of the environment in California, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, New Jersey and Delaware, and Pennsylvania; (5) aquatic ecosystem restoration in Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia and Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia; (6) shoreline protection in Alaska, California, Florida, Guam, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas; (7) snagging and sediment removal in New York; and (8) prevention or mitigation of damage caused by navigation projects in Georgia and Indiana.<br/>(Sec. 1010) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a project for aquatic nuisance plant control in the Republican River Basin, Nebraska.<br/>Title II: General Provisions - (Sec. 2001) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to prohibit the Secretary from: (1) soliciting contributions from non-federal interests for costs of constructing authorized water resources projects or measures in excess of the nonfederal share assigned to appropriate project purposes; or (2) conditioning federal participation on receipt of such contributions.<br/>(Sec. 2002) Extends the Secretary's authority to accept and expend funds contributed by nonfederal public entities and to expedite the processing of permits.<br/>(Sec. 2003) Amends the Flood Control Act to allow a partnership agreement for projects to include a provision for liquidated damages in the event of a failure of parties to perform. Sets forth additional reporting and other requirements regarding such agreements. Directs the Secretary, by June 30, 2008, to issue policies and guidelines that delegate certain authority to district engineers to approve or sign partnership agreements.<br/>(Sec. 2004) Directs the Secretary and the Chief of Engineers (Chief) to prepare a compilation of U.S. laws related to water resources development enacted after November 8, 1966, and before January 1, 2008.<br/>(Sec. 2005) Amends the WRDA to authorize the Secretary to enter into a partnership agreement with nonfederal interests for the acquisition, design, construction, management, or operation of a dredged material processing, treatment, contaminant reduction, or disposal facility using funds provided by the federal government, subject to specified federal funding and cost sharing requirements.<br/>(Sec. 2006) Authorizes the Secretary, in conducting a study of harbor and navigation improvements, to recommend a project without demonstrating that the project is justified solely by national economic development benefits under specified circumstances involving remote and economically critical projects.<br/>(Sec. 2007) Allows the nonfederal interest for a study or project to use, and requires the Secretary to accept, funds provided by a federal agency to satisfy the nonfederal share of the cost under specified circumstances.<br/>(Sec. 2008) Directs the Secretary, upon legal authorization of an increase in the maximum amount of federal funds that may be allocated for a project or an increase in the total cost, to enter into a revised partnership agreement to take into account the change in federal participation (without affecting any cost-sharing requirement).<br/>(Sec. 2009) Directs the Secretary to expedite any authorized planning, design, and construction of a flood damage reduction project for an area that, within the preceding five years, has been subject to flooding that resulted in the loss of life and caused damage of sufficient magnitude to warrant a declaration of a major disaster by the President.<br/>(Sec. 2010) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to add river basins in Ohio, Washington, New York, and Arkansas and Missouri to selected river basins and watersheds for assessment. Reduces the nonfederal share of the costs of assessments on or after December 11, 2000.<br/>(Sec. 2011) Amends the WRDA of 2000 to authorize the Secretary, under the tribal partnership program, to carry out water-related planning activities. Authorizes studies involving projects located in lands within the jurisdictional area of an Oklahoma Indian tribe that are recognized as eligible for trust land status. Permits studies to address watershed assessments and planning activities. Authorizes appropriations for the program through FY2012.<br/>(Sec. 2012) Adds the Secretary to the list of federal agencies authorized to enter into contracts with state and local governmental entities for procurement of services in suppressing fires.<br/>(Sec. 2013) Authorizes the Secretary, at the request of a governmental agency or nonfederal interest, to provide technical assistance in managing water resources, including the provision and integration of hydrologic, economic, and environmental data and analyses. Directs the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees, concurrent with the request for appropriations for the Civil Works Program for a fiscal year, a report describing the individual activities proposed for funding.<br/>(Sec. 2014) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to include additional sites in Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Vermont in the Lakes Program.<br/>(Sec. 2015) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into cooperative agreements with nonprofit organizations with expertise in wetlands restoration to carry out design and construction of wetlands restoration that is part of an authorized project; and (2) include individuals not employed by the Department of the Army in training classes offered by the Corps of Engineers when it is in the best interest of the government. Requires such individuals to pay the full cost of the training.<br/>(Sec. 2017) Directs the Secretary to provide public access to water resource and related water quality data in the custody of the Corps. (Sec. 2018) Declares that it is U.S. policy to promote beach nourishment for purposes of flood damage reduction and hurricane and storm damage reduction and related research that encourages the protection, restoration, and enhancement of sandy beaches on a comprehensive basis, with preference to areas in which there has been a federal investment and where the need for prevention or mitigation of damage is attributable to federal activities.<br/>(Sec. 2019) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to require the development of new criteria and procedures regarding the ability of a nonfederal interest to pay (with respect to cost-sharing agreements) by December 31, 2007. Directs the Secretary to apply such criteria and procedures to specified projects in Missouri, Texas, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.<br/>(Sec. 2020) Amends the WRDA of 1996 to authorize projects that improve elements and features of an estuary and projects for the removal of dams that otherwise meet Act requirements.<br/>(Sec. 2021) Increases the amount the Secretary may allot under: (1) the Flood Control Act of 1948 for small flood control projects; (2) the River and Harbor Act of 1960 for small river and harbor improvement projects; and (3) the Flood Control Act of 1946 for the construction, repair, restoration, and modification of emergency streambank and shoreline protection works to prevent damage to highways, bridge approaches, and public works, churches, hospitals, schools, and other nonprofit public services.<br/>Increases authorized appropriations under the WRDA of: (1) 1986 for project modifications to improve the environment; and (2) 1999 for remediation of abandoned mine sites.<br/>(Sec. 2026) Authorizes the Secretary to grant leases of lands, including structures or facilities, at water resource development projects to federally recognized Indian tribes.<br/>(Sec. 2027) Directs the Chief to submit to specified committees an annual report on expenditures: (1) for the preceding and current fiscal years; and (2) by the Corps necessary in the following fiscal year, for each project or activity not scheduled for completion in the current fiscal year, to maintain the same level of effort.<br/>(Sec. 2028) Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to specified universities or colleges in Tennessee, Illinois, and Texas for water resources-related studies.<br/>(Sec. 2029) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Corps' operations and maintenance budget should reflect the use of all available economic data, rather than a single performance metric.<br/>(Sec. 2030) Modifies provisions of the WRDA of 1996 to authorize the Secretary to engage in activities, including contracting, in support of other federal agencies, international organizations, or foreign governments to address problems of national significance. Authorizes funding. Authorizes the Secretary to accept and expend additional funds from foreign governments.<br/>(Sec. 2031) Declares that it is U.S. policy that all water resources projects reflect national priorities, encourage economic development, and protect the environment by: (1) seeking to maximize sustainable economic development; (2) seeking to avoid the unwise use of floodplains and flood-prone areas and maximizing adverse impacts and vulnerabilities where such areas must be used; and (3) protecting and restoring the functions of, and mitigating unavoidable damage to, natural systems.<br/>(Sec. 2032) Directs the President to report to Congress describing U.S. vulnerability to damage from flooding, including: (1) an assessment of the extent to which programs relating to flooding address flood risk reduction priorities; (2) the extent to which those programs may be encouraging development and economic activity in flood-prone areas; and (3) recommendations for improving those programs.<br/>(Sec. 2033) Amends the WRDA of 1996 to direct the Secretary, for all feasibility reports completed after December 31, 2007, to assess whether: (1) the project and each separable element is cost-effective; and (2) the water resource project complies with laws and public policies.<br/>Directs the Chief to: (1) adopt a risk analysis approach to project cost estimates for water resources projects; (2) issue procedures for risk analysis for cost estimation and submit to Congress a report that includes suggested amendments to provisions regarding maximum cost of projects; (3) establish benchmarks for determining the time it should take to conduct a project feasibility study and its associated review process under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; (4) use such benchmarks to make the feasibility study process more efficient; and (5) establish benchmark goals for completing project feasibility studies within two years (or within four years for complex projects).<br/>Requires a feasibility study for a flood damage reduction project to include, as part of the cost/benefit calculation, calculations: (1) of the residual risk of flooding, of loss of human life, and to human safety following completion of the proposed project; (2) of any upstream or downstream impacts; and (3) to ensure that the benefits and costs associated with structural and nonstructural alternatives are evaluated in an equitable manner.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to establish centers to provide specialized planning expertise for water resource projects to be carried out by the Secretary in order to enhance and supplement the capabilities of the districts of the Corps.<br/>Requires feasibility and other studies and assessments of water resource problems and projects to include recommendations for alternatives: (1) that, as determined by the nonfederal interests for the projects, promote integrated water resources management; and (2) for which the nonfederal interests are willing to provide the nonfederal share for the studies or assessments. Provides that the completion of a Chief's report for a project shall not be delayed while consideration is being given to potential changes in policy or priority for project consideration. Requires completed reports to be submitted to specified committees and reviewed by the Secretary, who shall provide any recommendations to Congress.<br/>(Sec. 2034) Requires project studies to be subject to a peer review by an independent panel of experts if: (1) the project has an estimated total cost of more than $45 million, including mitigation costs; (2) the governor of an affected state requests a peer review by an independent panel of experts; or (3) the Chief determines that the project study is controversial (in cases where there is a significant public dispute as to the nature or effects of the project or the economic or environmental costs or benefits). Limits costs of panels. (Sec. 2035) Directs the Chief to ensure that the design and construction activities for hurricane and storm and flood damage reduction projects are reviewed by independent experts if necessary to assure public health, safety, and welfare on any project that meets specified criteria.<br/>(Sec. 2036) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to require the Secretary, in order to mitigate losses to flood damage reduction capabilities and fish and wildlife resulting from a water resources project, to ensure that the mitigation plan for each project complies with the standards and policies established pursuant to the regulatory programs administered by the Secretary. Lists specific mitigation plan requirements, criteria for success, and monitoring and reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary, in carrying out a project that involves wetlands mitigation that has impacts that occur within the service area of a mitigation bank, to first consider the use of the mitigation bank if the bank contains sufficient available credits to offset the impact and the bank is approved under applicable federal law.<br/>(Sec. 2037) Replaces provisions under the WRDA of 1992 regarding beneficial uses of dredged material with provisions requiring the Secretary to develop, at federal expense, regional sediment management plans. Directs the Secretary to give priority to regional sediment management projects in areas of specified states.<br/>(Sec. 2038) Rewrites provisions regarding the Secretary's authorization to undertake construction of small shore and beach restoration and protection projects not specifically authorized by Congress. Permits such activities if the Secretary meets specified requirements. Makes a local cooperation requirement applicable to such a project. Requires authorized projects to be complete and to not commit the United States to any additional improvement. Directs the Secretary to conduct a national shoreline erosion control development and demonstration program.<br/>(Sec. 2039) Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that a recommended ecosystem restoration project includes a plan for monitoring the success of the restoration; and (2) consider the cost of carrying out the monitoring as a project cost for a period of 10 years from completion of project construction.<br/>(Sec. 2040) Directs the Secretary to implement a program to allow electronic submission of applications for permits under the Secretary's jurisdiction.<br/>(Sec. 2041) Requires the Secretary to: (1) assign a unique tracking number to each water resources project to be used by each federal agency throughout the life of the project; and (2) maintain at the Library of Congress a copy of each final feasibility study, environmental impact statement, reevaluation report, record of decision, and report to Congress prepared by the Corps. Makes such documents available to the public.<br/>(Sec. 2042) Repeals provisions of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2006 (EWDAA) regarding program administration, including removal of restrictions on the use of funds and continuing contracts by the Corps.<br/>(Sec. 2043) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to make cost-sharing requirements applicable to a feasibility study also applicable to a study that results in a detailed project report, with exceptions. (Sec. 2044) Directs the Secretary to: (1) initiate procedures to establish a schedule for consolidating federal, state, and local agency and Indian tribe environmental assessments, project reviews, and issuance of permits for the construction or modification of a project upon written request of the nonfederal interest; and (2) seek to consolidate hearing and comment periods, procedures for data collection and report preparation, and the environmental review and permitting processes associated with the project. Requires costs incurred by the Secretary to establish and carry out a schedule to be paid by the nonfederal interest. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on estimated time required for the issuance of all permits for the construction of nonfederal projects.<br/>(Sec. 2045) Declares that the benefits of water resources projects are important to the nation's economy and environment and recommendations to Congress regarding such projects should not be delayed due to uncoordinated or inefficient reviews or the failure to timely resolve disputes during the development of such projects.<br/>Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a coordinated review process for project development; and (2) identify all federal, state, and local government agencies and Indian tribes that may have jurisdiction over the project or may be required to take other specified actions. Allows the process to be incorporated into a memorandum of understanding. Sets forth provisions regarding the effect of failure to meet deadlines and reporting requirements.<br/>(Sec. 2046) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to require the Secretary to transmit to Congress every year (currently, every two years), after transmittal of the list of unconstructed projects, a list of projects that have been authorized but have received no obligations during the five preceding fiscal years. Provides that a project included in such list is not authorized after the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the list is transmitted if funds have not been obligated for the planning, design, or construction of such project. (Sec. 2047) Amends the WRDA of 1996 to rewrite provisions regarding the Hopper Dredge McFarland to require the Secretary, between October 1 and December 31, 2009, to place it in a ready reserve status and use it solely for urgent and emergency purposes. Directs the Secretary to periodically perform routine underway dredging tests of the equipment, limit any scheduled hopper dredging work, perform any repairs necessary to maintain the vessel in a ready reserve fully operational conditions, and place the vessel in active status for dredging under specified conditions.<br/>Title III: Project-Related Provisions - (Sec. 3001) Modifies various projects and directs or authorizes actions in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.<br/>(Sec. 3175) Amends the WRDA of 1988 to allow the Secretary to operate headwaters reservoirs below the minimum or above the maximum water levels established in that year in accordance with water control regulation manuals developed by the Secretary, after consultation with specified parties and subject to specified notification requirements.<br/>(Sec. 3176) Allows funds made available for recovery or mitigation activities in the lower basin of the Missouri River to be used for such activities in the upper basin.<br/>(Sec. 3177) Authorizes the Secretary to undertake research on water quality issues affecting the Mississippi River and the development of remediation strategies.<br/>(Sec. 3178) Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program to evaluate new technologies applicable to the Upper Ohio River and Tributaries Navigation System.<br/>(Sec. 3179) Continues project authorizations in California, Guam, Maryland and Virginia, Massachusetts, and Michigan.<br/>(Sec. 3180) Authorizes specified projects, but prohibits construction until they are determined to be feasible, in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.<br/>(Sec. 3181) Terminates projects in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, California, Delaware and Maryland, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, and West Virginia.<br/>(Sec. 3182) Provides for conveyances of land to Arkansas, California, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, South Carolina, and Texas.<br/>(Sec. 3183) Extinguishes reversionary interests and use restrictions in Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington.<br/>Title IV: Studies - (Sec. 4001) Amends the WRDA of 1999 to authorize payment of up to 100% of the non-federal share for the John Glenn Great Lakes basin program in the form of in-kind services and materials.<br/>(Sec. 4002) Directs the Secretary to conduct: (1) a study to determine the nature and frequency of avian botulism in the vicinity of Lake Erie associated with dredged material disposal sites; and (2) a study of drought conditions in the southwestern United States. (Sec. 4004) Directs the Secretary to review the Chief's report on the Delaware River, as it relates to the Mid-Delaware River Basin from Wilmington to Port Jervis, and any other pertinent reports, to determine whether any modifications of recommendations contained in the first report are still advisable.<br/>(Sec. 4005) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to develop national protocols regarding biological control of Eurasian milfoil in northeastern states.<br/>(Sec. 4006) Directs the Secretary to conduct various navigation, hydropower, recreation, flood damage reduction, feasibilitiy, water supply, selenium, rehabilitation, flood control, bulkhead system integrity, environmental restoration, ecosystem restoration and protection, storm damage reduction, shoreline protection, water-related infrastructure, water supply, recreation, dredged material disposal, and seawall rehabilitation studies in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.<br/>(Sec. 4101) Directs the Comptroller General, in coordination with the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to conduct a complete evaluation of demolition, debris removal, segregation, transportation, and disposal practices relating to disaster areas designated in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and to report to specified committees. Prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for or reimburse any state or local entity in Louisiana for the disposal of construction and demolition debris generated as a result of Hurricane Katrina in a landfill designated for such debris unless that waste meets the definition of construction and demolition debris, as specified under federal law.<br/>Title V: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 5001) Makes the Secretary responsible for maintenance of navigation channels and breakwaters constructed or improved by the non-federal interest, at the request of such interest, upon determining that such maintenance is economically justified and environmentally acceptable and that the channel or breakwater was constructed in accordance with applicable permits and engineering and design standards, with respect to specified bodies of water in Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.<br/>(Sec. 5002) Authorizes the Secretary to provide: (1) technical, planning, and design assistance to non-federal interests for carrying out watershed management, restoration, and development projects at specified locations in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington; and (2) assistance to enhance dam safety at specified locations in Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.<br/>(Sec. 5004) Directs the Secretary, upon request of a non-federal interest, to evaluate the structural integrity and effectiveness of a flood damage reduction project in Arkansas under specified circumstances.<br/>(Sec. 5005) Amends the WRDA of: (1) 1999 to add to the list of flood mitigation priority areas specified parishes in Louisiana; and (2) 1992 to provide additional assistance for authorized projects. Allows federal assistance made available under the the Department of Agriculture's rural enterprise zone program to be used toward payment of the nonfederal share of costs of the East Arkansas Enterprise Community project, Arkansas.<br/>(Sec. 5007) Provides for the expedited completion of: (1) reports and construction for projects in Alaska, California, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and New York; and (2) reports for projects in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana.<br/>(Sec. 5009) Directs the Secretary to conduct an assessment of the water resources needs of the river basins and watersheds of the southeastern United States.<br/>(Sec. 5010) Amends the WRDA of: (1) 1999, 1990, and 1996 to extend the authorization period or the Secretary's authority to provide assistance for the Missouri and Middle Mississippi River Enhancement Project, the Great Lakes Remedial Action Plans and sediment remediation projects and the Great Lakes tributary sediment transport model; and (2) 2000 to increase to 100% the permissible nonfederal share amount provided in the form of in-kind contributions for the Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Program. Permits with respect to the Missouri and Middle Mississippi River Enhancement Project: (1) a nonfederal interest to include a nonprofit entity with the consent of the affected local government; (2) the nonfederal share of costs to be provided in various forms; and (3) land credited toward the nonfederal share to remain in private ownership under specified circumstances. Requires the Secretary, with respect to the Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Program, to carry out a reconnaissance study to: (1) identify methods of restoring the fishery, ecosystem, and beneficial uses of the Great Lakes; and (2) determine whether project planning should proceed. (Sec. 5014) Directs the Secretary to: (1) expedite the operation and maintenance, including dredging, of the navigation features of the Great Lakes and Connecting Channels to support commercial navigation to authorized project depths; and (2) carry out a pilot project, on an emergency basis, to control and prevent further spreading of viral hemorrhagic septicemia in the Great Lakes and their connecting channels.<br/>(Sec. 5015) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out projects for operations, maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation, including associated maintenance dredging, of the Eisenhower and Snell lock facilities and related navigational infrastructure for the Saint Lawrence Seaway.<br/>(Sec. 5016) Directs the Secretary to study, design, and carry out a project to delay, deter, impede, or restrict the dispersal of aquatic nuisance species into the northern reaches of the Upper Mississippi River system.<br/>(Sec. 5017) Amends the Estuary Restoration Act of 2000 to expand the purposes of the restoration program by including the implementation of a coordinated federal approach to estuary habitat restoration activities, including the use of common monitoring standards and a common system for tracking restoration acreage. Adds regional interests to the estuary habitat restoration plan. Permits the inclusion of monitoring costs in the total cost of the estuary habitat restoration project. Modifies reporting requirements. Extends funding through 2012.<br/>(Sec. 5018) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the Missouri River and its tributaries to mitigate losses of aquatic and terrestrial habitat, recover federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act, and restore the ecosystem to prevent further declines among other native species; and (2) establish the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee.<br/>(Sec. 5019) Directs the Secretary to: (1) allocate funds to the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, the Delaware River Basin Commission, and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin to fulfill equitable funding requirements of their interstate compacts; and (2) enter into agreements with the Delaware River, Susquehanna River, and Potomac River Basin Commissions to provide temporary water supply and conservation storage during drought emergencies.<br/>(Sec. 5020) Modifies the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Restoration and Protection Program to authorize assistance for restoration of submerged aquatic vegetation.<br/>(Sec. 5021) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to include within the Secretary's study of the feasibility of utilizing the capabilities of the Corps of Engineers to conserve fish and wildlife a study of the restoration and rehabilitation of habitat for fish, including native oysters, in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in Virginia and Maryland.<br/>(Sec. 5022) Authorizes the Secretary to participate: (1) with specified parties to assess hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) in the Potomac River Watershed Assessment and Tributary Strategy Evaluation and Monitoring Program to identify resource management indicators to accurately monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of the agreed upon tributary strategies.<br/>(Sec. 5024) Directs the Secretary to develop standards for the security of locks and dams.<br/>(Sec. 5025) Amends the WRDA of 1996 to increase the authorization of appropriations for the research and development program to improve salmon survival in the Columbia and Snake Rivers.<br/>(Sec. 5026) Permits Corps of Engineers employees to participate in wage surveys.<br/>(Sec. 5027) Directs the Secretary to rehabilitate and improve the water-related and transportation infrastructure for the historic property in the Anacostia River Watershed located in the District of Columbia.<br/>(Sec. 5028) Directs or authorizes the Secretary to take specified actions regarding various projects in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, and California.<br/>(Sec. 5056) Directs the Secretary to carry out in the Rio Grande Basin: (1) a program for the planning, construction, and evaluation of measures for fish and wildlife habitat rehabilitation and enhancement; and (2) implementation of a long-term monitoring, computerized data inventory and analysis, applied research, and adaptive management program.<br/>(Sec. 5057) Designates the Charles Hervey Townshend Breakwater in Connecticut.<br/>(Sec. 5058) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in the ecosystem restoration, navigation, flood damage reduction, and recreation components of the Mill River and Long Island Sound revitalization project, Stamford, Connecticut.<br/>(Sec. 5059) Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to the Secretary of Agriculture for use in carrying out the Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program, Delmarva Conservation Corridor, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.<br/>(Sec. 5060) Directs the Secretary, in coordination with the mayor of the District of Columbia, the governor of Maryland, the county executives of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, Maryland, and other interested entities, to develop and make available to the public a 10-year comprehensive action plan to provide for the restoration and protection of the ecological integrity of the Anacostia River and its tributaries. (Sec. 5061) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to provide environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in the East Central and Northeast Florida Region, provided that any assisted project is publicly owned. Sets forth cost-sharing and other requirements.<br/>(Sec. 5062) Amends the Miscellaneous Appropriations Act, 2001 to direct the Secretary to credit toward the nonfederal share of the project cost for Florida Keys water quality improvements the cost of: (1) construction work carried out by the nonfederal interest before the date of the partnership agreement; and (2) land acquisition carried out by the nonfederal interest. (Sec. 5063) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out necessary repairs for the Lake Worth bulkhead replacement project, West Palm Beach, Florida.<br/>(Sec. 5064) Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical, planning, and construction assistance to the city of Roswell, Georgia, as the nonfederal interest and coordinator with other local governments in the Big Creek watershed, Georgia, to assess the quality and quantity of water resources, conduct comprehensive watershed management planning, develop and implement water efficiency technologies and programs, and plan, design, and construct water resource facilities to restore the watershed.<br/>(Sec. 5065) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, provided that any assisted project is publicly owned. Sets forth cost-sharing and other requirements.<br/>(Sec. 5066) Authorizes the Secretary, after completion of a Savannah Riverfront plan (Georgia), to participate in the ecosystem restoration, recreation, navigation, and flood damage reduction components of the plan. (Sec. 5067) Amends the WRDA of 1999 to include Wyoming in a program providing environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in rural Nevada and Montana.<br/>(Sec. 5068) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out the Riley Creek Recreation Area (Idaho) Operation Plan.<br/>(Sec. 5069) Directs the Secretary to provide assistance for a project to develop maps identifying 100- and 500-year flood inundation areas along the Little Calumet River, Chicago, Illinois. Sets forth cost-sharing and other requirements.<br/>(Sec. 5070) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in the reconstruction of a specified eligible flood control project in Illinois or Missouri if the Secretary determines that such reconstruction is not required as a result of improper operation and maintenance of the project by the nonfederal interest.<br/>(Sec. 5071) Amends the WRDA of 2000 to extend the authorization for Illinois River basin restoration. Increases the maximum federal share. Requires the Secretary to develop an Illinois River basin monitoring program.<br/>(Sec. 5072) Directs the Secretary to conduct a third-party review of the Promontory Point feature of the project for storm damage reduction and shoreline erosion protection, Lake Michigan, Illinois, at a specified cost.<br/>(Sec. 5073) Requires the Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan for the restoration, preservation, and protection of the Kaskaskia River Basin, Illinois.<br/>(Sec. 5074) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to provide environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in Southwest Illinois. Sets forth cost-sharing and other requirements.<br/>(Sec. 5075) Amends the WRDA of 1992 to increase the authorization for the Calumet region, Indiana. (Sec. 5076) Directs the Secretary to provide assistance for a project to develop maps identifying 100- and 500-year flood inundation areas in Iowa, along the Missouri River.<br/>(Sec. 5077) Directs the Secretary to complete a feasibility report for rehabilitation of a flood damage reduction project, Paducah, Kentucky. (Sec. 5078) Amends the WRDA of 1996 and 1992 regarding limitations on Corps of Engineers expenses for Southern and Eastern Kentucky and regarding wastewater infrastructure in Winchester, Kentucky. Increases funding for water-related infrastructure in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.<br/>(Sec. 5081) Directs the Secretary to expedite completion of a dredged material management plan for the Calcasieu Ship Channel, Louisiana.<br/>(Sec. 5082) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to provide environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in the East Atchafalaya Basin and Amite River Basin Region.<br/>(Sec. 5083) Directs the Secretary, by July 1, 2008, to: (1) issue a final environmental impact statement relating to the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock project; and (2) develop and maintain a transportation mitigation program relating to that project in coordination with St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes, the Old Arabi Neighborhood Association, and other interested parties.<br/>(Sec. 5084) Requires the Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, basin stakeholders conference convened by the EPA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on February 25, 2002, to be treated as being a management conference convened under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.<br/>(Sec. 5085) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to provide environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in the Southeast Louisiana Region. Sets forth cost-sharing and other requirements.<br/>(Sec. 5086) Modifies the project study for waterfront and riverine preservation, restoration, and enhancement, Mississippi River, West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, to add West Feliciana Parish and East Baton Rouge Parish to the study.<br/>(Sec. 5087) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a project for nonstructural flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration at Charlestown, Maryland.<br/>(Sec. 5088) Directs the Secretary to carry out a project for shoreline protection, St. Mary's River, Maryland.<br/>(Sec. 5089) Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with Massachusetts in the management and long-term monitoring of aquatic dredged material disposal sites within the state and to accept funds from the state to carry out such activities.<br/>(Sec. 5090) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study: (1) of shore damage in the vicinity of the navigation project at Ontonagon Harbor, Michigan; and (2) for a project for emergency streambank protection along the Red Lake River in Crookston, Minnesota.<br/>(Sec. 5093) Directs the Secretary to take specified actions regarding various projects in Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, and Ohio. (Sec. 5113) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in North Carolina.<br/>(Sec. 5118) Requires the costs of operation and maintenance for the Toussaint River Federal navigation project, Carroll Township, Ohio, that relate directly to the presence of unexploded ordnance to be carried out at federal expense.<br/>(Sec. 5119) Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance for the development of updates of the Oklahoma comprehensive water plan.<br/>(Sec. 5126) Increases funding for the Upper Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania and New York. (Sec. 5129) Makes changes to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Restoration Trust Fund, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Trust Funds, and the State of South Dakota Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Restoration Trust Fund, authorized in the WRDA of 1999.<br/>(Sec. 5130) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to provide environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in East Tennessee.<br/>(Sec. 5131) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the Fritz Landing Agricultural Spur Levee, Tennessee; and (2) plan, design, and construct a trail system at the J. Percy Priest Dam and Reservoir, Tennessee.<br/>(Sec. 5133) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in the ecosystem restoration, recreation, navigation, and flood damage reduction components of the Nashville Riverfront Concept Plan, dated February 2007.<br/>(Sec. 5134) Modifies the project for flood control at Nonconnah Creek, Tennessee and Mississippi.<br/>(Sec. 5135) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into a partnership with a nonprofit entity to remove debris from the Tennessee River near Knoxville, Tennessee; and (2) participate with nonfederal and nonprofit entities to address issues concerning managing groundwater as a sustainable resource through the Upper Mississippi Embayment, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.<br/>(Sec. 5136) Directs the Secretary to design and construct a flood damage reduction project in Town Creek, Lenoir City, Tennessee.<br/>(Sec. 5138) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to provide environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in Texas; and (2) develop a comprehensive plan for development of new technologies and innovative approaches for restoring, preserving, and protecting the Bosque River watershed, Texas.<br/>(Sec. 5140) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to provide environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in the Dallas County region, Texas.<br/>(Sec. 5141) Modifies: (1) the flood control project, Trinity River and tributaries, Texas; and (2) the flood damage reduction, environmental restoration, and recreation project, Johnson Creek, Arlington, Texas.<br/>(Sec. 5144) Directs the Secretary to: (1) include the costs and benefits associated with the relocation of flood-prone residences in the study area for the Onion Creek, Texas, project; (2) take specified actions related to the Connecticut River Dams, Vermont; (3) determine the feasibility of a dispersal barrier project at the Lake Champlain Canal, Vermont and New York, to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species; (4) accept funds from the National Park Service to restore Dyke Marsh, Fairfax County, Virginia, and to provide technical and project management assistance for the James River, Virginia; and (5) conduct a study of increased siltation in Baker Bay and Ilwaco Harbor, Washington.<br/>(Sec. 5151) Authorizes the Secretary to plan, design, and construct a campground for Bonneville Lock and Dam at Hamilton Island, Washington.<br/>(Sec. 5152) Modifies the Lower Columbia River levees and bank protection works with regard to the Wahkiakum County diking districts No. 1 and 3, Washington, to protect resources from further erosion.<br/>(Sec. 5153) Amends the WRDA of 1992, 1996, and 2000, regarding various projects in Washington, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, Central and Southern West Virginia, and regarding construction of flood control projects by nonfederal interests in California, Illinois, Louisiana, Texas, and Wisconsin.<br/>(Sec. 5158) Amends the WRDA of 1992 regarding additional assistance for critical projects in South Carolina, California, Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Virginia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, the Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and the Virgin Islands.<br/>Title VI: Florida Everglades - (Sec. 6001) Modifies the project for Hillsboro and Okeechobee Aquifer, Florida, to authorize the Secretary to carry out the project at a specified total cost.<br/>(Sec. 6002) Increases the authorization for the Everglades pilot projects authorized under the WRDA of 2000.<br/>(Sec. 6003) Modifies provisions regarding maximum costs of projects and program authority.<br/>(Sec. 6004) Authorizes credit for work on Everglades restoration projects carried out before the date of a partnership agreement between the Secretary and the non-federal sponsor and authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the non-federal sponsor to specify conditions relating to design and construction of such work.<br/>(Sec. 6005) Authorizes the Secretary to expend up to $3 million per fiscal year on outreach and assistance.<br/>(Sec. 6006) Increases the authorization for critical Everglades restoration projects authorized under the WRDA of 1996.<br/>(Sec. 6007) Directs the Secretary to complete the development and testing of the regional engineering model for environmental restoration as expeditiously as practicable.<br/>Title VII: Louisiana Coastal Area - (Sec. 7002) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a comprehensive plan, in coordination with the governor of Louisiana, for protecting, preserving, and restoring the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; (2) integrate the plan into the analysis and design of the comprehensive hurricane protection study authorized by the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2006; and (3) ensure that the plan is consistent with the goals, analysis, and design of the comprehensive coastal protection master plan authorized and defined pursuant to Act 8 of the First Extraordinary Session of the Louisiana State Legislature, 2005.<br/>Requires the comprehensive plan to include: (1) the framework of a long-term program integrated with hurricane and storm damage and flood damage reduction and navigation activities that provide for the comprehensive protection, conservation, and restoration of the wetlands, estuaries, barrier islands, shorelines, and related land and features of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; (2) the means by which a new technology, or an improved technique, can be integrated into the program; (3) the role of other federal and state agencies and programs in carrying out the program; (4) specific, measurable ecological success criteria by which success of the plan will be measured; (5) proposed projects in order of priority as determined by their potential to contribute to the creation of coastal wetlands and to flood protection of communities ranked by population density and level of protection; and (6) efforts by federal, state, and local interests to address sociological, economic, and related fields of law.<br/>(Sec. 7003) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a program for ecosystem restoration, Louisiana Coastal Area, substantially in accordance with the report of the Chief of Engineers, dated January 31, 2005. Directs the Secretary to give priority to specified projects.<br/>(Sec. 7004) Establishes the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force to make recommendations to the Secretary regarding: (1) policies, strategies, plans, programs, projects, and activities for addressing protection, conservation, and restoration of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; (2) financial participation by each agency represented on the Task Force in conserving, protecting, restoring, and maintaining the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; and (3) the comprehensive plan to be developed. Directs the Task Force to submit to Congress a biennial report on its activities. Authorizes the Task Force to establish working groups, including to advise the Task Force of opportunities with respect to areas in Louisiana for which a major disaster has been declared by the President as a result of Hurricane Katrina or Rita.<br/>(Sec. 7005) Directs the Secretary to: (1) review existing federally authorized water resources projects in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; and (2) carry out a coastal Louisiana ecosystem program.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified projects to resolve critical areas of scientific or technological uncertainty related to the implementation of the comprehensive plan developed for planning, design, and construction of all demonstration projects. Lists initial projects authorized. Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out such modifications as necessary to the ecosystem restoration features identified in the plan to address the impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the project; and (2) implement in the ecosystem a program for the beneficial use of material dredged from federally maintained waterway. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified additional projects if feasible.<br/>(Sec. 7007) Directs the Secretary to credit toward the non-federal share of study costs or projects authorized the cost of work carried out in the ecosystem by the non-federal interest before the date of the partnership agreement for the study or project that is integral to the study or project. Provides for periodic monitoring and audits.<br/>(Sec. 7008) Authorizes the Secretary to determine that: (1) a project or activity is justified by the environmental benefits derived by the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; and (2) no further economic justification is needed for a cost effective project or activity.<br/>(Sec. 7009) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish the Louisiana Water Resources Council, which shall serve as the exclusive peer review panel for projects under this title; (2) expedite completion of the reports for specified projects and, upon determining that a project is justified, proceed directly to project preconstruction engineering and design; and (3) report to specified committees on projects authorized and undertaken, the construction status of the projects, the cost to date and expected final cost of each, and the benefits and environmental impacts.<br/>(Sec. 7012) Authorizes the Secretary to take specified actions with respect to New Orleans and vicinity, including raising levee heights where necessary and reducing the risk of storm damage to the greater New Orleans metropolitan area by restoring the surrounding wetlands. (Sec. 7013) Terminates a portion of the navigation project, Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. (Sec. 7014) Directs the Secretary, regarding projects identified and analysis and design of comprehensive hurricane protection, to submit specific project recommendations in any report developed under the EWDAA.<br/>Authorizes the President, upon determining that a feature recommended in the analysis and design of comprehensive hurricane protection under the EWDAA could address an imminent threat to life and property, prevent a dangerous storm surge from reaching a populated area, prevent the loss of coastal areas that reduce the impact of storm surge, benefit national energy security, protect emergency hurricane evacuation routes or shelters, or address inconsistencies in hurricane protection standards, to submit a legislative proposal relating to the feature to the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate for authorization. Sets forth provisions regarding prioritization of projects. Makes any such proposal submitted by the President, beginning after December 31, 2008, eligible for expedited consideration.<br/>(Sec. 7015) Directs the Secretary to submit to the committees a report describing any modification required to the project for flood damage reduction, Larose to Golden Meadow, Louisiana, to achieve the certification necessary for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. Authorizes specified modifications, subject to committee approval of the report and other requirements.<br/>(Sec. 7016) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a project for flood damage reduction in Lower Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.<br/>Title VIII: Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Water-Way System - (Sec. 8002) Directs the Secretary to undertake navigation improvements and restoration of the ecosystem for the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Water System (River and System) substantially in accordance with the project for navigation and ecosystem improvements for the River and System's Report of the Chief of Engineers, dated December 15, 2004 (the Plan).<br/>(Sec. 8003) Directs the Secretary to: (1) construct mooring facilities at Locks 12, 14, 18, 20, 24, and LaGrange Lock; (2) provide switchboats at Locks 20 through 25; and (3) conduct development and testing of an appointment scheduling system. Directs the Secretary to construct new 1,200-foot locks at Locks 20, 21, 22, 24, and 25 on the Upper Mississippi River and at LaGrange Lock and Peoria Lock on the Illinois Waterway. (Sec. 8004) Directs the Secretary to: (1) modify, consistent with requirements to avoid adverse effects on navigation, the operation of the River and system to address cumulative environmental impacts and improve the ecological integrity of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers; and (2) carry out, consistent with such requirements, ecosystem restoration projects to attain and maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem of the Rivers in accordance with the general framework outlined in the Plan. Lists authorized ecosystem restoration projects.<br/>Sets the federal cost share of carrying out an ecosystem restoration project at 65%. Increases the federal share to 100% if the project is located below the ordinary high water mark or in a connected backwater, modifies the operation of structures for navigation, or is located on federally owned land. Directs the Secretary to carry out a long term resource monitoring, computerized data inventory and analysis, and applied research program for the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois River to determine trends in ecosystem health, to understand systemic changes, and to help identify restoration needs.<br/>Directs the Secretary, before initiating the construction of any individual ecosystem restoration project, to: (1) establish restoration goals and identify specific performance measures; (2) establish the without-project condition or baseline for each performance indicator; and (3) identify, for each separable element of the restoration, specific target goals for each performance indicator.<br/>Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of the Interior and the states of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin in carrying out the environmental sustainability, ecosystem restoration, and monitoring activities authorized in this section. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with the Secretary of the Interior, the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association, and natural resource and conservation agencies of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin to provide for the direct participation of, and transfer of funds to, such entities for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects and programs established by this section.<br/>Authorizes appropriations. Limits the total cost of any single project. Authorizes funds for monitoring. Directs the Secretary, by June 30, 2009, and every four years thereafter, to submit to specified congressional committees an implementation report that includes baselines, milestones, goals, and priorities for ecosystem restoration projects, and that measures the progress in meeting the goals. Directs the Secretary to appoint and convene an advisory panel to provide independent guidance in the development of each implementation report.<br/>(Sec. 8005) Directs the Secretary, in the course of conducting pre-engineering, design, and construction for projects authorized under this title, to: (1) select appropriate milestones; (2) determine whether the projects are being carried out at comparable rates; and (3) make annual reports to Congress regarding whether the projects are being carried out at a comparable rate. Requires adjustment of annual funding requests for projects, if the Secretary or Congress determines that authorized projects are not moving toward completion at a comparable rate, to ensure that the projects move toward completion at a comparable rate in the future.<br/>Title IX: National Levee Safety Program - National Levee Safety Act of 2007 - (Sec. 9003) Establishes a Committee on Levee Safety which shall develop recommendations for a national levee safety program and report to specified congressional committees. Requires the Committee to ensure that the program meets specified goals, including: (1) ensuring the protection of human life and property by levees through the development of technologically, economically, socially, and environmentally feasible programs and procedures for hazard reduction and mitigation relating to levees; (2) encouraging use of the best available engineering policies and procedures for levee site investigation, design, construction, operation, and maintenance, and emergency preparedness; (3) encouraging the establishment and implementation of an effective national levee safety program that may be delegated to qualified states for implementation; and (4) building public awareness of the residual risks associated with living in levee protected areas.<br/>(Sec. 9004) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and maintain a database with an inventory of the nation's levees; (2) establish an inventory and conduct an inspection of all federally owned and operated levees; and (3) establish an inventory and conduct an inspection of all federally constructed, non-federally operated and maintained levees at the original cost share for the project.<br/>(Sec. 9006) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2013.<br/>

1194584400 2007-11-09 Thu Nov 06 20:04:59 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 5 92 42149 Mon Oct 01 16:59:00 -0500 2007 true 2904 3 359 144 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 1585 as Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Mon Oct 01 17:50:04 -0500 2007 senate h 1207 42149 1174363200 false 1197656760 1200440460 305 1585 18891 110 400377

12/6/2007--Conference report filed in House. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; and (2) National Guard and reserve equipment. Subtitle B: Army Programs - (Sec. 111) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, beginning with the FY2008 program year, to enter into a multiyear contract for procurement of: (1) M1A2 Abrams system enhancement package upgrades; (2) M2A3/M3A3 Bradley fighting vehicle upgrades; (3) conversion of CH-47D helicopters to the CH-47F configuration; and (4) CH-47F helicopters. (Sec. 115) Places an FY2008 limitation on the obligation or expenditure of funds for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical program until the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation makes certain certifications concerning such program to the congressional defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 116) Prohibits the use of specified Army procurement funds to close the production line for the Army Tactical Missile System program until after the Secretary of the Army submits to the defense and appropriations committees: (1) a certification that the missions of such System can be performed by other weapons systems; and (2) a plan to mitigate any shortfalls in the industrial base that would be created by such closure. (Sec. 117) Prohibits Army weapons and tracked combat vehicle funds from being obligated or expended for procurement of the Stryker Mobile Gun System until 30 days after the Secretary of the Army certifies to Congress its operational effectiveness in anticipated deployment missions. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to waive such certification requirement in the national security interest, after congressional notification. Subtitle C: Navy Programs - (Sec. 121) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, beginning with the FY2009 program year, to enter into multiyear contracts for procurement of Virginia-class submarines and government-furnished equipment. Prohibits such Secretary from entering into such a contract until 30 days after certification to the defense and appropriations committees with respect to contract specifications. (Sec. 122) Directs the Secretary of the Navy to: (1) study the effectiveness of current financing mechanisms for providing incentives for contractors to make shipbuilding capital expenditures, and to assess potential capital incentives that would lead to ship construction or life-cycle cost savings to the government; and (2) report study results to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 123) Expresses the sense of Congress that the preservation of a robust domestic skilled workforce is required for the national shipbuilding infrastructure and essential to the construction of Navy ships. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to: (1) determine the average number of H2B visa workers employed by the major shipbuilders in the construction of Navy ships during 2007; and (2) report results to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 124) Requires the Secretary of the Navy to: (1) report to the defense and appropriations committees the results of any shipbuilding production readiness review; and (2) certify to such committees that the findings of any such review support commencement of shipbuilding construction. (Sec. 125) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2006 to outline specified costs and government liability limits under the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship program, including a cost limit of $460 million per vessel. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to adjust such limit by the amounts of: (1) increases or decreases in costs attributable to compliance with changes in federal, state, or local laws enacted after September 30, 2007; and (2) outfitting costs and costs required to complete post-delivery test and trials. Subtitle D: Air Force Programs - (Sec. 131) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of certain funds for the Joint Cargo Aircraft until 30 days after the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) has submitted specified assessments and studies, and a related certification, to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 133) Amends the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Warner Act) to repeal the requirement that the Secretary of the Air Force maintain retired C-130E tactical airlift aircraft for possible recall. Makes such repeal effective 30 days after such Secretary submits a required fleet mix analysis study to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 134) Prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from retiring C-130E/H tactical airlift aircraft during FY2008. Provides an exception for up to 24 C-130E aircraft, as long as such Secretary: (1) maintains the aircraft in a condition that would allow their recall to future service; and (2) submits the fleet mix analysis study to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 135) Prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from retiring more than 48 KC-135E aerial refueling aircraft in FY2008. Authorizes such Secretary to retire up to 37 more of such aircraft during FY2008, after a specified certification to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 136) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to transfer to the government of Iraq not more than three C-130E tactical airlift aircraft which were allowed to be retired under theWarner Act. (Sec. 137) Requires the Secretary of the Air Force to maintain a primary B-52 bomber aircraft inventory of 63, a backup inventory of 11, and an attrition reserve inventory of at least two. Increases from 45 to 60 days the required prior notification to the defense committees before Department of Defense (DOD) funds may be used for the retirement of any such aircraft. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for the Armed Forces for RDT&amp;amp;E. Earmarks specified amounts for the Defense Science and Technology Program. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary of the Army to complete an operational test and evaluation of the Future Combat Systems (FCS) network in a realistic environment simulating operational conditions. Requires a test and evaluation report from the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (OTE) to the defense and appropriations committees. Provides certain FCS funding limitations until submission of such report (with an authorized waiver of such limitations by the Secretary of Defense for national security purposes). Excludes the non-line-of-sight cannon from the funding limitations. (Sec. 212) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of more than 50% of the funds for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle for the acquisition program phase of systems development and demonstration for FY2008 and thereafter until the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (Under Secretary) certifies program compliance to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary to ensure the obligation and expenditure in FY2008 and thereafter of sufficient amounts under the Joint Strike Fighter program for the development and procurement of two options for the propulsion system for such Fighter. (Sec. 214) Prohibits funds from being used for the defense-wide manufacturing science and technology program until the Director of Defense Research and Engineering makes certain project assurances. (Sec. 215) Earmarks specified funds for transfer to the Advanced Sensor Applications program. States that program management shall reside within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence until certain conditions are met. (Sec. 216) Requires the Secretary to: (1) undertake live-fire tests and a comprehensive assessment of foreign and domestic active protection systems suitable for protecting wheeled tactical vehicles for the consideration of the adoption of such systems in defense acquisition programs; and (2) report to the defense and appropriations committees on such tests and assessment. Subtitle C: Missile Defense Programs - (Sec. 221) Requires the Director of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to make available to the OTE Director the results of all tests and evaluations conducted by the MDA. (Sec. 222) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) to carry out an independent study to examine, and make recommendations with respect to, the current and future structure, roles, and missions of the MDA. Requires a results report from the FFRDC to the defense committees. Provides funding. (Sec. 223) Requires the budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the DOD budget for any fiscal year after 2009 to set forth separately requested amounts for the MDA for: (1) RDT&amp;amp;E; (2) procurement; (3) operation and maintenance; and (4) military construction. Revises the MDA budget structure for FY2009. States that funds appropriated for FY2009 for RDT&amp;amp;E for the MDA: (1) may be used for the development and fielding of ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities; and (2) may not be used for military construction or procurement or advance procurement of long lead items. Requires the MDA Director to submit to the defense committees a plan for transitioning the MDA from using exclusively RDT&amp;amp;E funds to using procurement, military construction, operation and maintenance (O&amp;amp;M), and RDT&amp;amp;E funds for appropriate budget activities, and for transitioning from incremental funding to full funding for fiscal years after 2010. Outlines objectives for MDA acquisition activities. Specifies BMD system elements. (Sec. 224) Prohibits funds from being obligated or expended to replace the unitary warhead on the SM-3 Block IIA missile with the Multiple Kill Vehicle until after the Secretary makes certain certifications to Congress. (Sec. 225) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2002 to extend through FY2013 Comptroller General (CG) assessments of BMD programs. (Sec. 226) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds for the procurement, construction, or deployment of a long-range missile defense system in Europe until specified conditions have been met, including that: (1) the governments of the countries in which major components of the system are proposed to be deployed have each given final approval to any agreements concerning the proposed deployment; and (2) the Secretary has certified to Congress the reliability of the proposed interceptor to be deployed. Directs the Secretary to select a FFRDC to conduct an independent assessment of options for ballistic missile defense for forward deployed forces of the United States and its allies in Europe. Requires the FFRDC to report assessment results to the Secretary and the defense and appropriations committees. Provides funding. (Sec. 227) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should have an active program of BMD cooperation with Israel, and should take steps to improve the coordination, interoperability, and integration of their mutual BMD capabilities. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on the status of missile defense cooperation between the two countries. (Sec. 228) Prohibits funds from being obligated or expended to deploy more than 40 ground-based interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska, until the Secretary certifies to Congress that the Block 2006 ground-based midcourse defense element of the BMD system has demonstrated a high probability of working in an effective manner. (Sec. 229) States that it is the policy of the United States to: (1) develop, test, and deploy an effective defense against the threat of Iranian ballistic missiles; (2) encourage the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to accelerate efforts to protect its territory against the threat of Iranian short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, and to acquire missile defense systems needed to protect against such threat; and (3) make such missile defenses fielded by the United States in Europe integrated with or complimentary to such missile defenses fielded there by NATO. Subtitle D: Other Matters - (Sec. 231) Directs the Secretary to: (1) coordinate and manage human systems integration activities throughout DOD acquisition programs; and (2) designate a senior DOD official to be responsible for such effort. (Sec. 232) Authorizes DOD laboratory and research centers to make available to any person or entity facilities, services, and equipment of any government laboratory or research center in order to promote accelerated development of critical technologies and technology transfer initiatives that support DOD, as long as the facilities, services, and equipment provided will not be in direct competition with the domestic private sector. (Sec. 233) Modifies the cost-sharing requirement under the Technology Transition Initiative. (Sec. 234) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on implementation of the technologies and processes developed under the Manufacturing Technology Program. (Sec. 235) Requires the OTE Director to assess and report on the sufficiency of such Director's test and evaluation staff. (Sec. 236) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2006 to repeal the requirement for reports from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on each technology area review and assessment. (Sec. 237) Reduces from 30 to 7 days after notification of the defense and appropriations committees the wait required before the obligation of funds for the foreign comparative test program. (Sec. 238) Directs the Secretary to develop, and update on a biennial basis, a strategic plan for the Manufacturing Technology program. (Sec. 239) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 1995 to authorize (current law requires) all solicitations under the Defense Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research to be made to, and awards made through, the state committees established for such Program. (Sec. 240) Amends the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (Stump Act) to: (1) revise program purposes under the defense nanotechnology research and development program; (2) replace the Director of Defense Research and Engineering with the Under Secretary as the program's administrator; (3) include under program activities the development of a strategic plan for the National Nanotechnology Initiative; and (4) require the Under Secretary to report on the program to the defense and appropriations committees in each of 2009, 2011, and 2013. (Sec. 241) Directs the Secretary to: (1) utilize a FFRDC to conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of the Defense Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research; and (2) report assessment results to the defense committees. (Sec. 242) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed funding reduction for the high energy laser systems test facility. (Sec. 243) Requires the: (1) Secretary to submit to the defense and appropriations committees a research, development, and testing plan for prompt global strike program objectives for FY2008-FY2013; and (2) Under Secretary to submit to such committees a plan for the obligation and expenditure of funds available for such program for FY2008. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for O&amp;amp;M for the Armed Forces and specified activities and agencies of DOD. Subtitle B: Environmental Provisions - (Sec. 311) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer specified funds to the Moses Lake Wellfield Superfund Site Special Account to reimburse the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for costs incurred in overseeing a remedial investigation and feasibility study performed by the Army. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer specified funds to the Hazardous Substance Superfund to reimburse the EPA for costs incurred in connection with the Arctic Surplus Superfund Site, Fairbanks, Alaska. (Sec. 313) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer specified funds to the Hazardous Substance Superfund to pay a stipulated penalty assessed by the EPA against the Jackson Park Housing Complex, Washington. (Sec. 314) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on current and planned future actions to control the brown tree snake (an invasive species currently on Guam) and to ensure that it is not introduced into Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the continental United States as a result of the movement from Guam of military aircraft, personnel, and cargo, including household goods. (Sec. 315) Requires the Secretary of the Navy to identify and notify directly any individuals who were served by the Tarawa Terrace water distribution system at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, during the years 1958 through 1987 that they may have been exposed to drinking water contaminated with tetrachloroethylene (PCE). Requires such Secretary to also: (1) notify individuals who were served by the Hadnot Point water distribution system of contaminated drinking water to which they may have been exposed; and (2) identify and notify directly civilian employees who worked at Camp Lejeune during the period identified in the study by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) of the drinking water contamination to which they may have been exposed. Requires the ATSDR to develop a health survey of individuals possibly contaminated, to be distributed by the Secretary of the Navy in connection with the required notifications. Subtitle C: Workplace and Depot Issues - (Sec. 321) Allows funds in the Defense Information Systems Agency Working Capital Fund to be used for expenses directly related to technology upgrades to the Defense Information Systems Network, with limitations. Requires an annual report on the use of such authority from the Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency to the defense and appropriations committees. Terminates the authority on October 1, 2011. (Sec. 322) Requires, with respect to public-private competition requirements prior to the conversion to contractor performance of certain functions currently performed by DOD civilian employees, a comparison of retirement system costs relating to employer-sponsored health insurance plans. Requires consultation with affected DOD employees by DOD officers making such conversion determinations. (Sec. 323) Prohibits a military department or defense agency from being required to conduct such a public-private competition at the end of the period specified in the performance agreement for any DOD function performed by DOD civilian employees. Sec. 324) Directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to devise and implement guidelines and procedures to ensure that consideration is given to regularly using DOD civilian employees to perform new functions and functions performed by contractors which could be performed by such employees. Requires special consideration to be given for certain functions, including: (1) one performed by civilian DOD employees at any time during the previous ten years; and (2) one associated with the performance of an inherently governmental function. Provides limitations on competitions for new and expanded functions. Requires: (1) DOD to identify functions currently performed by contractors that could be performed by DOD civilian employees; and (2) the DOD Inspector General to report to the defense and appropriations committees on the implementation of this section. (Sec. 325) Prohibits the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from directing or requiring the Secretary or the Secretary of the military department concerned (Secretary concerned) to prepare for, undertake, continue, or complete a public-private competition or direct conversion of a DOD function to performance by a contractor under OMB Circular A-76, or any other successor regulation, directive, or policy. Prohibits any such Secretary from undertaking such action on behalf of OMB. Requires the DOD Inspector General to: (1) review all of the Secretaries' compliance with such prohibition; and (2) make an interim and final report to the defense and appropriations committees on review results. (Sec. 326) Includes as an &quot;interested party&quot; for purposes of submitting bid protests with respect to public-private competitions conducted under OMB Circular A-76: (1) any official who submitted the agency tender in such competition; and (2) any individual representing the federal employees engaged in the performance of the activity or function for which the public-private competition is conducted in a protest that relates to such competition. Provides for expedited action in such protests, and authorizes an interested party to intervene in any related civil action. (Sec. 327) Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (OFPPA) to prohibit any function of an executive agency performed by ten or more agency civilian employees from being converted to performance by a contractor unless the conversion is based on the results of a public-private competition that, among other things: (1) formally compares the cost of performance by agency employees with the cost of performance by a contractor; and (2) would require continued performance by agency personnel unless the cost difference the lesser of 10% of the personnel-related costs of performance or $10 million. Requires each employee determining whether such performance should be converted to consult with affected agency civilian employees at least monthly during such determination. Requires the head of an executive agency, before commencing a required public-private competition, to report to Congress certain information with respect to such competition. Exempts from the public-private competition requirements procurements of products and services of the blind and other severely handicapped persons. Makes such requirements inapplicable during a period of war or national emergency. (Sec. 328) Extends through FY2014 the authority for Army industrial facilities to engage in cooperative activities with non-Army entities to carry out specified military or commercial projects. Requires: (1) annual reports from the Secretary of the Army to Congress on the use of such authority; and (2) a one-time report from such Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on the advisability of making such authority permanent and eliminating the limitation on the number of contracts that may be entered into under such authority. (Sec. 329) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2004 to authorize the Secretary concerned to carry out a demonstration project under which workers who are certified at the journey level as able to perform multiple trades are promoted one grade level. Extends the multi-trades demonstration project under such Act through FY2013. Requires such Secretaries to recommend whether the multi-trade authority should become permanent. (Sec. 330) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to use an Army working capital fund for a product improvement pilot program on the procurement and installation of a component or subsystem of a weapon system platform or major end item that would improve the reliability, extend the useful life, enhance safety, lower maintenance costs, or provide performance enhancement of the platform or end item. Requires the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology to: (1) report annually to the defense and appropriations committees on the use of such authority; and (2) recommend whether the authority should be made permanent. Subtitle D: Extension of Program Authorities - (Sec. 341) Amends the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Spence Act) to extend through FY2010 the arsenal support demonstration program (and a related report requirement). (Sec. 342) Amends the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Reagan Act) to: (1) allow members of the Armed Forces deployed in contingency operations until the end of FY2007 to purchase protective helmet pads; and (2) give such members up to one year following such purchase to submit a cost reimbursement claim to DOD. (Sec. 343) Amends the Stump Act to extend through FY2012 the temporary authority for the contractor performance of DOD security guard functions. Subtitle E: Reports - (Sec. 351) Requires: (1) information concerning the use of National Guard equipment to respond to domestic emergencies or major disasters to be included in an annual report from the Secretary to Congress on National Guard and reserve personnel equipment; (2) an assessment of National Guard readiness to support the National Response Plan for support to civil authorities to be included in quarterly National Guard personnel and unit readiness reports; and (3) a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on the implementation of this section. (Sec. 352) Requires the Secretary to report annually to the defense and appropriations committees on the status of the materiel in the prepositioned stocks as of the end of the prior fiscal year. Directs the CG, until the end of FY2015, to review each report and report review results to such committees. (Sec. 353) Amends the Warner Act to include, in a required report, the reporting of additional incremental costs resulting from the deployment and redeployment of forces to Iraq and Afghanistan above the levels deployed to such countries on January 1, 2007. (Sec. 354) Amends the Warner Act to extend and expand the elements required in a report from the CG relating to readiness of Army and Marine Corps ground forces. (Sec. 355) Requires the Secretary to report annually to the defense and appropriations committees on improving the readiness of active and reserve components of U.S. ground forces. Directs the CG, for the first five years of the Secretary's reports, to review each report and report review results to such committees. (Sec. 356) Directs the Secretary to provide for an independent assessment of the viability of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, to be conducted by a FFRDC selected by the Secretary. Requires the: (1) Secretary to report assessment results to the defense and appropriations committees; and (2) CG to review the independent assessment. (Sec. 357) Requires a report from the DOD Inspector General to Congress on the physical security of DOD installations and resources. (Sec. 358) Directs the Secretary to: (1) review DOD training requirements for helicopter operations in high-altitude or power-limited conditions; and (2) report review results to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 359) Requires: (1) annual reports, in each of 2008 through 2010, from the Secretary of the Air Force to the defense and appropriations committees on efforts made by all the military departments utilizing the Warren Grove Gunnery Range, New Jersey, to provide the highest level of safety; and (2) such Secretary to submit to such committees a master plan for the Range. (Sec. 360) Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to report to specified congressional committees on Air Force search and rescue capabilities in the northwestern United States. (Sec. 361) Requires the: (1) Secretary to report to Congress on the relocation of the North American Aerospace Defense Command Center and related functions from Cheyenne Mountain Air Station, Colorado, to Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; (2) CG to submit to Congress a review of such report; and (3) Secretary of the Air Force to submit to Congress a master infrastructure recapitalization plan for the Cheyenne Mountain Station. Subtitle F: Other Matters - (Sec. 371) Replaces provisions requiring the Secretary to designate a DOD officer, employee, or standing board or committee as the official or organization responsible for the prevention and mitigation of corrosion of DOD military equipment and infrastructure with provisions establishing an Office of Corrosion Policy and Oversight (headed by a Director) within the Office of the Under Secretary. Gives the Director additional authorities relating to the oversight of corrosion-related training, the development of directives, and interaction with non-DOD corrosion prevention activities, organizations, and research institutions. Includes the use of cooperative corrosion research agreements within the DOD corrosion reduction strategy. Requires annual reports from the Secretary and the CG concerning the use of DOD funds for corrosion prevention and mitigation activities. (Sec. 372) Authorizes DOD to provide assistance for: (1) a sporting event sanctioned by the U.S. Olympic Committee through the Paralympic Military Program; or (2) certain national or international paralympic sporting events. Limits to $1 million the total amount of such assistance per fiscal year. (Sec. 373) Authorizes the Secretary to require compliance with reasonable conditions before a member or DOD civilian employee receives full replacement value for personal property lost or damaged while being transported at government expense. (Sec. 374) Requires the Secretary to provide transportation on DOD aircraft, on a space-available basis, for a member or former member who: (1) is entitled to retired or retainer pay; (2) resides in a commonwealth or possession of the United States; and (3) is referred by a primary care physician to a specialty care provider for services to be provided outside that commonwealth or possession. Requires the Secretary to provide such transportation for one dependent of each member, if the dependent is needed to accompany the member. (Sec. 375) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to prescribe regulations for the accounting of property of that department and the fixing of responsibility for that property. Prohibits any member from selling or giving any clothing, arms, or equipment furnished by the United States to any person other than another member of the Armed Forces, or to an officer authorized to receive it. Authorizes the seizure of property improperly sold or given away. (Sec. 376) Permits the Secretary concerned to allow members who have been deployed in support of a contingency operation for at least 30 days to retain combat uniforms and individual equipment issued to that member. (Sec. 377) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to issue arms, tentage, and equipment appropriate for military training to any educational institution at which no unit of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is maintained, but which has a course in military training attended by at least 50 physically fit students over 14 years of age. Authorizes such Secretary to issue: (1) rifles and appendages that are not existing service models to any educational institution having a uniformed corps of midshipmen of sufficient numbers for target practice; and (2) to any educational institution at which a naval officer is detailed as a professor of naval science, necessary supplies to establish and maintain a camp for the military instruction of students. (Sec. 378) Extends through 2013 the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to provide insurance and reinsurance for commercial air carriers supporting DOD transportation activities. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - (Sec. 401) Sets forth authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY2008. (Sec. 402) Revises the permanent active-duty end strength minimum levels for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. (Sec. 403) Authorizes the Secretary, for FY2009 and FY2010, to establish specified higher levels for Army and Marine Corps active-duty end strengths in order to support operational missions and achieve transformational reorganization objectives. (Sec. 404) Increases the authorized end strengths for: (1) Army officers on active duty in the grade of major; and (2) Navy officers on active duty in the grades of lieutenant commander, commander, and captain. (Sec. 406) Authorizes an increase in the maximum authorized daily average of active-duty enlisted members in pay grade E-9 from 1% to 1.25% of the enlisted force. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - (Sec. 411) Sets forth authorized end strengths as of the end of FY2008 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 413) Sets forth minimum end strengths for FY2008 for Army and Air Force dual status military technicians. (Sec. 414) Provides a FY2008 limitation on the number of non-dual status Army and Air Force military technicians. (Sec. 415) Sets, during FY2008, the maximum number of reserve personnel authorized to be on active duty for operational support. (Sec. 416) Directs the Secretary to conduct, and report to Congress on, a review of the long-term operational support missions performed by reserve personnel authorized to be on active duty or full-time National Guard duty to provide such support. Requires information on such support personnel to be included in the annual budget justification documents submitted to Congress for FY2009 and thereafter. (Sec. 417) Increases from 2% to 3% the authorized fiscal year variance in end strengths for Selected Reserve personnel. Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 421) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for military personnel. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - (Sec. 501) Allows officers serving as a lieutenant general, general, vice admiral, or admiral to continue to hold such position for up to 60 days following reassignment from such position, unless placed sooner in another designated position. (Sec. 502) Excludes from active-duty general and flag officer end strength limitations certain reserve general and flag officers serving on active duty for not more than 365 days. (Sec. 503) Increases from five to six years the probationary period of commissioned service for active duty and reserve officers prior to discharge for failure of promotion. (Sec. 505) Authorizes the Secretary to waive the eight-year minimum service obligation in the case of initial appointments of commissioned officers in critically short health professional specialties. Makes such minimum service period two years or the period of obligated service associated with receipt of an accession bonus or special pay. (Sec. 506) Allows regular Army and Air Force officers (under current law, allows only reserve officers) to reenlist (under certain conditions) in their former enlisted grade. (Sec. 507) Increases from 22 to 28 the authorized number of permanent professors at the U.S. Military Academy. (Sec. 508) Authorizes the promotion of Navy career military professors to the grade of captain or colonel. Requires a competitive selection board process to identify those best qualified for promotion. Requires a report to the defense and appropriations committees from the Secretary of: (1) Defense assessing the effectiveness of the revised promotion system; and (2) the Navy on the Navy's utilization of exemptions from authorized officer end strength limits, as well as projections for use of additional exemptions, with respect to such military professors. Subtitle B: Reserve Component Management - (Sec. 511) Allows a military technician who loses dual (military and civilian) status as the result of a combat-related disability to be retained as a non-dual status technician as long as: (1) the disability does not prevent the person from performing the non-dual status function or position; and (2) the person is not disqualified from performing the non-dual status function or position because of performance, medical, or other reasons. Requires removal from such position no later than 30 days after becoming eligible for an unreduced annuity and attaining 60 years of age. (Sec. 512) Provides that if the Secretary determines that the number of officers serving in specified health positions within DOD while serving on active status in grades below major or lieutenant commander is critically below the number needed, then the Secretary may authorize the Secretary concerned to credit a person receiving an original appointment as an officer serving in such a health position with a period of constructive service that will result in the grade of captain or lieutenant. (Sec. 513) Requires reserve officers serving as a lieutenant general or vice admiral to be separated from active status on the later of: (1) 30 days after completing 38 years of commissioned service; or (2) five years after appointment to such grade. (Sec. 514) Extends from six months to one year the period that National Guard members may be granted temporary federal recognition. (Sec. 515) Directs the Secretary to ensure that a reserve member who will be called or ordered to active duty for a period of more than 30 days in support of a contingency operation is given a minimum of 30 days' advance notice, with a goal of providing 90 days' advance notice. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such requirement, or provide a shorter notice, during a war or national emergency or to meet mission requirements. (Sec. 516) Requires the CG to study, and report to the defense committees on, the difficulties of National Guard or reserve personnel to maintain professional or other licensure or certification requirements while on active duty for an extended period of time. Subtitle C: Education and Training - (Sec. 521) Revises DOD authority to pay tuition expenses for off-duty training or education to authorize the Secretaries concerned to pay tuition assistance to certain members who serve in critical occupational specialties and agree to a specified period of additional service in the Individual Ready Reserve or Selected Reserve . Directs the Secretary to carry out, and report to the defense committees on, a study of the tuition assistance program. (Sec. 522) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to modify requirements entered into by cadets in the ROTC who participate in the Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship program to allow the member to meet previously-required reserve service commitments by fulfilling active-duty service commitments as a physician upon graduation from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. (Sec. 523) Repeals the 416-person annual limit on the number of ROTC scholarships authorized under the Army Reserve and Army National Guard financial assistance program. (Sec. 524) Allows medical students at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and participants in military health professions scholarship and financial assistance programs who have prior active service to continue, while attending medical classes, to receive basic pay based on their former grade and years of service if that pay would be greater than the rate for regular officers in the grade of second lieutenant or ensign. Assigns any commissioned officer detailed to attend medical school to the grade of second lieutenant or ensign while in such school (while allowing pay at a higher rate if their former rate of pay was higher than the second lieutenant or ensign rate). (Sec. 525) Repeals a provision prohibiting any phased increase in cadet end strength limits at the U.S. Military Academy after the 2007-2008 academic year. (Sec. 526) Authorizes the National Defense University to award a master of arts degree in strategic security studies to graduates fulfilling requirements at the School for National Security Executive Education. (Sec. 527) Authorizes the commander of the Air University to award the degree of master of science in flight test engineering to graduates of the Air Force Test Pilot School. (Sec. 528) Authorizes payment on an accelerated basis of educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve, or reserve members supporting contingency and certain combat operations, who are: (1) enrolled in an approved program of education not exceeding two years and not leading to an associate, bachelor, masters, or other degree; and (2) charged tuition and fees that exceed 200% of the monthly rate of educational assistance allowance otherwise payable for members of the Selected Reserve. Sets the authorized amount of such assistance at the lesser of: (1) 60% of the established charges for that program of education; or (2) the aggregate amount of educational assistance to which the person remains entitled. Requires such accelerated payments to be charged against any remaining educational assistance of such members. Authorizes educational assistance for reserve members supporting contingency and certain combat operations if such members accumulate three years of such service. (Current law allows such educational assistance for such members who perform two or more continuous years of such service.) Allows reserve members eligible for educational assistance to contribute additional amounts in order to receive an increased amount of such assistance. (Sec. 529) Entitles to educational assistance certain members of the Selected Reserve affected by force shaping initiatives during FY2007-FY2014. (Sec. 530) Allows a person who separates from the Selected Reserve after completion of active service in support of contingency and certain other operations under other than dishonorable conditions up to ten years after such separation to utilize their authorized educational assistance entitlement. Allows such a person who then reenters the Selected Reserve to utilize their entitlement for up to ten years following the subsequent separation. (Sec. 531) Requires the Secretary to: (1) carry out an evaluation of the degree-granting authorities of certain military universities and educational institutions; and (2) report evaluation results to the defense committees. (Sec. 532) Directs the Secretary of the Army to report to the defense committees on the success of the Senior ROTC financial assistance program in securing the appointment of second lieutenants in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. (Sec. 533) Requires a report from the Secretary of each military department to the defense and appropriations committees on the utilization of tuition assistance during FY2007 by military personnel of that department. (Sec. 534) Allows three named high schools in Suffolk County, New York, to be treated as a single institution for purposes of maintaining a Navy Junior ROTC unit. (Sec. 535) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense, appropriations, and veterans committees on the transfer from DOD to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of the administration of certain educational assistance programs for members of the reserves. Requires: (1) a review of such report, before report submission, by the Defense Board and the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Education; and (2) a CG assessment of the report as submitted. Subtitle D: Military Justice and Legal Assistance Matters - (Sec. 541) Allows the Secretary concerned to provide legal assistance to: (1) survivors of deceased members or former members who were dependents of the member or former member at their time of death; and (2) civilian federal employees in locations where legal assistance from non-military providers is not reasonably available. (Sec. 542) Authorizes judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces to administer oaths. (Sec. 543) Requires judge advocate generals to serve in the grade of lieutenant genera or vice admiral. Redesignates assistant judge advocate generals as deputy judge advocate generals. Increases from 15.7 to 16.3 the percentage of general officers or admirals in a military department that may be appointed above the grade of major general or rear admiral. Excludes such judges from end strength limits for officers serving in grades above major general or rear admiral. Establishes a Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Directs the Secretary to develop, and report to the defense committees on, a strategic plan linking DOD missions and requirements for general and flag officers with statutory limits on the numbers of such officers, and current assignment, promotion, and joint officer development policies for such officers. (Sec. 544) Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations to prohibit the active participation of military personnel in street gangs. Subtitle E: Military Leave - (Sec. 551) Increases from 60 to 75, for all military personnel, the number of days of accumulated leave they may carry over from one fiscal year to the next. Terminates such authority on December 31, 2010. Allows personnel serving in support of contingency operations an additional fiscal year after the current fiscal year to retain (without losing) any accumulated leave in excess of 90 days. Allows enlisted personnel who have accumulated more than 120 days of leave to sell back, on a one-time basis, up to 30 days of any leave in excess of the 120-day limit. (Sec. 552) Authorizes the payment of rest and recuperative leave for up to 20 days for members with a specialty designated by the Secretary concerned whose qualifying tour of duty is longer than 12 months. Subtitle F: Decorations and Awards - (Sec. 561) Authorizes and requests the President to award the Medal of Honor to: (1) Leslie H. Sabo, Jr., for acts of valor during the Vietnam War; (2) Henry Svehla for acts of valor during the Korean War; (3) Woodrow W. Keeble for acts of valor during the Korean War; (4) Private Philip G. Shadrach for acts of valor during the Civil War; and (5) Private George D. Wilson for acts of valor during the Civil War. Subtitle G: Impact Aid and Defense Dependents Education System - (Sec. 571) Earmarks specified FY2008 DOD O&amp;amp;M funds for the continuation of DOD assistance to local educational agencies (Leas) that have significant numbers of military dependent students or experience significant enrollment changes due to base closures, force structure changes, or force relocations. (Sec. 572) Earmarks specified DOD O&amp;amp;M funds for impact aid for children with severe disabilities under provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. (Sec. 573) Amends the Warner Act to include dependents of non-DOD employees employed on federal property in the plan and annual reports required to identify and assist Leas experiencing growth in enrollment due to force structure changes, relocation of military units, or base closures and realignments. (Sec. 574) Amends the Defense Dependents' Education Act of 1978 to authorize the Secretary to pay private boarding school tuition for military dependents in overseas areas not served by the defense dependents' school system. Subtitle H: Military Families- (Sec. 581) Establishes the Department of Defense Military Family Readiness Council to provide certain advisory, monitoring, and assessment services with respect to DOD military family readiness programs and activities. Requires annual reports from the Council to the Secretary and the defense and appropriations committees. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop policy and plans for DOD for the support of military family readiness; and (2) report annually to the defense and appropriations committees on the policy developed. (Sec. 582) Directs the Secretary to establish a national combat veteran reintegration program (to be known as the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program) to provide National Guard members and their families with information, services, referral, and outreach opportunities throughout the entire deployment cycle. Requires the program to consist of informational events and activities for such members, their families, and community members through the following phases of the deployment cycle: (1) pre-deployment; (2) deployment; (3) demobilization; and (4) post-deployment-reconstitution. Requires the: (1) Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to establish the Office for Reintegration Programs to administer state National Guard reintegration programs; (2) Office to establish a Center for Excellence in Reintegration; (3) Secretary to appoint an advisory board to analyze and report areas of success and areas for necessary improvements; and (4) advisory board to submit an initial and annual report to the defense committees. Describes each deployment phase and authorized activities during such phase. Provides Program funding (with an equivalent offset). Authorizes the Office to develop outreach programs for members and their families concerning assistance and services available under the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. (Sec. 583) Requires the Secretary to: (1) study and assess the most effective means to enhance and improve support programs for families of deployed members before, during, and after deployment; and (2) report study results to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 584) Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to include child custody proceedings under provisions of such Act which provide certain servicemember protection against default judgments and allow for a stay of proceedings in the case of members deployed in support of a contingency operation. (Sec. 585) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow the use of leave for any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the spouse, son, daughter, or parent of an employee is on active duty (or has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty) in the Armed Forces in support of a contingency operation. Extends such Act to provide leave to employees who are the spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin of a seriously injured service member, in order to care for the member. Extends from 12 to 26 workweeks the leave time available for caregivers of seriously injured servicemembers. Allows an affected employer to require that a request for such leave be supported by a certification of its necessity. (Sec. 586) Directs the Secretary to develop procedures to ensure that an adequate family care plan is in place for a single parent, or dual military couples with minor dependents, when the member or members are deployed to an area in which imminent danger pay is authorized. Allows such members to request a deferment of such a deployment due to unforeseen circumstances. (Sec. 587) Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of the availability of federal, state, and local education and treatment services on and in the vicinity of a covered military installation for the children of members who are diagnosed with autism; and (2) conduct a review of best practices in the United States with respect to the provision of such services. Requires the Secretary concerned to provide case managers and individualized service plans to affected members. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct and evaluate one or more demonstration projects to evaluate various approaches to the provision of such services, and to utilize a corporate services provider model. Requires reports from the Secretary to: (1) the defense and appropriations committees identifying covered military installations; and (2) the defense committees on any demonstration projects conducted. (Sec. 588) Expresses the sense of Congress that the people of the United States owe the deepest gratitude toward Kaziah M. Hancock and the members of Project Compassion, who have presented over 700 museum-quality original oil portraits to the families of members of the Armed Forces who have died during active duty since September 11, 2001. Subtitle I: Other Matters - (Sec. 590) Revises federal provisions concerning performance policies for military bands and other military musical units to allow band members to perform music in their personal capacity, with or without compensation, while acting exclusively outside their official positions. Prohibits such members from wearing a military uniform while engaging in such private performances. Allows military bands or units to produce and distribute musical recordings to the public at a cost not to exceed production and distribution expenses. (Sec. 591) Provides that, when transportation of the remains of members and certain civilian personnel who died in a combat theater of operations includes transportation through the mortuary facility at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, the Secretary concerned shall provide for delivery of such remains by air to the commercial, general aviation, or military airport nearest to the place selected by the deceased's designee. (Sec. 592) Authorizes the Secretary to support, with DOD funds, the establishment and operation of up to four (under current law, two) STARBASE academies in a state. (Sec. 593) Makes permanent (under current law terminates December 31, 2007) the authority of the Secretary concerned to accept gifts on behalf of certain members, DOD civilian employees, and their dependents. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations prohibiting the solicitation by DOD of any gift if the nature or circumstances of the solicitation would compromise the integrity, or the appearance of integrity, of any DOD program or individual. (Sec. 594) Allows members and veterans who are present but not in uniform during the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the flag to render the military salute. (Sec. 595) Requires, within a current annual report concerning veterans' reemployment rights, the number of cases reviewed by the Secretary under the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve of the Department of Defense. (Sec. 596) Requires the Secretary to modify the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (a DOD document) in order to permit a member to elect the forwarding of such Certificate to: (1) the Central Office of the VA in Washington, DC; or (2) the appropriate VA office of the state in which the member will reside. (Sec. 597) Requires a report from the: (1) Secretary to the defense committees on all cases of administrative separation from the Armed Forces on the basis of a personality disorder; and (2) CG to Congress on policies and procedures of DOD and the military departments relating to the separation of military personnel based on a personality disorder. (Sec. 598) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Outlines specified commemoration activities and objectives. Establishes the Department of Defense Vietnam War Commemoration Fund. Requires the Secretary to submit annually a separate budget request with respect to the commemoration program. Directs the Secretary, after the end of the program, to submit to Congress a final report on the accounting of all program funds. Limits FY2008 expenditures under the program. Provides program funding. (Sec. 599) Recognizes the members of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program under the Civil Affairs and Military Government Sections of the United States Armed Forces for their service in the preservation, protection, and restoration of monuments, works of art, and other artifacts in Europe and Asia during and following World War II. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - (Sec. 601) Waives any FY2008 pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for government employees. Increases by 3.5%, effective January 1, 2008, the rates of basic pay for military personnel. (Sec. 602) Allows reserve members without dependents to receive basic allowance for housing when attending accession training while maintaining a primary residence. (Sec. 603) Extends: (1) from 20 to 60 days the authorized period for the payment of temporary lodging expenses for members in areas subject to declaration as a major disaster or for installations experiencing sudden increases in personnel levels due to force reallocations; and (2) through 2009 the authority for an increase in certain basic allowance for housing inside the United States. (Sec. 604) Describes when income replacement payments are required for reserve personnel experiencing extended and frequent mobilization for active-duty service. Makes eligible for such payments members who are retained on active duty for authorized medical care, or for medical evaluation for a disability. (Sec. 605) Requires mid-month federal contributions on behalf of military personnel who elect to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - (Sec. 610) Makes corrections for lapsed authorities with respect to the payment of bonuses, special pays, and other benefits for members under the proceeding four sections. (Sec. 611) Extends through 2008 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2007 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve Armed Forces. (Sec. 615) Increases from $50,000 to $75,000 the incentive special pay and multiyear retention bonus for medical officers in the Armed Forces. (Sec. 616) Increases from: (1) $4,000 to $10,000 the maximum special pay for military dental officers with less than three years of retirement-creditable service; and (2) $6,000 to $12,000 the maximum special pay for such officers with more than three but less than ten years of service. (Sec. 617) Increases from $750 to $1,500 the maximum monthly amount of hardship duty pay. Allows such payment in a lump sum (under current law, only on a monthly basis). (Sec. 618) Makes eligible for career sea pay off-cycle crewmembers of multi-crewed ships. (Sec. 619) Sets at three years the required minimum period of obligated service, and at $15,000 the maximum amount, for the Selected Reserve reenlistment bonus. (Sec. 620) Authorizes payment of a Selected Reserve enlistment bonus to persons who had enlisted previously, but were unable to complete basic training requirements and whose service was characterized as honorable or uncharacterized. (Sec. 621) Extends from 26 to 30 years of commissioned service the period of eligibility for nuclear officer continuation pay. Authorizes the revision of prior service agreements to allow for such extension. (Sec. 622) Authorizes the Secretary, or the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, to waive the 25-year service limitation on the eligibility to receive the retention bonus for certain members with designated critical military skills. (Sec. 623) Authorizes the Secretary to pay an accession bonus of up to $20,000 to participants in the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program. (Sec. 624) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay assignment incentive pay to a reserve member for each month, during the period beginning on January 1, 2005, through the end of any active-duty service in a combat zone associated with Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom, that such member served in excess of 22 months of qualifying service. Makes such monthly incentive pay $1,000. Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances - (Sec. 631) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to reimburse inactive duty training travel costs of a member of the Selected Reserve who is: (1) qualified in a skill designated as critical; (2) assigned to a unit or in a reserve pay grade with a critical manpower shortage; or (3) assigned to a unit or position that is disestablished or relocated due to defense base closure or realignment or other force structure reallocation. Sets at $300 the maximum amount of such reimbursement, and terminates the reimbursement authority after December 31, 2010. (Sec. 632) Includes as additional individuals eligible for a travel and transportation allowance for survivors of deceased members attending the member's burial ceremony: (1) any child or sibling of the deceased member; and (2) the person who directs the disposition of the remains of the deceased member. (Sec. 633) Authorizes a member of the Individual Ready Reserve to be paid a stipend for participation in electronic screening for force readiness purposes. Limits to $50 the maximum stipend amount. Prohibits members from receiving retirement credit for such participation. (Sec. 634) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to furnish up to $250 worth of civilian clothing and luggage to a member of the Armed Forces, or to reimburse the member up to such amount for the purchase of such civilian clothing and luggage, for use for travel in connection with a medical evacuation. (Under current law $250 is allowed, but only for furnishing civilian clothing or reimbursement for such clothing.) (Sec. 635) Authorizes DOD to reimburse the moving expenses of JROTC instructors who agree to serve at least two years at an educational institution in a position that is hard to fill for geographic or economic reasons, as determined by the Secretary concerned. Subtitle D: Retired Pay and Survivor Benefits - (Sec. 641) Expands eligibility for combat-related special compensation to include all servicemembers eligible for retirement pay who have a combat-related disability, including those retired or separated, or transferred to a temporary disability retired list, due to physical disability. Reduces such compensation amount with respect to retirees with fewer than 20 years of retirement-creditable service. (Sec. 642) Allows veterans with service-connected disabilities rated as total by reason of unemployability who are also eligible for retired pay, except for the period beginning on January 1, 2004, and ending on December 31, 2004, to receive the full amount, without reduction, of retired pay and veterans' disability compensation for which such person is eligible. Prohibits the payment of retroactive benefits until after October 1, 2008. (Sec. 643) Provides limitations (designed to protect a surviving or former spouse) on the recoupment of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity amounts previously paid, but subject to offset for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC). Requires the Secretary to notify the spouse or former spouse concerned of the net amount in question, the statutory requirements for the recoupment, an accounting of the offset calculation, and contact information. (Sec. 644) Authorizes a special survivor indemnity allowance for spouses and former spouses affected by the DIC offsets from SBP annuities. Makes such allowance $50 for months during FY2009, with increases of $10 per fiscal year to $100 for months after FY2013. Makes such allowance effective for the period beginning on October 1, 2008, and ending on February 28, 2016. (Sec. 645) Revises the authority of members to designate recipients of the death gratuity benefit to: (1) require such authority to be effective no later than July 1, 2008; (2) require spousal notification if the member designates a person other than the spouse to receive all or a portion of such benefit; (3) provide for partial designations in 10% increments; (4) revise the prioritized list of beneficiaries for a non-designated benefit; and (5) continue in effect, without change by this amendment, designations made before the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 646) Revises the retired pay multiplier percentage with respect to members with over 30 years of retirement-creditable service. (Sec. 647) Reduces below 60 the age at which a member of the Ready Reserve may receive retired pay by three months for every aggregate of 90 days of active-duty service performed under certain mobilization authorities, including responding to a national emergency. Prohibits such eligibility age from being reduced below age 50. (Sec. 648) Allows up to 130 days in the year of military service that includes October 30, 2007, and any subsequent year of service to be used in the computation of years of service for purposes of retired pay for non-regular (reserve) service. Subtitle E: Commissary and Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality Benefits - (Sec. 651) Authorizes members involuntarily separated from active duty or the Selected Reserve to continue to use commissary and exchange stores for two years after separation. Makes such authority effective for the period beginning on October 1, 2007, and ending on December 31, 2012. (Sec. 652) Authorizes nonappropriated fund instrumentalities to utilize employee pay deductions to collect indebtedness owed to the United States. Subtitle F: Consolidation of Special Pay, Incentive Pay, and Bonus Authorities - (Sec. 661) Consolidates into the following eight categories various current federal provisions concerning special and incentive pays: (1) bonuses for enlisted members; (2) bonuses for officers; (3) bonuses and incentive pays for nuclear officers; (4) bonuses and incentive pays for aviation officers; (5) bonuses and incentive pays for officers in health professions; (6) hazardous duty pays; (7) assignment pays and special duty pays; and (8) skill incentive pays and proficiency bonuses. Sets a December 31, 2009, expiration date for all such pay and bonus categories, and provides maximum pay and bonus amounts. Continues current separate authorities for 15-year career status bonuses, critical skill retention bonuses, and the continuation of combat zone-related pays and allowances for members hospitalized as a result of combat-related wounds, injuries, or illnesses. (Sec. 662) Directs the Secretary to develop and submit to the defense and appropriations committees a plan to implement the consolidation of special, incentive, and bonus pays referred to in the previous section. Allows for a transition period of up to ten years after the enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary to notify such committees at least 30 days before a new special pay or bonus authority under this Subtitle is first utilized. Prohibits the consolidation from having any effect on FY2008 obligations for such special, incentive, or bonus pay. Subtitle G: Other Matters - (Sec. 671) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to pay a bonus of up to $2,000 to a regular or reserve member of the Army, a retired member of the Army, or a civilian Army employee who refers to an Army recruiter a person who has not previously served in an armed force and who, after such referral, enlists in the Army or Army Reserve. Allows the Secretary of Defense to authorize the Secretary concerned to pay a bonus of up to $2,000 to any such person as described above who refers a person which leads to an appointment as a commissioned officer in an armed force in a health profession designated by the Secretary concerned. Terminates each such bonus authority on December 31, 2008. (Sec. 672) Expands the types of educational loans authorized to be repaid under the Selected Reserve loan repayment program. Makes eligible for such loan repayments Selected Reserve officers (under current law, only Selected Reserve enlisted members). (Sec. 673) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) allow readmission into the United States of lawful U.S. permanent resident spouses and children of members stationed abroad after the spouse and children have resided with the member during their service abroad; and (2) provide overseas naturalization eligibility to such spouses and children by treating their period of residence abroad as residence within the United States. (Sec. 675) Amends the Spence Act to increase amounts of back pay for members of the Navy and Marine Corps selected for promotion while interned as prisoners of war during World War II, to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. Requires the recalculation of previous payments. Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Subtitle A: Improvements to Military Health Benefits - (Sec. 701) Extends through FY2008 the prohibition on increases in certain charges and premiums for care and coverage under TRICARE (a DOD managed care program) Prime, TRICARE Standard, and TRICARE Reserve Select. (Sec. 702) Provides copayment limits, for the period beginning on October 1, 2007, and ending on September 30, 2008, for the receipt of generic, formulary, and nonformulary agents under the retail pharmacy system of the DOD pharmacy benefits program. (Sec. 703) Provides that, with respect to any prescription filled on or after the date of enactment of this Act, the TRICARE retail pharmacy program shall be covered by the federal pricing limits applicable to covered drugs under the VA retail pharmacy program. (Sec. 704) Authorizes the Secretary to pay a stipend to a reserve member who is called or ordered to active duty for a period of more than 30 days so that such member may maintain civilian health care coverage for a dependent whom the Secretary determines possesses a special health care need that would be best met by remaining in the member's civilian health plan. (Sec. 705) Expands eligibility for temporary health benefits coverage under federal civilian employee provisions to include any person specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary who loses entitlement to DOD health care services. Allows such temporary coverage for up to 36 months after the loss of such entitlement. (Sec. 706) Amends the Warner Act to continue eligibility for TRICARE Standard coverage for certain members of the Selected Reserve. (Sec. 707) Amends the Reagan Act to extend through FY2010 a pilot program of cooperative health care arrangements between military installations and local and regional nonmilitary health care systems. Extends related report requirements. (Sec. 708) Includes mental health care within the definition of &quot;health care&quot; under the TRICARE program. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on the adequacy of access to mental health services under the TRICARE program. Subtitle B: Studies and Reports - (Sec. 711) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct surveys on the current and future viability of the TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra health care programs; and (2) establish benchmarks for primary and specialty care providers to determine the adequacy of health care provided to TRICARE beneficiaries. Requires the CG to: (1) conduct an ongoing review of DOD processes, procedures, and analyses to determine the adequacy of health care and mental health care providers; and (2) report review results biannually to the defense committees. (Sec. 712) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on requirements outlined in the Warner Act concerning training in the preservation of remains under combat or combat-related conditions. (Sec. 713) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on the ongoing patient satisfaction surveys taking place in DOD inpatient and outpatient settings at military treatment facilities, and to use information in the report as the basis for a plan for improvements in such satisfaction. (Sec. 714) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees on medical physical examinations of members before their deployment. (Sec. 715) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on DOD's policies for administering and evaluating the vaccination of members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 716) Requires the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive review of: (1) the need for gender- and ethnic group-specific mental health treatment and services for members; and (2) the efficacy and adequacy of existing gender- and ethnic group-specific mental health treatment programs and services for members. Directs the Secretary to report review results to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 717) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish criteria that licensed or certified mental health counselors must meet in order to independently provide care to TRICARE beneficiaries; (2) contract for an independent study of the credentials, preparation, and training of such individuals; and (3) report study results to the defense committees. (Sec. 718) Requires the President to submit a justification report to Congress if the aggregate amount included in the DOD budget for health care for that fiscal year is less than the aggregate amount provided by Congress for DOD for health care for the preceding fiscal year, and the total allocation from the Defense Health Program to any military department is less than that total allocation for the previous fiscal year. Terminates such requirement after December 31, 2017. Subtitle C: Other Matters - (Sec. 721) Prohibits the Secretary concerned from converting any military medical or dental position to a civilian medical or dental position between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2012. Requires the restoration to a military medical or dental position for any such position that is or was converted to a civilian position between October 1, 2004, and September 30, 2008, if such position is or was not filled by a civilian by the latter date. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on conversions made during FY2007. (Sec. 722) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology has provided important medical benefits to the Armed Forces and the United States; and (2) the federal government should retain a Joint Pathology Center (Center). Directs the President to establish and maintain a Center within DOD to function as the federal reference center in pathology. Provides authorized Center services. Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Acquisition Improvement and Accountability Act of 2007 - Subtitle A:Acquisition Policy and Management - (Sec. 801) Requires the inspectors general of DOD and the non-defense agencies listed below to conduct reviews of policies, procedures, and internal controls applicable to the procurement of property and services to determine whether such agency is or is not compliant with defense procurement requirements. Allows a DOD acquisition official to place an order or acquire property or services for DOD in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold through a non-defense agency only if there exists compliance with defense procurement requirements. Provides exceptions when necessary in the interests of DOD. Requires the Secretary to issue guidance on the use of interagency contracting by DOD. Includes as non-defense agencies under this section the General Services Administration (GSA), the Departments of the Treasury and the Interior, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the VA, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). (Sec. 802) Prohibits DOD from awarding any new contracts for lead systems integrator functions in the acquisition of major systems, effective October 1, 2010, to any entity that was not performing such functions prior to the enactment of this Act. Prohibits the award of any new such contract for a major system that has proceeded beyond low-rate initial production, effective upon the date of enactment of this Act, absent a written determination by the Secretary, sent to the defense committees, that meets specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that the acquisition workforce is of the appropriate size and skill level necessary to perform inherently governmental functions related to the acquisition of major systems; and (2) update progress made in compliance with (1), above, in an annual report required under the Warner Act. Provides conditions under which DOD may continue to award contracts for the procurement of services the main purpose of which is to perform acquisition support functions with respect to the development or production of a major system. (Sec. 803) Requires the Strategic Materials Protection Board to: (1) assess the extent to which domestic producers of strategic materials are investing on a sustained basis in the processes, infrastructure, workforce training, and facilities required for the continued domestic production of such materials to meet national defense requirements; and (2) include assessment results in a currently-required annual report to Congress. (Sec. 804) Makes the requirement that DOD follow Buy American requirements in the purchase of necessary property and services inapplicable with respect to the purchase of: (1) commercial items; (2) fasteners, high-performance magnets, electronic components, and commercial derivative military articles; and (3) certain specialty metals. Authorizes the Secretary to waive Buy American requirements upon a determination that acceptance of the end item is necessary to U.S. national security interests. Requires any domestic non-determinations made between December 6, 2006, and 60 days after the enactment of this Act to be reviewed and amended as necessary to comply with this section. (Sec. 805) Requires the Secretary to modify DOD regulations concerning the procurement of commercial services to: (1) authorize the contracting officer in the procurement of certain commercial services to require bid offerors to submit sufficient information to evaluate the reasonableness of the proposed price; and (2) address the categories of services which may be purchased for or on behalf of DOD pursuant to commercial time and materials contracts. (Sec. 806) Requires defense budget justification materials submitted for any fiscal year after 2009 to clearly and separately identify amounts requested in each budget account for the procurement of contract services. (Sec. 807) Requires the: (1) Secretary to submit to Congress (and make available to the public) an annual inventory of activities performed pursuant to contracts for services for or on behalf of DOD; and (2) Secretary of the military department or agency head responsible for activities in the inventory to conduct certain review and planning on the basis of the inventories. (Sec. 808) Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue guidance (with detailed implementation instructions) for DOD to provide for periodic independent management reviews of contracts for services; and (2) report to the defense and appropriations committees on the guidance and instructions. Directs the CG to report to such committees on the implementation of the guidance and instructions. (Sec. 809) Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue guidance (with detailed implementation instructions) for DOD to ensure the implementation and enforcement of requirements applicable to undefinitized contractual actions; and (2) report to the defense and appropriations committees on the guidance and instructions. Directs the CG to report to such committees on the effect of the guidance and instructions. (Sec. 810) Codifies the position and duties of the acquisition executive within the U.S. Special Operations Command. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Major Defense Acquisition Programs - (Sec. 811) Requires the Secretary to certify in writing, by no later than March 1 of a year in which the Secretary requests legislative authority to enter into a multiyear contract with respect to a major defense acquisition program (MDAP), that the Secretary has made certain cost savings determinations with regard to such contract. (Sec. 812) Requires the program manager for an MDAP that has received Milestone B certification to immediately notify the milestone decision authority of any changes to the MDAP that: (1) alter the substantive basis for such certification; or (2) deviate significantly from the certification material provided to the milestone decision authority. Requires the milestone decision authority to receive a business case analysis prior to making a certification. (Sec. 813) Directs the CG to report to the defense and appropriations committees on potential modifications of the DOD organization and structure for MDAPs. (Sec. 814) Requires submission of cost or pricing data on noncommercial modifications of commercial items to include the total price of the contract at the time of contract award. Raises from $500,000 to $650,000 the total contract price threshold after which submission of cost or pricing data is required. (Sec. 815) Revises provisions allowing MDAP systems, components, and spare parts to be treated as commercial items for procurement purposes to require the contract offeror, in each case, to submit sufficient information to evaluate the reasonableness of the price for such system, component, or spare part. Allows other information to be submitted, including labor and material costs and overhead rates. (Sec. 816) Directs the: (1) Under Secretary to conduct an annual review of MDAP systematic deficiencies in any fiscal year in which three or more MDAPs experience a critical cost growth threshold breach or lose MDAP certification or Key Decision Point A approval; and (2) Secretary to report review results to the defense and appropriations committees. Terminates review requirements after FY2012. (Sec. 817) Requires the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on: (1) DOD strategies for the allocation of funds and other resources among MDAPs; and (2) the extent of implementation of recommendations contained in the February 2003 report of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) entitled &quot;Setting Requirements Differently Could Reduce Weapon Systems' Total Ownership Costs.&quot; Subtitle C: Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations - (Sec. 821) Directs the Under Secretary to develop and implement a plan to minimize the number of government-unique contract clauses used in commercial contracts by restricting such clauses to: (1) those authorized by law or regulation; and (2) ones relevant and necessary to a specific contract. (Sec. 822) Amends the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 to extend until January 1, 2010, the authority to use simplified acquisition procedures for the purchase of property or services that are commercial items valued at no more than $5 million. Requires a report from the Under Secretary to the defense committees on the use of such authority. (Sec. 823) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 1994 to extend through FY2013 DOD authority to carry out certain prototype projects. (Sec. 824) Exempts the commander of the Special Operations Command from certain lease limitations regarding substantial termination liability if: (1) funds are available and obligated for the full cost of the contract on or before the contract is awarded; (2) the Secretary has certified to the defense and appropriations committees that there is no alternative for otherwise meeting urgent operational requirements; and (3) 30 days has expired following receipt of such certification. (Sec. 825) Revises the acquisition authority provided to the Unified Combatant Command for Joint Warfighting to: (1) include the sustainment of equipment; and (2) extend such authority through FY2010. (Sec. 826) Revises requirements for market research for procurements in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold to require prime contractors of a contract in excess of $5 million to engage in necessary market research. Directs the Secretary to develop training to assist contracting officers in performing such research. (Sec. 827) Directs the Secretary, before purchasing a product listed in the latest edition of the Federal Prison Industries (FPI) catalog for which FPI does not have a significant market share, to conduct market research to determine whether the product is comparable to products available from the private sector that best meet the needs of DOD in terms of price, quality, and time of delivery. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase a product listed in the latest edition of the FPI catalog for which FPI does have a significant market share only if the Secretary uses competitive procedures for the procurement of the product or makes an individual purchase under a multiple award contract in accordance with applicable competition requirements. Requires the Secretary to publish a list of product categories for which FPI's share of the DOD market is greater than 5%. (Sec. 828) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into multiyear contracts, for up to ten-year periods, for the purchase of electricity from sources of renewable energy. Provides circumstances under which the Secretary may enter into such multiyear contracts for periods in excess of five years. (Sec. 829) Authorizes the Secretary to procure from foreign manufacturers fire-resistant rayon fiber for the production of military uniforms if, among other things, such fiber is not available from sources within the national technology and industrial base. Requires congressional notification. Terminates such authority five years after the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 830) Directs the CG to report to the defense and appropriations committees on the use of procedures other than competitive procedures in the award of DOD contracts. Subtitle D: Accountability in Contracting - (Sec. 841) Establishes the Commission on Wartime Contracting to study and investigate federal agency contracting for: (1) the reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan; (2) the logistical support of coalition forces operating in Iraq and Afghanistan; and (3) the performance of security functions in such operations. Requires interim reports and a final report from the Commission to Congress. Terminates the Commission 60 days after its final report. (Sec. 842) Directs the inspectors general with jurisdiction over the relevant contracts to conduct a series of audits to identify potential waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement in the performance of DOD and federal agency contracts and subcontracts in support of coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and in the performance of security and reconstruction functions in such countries. Requires the DOD Inspector General, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction to each develop a comprehensive plan for the conduct of such audits under their jurisdiction. (Sec. 843) Requires that DOD task or delivery order contracts in excess of $100 million be awarded to multiple contractors (with certain exceptions). Establishes additional competition requirements (including requirements for debriefings and authorization of bid protests) for task or delivery orders in excess of $5 million under such multiple award contracts. (Sec. 844) Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require the head of an executive agency, including a defense agency, to make certain justification and approval documents relating to the use of noncompetitive procedures in contracting available on the website of the agency within 14 days after contract award. (Sec. 845) Requires each inspector general appointed under the Inspector General Act of 1978 to submit, as part of a semiannual inspector general report required under such Act, an annex on final, completed contract audit reports issued to the contracting activity containing significant audit findings over the period covered by the report. Exempts such information from public disclosure. Requires the head of each federal department or agency to provide, within 14 days after a request by specified committees, a full and unredacted copy of any such audit. (Sec. 846) Includes, among others, a representative of a committee of Congress, an Inspector General, the GAO, and a DOD employee responsible for contract oversight or management among those to whom a contractor employee may disclose information concerning contractor fraud, waste, or abuse while being protected from reprisals for such disclosure (whistleblower protections). Provides for expedited determinations of alleged contractor reprisals. Establishes a private right of action for contractor employees subjected to reprisals. (Sec. 847) Requires certain former senior DOD officials and general and flag officers who participated substantially in DOD acquisition contracts in excess of $10 million and who, within two years after leaving DOD service, expect to receive compensation from a DOD contractor to, prior to accepting such compensation, request a written opinion from a DOD ethics official regarding the applicability of post-employment restrictions on activities that such former official or officer may undertake on behalf of a contractor. Directs that: (1) such requested opinion be provided within 30 days; (2) the DOD contractor concerned, before providing such compensation, first determine whether the former DOD official or officer has sought and received such opinion; and (3) opinion requests and responses be retained by DOD in a central database or repository for at least five years after the opinion is provided. (Sec. 848) Directs the CG to report to the defense committees on the internal ethics programs of major defense contractors (those that received more than $500 million in DOD contract awards during FY2006). (Sec. 849) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and the Army to: (1) separately evaluate recommendations of the Commission on Army Acquisition Program and Program Management in Expeditionary Operations; and (2) report to the defense and appropriations committees their plans for implementation of such recommendations. Amends the Warner Act to require the CG, as part of a required report under such Act, to review and report to the defense committees on joint policies developed the Secretary for the training of military personnel outside the acquisition workforce who are expected to have acquisition responsibility during combat operations, post-conflict operations, and contingency operations. Subtitle E: Acquisition Workforce Provisions - (Sec. 851) Amends the OFPPA to require the Secretary to include a separate section on the acquisition workforce in the next and subsequent DOD strategic human capital plans required under the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2006. (Sec. 852) Directs the Secretary to establish the Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Fund for the recruitment, training, and retention of DOD acquisition personnel. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on Fund operations. (Sec. 853) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2004 to extend through FY2012 the authority to fill shortage category positions in the acquisition workforce. (Sec. 854) Amends the OFPPA to repeal the termination of (and thereby make permanent) the acquisition workforce training fund. (Sec. 855) Directs the: (1) Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy (FPP Administrator) to designate a member of the Senior Executive Service as the Associate Administrator for Acquisition Workforce Programs; (2) head of each executive agency to establish and operate acquisition and contract training programs; (3) FPP Administrator to promote the development of performance standards for acquisition workforce training and the uniform implementation of this section by executive agencies; (4) Chief Acquisition Officer of each agency to develop a plan for the recruitment, development, and retention of that agency's acquisition workforce; (5) FPP Administrator to ensure that a sufficient number of federal employees are trained in the acquisition of architect and engineering services; and (6) FPP Administrator to encourage executive agencies to utilize existing authorities to recruit and retain acquisition personnel and consider recruiting such personnel who may be retiring from the private sector. Subtitle F: Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan - (Sec. 861) Directs the Secretary, the Secretary of State, and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to: (1) enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding matters relating to contracting for contracts in Iraq or Afghanistan; and (2) report to specified congressional committees on implementation of the memorandum. (Sec. 862) Requires the: (1) Secretary to prescribe regulations on the selection, training, equipping, and conduct of personnel performing private security functions under a federal contract or subcontract in an area of combat operations; and (2) Federal Acquisition Regulation to be revised to require the insertion into each covered contract or subcontract of a clause addressing such selection, training, equipping, and conduct. Requires a report from the DOD Inspector General to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of a pilot program for the imposition of fines on contractors or subcontractors for personnel who violate or fail to comply with such regulations or requirements. Makes requirements of this section inapplicable to contracts entered into by elements of the intelligence community in support of intelligence activities. (Sec. 863) Directs the CG, every 12 months, to review contracts in Iraq or Afghanistan, and report review results to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 864) Provides definitions with respect to provisions added by this Subtitle. Subtitle G: Defense Materiel Readiness Board - (Sec. 871) Directs the Secretary to establish a Defense Materiel Readiness Board to provide to the Secretary and Congress independent assessments of materiel readiness, shortfalls, and plans. Requires the: (1) Board to report findings and recommendations to the Secretary at least every six months; and (2) Secretary to forward each such report, with comments, to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 872) Authorizes the Secretary to designate any requirement for equipment or supplies as a critical materiel readiness shortfall if there is an equipment or supplies shortfall that materially reduces readiness of the Armed Forces and that: (1) cannot be adequately addressed by substitute capabilities; and (2) is likely to persist for more than two years. Requires the Secretary to ensure that shortfalls so designated are transmitted to relevant DOD officials responsible for requirements, budgets, and acquisition. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer from amounts appropriated to DOD for FY2008 up to $2 billion to address critical readiness requirements designated by the Secretary. Establishes in the Treasury the Department of Defense Strategic Readiness Fund. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to enter into a multiyear contract to procure an item if such item will significantly accelerate efforts to address a critical material readiness shortfall, will provide cost savings, and will serve the interests of national security. Subtitle H: Other Matters - (Sec. 881) Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a clearinghouse to identify, assess, and disseminate knowledge about readily available information technologies that could support the DOD warfighting mission; (2) hire and support employees to assist in such activities; and (3) report to the defense and appropriations committees on implementation of this section. (Sec. 882) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to license trademarks, service marks, certification marks, and collective marks owned or controlled by that Secretary relating to military designations and likenesses of military weapons systems to any qualifying company, upon their request. Defines &quot;qualifying companies&quot; as any small business that is a toy or hobby manufacturer. (Sec. 883) Amends the Warner Act to allow the Secretary to waive the prohibition against entering into a service contract to acquire a military flight simulator if: (1) the contract was in effect as of October 17, 2006; and (2) granting the waiver would be in the national interest (currently, if necessary for national security purposes). (Sec. 884) Directs the Secretary, at least 30 days prior to making a domestic nonavailability determination with respect to the procurement of specialty metals that would apply to more than one DOD contract, to: (1) publish on the GSA website notice of the intention to make such determination; and (2) solicit information relevant to such notice from interested parties, including producers of specialty metal mill products. Requires the Secretary's determination and the rationale therefor to be made publicly available consistent with the protection of national security information and confidential business information. (Sec. 885) Requires the Secretary to: (1) use competitive procedures when contracting for morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) telephone service for personnel serving in combat zones; (2) ensure that such contracts allow users to use phone cards from multiple phone service providers; and (3) report implementation results to the defense committees. (Sec. 886) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a preference for the acquisition of products and services that are produced in Iraq and Afghanistan if: (1) the product or service is to be used only by military forces, police, or other security forces in Iraq or Afghanistan; (2) the preference is necessary to provide a stable source of jobs and employment in Iraq or Afghanistan; and (3) the preference will not have an adverse effect on U.S. military operations or the U.S. industrial base. (Sec. 887) Requires the Secretary to: (1) direct the Defense Science Board to review DOD policies and procedures for the acquisition of information technology; and (2) report review results to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 888) Expresses the sense of the Senate that DOD should establish a system to document and track the use of environmentally preferable (green) products. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress its plan to increase the use of environmentally friendly products at all DOD facilities inside and outside the United States. (Sec. 889) Requires the CG to: (1) review the application of the Defense Production Act of 1950 since the date of enactment of the Defense Production Act Reauthorization of 2003, in light of amendments made by the latter Act; and (2) report to the defense and finance committees on review results. (Sec. 890) Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe regulations requiring DOD contractors to comply with applicable export control laws and regulations; (2) develop a contract clause enforcing such requirement; (3) ensure that contractors are made aware of available resources to assist in compliance with such requirements; and (4) report to the defense committees on implementation of this section. (Sec. 891) Extends to Native Hawaiian-serving and Alaska Native-serving institutions the federal contract goals for small disadvantaged businesses and certain institutions of higher education. (Sec. 892) Requires the Secretary, with respect to the procurement of small arms (pistols and weapons less than 0.50 caliber) to be supplied to Iraq and Afghanistan for assistance to their army, police, and other security organizations, to ensure that: (1) full and open competition is obtained; (2) no responsible U.S. manufacturer is excluded from such competition; and (3) products manufactured in the United States are not excluded from the competition. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: Department of Defense Management - (Sec. 901) Repeals a provision limiting the number of DOD headquarters activities personnel. Requires the Secretary to include, within annual DOD budget materials, information on military and civilian personnel assigned to major DOD headquarters activities. (Sec. 902) Authorizes the Secretaries concerned to choose any number of deputy and assistant chiefs of staff, as long as the total number does not exceed eight. (Currently, such Secretaries are limited to five deputies and three assistants.) (Sec. 903) Reduces from ten to seven years the period that a regular commissioned officer must wait after being relieved from active duty in order to become eligible for appointment as the Secretary or Deputy Secretary of Defense, or the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. (Sec. 904) Designates the Deputy Secretary of Defense as Chief Management Officer of DOD. Provides for a Deputy Chief Management Officer. Requires the Secretary to develop a strategic management plan for DOD, update such plan every two years, and report to the defense committees on each plan and on implementation of this section. (Sec. 905) Amends the Warner Act to eliminate the requirement that the acquisition programs of the U.S. Special Operations Command must support the acquisition priorities of the respective military departments. (Sec. 906) Establishes a Department of Defense Board of Actuaries to review, and report to the President and Congress on, valuations of the Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund, Department of Defense Education Benefits Fund, and any related DOD funds. Requires annual Board reports to the Secretary. Terminates the Department of Defense Retirement Board of Actuaries and the Department of Defense Education Benefits Board of Actuaries. (Sec. 907) Removes the requirement that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (Under Secretary) have extensive management experience in the private sector. (Sec. 908) Designates one Assistant Secretary of the: (1) Army as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics; (2) Navy as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition; and (3) Air Force as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. Outlines duties for each position. Provides each a Principal Military Deputy. (Sec. 909) Expresses the sense of Congress that the term of office of the DOD Director of Operational Test and Evaluation should not be less than five years. Subtitle B: Space Activities - (Sec. 911) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should place greater priority on the protection of national security space systems. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop the Space Protection Strategy for the development and fielding, for three periods beginning in FY2008 and ending in FY2025, of capabilities necessary to ensure freedom of action in space for the United States; and (2) report biennially to Congress on the strategy. (Sec. 912) Directs the Secretary and each department Secretary to develop metrics to identify, track, and manage space cadre personnel within DOD to ensure sufficient personnel with the expertise, training, and experience to meet current and future national security space needs. Requires a biennial report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on the management of the space cadre. (Sec. 913) Amends the Stump Act to extend into 2008 a reporting requirement concerning oversight of acquisition for defense space programs. Subtitle C: Chemical Demilitarization Program - (Sec. 921) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 1993 to: (1) make the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) the Army's representative to local chemical demilitarization citizens advisory commissions; and (2) allow such commissions to remain in existence until all closure activities are completed at a chemical agent destruction facility pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act, or upon request of the appropriate state governor, whichever occurs first. (Sec. 922) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States remain committed to dispose of its entire chemical weapons stockpile by April 2012, the current deadline, or as soon thereafter as possible; and (2) the Secretary should make every effort to plan for, and request in the annual DOD budget, sufficient funding to complete such disposition in a manner that will protect public health, safety, and the environment. Requires biennial reports, until the year such disposition is completed, from the Secretary to specified Members and committees of Congress on the U.S. implementation of its chemical weapons destruction obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. (Sec. 923) Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 to repeal specified qualification requirements for the Army's Director of the Chemical Materials Agency. (Sec. 924) Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 to extend until a specified conditional date the termination of assistance to state and local governments for responding to emergencies involving the storage or destruction of lethal chemical agents at DOD installations or facilities. Subtitle D: Intelligence-Related Matters - (Sec. 931) Makes technical amendments necessitated by the enactment of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Subtitle E: Roles and Missions Analysis - (Sec. 941) Directs the Secretary, every four years and after receiving such an assessment from the JCS Chairman, to: (1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of DOD roles and missions (to be known as the quadrennial roles and missions review); and (2) report to the defense committees on each review. Requires the Secretary to identify: (1) core mission areas of the Armed Forces; and (2) the competencies and capabilities associated with the performance or support of such areas. (Sec. 942) Requires the Joint Requirements Oversight Council to assist the JCS Chairman in identifying joint military requirements and core mission areas associated with each requirement. Adds the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), and the Director of the Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation to the membership of the Council. Directs the Council to conduct periodic reviews of joint military requirements within a DOD core mission area. (Sec. 943) Prohibits an MDAP from receiving Milestone A approval, or Key Decision Point A approval in the case of a space program, until the Milestone Decision Authority makes certain certifications as to the program's capabilities and core competencies. Requires notification, from an MDAP program manager to the Milestone Decision Authority, if the projected cost of a system prior to Milestone B approval exceeds by more than 25% the cost estimate submitted at the time of certification. Directs the Milestone Decision Authority to then determine whether the level of resources required to develop and procure such system remains consistent with the priority level assigned by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council. Allows the Milestone Decision Authority to withdraw certification in the interests of national security. Directs the Secretary to review appropriate DOD acquisition directives with respect to MDAPs. (Sec. 944) Requires the DOD future-years mission budget to be organized by core mission areas. Subtitle F: Other Matters - (Sec. 951) Requires the first national security strategy, national defense strategy, and quadrennial defense review prepared after the enactment of this Act to include guidance on the effect of projected climate change on current and future DOD missions, including preparedness for natural disasters from extreme weather events. (Sec. 952) Directs the Secretary to develop and submit to Congress a plan to improve and reform DOD's participation in and contribution to the interagency coordination process on national security issues. (Sec. 953) Amends the David L. Boren National Security Education Act of 1991 to include as a service option under the National Security Education Program those who serve at least one year in an educational position related to the study supported by the Program after being unable to find other federal employment that fulfills Program requirements. (Sec. 954) Authorizes the Secretary (under current law, the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate) to appoint members for the Board of Regents for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (University). Requires the Board to meet at least quarterly. Redesignates the Dean of the University as the President of the University. (Sec. 955) Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit to the defense and appropriations committees a plan to establish a School of Nursing within the University; and (2) include in the plan programs of instruction that would lead to the award of a bachelor of science in nursing and such other baccalaureate or graduate degrees as considered appropriate. Authorizes the Secretary to establish such School. (Sec, 956) Includes on the Board of Visitors of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation the commanders of the combatant commands having geographic responsibility for the Western Hemisphere. (Sec. 957) Requires the CG to submit to the defense and appropriations committees an assessment of the most recent reorganization of the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. (Sec. 958) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees annually through 2013 on the foreign language proficiency of DOD personnel. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - (Sec. 1001) Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to transfer up to $5 billion of the amounts made available to DOD in this Act between any such authorizations for that fiscal year, with limitations. Requires congressional notification of each transfer. (Sec. 1002) Provides the total amount to be contributed by the Secretary in FY2008 for the common-funded budgets of NATO (rather than the maximum amount otherwise applicable under the FY1998 baseline limitation). (Sec. 1003) Adjusts amounts authorized to be appropriated to DOD in the Warner Act by the amount by which appropriations pursuant to such authorizations are increased or decreased pursuant to the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. (Sec. 1004) Amends the Warner Act to exempt transfers of funds to the Iraq Security Forces Fund and Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund from dollar limits on the general transfer authority of such Act. (Sec. 1005) Requires DOD's Director of the Business Transformation Agency to: (1) carry out an initiative for financial management transformation in the defense agencies in order to, among other things, eliminate or replace defense agency financial management systems that are duplicative, redundant, or fail to comply with current standards; (2) submit to the defense and appropriations committees a plan for development and implementation of the initiative; and (3) consult with the DOD Comptroller to ensure that any financial systems developed are consistent with DOD financial standards and requirements. (Sec. 1006) Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 to repeal the requirement that DOD submit a biennial budget. Subtitle B: Policy Relating to Vessels and Shipyards - (Sec. 1011) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to contract, for a period greater than two but less than five years, for the lease of a vessel, or the provision of a service through the use of a contractor vessel, after: (1) notifying the defense committees of proposed contract terms and cost-effectiveness determinations; and (2) 30 days have elapsed since the notification. (Sec. 1012) States that it is the policy of the United States to construct the major combatant vessels of the naval strike forces, including all new classes of such vessels, with integrated nuclear power systems. Requires the Secretary, with respect to a budget submission for construction of a new class of major combatant vessel for the naval strike force, to request a vessel with an integrated nuclear power system, unless the Secretary notifies Congress that an integrated system in such vessel is not in the national interest. Subtitle C: Counter-Drug Activities - (Sec. 1021) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year: (1) 2004 to extend through FY2008 the authority for DOD joint task forces to provide support to law enforcement agencies conducting counterterrorism activities; and (2) 1998 to include the governments of Mexico and the Dominican Republic within DOD authority to provide support for counter-drug activities in foreign countries. (Sec. 1023) Directs the President to report to Congress on counternarcotics assistance for the government of Haiti. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations - (Sec. 1031) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to provide to military and other state aircraft of a foreign country, on a reimbursable basis, routine airport services and miscellaneous supplies, if similar services and supplies are furnished on a reimbursable basis to military and state aircraft of the United States by that foreign country. Authorizes the provision of such services on a non-reimbursable basis if: (1) providing such services does not result in direct costs to the Air Force; or (2) the services are provided under a reciprocal agreement authorizing the provision of such services by that country to U.S. military and state aircraft. (Sec. 1032) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into a multilateral memorandum of understanding authorizing the Strategic Airlift Capability Partnership to conduct the acquisition, equipping, ownership and operation of strategic airlift aircraft; and (2) pay from DOD funds the U.S. equitable share of the costs of such activities and operations. Allows the Secretary to transfer one U.S. strategic airlift aircraft to the Partnership after notifying the defense and appropriations committees of the aircraft chosen. (Sec. 1033) Increases the size of payments permitted under DOD's authority to provide rewards for assistance in combating terrorism. Allows such rewards to be provided to government personnel of allied forces participating in a combined operation with U.S. Armed Forces. Terminates the rewards program on September 30, 2009. Requires an implementation report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 1034) Authorizes the Secretary to make available to a state, unit of local government, or private U.S. entity small quantities of a toxic chemical or precursor for the development or testing in the United States of material designed to be used for protective purposes. Requires the recipient to pay for all costs associated with providing the chemicals or precursors. Requires: (1) U.S. compliance, in providing such agents, with the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, entered into force on April 29, 1997; and (2) an annual report from the Secretary to Congress on the use of such authority. (Sec. 1035) Prohibits DOD from selling any F-14 fighter aircraft, parts unique to such aircraft, or any tooling or dies used in the manufacture of such aircraft or parts. Provides an exception for the sale of aircraft or parts to a museum or similar organization involved in the preservation of such aircraft for historical purposes. Prohibits the grant of an export license for such aircraft, part, or related tool or die. Subtitle E: Reports - (Sec. 1041) Amends the Stump Act to extend into 2013 required reports from the Secretary and the Director of National Intelligence (previously, the Secretary and the Director of Central Intelligence) concerning research on military capabilities to defeat hardened and deeply buried targets. (Sec. 1042) Requires the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees describing current and planned DOD joint modeling and simulation activities. (Sec. 1043) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2004 to extend through 2009 an annual report on plans for the prompt global strike capability. (Sec. 1044) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Energy to each report to Congress on the requirements for a workforce to support the nuclear missions of the Navy and the Department of Energy during the ten-year period beginning on the report date. (Sec. 1045) Requires the CG to report to the defense and appropriations committees assessing the response of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to the decision in Butterbaugh vs. Department of Justice (concerning compensation claims of certain former and current reserve personnel). (Sec. 1046) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study (through a FFRDC) on alternatives for the size and mix of fixed-wing airlift assets to meet the National Military Strategy for the FY2012, FY2018, and FY2024 timeframes. Requires a study report from the FFRDC to the Secretary and the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 1047) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on the feasibility of establishing a Border State Aviation Training Center to support the current and future requirements of the existing RC-26 site for counterdrug activities located at the Fixed Wing Army National Guard Aviation Training Site. (Sec. 1048) Directs the Secretary to carry out, and report to the defense and appropriations committees on, a limited field user evaluation and operational assessment of qualified combat helmet pad suspension systems. Provides evaluation funding. (Sec. 1049) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization to conduct a study on the national security interagency system. Requires the organization chosen to report study results to Congress and the President no later than September 1, 2008. Provides funding. (Sec. 1050) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on the status, capability, viability, and capacity of the solid rocket motor industrial base in the United States. (Sec. 1051) Directs the Secretary of the Army to: (1) report to the defense and veterans committees on locations outside of Arlington National Cemetery that would be suitable for a memorial to honor the 40 members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in the air crash at Bakers Creek, Australia, on June 14, 1943; and (2) provide a report and, if necessary, propose legislation to such committees regarding the construction of new memorials or monuments at such Cemetery. Subtitle F: Other Matters - (Sec. 1061) Directs the Secretary to require a federal agency to which law enforcement support or support to a national special security event is provided by National Guard personnel to reimburse DOD for the costs of that support. Authorizes the Secretary to waive reimbursement if such support: (1) is provided in the normal course of military training or operations; or (2) results in a DOD or National Guard benefit substantially equivalent to that which would be obtained from military operations or training. (Sec. 1062) Establishes the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States to: (1) examine and make recommendations with respect to the U.S. long-term strategic posture; (2) conduct a strategic threat assessment and detailed review of U.S. nuclear weapons policy, strategy, and force structure; and (3) report findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the President, the Secretaries of Defense, Energy, and State, and the defense committees. Provides funding. Terminates the Commission on June 1, 2009. (Sec. 1064) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2006 to repeal the requirement for a certification to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by the Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission, Illinois. (Sec. 1065) Directs the Secretary to maintain the capability for space-based nuclear detection at a level that meets or exceeds that level as of the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 1066) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Nation is grateful to the military personnel who guard and interrogate detainees at the Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; (2) the international community and home countries of such detainees should work with DOD to facilitate and expedite their repatriation; (3) such detainees should be charged and expeditiously prosecuted for their crimes; and (4) operations at such Naval Station should be carried out in a way that upholds the national interest and core value of the United States. (Sec. 1067) Requires the Secretary to submit to the defense and appropriations committees a plan for each individual presently detained at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, under the control of the Joint Task Force, Guantanamo, who is or ever has been classified as an &quot;enemy combatant.&quot; (Sec. 1068) Revises federal provisions concerning the use of the Armed Forces in major public emergencies to discontinue the executive authority to deploy active and reserve personnel during domestic response incidents. Repeals the authority of the President to direct the Secretary to provide supplies, services, and equipment to persons affected by major public emergencies. (Sec. 1069) Directs the Secretary to develop standards for access to all military installations in the United States, including screening standards appropriate to the type of installation, the security level, category of individuals authorized to visit, and level of access to be granted. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop such standards no later than July 1, 2008, and implement them no later than January 1, 2009; and (2) submit the standards implemented to the defense committees. (Sec. 1070) Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a comprehensive review of the U.S. nuclear posture for the next five to ten years; and (2) report review results to Congress. Expresses the sense of Congress that such review should be used as a basis for establishing future U.S. arms control objectives and negotiating positions. (Sec. 1071) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2006 to terminate the Commission on the Implementation of the New Strategic Posture of the United States. (Sec. 1072) Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to prohibit, after January 1, 2008, the head of a federal agency from granting or renewing a security clearance of a covered person who is an unlawful user of, or addicted to, a controlled substance. Defines a &quot;covered person&quot; as: (1) an officer or employee of a federal agency; (2) a member of the Armed Forces on active duty or in an active status; or (3) an officer or employee of a contractor of a federal agency. Prohibits the head of a federal agency, after January 1, 2008, and absent a waiver, from granting or renewing a clearance to any covered person who: (1) has been convicted of a crime for which the sentence was imprisonment for more than one year, and was so incarcerated for at least one year; (2) has been discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; or (3) is mentally incompetent, as determined by an appropriate adjudicating authority. Provides a waiver for the latter prohibition when mitigating factors are present. Requires an annual report from the head of any federal agency that employs or employed a person for whom a waiver was granted. (Sec. 1073) Directs the Secretary and the Director of National Intelligence to: (1) implement a demonstration project that applies new and innovative approaches to improve the processing of requests for security clearances; (2) evaluate the current process for issuing such clearances and develop a specific plan and schedule for replacing such process; and (3) report to Congress on the demonstration project, the results of the evaluation, and the plan and schedule developed. (Sec. 1074) Allows the Secretary to authorize qualified members of the Armed Forces and civilian DOD employees to provide physical protection and personal security within the United States to the: (1) Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense; (2) JCS Chairman and Vice Chairman; (3) Secretaries of the military departments; (4) Chiefs of the services; and (5) commanders of combatant commands. Authorizes protection and security for certain other individuals when determined necessary (requiring a written determination, and submission to the defense and appropriations committees, of such need). (Sec. 1075) Amends the Spence Act to extend until November 30, 2008, the due date of the final report of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack. Requires the Commission and the Secretary of Homeland Security to jointly ensure that the Commission's work with respect to electromagnetic pulse attack on electricity infrastructure, and protection against such attack, is coordinated with Department of Homeland Security efforts on such matters. Limits DOD funding to the Commission for preparation and submission of its final report. (Sec. 1076) Expresses the sense of Congress that DOD's small business innovation research program: (1) has been effective in supporting the performance of DOD missions; (2) has transitioned a number of technologies and systems into operational use by warfighters; and (3) should be reauthorized. (Sec. 1078) Defines &quot;commercial air service&quot; for purposes of qualification for public aircraft status of aircraft under contract with the Armed Forces. (Sec. 1079) Requires the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, the director of a national intelligence center, or head of any department, agency, or element of the intelligence community, within 45 days after receiving a request from the Chair or ranking minority member of the defense committees for any intelligence assessment, report, estimate, or legal opinion, to provide such information. Requires such information to be provided unless the President certifies that the information is not being provided because the President is asserting a privilege pursuant to the U.S. Constitution. (Sec. 1080) Provides for the DOD retention of funds received for the provision of reciprocal fire protection services. (Sec. 1081) Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to: (1) conduct a five-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of utilizing commercial fee-for-service air refueling tanker aircraft for Air Force operations; and (2) report annually to the defense and appropriations committees on such program. Requires the CG to annually review the program and report review results, as well as an assessment of the program's final result, to such committees. (Sec. 1082) Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory panel to assess DOD capabilities to provide support to U.S. civil authorities in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive incident. Requires: (1) interagency cooperation with the panel; and (2) a panel findings report to the Secretary and the defense committees. (Sec. 1083) States that a foreign state shall not be immune from an action in a U.S. court in any case in which money damages are sought for personal injury or death that was caused by an act of torture, extrajudicial killing, aircraft sabotage, hostage taking, or the provision of material support or resources for any such act engaged in by an official, employee, or agent of such foreign state while acting within the scope of such office, employment, or agency. Allows a U.S. court to hear such a claim if: (1) the foreign state was designated as a state sponsor of terrorism at the time the act occurred; (2) the claimant was a U.S. national, member of the Armed Forces, or employee of the government acting within the scope of such employment; (3) the claimant has afforded the foreign state a reasonable opportunity to arbitrate the claim; or (4) the claim is related to a specified case concerning the taking of American hostages by Iran in 1979. Requires actions to brought no later than the latter of ten years after: (1) April 24, 1996, or (2) the cause of action arose. Allows: (1) a private right of action by such a claimant; and (2) U.S. courts to appoint special masters to hear such claims. Allows claimants to establish a lien of lis pendens on a foreign state's real property or tangible personal property that is subject to execution or attachment under provisions of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA). Gives claimants who obtain a judgment against a foreign state recourse to the foreign state's property for execution of such judgment. Provides that a foreign state's property shall not be immune to execution upon judgment due to the property being regulated by the U.S. government under the Trading With the Enemy Act or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act due to the sovereign immunity of the United States. Provides application to pending cases and related actions. Title XI: Civilian Personnel Matters - (Sec. 1101) Extends through 2008 the authority of the head of an executive agency to waive current limitations on total compensation paid to an employee who performs overseas work related to a military operation or in response to a declared emergency within an area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command. (Sec. 1102) Authorizes federal civilian employees who are members of a reserve component called or ordered to active duty for a period of more than 30 consecutive days to continue coverage under Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance for up to 24 months after discontinuance of federal pay by reason of the performance of such duty. Requires the employee to pay premiums after the first 12 months of such additional coverage. (Sec. 1103) Allows to be relocated to their home of record at government expense the dependents of a civilian employee who dies while: (1) performing duties within the area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command; or (2) a party to a mandatory mobility agreement. (Sec. 1104) Authorizes the head of a federal agency to provide quarters, rations, and storage of a personal vehicle of a civilian employee of an executive agency of a military department who is assigned to a temporary change of station in support of a contingency operation. (Sec. 1105) Directs the United States to pay a death gratuity of up to $100,000 upon the death of a civilian employee who dies of injuries in connection with service with an armed force in a contingency operation. Makes this section effective, at the discretion of the Secretary concerned, for deaths occurring on or after October 7, 2001, in connection with service in Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom. Requires the death gratuity to be offset by amounts from any other federally-provided death gratuity. Provides a priority for survivors for the receipt of such gratuity. Allows the employee to designate another person to receive up to 50% of such payment, with the balance to be paid according to the survivor priority. (Sec. 1106) Revises provisions establishing the National Personnel System to provide collective bargaining and appeal rights for DOD employees. Allows (current law prohibits) the National Guard Bureau and the Army and Air Force National Guard to be included under the collective bargaining provisions. Prohibits the Secretary from adding more than 100,000 civilian employees to the System. Requires the CG to: (1) conduct periodic reviews, assessments, and surveys during 2008 through 2010 on employee satisfaction with the System; and (2) report results thereof to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 1107) Directs the Secretary to: (1) fully implement the project first authorized under the NDAA for Fiscal Year 1995 to carry out personnel management demonstration projects at DOD laboratories that are exempt from inclusion in DOD's National Security Personnel System; (2) implement a process to enhance the performance of the missions of the laboratories; and (3) report annually to Congress a list and description of the demonstration project notices, amendments, and changes requested by laboratories. (Sec. 1108) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (Thurmond Act) to include within an experimental personnel program for DOD scientific and technical personnel not more than 10 scientific and engineering positions in the Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering. (Sec. 1109) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a three-year pilot program under which the Secretary assigns to a private sector organization a DOD information technology (IT) employee. Requires the employee, upon return, to work in the civil service for a period at least equal to the assignment period. Prohibits more than ten DOD employees from participating in the program at any one time. Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees on the potential benefits of a program under which private sector IT employees may be temporarily assigned to DOD. (Sec. 1110) Authorizes the compensation of federal wage system employees for time spent returning from an event that cannot be scheduled administratively. (Sec. 1111) Allows prevailing rate employees to receive compensatory time off for each hour spent on official travel which is not otherwise compensable. (Sec. 1112) Allows senior-level federal employees (above GS-15) to accumulate annual leave in the same manner as employees of the Senior Executive Service, the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service, and certain other senior government officials. (Sec. 1113) Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe an amount higher than $400 for an annual uniform allowance for DOD civilian employees. (Sec. 1114) Authorizes an employee of a DOD or Coast Guard nonappropriated fund instrumentality to voluntarily transfer, without a break in service of more than three days, to a civil service appropriated fund position at the lowest pay within the appropriate grade that equals or exceeds the employee's previous pay level. (Sec. 1115) Ensures retirement service credit for service as a cadet or midshipman at a military service academy. (Sec. 1116) Authorizes increased annual compensation (up to $400,000) for faculty and staff of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. (Sec. 1117) Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a scholarship program for civilian mental health professionals. Title XII: Matters Relating to Foreign Nations - Subtitle A: Assistance and Training - (Sec. 1201) Allows the Secretary to assign personnel for military-to-military contact and other personnel exchange programs on a non-reciprocal basis, if the Secretary determines it is in the best interests of the United States. (Sec. 1202) Amends the Reagan Act to extend through FY2010 the authority for the DOD support of military activities of foreign forces, groups, or individuals to combat terrorism. Extends related report requirements. (Sec. 1203) Authorizes the Secretary to pay the medical expenses incurred by a liaison officer from a developing country who is temporarily assigned to a headquarters of a combatant command, component command, or subordinate operational command in connection with the planning for, or conduct of, a military operation. Authorizes the Secretary to pay such officer's medical care and temporary duty travel expenses in certain instances. Extends permanently (previously expired on December 31, 2005) the Secretary's authority to provide administrative services and support to such officers. (Sec. 1204) Amends the Warner Act to extend through FY2008 the authority of, and increase the authorization of appropriations for, DOD to enter into agreements with NATO members, major non-NATO allies, and friendly foreign countries to participate in centers of excellence to enhance interoperability, develop military doctrine, and develop and test new concepts. Extends related report requirements. (Sec. 1205) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2006 to extend through FY2009, and increase the authorization of appropriations for, the Commander's Emergency Response program (DOD provision of humanitarian and related relief to Iraq and Afghanistan). Extends related report requirements. (Sec. 1206) Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance during FY2008 to enhance the ability of the Pakistan Frontier Corps to conduct counterterrorism operations along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Limits to $75 million the amount of DOD O&amp;amp;M funds that may be used for such assistance. Requires 15 days' prior notification to the defense, foreign relations, and appropriations committees before the provision of such assistance. (Sec. 1207) Authorizes the Secretary, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, to provide equipment, supplies, services, and personnel training to a foreign nation to assist DOD with recovery of and accounting for missing U.S. personnel. Limits to $1 million the amount of any such assistance provided in a fiscal year. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on assistance provided. (Sec. 1208) Allows the Secretary to authorize a department Secretary or combatant command commander to exchange or furnish automatic identification system data broadcast by merchant or private ships and collected by the United States to a foreign country or international organization pursuant to an agreement for such an exchange. (Sec. 1209) Requires a report from the Secretary to the appropriations, defense, and foreign relations committees specifying, on a country-by-country basis, each foreign assistance-related program carried out by DOD during the prior fiscal year. (Sec. 1210) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2006 concerning a program under which the Secretary provides funds to the Secretary of State for the provision of reconstruction, security, or stabilization assistance to a foreign country to: (1) require the Secretary of State to coordinate with the Secretary in the formulation of a plan on the use of such funds; and (2) extend program authority through FY2008. (Sec. 1211) Requires a report from the CG to the defense, appropriations, and foreign relations committees assessing the Global Peace Operations Initiative. (Sec. 1212) Amends the American Servicemembers' Protection Act of 2002 to repeal certain limitations on U.S. military assistance to parties to the International Criminal Court. Subtitle B: Matters Relating to Iraq and Afghanistan - (Sec. 1221) Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense and for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, 2004 to extend the responsibilities of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction to include authority over all reconstruction funding provided, regardless of its source or fiscal year availability. Terminates the Office of the Special Inspector General 180 days after the balance of funds appropriated for the reconstruction of Iraq is less than $250 million. (Sec. 1222) Prohibits funds from being obligated or expended to: (1) establish any military installation or base for providing for the permanent stationing of U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq; or (2) exercise U.S. control of the oil resources of Iraq. (Sec. 1223) Amends the United States Policy in Iraq Act (part of the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2006) to require in an annual report under such Act a detailed description of the Multi-National Forces-Iraq/United States Embassy Baghdad Joint Campaign Plan, including conditions which could prompt changes to U.S. Armed Forces levels or missions in Iraq. Requires congressional briefings, after each such report, from the Secretary and the JCS on such issues. (Sec. 1224) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007 to require, in a report required under such Act, additional information on the success of increased use of the Iraqi Security Forces in bringing stability to Iraq. (Sec. 1225) Requires semiannual reports from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on Iranian support for attacks against coalition forces in Iraq. Terminates the report requirement on the date that the Secretary certifies to such committees that the government of Iran has ceased to provide military support to anti-coalition forces that conduct such attacks. (Sec. 1226) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a failed state in Iraq will have a negative impact on the Middle East and U.S interests in the region; and (2) the United States should pursue strategies to prevent a failed state in Iraq or to contain negative effects of such failed state. (Sec. 1227) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) policies supported by the United States in pursuit of a political settlement in Iraq should be consistent with the wishes of the Iraqi people and should not violate Iraqi sovereignty; and (2) if the Iraqi people support a political settlement in Iraq based on the Constitution of Iraq that creates a federal system of government and allows for the creation of federal regions, then the United States should support such a settlement. (Sec. 1228) Directs the President to implement a policy to control the export and transfer of defense articles into Iraq, and to implement a defense articles registration and monitoring system. Authorizes the President to exempt items from such registration, after congressional notification. Requires: (1) periodic review of the items subject to such registration; and (2) the reporting of review results to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 1229) Establishes the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, headed by a Special Inspector General, who shall conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations of the treatment, handling, and expenditure of funds appropriated by the U.S. government, and of the programs, operations, and contracts carried out utilizing such funds in Afghanistan, in order to prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse. Directs the Special Inspector General to appoint an Assistant Special Inspector General for: (1) Auditing; and (2) Investigations. Requires Special Inspector General quarterly reports to the appropriations, defense, and foreign relations committees on activities conducted. Requires each report to be made public (with exceptions for national security or criminal investigatory reasons). Allows the President to waive any report requirement under this Act for national security reasons. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the Office 180 days after remaining amounts appropriated for the reconstruction of Afghanistan are less than $250 million. Requires a final forensic audit report on programs and operations funded with amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for the reconstruction of Iraq. (Sec. 1230) Directs the President to report semiannually through FY2010 to the defense, appropriations, and foreign relations committees on progress toward security and stability in Afghanistan. Outlines matters to be included in such report, including: (1) strengthening the NATO International Security Assistance Forces; (2) Afghanistan National Security Forces capacity-building; (3) provincial reconstruction teams and other reconstruction and development activities; (4) counter-narcotics activities; (5) aid in fighting public corruption; (6) regional (geographic) considerations; and (7) performance indicators and measures of progress toward sustainable long-term security and stability. Directs the Secretary to supplement each required report with regular briefings to such committees. (Sec. 1231) Directs the Secretary to submit to the defense, appropriations, and foreign relations committees an annual plan for sustaining the Afghanistan National Army and the Afghanistan National Police of the Afghanistan National Security Forces with the objective to ensure and maintain long-term security and stability in Afghanistan. (Sec. 1232) Requires the Secretary to report to the defense, appropriations, and foreign relations committees on enhancing security and stability in the region along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. States that if such report is not submitted by March 31, 2008, then the government of Pakistan may not be reimbursed for certain logistic, military, and other support provided to the United States until the Secretary does submit the report. Directs the Secretary, at least 15 days before making any such reimbursement to Pakistan, to notify the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 1233) Earmarks DOD O&amp;amp;M funds for reimbursing any key cooperating nation for logistical and military support provided in connection with U.S. military operations in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. Limits to $1.2 billion the amount of such reimbursements during FY2008. Requires 15 days' advance notification of the defense and appropriations committees prior to any reimbursement. (Sec. 1234) Allows DOD O&amp;amp;M funds to be used to provide supplies, services, transportation, and other logistical support to coalition forces supporting U.S. military and stabilization operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Limits to $400 million the amount of such support during FY2008. Requires quarterly reports from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on the provision of such support. Subtitle C: Iraq Refugee Crisis - Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act of 2007 - (Sec. 1242) Directs the Secretary of State (Secretary, for purposes of this Subtitle only) to establish or use existing refugee processing mechanisms in Iraq and in countries in the region for eligible Iraqis to apply and interview for U.S. admission as refugees or as special immigrants. Authorizes the Secretary to suspend in-country processing for up to 90 days, and to extend such suspension upon notification of the judiciary and foreign relations committees. Requires the Secretary to report to such committees: (1) plans to establish the processing mechanisms; (2) an assessment of in-country processing that utilizes videoconferencing; and (3) efforts to improve issuance of exit permits to U.S. personnel and refugees. (Sec. 1243) Includes among refugees of special humanitarian concern: (1) Iraqis who were or are employed by the U.S. government in Iraq; (2) Iraqis who were employed in Iraq by a U.S.-based media or nongovernmental organization or an organization that has received U.S. government funding; (3) spouses, children, sons, daughters, siblings, and parents of Iraqis who worked for the U.S. government; and (4) Iraqis who are members of a religious or minority community and have close family members in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to identify other priority groups in Iraq, including vulnerable populations. (Sec. 1244) Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide special immigrant status to an otherwise admissible Iraqi national (and spouse and children) who was employed by, or worked for or directly with the U.S. government in Iraq for at least one year in or after March 30, 2003, and has or is experiencing an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of such employment. Limits the number of such special immigrants to 5,000 per year for each of the five years beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. Prohibits the charging of visa fees in connection with such immigrants. (Sec. 1245) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish in the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, a Senior Coordinator for Iraqi Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons; and (2) designate in the U.S. embassies in Cairo, Egypt; Amman, Jordan; Damascus, Syria; and Beirut, Lebanon a Senior Coordinator to oversee U.S. resettlement of persons considered refugees of special humanitarian concern. (Sec. 1246) Directs the Secretary, with respect to each country with a significant population of displaced Iraqis, including Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, and Lebanon, to: (1) consult with other countries regarding resettlement of the most vulnerable members of such refugee populations; and (2) develop mechanisms in and provide assistance to countries with a significant population of displaced Iraqis to ensure their well-being and safety in their host environments. (Sec. 1247) Permits a qualifying Iraqi applicant for asylum or withholding of removal whose claim was denied in whole or in part on the basis of changed country conditions on or after March 1, 2003, to file for reopening of his or her claim within six months after the enactment of this Subtitle. (Sec. 1248) Requires reports from: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security on plans to expedite the processing of Iraqi refugees for resettlement; (2) the President assessing the financial, security, and personnel considerations and resources necessary to carry out this Subtitle; (3) the Secretaries of Defense, State, the Treasury, and Homeland Security, as well as the USAID Administrator, on Iraqi nationals employed by the U.S. government and federal contractors in Iraq; and (4) the Secretary of Defense on the establishment of a classified database of information related to contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements entered into by executive agencies for the performance of work in Iraq since March 20, 2003, to be used by relevant federal departments and agencies to adjudicate refugee, asylum, special immigrant visa, and other immigration claims and applications. (Sec. 1249) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Other Authorities and Limitations - (Sec. 1251) Renames &quot;arms cooperation opportunities documents&quot; as &quot;cooperative opportunities documents&quot; for purposes of cooperative research and development agreements between the United States, NATO organizations, and other allied and friendly foreign countries. (Sec. 1252) Amends the Warner Act to: (1) allow DOD to lend certain military equipment to military forces of a nation participating with the United States in a United Nations (UN) or other international agreement. (Under current law, such equipment may be provided to foreign military forces of nations participating with the United States in military operations in Iraq or Afghanistan.) Extends the overall lending authority through FY2009. (Sec. 1253) Authorizes the Secretary to accept specified funds from the government of Palua to defray the costs of DOD military civic action teams there. (Sec. 1254) Repeals a provision of the Warner Act which requires the President to appoint a senior presidential coordinator of U.S. policy on North Korea. (Sec. 1255) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of State to authorize a $50 million award for the capture or death, or information leading to the capture or death, of Osama bin Laden. Requires: (1) a report from the Secretaries of State and Defense on progress made in bringing bin Laden and other al Qaeda leaders to justice; and (2) a follow-up report one year after the original report. (Sec. 1256) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 1994 to: (1) replace the Director of Central Intelligence with the Director of National Intelligence on the Counterproliferation Program Review Committee; (2) add to such Committee the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security; (3) extend the Committee through FY2013; and (4) make related reports biennial rather than annual. (Sec. 1257) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation is succeeding in providing security education and training to eligible Western Hemisphere military personnel, law enforcement officials, and civilians; and (2) therefore, the Institute should continue to be utilized. (Sec. 1258) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the manner in which the United States transitions and structures its military presence in Iraq will have critical long-term consequences for the future of the Persian Gulf and the Middle East; (2) it is in the U.S. national interest that Iran does not use extremists in Iraq to subvert or co-opt institutions of the legitimate government of Iraq; (3) the United States should designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization and place them on the list of specially designated global terrorists; and (4) the United States should expediently complete the listing of entities targeted as terrorist organizations under specified UN Security Council resolutions. Subtitle E: Reports - (Sec. 1261) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2006 to extend to January 7, 2008, a required update of a report on claims relating to the bombing of the LaBelle Discotheque in Berlin, Germany, in April 1986. (Sec. 1262) Requires a report from the Secretaries of State and Defense to the defense and foreign relations committees on U.S. policy to address the crisis in Darfur, in eastern Chad, and in northeastern Central African Republic, and on U.S. contributions in support of the current African Union Mission in Sudan or any covered UN mission. Repeals superseded report requirements under the Warner Act. (Sec. 1263) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2000 to include information on asymmetric capabilities, including cyberwarfare, in an annual report of military power of the People's Republic of China. (Sec. 1264) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on the status of implementation of provisions of the Warner Act relating to the application of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to persons serving with or accompanying an armed force in the field during a time of war or a contingency operation. (Sec. 1265) Directs the President to report to Congress on family reunions between U.S. citizens and their relatives in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (Sec. 1266) Requires the Secretaries of State and Defense to each report to the defense, appropriations, and foreign relations committees assessing the capabilities of each of their departments to provide training and guidance to the command of an international intervention force that seeks to prevent mass atrocities. (Sec. 1267) Requires the Secretaries of Defense and State to jointly report to the defense, foreign relations, and appropriations committees on threats posed to the United States from ungoverned areas, including threats posed by terrorist groups. Title XIII: Cooperative Threat Reduction With States of the Former Soviet Union - (Sec. 1301) Specifies the cooperative threat reduction (CTR) programs to be funded through O&amp;amp;M funds provided under this Act. Makes funds appropriated for such purpose available for three fiscal years. Allocates such funds among specified CTR programs. Prohibits such funds from being used for purposes other than those specified until 30 days after the Secretary reports to Congress on the new purposes. Provides limited authority to vary allocated amounts in the national interest, after congressional notification. (Sec. 1303) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year: (1) 1997 to authorize the Secretary to carry out specified CTR programs in states outside the former Soviet Union; and (2) 2004 to allow the Secretary, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State (under current law, allows the President) to exercise the emergency authority to use prior-year CTR balances for a proliferation threat reduction project or activity outside the former Soviet Union. (Sec. 1304) Repeals provisions of the: (1) Soviet Nuclear Threat Reduction Act of 1991, the Cooperative Threat Reduction Act of 1993, and the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2000, which require a number of annual certifications before any CTR funds may be obligated in a fiscal year; and (2) NDAA for Fiscal Year 2005 which authorize the President to waive the annual certification requirements. (Sec. 1305) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2004 to: (1) authorize the Secretary (under current law, the President) to use CTR funds outside the former Soviet Union; and (2) require the Secretaries of Defense and State to notify Congress within ten days after making certain determinations with respect to the need for such use of CTR funds. (Sec. 1306) Expresses the sense of Congress that the CTR program should be strengthened and expanded, in part by developing new CTR initiatives. Outlines CTR goals and objectives of such initiatives. Requires the Secretary to: (1) arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to carry out a study to analyze options for strengthening and expanding the CTR program; and (2) report to Congress on the new initiatives. Provides funding. (Sec. 1307) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on the Shchuch'ye chemical weapons destruction project in Russia. (Sec. 1308) Requires the Secretary to: (1) enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to carry out a study to identify areas for cooperation with states other than states of the former Soviet Union under the CTR program for the prevention of proliferation of biological weapons; and (2) report study results to Congress. Provides funding. Title XIV: Other Authorizations - Subtitle A: Military Programs - (Sec. 1401) Authorizes appropriations for DOD for FY2008 for: (1) Defense Working Capital Funds; (2) the National Defense Sealift Fund; (3) the Defense Health Program; (4) chemical agents and munitions destruction; (5) drug interdiction and counter-drug activities; and (6) the Defense Inspector General. Subtitle B: National Defense Stockpile - (Sec. 1411) Authorizes the National Defense Stockpile (NDS) Manager, during FY2008, to obligate up to $44,825,000 of the funds in the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund (Fund) for authorized Fund uses, including the disposition of hazardous materials that are environmentally sensitive. Authorizes the NDS Manager to obligate amounts in excess of such amount 45 days after notifying Congress that extraordinary or emergency conditions necessitate the additional obligations. (Sec. 1412) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2000 and the Thurmond Act to increase required receipt objectives for previously-authorized NDS disposals. (Sec. 1413) Authorizes the Secretary to dispose of up to 50,000 tons of ferromanganese from the National Defense Stockpile (NDS) during FY2008. Authorizes the Secretary, if such disposal is completed before September 30, 2008, to dispose of up to 50,000 additional tons before such date. Allows the Secretary to dispose of the additional amounts only after certifying to the defense committees that the additional disposal: (1) is in the interest of national defense; (2) will not cause disruption to the usual U.S. markets or producers and processors of ferromanganese; and (3) is consistent with NDS requirements and purposes. (Sec. 1414) Authorizes the Secretary to dispose of up to 500 short tons of chrome metal from the NDS during FY2008. Authorizes the Secretary, if such disposal is completed before September 30, 2008, to dispose of up to 500 additional short tons, requiring, at least 30 days in advance, the same certification as above. Subtitle C: Armed Forces Retirement Home - (Sec. 1421) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for the Armed Forces Retirement Home (Home). (Sec. 1422) Amends the Armed Forces Retirement Home Act of 1991 to: (1) require services provided to Home residents to include nonacute medical and dental services, pharmaceutical services, and transportation; (2) direct the Secretary to designate the Deputy Director of the TRICARE Management Activity as the Home Senior Medical Advisor (with specified duties); (3) require the DOD Inspector General to inspect a Home facility in any year in which that facility is not inspected by a nationally recognized civilian accrediting organization; and (4) require reports concerning inspections. Title XV: Authorization of Additional Appropriations for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom - (Sec. 1502) Authorizes appropriations for DOD for FY2008 to provide additional funds for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, specifically for: (1) procurement; (2) the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund; (3) RDT&amp;amp;E; (4) O&amp;amp;M; (5) working capital funds; (6) the Defense Health Program; (7) defense drug interdiction and counter-drug activities; (8) the Defense Inspector General; (9) the Iraq Freedom Fund; (10) the Iraq Security Forces Fund; (11) the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund; (12) military personnel; and (13) the Strategic Readiness Fund. (Sec. 1516) Treats amounts authorized to be appropriated by this title as in addition to amounts otherwise authorized by this Act. (Sec. 1517) Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to transfer up to $3.5 billion of the amounts made available to DOD in this title between any such authorizations for that fiscal year, with limitations. Requires congressional notification of each transfer. Title XVI: Wounded Warrior Matters - Wounded Warrior Act - (Sec. 1603) Requires the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs (Secretaries), in developing and implementing the policy required under section 1611, below, to: (1) take into account and fully address any unique gender-specific needs of recovering servicemembers (defined below) and veterans; and (2) include a description of such needs, and the manner in which they are addressed, in any reports required under this title. Subtitle A: Policy on Improvements to Care, Management, and Transition of Recovering Servicemembers - (Sec. 1611) Directs the Secretaries to: (1) jointly develop and implement a comprehensive policy on improvements to the care, management, and transition of members of the Armed Forces (members) who are undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, and is in an outpatient while recovering from a serious injury or illness related to the member's military service (recovering servicemembers); (2) jointly update the policy on a periodic basis (at least annually); and (3) jointly and separately review all DOD and VA policies and procedures that apply to, or are covered by, the policy. Requires such review to be completed within 90 days after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretaries, in developing the policy, to take into account specified findings, recommendations, and practices, including those of the Independent Review Group on Rehabilitative Care and Administrative Processes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center. Requires the policy to include, for recovering servicemembers: (1) uniform standards among the military departments for the training and skills of health care professionals, recovery coordinators, and case managers to ensure that such personnel are able to detect early-warning signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal or homicidal thoughts or behaviors, and other behavior health concerns; (2) a comprehensive recovery plan for each member; (3) assignment of recovery care coordinators, medical care case managers, and non-medical care case managers; (4) access to non-urgent health care from DOD or other providers under TRICARE; (5) assignment to care locations; (6) the provision of educational and vocational training and rehabilitation opportunities; (7) member tracking; (8) referrals to other care and service providers; and (9) specified family support services, including outreach. (Sec. 1612) Directs the: (1) Secretary to develop a policy on improvements to the processes, procedures, and standards for the conduct by the military departments of medical evaluations of recovering servicemembers; (2) Secretaries to develop a policy with respect to the conduct of physical disability evaluations of recovering servicemembers by the military departments and the VA; and (3) Secretaries to report to the defense, veterans, and appropriations committees on the feasibility and advisability of consolidating the disability evaluation systems of the military departments and the VA into a single system. (Sec. 1613) Requires the Secretary to establish standards for determinations by the military departments on the return of recovering servicemembers to active duty. (Sec. 1614) Directs the Secretaries to jointly develop and implement processes, procedures, and standards for the transition of recovering servicemembers from care and treatment through DOD to care, treatment, and rehabilitation through the VA. (Sec. 1615) Requires reports from: (1) the Secretaries to the defense, veterans, and appropriations committees on the policy developed, as well as on policy updates; (2) the Comptroller General (CG) annually to such committees assessing DOD and VA progress in developing and implementing the policy; and (3) the Secretary of Defense to the defense committees on instances beginning on October 7, 2001, and ending on September 30, 2007, in which a disability rating assigned to a member by an informal DOD physical evaluation board was reduced upon appeal, and the reasons therefor. (Sec. 1616) Directs the Secretary to establish a wounded warrior research center to provide recovering servicemembers, their families, and their primary caregivers a single point of contact for assistance in reporting deficiencies in covered military facilities (military medical treatment facilities, specialty medical care facilities, and military quarters or leased housing for patients), obtaining health care services, receiving benefits information, and any other difficulties encountered. Requires: (1) the center to provide multiple methods of access, including at a minimum an Internet website and a toll-free telephone number; and (2) the confidentiality of information provided to the center. (Sec. 1617) Requires the Secretary concerned to notify the appropriate Members of Congress of the hospitalization of any member evacuated from a theater of combat and admitted to a U.S. military treatment facility. Allows such notification only with the consent of the evacuated member. (Sec. 1618) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees a comprehensive plan for DOD programs and activities to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat, research, and otherwise respond to traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD, and other mental health conditions in members. Subtitle B: Centers of Excellence in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Eye Injuries - (Sec. 1621) Requires the Secretary to establish in DOD a center of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of: (1) TBI; (2) PTSD; and (3) military eye injuries. Requires reports from the Secretary to Congress on the establishment and operation of each center. Subtitle C: Health Care Matters - (Sec. 1631) Authorizes the Secretary to provide to any former member with a serious injury or illness the same medical and dental care as a member on active duty for care not reasonably available to the former member through the VA. Terminates such authority at the end of 2012. Entitles (with the same termination date) current members with a severe injury or illness to veterans' benefits (excluding compensation) from the VA to facilitate their recovery and rehabilitation. (Sec. 1632) Directs the Secretary concerned to implement, for each member who incurred a combat-related disability and is entitled to retired or retainer pay, an outreach program for the reimbursement of travel expenses associated with follow-on specialty care, services, and supplies. (Sec. 1633) Authorizes extended care benefits, including respite care, for members who incur a serious injury or illness while on active duty. (Sec. 1634) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on progress in implementing requirements under the Warner Act relating to: (1) a study on TBI incurred by members participating in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; and (2) early diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and other mental health conditions of members. Requires an annual report to such committees, during 2008 through 2013, on amounts expended by DOD for the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members with TBI or PTSD. (Sec. 1635) Directs the Secretaries to jointly: (1) develop and implement electronic record systems that allow full interoperability of personal health care information between DOD and the VA; and (2) accelerate the exchange of such information between the two departments. Establishes the Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office (with a Director and Deputy Director) for such purposes. Authorizes the Secretaries to carry out pilot projects to assess the feasibility and advisability of various technological approaches to the development of the record systems. Requires: (1) annual reports from the Director to the Secretaries and the defense, veterans, and appropriations committees on Office activities; (2) the Secretaries to make such reports available to the public; and (3) semiannual assessments by the CG of the Secretaries' progress in achieving the requirements of this section. (Sec. 1636) Allows the Secretary to exercise any DOD authority for the appointment and pay of health care personnel in order to provide or enhance DOD capacity to provide care and treatment for members who are wounded or injured on active duty, and to support ongoing DOD patient care and medical readiness, education, and training requirements. Directs the military department Secretaries to: (1) develop a strategy of best practices for the recruitment of such medical and health professionals within their department; and (2) report on such strategy to the defense and appropriations committees. Terminates the authority under this section on September 30, 2010. (Sec. 1637) States that a member who has a medical condition relating to service on active duty that warrants further medical care, and that has been identified during the member's 180-day transition period, shall be entitled to receive medical and dental care for such condition as if the member were still on active duty, until 180 days after such condition is diagnosed. Requires the Secretary concerned to ensure that the Defense Enrollment and Eligibility Reporting System is continually updated to reflect the continuing entitlement of such members to such services. Subtitle D: Disability Matters - (Sec. 1641) Authorizes the retirement or separation for disability of members, under provisions applicable to members on active duty for more than 30 days, if the member has six months or more of active service and the disability was not noted at the time of the member's entrance into active duty, unless medical evidence or judgment warrants a finding that the disability existed before the member's entrance on active duty. (Sec. 1642) Requires the Secretary concerned, in making disability determinations, to utilize (without deviating from) the schedule for rating disabilities in use by the VA. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to utilize criteria other than the VA schedule if such utilization will result in a determination of a greater percentage of disability than in the use of the schedule. (Sec. 1643) Directs the Secretary to establish within the Office of the Secretary the Physical Disability Board of Review to review disability determinations made by DOD physical evaluation boards of members who, during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2009, are: (1) separated from the Armed Forces as unfit for duty due to a medical condition with a disability rating of 20% or less; and (2) found to be ineligible for retirement. Requires the Board to notify such member or his or representative that consideration by the Board precludes further consideration by the Board for Correction of Military Records. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to correct the military records of such individuals in light of any Board of Review findings. (Sec. 1644) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct pilot programs with respect to the DOD system for the evaluation of disabilities of members being separated or retired for disability. Requires under the pilot programs that: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs assign a member a VA-schedule rating of disability, upon which the Secretary concerned shall make a disability determination of the member; (2) disability determinations are made utilizing joint DOD/VA-assigned disability ratings; and (3) the Secretary establishes and operates a single Internet website for the DOD disability evaluation system that enables participating members to utilize such system through the website. Outlines related pilot program purposes. Requires the Secretaries to jointly incorporate any findings and recommendations arising under the pilot programs when updating the comprehensive policy on the care and management of recovering servicemembers as required under section 1611. Requires: (1) each pilot program to be completed within one year after its commencement; and (2) an initial and final report on the pilot programs from the Secretary to the defense, veterans, and appropriations committees. (Sec. 1645) Requires reports from the Secretary, in 2008 and 2009, on the implementation of DOD corrective measures with respect to the physical disability evaluation system in response to the report of: (1) the Inspector General of the Army; (2) the Independent Review Group on Rehabilitation Care and Administrative Processes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center; and (3) the Department of Veterans Affairs Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes. Requires such reports to be posted on the public DOD Internet website. (Sec. 1646) Increases from 12 to 19 the maximum number of years of service authorized to be used as a multiplier to determine military disability severance pay. Provides minimum years of service for purposes of such determination. Prohibits any deduction from such pay due to payments received as veterans' disability compensation in the case of pay received by a member for a disability incurred in the line of duty in a combat zone or in combat-related operations as designated by the Secretary. (Sec. 1647) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees containing: (1) a statistical history, since January 1, 2000, of members who are returned to duty or separated following a stay on the temporary disability retired list; and (2) the results of specified assessments concerning the efficacy and utility of such list. (Sec. 1648) Directs the Secretary to establish standards for the accreditation of medical facilities with respect to DOD military medical treatment facilities, specialty medical care facilities, and military quarters or leased housing for patients. Requires that such standards be uniform and consistent across such facilities and across DOD and the military departments. Directs the Secretary to specify a deadline for standards compliance for each facility and report on actions taken to carry out this section. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to the defense committees on the adequacy, suitability, and quality of each of the facilities referred to in this section. (Sec. 1649) Requires semiannual reports, until March 1, 2009, from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on implementation of the Army Medical Action Plan to correct deficiencies identified in the condition of facilities and patient administration. (Sec. 1650) Directs the Secretary to submit to the defense and appropriations committees certain certifications concerning the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, as directed under the 2005 round of defense base closures and realignments under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. (Sec. 1651) Requires the Secretary to develop, maintain, and update at least annually in handbook and electronic form a description of the compensation and other benefits available to a member (and his or her family members) upon the member's separation or retirement as a result of a serious injury or illness. Directs the Secretary concerned to furnish the handbook to a member (or, if incapacitated, their next of kin) as soon as practicable following such an injury or illness. Subtitle E: Studies and Reports - (Sec. 1661) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for a study on the physical and mental health and other readjustment needs of members and former members who deployed in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom (and their families) as a result of such deployment. Requires the: (1) NAS to report to the Secretaries and the defense and appropriations committees upon the completion of each of the two phases of such study; and (2) Secretaries to develop a final DOD-VA response to such findings and recommendations. (Sec. 1662) Requires: (1) all military quarters and housing facilities occupied by recovering members to be inspected on a semiannual basis for the first two years after enactment of this Act and annually thereafter by the inspectors general of the regional medical commands; and (2) each such inspector general to report inspection results to specified officials and the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 1663) Directs the Secretary to study and report to the defense committees on the provision of support services for families of recovering members. (Sec. 1664) Requires a joint report from the Secretaries to the defense committees on DOD-VA changes to ensure that traumatic brain injury victims receive a medical designation concomitant with such injury, rather than a designation which assigns a generic classification such as &quot;organic psychiatric disorder.&quot; (Sec. 1665) Directs the Secretary to conduct, and report to Congress on, an evaluation of the Polytrauma Liaison Officer/Non-Commissioned Officer program operated by each of the military departments and the VA in order to assist in the seamless flow of information and communications between treatment facilities and the transition of members from the DOD health care system to the VA system. Subtitle F: Other Matters - (Sec. 1671) Prohibits the Secretary or the Secretary concerned from transferring funds or personnel from medical care functions to administrative functions within DOD in order to comply with new administrative requirements imposed, or amendments made, by this title. (Sec. 1672) Makes a family member of a recovering member eligible for medical care at a military treatment facility if the family member is: (1) on invitational orders while caring for the member; (2) a non-medical attendee caring for the member; or (3) receiving per-diem payments from DOD while caring for the member. (Sec. 1673) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a protocol for the predeployment assessment and documentation of the cognitive functioning of a member who is deployed outside the United States, in order to facilitate the assessment of the postdeployment cognitive functioning of such member; (2) conduct up to three pilot projects to evaluate various mechanisms for use in the protocol; (3) report to the defense, veterans, and appropriations committees on the pilot projects; and (4) after completion of the pilot projects, establish the appropriate mechanism for use in the protocol. (Sec. 1674) Requires that the funds available for Walter Reed Army Medical Center for a fiscal year be the same amount as that expended by the commander of the Center in FY2006 until the Secretary submits to the defense and appropriations committees a plan for the provision of health care for military beneficiaries and their dependents in the National Capital Region. Requires the Secretary to certify to such committees, on a quarterly basis, that Walter Reed's patients, equipment, and administrative functions have not been moved or disestablished until the expanded facilities at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, and DeWitt Army Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, have sufficient staff, equipment, and capacity to provide at least the same level of care provided at Walter Reed during FY2006. (Sec. 1675) Allows federal employees who sustain a combat-related injury while on active duty in the National Guard or reserves to accept donated leave without depleting their own accrued annual leave. Limits such authority to the period that the employee undergoes medical treatment for the injury, with a five-year limit. (Sec. 1676) Prohibits any study or competition from being begun or announced relating to the possible conversion to contractor performance of any DOD function carried out at a military medical facility until the Secretary: (1) certifies to the defense committees that appropriate steps have been taken to ensure that such competition will not have an adverse impact on the quality of medical care or the availability of medical personnel; and (2) reports to such committees on the public-private competitions being conducted for functions carried out at such facilities by each military department and defense agency. Title XVII: Veterans Matters - (Sec. 1701) Expresses the sense of Congress concerning VA efforts toward the rehabilitation and community reintegration of veterans with TBI. (Sec. 1702) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary, for purposes of this title only), for each veteran or member who receives inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation care from the VA for a TBI, to: (1) develop an individualized plan for the rehabilitation of such individual and their reintegration into the community; and (2) provide the plan to such individual before their discharge from inpatient care, following transition from active duty to the VA for outpatient care, or as soon as practicable following diagnosis. Requires each developed plan to be based upon the physical, cognitive, vocational, and neuropsychological and social impairments of the individual, as well as their family education and support needs after discharge from inpatient care. Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate a case manager for each individual; (2) ensure that such case manager has appropriate skills; (3) involve each individual and their family or guardian in the development of their rehabilitation and reintegration plan; (4) periodically review the effectiveness of each plan; and (5) conduct a plan review if requested by the individual. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop and carry out a comprehensive program of long-term care for post-acute TBI rehabilitation that includes residential, community, and home-based components utilizing interdisciplinary treatment teams; and (2) report to the veterans committees on the program's operation. (Sec. 1703) Authorizes the Secretary, in implementing and carrying out the rehabilitation and reintegration program as required under the previous section, to provide hospital care and medical services through cooperative agreements with entities that have established long-term neurobehavioral rehabilitation and recovery programs. (Sec. 1704) Directs the Secretary, with respect to VA provision of health care to veterans with TBI, to: (1) conduct research; (2) educate and train VA health care personnel in recognizing and treating TBI; and (3) develop improved models and systems for the VA furnishing of TBI care. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish and maintain the Traumatic Brain Injury Veterans Health Registry; and (2) when possible, notify individuals listed in the Registry of significant developments in research on health consequences of military service in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. (Sec. 1705) Requires the Secretary, in collaboration with the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, to carry out a five-year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of providing assisted living services to veterans with TBI to enhance their rehabilitation, quality of life, and community integration. Requires: (1) at least one part of the pilot program to be carried out in a region of the Veterans Health Administration that contains a VA polytrauma center; (2) special consideration to be given to veterans in rural areas; and (3) the Secretary to report to the veterans committees on the pilot program. (Sec. 1706) Requires the Secretary to ensure that veterans' nursing home care is provided in an age-appropriate manner. (Sec. 1707) Authorizes three years of automatic eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care in the case of a veteran who served in a combat theater of operations and is discharged or released from active-duty military service more than five years before the enactment of this Act and who did not enroll in the VA patient enrollment system before such date. (Sec. 1708) Requires the Secretary, within 30 days after a request, to provide a preliminary general mental health assessment to veterans who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War, or in combat against a hostile force after November 11, 1998. (Sec. 1709) Authorizes outpatient dental services for veterans with a service-connected dental condition or disability as long as the veteran's certificate of discharge or release does not include a certification that such veteran was provided a complete dental examination within 180 (under current law, 90) days before such discharge or release. (Sec. 1710) Includes recently released members of the National Guard or Reserves under a program of outreach services on the availability of VA readjustment and other benefits and services. (Sec. 1711) Requires the Secretary concerned to develop a process for the designation of a fiduciary or trustee of a member who is insured under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance against traumatic injury. Title XVIII: National Guard Bureau Matters and Related Matters - National Guard Empowerment Act of 2007 - Subtitle A: National Guard Bureau - (Sec. 1811) Revises eligibility requirements for appointment as Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Bureau). Provides a grade of general (currently, lieutenant general) for such position. Repeals the age limit of 64 for officers holding such position. Makes the Chief the principal advisor to the: (1) Secretary on matters involving non-federalized National Guard forces and on other matters as determined by the Secretary; and (2) Secretary of the Army and Air Force, as well as the Chief of Staff of the Army and Air Force, on matters relating to the National Guard and the Army and Air National Guard. (Sec. 1812) Establishes the Bureau as a joint activity of DOD (under current law, a joint bureau of the Departments of the Army and Air Force). (Sec. 1813) Expands the Bureau's charter to include assisting the Secretary in facilitating and coordinating with other federal agencies, state adjutants general, the United States Northern Command, and the United States Joint Forces Command on the use of National Guard personnel and resources in the conduct of National Guard operations or in support of state missions. (Sec. 1814) Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to Congress a plan (and plan update) for the use of the Armed Forces and National Guard for responding to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. (Sec. 1815) Requires the Secretary to: (1) determine the military-unique capabilities needed to be provided by DOD to support civil authorities in an incident of national significance or a catastrophic incident; and (2) develop and implement a plan for providing the funds and resources necessary to provide such support. Requires the plan to cover at least a five-year period. Subtitle B: Additional Reserve Component Enhancement - (Sec. 1821) Directs the: (1) JCS Chairman to submit to the Secretary a review of the civilian and military positions, job descriptions, and assignments within the U.S. Northern Command with the goal of significantly increasing the number of reserve personnel assigned to and civilians employed by such Command who have experience in the planning, training, and use of forces for homeland defense missions, domestic emergency response, and providing military support to civil authorities; and (2) Secretary to submit to Congress a copy of the review results. (Sec. 1822) Requires the President to establish a bipartisan Council of Governors to advise the Secretary, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the White House Homeland Security Council on matters related to the National Guard and civil support missions. (Sec. 1823) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a plan to implement necessary revisions in the designation, organization, membership, functions, procedures, and legislative framework of the Reserve Forces Policy Board; and (2) report to the defense committees on such plan. (Sec. 1824) Expresses the sense of Congress calling for consideration of eligible reserve officers for promotion to the grades of lieutenant general or vice admiral on the active duty list. Requires at least one deputy commander of the U.S. Northern Command to be a Guard officer eligible for promotion to the grade of O-9, unless a National Guard officer is already serving as a commander of that command. Increases from 10 to 15 the number of general and flag officer joint duty positions below the grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral that may be held by reserve officers. (Sec. 1825) Requires reserve officers in the grade of major general or rear admiral and above to be separated at the end of the first month such officer reaches age 64, unless a waiver to age 66 or 68 is authorized by the Secretary or the President, respectively. Authorizes the Secretary to defer to age 66 the retirement of the Chief of the Navy Reserve and the Commander of the Marine Forces Reserve. Requires retirement for reserve generals and admirals on the later of: (1) the fifth anniversary of the officer's appointment to that grade; or (2) 30 days after the officer completes 40 years of commissioned service. (Sec. 1826) Requires two additional reporting requirements in an annual report from the Secretary to Congress regarding National Guard and reserve equipment. Division B: Military Construction Authorizations - Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - (Sec. 2002) Terminates all authorizations contained in Titles XXI through XXVII, and Title XXIX of this Act on October 1, 2010, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY2011, whichever is later, with exceptions. Title XXI [sic]: Army - (Sec. 2101) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes such Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, carry out architectural planning and design activities, and improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 2007 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2105) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act (MCAA) for Fiscal Year 2007 to terminate the authority to carry out specified FY2007 Army construction projects for which no funds were appropriated. (Sec. 2107) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2006 to increase the amount authorized for a construction project at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. (Sec. 2108) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2005 to extend an authorized construction project at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. (Sec. 2109) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to use specified Florida property for constructing a consolidated headquarters facility for the United States Southern Command. Title XXII: Navy - (Sec. 2201) Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under the previous title. (Sec. 2205) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2007 to terminate the authority to carry out specified FY2007 Navy construction projects for which no funds were appropriated. (Sec. 2206) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2006 to increase the amount authorized for a construction project at the Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific, Bangor, Washington. (Sec. 2207) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2004 to repeal the authorization for construction of the Navy Outlying Field in Washington County, North Carolina. Title XXIII: Air Force - (Sec. 2301) Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under Title XXI. (Sec. 2305) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2007 to terminate the authority to carry out specified FY2007 Air Force construction projects for which no funds were appropriated. (Sec. 2306) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2006 to increase the amount authorized for a construction project at: (1) Edwards Air Force Base, California; and (2) MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. (Sec. 2307) Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - (Sec. 2401) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2007 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of DOD. (Sec. 2404) Terminates or revises the authority to carry out certain FY2007 DOD construction projects. (Sec. 2405) Increases the amount authorized for construction projects at the munitions demilitarization facilities at the Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky, and the Pueblo Chemical Activity, Colorado, both of which were authorized under prior military construction authorization Acts. Requires, with respect to each project, a certification of the necessity of such increases from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 2406) Extends certain FY2005 military construction projects. Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - (Sec. 2501) Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2007 for such Program. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - (Sec. 2601) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects for the National Guard and reserves. (Sec. 2606) Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2007 for National Guard and reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. (Sec. 2607) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2007 to terminate the authority to carry out specified FY2007 National Guard and reserve projects for which no funds were appropriated. (Sec. 2608) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2006 to terminate the authority for an FY2006 Air Force reserve project at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. (Sec. 2609) Extends certain prior-year National Guard and reserve military construction projects. Title XXVII: Base Closure and Realignment Activities - (Sec. 2701) Authorizes: (1) appropriations for fiscal years after 2007 for military base closure and realignment activities authorized under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 and funded through the Department of Defense Base Closure Accounts of 1990 and 2005; and (2) the Secretary to carry out such activities. (Sec. 2704) Provides the authorized cost and scope of work variations for military construction projects carried out in connection with base closure and realignment activities. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on existing projects subject to such cost and scope of work variations. Sec. 2705) Allows the transfer of funds from the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005 to DOD's Family Housing Improvement Fund and Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund (requiring congressional notification of, and justification for, each transfer). (Sec. 2706) Requires the Secretary to submit with the DOD budget materials for FY2009 a comprehensive accounting of funding required to ensure that the plan for implementing the final recommendations of the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission remains on schedule for completion by September 15, 2011. (Sec. 2707) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to use funds authorized under this title to purchase land adjacent to the Baton Rouge airport, Louisiana, for siting an Army Reserve Center and a Navy-Marine Corps Reserve Center in Baton Rouge. Sec. 2708) Authorizes a land exchange between the Administrator of General Services and the Secretary of the Army under which the Administrator transfers to such Secretary certain real property in the Springfield, Virginia, area near Fort Belvoir in exchange for current Army property in the National Capital Region. Requires prior congressional notification of any such transfer. Allows for the purchase of any other parcels in the vicinity of Fort Belvoir to facilitate the relocation of certain military personnel and DOD civilian employees. (Sec. 2709) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) roads leading into Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and other installations that will be significantly impacted by an increase in military personnel and DOD civilian employees as a result of force realignment should be considered for designation as defense access roads; and (2) the Secretary should ensure that necessary facilities and infrastructure are ready for use at such locations before units are transferred. Requires a report from the CG to the defense and appropriations committees on each installation that will be significantly affected by the realignment. Title XXVIII: Military Construction General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes - (Sec. 2801) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2004 to extend through FY2008 DOD authority to use O&amp;amp;M funds for construction projects outside the United States which are necessary due to a declaration of war, national emergency, or contingency operation. Requires that, when such authority involves a construction project with an estimated cost in excess of the minor military construction threshold, the Secretary shall provide advance notification to specified congressional committees. Prohibits the total cost of such projects from exceeding $200 million in a fiscal year. Authorizes the retroactive use of such authority with respect to certain FY2007 construction projects. (Sec. 2802) Includes land acquisitions and defense access road projects as military construction projects authorized to be undertaken by the Secretary and the military department Secretaries. (Sec. 2803) Increases from $1.5 million to $2 million the threshold for unspecified minor military construction projects. (Sec. 2804) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to use specified O&amp;amp;M or military construction funds to carry out unspecified minor military construction projects for the revitalization and recapitalization of DOD laboratories under their jurisdiction. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on the use of such authority. (Sec. 2805) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2005 to extend through FY2010 DOD authority to accept equalization payments for facility exchanges. (Sec. 2806) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to lease up to 600 additional rental units in the United States, Puerto Rico, or Guam for family housing purposes. Sets the per-unit annual rental limit at $18,620, with a lease term of up to two years. Increases from $500,000 to $1 million the threshold prior to required congressional notification of leases for DOD military family housing in foreign countries. Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on any rental of family housing in foreign countries that exceeds $60,000 per unit per year. (Sec. 2807) Authorizes the Secretary to exchange reserve component property and facilities for facilities of an executive agency or the U.S. Postal Service. (Sec. 2808) Limits the privatization of temporary lodging facilities to 13 specified Army installations in the United States until 120 days after a report from the Secretary of the Army to the CG and the defense and appropriations committees on the implementation and efficiency of such privatization. Requires a follow-up report from the CG to such committees. (Sec. 2809) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2006 to: (1) extend the Secretary's temporary authority to use higher minor military construction thresholds in the construction of child development centers; and (2) require reports in 2007 and 2009 from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on such construction program. (Sec. 2810) Requires a report from the CG to the defense committees on housing privatization transactions carried out by DOD that are behind schedule or in default. Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration - (Sec. 2821) Requires the Secretary, the military department Secretaries, or their designees to notify Congress prior to entering into a transaction or contract that results in or includes the acquisition, lease, license, or other use by DOD entities of real property having an estimated annual rental cost of more than $750,000. (Sec. 2822) Consolidates federal armed forces provisions concerning the authority of the military departments to acquire land in advance of military construction projects. (Sec. 2823) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to use procedures other than competitive procedures for the lease of non-excess property if such Secretary determines that: (1) a public interest will be served as a result of the lease; and (2) the use of competitive procedures is unobtainable or not compatible with such public benefit. (Sec. 2824) Includes sites outside of a military installation within the authority of the Secretary or the Secretary concerned to enter into cooperative agreements for the preservation, maintenance, and improvement of cultural resources. Includes an Indian sacred site as one of the covered cultural resources. (Sec. 2825) Allows DOD, under cooperative agreements to limit encroachments and other constraints on military training, testing, and operations by acquiring property, to manage natural resources on the acquired property when there is a demonstrated need to preserve or restore the habitat to further agreement purposes. Limits the portion of acquisition costs to be borne by the United States, but allows such costs to exceed fair market value if the Secretary concerned certifies to the defense committees that the military value of the acquisition justifies the excess payment. (Sec. 2826) Amends the Reagan Act to expand to all military departments an Army pilot program for the purchase of certain municipal services for military installations. Terminates the pilot program at the end of FY2012. (Sec. 2827) Requires the Secretary to prohibit the use of Selfridge Air National Guard Base by commercial aircraft. (Sec. 2828) Expresses the sense of Congress that DOD should: (1) develop additional policy guidance on further implementation of the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative; (2) cooperate and collaborate with other federal agencies charged with managing federal land; and (3) ensure that each military department takes full advantage of DOD authorities in addressing encroachment adversely affecting the installations, ranges, and military airspace of that department. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on steps taken to address issues raised in this section. (Sec. 2829) Directs the Secretaries of the Army and Navy to report to the defense and appropriations committees assessing operational ranges used to support training and range activities of the Army and Navy, respectively. Requires a follow-up report by the Secretary after the first two reports are submitted. (Sec. 2830) Directs the Secretary to submit to the defense and appropriations committees a plan for the current and future aviation assets expected to be based at Niagara Air Reserve Base, New York. (Sec. 2831) Requires the: (1) Secretary of the Army to report to the defense and appropriations committees on training facilities at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado; and (2) CG to submit to Congress a review of the report and of the Army's justification for expansion at the Site. Subtitle C: Land Conveyances - (Sec. 2841) Allows California law to be considered in the process used for determining the final disposition of an access road across the northern portion of Camp Pendleton, California. (Sec. 2842) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to grant to the Mid Bay Bridge Authority a roadway right-of-way easement over land at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. (Sec. 2843) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to convey to Florida State University specified real property at the Lynn Haven Fuel Depot in Lynn Haven, Florida, for the development of a satellite campus. (Sec. 2844) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2001 to modify provisions concerning the lease of property at the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. (Sec. 2845) Authorizes the Commandant of the Coast Guard to convey to the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit, Michigan, the current federal property at 2660 Atwater Street in Detroit. (Sec. 2846) Transfers from the EPA Administrator to the Secretary of the Interior administrative jurisdiction over the former Nike missile site in Grosse Ile, Michigan, for use as a habitat for fish and wildlife and as recreational property for outdoor education and environmental appreciation. (Sec. 2847) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 1998 to authorize the Secretary of the Army to convey to Harnett County, North Carolina, a tract of real property at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, without consideration (under current law, at fair market value). Directs the Secretary to require such County to pay administrative and other conveyance costs. (Sec. 2848) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to convey to the United Tribes Technical College specified real property at the Lewis and Clark United States Army Reserve Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, to support education at such College. (Sec. 2849) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to convey to the city of Copperas Cove, Texas, a parcel of Fort Hood, Texas, to be used to improve arterial transportation routes. Subtitle D: Energy Security - (Sec. 2861) Removes the $7 million ceiling for congressional notification regarding the cancellation of a DOD energy savings performance contract (thereby establishing the $10 million ceiling used by all other federal agencies). (Sec. 2862) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to add a definition of &quot;alternative fueled vehicle.&quot; (Sec. 2863) Requires: (1) each building constructed or significantly altered by the Secretary or a military department Secretary to be equipped to the maximum extent possible with energy-efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs; and (2) other lighting fixtures and bulbs replaced in the normal course of maintenance to be replaced by energy-efficient fixtures and bulbs. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such requirements if necessary to protect U.S. national security. (Sec. 2864) Requires a report from the Under Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on DOD progress made toward the goal of producing or procuring by 2025 at least 25% renewable energy to meet DOD's electricity needs, as well as related projections. Subtitle E: Other Matters - (Sec. 2871) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2000 to extend the deadline for the transfer of Arlington Naval Annex property to Arlington National Cemetery. (Sec. 2872) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to transfer to the Secretary of the Air Force administrative jurisdiction, custody, and control over the Air Force Memorial. (Sec. 2873) Requires the Secretaries of the Army and Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a joint report on plans to replace the monument at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. Prohibits either Secretary from replacing such monument until 180 days after the report is submitted. (Sec. 2874) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2002 to increase the amount authorized for repair, restoration, and preservation of the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-Lacoquette, France. (Sec. 2875) Amends the MCAA for Fiscal Year 2007 to require the Secretary of the Army to assume responsibility for a local protection project in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in return for the city's conveyance of such property to such Secretary. (Sec. 2876) Amends the Spence Act to repeal a provision establishing a moratorium on any acquisitions, construction, or improvements of any facility at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. (Sec. 2877) Authorizes the Secretary to permit the National War Dogs Monument, Inc., to establish a national monument to honor U.S. Armed Forces working dog teams that have participated in U.S. military operations. (Sec. 2878) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on the feasibility of establishing an association between the 120th Fighter Wing of the Montana Air National Guard and active-duty personnel stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. Prohibits more than 40 missiles from being removed from the 564th Missile Squadron until 15 days after such report is submitted. (Sec. 2879) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on the conditions of schools under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense Education Activity. Requires the report to be used as a master plan for the repair, upgrade, and construction of schools that support dependents of members of the Armed Forces and civilian DOD employees. (Sec. 2880) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees assessing the facilities and operations of the Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood Military Reservation, Texas. (Sec. 2881) Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on the feasibility of establishing at Kelly Air Field in San Antonio, Texas, a permanent, regionally-oriented disaster response center for planning, coordinating, and directing federal, state, and local response to natural and man-made disasters that occur in Region VI of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (Sec. 2882) Requires the Secretary of the Army to designate one of the military family housing areas or facilities constructed for Fort Carson, Colorado, under the military housing privatization initiative as the &quot;Joel Hefley Village.&quot; (Sec. 2883) Designates the: (1) Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center at Rock Island, Illinois, as the &quot;Lane Evans Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center;&quot; (2) new laboratory building at the Air Force Rome Research Site in Rome, New York, as the &quot;Sherwood Boehlert Center of Excellence for Information Science and Technology;&quot; (3) administration building under construction at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio, as the &quot;Michael G. Oxley Administration and Technology Center;&quot; and (4) Logistics Automation Training Facility of the Army Quartermaster Center and School at Fort Lee, Virginia, as the &quot;General Richard H. Thompson Logistics Automation Training Facility.&quot; (Sec. 2887) Authorizes the Secretary, if deemed in the best interest of national security and the physical protection of DOD personnel and missions, to carry out an agreement to relocate the Joint Spectrum Center from Annapolis, Maryland, to Fort Meade, Maryland, or another military installation. Terminates the existing lease for the Center upon completion of its relocation. Title XXIX: War-Related and Emergency Military Construction Authorizations - (Sec. 2901) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out war-related military construction projects at specified installations and locations in the United States and in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Requires at least 14 days' prior project justification from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees with respect to two such projects in Kuwait and Iraq Authorizes appropriations for the Army for fiscal years after 2007 for war-related military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. (Sec. 2902) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to: (1) acquire real property and carry out war-related military construction projects at specified installations and locations in the United States and in Djibouti; and (2) construct or acquire family housing units in the United States. Authorizes appropriations for the Navy for fiscal years after 2007 for war-related military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions. (Sec. 2903) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to acquire real property and carry out war-related military construction projects at specified installations and locations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Authorizes appropriations for the Air Force for fiscal years after 2007 for war-related military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions. (Sec. 2904) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out war-related military construction projects at specified installations and locations in the United States and in Qatar. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for war-related military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions. (Sec. 2905) Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2007 for base closure and realignment activities funded through the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005 and related authorizations under defense base closure laws. Division C: Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations - Title XXXI [sic]: Department of Energy National Security Programs - Subtitle A: National Security Programs Authorizations - (Sec. 3101) Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY2008 for: (1) activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in carrying out programs necessary for national security, with specified allocations for weapons activities, defense nuclear nonproliferation activities, naval reactors, and the Office of the Administrator for Nuclear Security; and (2) environmental restoration and waste management activities in carrying out national security programs, with specified allocations for defense environmental cleanup, other defense activities, defense nuclear waste disposal, and energy security and assurance. Subtitle B: Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations - (Sec. 3111) Prohibits DOE funds from being obligated or expended for the Reliable Replacement Warhead program beyond phase 2A activities. (Sec. 3112) Amends the: (1) NDAA for Fiscal Year 2004 to repeal certain requirements with respect to the nuclear test readiness posture; and (2) Atomic Energy Defense Act to require the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on U.S. nuclear test readiness. (Under current law, the Secretary is required to report to Congress on costs and programmatic and other issues associated with the conduct of nuclear tests within specified time frames.) (Sec. 3113) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2006 to require the submission in classified form of report requirements concerning the reliable replacement warhead program. (Sec. 3114) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of more than 75% of FY2008 fissile materials disposition program funds until the Secretary submits to the defense and appropriations committees a plan for the expenditure of funds made available for that program: (1) before FY2008 that remain available as of January 1, 2005; and (2) for FY2008. (Sec. 3115) Amends the Warner Act relating to the availability of funds for the Waste Treatment and Immobilization plant to: (1) remove the requirement that the Defense Contract Management Agency review and recommend for implementation the earned value management system to be used by the construction contractor at the plant; and (2) instead require an independent entity to conduct such review. (Sec. 3116) Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to extend until October 28, 2012, the Office of the Ombudsman under the energy employees occupational illness compensation program. Subtitle C: Other Matters - (Sec. 3121) Directs the Administrator to report to the defense and appropriations committees on: (1) an analysis of the feasibility of using existing pits in the Reliable Replacement Warhead program; (2) the retirement and dismantlement of nuclear warheads that will not be part of the enduring stockpile as of December 31, 2012, but have not yet been retired or dismantled; and (3) a plan for addressing physical and cyber security risks posed to the nuclear weapons complex. (Sec. 3124) Requires a report from: (1) the CG to the defense committees on the management of DOE protective forces; and (2) a follow-up report from the Secretary to such committees. (Sec. 3125) Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into an agreement with an independent entity to evaluate the NNSA's strategic plan for advanced computing; and (2) report evaluation results to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 3126) Expresses the sense of Congress that, among other things: (1) the United States should maintain its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (Treaty) and initiate talks with Russia to reduce its number of strategic and non-strategic nuclear weapons; (2) the United States and other Treaty parties should work to reduce the total number of nuclear weapons in their respective stockpiles; (3) the United States, Russia, and other states should work to negotiate and ratify a treaty for the cessation of production of fissile material; (4) the United States should commit to dismantle as soon as possible all retired warheads; and (5) the United States and other Treaty parties should work to decrease the reliance on, and importance of, nuclear weapons. (Sec. 3127) Directs the Secretary of Energy to submit to Congress a plan to strengthen and expand the DOE: (1) international radiological threat reduction program within the Global Threat Reduction Initiative; and (2) materials protection, control, and accounting program. (Sec. 3129) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into international agreements on: (1) determining the source of any components of, or fissile material used in, a nuclear device or weapon; and (2) information on the physical characteristics of radioactive materials produced, used, or stored at various locations. Requires reports from the Secretary to Congress on: (1) such agreements; and (2) standards and capabilities for determining any country or group that provides to another country or group a nuclear device or weapon (or component thereof) or fissile materials that could be used in such a device or weapon. (Sec. 3130) Directs the: (1) Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees and the CG on the status of environmental initiatives undertaken to accelerate the reduction of environmental risks and challenges posed by the legacy of the Cold War; and (2) CG to review the report and report results to such committees. Subtitle D: Nuclear Terrorism Prevention - (Sec. 3132) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should make the prevention of a nuclear terrorist attack on the United States a high priority; (2) the President should accelerate programs to prevent nuclear terrorism; (3) the United States should take a comprehensive approach to reducing the danger of nuclear terrorism, with a high priority on ensuring that all nuclear weapons worldwide are secure and accounted for and that all strategic special nuclear materials are eliminated, removed, or secure and accounted for; and (4) the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should be funded to fulfill its role in coordinating international efforts to protect nuclear material and combat nuclear smuggling. (Sec. 3133) States as the policy of the United States that all possible steps are taken to ensure that all nuclear weapons are secure and accounted for, and that all strategic special nuclear materials are eliminated, removed, or secure and accounted for to a level sufficient to defeat the threats posed by terrorists and criminals. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President: (1) should seek the broadest possible international agreement on a global standard for nuclear security; and (2) work with other countries and the IAEA to seek an agreement that achieves such policy objectives. (Sec. 3134) Requires an annual report from the President to Congress on the security of nuclear weapons and related equipment and quantities of strategic special nuclear materials outside the United States. Title XXXII: War-Related National Nuclear Security Administration Authorizations - (Sec. 3201) Authorizes appropriations for the NNSA for war-related defense nuclear proliferation, to be allocated between the International Nuclear Materials Protection and Cooperation program and the Global Threat Reduction Initiative. Title XXXIII: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board - (Sec. 3301) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Title XXXIV: Naval Petroleum Reserves - (Sec. 3401) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Energy for FY2008 to carry out activities relating to the naval petroleum reserves. (Sec. 3402) Amends the Thurmond Act to require the Secretary of Energy to complete, by no later than October 1, 2019, remediation at the Moab uranium milling site, Utah, and removal of the tailings to the Crescent Junction site (also in Utah). Requires such Secretary, if unable to complete the remediation by such deadline, to submit to Congress a plan for project completion and estimated funding. Title XXXV: Maritime Administration - Subtitle A: Maritime Administration Reauthorization - (Sec. 3501) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary, for purposes of this title) for FY2008 for the Maritime Administration for specified activities, including: (1) operation and training; (2) maintaining a U.S.-flag merchant fleet; and (3) the disposal of obsolete vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet. (Sec. 3502) Directs the Secretary to transfer to the Secretary of the Navy during FY2008, for disposal by the Navy, no less than three combatant vessels in the nonretention fleet of the Maritime Administration. (Sec. 3503) Requires the Secretary to compose a working group to: (1) review and make recommendations on best practices for the storage or disposal of obsolete vessels owned or operated by the federal government; and (2) submit to the defense and transportation committees a plan to improve and harmonize vessel storage and disposal practices. Subtitle B: Programs - (Sec. 3511) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements to purchase, charter, operate, or otherwise acquire the use of any vessels and any other related real or personal property. (Sec. 3512) Subjects to prior consent by the Secretary of Defense the use or transfer by the Secretary of any vessel in the Ready Reserve Force or National Defense Reserve Fleet which is maintained in a retention status for DOD. (Sec. 3513) Amends the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 1946 to allow the Secretary to charter to any U.S. state, locality, or territory any vessel of the Ready Reserve Force or National Defense Reserve Fleet described above. (Sec. 3514) Amends the National Maritime Heritage Act of 1994 to modify requirements regarding the disposal of certain National Defense Reserve Fleet vessels that are not in the Ready Reserve Fleet. (Sec. 3515) Authorizes the Secretary to charter or otherwise make available a vessel under such Secretary's jurisdiction to any other federal department. (Sec. 3516) Amends the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 1946 to require the Secretary, in order to ensure Ready Reserve Fleet vessel readiness, to active and conduct sea trials on such vessel at least once every 30 (under current law, 24) months. (Sec. 3517) Directs the Administrator of the Maritime Administration to develop and report to the transportation and defense committees a comprehensive plan for the review of traditional and non-traditional vessel or fishery facility purchase, construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning loan applications. Subtitle C: Technical Corrections - (Sec. 3521) Makes various technical corrections.<br/>

1200440460 2008-01-15 Thu Nov 06 20:18:52 -0600 2008 AbstainAbstain 2 70 42777 Wed Apr 11 17:20:00 -0500 2007 false 3829 28 128 164 0 On Passage of the Bill (S. 30 ) true 3/5 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 17:36:32 -0500 2007 senate s 29 42777 1175140800 false 1176330000 1176743100 11 30 1221 110 300024

4/11/2007--Passed Senate without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research Act or the HOPE Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells, including pluripotent stem cells that have the flexibility of embryonic stem cells (whether or not they have an embryonic source), that may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, provided that such techniques do not involve: (1) the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes; or (2) the destruction or discarding of, or risk of injury to, a human embryo of embryos other than those that are naturally dead. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional research; (2) prioritize research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefits; (3) take into account techniques outlined by the President's Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques and research; and (4) require assurances from grant applicants, in the case of research involving stem cells from a naturally dead embryo, that no alteration of the timing, methods, or procedures used to create, maintain, or intervene in the development of a human embryo was made solely for the purpose of deriving the stem cells. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine to conduct a study to: (1) recommend an optimal structure for an amniotic and placental stem cell bank program; and (2) address pertinent issues to maximize the potential of such technology.<br/>

1176696000 2007-04-16 Fri Nov 07 12:06:50 -0600 2008 NayNay 6 93 42794 Wed May 09 11:54:00 -0500 2007 true 2585 1 157 141 0 On Passage of the Bill (S.1082 as Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 17:26:19 -0500 2007 senate s 481 42794 1176177600 false 1178729640 1178847600 107 1082 5781 110 300059

5/9/2007--Passed Senate amended. Food and Drug Administration Revitalization Act - Title I: Prescription Drug User Fees - (Sec. 101) - Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments of 2007 - (Sec. 102) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to set forth as a purpose that authorized prescription drug fees be dedicated toward expediting the drug development process, the process for the review of human drug applications, and postmarket drug safety. Sets forth reporting requirements, including requiring the Secretary of Human Services (the Secretary) to present to Congress recommendations developed for achieving certain goals for the review process of human drug applications and for reauthorization of user fee provisions.<br/>Makes changes to include postmarket safety activities within the process for the review of approved human drug applications or supplements, including developing and using improved adverse event data collection systems and improved analytical tools to assess potential safety problems. Removes provisions limiting the postmarket safety activities to three years after approval of a new drug.<br/>(Sec. 103) Reauthorizes prescription drug new users fees beginning in FY2008. Requires the Secretary to provide a partial refund of an applicant's user fees if the application is withdrawn without a waiver before filing.<br/>Sets forth special rules for compounded positron emission tomography drugs, including allowing an applicant for an approved human drug application for a compounded positron emission tomography drug to be subject to one-fifth of the annual prescription drug establishment fee.<br/>Establishes the amount of revenue that fees are to generate for FY2008-FY2012. Sets forth provisions regarding adjustments to such fees. Requires the Secretary to: (1) contract with an independent accounting firm to study and make recommendations on the adjustment for changes in review activities; and (2) make appropriate changes to the workload adjustment methodology in setting fees for FY2010-FY2012.<br/>Directs the Secretary to consider only the circumstances and assets of the applicant and any affiliate when determining whether to grant a waiver or reduction of fees assessed. Excludes an entity that has a drug product that has been approved under a human drug application and introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce from being considered a small business for purposes of application fee waiver rules.<br/>(Sec. 104) Requires the Secretary to assess and collect fees for advisory review by the Secretary of direct-to-consumer television advertisement for a prescription drug product. Sets forth procedures for such review.<br/>Subjects each person that is assessed an advisory review fee to an operating reserve fee for the first fiscal year in which an advisory review fee is assessed. Establishes the amount of revenue that may be generated from such fees.<br/>Requires the Secretary to annually set the fee for advisory review based on the number of direct-to-consumer advertisements that the Secretary will review in the next fiscal year. Sets forth fee limits.<br/>Requires the Secretary to establish a Direct-to-Consumer Advisory Review Operating Reserve in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) salaries and expenses appropriation account to continue such review in the event the fees collected in any subsequent fiscal year do not generate the fee revenue amount established for that fiscal year. Terminates such advisory review if the Secretary fails to receive a certain amount of advisory review fees and operating reserve fees.<br/>Terminates provisions for prescription drug user fees on October 1, 2012, except certain reporting requirements.<br/>Title II: Drug Safety - (Sec. 200) Enhancing Drug Safety and Innovation Act of 2007- Subtitle A: Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies - (Sec. 201) Amends the FFDCA to require the Secretary to establish: (1) minimum standards for collection and transmission of postmarketing data elements from electronic health data systems; and (2) a validated and integrated postmarket risk identification and analysis system to integrate and analyze safety data from multiple sources.<br/>Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and maintain an active surveillance infrastructure to collect and report data for pharmaceutical postmarket risk identification and analysis, including procedures to provide for adverse event surveillance by collecting and monitoring health-related electronic data; and (2) develop, support, and participate in complementary approaches to gather and analyze such data and information to the extent the active surveillance infrastructure is not sufficient to gather data and information relevant to priority drug safety questions.<br/>Requires the Secretary to establish collaborations with other government, academic, and private entities to provide for the risk identification and analysis of collected data and data that is publicly available or is provided to the Secretary in order to: (1) improve the quality and efficiency of postmarket drug safety risk-benefit analysis; (2) provide the Secretary with routine access to expertise to study advanced drug safety data; and (3) enhance the ability of the Secretary to make timely assessments based on drug safety data.<br/>Directs the Secretary to seek recommendations from the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee at least biannually on: (1) priority drug safety questions; and (2) mechanisms for answering such questions.<br/>Requires the Secretary to establish and implement procedures under which the Secretary may routinely collaborate with a qualified entity to: (1) clean, classify, or aggregate data; (2) allow for prompt investigation of priority drug safety questions; (3) perform advanced research and analysis on identified drug safety risks; (4) convene an expert advisory committee to oversee the establishment of standards for the ethical and scientific uses for postmarketing data collected; and (5) focus postmarket studies and post-approval clinical trials on cases for which reports and other safety signal detection is not sufficient to resolve whether there is an elevated risk of a serious adverse event associated with the use of a drug.<br/>Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012.<br/>(Sec. 202) Requires a proposed risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for a new drug to include: (1) labeling for the drug for use by health care providers; and (2) a timetable for submission of assessments of the strategy. Sets forth as additional elements that a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy may include: (1) post-approval studies; (2) advertisement pre-review requirements; (3) specific disclosures in advertisements; and (4) additional elements to assure safe use. Allows an application for approval of a new drug or a license for a biological product to include a proposed risk evaluation and mitigation strategy if there is a signal of a serious risk with a drug. Authorizes the Secretary to require that the applicant submit a proposed risk evaluation and mitigation strategy if the Secretary determines that, based on such a signal, a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy is necessary to assess such signal or mitigate such risk. Sets forth a time frame for submission of such a strategy when ordered by the Secretary. Allows (or requires, if ordered by the Secretary) an applicant to submit assessments or propose modifications of such a strategy. Establishes a Drug Safety Oversight Board to: (1) oversee disputes related to a proposed risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, except for disputes during initial approval of a drug; and (2) provide oversight and advice to the Secretary on the management of important drug safety issues.<br/>Sets forth civil penalties for knowingly failing in an application to comply with a requirement of an approved risk evaluation and mitigation strategy.<br/>(Sec. 203) Deems a drug to be misbranded if it is a drug subject to an approved risk evaluation and mitigation strategy and the applicant fails to: (1) make a labeling change required by such strategy; or (2) comply with the advertising requirements of such strategy. Sets forth civil penalties for knowingly failing to comply with a requirement of such strategy.<br/>(Sec. 204) Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow an applicant for a license for a biological product to submit to the Secretary a proposed risk evaluation and mitigation strategy.<br/>(Sec. 205) Authorizes the Secretary to withdraw or suspend approval of a new drug application without first ordering the applicant to submit an assessment of the approved risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for the drug.<br/>(Sec. 206) Provides that a drug that is the subject of an abbreviated new drug application (generic) shall be subject to only the following elements of an approved risk evaluation and mitigation strategy if required for the applicable listed drug: (1) labeling, as required for the applicable listed drug; (2) a Medication Guide or patient package insert; (3) pre-review of advertising; (4) specific disclosures in advertising; and (5) elements to assure safe use as necessary. (Sec. 207) Includes within the process for review of human drug application requirements that the Secretary conduct postmarket safety activities that include reviewing, implementing, and ensuring compliance with risk evaluation and mitigation strategies.<br/>Sets forth fee revenue amounts for FY2008-FY2012. Requires the Secretary to submit to the relevant congressional committees a strategic plan on information technology that includes: (1) an assessment of the information technology infrastructure; (2) an assessment of the extent to which the current FDA information technology assets are sufficient to meet needs; and (3) a plan and assessment of resources needed for enhancing such assets.<br/>(Sec. 208) Requires the holder of an approved new drug application or a biological product license to promptly notify the Secretary of new safety information that should be included in the labeling of the drug. Requires the Secretary to promptly notify the holder if the Secretary becomes aware of new safety information that should be included. Sets forth an accelerated labeling review process to resolve disagreements between the Secretary and a holder about the need for, or content of, safety labeling changes. Requires the Drug Safety Oversight Board to resolve such disputes, as necessary.<br/>(Sec. 209) Requires the Secretary to improve the transparency of pharmaceutical data and allow patients and health care providers better access to such data by developing and maintaining an Internet website that: (1) provides comprehensive drug safety information for approved prescription drugs; and (2) improves communication of drug safety information to patients and providers. Requires the Advisory Committee on Risk Communication to: (1) regularly perform a comprehensive review and evaluation of the types of risk communication information provided on such website; and (2) recommend ways for the FDA to work with outside entities to help facilitate the dispensing of risk communication information to patients and providers. (Sec. 210) Requires that certain information related to a new drug application be published on the FDA's website, including: (1) documents generated by the FDA related to review of an application; and (2) a summary review of conclusions from all reviewing disciplines about the drug. Provides that a scientific review of an application is considered the work of the reviewer. Prohibits the altering of such work by management or the reviewer once it is final. (Sec. 211) Requires the Secretary to establish the Advisory Committee on Risk Communication to advise the Commissioner on which methods to use to effectively communicate risk associated with the products regulated by the FDA.<br/>Requires the Secretary to partner with professional medical societies, medical schools, academic medical centers, and other stakeholders to develop robust and multi-faceted systems for communication to health care providers about emerging postmarket drug risks.<br/>(Sec. 212) Requires the Secretary to refer a drug of which no active ingredient has been approved in any other application to an FDA advisory committee for review prior to approval. Allows the advisory committee review to occur within one year after approval if: (1) the clinical trial that formed the primary basis of the safety and efficacy determination was halted by a drug safety monitoring board of an Institutional Review Board before its scheduled completion due to early unanticipated therapeutic results; or (2) the Secretary determines that it would be beneficial to the public health.<br/>(Sec. 213) Requires the Secretary to issue a report responding to the Institute of Medicine report on drug safety.<br/>(Sec. 214) Deems drugs approved before the effective date of this Act to have an approved risk evaluation and mitigation strategy if there are restrictions on distribution or use of such a drug. Requires the Secretary to notify applicants of the date by which an assessment of an approved strategy must be submitted, which date shall be no earlier than six months after the applicant is notified, except with respect to the drug Mifeprex (mifepristone) for which such assessment must be submitted six months after the applicant is notified.<br/>Subtitle B: Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration - (Sec. 221) Establishes the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration as a nonprofit corporation to advance the mission of the FDA to modernize medical, veterinary, food, food ingredient, and cosmetic product development, accelerate innovation, and enhance product safety. Requires the Foundation to: (1) identify unmet needs in the development, manufacture, and evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of devices, biologics, and drugs and the safety of food, food ingredients, and cosmetics; (2) establish goals and priorities; (3) identify federal research and development programs and minimize duplication; (4) award grants to scientists and entities to efficiently and effectively advance such goals and priorities; and (5) provide objective clinical and scientific information to the FDA and other federal agencies. Requires the Foundation's Board of Directors to appoint an Executive Director. Directs the Commissioner to receive and assess reports submitted by the Executive Director. Sets forth reporting requirements.<br/>(Sec. 222) Requires the Secretary to establish an Office of the Chief Scientist to: (1) oversee, coordinate, and ensure quality and regulatory focus of FDA intramural research programs; (2) track and coordinate intramural research awards made by each FDA center or science-based office and ensure that there is no duplication of research efforts supported by the Foundation; (3) develop and advocate for a budget to support intramural research; (4) develop a peer review process by which intramural research can be evaluated; and (5) identify and solicit intramural research proposals from across the FDA through an advisory board composed of FDA employees.<br/>Subtitle C: Clinical Trials - (Sec. 231) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary, acting through the Director of NIH, to expand the clinical trials registry data bank. Requires the Director to ensure that the data bank is made publicly available through the Internet. Requires the Secretary to expand the data bank to require the submission of specified information for applicable drug clinical trials and applicable device clinical trials. Requires the Secretary to ensure that the data bank includes links to results information for those clinical trials that form the primary basis of an efficacy claim or are conducted after the drug involved or device involved is cleared or approved. Requires the Director to conduct a study to determine the best, validated methods of making the results of clinical trials publicly available after the approval of drugs.<br/>Prohibits the submission of promotional or false or misleading clinical trial information. Sets forth civil penalties for violations.<br/>Subtitle D: Conflicts of Interest - (Sec. 241) Requires the Secretary to recruit individuals to serve as advisory committee members. Requires the Secretary to review the individual's financial disclosure report and expertise when considering a term appointment to an advisory committee. Sets forth provisions governing the granting of waivers and financial interests of advisory committee members. Subtitle E: Other Drug Safety Provisions - (Sec. 251) Directs the Commissioner to publish and update, quarterly, a complete list of all authorized generic drugs on the FDA's website.<br/>(Sec. 252) Requires the Secretary to require that state-legalized medical marijuana be subject to the full regulatory requirements of the FDA.<br/>Subtitle F: Antibiotic Access and Innovation - (Sec. 261) Makes certain antibiotic drugs eligible for market exclusivity if an application for marketing is submitted after enactment of this Act for an antibiotic drug that: (1) was approved by the Secretary before November 21, 1997; or (2) was the subject of one or more applications received by the Secretary before November 21, 1997, none of which was approved. (Sec. 262) Requires the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to convene a public meeting regarding which serious and life-threatening infectious diseases potentially qualify for available grants and contracts or other incentives for orphan drug development.<br/>(Sec. 263) Requires the Secretary, through the Commissioner, to identify and periodically update clinically susceptible concentrations (specific values that characterize bacteria as clinically susceptible, intermediate, or resistant to the drug tested).<br/>(Sec. 264) Allows an applicant for a non-racemic drug containing as an active ingredient a single enantiomer that is contained in a racemic drug approved in another application to elect to have the single enantiomer considered the same active ingredient as that contained in the approved racemic drug under certain circumstances.(Sec. 265) Direct the Comptroller General to submit a report to the relevant congressional committees that examines whether and how this subtitle has: (1) encouraged the development of new antibiotics and other drugs; and (2) prevented or delayed timely generic entry into the market. Title III: Medical Devices - Subtitle A: Device User Fees - (Sec. 301) Medical Device User Fee Amendments of 2007 - (Sec. 302) Establishes the purpose of collecting medical device fees, including that such fees be dedicated towards expediting the process for the review of device applications and assuring the safety and effectiveness of devices.<br/>Sets forth reporting requirements, including requiring the Secretary to report to the relevant congressional committees on the FDA's progress in achieving specified goals.<br/>Terminates medical device user fee provisions on October 1, 2012, except certain reporting requirements.<br/>(Sec. 303) Makes changes to medical device fees, including establishing fees for: (1) a 30-day notice for a supplement to an approved premarket application or premarket report that is limited to a request to make modifications to manufacturing procedures or methods affecting the safety and effectiveness of the device; (2) a request for classification information; (3) periodic reporting concerning a class III device; and (4) each initial or annual registration for establishments subject to a registration fee.<br/>Establishes medical device fee amounts.<br/>Makes changes to provisions related to qualifications for fee waivers for small businesses.<br/>Authorizes appropriations.<br/>(Sec. 305) Makes this subtitle effective on October 1, 2007.<br/>Subtitle B: Amendments Regarding Regulation of Medical Devices - (Sec. 311) Requires a person accredited to conduct inspections of establishments that manufacture, prepare, propagate, compound, or process class II or class III devices to notify the Secretary of any withdrawal, suspension, restriction, or expiration of certificate of conformance with the quality systems for any device establishment that such person inspects within 30 days after such action. Allows an accredited person to conduct audits to establish conformance with the quality systems. Sets forth conditions that a device establishment must meet to be eligible for inspections by accredited persons. Deems a device establishment to have clearance to participate in the program and to use an accredited person for inspections unless the Secretary denies such clearance or requests certain compliance data or information concerning the relationship between the owner of the establishment and the accredited person. Sets forth conditions under which the Secretary may deny clearance.<br/>(Sec. 312) Extends the authority of accredited persons to review pre-market reports for devices and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the initial classification of devices.<br/>(Sec. 313) Requires every person who owns or operates any establishment in any state engaged in the manufacture, preparation, propagation, compounding, or processing of a device to register with the Secretary. Requires any such establishment within a foreign country to register electronically with the Secretary.<br/>(Sec. 314) Requires a registered person to report to the Secretary with regard to devices once each year.<br/>(Sec. 315) Requires electronic registration for device establishments, unless the Secretary grants a waiver.<br/>Title IV: Pediatric Medical Products - Subtitle A: Best Pharmaceuticals for Children - Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Amendments of 2007 - (Sec. 402) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make changes to provisions in regard to market exclusivity for pediatric drug studies on new drugs or already approved drugs, including to: (1) require that the studies are completed using appropriate formulations for each age group for which the study is requested; (2) require that appropriate labeling changes are made as determined appropriate by the Secretary within a time frame requested by the Secretary; and (3) prohibit the Secretary from extending market exclusivity if the determination of eligibility for such market exclusivity is made less than nine months prior to its expiration.<br/>Requires an applicant or holder who does not agree with a request to conduct pediatric studies on the grounds that it is not possible to develop the appropriate pediatric formulation to submit to the Secretary the reasons such pediatric formulation cannot be developed. Requires an applicant or holder that agrees to such a request to provide the Secretary with all postmarket adverse event reports regarding the drug that are available prior to submission of reports on such studies.<br/>Directs the Secretary to: (1) publish a notice identifying any drug for which a pediatric formulation was developed, studied, and found to be safe and effective in the pediatric population if the formulation is not introduced onto the market within one year after the Secretary's determination regarding market exclusivity; and (2) create an internal review committee to review all written requests issued and all reports submitted. Requires the committee to be responsible for tracking and making available to the public: (1) the number of pediatric studies conducted; (2) the specific drugs and uses studied; (3) the types of studies conducted, the number of pediatric patients studied, and the number of centers and countries involved; (4) the number of pediatric formulations developed and the number not developed and the reasons formulations were not developed; (5) the labeling changes made as a result of studies; (6) an annual summary of labeling changes made as a result of studies conducted for distribution; and (7) information regarding reports submitted after enactment of this Act.<br/>Reduces market exclusivity for pediatric studies from six months to three months for drugs for which combined annual gross sales exceed $1 billion.<br/>Requires the Secretary to: (1) order the labeling of a drug to include information about the result of a pediatric study whether it does or does not demonstrate that the drug is safe and effective, including whether such study results are inconclusive; (2) ensure that all adverse event reports that have been received are referred to the Office of Pediatric Therapeutics for review.<br/>(Sec. 403) Reauthorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director of NIH, to: (1) develop, publish, and revise every three years a priority list of needs in pediatric therapeutics; and (2) report to Congress on the feasibility of establishing a compilation of information on pediatric drug use. Requires the Director to submit proposed pediatric study requests for consideration by the Commissioner.<br/>(Sec. 404) Requires the Comptroller General to submit a report to Congress that addresses the effectiveness of providing market exclusivity for pediatric studies in ensuring that medicines used by children are tested and properly labeled.<br/>Requires the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to study and report to Congress regarding the written requests made for pediatric studies and the studies conducted.<br/>(Sec. 405) Requires the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to include health professionals who intend to build careers in pediatric pharmacological research within the Institute's career development activities.<br/>Includes pediatric pharmacological research within the pediatric research loan repayment program.<br/>(Sec. 406) Authorizes the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and other donations, establish accounts, and invest and expend funds in support of pediatric studies of drugs for which the Secretary determines that there is a continuing need for information relating to the use of the drug in a pediatric population.<br/>(Sec, 407) Requires the advisory committee on pediatric therapeutics to continue to operate for five years after enactment of this Act.<br/>(Sec. 408) Requires the Pediatric Subcommittee of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee to: (1) provide recommendations to the internal review committee that reviews pediatric research requests with respect to the treatment of pediatric cancer; and (2) continue to operate for five years after enactment of this Act. Sets forth reporting requirements.<br/>(Sec. 409) Directs that the proposed rule issued by the Commissioner entitled &quot;Toll-Free Number for Reporting Adverse Events on Labeling for Human Drug Products&quot; take effect on January 1, 2008, unless the the final rule is issued before such date. Subtitle B: Pediatric Research Improvement - Pediatric Research Improvement Act - (Sec. 412) Requires an applicant seeking a waiver from requirements to submit pediatric assessments for new drugs and biological products to submit to the Secretary documentation detailing why a pediatric formulation cannot be developed.<br/>Requires an applicant to annually submit to the Secretary: (1) information detailing the progress made in conducting pediatric studies; or (2) if no progress has been made, evidence and documentation that such studies will be conducted with due diligence and at the earliest possible time. Requires such information to promptly be made publicly available.<br/>(Sec. 413) Requires an applicant seeking a waiver from a requirement to submit a pediatric assessment for an already marketed drug or biological product to submit to the Secretary documentation detailing why a pediatric formula cannot be developed. Requires the the applicant's submission to promptly be made available to the public if such a waiver is granted.<br/>(Sec. 414) Requires the Secretary to create an internal committee to review pediatric assessment requests, pediatric assessments conducted, and deferral and waiver requests from such requirements. Makes the committee responsible for tracking and making public in an easily accessible manner information related to such pediatric assessments, including: (1) the number of assessments conducted and the drugs and drug uses assessed; (2) the number of pediatric formulations developed and the number not developed and the reasons formulations were not developed; and (3) the labeling changes made as a result of assessments.<br/>Deems any supplement to a new drug applicant or license for a biological product proposing a labeling change as a result of any pediatric assessments to be a priority supplement.<br/>Provides for referral to the Pediatric Advisory Committee for disputes on labeling changes. Requires the Secretary to: (1) order the labeling of a product to include information about the results of the assessment and a statement of the Secretary's determination that a pediatric assessment does or does not demonstrate that the drug is safe and effective; and (2) make publicly available the medical, statistical, and clinical pharmacology reviews of such pediatric assessments; and (3) ensure that all adverse event reports that have been received for the drug are referred to the Office of Pediatric Therapeutics for review.<br/>(Sec 415) Considers a drug to represent a meaningful therapeutic benefit over existing therapies if the Secretary determines (currently, estimates) that the drug or biological product if approved could (currently, would) represent a significant improvement in the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of a disease.<br/>(Sec. 416) Requires the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to study and report to Congress regarding the pediatric studies of new drugs or biological products conducted pursuant to the FFDCA since 1997.<br/>Requires the Comptroller General to submit to Congress a report that addresses the effectiveness of such studies in ensuring that medicines used by children are tested and properly labeled.<br/>Subtitle C: Pediatric Medical Devices - Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act of 2007 - (Sec. 422) Requires applications for a humanitarian device exemption, an application for premarket approval of a medical device, or a product development protocol for a medical device to include, if readily available: (1) a description of any pediatric subpopulations that suffer from the disease or condition that the device is intended to treat, diagnose, or cure and (2) the number of affected pediatric patients. Requires the Secretary to submit to the relevant congressional committees an annual report that includes: (1) the number of devices approved in the preceding year for which there is a pediatric subpopulation that suffers from the disease; (2) the number of approved devices labeled for use in pediatric patients; (3) the number of fee-exempt devices approved; and (4) the review time for each approved device.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to conclude that adult data on medical devices may be used to support a determination of a reasonable assurance of effectiveness in pediatric populations if the course of the disease or condition and the effects of the device are sufficiently similar in adults and pediatric patients.<br/>(Sec. 423) Excludes a medical device distributed pursuant to the humanitarian device exemption from the prohibition that no device be sold for an amount that exceeds the cost of the device, if: (1) the device is intended for the treatment or diagnosis of a disease or condition that occurs in pediatric patients; (2) the device was not approved for pediatric patients prior to enactment of this Act; (3) the number of devices distributed does not exceed an annual distribution number specified by the Secretary; and (4) the request for exemption is submitted on or before October 1, 2012.<br/>Requires the Secretary to refer any adverse event report related to a device to the Office of Pediatric Therapeutics for review.<br/>Directs the Comptroller General to report on the impact of allowing persons granted a humanitarian device exemption to profit from such device.<br/>(Sec. 424) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of NIH, to designate a contact point or office to help innovators and physicians identify sources of funding available for pediatric medical device development.<br/>(Sec. 425) Requires the Secretary to award grants for demonstration projects to promote pediatric device development.<br/>(Sec. 426) Includes as a duty of the Office of Pediatric Therapeutics increasing pediatric access to medical devices. Requires the Office to report to the relevant congressional committees a plan for expanding pediatric medical device research and development. Expands the duties of the advisory committee on pediatric therapeutics to include providing advice and recommendations on matters relating to medical devices.<br/>(Sec. 427) Allows the Secretary to require: (1) postmarket surveillance on class II or class III medical devices that are expected to have significant use in pediatric populations; (2) a postmarket surveillance as a condition of approval of an application or a product development protocol or as a condition to clearance of a premarket notification for such pediatric devices; and (3) a prospective surveillance period of more than 36 months for such pediatric devices as necessary to assess the impact of the device on growth and development or the effects of growth, development, activity level, or other factors on the safety of the device.<br/>Title V: Other Provisions - (Sec. 501) Amends the FFDCA to require the Secretary, through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to establish and make publicly available clear written policies to govern the timely submission, review, clearance, and disclaimer requirements for publication of articles by an FDA officer or employee.<br/>(Sec. 504) Expresses the sense of the Senate that legislation should be enacted to provide the FDA with the authority and flexibility to approve biopharmaceuticals subject to an abbreviated approval pathway.<br/>(Sec. 505) Requires the Secretary to: (1) award a transferable, priority review voucher to the sponsor of a tropical disease product upon approval by the Secretary of such product; and (2) establish a priority review user fee program.<br/>(Sec. 506) Prohibits the Secretary from delaying approval of a new drug application while a petition is reviewed or considered, unless such a delay is necessary to protect the public health. Requires the Secretary to take final agency action on a petition not later than 180 days after submission, unless such a delay is necessary. Requires petitions to be signed and to contain specified verifications.<br/>Sets forth reporting requirements.<br/>Requires the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to evaluate evidence of FDA compliance with the requirement that the consideration by the Secretary of petitions that do not raise public health concerns remain separate and apart from the review and approval of a new drug application.<br/>(Sec. 507) Requires the Commissioner to annually submit to Congress and the public on the FDA's Internet website a report concerning the results of the FDA's pesticide residue monitoring program.<br/>(Sec. 508) Amends the Head Start Act to require a Head Start agency to obtain written parental consent before administration of any nonemergency intrusive physical examination of a child in connection with participation in a Head Start program.<br/>(Sec. 509) Requires the FDA to report on the question of whether substances used to preserve the appearance of fresh meat may create any health risks or mislead consumers.<br/>(Sec. 510) Requires the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine to conduct a study to assess the overall safety and quality of genetic tests and prepare a report that includes recommendations to improve federal oversight and regulation of genetic tests. (Sec. 511) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the FDA should enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine for a study concerning measures that may be taken to improve the likelihood that FDA-approved drugs that are safe and effective in treating children with orphan diseases (rare genetic diseases) are made available and affordable for pediatric indications.<br/>(Sec. 512) Requires the Secretary, after the close of a fiscal year in which color certification fees are collected, to submit to Congress: (1) a performance report on the number of batches of color additives approved, the average turn around time for approval, and quantifiable goals for improving laboratory efficiencies; and (2) a financial report for the color certification program.<br/>(Sec. 513) Prohibits any food product from being imported into the United States that is the product of a registered foreign food facility that refuses to permit U.S. inspectors, upon request, to inspect such facility or that unduly delays access to U.S. inspectors.<br/>(Sec. 514) Provides that the certification requirement before implementation of the prescription drug importation provisions under this Act shall not apply to requirements for counterfeit-resistant technologies.<br/>(Sec. 515) Authorizes the Secretary to enhance, as necessary, the inspection regime of the FDA for aquaculture and seafood, consistent with U.S. obligations under international agreements and U.S. law.<br/>(Sec. 516) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the U.S. Trade Representative should: (1) use all available tools to address violations and other concerns with intellectual property; and (2) develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan to address the problem of countries infringing upon American pharmaceutical intellectual property rights and engaging in price manipulation.<br/>(Sec. 517) Requires the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to produce a report on any environmental risks associated with genetically engineered seafood products.<br/>(Sec. 518) Requires the Secretary to submit to the relevant congressional committees a report on the differences between taxonomies of certain species of lobster.<br/>(Sec. 519) Establishes civil penalties for dissemination of false or misleading direct-to-consumer advertisements for a prescription drug.<br/>(Sec. 520) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, to determine whether: (1) the labeling requirements for indoor tanning devices provide sufficient information to consumers regarding the risks of irreversible damage to the eyes and skin, including skin cancer; (2) modifying the warning label required on tanning beds would communicate such risks more effectively; and (3) there is no warning that would be capable of adequately communicating such risks. Requires the Secretary, in making such determinations, to: (1) conduct appropriate consumer testing using the best available methods for determining consumer understanding of label warnings; and (2) hold public hearings and solicit comments from the public.<br/>Title VI: Food Safety - (Sec. 602) Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) processing and ingredient standards with respect to pet food, animal waste, and ingredient definitions; and (2) update standards pet food labeling that includes nutritional and ingredient information.<br/>Requires the Secretary to establish an early warning and surveillance system to identify adulteration of the pet food supply and outbreaks of illness associated with pet food.<br/>(Sec. 603) Requires the Secretary, during an ongoing recall of human or pet food, to: (1) work with companies, professional associations, and other organizations to collect and aggregate pertinent information; (2) use existing networks of communication to enhance the quality and speed of communication with the public; and (3) post information regarding recalled products on the FDA's website in a consolidated, searchable form that is easily accessed and understood by the public.<br/>(Sec. 604) Requires the Secretary to work with states in undertaking activities that assist in improving the safety of fresh and processed produce.<br/>(Sec. 605) Requires the Secretary to establish an Adulterated Food Registry to which instances of reportable adulterated food may be submitted by the FDA. Requires the Secretary to issue an alert if the Registry shows that a food: (1) has been associated with repeated and separate outbreaks of illness or has been repeatedly determined to be adulterated; or (2) is a reportable adulterated food. Allows such an alert to apply to a particular food or to food from a particular producer, manufacturer, shipper, growing area, or country.<br/>Requires a responsible party or importer who determines that an article of food it produced, processed, manufactured, distributed, or otherwise handled is a reportable adulterated food to provide notification to other parties linked in the supply chain and to submit a report to the FDA.<br/>Requires the Secretary to immediately notify the Secretary of Homeland Security if the Secretary suspects such food may have been deliberately adulterated.<br/>(Sec. 606) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) it is vital for Congress to provide the FDA with additional resources, authorities, and direction to ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply; (2) the Secretary should make it a priority to enter into agreements with U.S. trading partners with respect to food safety; and (3) the Senate should work to develop a comprehensive response to the issue of food safety.<br/>(Sec. 607) Sets forth reporting requirements with respect to food products regulated by the FDA.<br/>(Sec. 609) Authorizes appropriations.<br/>Title VII: Domestic Pet Turtle Market Access - Domestic Pet Turtle Market Access Act of 2007 - (Sec. 703) Prohibits the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from restricting the sale by a turtle farmer, wholesaler, or other commercial retail seller of a turtle that is less than 10.2 centimeters in diameter as a pet if: (1) the state or territory in which such farmer is located has developed a regulatory process by which pet turtle farmers are required to have a state license; (2) such state or territory requires certification of sanitization that requires each turtle to be sanitized or treated for diseases and is dependent upon using proven non-antibiotic methods to make the turtle salmonella-free; and (3) the turtle farmer or commercial retail seller makes certain disclosures to a buyer. Sets forth required disclosures, which include: (1) information regarding the possibility that salmonella can re-colonize in turtles, the dangers that could result if the turtle is not properly handled and safely maintained, the proper handling of the turtle, and the proven methods of treatment that keep the turtle safe from salmonella; (2) a detailed explanation of how to properly treat the turtle to keep it safe from salmonella and how the buyer can continue to purchase the tools, treatments, or any other required item to continually treat the turtle; and (3) a statement that buyers of pet turtles should not abandon turtles, but should instead return them to a commercial retail pet seller or other organization that would accept turtles no longer wanted as pets.<br/>(Sec. 704) Authorizes the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to restrict the sale of a turtle only if the Secretary determines that the actual implementation of state health protections are insufficient to protect consumers against infectious diseases acquired from such turtle at the time of sale.<br/>Title VIII: Importation of Prescription Drugs - Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2007 - (Sec. 804) Amends the FFDCA to revise provisions governing the importation of prescription drugs. Waives the limitation on importation of prescription drugs that have been exported from the United States.<br/>Prohibits the importation of a qualifying drug unless such drug is imported by: (1) a registered importer; or (2) an individual for personal use. Defines &quot;qualifying drug&quot; as a drug for which there is a corresponding U.S. label drug.<br/>Includes among registration conditions for importers and exporters: (1) the drug to be imported or exported was manufactured in an approved facility and manufactured for sale in the United States or a permitted country; (2) a chain of custody exists for such drug; (3) the exporter or importer allows onsite inspections by the Secretary; (4) there is proper labeling of the shipment; (5) importers provide prior notice of all shipments; and (6) importers and exporters pay a registration fee and an inspection fee.<br/>Requires the Secretary to inspect places of business, verify chain of custody, review records, monitor shipment labels, inspect facilities, and check for compliance with registration conditions.<br/>Sets forth provisions governing the importation of qualifying drugs that are different from U.S. label drugs, including standards for judging such differences, labeling requirements, and bioequivalence.<br/>Establishes conditions for individual importation of a qualifying drug, including requiring a valid prescription and a quantity not exceeding a 90-day supply.<br/>Prohibits manufacturers from: (1) discriminating against registered exporters or importers; (2) causing there to be a difference in a prescription drug distributed in the United States and one distributed in a permitted country; (3) engaging in actions to restrict, prohibit, or delay the importation of a qualifying drug; or (4) engaging in any action that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) determines discriminates against a person engaged in the importation of a qualifying drug. Allows states to bring actions for violations.<br/>States that the resale in the United States of prescription drugs that were properly sold abroad is not patent infringement.<br/>Gives priority in the registration of exporters to significant Canadian exporters. Allows the Secretary to limit the number of registered exporters and importers.<br/>Requires the Secretary to educate consumers regarding prescription drug importation.<br/>(Sec. 805) Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to deliver violative shipments to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to destroy such shipments under certain circumstances.<br/>(Sec. 806) Requires the Secretary to establish alternative requirements to identify the chain of custody of a drug from the manufacturer throughout the wholesale distribution to a pharmacist who intends to sell the drug at retail if the Secretary determines that such requirements: (1) will identify such chain of custody or the identity of the discrete package from which the drug is dispensed with equal or greater certainty than current requirements; and (2) are economically and technically feasible.<br/>Directs the Secretary to require the use of standardized anti-counterfeiting and track-and-track technologies on prescription drugs at the case and pallet level. Sets forth additional counterfeiting technologies to be incorporated into prescription drug packaging.<br/>(Sec. 807) Prohibits any person from dispensing a prescription drug pursuant to a sale if: (1) any part of the sales transaction for the drug is conducted through an Internet site; (2) the person dispenses the drug to the purchaser by mailing or shipping the drug to the purchaser; and (3) such site fails to meet specified requirements regarding inclusion of a page (and links thereto) providing the identities and licensing information of the seller, pharmacists, or medical consultants.<br/>Prohibits a person from selling or dispensing a prescription drug if: (1) the purchaser communicated with the person through the Internet; (2) the purchaser did not have a valid prescription when the communication began; (3) the person provided for the involvement of a practitioner; (4) the practitioner issued a prescription for the drug that was purchased; (5) the person knew that no qualifying medical relationship existed (defines &quot;qualifying medical relationship&quot; as requiring an in-person medical evaluation); and (6) the person received payment.<br/>Allows states to bring civil actions against a person for violations of this Act.<br/>Prevents Internet providers from being held liable for dispensing or selling prescription drugs on account of another person's activities.<br/>Includes the dispensing or selling of a prescription drug in violation of this Act as a prohibited act under the FFDCA.<br/>Requires the Secretary to award a grant or contract to the National Clearinghouse on Internet Prescribing to identify and report Internet sites that violate federal or state laws concerning the dispensing of drugs.<br/>(Sec. 808) Prohibits the introduction of restricted transactions with unregistered foreign pharmacies into a payment system or the completion of such transactions using a payment system.<br/>Requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to promulgate regulations requiring designated payment systems to establish policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent the introduction of a restricted transaction into a payment system.<br/>(Sec. 809) Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to allow a U.S. resident entering the United States with a controlled substance for which the individual does not have a valid prescription to import not more than ten dosage units combined of all such controlled substances.<br/>(Sec. 811) Directs that this title only becomes effective if the Secretary certifies to Congress that its implementation will: (1) pose no additional risk to the public's health and safety; and (2) result in a significant reduction in the cost of covered products to the American consumer.<br/>

1178847600 2007-05-10 Fri Nov 07 14:32:31 -0600 2008 AyeAye 7 83 43154 Tue Feb 26 09:58:00 -0600 2008 true 4428 10 32 157 0 On Passage of the Bill (S.1200 as Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Tue Feb 26 10:50:04 -0600 2008 senate s 127 43154 1177387200 false 1204041480 1204207440 19 1200 3126 110 300037

2/26/2008--Passed Senate amended. Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 - Reauthorizes Indian Health Service (IHS) programs. Title I: Amendments to Indian Laws - (Sec. 101) Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act ( IHCIA) to declare a national Indian health policy to: (1) raise the health status of Indians and Urban Indians by 2010 to at least the levels set forth in the goals contained within the Healthy People 2010 or successor objectives; (2) ensure maximum Indian participation in the direction of health care services to make the persons administering such services and the services themselves more responsive to the needs and desires of Indian communities; and (3) ensure that the United States and Indian Tribes work together to ensure quality health care for all tribal members.<br/>Authorizes approval of up to a two-year extension (or the part-time equivalent) of a health profession preparatory pregraduate education scholarship.<br/>Revises Indian Health Scholarship requirements. Gives the Director of IHS the responsibility of administration of such scholarship program. Requires scholarship recipients to work full-time for a time frame equal to one year for each school year, or two years, whichever is greater, in specified programs, including working in a practice that addresses the health care needs of Indians or teaching in a tribal college or university nursing (or related health profession) program, if the health service provided to Indians would not decrease.<br/>Revises American Indians Into Psychology Program requirements to establish a maximum grant amount of $300,000 to each of nine (currently three) colleges and universities. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2017.<br/>Revises requirements for matching grants to tribes for health professional scholarship programs. Allows 20% of funds for the scholarship costs to be from any source instead of only non-federal sources. Requires a scholarship recipient to agree not to discriminate in providing health care against individuals on the basis of payment under title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA).<br/>Revises IHS extern program requirements. Extends the extern program to a Tribal Health Program (THP) or an Urban Indian Organization (UIO) (on a discretionary basis) or other Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies (as available). Allows a high school extern program.<br/>Revises requirements for programs for continuing education allowances. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to provide programs or allowances to: (1) transition into an Indian Health Program (IHP), including licensing, board or certification examination, and technical assistance in fulfilling service obligations, and (2) enable health professionals employed in an IHP to take leave of their duty stations for a period each year for professional consultation and refresher training and, in the case of nurses, for additional clinical sexual assault nurse examiner experience to maintain competency or certification. Repeals the set-aside for postdoctoral training. Allows extension of continuing education allowances to health professionals employed in an IHP or a UIO.<br/>Revises community health representative program requirements. Renames health paraprofessionals as &quot;community health representatives.&quot;<br/>Revises Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program requirements. Requires the Secretary to notify a loan repayment applicant of approval or disapproval within 21 days after receipt of the application. Cancels the service or payment of damages obligation of an individual at death.<br/>Revises Scholarship and Loan Repayment Recovery Fund requirements. Includes among Fund sources any collections from contract breaches for the scholarships or loan repayment programs and interest. Allows THPs to use payments received from the Fund to provide scholarships.<br/>Revises requirements for recruitment activities to allow travel reimbursement of health professionals seeking positions with IHPs or UIOs. Revises Indian recruitment and retention program and advanced training and research requirements, specifying the involvement of health professionals who have worked in an IHP or UIO.<br/>Renames the nursing grant program as the &quot;Quentin N. Burdick American Indians into Nursing Program.&quot; Eliminates the program of grants to establish nursing school clinics.<br/>Makes tribal cultural orientation and history education of IHS employees mandatory. Requires such education to describe the use and place of traditional health care practices of the Indian Tribes in the IHS area.<br/>Revises requirements for the Indians Into Medicine (INMED) Program.<br/>Revises community college health training program requirements to require grant-receiving community colleges to: (1) have a relationship with a hospital rather than mere access; and (2) agree to provide preference for Indian applicants. Establishes a funding priority for tribal colleges and universities in Service Areas where they exist.<br/>Repeals the authority for additional incentives for health professionals.<br/>Extends retention bonuses to any health professional (not just doctors and nurses) employed by an IHP or UIO. Permits the Secretary to provide such bonuses to professionals who have completed: (1) two (currently, three) years of employment with an IHP or UIO; or (2) any service obligations incurred as a requirement of any federal scholarship or loan repayment program. Repeals the requirement that the retention bonus be paid at the beginning of the term of service.<br/>Limits the nursing residency training program to Indians working in an IHP or UIO. Allows education leading to any advanced degree or certification in nursing or public health (currently, a Master's degree). Allows obligated service in a UIO.<br/>Revises community health aide program requirements. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Community Health Aide Program, to ensure that pulpal therapy or extraction of adult teeth can be performed by a dental health aide therapist only after consultation with a licensed dentist who determines that the procedure is a medical emergency that cannot be resolved with palliative treatment. Prohibits such therapists from performing all other oral or jaw surgeries. Requires the Secretary, acting through IHS, to establish a neutral panel to study the dental health aide therapist services under such program.<br/>Directs the Secretary to act through IHS to provide training for Indians in the administration and planning of THPs.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary, acting through IHS, to fund health professional chronic shortage demonstration programs.<br/>Prohibits the Secretary from removing a National Health Service Corps member from an IHP or a UIO. Revises requirements for substance abuse counselor educational curricula demonstration programs. Extends the initial grant period from one year to three years and the renewal periods from one year to two years.<br/>Converts mental health to behavioral health training and community education programs, making Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations participants.<br/>Repeals the University of South Dakota pilot program.<br/>Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for Indian health, human resources, and development.<br/>Revises Indian Health Care Improvement Fund requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to expend funds either directly or under the authority of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA). Adds telehealth and telemedicine to uses of such funds, as well as elimination of inequities in funding for both direct care and contract health service programs.<br/>Revises Indian Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund (CHEF) requirements. Prohibits allocation, apportionment, or delegation of CHEF funds on an Area Office, Service Unit, or other similar basis. Requires the Secretary to use a specified negotiated rulemaking process for the promulgation of CHEF regulations.<br/>Revises requirements for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Services.<br/>Revises diabetes prevention, treatment, and control requirements. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a cost-effective approach to ensure ongoing monitoring of disease indicators; and (2) continue to maintain each model diabetes project already in existence on the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a position of diabetes control officer in each Area Office. Converts the shared services for long-term care demonstration project into a permanent program. Repeals certain contract eligibility requirements. Directs the Secretary to encourage the use of existing underused facilities or allow the use of swing beds for long-term or similar care.<br/>Revises health services research requirements. Replaces the current set-aside of $200,000 for research with general authority to fund research for IHPs, instead of only IHS. Requires the Secretary to coordinate resources and activities to address relevant IHP research needs. Authorizes the use of research funding for both clinical and nonclinical research. Requires the Secretary to evaluate the impact of such research and to disseminate to THPs information regarding such research.<br/>Revises requirements on coverage of screening mammography. Eliminates the minimum age requirement of 35 for Indian women. Opens screening mammography to Indian women at a frequency appropriate to such women under accepted and appropriate national standards. Requires the Secretary to provide for other cancer screening that receives an A or B rating as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force. Requires the Secretary to ensure that the screening provided complies with the Task Force's recommendations.<br/>Revises patient travel cost requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to provide funds for appropriate and necessary qualified escorts and transportation by private vehicle (where no other means of transportation is available), specially equipped vehicle, ambulance, or by such other available means when air or motor vehicle transportation is not available.<br/>Revises epidemiology center requirements. Requires the Secretary to establish an epidemiology center in each service area. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, Indian Organizations, and eligible intertribal consortia to conduct epidemiological studies of Indian communities. Requires: (1) the Secretary to grant epidemiology centers operated by a grantee access to use of the data, data sets, monitoring systems, delivery systems, and other protected health information in the Secretary's possession; and (2) such use of data to be for research and for preventing and controlling disease, injury, or disability for purposes of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Repeals requirements that the Secretary: (1) develop sets of data and formats for the uniform collecting and reporting of information; and (2) establish a system for monitoring progress toward health objectives. Revises requirements for comprehensive school health education programs and the Indian Youth Program. Includes urban Indian youth as beneficiaries of the latter.<br/>Extends a specified disease prevention, control, and elimination program from tuberculosis to other communicable and infectious diseases.<br/>Makes permanent a demonstration project for home- and community-based care, including hospice care, assisted living services, and long-term care services. Revises requirements for the program. Repeals the prohibition against the use of funds for cash payments, room and board, construction, and nursing facility services.<br/>Eliminates the Office of Indian Women's Health Care. Requires the Secretary, acting through IHS, Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and UIOs, to monitor and improve the quality of health care for Indian women of all ages through the planning and delivery of IHS programs.<br/>Revises requirements for the nuclear resource development health hazards study and health plan development program. Extends such program to ongoing monitoring of environmental health hazards generally, including petroleum contamination and contamination of water sources and of the food chain, as well as nuclear resource development.<br/>Extends through FY2016 the designation of Arizona as a contract health service delivery area.<br/>Designates North Dakota and South Dakota as contract health service delivery areas.<br/>Converts the current California contract health services demonstration program into a permanent program. Allows the excluded counties to become part of the contract service area if funding is specifically provided by IHS for contract health services in those counties.<br/>Repeals a specified limitation on the provision of funds for health care programs and facilities operated by Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations.<br/>Exempts from state licensing requirements any health care professionals employed by a THP to perform services described in its contract or compact under the ISDEAA.<br/>Requires IHS to pay a valid claim (currently, a completed claim) within 30 days after completion of the claim. Denies recourse by a service provider against a patient for contract health care services if the claim has been deemed accepted by IHS.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to establish within IHS an Office of Indian Men's Health to coordinate and promote the health status of Indian men.<br/>Extends the authorization of appropriations for health services to Indians through FY2017.<br/>Revises requirements regarding health facilities.<br/>Requires any Indian health facility to meet the construction standards of any accrediting body (not only those of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations) recognized by the Secretary for programs under title XVIII (Medicare), title XIX (Medicaid), and title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act.<br/>Requires the Secretary, acting through IHS, to maintain a health care facility priority system, which shall: (1) be developed in consultation with Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations; (2) give Indian Tribes' needs the highest priority; and (3) provide an opportunity for the nomination of planning, design, and construction projects by IHS, Indian Tribes, and Tribal Organizations for consideration under the priority system at least once every three years. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a report that describes the comprehensive, national, ranked list of all health care facilities needs for IHS, Indian Tribes, and Tribal Organizations developed by them for the Facilities Needs Assessment Workgroup and the Facilities Appropriation Advisory Board. Requires the Secretary to cooperate with Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations, and confer with UIOs, in developing innovative approaches to address the unmet need for construction of health facilities, that may include the establishment of an area distribution fund in which a portion of health facility construction funding could be devoted to all Service Areas.<br/>Revises requirements on safe water and sanitary waste disposal facilities, now called sanitation facilities. Requires the Secretary to provide priority funding for emergency repairs and operation and maintenance for sanitation facilities to avoid imminent health threats (currently, hazards) or to protect the investment in the health benefits gained through sanitation facilities. Prohibits the use of IHS funding for new homes constructed using Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds. Authorizes the Secretary to accept funds from any source for placement into contracts or compacts under the ISDEAA for sanitation facilities and services.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to use sanitation facilities appropriations to: (1) fund tribal loans for new sanitation facility projects; or (2) meet matching or cost participation requirements under other federal and nonfederal programs for such new projects. Directs the Secretary to establish standards applicable to the planning, design, and construction of sanitation facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to accept payment for goods and services furnished by IHS from public authorities, nonprofit organizations or agencies, or Indian Tribes.<br/>Declares that an Indian tribe has primary responsibility for establishing and collecting user fees. Authorizes the Secretary to assist, on a short-term basis, an Indian Tribe, Tribal Organization, or Indian community when a tribally operated sanitation facility is threatened with imminent failure.<br/>Revises requirements for determining sanitation deficiency levels.<br/>Revises pay rate and specified wage requirements with respect to preference for Indians and Indian firms in the construction of tribally related health and sanitation facilities.<br/>Revises requirements for expenditure of non-IHS funds for renovation to include major expansion as an authorized use. Requires the Indian Tribe or Tribal Organization to provide to the Secretary certain information regarding staffing, equipment, and other costs associated with the expansion. Requires the methodology for determining priorities to be developed and updated through regulations.<br/>Revises requirements for the grant program for the construction, expansion, and modernization of small ambulatory care facilities.<br/>Revises requirements for alternative Indian health care delivery demonstration project requirements by: (1) permitting the use of IHS funds to match other funds; and (2) requiring the Secretary to give priority to demonstration projects located in specified Service Units. Authorizes federal agencies in addition to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to transfer to IHS and the Secretary to accept land and improvements for the provision of health care services.<br/>Revises requirements for leases, contracts, and other agreements between the Secretary and Indian Tribes to add Tribal Organizations as eligible lessors.<br/>Directs the Secretary to study and report to specified congressional committees on the feasibility of establishing a loan fund to provide to Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations direct loans or guarantees for loans for the construction of health care facilities.<br/>Authorizes a THP to lease permanent structures for the purpose of providing health care services without obtaining advance approval in appropriations Acts.<br/>Renames certain joint venture demonstration projects as &quot;the Indian Health Service/Tribal Facilities Joint Venture Program.&quot; Makes Tribal Organizations eligible for participation. Requires the Secretary to develop project need criteria through the negotiated rulemaking process. Requires negotiation for continued operation of a facility at the end of the initial 10-year no-cost lease period. Authorizes recovery in a proportional amount from the United States if IHS ceases to use the facility within the 10-year lease period. Includes staff quarters in the definition of health facility for purposes of such Program requirements.<br/>Revises requirements concerning priority in the location of IHS facilities on Indian lands. Grants top priority to Indian land owned by one or more Indian Tribes. Includes among such lands: (1) all lands in Alaska owned by any Alaska Native village or any village or regional corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act; or (2) any land allotted to any Alaska Native.<br/>Requires the Secretary to identify in the report to Congress accompanying the President's budget the backlog of maintenance and repair work required at both IHS and tribal health care facilities.<br/>Authorizes a THP which operates a hospital or other health facility and associated, federally owned quarters pursuant to a contract or compact under the ISDEAA to: (1) establish the rental rates charged to the occupants of such quarters; and (2) collect rents directly from federal employees who occupy such quarters.<br/>Exempts Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations from the requirements of the Buy American Act.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) accept from any source, including federal and state agencies, funds available for the construction of health care facilities for Indians and place such funds into a contract or compact under the ISDEAA; and (2) enter into interagency agreements for the planning, design, and construction of health care facilities.<br/>Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for Indian health facilities.<br/>Revises requirements for access to health services. Prohibits from consideration in determining appropriations for health care and services to Indians any Medicare, Medicaid, or SCHIP payments (reimbursements) received by an IHP or a UIO. Requires the Secretary to ensure that each Service Unit of IHS receives 100% (currently, at least 80%) of the amount to which the facilities are entitled. Requires: (1) amounts to first be used to make improvements in IHS's programs that may be necessary to achieve or maintain compliance with the applicable conditions and requirements of titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the SSA; and (2) amounts so received that are in excess of the amount necessary to achieve or maintain such conditions and requirements to be used for reducing the health resource deficiencies.<br/>Revises requirements for the direct billing program. Revises requirements for grants to and contracts with IHS, Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and UIOs to assist individual Indians to enroll for Medicare, Medicaid, or SCHIP benefits.<br/>Revises requirements for reimbursement from certain third parties of costs of health services. Grants the United States, an Indian Tribe, or Tribal Organization, including a UIO, the right to seek recovery from third parties. Requires all reasonable efforts to provide notice to the individual to whom health services were provided, either before or during the pendency of an action. Gives specified Indian Tribes or Tribal Organizations the right to recover from the tortfeasor the reasonable value of the health services furnished, paid for, or to be paid for in accordance with the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act to the same extent and under the same circumstances as the United States may recover under that Act. Provides that such rights are independent of the rights of the injured or diseased person served by the Indian Tribe or Tribal Organization. Denies the United States the right of recovery against a tribal self-insured plan without written authorization from the tribe. Prohibits denial of a claim for benefits based on the format in which the claim is submitted, if the format complies with certain requirements. Authorizes Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and UIOs to use certain funds to purchase health care coverage.<br/>Revises requirements with respect to sharing arrangements with federal agencies. Authorizes the Secretary to enter agreements for sharing of medical facilities with the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DOD), requiring VA or DOD reimbursement where services are provided through IHS, an Indian Tribe, or a Tribal Organization to beneficiaries eligible for services from either Department.<br/>Requires the Secretary to provide for veteran-related expenses incurred by eligible Indian veterans and to establish guidelines about the method of payments to the Secretary of Veteran Affairs.<br/>Makes IHPs and health care programs operated by UIOs the payor of last resort for services provided to eligible persons.<br/>Requires nondiscrimination with regard to service provider qualifications for reimbursement of services by qualified providers. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the feasibility of treating the Navajo Nation as a state for Medicaid purposes, with an entity having the same authority and performing the same functions as a single-state Medicaid agency responsible for administration of a plan to provide services to Indians living within the boundaries of the Nation.<br/>Provides that the requirements of title IV (Access to Health Services) of IHCIA do not apply to any excepted benefits described in the Public Health Service Act relating to supplemental insurance products.<br/>Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for Indian access to health services. Revises requirements for health services for Urban Indians.<br/>Revises requirements for evaluations and renewal standards for contracts and grants. Authorizes the Secretary to evaluate each UIO through acceptance of evidence of its accreditation in lieu of an annual onsite evaluation. Revises requirements for other contracts with and grants to UIOs. Allows a single advance payment by the Secretary to a UIO unless it is determined that the organization is not capable of administering such payments, in which case the payments may be made: (1) in semiannual or quarterly payments; or (2) by way of reimbursement.<br/>Revises reports and records requirements. Extends the reporting period from quarterly to semi-annual. Requires a report to include a minimum set of data, using uniformly defined elements. Requires the Secretary, acting through IHS and working with a national membership-based consortium of UIOs, to report to Congress on: (1) the health status of Urban Indians; (2) services provided to Indians; and (3) areas of unmet needs in the delivery of health services to Urban Indians, including unmet health care facilities' needs. Modifies the cost of annual audits to allow as a cost of any contract or grant the cost of an independent financial audit (currently, a private audit) conducted by a certified public accountant or a certified public accounting firm qualified to conduct federal compliance audits.<br/>Revises requirements for facilities renovation grants. Allows the use of grants for the lease, purchase, construction, or expansion as well as renovation of facilities (currently, only for minor renovations).<br/>Authorizes the Secretary, acting through IHS, to study the feasibility of establishing a loan fund to provide UIOs with direct loans or guarantees for loans for health care facility construction.<br/>Changes the IHS Branch of Urban Health Programs into an IHS Division of Urban Indian Health.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary, acting through IHS, to make grants to UIOs for the provision in Urban Centers of health-related services in prevention, treatment, or rehabilitation of, or school- and community-based education regarding, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.<br/>Makes permanent the Tulsa Clinic and Oklahoma City demonstration projects, continuing their treatment as Service Units and Operating Units in the allocation of resources and coordination of care. Subjects such projects to the requirements and definitions of a UIO.<br/>Sets September 30, 2010, as the final effective date of any grants to or contracts with UIOs for the administration of Urban Indian alcohol programs transferred to IHS from the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse.<br/>Requires the Secretary to ensure that IHS confers or conferences with UIOs.<br/>Requires the Secretary, acting through IHS, to fund the construction and operation of at least one residential treatment center in each eligible Service Area that meets certain criteria to demonstrate the provision of alcohol and substance abuse treatment services to Urban Indian youth in a culturally competent residential setting.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to UIOs for the prevention and treatment of, and control of the complications resulting from, diabetes among Urban Indians.<br/>Permits the Secretary, acting through IHS, to enter into contracts with, and make grants to, UIOs for the employment of Indians as health service providers through the Community Health Representation Program. Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for health services for urban Indians.<br/>Revises requirements for automated management information systems. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director, to enter into contracts, agreements, or joint ventures with other federal agencies, states, and private and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of enhancing information technology in IHPs and facilities.<br/>Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 with respect to organizational improvements.<br/>Subsumes substance abuse and mental health programs into behavioral health programs.<br/>Directs the Secretary, acting through IHS, to: (1) encourage Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations to develop tribal plans and to participate in developing areawide plans for Indian Behavioral Health Services; (2) coordinate with existing national clearinghouses and information centers to include plans and reports on their outcomes; and (3) provide technical assistance for plan preparation and development of standards of care.<br/>Requires updates of memoranda of agreement with respect to behavioral health services.<br/>Revises requirements for a comprehensive behavioral health prevention and treatment program.<br/>Requires the Secretary, acting through IHS, to ensure that the mental health technician program involves the use and promotion of the Traditional Health Care Practices of the Indian Tribes to be served.<br/>Revises requirements for the Indian women treatment program.<br/>Renames the Indian Health Service youth program as the &quot;Indian Youth Program.&quot; Authorizes the Secretary, acting through IHS, to provide for intermediate adolescent behavioral health services which include sober or transitional housing. Requires the Secretary to collect the data for an Indian youth mental health report.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a demonstration project to test the use of telemental health services in suicide prevention, intervention, and treatment of Indian youth. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2011.<br/>Revises requirements for facilities assessment. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through IHS, Indian Tribes, and Tribal Organizations, to provide in each IHS area at least one inpatient mental health care facility, or the equivalent, for Indians with behavioral health problems. Considers California to be two Area Offices for such purposes.<br/>Revises requirements for training and community education, including instruction with respect to child sexual abuse.<br/>Revises requirements for innovative community-based behavioral health services to Indians, including regarding grants for projects by Tribal Organizations.<br/>Revises requirements for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder programs. Directs the Secretary, acting through IHS, Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and UIOs, to develop and provide services for early childhood intervention projects and supportive services. Includes the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Task Force.<br/>Combines certain demonstration projects regarding child sex abuse into permanent programs for victims of sexual abuse who are Indian children or children in an Indian household.<br/>Replaces requirements for mental health research with requirements for behavioral health research.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to establish in each Service Area programs involving the prevention and treatment of: (1) Indian victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse; and (2) perpetrators of domestic violence or sexual abuse who are Indian or members of an Indian household. Sets forth provisions concerning the use of funding for such victims, victim services, and victim advocate training programs.<br/>Requires the Director's approval of any request or subpoena for a sexual assault nurse examiner employed by IHS to provide testimony in a deposition, trial, or other similar proceeding regarding information obtained in carrying out the official duties of the nurse examiner.<br/>Requires the Director, in coordination with the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice (DOJ), in consultation with Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations, and in conference with UIOs, to develop standardized sexual assault policies and protocol for IHS facilities.<br/>Extends the authorization of appropriations through FY2017 for behavioral health programs.<br/>Revises reporting requirements and requirements governing regulations to implement IHCIA. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations and in conference with UIOs, to submit to Congress a plan explaining the manner and schedule by which the Secretary will implement the provisions of this Act by title and section.<br/>Prohibits IHS funds or facilities from being used to provide any abortions or to provide or pay for any administrative cost of health benefits coverage that includes coverage of an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or where the woman' life is in danger.<br/>Prohibits the use of any funds under IHCIA to carry out any anti-firearm program, gun buy-back program, or program to discourage or stigmatize the private ownership of firearms for collecting, hunting, or self-defense purposes.<br/>Revises requirements governing the eligibility of California Indians for health services.<br/>Revises requirements governing health services for ineligible persons.<br/>Requires the Secretary, acting through IHS, to provide services and benefits for Indians in Montana in a manner consistent with the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in McNabb for McNabb v. Bowen.<br/>Treats Indian Tribes or Tribal Organizations carrying out a contract or compact pursuant to the ISDEAA as not an employer for certain purposes.<br/>Establishes the National Bipartisan Indian Health Care Commission to study and make legislative recommendations to Congress regarding the delivery of federal health care services to Indians. Authorizes appropriations.<br/>Provides that medical quality assurance records created by or for any IHP or a health program of a UIO as part of a medical quality assurance program are confidential and privileged. Prohibits such records from being: (1) disclosed to any person or entity; or (2) subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding. Prohibits a person who reviews or creates such records from being permitted or required to testify in any judicial or administrative proceeding with respect to such records or with respect to any finding, recommendation, evaluation, opinion, or action taken in connection with such records. Sets forth exceptions to such requirement to allow specified disclosure and testimony.<br/>Encourages state, local, and Indian tribal law enforcement agencies to enter into memoranda of agreement for purposes of streamlining law enforcement activities and maximizing the use of limited resources to: (1) improve law enforcement services provided to Indian tribal communities; and (2) increase the effectiveness of measures to address problems relating to methamphetamine use in Indian Country.<br/>Declares that this Act does not: (1) limit the ability of a THP to charge an Indian for services provided by such program; and (2) authorize IHS to charge Indians for services or to require such program to charge Indians for services.<br/>Requires the Attorney General to ensure that an Indian victim of sexual violence is tested within a specified time frame for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and for such other sexually transmitted diseases as may be requested by the victim.<br/>Requires the Secretary, acting through epidemiology centers, to solicit from independent organizations bids to conduct a study to determine causes for the high prevalence of tobacco use among Indians.<br/>Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to study, evaluate the effectiveness of, and report on the coordination of health care services provided to Indians: (1) through Medicare, Medicaid, or SCHIP; (2) by IHS; or (3) using funds provided by state, local governments, or Indian Tribes.<br/>(Sec. 102) Revises federal law authorizing sanitation facilities for the Soboba Band of Mission Indians.<br/>(Sec. 103) Amends the ISDEAA to direct the Secretary to establish the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation to conduct activities to further the health and wellness activities and opportunities of Native Americans. Authorizes appropriations.<br/>(Sec. 104) Amends IHCIA and SSA to make technical modifications to specified terms.<br/>(Sec. 105) Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct studies of: (1) the utilization of health care furnished by health care providers under the contract health services program funded by IHS and operated by IHS, an Indian Tribe, or a Tribal Organization, including recommendations on the appropriate level of, and most efficient way to utilize, federal funding for health care under such program; (2) membership criteria for federally recognized Indian tribes; and (3) the tribal justice systems of Indian tribes located in North Dakota and South Dakota.<br/>Title II: Improvement of Indian Health Care Provided Under the Social Security Act - (Sec. 201) Amends title XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (SCHIP) of the SSA to conform to this Act.<br/>(Sec. 202) Requires the Secretary to encourage states to take steps to provide for enrollment on or near the reservation.<br/>(Sec. 203) Provides for increased outreach to, and enrollment of, Indians in SCHIP and Medicaid. Excludes specified outreach activities from the 10% cap on certain SCHIP payments.<br/>(Sec. 204) Prohibits the imposition of enrollment fees, premiums, deductions, copayments, cost sharing, or similar charges on an Indian who is furnished an item or service directly by IHS, an Indian Tribe, a Tribal Organization, or a UIO or by a health care provider through referral under the contract health service. Sets forth exemptions.<br/>Directs states to disregard specified Indian property for purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for Medicaid.<br/>Continues to protect specified Indian property from Medicaid estate recovery.<br/>(Sec. 205) Requires nondiscrimination with regard to service providers qualifications for payment for services under federal health care programs.<br/>(Sec. 206) Requires the Secretary to maintain within the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services a Tribal Technical Advisory Group.<br/>Requires states to establish a process for consultation with the IHPs or UIOs on matters relating to Medicaid that are likely to have a direct effect on Indians or IHPs.<br/>(Sec. 207) Authorizes the Secretary, in the case of an IHP, to waive sanctions on a health provider if the sanctions would impose a hardship on individuals entitled to benefits under, or enrolled in, a federal health care program. Deems specified transfers between or among IHPs, Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and UIOs to not be treated as remuneration under the SSA.<br/>(Sec. 208) Allows Indians enrolled in a non-Indian Medicaid managed care entity (MCE) that has an IHP participating in the network to choose the IHP as the primary care provider. Sets forth requirements for Indian MCEs and for MCEs with significant Indian enrollees.<br/>Deems an Indian health care provider to satisfy the requirement that it have medical malpractice insurance if it is: (1) a federally-qualified health center that is covered under the Federal Tort Claims Act; (2) providing services pursuant to a contract under the Indian Self-determination and Education Assistance Act; or (3) IHS providing services covered under the Federal Tort Claims Act. (Sec. 209) Requires the Secretary to report annually on the enrollment and health status of Indians receiving items or services under the health benefit programs.<br/>(Sec. 210) Requires the Secretary to study and report on barriers to interstate coordination of enrollment and coverage under Medicaid and SCHIP of eligible children who frequently change their state of residency or otherwise are temporarily present outside of the state of their residency. Requires such study to include an examination of the enrollment and coverage coordination issues faced by relevant Indian children.<br/>(Sec. 211) Requires the Secretary of HHS to establish a National Child Welfare Resource Center for Tribes that is: (1) specifically and exclusively dedicated to meeting the needs of Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations through the provision of assistance; and (2) not part of any existing national child welfare resource center.<br/>Requires such Center to provide information, advice, educational materials, and technical assistance to Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations with respect to the types of services, administrative functions, data collection, program management, and reporting that are provided for under State Plans for Child Welfare Services and State Plans and Foster Care and Adoption Assistance Plans of the Social Security Act. Appropriates to the Secretary of HHS funding for FY2009-FY2013 for such assistance.<br/>(Sec. 212) Reduces the amount of funding available for FY2013 for the MA (Medicare Advantage) Regional Plan Stabilization Fund.<br/>(Sec. 213) Delays until April 1, 2009, implementation of the interim final rule published on December 4, 2007, about a moratorium on the implementation of changes to case management and targeted case management payment requirements under Medicaid.<br/>Prohibits the Secretary of HHS from taking action, prior to April 1, 2009, to restrict coverage or payment under state medical assistance programs for case management and targeted case management services if such action is more restrictive than the administrative action, policy, or practice that applies to coverage of, or payment for, such services. Makes any action taken by the Secretary between December 4, 2007, to March 31, 2009, that is based on the interim final rule null and void.<br/>Requires the Centers for Medicare &amp;amp; Medicaid Services to participate in the Federal Payment Levy Program.<br/>(Sec. 214) Increases: (1) civil and criminal penalties for receiving or paying illegal remunerations under a federal health care program; (2) criminal fines for assisting individuals in disposing assets to become eligible for medical assistance under a state plan; (3) criminal fines for making false statements or representations with respect to the condition or operation of institutions; (4) criminal fines for illegal patient admittance and retention practices; and (5) criminal fines for violation of assignment terms.<br/>(Sec. 215) Increases sentences for felonies involving assisting individuals in disposing assets to become eligible for medical assistance under a state plan, receiving or paying illegal remunerations, giving false statements or representations with respect to the condition or operation of institutions, and enabling illegal patient admittance and retention practices.<br/>Title III: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 301) Recognizes the relationship Indian Tribes have with the United States.<br/>Honors Native Peoples for their stewardship and protection of land.<br/>Recognizes that there have been years of official depredations, ill-conceived policies, and the breaking of covenants by the federal government regarding Indian Tribes.<br/>Apologizes to all Native Peoples for the many instances of violence, maltreatment, and neglect inflicted on Native Peoples by U.S. citizens.<br/>Urges the President to acknowledge the wrongs of the United States against Indian Tribes.<br/>Encourages state governments to work toward reconciling relationships with Indian Tribes.<br/>

1204174800 2008-02-28 Fri Nov 07 14:47:34 -0600 2008 AbstainAbstain 3 96 43530 Thu Apr 24 11:39:00 -0500 2008 true 4545 1 112 137 0 On Passage of the Bill (S.1315 as Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Apr 24 12:50:08 -0500 2008 senate s 255 43530 1178510400 false 1209055140 1222142400 28 1315 6187 110 300001

9/22/2008--Passed House amended. Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008 - Title I: Insurance Matters - (Sec. 101) Allows administrative costs of the Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance program to be paid through premiums. (Sec. 102) Includes all (under current law, only certain active-duty) members of the Individual Ready Reserve under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program. Revises provisions relating to the termination of SGLI coverage for a dependent to provide that such coverage may terminate upon termination of the dependent's status as an insurable dependent of the member. (Under current law, such coverage may terminate 120 days following termination of such status.) (Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a form for the designation of a recipient of funds for traumatic injury coverage under SGLI in cases where the member is mentally incapacitated or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness. Title II: Housing Matters - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary), in the case of a member determined to have a total and permanent disability incurred or aggravated in the line of active duty, to furnish home improvements and structural alterations for the member for such disability while the member is hospitalized or receiving outpatient care, medical services, or treatment, if the Secretary determines that the member is likely to be discharged or released from the Armed Forces due to the disability. Title III: Labor and Education Matters - (Sec. 301) Directs the Secretary to ensure the coordination of educational course approval activities by state approving agencies with approval activities performed by the Departments of Labor and Education and other appropriate entities. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on actions taken to establish outcome-oriented performance standards for, and a tracking and reporting system for resources expended by, approving agencies. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Secretary to waive, for public interest purposes on a case-by-case basis, the residency requirement for a Director for Veterans' Employment and Training. (Sec. 303) Includes veterans of the Post 9/11 Global War on Terror within an annual (currently, biennial) veterans' unemployment study. Title IV: Court Matters - (Sec. 401) Eliminates the 180-day per-year limit on service of retired judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) who voluntarily return to such service. Establishes a three-tiered retirement pay structure for Court judges appointed after the enactment of this Act. Requires recalled judges to receive the pay of current judges during the period of recall, less the amount of any applicable annuity. Prohibits recall service in excess of five years for judges recalled involuntarily. (Sec. 402) Removes the $30 annual limit on practice and registration fees for those admitted to practice before the Court. Requires any fees charged to be reasonable. (Sec. 403) Requires an annual report from the chief judge to the veterans' committees summarizing the Court's workload. (Sec. 404) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Court should be provided with appropriate office space, without undue disruption, inconvenience, or cost. Requires a report from the Administrator of General Services to the veterans' committees on the feasibility of leasing additional space for the Court, and on using the entire building in which the Court is housed as a Veterans Courthouse and Justice Center. Title V: Other Matters - (Sec. 501) Revises provisions concerning the VA's program of outreach to veterans to: (1) include members of the National Guard and reserves; and (2) define &quot;outreach&quot; as the proactive provision of information, services, and benefits counseling to veterans, and to the spouses, children, and parents of veterans who may be eligible to receive benefits through the VA. (Sec. 502) Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to allow members of the Armed Forces who receive orders to deploy outside the United States for not less than 90 days to terminate or suspend their cell phone contracts without incurring early termination or reactivation fees if their ability to fulfill the service contract or to utilize the service will be materially affected by such deployment. (Sec. 503) Directs the Medical Follow-Up Agency of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to maintain and manage the assets (including electronic data files and biological specimens of study participants) transferred to the Agency from the Air Force Health Study. Authorizes the Agency, during FY2008-FY2012, to conduct additional research on such assets toward the goal of understanding the determinants of health, and promoting wellness, in veterans. Requires an Agency report to Congress assessing the feasibility and advisability of conducting additional research on such assets after the end of FY2012. Provides funding. (Sec. 504) Requires: (1) the Secretary to contract with the Institute, above, to conduct a comprehensive epidemiological study to identify any increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis as a result of service in the Persian Gulf or in the Post 9/11 global operations theaters; and (2) an interim and final results report from the Institute to the Secretary and the veterans' committees. (Sec. 505) Directs the Comptroller General to report to the veterans' and appropriations committees on the adequacy of dependency and indemnity compensation in replacing a deceased veteran's income for surviving spouses and dependents of veterans who die from service-connected disabilities.

1222142400 2008-09-23 Thu Jan 01 11:04:35 -0600 2009 AbstainAye 7 89 44459 Thu Jul 26 21:49:00 -0500 2007 true 3108 4 282 131 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2638, As Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 16:42:00 -0500 2007 senate h 445 44459 1181275200 false 1222537140 1222747200 72 2638 6200 110 400326

7/26/2007--Passed Senate amended. Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Department of Homeland Security Departmental Management and Operations - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2008 for the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General.<br/>Withholds specified funds until the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) certifies and reports to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees that DHS has revised its guidance with respect to relations with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to specifically provide for expedited timeframes for providing GAO with access to records, interviews of program officials, and a significant streamlining of the review process for documents and interview requests.<br/>Prohibits the use of specified funds to support or supplement the appropriations provided for the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology project (US-VISIT) or the Automated Commercial Environment.<br/>Requires the Director of Operations Coordination to encourage rotating state and local fire service representation at the National Operations Center.<br/>Requires the Inspector General to investigate and report to Congress on decisions and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) policy relating to formaldehyde in trailers in the Gulf Coast region, health and safety concerns of occupants of FEMA-supplied housing, and whether FEMA adequately addressed public health and safety issues of households to which FEMA provides disaster housing.<br/>Title II: Security, Enforcement, and Investigations - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including for automated systems, border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology, and air and marine interdiction, operations, maintenance, and procurement, and construction; (2) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including for activities to promote awareness of the child pornography tipline, to reimburse other agencies for costs associated with the repatriation of smuggled illegal aliens, and to enforce laws against forced child labor and for the Federal Protective Service, automated systems, and construction; (3) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including for aviation and surface transportation security, transportation threat assessment and credentialing, transportation security support, and Federal Air Marshals; (4) the Coast Guard, including for environmental compliance and restoration, reserve training, acquisition, construction, and improvements, alteration of bridges, research, development, test, and evaluation, and retired pay; and (5) the U.S. Secret Service, including for acquisition, construction, improvements, and related expenses.<br/>Prohibits making funds available for procurements related to the acquisition of additional major assets as part of the Integrated Deepwater Systems program not already under contract until an Alternatives Analysis has been completed by an independent qualified third party. Directs the Secretary to submit an expenditure plan for the Program.<br/>Title III: Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for: (1) the immediate Office of the Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs, the National Protection Planning Office, support for operations, information technology, and facility costs; (2) infrastructure protection and information security programs and activities; (3) US-VISIT, with sums withheld until the Appropriations Committees receive and approve an expenditure plan prepared by the Secretary that includes specified elements; (4) the Office of Health Affairs; and (5) FEMA, including for grants to state and local governments for terrorism prevention activities, firefighter assistance grants, emergency management performance grants, the radiological emergency preparedness program, the U.S. Fire Administration, disaster relief and the disaster assistance direct loan program account, the Flood Map Modernization Fund, the National Flood Insurance Fund, the National Flood Mitigation Fund, the National Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund, and emergency food and shelter.<br/>Requires: (1) the Governors of West Virginia and Pennsylvania to be incorporated into efforts to integrate the activities of federal, state, and local governments in the National Capital Region; (2) specified funds to be used to develop a web-based version of the National Fire Incident Reporting System that will ensure that fire-related data can be submitted and accessed by fire departments in real time; and (3) the FEMA Administrator to update training practices relating to addressing health concerns of recipients of assistance from FEMA.<br/>Title IV: Research and Development, Training, and Services - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for: (1) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), including funding to address backlogs of security checks associated with pending applications and petitions; (2) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, including for acquisition, construction, improvements, and related expenses; (3) Science and Technology, including for research, development, acquisition, and operations; and (4) the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, including for research, development, testing, evaluation, and operations, and for systems acquisition and deployment. Makes specified sums available to support implementation of the Securing the Cities Initiative at the level requested in the President's budget.<br/>Title V: General Provisions - (Sec. 501) Provides that no part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly provided.<br/>(Sec. 502) Prohibits funds provided in this Act from being available to carry out reorganization authority.<br/>(Sec. 503) Provides that none of the funds provided by this Act, by previous appropriations Acts to the agencies in or transferred to DHS that remain available for obligation or expenditure in FY2008, or from any accounts in the Treasury derived by the collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be available for obligation or expenditure through a reprogramming of funds that: (1) creates a new program; (2) eliminates a program, project, office, or activity; (3) increases funds for any program, project, or activity for which funds have been denied or restricted by Congress; (4) proposes to use funds directed for a specific activity by either of the Senate or House Appropriations Committees for a different purpose; or (5) enters into a contract for the performance of any function or activity for which funds have been appropriate for federal full-time equivalent positions unless those committees are notified 15 days in advance of such reprogramming of funds.<br/>Limits reprogramming of funds and transfers among appropriations. Prohibits any reprogramming or transfers after June 30, 2008, except in extraordinary circumstances which imminently threaten the safety of human life or the protection of property.<br/>(Sec. 504) Prohibits funds made available to DHS from being used to make payments to the DHS Working Capital Fund, except for activities and amounts allowed in the President's FY2008 budget, with exceptions.<br/>(Sec. 505) Prohibits, except as otherwise specifically provided by law, more than 50% of unobligated balances remaining available at the end of FY2008 from appropriations for salaries and expenses for FY2008 in this Act from remaining available through September 30, 2009, in the account and for the purposes for which the appropriations were provided.<br/>(Sec. 506) Deems funds made available by this Act for intelligence activities to be specifically authorized by Congress for purposes of the National Security Act of 1947 during FY2008 until the enactment of an Act authorizing intelligence activities for FY2008.<br/>(Sec. 507) Designates the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board to lead the federal law enforcement training accreditation process.<br/>(Sec. 508) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act to make grant allocations, discretionary grant or contract awards, or to issue a letter of intent totaling in excess of $1 million, or to announce publicly the intention to make such awards unless the Secretary of DHS notifies the Appropriations Committees at least three full business days in advance. Requires the Administrator of FEMA to brief those committees five business days in advance of announcing publicly the intention of making an award of formula-based grants, law enforcement terrorism prevention grants, high-threat, high-density urban areas grants, or regional catastrophic preparedness grants.<br/>(Sec. 509) Prohibits any agency from purchasing, constructing, or leasing any additional facilities, except within or contiguous to existing locations, to be used to conduct federal law enforcement training without the advance approval of the Appropriations Committees, with an exception.<br/>(Sec. 510) Requires the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to schedule basic or advanced law enforcement training at all four training facilities under the Center's control to ensure that these centers are operated at the highest capacity throughout the fiscal year. (Sec. 511) Prohibits: (1) the use of funds made available by this Act for expenses for construction, repair, alteration, or acquisition project for which a prospectus, if required, has not been approved, with an exception; and (2) the use of funds in this Act in contravention of the Buy American Act.<br/>(Sec. 513) Prohibits: (1) the obligation of funds for deployment or implementation of the Secure Flight program or other follow on or successor passenger prescreening program, on other than a test basis, until the Secretary has certified and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reported that specified requirements have been met; and (2) during the testing phase, information gathered from passengers, foreign or domestic air carriers, or reservation systems from being used to screen aviation passengers, or delay or deny boarding to such passengers, except where passenger names are matched to a government watch list.<br/>(Sec. 514) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to amend the oath of allegiance required by the Immigration and Nationality Act.<br/>(Sec. 515) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to process or approve a competition under Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-76 for services provided as of June 1, 2004, by employees of CIS who are known as Immigration Information Officers, Contact Representatives, or Investigative Assistants. (Sec. 516) Prohibits the availability of funds appropriated to the Secret Service for the protection of: (1) the head of a federal agency other than the Secretary, unless the Director is fully reimbursed; and (2) a federal official other than persons granted protection under the federal criminal code or the Secretary, but authorizes the Director to enter into an agreement to perform such protection on a fully reimbursable basis for protectees not designated.<br/>(Sec. 517) Directs the Secretary to research, develop, and procure new technologies to inspect and screen air cargo carried on passenger aircraft at the earliest date possible. Requires existing checked baggage explosive detection equipment and screeners to be used to screen air cargo carried on such aircraft to be used to the greatest extent practicable at each airport until the new technologies are available. Requires TSA to report to the Appropriations Committees on air cargo inspection statistics by airport and air carrier. (Sec. 518) Prohibits funds in this Act from being used: (1) by any person other than the privacy officer appointed under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to alter, require changes to, delay, or prohibit the transmission of a privacy officer report to Congress; and (2) to pay the salary of any employee serving as a contracting officer's technical representative (COTR) or acting in a similar capacity who has not received COTR training. (Sec. 520) Makes any funds appropriated or transferred to TSA &quot;Aviation Security,&quot; &quot;Administration,&quot; and &quot;Transportation Security Support&quot; for FY2004-FY2007, which are recovered or deobligated, available only for procurement and installation of explosive detection systems for air cargo, baggage, and checkpoint screening systems, subject to notification. (Sec. 522) Rescinds specified unobligated balances of DHS from Departmental Operations, the Office of State and Local Government Coordination, and the Working Capital Fund.<br/>(Sec. 523) Makes funds appropriated to the Coast Guard for acquisition, construction, and improvements in FY2002-FY2006 for the 110-123 foot patrol boat conversion that are received as the result of negotiation, mediation, or litigation available until expended for the Replacement Patrol Boat program. (Sec. 524) Continues operations of the DHS Working Capital Fund during FY2008.<br/>(Sec. 525) Requires: (1) FEMA to submit a quarterly report to the Appropriations Committees detailing the allocation and obligation of funds for disaster relief; and (2) the Secretary, at least quarterly, to obtain and report to those committees on obligation and expenditure data from agencies performing mission assignment. Exempts specified projects from precertification requirements.<br/>(Sec. 526) Requires the Chief Financial Officer of DHS to submit to the Appropriations Committees a monthly budget and staffing report that includes total obligations and on-board versus funded full-time equivalent staffing levels and the number of contract employees by office.<br/>(Sec. 527) Modifies a provision regarding undercover investigative operations authority of the Secret Service to make it applicable to FY2008.<br/>(Sec. 528) Requires the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center instructor staff to be classified as inherently governmental for purposes of the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998.<br/>(Sec. 529) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act to alter or reduce operations within the Coast Guard's civil engineering program nationwide.<br/>(Sec. 530) Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to extend the date for implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative until not later than three months after the Secretary of State and the Secretary make required certifications or June 1, 2009.<br/>(Sec. 531) Amends the DHS Appropriations Act, 2007 to allow a state or political subdivision to adopt or enforce a regulation, requirement, or standard of performance regarding chemical facility security that is more stringent than the federal standard, unless there is an actual conflict.<br/>(Sec. 532) Prohibits funds provided in this Act for the Office of the Chief Information Officer from being used for data center development other than for the National Center for Critical Information Processing and Storage until the Chief Information Officer certifies that the Center is fully utilized as DHS's primary data storage center at the highest capacity throughout the fiscal year.<br/>(Sec. 533) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act to reduce the Coast Guard's Operations Systems Center mission or its government-employed or contract staff levels.<br/>(Sec. 534) Permits the transfer of specified funds from prior year balances currently available to TSA to &quot;Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing&quot; for the Secure Flight program.<br/>(Sec. 535) Provides specified disaster assistance for schools damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.<br/>(Sec. 537) Modifies sexual abuse prohibitions under the federal criminal code to substitute references to the Attorney General with references to the head of any federal department or agency.<br/>(Sec. 538) Directs the Secretary: (1) to develop a plan for the control and management of Arundo donax (a tall perennial reed) along the portion of the Rio Grande River that serves as the international border between the United States and Mexico; (2) and the DHS Inspector General to take specified actions regarding the establishment and maintenance of a direct link for individuals to anonymously report waste, fraud, or abuse; and (3) to require that all DHS contracts that provide award fees link such fees to successful acquisition outcomes.<br/>(Sec. 541) Prohibits the expenditure of funds made available to the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management under this Act for any new hires by DHS that are not verified through the basic pilot program of employment eligibility confirmation required under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.<br/>(Sec. 542) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for CBP or any agency or office within DHS to prevent an individual from importing a prescription drug from Canada if: (1) such individual is not in the business of importing a prescription drug; and (2) such drug complies with specified provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and is not a controlled substance or a biological product.<br/>(Sec. 543) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to: (1) issue any rule or regulation which implements the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to Petitions for Aliens To Perform Temporary Nonagricultural Services or Labor; (2) remove offenses from the list of criminal offenses disqualifying individuals from receiving a Transportation Worker Identification Credential; or (3) make payments in connection with the failure to use competitive procedures to award contracts. Requires the Secretary, by December 31, 2008, to report to Congress on specified congressional initiatives not requested by the President in his budget for which sums were appropriated during FY2008.<br/>(Sec. 546) Directs: (1) the President to ensure that operational control of all international land and maritime borders is achieved; and (2) the Secretary to establish and demonstrate operational control of 100% of such borders. Authorizes CBP to: (1) hire and train additional full-time agents for deployment along all international borders; and (2) install along all such borders vehicle barriers, ground-based radar, and cameras and deploy unmanned aerial vehicles and supporting systems.<br/>(Sec. 547) Makes specified funding available for an employment eligibility verification basic pilot program.<br/>(Sec. 548) Directs the FEMA Administrator to authorize a large in-lieu contribution to the Peebles School in Iberia Parish, Louisiana for damages relating to Hurricanes Katrina or Rita.<br/>(Sec. 549) Directs the Secretary to develop a national strategy on the use of closed circuit television to prevent and respond to terrorist acts.<br/>(Sec. 550) Amends HSA to direct the Secretary to: (1) regulate the purchase and sale of ammonium nitrate to prevent its misappropriation or use in a terrorist act; (2) establish a threshold percentage for a substance to be treated as ammonium nitrate; (3) establish a process by which ammonium nitrate facility owners and ammonium nitrate purchasers are required to register with DHS and are issued a registration number; and (4) require facility owners to maintain a record of each sale or transfer of ownership of ammonium nitrate for two years.<br/>Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) exempting persons producing, selling, or purchasing ammonium nitrate exclusively for use as an explosive material under a federal explosives license; (2) ensuring that access of agricultural producers to ammonium nitrate is not unduly burdened; (3) restricting the disclosure of information obtained under this section; (4) inspecting and auditing facility owner records to prevent the misappropriation of ammonium nitrate; and (5) timely reporting of the theft or unexplained loss of ammonium nitrate.<br/>Prohibits: (1) buying and taking possession of ammonium nitrate, or owning or operating an ammonium nitrate facility, without a registration number; or (2) failing to comply with any requirement of this section. Prescribes a civil penalty. Sets forth provisions regarding protections from civil liability and preemption. Sets deadlines for regulations. Authorizes appropriations.<br/>(Sec. 552) Directs the Secretary to report to specified committees regarding the Secretary's plans relating to: (1) implementing specified recommendations regarding the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games; and (2) the feasibility of implementing a program to prescreen individuals traveling by rail between Vancouver, Canada, and Seattle, Washington, during the Games while those individuals are in Vancouver.<br/>(Sec. 553) Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require the Secretary to construct reinforced fencing along not less than 700 miles of the southwest border and provide for the installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors to gain operational control of the southwest border. (Sec. 554) Directs DHS, through FEMA, to consider: (1) implementation, through fair and open competition, of management, tracking, and accountability systems; and (2) any efficiencies created through cooperative purchasing agreements.<br/>(Sec. 555) Prohibits using funds in this Act to destroy or put out to pasture any horse belonging to the government that has become unfit for service unless the trainer or handler is first given the option to take possession through an adoption program that has safeguards against slaughter and inhumane treatment.<br/>(Sec. 556) Modifies provisions of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to direct the Secretary to establish an international registered traveler program that incorporates available technologies, such as biometrics, e-passports, and security threat assessments, to expedite the screening and processing of international travelers who enter and exit the United States. Permits the Secretary to impose a fee for the program. Directs the Secretary to establish a phased-implementation of a biometric-based international registered traveler program in conjunction with US-VISIT, other prescreening initiatives, and the Visa Waiver Program within DHS at U.S. airports with the highest volume of international travelers.<br/>(Sec. 557) Directs TSA to report on implementation of the Performance Accountability and Standards System.<br/>(Sec. 558) Directs the Comptroller General to study DHS's use of shared border management to secure the international borders of the United States.<br/>(Sec. 559) Increases amounts authorized to be appropriated in the Border Law Enforcement Relief Act of 2007 for each of FY2008-FY2012.<br/>(Sec. 560) Directs the Comptroller General to study the cost of fencing the southern border and report to specified committees.<br/>(Sec. 561) Urges the President to request emergency spending that fully funds: (1) existing interior and border security authorizations that have not been funded by Congress; and (2) the border and interior security initiatives contained in the comprehensive immigration reform bill introduced in the Senate on June 18, 2007 (S. 1639).<br/>(Sec. 562) Directs the Commissioner of CBP to report on the training of its personnel to effectively assist the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in monitoring our nation's food supply.<br/>(Sec. 563) Directs the TSA Administrator to assess and report to Congress on the implementation of the voluntary provision of the Emergency Services Program. Allows the Administrator to conduct unannounced interviews to test air carrier employees and foreign air carriers responsible for registering law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians as part of the program. Directs the Administrator to develop a mechanism on the TSA or DHS website by which first responders may report barriers to volunteering in the program.<br/>(Sec. 564) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act to enter into a contractor award a grant in excess of $5 million unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies that: (1) the contractor or grantee has no unpaid federal tax assessments or has entered into an installment agreement or offer in compromise with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to resolve any unpaid assessments; or (2) the liability for any unpaid assessments other than for income, estate, and gift taxes is the subject of a non-frivolous administrative or judicial appeal.<br/>(Sec. 565) Directs the Secretary to work with officials of Florida and other states to resolve the differences between the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program administered by TSA and existing state transportation facility access control programs.<br/>(Sec. 566) Prohibits funds made available in this Act from being used for planning, testing, piloting, or developing a national identification card.<br/>(Sec. 567) Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize the use of fire department grants to fund fire prevention programs.<br/>(Sec. 568) Expresses the sense of Congress that sufficient funds should be appropriated to allow the Secretary to increase the number of CBP personnel protecting the northern border by 1,517 officers and 788 agents.<br/>(Sec. 569) Directs the Secretary to determine the areas along the U.S. international borders where federal and state law enforcement officers are unable to achieve radio communication or where such communication is inadequate and to develop a plan for enhancing such communication capability.<br/>(Sec. 570) Allocates a specified sum to CIS for a benefits fraud assessment of the H-1B Visa Program.<br/>(Sec. 571) Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to submit to Congress and make available on its website a report on the implementation and use of interagency operational centers for port security.<br/>(Sec. 572) Increases sums appropriated for firefighter assistance grants. Reduces funding for infrastructure protection and information security.<br/>(Sec. 573) Repeals a provision requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acquisition management system to apply to TSA acquisitions and authorizing system modifications by the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security.<br/>(Sec. 574) Requires GAO to report on criteria and factors that DHS uses to determine the regional boundaries for Urban Area Security Initiative regions.<br/>(Sec. 575) Permits the use of specified funds for a national emergency grant to address the effects of the May 4, 2007, Greensburg, Kansas, tornado to provide temporary public sector employment and professional municipal services necessary to coordinate disaster recovery, other specified services, and delivery of humanitarian assistance.<br/>(Sec. 576) Directs the FEMA Administrator to report to specified committees and publish on its website a report regarding any presidential determination to declare a major disaster that summarizes damage assessment information used to determine whether to declare a major disaster.<br/>(Sec. 577) Provides that if the Secretary establishes a National Transportation Security Center of Excellence, the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University may be included as a member institution.<br/>(Sec. 578) Makes specified sums available for state and local law enforcement entities for security and related costs associated with the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions.<br/>Title VI: Border Law Enforcement Relief Act - (Sec. 601) Border Law Enforcement Relief Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to a tribal, state, or local law enforcement agency located in a county within 100 miles of a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico, or in a county beyond 100 miles that has been certified by the Secretary as a high impact area, to provide assistance in addressing: (1) criminal activity that occurs by virtue of proximity to the border; and (2) the U.S. government's failure to adequately secure its borders. Authorizes appropriations.<br/>Title VII: Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization - (Sec. 701) Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary to: (1) increase, during FY2009-FY2013, the number of agents and inspectors in ICE and CBP; and (2) provide such agents and inspectors new technology training to a level of proficiency acceptable to protect U.S. borders.<br/>Directs the Commissioner, every other year, to: (1) review the Port of Entry Infrastructure Assessment Study and the nationwide strategy to prioritize and address infrastructure needs at land ports of entry prepared by DHS and the General Services Administration (GSA), update the assessment of the infrastructure needs of all U.S. land ports of entry, and submit an updated assessment to Congress; and (2) implement the infrastructure and technology improvement projects in the order of priority assigned or forward the prioritized list to the GSA Administrator for implementation.<br/>(Sec. 705) Directs the Secretary, annually, to prepare and submit to Congress a National Land Border Security Plan that includes a vulnerability assessment of each port of entry located on the U.S. northern and southern borders. Authorizes the Secretary to establish one or more port security coordinators at such ports.<br/>Directs the Commissioner of CBP to: (1) develop a plan to expand Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programs along the U.S. northern and southern borders; and (2) establish a demonstration program to develop a cooperative trade security system to improve supply chain security.<br/>Directs the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, to carry out a technology demonstration program to test and evaluate new port of entry technologies that enhance inspections and the detection of weapons of mass destruction and to train personnel in its use.<br/>Division B: Border Security - Title X: Border Security Requirements - (Sec. 1001) Border Security First Act of 2007 - Directs: (1) the Secretary to establish and demonstrate operational control of 100% of the international land border between the United States and Mexico; and (2) CBP Border Patrol to hire and train 23,000 full-time agents.<br/>Requires CBP to: (1) install along the border at least 300 miles of vehicle barriers, 700 linear miles of fencing, and 105 ground-based radar and camera towers; and (2) deploy four unmanned aerial vehicles and supporting systems.<br/>Directs the Secretary to detain all removable aliens apprehended crossing the border in violation of federal or state law, except as specifically mandated by federal or state law or humanitarian circumstances. Requires that ICE have the resources to maintain this practice, including the resources necessary to detain up to 45,000 aliens per day on an annual basis.<br/>Requires the President to submit a report to Congress detailing progress made and to include specific actions that are or should be undertaken by the Secretary.<br/>Authorizes appropriations for border security.<br/>

1222747200 2008-09-30 Thu Nov 06 22:44:42 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 7 92 44463 Thu Sep 06 11:16:00 -0500 2007 true 4470 1 316 151 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2642 as Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 16:30:06 -0500 2007 senate h 654 44463 1181534400 false 1214530920 1214798400 116 2642 15217 The Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008 provided $162 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through 2009; $63 billion for veterans' education benefits; $12.5 billion for an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits; $2.7 billion in disaster aid and relief funds for the June 2008 Midwest floods, and $10 billion in additional funding. 110 400118

6/30/2008--Public Law. Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, International Affairs, and Other Security-Related Matters - Chapter 1: Agriculture - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2008 to the Department of Agriculture for the Foreign Agricultural Service for grants under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (P.L. 480) for emergency and nonemergency food assistance to foreign countries. Chapter 2: Justice- Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of Justice for: (1) the Office of Inspector General; (2) general legal activities; (3) the U.S. Marshals Service; (4) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (5) the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); (6) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and (7) the Federal Prison System. Chapter 3: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs - Makes supplemental appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and DOD; (2) family housing construction for the Navy and Marine Corps; and (3) the Department of Defense Base Closure Account, 2005. Makes supplemental appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) general operating expenses; (2) information technology systems; and (3) construction for major projects. (Sec. 1301) Appropriates funds to accelerate barracks improvements at Army installations. (Sec. 1302) Prohibits any funds from being used to disestablish, reorganize, or relocate the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (except for the Armed Forces Medical Examiner) until the President has established a Joint Pathology Center as required under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. (Sec. 1303) Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting debts owed to the United States by veterans who die as a result of an injury incurred or aggravated while in the line of duty while serving in a theater of combat operations in a war or in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after September 11, 2001, if such Secretary determines that termination of collection is in the best interest of the United States. Allows such Secretary to refund amounts already collected from qualifying individuals. Chapter 4: Department of State and Foreign Operations - Subchapter A: Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2008 - Makes FY2009 supplemental appropriations for the Department of State (Department) for: (1) administration of foreign affairs and diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the Office of Inspector General; (3) U.S. embassy security, construction, and maintenance for facilities in Afghanistan; (4) contributions to international organizations; (5) contributions to international peacekeeping activitie; (6) the Democracy Fund; (7) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (8) migration and refugee assistance; (9) the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; and (10) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs. Makes additional FY2009 appropriations for the Broadcasting Board of Governors for international broadcasting operations. Makes FY2009 supplemental appropriations for the Economic Support Fund. Makes FY2009 supplemental appropriations to the President for: (1) international disaster assistance; and (2) the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for operating expenses and for the Office of Inspector General; and (3) the foreign military financing program. Makes additional FY2009 appropriations for the Economic Support Fund. Subchapter B: Bridge Fund Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009 - Makes additional FY2009 appropriations for the Department for: (1) administration of foreign affairs and diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the Office of Inspector General; (3) U.S. embassy security, construction, and maintenance for facilities in Afghanistan; (4) contributions to international organizations; (5) contributions to international peacekeeping activities; (6) the Economic Support Fund; (7) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (8) migration and refugee assistance; and (9) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs. Makes additional FY2009 appropriations for the Broadcasting Board of Governors for international broadcasting operations. Makes additional FY2009 appropriations to the President for: (1) global health and child survival; (2) development assistance; (3) international disaster assistance; (4) USAID for operating expenses and for the Office of Inspector General; (5) the foreign military financing program; and (6) peacekeeping operations. Makes additional FY2009 appropriations for the Economic Support Fund. Subchapter C: General Provisions, This Chapter - (Sec. 1402) Prohibits the availability of funds appropriated for infrastructure activities in Iraq until the Secretary of State (Secretary) certifies to the appropriations committees that the United States and Iraq have entered into an asset transfer agreement that includes commitments by Iraq to maintain U.S.-funded infrastructure in Iraq. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for the construction of prison facilities in Iraq. Prohibits the availability of more than 40% of the funds appropriated for rule of law programs in Iraq until the Secretary: (1) certifies to the appropriations committees that a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy has been developed and is being implemented; and (2) submits a list of senior Iraqi officials who the Secretary believes have committed corrupt acts. Prohibits the availability of funds appropriated for expenses of Provisional Reconstruction Teams until the Secretary reports to such committees a strategy for the eventual winding down and closing of such Teams, and related cost information. Prohibits the availability of more than 50% of the funds appropriated for the Community Stabilization Program in Iraq until the Secretary certifies to such committees that USAID is implementing certain recommendations to ensure accountability of funds. Allows the availability of funds for assistance for Iraq only to the extent that Iraq matches such assistance on a dollar-for-dollar basis (with exceptions for certain humanitarian programs). Requires a report from the Secretary to such committees on Iraqi matching funds. Requires a report from the Secretary to such committees on amounts provided by Iraq since June 30, 2004, to assist Iraqi refugees in Syria, Jordan, and elsewhere, and the amount Iraq plans to so provide in FY2008. (Sec. 1403) Specifies that certain funds for Afghanistan shall be made available for: (1) assistance for women and girls; (2) higher education; and (3) post-operations assistance. Directs the Secretary of State to report to the appropriations committees respecting anticorruption activities undertaken by the government of Afghanistan. (Sec. 1404) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriations committees respecting: (1) U.S. assistance for training of Palestinian security forces; and (2) the security strategy of the Palestinian Authority. (Sec. 1405) Authorizes the President to waive any sanctions under the Arms Export Control Act with respect to North Korea for providing assistance related to: (1) the implementation and verification of compliance by North Korea with its commitment to abandon all nuclear weapons and nuclear programs as part of the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula; and (2) the elimination of North Korean capability with weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. Provides exceptions. Requires the: (1) President to notify the appropriations, defense, and foreign relations committees at least 15 days in advance of exercising any such waiver; and (2) President to report annually to such committees on waivers issued; and (3) Secretary to report to such committees on verification measures relating to North Korea's nuclear programs. (Sec. 1406) Sets forth funding assistance provisions for Mexico, including provisions respecting: (1) funds for anti-drug trafficking and related anti-crime activities, judicial reform, and law enforcement; (2) funding allocation requirements for the government of Mexico; and (3) a spending plan report to Congress. (Sec. 1407) Sets forth funding assistance provisions for the countries of Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama), including provisions respecting: (1) funds for anti-drug trafficking and related anti-crime activities; (2) funds for Haiti and the Dominican Republic; (3) allocation of funds and related requirements; and (4) a spending plan report to Congress. (Sec. 1408) Transfers specified funds into the Buying Power Maintenance Account. (Sec. 1409) Authorizes the withholding of specified funds earmarked for Serbia if the Secretary reports to the appropriations committees that such country has failed to provide full compensation to the Department of State for damages to the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, resulting from a February 21, 2008, attack. (Sec. 1410) Rescinds a specified amount of appropriated funds: (1) under the Andean Counterdrug Initiative for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs and appropriates that amount for the World Food Program for farmers in countries affected by food shortages to increase crop yields; (2) for international narcotics control and law enforcement and appropriates that amount for assistance to Sudan for police units; and (3) from the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund under prior Acts. (Sec. 1411) Authorizes the use of specified funds for: (1) peacekeeping operations in Darfur, Sudan; and (2) establishing a U.S. consulate in Lhasa, Tibet. (Sec. 1413) Rescinds a specified amount of funds appropriated in prior Acts for the Millennium Challenge Corporation and appropriates that amount for assistance to Jordan. (Sec. 1414) Makes funds provided in this chapter for diplomatic and consular programs and the Economic Support Fund available for programs and countries in specified amounts. (Sec. 1415) Sets forth certain: (1) funding reprogramming authority; and (2) spending plan and notification requirements. Title II: Domestic Matters - Chapter 1: Food and Drug Administration - Makes additional FY2009 appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for salaries and expenses. Chapter 2: Commerce, Justice, and Science - Makes additional appropriations for: (1) the Bureau of the Census (Department of Commerce) for periodic censuses and programs; and (2) the federal prison system (Department of Justice) for salaries and expenses. Makes additional appropriations for the: (1) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for science, aeronautics, and exploration; and (2) National Science Foundation for research and related activities, education, and human resources. Chapter 3: Energy - Makes additional appropriations for the Department of Energy (DOE) for science and defense environmental cleanup. Chapter 3: Labor and Health and Human Services - Makes additional appropriations for: (1) Department of Labor state unemployment insurance and employment service operations; and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services for the National Institutes of Health. Chapter 5: Legislative Branch - Appropriates funds for Annette Lantos, widow of the late Representative Tom Lantos. Title III: Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery - Chapter 1: Agriculture - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2008 for the Department of Agriculture for: (1) the Farm Service Agency's Emergency Conservation Program; and (2) the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Chapter 2: Commerce - Makes supplemental appropriations for the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration for Economic Development Assistance Programs for necessary expenses related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration of infrastructure in areas covered by a declaration of major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Chapter 3: Corps of Engineers - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Corps of Engineers for: (1) Construction for necessary expenses to address emergency situations at Corps projects and to rehabilitate and repair damages to Corps projects caused by recent natural disasters and for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season; (2) the Mississippi River and Tributaries for recovery from natural disasters; (3) Operation and Maintenance to dredge navigation channels and repair other Corps projects related to natural disasters; (4) Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies for necessary expenses to prepare for flood, hurricane, and other natural disasters and to support emergency operations, repair, and other activities in response to flood and hurricane emergencies and for necessary expenses relating to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season; and (5) Expenses for increased efforts by the Mississippi Valley Division to oversee emergency response and recovery activities related to the consequences of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005. Chapter 4: Small Business - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Small Business Administration for the direct loans program account for necessary expenses related to flooding in midwestern states and other natural disasters. Chapter 5: FEMA Disaster Relief - Makes supplemental appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Disaster Relief. Chapter 6: Housing and Urban Development - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for: (1) the provision of 3,000 units of permanent supportive housing as referenced in the Road Home Program of the Louisiana Recovery Authority approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and (2) the Community Development Fund for necessary expenses related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration of infrastructure in areas covered by a declaration of major disaster under the Stafford Act as a result of recent natural disasters. Title IV: Emergency Unemployment Compensation - (Sec. 4001) Authorizes a state to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Labor under which the state agency will make emergency unemployment compensation payments to individuals who: (1) have exhausted all rights to regular compensation under state or federal law with respect to a benefit year ending on or after May 1, 2007; (2) have no rights to regular compensation or extended compensation with respect to a week under such law or any other state or federal unemployment compensation law; and (3) are not receiving compensation for such week under the unemployment compensation law of Canada. Authorizes a state's governor in an extended benefit period, if state law permits, to provide for the payment of emergency unemployment compensation before extended compensation to individuals who otherwise meet the requirements of this title. Allows the payment of unemployment compensation to aliens only if they are legally authorized to work in the United States. (Sec. 4002) Requires such agreements to require states to establish an emergency unemployment compensation account for an applicant's benefit year. Prescribes a formula for crediting amounts to such accounts. (Sec. 4003) Requires federal payments to states that have entered into such agreements to cover 100% of emergency unemployment compensation payments. Prohibits such payments from being made to any state if it is entitled to reimbursement in respect of such compensation under any federal law other than this title or federal law relating to unemployment compensation for federal employees and ex-servicemen. Denies a state entitlement to any reimbursement under the latter law if the state is entitled to reimbursement under this title. (Sec. 4004) Requires funds in the extended unemployment compensation account of the Unemployment Trust Fund to be used for payments to states having such agreements. Appropriates out of the employment security administration account of such Fund, without fiscal year limitation, the funds necessary to assist states in meeting the costs of administration of such agreements. Appropriates from the general fund of the Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, to the extended unemployment compensation account of the Unemployment Trust Fund such sums as the Secretary estimates are necessary to make payments for: (1) compensation payable to federal employees and ex-servicemen; and (2) compensation payable on the basis of certain services performed for nonprofit organizations or governmental entities. Declares that none of these appropriations shall be required to be repaid. (Sec. 4005) Makes an individual ineligible for further emergency unemployment compensation, and subjects him or her to fines and imprisonment of up to five years, or both, if the individual knowingly has made, or caused another to make, a false statement or representation of a material fact, or knowingly has failed, or caused another to fail, to disclose a material fact, and as a result of such actions the individual has received such emergency unemployment compensation to which he or she was not entitled. Directs the state to require such an individual to repay the compensation to the state agency unless the state determines that: (1) the overpayment was without fault on the individual's part; and (2) such repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience. (Sec. 4007) Requires any agreement entered into under this title to apply only to weeks of unemployment: (1) beginning after the agreement is entered into; and (2) ending on or before March 31, 2009. Title V: Veterans Educational Assistance - Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 - (Sec. 5003) Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to entitle to veterans' educational assistance individuals who, commencing on or after September 11, 2001, serve on active duty in the Armed Forces for: (1) at least 36 months; (2) at least 30 continuous days and is discharged or released due to a service-connected disability; or (3) less than 36 months or 30 continuous days, but are discharged or release under honorable conditions, placed on a retired list or into reserve service, or discharged or released from duty due to certain qualifying physical or mental conditions or hardship. Excepts certain service as qualifying for such assistance. Establishes the duration of such assistance (in most cases 36 months) and assistance amounts, such amounts prorated based on the amount of active-duty service. Prohibits an individual from losing assistance entitlement due to being called or ordered to active duty while pursuing a program of education. Requires programs of education pursued with such assistance to be approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (including approval by the state approving agency concerned). Allows for the pursuit of an approved program of education while on active duty. Allows, under such assistance, for the pursuit of: (1) programs on less than a half-time basis; (2) tutorial assistance; and (3) licensure and certification tests. Makes individuals entitled to assistance under this Act also eligible for supplemental educational assistance in the case of members with a critical skill or specialty or those performing additional service. Requires the Secretary to carry out a program, to be known as the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, under which colleges and universities may enter into an agreement with the Secretary to cover, for certain individuals, a portion of established charges not otherwise covered under the post-9/11 assistance, and match contributions toward such costs. Directs the Secretary to make publicly available on a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website a current list of the colleges and universities participating in the Program. Provides additional assistance for individuals relocating or traveling significant distances for a program of education under this title. Authorizes the transfer to family members of up to 36 months of unused post-9/11 educational assistance. Requires educational assistance under this title to be used within 15 years of the individual's discharge or release from active duty (with exceptions). Bars the duplication of assistance under this title with any other federal educational assistance to which a member may be entitled, instead requiring an election. Directs the Secretary to provide to members of the Armed Forces all necessary information on the educational assistance benefits, limitations, procedures, and eligibility and application requirements under this title. Allows individuals currently under the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to elect to participate in the post-9/11 educational assistance program with respect to any unused entitlement. (Sec. 5004) Increases the amounts of basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for the period beginning on August 1, 2008, and ending on September 30, 2009. Revises the formula for determining cost-of-living adjustments to such assistance. (Sec. 5005) Sets $19 million as the maximum amount per fiscal year for reimbursement to states and local agencies administering veterans' education benefits. (Sec. 5006) Allows a member serving on active duty or in the Selected Reserve or regular reserve who is entitled to Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance, has completed at least six years of service in the Armed Forces, and agrees to at least four more years of such service to transfer to family members up to 36 months of such assistance. Allows the member to modify or revoke such transfer at any time. Title VI: Accountability and Transparency in Government Contracting - Chapter 1: Close the Contractor Fraud Loophole - Close the Contractor Fraud Loophole Act - (Sec. 6102) Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation to be amended within 180 days after enactment of this Act to include provisions that require timely notification by federal contractors of violations of federal criminal law or overpayments in connection with the award or performance of covered contracts or subcontracts, including those performed outside the United States and those for commercial items. (Sec. 6103) Defines the term &quot;covered contract&quot; to mean any contract in an amount greater than $5 million and of more than 120 days' duration. Chapter 2: Government Funding Transparency - Government Funding Transparency Act of 2008 - (Sec. 6202) Amends the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act to require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure that the federal awards website includes for each federal award of assistance or expenditures of $25,000 or more the names and total compensation of the five most highly compensated officers of the receiving entity if: (1) the entity in the preceding fiscal year received 80% or more of its annual gross revenues and $25 million or more in annual gross revenues from federal awards; and (2) the public does not have access to information about the compensation of the entity's senior executives through reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the Internal Revenue Code. Requires the Director of OMB to promulgate regulations to carry out this Act that include a definition of &quot;total compensation&quot; that is consistent with regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concerning executive compensation. Title VII: Medicaid Provisions - (Sec. 7001) Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Appropriations Act, 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on implementation of a proposed rule (&quot;Medicaid Program; Cost Limit for Providers Operated by Units of Government and Provisions To Ensure the Integrity of Federal-State Financial Partnership&quot;) relating to the federal-state financial partnerships under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA). Extends until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on any action by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to restrict Medicaid payments for graduate medical education (GME). Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on certain restrictions relating to Medicaid coverage or payment for rehabilitation services or school-based administration and school-based transportation, including specified proposed regulations, if such restrictions are more restrictive in any aspect than those applied to such areas as of July 1, 2007. Establishes additional moratoria until April 1, 2009, on specified regulatory actions concerning Medicaid: (1) treatment of optional case management services; and (2) allowable provider taxes. Makes appropriations to the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for FY2009, and authorizes appropriations for FY2010 and subsequent fiscal years, for the purpose of reducing fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program. Requires annual reports to specified congressional committees on activities funded by such appropriations. Directs the Secretary of HHS to report to Congress on the Medicaid regulations referred to in this Act and how they were designed to address specific problems. Directs the Secretary of HHS to contract with an independent organization to produce a comprehensive report for Congress on the prevalence of such problems: (1) identifying which claims for items and services under Medicaid are not processed through automated data systems; (2) examining the reasons why they are not so processed; and (3) recommending federal and state actions that can make claims for such items and services more accurate and completely consistent with Medicaid requirements. Makes appropriations for such reports. Amends SSA title XIX to require each state to implement an asset verification program for purposes of determining or redetermining the eligibility of an individual for state Medicaid assistance. Requires withholding of federal matching payments from states failing to implement such program. Amends the TMA, Abstinence Education, and QI Programs Extension Act of 2007 to repeal the requirement to extend to the Medicaid program the web-based asset demonstration project under SS title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI). (Sec. 7002) Amends SSA titles XVIII and XIX to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish: (1) a Medicare Improvement Fund, available for making improvements under the original fee-for-service Medicare program; and (2) a Medicaid Improvement Fund, available for improving the management of the Medicaid program by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services, including oversight of contracts and contractors and evaluation of demonstration projects. Makes certain amounts available to the Medicare Improvement Fund for FY2014 and to the Medicaid Improvement Fund for FY2014-FY2018. Amends SSA title XVIII to make adjustments to funding available to the Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative (PAQI) Fund. Reduces amounts available to the Fund for expenditure during 2013, but adds funds for 2014 expenditures (under the same limitations provided for those made with money available during 2013). Title VIII: General Provisions, This Act - (Sec. 8001) Prohibits any part of an appropriation contained in this Act from remaining available beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly provided herein. (Sec. 8002) Designates each amount in this Act as an emergency requirement and necessary to meet emergency needs pursuant to the concurrent resolutions on the budget for FY2008 and FY2009. (Sec. 8003) Reduces by $3,577,845,000 the total amount appropriated in Title IX of this Act for defense procurement, research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&amp;amp;E), and working capital funds. (Sec. 8005) Earmarks specified funds made available for the Defense Health Program under the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 for psychological health and traumatic brain injury. Title IX: Defense Matters - Chapter 1: Defense Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2008 - Makes supplemental appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2008 for: (1) military personnel; (2) operation and maintenance (O&amp;amp;M); (3) the Iraq Freedom Fund; (4) the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund; (5) the Iraq Security Forces Fund; (6) procurement; (7) National Guard and reserve equipment; (8) RDT&amp;amp;E; (9) Defense Working Capital Funds; (10) the National Defense Sealift Fund; (11) the Defense Health Program; (12) drug interdiction and counter-drug activities; and (13) the Office of the Inspector General. (Sec. 9103) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary, for purposes of this title), in the national interest, to transfer between appropriations up to $2.5 billion of the funds made available to DOD in this Act. Requires congressional notification of each transfer. (Sec. 9104) Earmarks specified DOD O&amp;amp;M funds to fund the Commander's Emergency Response Program (urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines). Requires a quarterly report from the Secretary to the congressional defense committees on the source and use of such funds. (Sec. 9106) Earmarks specified drug interdiction and counter-drug activities funds for the support of counter-drug activities of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as specified in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 1998. (Sec. 9107) Allows amounts provided in this Chapter for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to be used for the purchase of up to 20 heavy and light armored vehicles for force protection purposes. Requires the Secretary to notify the defense committees of any such purchases. (Sec. 9109) Earmarks specified funds to conduct or support a program to build the capacity of a foreign country's national military forces to conduct counterterrorist operations or support military and stability operations in which U.S. Armed Forces are a participant. Chapter 2: Defense Bridge Fund Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009 - Appropriates funds for DOD for FY2009 for: (1) military personnel; (2) O&amp;amp;M; (3) the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund; (4) the Iraq Security Forces Fund; (5) procurement; (6) RDT&amp;amp;E; (7) the Defense Health Program; (8) drug interdiction and counter-drug activities; and (9) the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund. (Sec. 9203) Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to transfer between appropriations up to $4 billion of the funds made available to DOD in this Act. Requires congressional notification of each transfer. (Sec. 9204) Directs the Secretary to report quarterly to Congress from December 5, 2008, through FY2009, a comprehensive set of performance indicators and measures for progress toward military and political stability in Iraq. (Sec. 9205) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on individual transition readiness assessments by unit of Iraq and Afghan security forces. Requires quarterly updates through the end of FY2009. Requires the: (1) Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to report to such committees (with quarterly updates) on the proposed use of all funds within the Iraq Security Forces Fund and the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund on a project-by-project basis; and (2) Secretary to report to such committees on any proposed new projects or transfers of funds in excess of $15 million using funds appropriated by this Act for either such Fund. (Sec. 9206) Authorizes the use of O&amp;amp;M funds under this Chapter for providing supplies, services, transportation, and other logistical support to coalition forces supporting military and stability operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Directs the Secretary to report quarterly to the defense committees on the support provided. (Sec. 9207) Appropriates funds to the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Fund. Chapter 3: General Provision - This Title - (Sec. 9301) Designates each amount appropriated in this title as an emergency requirement pursuant to provisions of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008. (Sec. 9303) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act in contravention of specified federal laws or regulations promulgated to implement the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (done at New York on December 10, 1984). (Sec. 9304) Directs the Secretaries of Defense, State, and Homeland Security to jointly submit to Congress the U.S. global strategy to combat and defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates. (Sec. 9305) Prohibits funds provided in this title from being used to finance programs or activities denied by Congress in FY2007 or FY2008 appropriations to DOD or to initiate a procurement or RDT&amp;amp;E new start program without prior notification to the defense committees. (Sec. 9306) Amends the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2008 to increase the amount allocated for the Military Budget for the common-funded budgets of NATO. (Sec. 9307) Prohibits the use of funds under this title to provide award fees to any defense contractor contrary to provisions of the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2007 concerning the linking of award and incentive fees to acquisition outcomes. (Sec. 9308) Rescinds specified funds made available under prior defense and consolidated appropriations Acts for the Defense Health Program and the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund. (Sec. 9309) Earmarks specified funds from the Iraq Freedom Fund under the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 for the Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell and the transportation of fallen servicemembers. (Sec. 9310) Prohibits any DOD funds other than those deposited in the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005 from being obligated or expended to implement any final action on joint basing initiatives under the 2005 round of defense base closures and realignments until each affected military department Secretary or federal agency head certifies to the defense committees that joint basing at the affected installation will result in significant cost savings and will not negatively impact the morale of members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 9311) Allows DOD O&amp;amp;M funds to be used to purchase items having an investment unit cost of no more than $250,000, but allows such funds to be used to purchase items having an investment unit cost of up to $500,000 upon a determination by the Secretary that such purchase is necessary to meet the operational requirements of a commander of a combatant command engaged in contingency operations overseas.<br/>

1214798400 2008-06-30 Thu Nov 06 22:50:12 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 4 78 44504 Thu Jul 19 23:36:00 -0500 2007 true 2931 18 272 157 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2669 as Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 16:45:31 -0500 2007 senate h 459 44504 1181620800 false 1189193880 1190865600 132 2669 5577 110 400278

9/27/2007--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since the Conference Report was filed in the House on September 6, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) College Cost Reduction and Access Act - Title I: Grants to Students in Attendance at Institutions of Higher Education - (Sec. 101) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to repeal the formula for calculating an individual Pell grant which includes, in part, the sum of the student's tuition. (Thus eliminates the &quot;tuition sensitivity provision&quot; which currently prohibits maximum Pell grant awards to students attending low-tuition institutions of higher education (IHEs) even if their income is low enough otherwise to qualify for the maximum award.) Authorizes and appropriates $11 million for FY2008 to cover the costs of eliminating tuition sensitivity. (Sec. 102) Reauthorizes the Pell Grant program through FY2017. Authorizes and appropriates additional funding for the program for FY2008-FY2017 to increase the amount of the maximum Pell grant for which a student is eligible by $490 for each of the award years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, $690 for each of the award years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, and $1,900 for award year 2012-2013. (Sec. 103) Authorizes and appropriates $57 million for each of FY2008-FY2011 to provide assistance to all Upward Bound projects that did not receive assistance in FY2007 and have a grant score above 70. (Sec. 104) Establishes a TEACH Grant program, providing $4,000 of tuition assistance each academic year to high-achieving undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students who commit to teaching a high-need subject in a high-need elementary or secondary school for four years. Includes mathematics, science, foreign languages, bilingual education, special education, and reading among such high-need subjects. Sets an $16,000 aggregate limit on an individual's receipt of TEACH Grants. Title II: Student Loan Benefits, Terms, and Conditions - (Sec. 201) Phases-in cuts in the interest rate charged undergraduate student borrowers under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) and Direct Loan (DL) programs, thereby reducing such rate from 6.8% in July 2006 to 3.4% in July 2011. (Sec. 202) Eliminates the three-year deferment limit under the FFEL, DL, and Perkins loan (PL) programs for borrowers who are serving on active duty or performing qualifying National Guard duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency. Extends such deferment for 180 days after demobilization. Removes language limiting such deferments to loans for which the first disbursement was made after June 2001. (Sec. 203) Caps FFEL and DL repayments by student borrowers at no more than 15% of the amount a borrower's and the borrower's spouse's adjusted gross income exceeds 150% of the poverty line. Requires the Secretary of Education to pay any unpaid interest on such loans for up to three years, and cancel or repay them after 25 years. (Sec. 204) Allows veterans who were called to active duty when enrolled in, or within six months of being enrolled in, an IHE to receive a 13-month student loan deferment. Cancels such deferment upon the borrower's reenrollment in school. (Sec. 205) Includes FFEL, DL, and PL economic hardship deferral periods, as well as the months a borrower's FFEL or DL payments are capped, in calculating the maximum period an income contingent repayment plan may be in effect for a non-defaulting borrower. Title III: Federal Family Education Loan Program - (Sec. 301) Reduces from 23% to 16% the percentage of defaulted FFEL collections a guaranty agency may retain, beginning in October 2007. (Sec. 302) Eliminates exceptional performer status for lenders, servicers, and guaranty agencies, which rewards such entities for high due diligence in FFEL collection, beginning in October 2007. (Sec. 303) Reduces FFEL lender insurance to 95% of the unpaid principal of such loans, beginning in FY2013. Provides total coverage to lenders-of-last-resort. (Sec. 304) Redefines economic hardship so that it describes the condition of borrowers whose full-time earnings do not exceed the greater of the minimum wage or 150% of the poverty line. Requires consideration, in determining economic hardship, of the poverty line applicable to the borrower's family size, rather than the one applicable to a family of two. Defines eligible not-for-profit holders of FFELs. Provides that: (1) such holders must have been acting as eligible lenders upon this Act's enactment, unless they are trustees acting on behalf of such lenders; and (2) if such holders sell their loans to entities that are not not-for-profit holders, their special allowance payments will be calculated using the rates applicable to such entities. (Sec. 305) Changes the formula for calculating special allowance payments (SAPs) made to FFEL lenders, to compensate them for the difference between FFEL interest rates and market rates, by reducing the lender rate: (1) by 0.40 percentage points for loans held by nonprofit lenders; and (2) by 0.55 percentage points for all other lenders. Equalizes the SAP rate for FFEL Stafford and PLUS loans. Increases the loan fee charged FFEL lenders from .5% to 1% of the principal amount of loans first disbursed after September 2007. Prohibits its collection from borrowers. (Sec. 306) Lowers the account maintenance fee paid to FFEL guarantors from .10% to .06% of the original principal amount of active loans they have guaranteed. Title IV: Loan Forgiveness - (Sec. 401) Cancels the DL balance owed by borrowers who, after October 1, 2007, have made 120 payments under income-based or standard repayment plans while employed in certain public service jobs. Title V: Federal Perkins Loans - (Sec. 501) Delays the date after which IHEs must begin distributing late PL collections to the Secretary from March 31, 2012, to October 1, 2012. Title VI: Need Analysis - (Sec. 601) Increases students' eligibility for financial aid under title IV of the HEA by increasing, by academic year 2012-2013, the income protection allowance to: (1) $6,000 for a dependent student; (2) $9,330 for an independent student without dependents, other than perhaps a spouse, who is single, separated, or married, and where both spouses are enrolled; and (3) $14,960 for an independent student without dependents other than a spouse if only one of the couple is enrolled. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to such amounts. Increases through academic year 2012-2013 the income protection allowances in the table for independent students with dependents other than a spouse, with cost-of-living adjustments to such amounts thereafter. Revises the table of income protection allowances for parents of dependent students, for each academic year after academic year 2008-2009, by increasing such amounts by the percentage increase in the cost-of-living since December 1992. (Sec. 602) Makes dependent students eligible for a simplified means test if one of their parents is a dislocated worker or they or their parents received a means-tested federal benefit within the past two years (currently, one year). Makes independent students eligible for a simplified means test if they or their spouses are dislocated workers and they have received a means-tested federal benefit within the past two years. Raises from $20,000 to $30,000 the zero-expected family contributions income limit which allows students in families with incomes below such limit to qualify for the maximum Pell grant award. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to such amount. Includes the dislocated worker status of a family member within the special circumstances giving financial aid administrators extra discretion in making need analyses. (Sec. 603) Includes the recent unemployment of an independent student, the dislocated worker status of a family member, and homelessness within the special circumstances giving financial aid administrators extra discretion in making need analyses. (Sec. 604) Excludes untaxed distributions from qualified education benefits as income or assets in computing expected family contributions in student aid calculations. Excludes welfare benefits, Earned Income Tax Credits, federal special fuels tax credits, untaxed foreign income, untaxed Social Security benefits, and the additional federal child tax credit from the income and benefits which are considered untaxed and thereby included in student need analyses. Includes in the definition of independent students those who: (1) are in foster care; (2) are emancipated minors or in legal guardianship; and (3) have been verified as unaccompanied homeless children or youth or as unaccompanied, at risk of homelessness, and self-supporting. States that a financial aid administrator may make a determination of independence based on a documented determination made by another financial aid administrator in the same award year. Excludes special combat pay, received by military personnel because of exposure to a hazardous situation, from student need analyses or from consideration as financial assistance. Treats a qualified education benefit as: (1) the parent's asset when considering the family contribution for a dependent student; and (2) the student's asset when considering such contribution for independent students. Excludes from need analyses any untaxed distributions from state prepaid tuition plans or Coverdell education savings accounts. Title VII: Competitive Loan Auction Pilot Program - (Sec. 701) Directs the Secretary to conduct a Competitive Loan Auction Pilot program, beginning in July 2009, under which biennial auctions are held in each state allowing prequalified lenders to compete for the exclusive right to make FFEL program PLUS loans at all IHEs within the state. Provides that the winning bids from each state auction shall be the two bids containing the lowest and the second lowest proposed special allowance payments requested from the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to guarantee 99% of the unpaid balance of such loans. Title VIII: Partnership Grants - (Sec. 801) Establishes a College Access Challenge Grant program requiring the Secretary to provide formula matching grants to states for specified activities and services to improve student access to postsecondary education. Requires that such grants cover two-thirds of program costs, with states responsible for the remainder. Requires the Secretary to reduce a state's grant to the extent it fails to provide the full non-federal share and authorizes the award of the amount of such reduction directly to a philanthropic organization to carry out the program. Lists as allowable grant activities and services: (1) information to students and parents on postsecondary education benefits; (2) information on financing options that promote financial literacy and debt management among students and parents; (3) outreach for at-risk students; (4) assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other common financial reporting forms; (5) need-based grant aid for students; (6) professional development for middle school and high school guidance counselors, and college financial aid administrators and admissions counselors; and (7) student loan cancellation, repayment, or interest rate reductions for borrowers employed in high-need geographical areas or professions. Requires states to give service priority to low-income students and families. Authorizes and appropriates $66 million for the program for each of FY2008 and FY2009. (Sec. 802) Makes $255 million for each of FY2008-FY2012 available to minority-serving institutions, with: (1) $100 million going to Hispanic-serving institutions; (2) $100 million going to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black institutions; and (3) $55 million going to Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and Native American-serving nontribal institutions. Defines Predominantly Black institutions as accredited institutions serving at least 1,000 undergraduate students at least: (1) 50% of whom are pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree; (2) 40% of whom are Black Americans; and (3) 50% of whom are low-income or first-generation college students. Requires the spending per full-time undergraduate student of such institutions to be low in comparison to that of institutions offering similar instruction. Defines Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions as accredited institutions that have a significant enrollment of financially needy students and an enrollment of undergraduate students that are at least 10% Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students. Requires the spending per full-time undergraduate student of such institutions to be low in comparison to that of institutions offering similar instruction. Defines Native American-serving nontribal institutions as IHEs that have an enrollment of undergraduate students that are at least 10% Native American students and are not Tribal Colleges and Universities. Requires that funds for Predominantly Black institutions be available for competitive grants for programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health education, international affairs, teacher preparation, or to improve the educational outcomes of African American males. Requires that funds for the other institutions be used for certain capacity-building activities. Sets spending priorities for Hispanic-serving institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities that include education in disciplines in which minorities and low-income students are underrepresented and, in the case of Hispanic-serving institutions, the development of model transfer and articulation agreements.<br/>

1190865600 2007-09-27 Thu Nov 06 22:56:58 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 7 81 44644 Thu Sep 06 20:46:00 -0500 2007 true 3357 12 325 124 0 On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2764 as Amended ) true 1/2 Bill Passed On Passage of the Bill Thu Sep 13 16:26:39 -0500 2007 senate h 697 44644 1182139200 false 1198103160 1198645200 163 2764 17750 110 400246

12/26/2007--Public Law. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 - Division A: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Agricultural Programs - Appropriates FY2008 funds for the following Department of Agriculture (Department) programs and services: (1) Office of the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary); (2) Office of the Chief Economist; (3) National Appeals Division; (4) Office of Budget and Program Analysis; (5) Homeland Security Staff; (6) Office of the Chief Information Officer; (7) Office of the Chief Financial Officer; (8) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; (9) Office of Civil Rights; (10) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration; (11) agriculture buildings and facilities and rental payments; (12) hazardous materials management; (13) departmental administration; (14) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations; (15) Office of Communications; (16) Office of the Inspector General; (17) Office of the General Counsel; (18) Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics; (19) Economic Research Service; (20) National Agricultural Statistics Service; (21) Agricultural Research Service; (22) Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; (23) Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs; (24) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; (25) Agricultural Marketing Service; (26) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; (27) Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety; (28) Food Safety and Inspection Service; (29) Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services; (30) Farm Service Agency (FSA); (31) Risk Management Agency; (32) Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund; and (33) Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. Title II: Conservation Programs - Appropriates funds for the following: (1) Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment; and (2) Natural Resources Conservation Service. Title III: Rural Development Programs - Appropriates funds for the following: (1) Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development; (2) rural development salaries and expenses; (3) Rural Housing Service; (4) Rural Business-Cooperative Service; and (5) Rural Utilities Service. Title IV: Domestic Food Programs - Appropriates funds for the following: (1) Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services; and (2) Food and Nutrition Service. Title V: Foreign Assistance and Related Programs - Appropriates funds for the following: (1) Foreign Agricultural Service; (2) Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (P.L. 480) program account, title I ocean freight differential grants, and title II grants; (3) Commodity Credit Corporation export loans program account; and (4) McGovern-Dole international food for education and child nutrition program grants. Title VI: Related Agencies and Food and Drug Administration - Appropriates funds for the following: (1) Food and Drug Administration (FDA); (2) Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and (3) Farm Credit Administration. Title VII: General Provisions - Specifies certain uses and limits on or prohibitions against the use of funds appropriated by this Act. (Sec. 706) Prohibits funds under this Act from being used to pay indirect costs charged against competitive agricultural research, education, or extension grant awards issued by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service that exceed 20% of total federal funds provided under each award. (Sec. 709) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act for the Safe Meat and Poultry Inspection Panel. (Sec. 715) Directs the Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide financial and technical assistance from specified funds for: (1) the Pocasset River Floodplain Management Project in Rhode Island; (2) the East Locust Creek Watershed Plan Revision in Missouri; (3) the Little Otter Creek Watershed project; and (4) the McDowell Grove Dam Flood Plain/Wetlands Restoration Project in DuPage County, Illinois. (Sec. 716) Prohibits funds from being used to relocate a state Rural Development office until cost and operation effectiveness have been determined. (Sec. 717) Prohibits funds made available by this Act from being used to close or relocate the FDA Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis in St. Louis, Missouri, outside the city or county limits. (Sec. 718) Authorizes the Secretary to use up to 26% of competitive research funds under this Act for a competitive grants program similar to the initiative for future agriculture and food systems. (Sec. 719) Limits funds for the environmental quality incentives program. (Sec. 720) Limits funds made available in FY2008 or preceding fiscal years under P.L. 480 to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for the release of certain commodities under the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act. (Sec. 721) Prohibits fund use for CCC-funded rehabilitation of certain dams. (Sec. 722) Directs the Secretary, with lender consent, to structure the annual fee payment schedule for rural electrification and telephone bond and loan guarantees so as not to exceed an average of 30 basis points per year for the term of the loan in order to ensure fund availability to pay related subsidy costs. (Sec. 723) Prohibits funds under this Act from being used to revise a proposed rule (July 8, 2003) respecting cost-sharing for animal and plant health emergency programs of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (Sec. 724) Appropriates funds to the Denali Commission to address solid waste disposal problems which threaten to contaminate rural drinking water supplies. (Sec. 725) States that funds made available in the current fiscal year shall remain available until expended to disburse obligations made in the current fiscal year for the following Food Security Act of 1985 programs: (1) ground and surface water conservation program; (2) conservation reserve program; (3) wetlands reserve program; (4) conservation security program; (5) farmland protection program; (6) grassland reserve program; (7) environmental quality incentives program; and (8) wildlife habitat incentives program. Requires that funds made available in FY2004-FY2008 for federal crop insurance education and management assistance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act be used to cover only obligations made in such fiscal years, except that FY2008 funds shall be available for new obligations. Limits fund use for such assistance. (Sec. 726) Prohibits funds under this Act from being used to require rural status recertification for rural electrification and telecommunication loan program borrowers. (Sec. 727) Prohibits fund use under this Act by any executive branch entity to produce a prepackaged news story for U.S. broadcast or distribution unless it contains audio or text notice that it was produced or funded by such executive entity. (Sec. 728) Provides that any former Rural Utilities Service borrower that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct or guaranteed loan under the Rural Electrification Act, or any not-for-profit utility that is eligible to receive an insured or direct loan under such Act, shall be eligible for economic development and job creation assistance under such Act in the same manner as a borrower (under such Act). (Sec. 729) Authorizes the Secretary to make funding and other assistance available through the emergency watershed protection program to repair and prevent damage to nonfederal land in watersheds that have been impaired by fires initiated by the federal government. (Waives related cost sharing requirements.) (Sec. 730) Prohibits, without specific congressional authorization, funds under this Act from being used to study or enter into a contract with a private party for competitive sourcing activities relating to rural development or farm loan programs. (Sec. 731) Rescinds specified amounts of unobligated balances and amounts available under the Act of August 24, 1935 to encourage exportation and domestic consumption of agricultural products. (Sec. 732) Sets forth funding allocations for the expanded food nutrition and education program. (Sec. 733) Prohibits funds under this Act from being used to allow the U.S. importation of poultry products from the People's Republic of China (PRC). (Sec. 734) Appropriates funds for a construction grant to the National Center for Natural Products Research. (Sec. 735) Appropriates funds for the planning and construction of an agriculture pest facility in Hawaii. (Sec. 736) Prohibits funds from being used to implement a risk-based inspection program at certain prototype locations until the Department's Office of Inspector General has reported to the Food Safety and Inspection Service and to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations respecting such program's development and design data. (Sec. 737) Directs the Secretary to continue the water and waste systems direct loan program under the authority and conditions provided by the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007. (Sec. 738) Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to revise summer food service programs for children in service institutions provisions. (Sec. 739) Appropriates funds to remain available until September 30, 2009, to: (1) continue the fresh fruit and vegetables in school program in participating states; and (2) expand the program to all states (including Alaska, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia) not currently served by such program. (Sec. 740) Amends the the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1944 to eliminate a condition upon the Department's purchase of newspapers. (Sec. 741) Prohibits funds under this Act from being used to inspect horses for slaughter purposes. (Sec. 742) Appropriates funds to FSA for a pilot program to demonstrate the use of new technologies that increase the growth rate of reforested hardwood trees on private non-industrial forests lands, enrolling lands on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. (Sec. 743) Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to extend, for purposes of disaster assistance eligibility, the qualifying livestock loss period through December 31, 2007. Appropriates funds for FSA salaries and expenses. (Sec. 744) Includes West Virginia in the program for at-risk children. (Sec. 745) Makes unexpended commodity assistance program funds available for: (1) the commodity supplemental food program; and (2) the emergency food assistance program. (Sec. 746) Considers until receipt of the 2010 Census: (1) Alamo, Texas, Mercedes, Texas, Weslaco, Texas, Donna, Texas, La Feria, Texas (including individuals and entities with projects within the cities), and Northampton, Massachusetts (including individuals and entities with projects within the cities) eligible for rural business and cooperative development loans and grants; (2) Bainbridge Island, Washington, Keene, New Hampshire, and Havelock, North Carolina, (including individuals and entities with projects within the cities) eligible for rural community loans and grants; (3) Freeport, Illinois, Kitsap County (except the City of Bremerton), Washington Atascadero, California, and Paso Robles, California, (including individuals and entities with projects within the cities) eligible for loans and grants funded through the rural housing insurance fund program account and the rural housing assistance grants account; (4) Canton, Mississippi, (including individuals and entities with projects within the city) eligible for rural water and waste disposal loans and grants; (5) Parsons, Kansas, Boone, North Carolina, Henderson, North Carolina, and Lenoir, North Carolina as rural areas for rural water and waste loan and grant eligibility; (6) Lansing, Kansas as a rural area for rural housing service program eligibility; (7) Leavenworth, Kansas and Lansing, Kansas as separate geographic entities for rural development grants and loans; (8) Binghamton, New York, for the purpose of upgrading a trunk line for waste transport to the Town of Conklin, New York, (including individuals and entities with projects within the cities) eligible for rural water and waste disposal loans and grants; (9) Lexington County, South Carolina, a rural area for the purposes of financing a farmers' market under the business and industry loan guarantee program; and (10) the service areas being acquired by Mid-Kansas Electric Cooperative, except for Dodge City, Kansas, eligible for financing under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. (Sec. 747) Prohibits funds under this Act from being used to terminate or consolidate any of the FDA's 13 field laboratories or 20 district offices (or any of such offices' inspection or compliance duties) functioning as of January 1, 2007. (Sec. 748) Authorizes the Secretary to use specified housing funds for housing construction and repairs in rural areas affected by hurricanes in 2005. (Sec. 749) Rescinds certain unobligated training and employment-related balances under the Food Stamp Act of 1977. (Sec. 750) Rescinds certain unobligated audit-related balances under the child and adult food care program. (Sec. 751) Extends authorities under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 existing as of September 30, 2007, until March 15, 2008. Continues at specified annual funding levels: (1) the farmland protection program; (2) the ground and surface water conservation program; and (3) the wildlife habitat incentives program. Sets forth specified exceptions to which this section shall not apply. (Sec. 752) Rescinds 0.7% of the FY2008 budget authority for any discretionary account in division A of this Act. Applies such rescission proportionately: (1) to each discretionary account and each item of budget authority; and (2) within such account and item to each program, project, and activity. Exempts from such rescission authority: (1) specified Department amounts for the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) and for the Food Safety and Inspection Service; and (2) any amount described in section 5 in the matter preceding division A of this Act. Requires that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations specifying the account and amount of each rescission made pursuant to this section. Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, for science-related programs, and related agencies. Title I: Department of Commerce - Department of Commerce Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Commerce for FY2008 for: (1) the International Trade Administration; (2) the Bureau of Industry and Security; (3) the Economic Development Administration; (4) the Minority Business Development Agency; (5) economic and statistical analysis programs; (6) the Bureau of the Census; (7) the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, including for grants for public telecommunications facilities planning and construction; (8) the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); (9) the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), including amounts for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Technology Innovation Program, and for construction of new research facilities; (10) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including transfers of funds, and an amount for procurement, acquisition, and construction of capital assets; (11) restoration of Pacific salmon populations; (12) the Coastal Zone Management Fund, including a transfer of funds; (13) the fisheries finance program account; (14) departmental management, including for the Office of Inspector General; and (15) the renovation and modernization of the Herbert C. Hoover Building. (Sec. 101) Allows Department of Commerce funds to be made available for certain functions and activities of the Department and for advanced payments not otherwise authorized upon the certification of a Department of Commerce official that such payments are in the public interest. (Sec. 102) Authorizes funding for hire of passenger motor vehicles, for services, and for uniforms or allowances. (Sec. 103) Restricts the transfer of current fiscal year appropriations for the Department of Commerce in this Act. Makes special provision for transfers among appropriations made only to NOAA. (Sec. 104) Permits a transfer of funds to cover certain costs incurred resulting from personnel actions taken in response to funding reductions. (Sec. 105) Extends through 2009 the authority of the Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Board to make commitments to guarantee any loan to a qualified steel company. Authorizes funding for salaries and administrative expenses to administer the Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Program. (Sec. 106) Prohibits the use of any funds under this Act to register, issue, transfer, or enforce any trademark of the phrase &quot;Last Best Place.&quot; (Sec. 107) Authorizes funding for food expenses for certain trade negotiators when sequestered. (Sec. 108) Authorizes the expansion of the Department of Commerce personnel management demonstration project to involve more than 5,000 individuals and extends such project indefinitely. (Sec. 109) Amends the National Technical Information Act of 1988 to require the Director of the National Technical Information Service to report to the Director of NIST (in lieu of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology). (Sec. 110) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate safety and health standards or regulations for scientific and occupational diving within NOAA. (Sec. 111) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to compensate fishery participants displaced by the creation of the Papaha-naumokua-kea Marine National Monument. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations for a voluntary capacity reduction program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 112) Prohibits NOAA from entering into a contract for development of a major program (an activity approved to proceed to implementation that has an estimated life-cycle cost of more than $250 million) unless the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere makes certain determinations about the costs and feasibility of such program. Requires the Under Secretary to report to Congress on the satellite development program which NOAA proposes to fund in the subsequent fiscal year. Requires the first Major Program Annual Report for NOAA's satellite development program to include a baseline report containing information about the purposes of the program, cost estimates, a schedule for development, and a plan for minimizing costs and risks. (Sec. 113) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) develop, maintain, and make public a list of vessels and vessel owners engaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing; and (2) take appropriate action against the vessels and vessel owners on such list. (Sec. 114) Allocates funding for the establishment of the Climate Change Study Committee to study global climate change and make appropriate recommendations. Title II: Department of Justice - Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Justice (DOJ) for 2008 for: (1) general administration, including for information sharing technology, tactical law enforcement wireless communications, administration of pardon and clemency petitions and immigration-related activities, the Federal Detention Trustee, and the Office of Inspector General; (2) The U.S. Parole Commission; (3) legal activities, including reimbursement from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund for processing cases under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, antitrust enforcement, the Offices of the U.S. Attorneys, the U.S. Trustee Program, and the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission; (4) the U.S. Marshals Service, including for courthouse security equipment, construction, fees and expenses of witnesses, the Community Relations Service, and certain uses of the Assets Forfeiture Fund; (5) the National Security Division; (6) interagency crime and drug enforcement; (7) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (8) the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); (9) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); (10) the federal prison system, including for the construction of new buildings and facilities and the Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated (subject to certain limitations on administrative expenses); (11) the Office on Violence Against Women for violence against women prevention and prosecution programs; and (12) the Office of Justice Programs, including state and local law enforcement assistance, for necessary expenses to implement the &quot;Weed and Seed&quot; program, community-oriented policing service, juvenile justice programs, and public safety officers benefits. (Sec. 201) Makes funds available to the Attorney General for official reception and representation expenses. (Sec. 202) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this title to: (1) pay for an abortion, except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or in the case of rape; or (2) require any person to perform or facilitate an abortion. (Sec. 204) Reaffirms the obligation of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to provide escort services necessary for a female inmate to receive an abortion outside a federal facility. (Sec. 205) Restricts the transfer of current fiscal year appropriations for DOJ in this Act. Makes special provision for transfers among appropriations relating to the federal prison system. (Sec. 206) Authorizes the Attorney General to extend through FY2009 the Personnel Management Demonstration Project without limitation on the number of employees or the positions covered. (Sec. 207) Extends certain authorities for FBI and DEA undercover investigative operations to ATF. (Sec. 208) Prohibits funding to transport a maximum or high security prisoner other than to a prison or facility certified by the Bureau of Prisons as appropriately secure. (Sec. 209) Prohibits funding by federal prisons to purchase cable television services or equipment used primarily for recreational purposes. Allows such services or equipment for inmate training or for religious or educational programs. (Sec. 210) Prohibits the funding of Sentinel or any other major new or enhanced information technology program that has total estimated development costs in excess of $100 million unless DOJ certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that such programs are properly managed and are compatible with the enterprise architecture of DOJ. (Sec. 211) Subjects any deviation from the amounts designated for specific activities in this Act to the reprogramming procedures established by section 505 of this Act. (Sec. 212) Requires certain fines imposed upon bankruptcy petition preparers to be deposited into the U.S. Trustee System Fund appropriations account. (Sec. 213) Revises the fees schedule for disbursements in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. (Sec. 214) Prohibits funding under this Act for any public-private competition conducted under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 for work performed by employees of the Bureau of Prisons or Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated. (Sec. 215) Prohibits funding for U.S. Attorneys who are assigned dual or additional responsibilities by the Attorney General that exempt such U.S. Attorneys from applicable residency requirements. (Sec. 216) Restricts funding for the FBI's Sentinel program until the FBI reports to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the results of a completed integrated baseline review for that program. Prohibits funding for future development of the program until the Attorney General certifies to the Committees that certain performance measurements have been met. (Sec. 218) Requires the Attorney General to submit quarterly reports to the Inspector General on the costs and contracting procedures for conferences held by DOJ in FY2008 for which costs exceeded $20,000. (Sec. 219) Provides authority to public or private institutions of higher education to grant student loan financing or forbearance to federal or District of Columbia employees who are current or former students of such institutions. (Sec. 220) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include territories and Indian tribes as eligible grant recipients (or reaffirm that eligibility) under the programs to: (1) address the manufacture, sale, and use of methamphetamine; (2) aid children in homes in which methamphetamine or other drugs are unlawfully manufactured, distributed, dispensed, or used; and (3) address methamphetamine use by pregnant and parenting women offenders. Title III: Science - Science Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for: (1) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for science, aeronautics and exploration research and development activities, and for the Office of Inspector General; and (3) the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research, equipment and facilities construction, education and human resources, agency operations and award management, the Office of the National Science Board, and the Office of Inspector General. Requires, for FY2009 and hereafter, NASA to provide specific information in its annual budget justification relating to proposed funding levels and estimated budgets for the next five fiscal years. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for: (1) the Commission on Civil Rights; (2) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); (3) the International Trade Commission (ITC); (4) the Legal Services Corporation; (5) the Marine Mammal Commission; (6) the National Veterans Business Development Corporation; (7) the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; and (8) the State Justice Institute. Prohibits the EEOC from taking any action to implement any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or reorganization until notice of such actions is given to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. Title V: General Provisions - Specifies certain uses and limits on or prohibitions against the use of funds appropriated by this Act. (Sec. 501) Prohibits funding for publicity or propaganda purposes not authorized by Congress. (Sec. 502) Prohibits any part of any appropriation contained in this Act from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly so provided in this Act. (Sec. 503) Limits expenditures for consulting services through procurement contracts to those contracts where expenditures are a matter of public record and available for public inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing law. (Sec. 504) Provides for severability of provisions of this Act if certain other provisions are held invalid. (Sec. 505) Prohibits any reprogramming of funds that creates, eliminates, or otherwise affects any existing programs, unless the Senate Committee on Appropriations is notified 15 days in advance. (Sec. 506) Prohibits the use of funds for the construction, repair (other than emergency repair), overhaul, conversion, or modernization of vessels for NOAA in shipyards located outside of the United States. (Sec. 507) Prohibits funding to implement, administer, or enforce certain Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines covering harassment based on religion. (Sec. 508) Renders any person who mislabels a product sold in or shipped to the United States as &quot;Made in America&quot; ineligible to receive any contract or subcontract funded by this Act. (Sec. 509) Requires the Departments of Commerce and Justice, NSF, and NASA to provide to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a quarterly accounting of the cumulative balances of unobligated funds received by such agencies during any previous fiscal year. (Sec. 510) Permits a transfer of funds to cover certain costs incurred resulting from personnel actions taken in response to funding reductions. (Sec. 511) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products or to seek the removal of restrictions on marketing of such products. (Sec. 512) Prohibits funding for the implementation of: (1) any user fee for background checks under the Brady Handgun Control Act of 1993; and (2) any background check system that does not require and result in the destruction of information submitted by an individual certified as eligible to possess or receive a firearm. (Sec. 513) Bars amounts in the Crime Victims Fund in excess of $590 million in any fiscal year from being available for obligation until the following fiscal year. (Sec. 514) Prohibits the use of DOJ funds to discriminate against or denigrate the religious or moral beliefs of students who participate in DOJ programs or of the parents or legal guardians of such students. (Sec. 515) Prohibits the transfer of funds made available in this Act to any federal entity, except as authorized in this Act or any other appropriations Act. (Sec. 516) Designates the Secretary of Commerce as the U.S. representative in negotiating and monitoring international agreements on fisheries, marine mammals, or sea turtles. (Sec. 517) Subjects funding for implementing E-Government Initiatives to the reprogramming limits established by section 505 of this Act. (Sec. 518) Requires ATF to make certain disclosures in its data releases about the limitations of trace data in making conclusions about firearms-related crime. (Sec. 519) Requires the Inspectors General of the Departments of Commerce and Justice, NASA, and NSF to conduct audits of grants or contracts funded by this Act and submit reports to Congress on the progress of such audits. Requires the results of such audits to be made available to the public on federal websites. Prohibits the use of funds for banquets and conferences not directly related to a grant or contract purpose. Requires a grant or contract recipient to submit a conflict of interest statement. (Sec. 520) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to issue patents on claims directed to or encompassing a human organism. (Sec. 521) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to support or justify the use of torture by any official or contract employee of the U.S. government. (Sec. 522) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to require certain licenses for the export of firearms to Canada. Authorizes the President to require export licenses on a temporary basis if there is a determination that Canada has not maintained adequate import controls for firearms or that there is a significant diversion of such firearms for use in international terrorism or in armed conflict in another nation. (Sec. 523) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act to deny certain import applications for curios or relics, firearms, parts, or ammunition. (Sec. 524) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to include certain provisions of the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement, or the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement in any new bilateral or multilateral trade agreement. (Sec. 525) Directs the Administrator of NASA to: (1) modify NASA's financial management system for budgeting, accounting for, controlling, and reporting on appropriations; (2) certify to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees by April 1, 2008, that NASA's financial management meets applicable requirements; and (3) report monthly to such Committees financial information relating to NASA's budget. (Sec. 526) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to authorize or issue a national security letter in contravention of certain laws authorizing the FBI to issue such letters. (Sec. 527) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act for any public-private competition under OMB Circular A-76 to convert work performed by a federal employee to the private sector without the involvement of the affected employees. (Sec. 528) Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to increase funding levels under that Act for FY2008-2010. (Sec. 530) Requires program managers of projects within the jurisdiction of the Departments of Commerce or Justice, NASA, or NSF totaling more than $75 million to inform department heads of any increase in program costs of 10% or more. Requires department heads to notify the Senate Committee on Appropriations of any such increases. (Sec. 531) Prohibits the reprogramming or transfer of funds after June 30, except in extraordinary circumstances. (Sec. 532) Authorizes funds for DOJ intelligence activities during FY2008 until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY2008. (Sec. 533) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act of 1958 to modify the authority of the NASA Administrator to enter into certain enhanced-use leases of real property. (Sec. 534) Requires the departments, agencies, and commissions funded under this Act to establish and maintain on their websites: (1) a direct link to their Offices of Inspectors General; and (2) a mechanism on the Offices of Inspectors General website for anonymously reporting waste, fraud, or abuse. (Sec. 535) Prohibits the award of a contract or grant in excess of $5 million under this Act unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications of compliance with federal tax requirements. (Sec. 536) ED 1.0 Act - Allocates funds for a pilot program in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to award nine grants to enable certain minority educational institutions to develop digital and wireless networks for online programs of study. Grants priority to institutions that serve counties with certain minority populations, income and educational levels, and negative population growth rates. Requires the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to consult with Congress on a quarterly basis regarding such pilot program and to submit a progress report within one year after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2009. (Sec. 537) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act: (1) for purposes inconsistent with U.S. trade remedy laws; or (2) to purchase first class or premium airline travel inconsistent with federal regulations. (Sec. 539) Renames the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 as the 911 Modernization Act. (Sec. 540) Amends the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996 to expand the types of aliens to whom the Legal Services Corporation may provide legal services to include aliens admitted to the United States to perform forestry labor. (Sec. 541) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act: (1) in contravention of the pilot program for alien employment eligibility confirmation; (2) to employ unauthorized aliens; or (3) to pay for the attendance of more than 50 federal employees at any single conference outside the United States. Title VI: Rescissions - Rescinds unobligated balances available for: (1) Department of Commerce programs for economic development assistance, economic and statistical analysis, and NIST industrial technology services; (2) NOAA; (3) Department of Justice (DOJ) general administration and DOJ programs for justice information sharing technology, Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution, the working capital fund, the telecommunications carrier compliance fund, the U.S. Detention Trustee, the Assets Forfeiture Fund, Office of Justice programs, and Community Oriented Policing Services; (4) NASA; and (5) NSF. Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Corps of Engineers-Civil - Makes FY 2008 appropriations for: (1) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for civil functions pertaining to rivers and harbors, flood and storm damage reduction, and aquatic ecosystem restoration; (2) general investigations and construction (including rescissions of funds); (3) flood damage reduction for the Mississippi River alluvial valley below Cape Girardeau, Missouri; (4) operation, maintenance, and administration of laws pertaining to regulation of navigable waters and wetlands; (5) clean up of contamination from sites resulting from work performed as part of the early atomic energy program; (6) flood control, hurricane, and natural disasters emergency operations; (7) general administration and related civil works functions in the headquarters of the Corps; and (8) the Office of Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). (Sec. 101) Sets forth limitations regarding reprogramming of funds and certain continuing contracts. (Sec. 103) Prohibits the use of funds to implement: (1) pending or future competitive sourcing actions under OMB Circular A-76 or High Performing Organizations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; (2) plans divesting or transferring any Civil Works missions, functions, or responsibilities of the United States Army Corps of Engineers to other government agencies without specific direction in a subsequent Act of Congress; or (3) any water reallocation project or component under the Wolf Creek Project, Lake Cumberland, Kentucky, except a reallocation subject to an existing agreement or payment schedule. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to construct a new Environmental Laboratory and improvements to the Information Technology Laboratory at the Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi. (Sec. 108) Instructs the Secretary to credit toward the non-federal share of the cost of the Rio Grande Basin Watershed Study, New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas, the cost of in-kind services contributed by the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission for the Study. (Sec. 109) Amends the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2006 to revise the Secretary's authority to implement and fund projects to comply with a the 2003 Biological Opinion. Authorizes planning studies, watershed surveys and assessments, or technical studies at 100% federal expense to accomplish the purposes of the 2003 Biological Opinion. Repeals authority to award grants and enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, or interagency agreements with participants in the Endangered Species Act Collaborative Program Workgroup referenced in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2004. (Sec. 110) Instructs the Secretary, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to convey at no cost lands to Tate County School District, Tate County, Mississippi, the transfer of any real property interests, not to exceed 50 acres, at Arkabutla Lake deemed available by the Army that is located adjacent to school district property in the vicinity of State Highway 306 west of Coldwater, Mississippi. (Sec. 111) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to appropriate $100 million to North Dakota for design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects. (Sec. 112) Instructs the Secretary to: (1) conduct preconstruction engineering and design activities at full federal expense for the Kahuku Storm Damage Reduction Project, Oahu, Hawaii; and (2) plan, design, and construct a rural health care facility on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation of the Three Affiliated Tribes, North Dakota, at an estimated federal cost of $20 million. (Sec. 113) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to extend from seven to 12 years the national shoreline erosion control development and demonstration program. (Sec. 116) Amends the Flood Control Act of 1968 to increase from $5 million to $7 million the federal reimbursement to state and local governments for work performed at water resources development projects. (Sec. 117) Authorizes the Secretary to construct the project for flood damage reduction, environmental restoration and recreation, Johnson Creek, Arlington, Texas, at a total cost of $80 million, with an estimated federal cost of $52 million. (Sec. 118) Directs the Secretary to reimburse local governments for expenses incurred in storm-proofing pumping stations, constructing safe houses for operators, and other interim flood control measures in and around the New Orleans metropolitan area. (Sec. 119) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 modify the authorization for wastewater infrastructure, Coronado, California. (Sec. 120) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to allow in-kind services as the local match for the funds appropriated for flood plain delineation on the Navajo reservation in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. (Sec. 121) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to contract with any public or private entity to provide visitor reservation services. (Sec. 122) Modifies the project for flood control, Redwood River, Marshall, Minnesota, to authorize the Secretary to construct the project at a specified total cost. (Sec. 123) Declares the project for St. John's Bayou and New Madrid Floodway in the State of Missouri is economically justified, provided the levee closure and gravity structure at the south end of the New Madrid Floodway portion are part of the Mississippi River Levee feature of the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project and are not a separable element of that Project. (Sec. 124) Permits specified funds targeted for Department of the Army construction activities to be used for restoration of shore protection projects in New Jersey damaged by the same meteorological events that resulted in Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-1694-DR. (Sec. 125) Modifies the project for flood control, Cedar Hammock (Wares Creek), Florida, to authorize the Secretary to construct it at a total cost of $42.6 million. (Sec. 127) Applies specified requirements governing the use of certain continuing contracts under the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 only to projects funded under the Operation and Maintenance account and the Operation and Maintenance subaccount of the Mississippi River and Tributaries account. (Sec. 129) Authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to arrange disposal of waste materials from the Maywood, New Jersey, Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) site at specified off-site facilities. (Sec. 130) Modifies the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 regarding the American and Sacramento Rivers, California, with respect to the credit recognized toward the non-federal share of project costs. Declares that the non-federal interest shall receive credit for work commenced before the date of execution of a cooperation agreement for the affected feature. (Sec. 131) Modifies the project for White River Navigation to Batesville, Arkansas, to: (1) extend it from mile 255, near Newport, Arkansas, to approximately mile 296, near Batesville, Arkansas; (2) include a harbor at Batesville, Arkansas; and (3) include environmental restoration within the White River Basin, including federally owned lands. (Sec. 132) Cites circumstances under which certain funding prohibitions set forth in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2006 shall not apply to the construction or expansion of any landfill in the Muskingum River watershed. (Sec. 133) Directs the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers to convey to Story County, Iowa, without consideration, all federal rights, title, and interest in specified real property originally proposed for the Skunk River Reservoir, located between Ames and Story City, Iowa. (Sec. 134) Prohibits the use of any funds provided in this Act to implement any new water control manuals for the Apalachicola-Chattahootchee-Flint and Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa river systems. (Sec. 135) Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to instruct the Secretary of the Army, in implementing projects and measures in the New Orleans metropolitan area required to achieve certification for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, to: (1) include all authorized features of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Control project and related internal pumping requirements as integral elements of the comprehensive protection system for the area; and (2) complete all authorized work for the Southeast Louisiana project concurrently and integrally with other area projects. (Sec. 136) Instructs the Secretary of the Army, utilizing funds appropriated for Alaska Coastal Erosion, to prepare a preliminary action plan for any Alaska community that requests assistance for structural and non-structural projects for storm damage prevention and reduction, coastal erosion, and ice and glacial damage, including relocation of affected communities and construction of replacement facilities. Title II: Department of the Interior - Makes FY2008 appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Central Utah Project Completion Account; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation for management, development, and restoration of water and related natural resources; (3) the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund; (4) California Bay-Delta restoration; and (5) policy and administration in the Office of the Commissioner, the Denver office, and offices in the five regions of the Bureau of Reclamation. (Sec. 201) Prohibits the use of funds to determine the final point of discharge for the interceptor drain for the San Luis Unit until development by the Secretary of the Interior and the state of California of a plan, conforming to California water quality standards, to minimize any detrimental effect of the San Luis drainage waters. Declares that the costs of the Kesterson Reservoir Cleanup Program and the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program shall be classified as reimbursable or nonreimbursable and collected until fully repaid. Makes any future federal obligations relating to drainage for the San Luis Unit fully reimbursable by Unit beneficiaries. (Sec. 202) Prohibits the use of funds to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel to purchase or lease water in the Middle Rio Grande or the Carlsbad Projects in New Mexico unless said purchase or lease is in compliance with certain statutory purchase requirements . (Sec. 203) Requires funds for Drought Emergency Assistance to be made available primarily for leasing of water for specified drought related purposes from willing lessors in compliance with existing state laws and administered under state water priority allocation. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into grants and other agreements with irrigation or water districts and states to fund up to 50% of the cost of planning, designing, and constructing improvements that will conserve water, increase water use efficiency, or enhance water management through measurement or automation, at existing water supply projects within specified states. (Sec. 205) Amends the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2004, to repeal current authority for the Endangered Species Collaborative Program. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to establish an Executive Committee of the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into grants, contracts, and agreements to comply with a specified Biological Opinion, or in furtherance of objectives enunciated in the collaborative program long-term plan. Sets the nonfederal share of actitivites at 25%. Requires the nonfederal cost share to be determined on a programmatic, rather than a project-by-project basis. (Sec. 206) Instructs the Secretary to continue to participate in implementation of the Project at Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead (Nevada). Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to the Southern Nevada Water Authority to implement the Project. (Sec. 207) Instructs the Secretary to use $2 million to provide grants, divided equally, to the states of Nevada and California to implement the Truckee River Settlement Act. (Sec. 208) Directs the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to use specified funds for: (1) conveyance to the state of Nevada land known as the Carson Lake and Pasture; (2) removal of the Numana Dam and other obsolete irrigation structures located on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation for the benefit of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe; (3) study and plan for development and construction of a pipeline to convey water from Dixie Valley to Churchill County, Nevada; and (4) design and construction of the Derby Dam fish screen to allow passage of fish. Specifies allocations for certain other entities and projects. (Sec. 209) Amends the Mni Wiconi Project Act of 1988 to extend beyond January 1, 2013, the authority to increase or decrease authorized funds for the Oglala Sioux, the West River, and the Lyman-Jones Rural Water Supply Systems. (Sec. 210) Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary to participate in design, planning, and construction of: (1) the Inland Empire regional water recycling project; and (2) the Cucamonga Valley Water District satellite recycling plants in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Authorizes appropriations for both projects. (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary to report to certain congressional committees before the unilateral termination or removal of cabin or trailer sites on Bureau of Reclamation lands in North Dakota for the purpose of changing land use. (Sec. 212) Amends the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to increase appropriations to implement irrigation projects for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. (Sec. 213) Extends the Secretary's authority regarding a specified water services contract between the United States and the East Bench Irrigation District. (Sec. 214) Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize: (1) the Secretary to participate in the design, planning, and construction of projects to implement the Mojave Water Agency's Integrated Regional Water Management Plan; and (2) authorize appropriations for the projects. Title III: Department of Energy - Makes FY2008 appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for expenses related to: (1) energy efficiency and renewable energy; (2) electricity delivery and energy reliability; (3) nuclear energy; (4) legacy management; (5) clean coal technology; (6) fossil energy research and development; (7) naval petroleum and oil shale reserves; (8) Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR); (9) the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve; (10) the Energy Information Administration; (11) non-defense environmental cleanup; (12) the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund; (13) science activities; and (14) nuclear waste disposal, including specified funds designated for the state of Nevada and for local governmental jurisdictions in the state of California. Makes FY2008 appropriations for: (1) the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee program; (2) salaries and expenses for DOE administration; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) atomic energy defense weapons activities; (5) defense nuclear nonproliferation activities; (6) naval reactors; (7) the Office of the Administrator in the National Nuclear Security Administration; (8) atomic energy defense environmental cleanup; (9) plant and capital equipment necessary for atomic energy defense, other defense, and classified activities; and (10) defense nuclear waste disposal activities. Approves specified expenditures from the Bonneville Power Administration Fund for specified fishery and hatchery activities. Makes FY2008 appropriations for: (1) operation and maintenance of power transmission facilities and marketing electric power and energy for the Southeastern and Southwestern Power Administrations; (2) construction, rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of the Western Area Power Administration, including conservation and renewable resources programs; (3) operation, maintenance, and emergency costs for the hydroelectric facilities at the Falcon and Amistad Dams; and (4) expenses of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). (Sec. 301) Prohibits the use of funds to award a noncompetitive management and operating contract, or a contract for environmental remediation or waste management in excess of $100 million in annual funding at a current or former management and operating contract site or facility, or award a significant extension or expansion to an existing management and operating contract, or other contract covered by this section, unless the contract is awarded using competitive procedures or the Secretary of Energy grants, on a case-by-case basis, a waiver to allow for the deviation. (Sec. 302) Prohibits the use of appropriations to: (1) prepare or initiate requests for proposals for unfunded programs; or (2) develop or implement certain workforce restructuring programs at DOE. (Sec. 304) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to augment funds made available for severance payments and other benefits and community assistance grants under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 unless the DOE submits a reprogramming request to congressional committees. (Sec. 305) States that unexpended balances of prior appropriations provided for activities in this Act may be available to the same appropriation accounts for the activities established pursuant to this title. (Sec. 306) Prohibits the use of Bonneville Power Administration funds to enter into any agreement to perform energy efficiency services outside the legally defined Bonneville service territory, with the exception of services provided internationally, including services provided on a reimbursable basis, unless the Administrator certifies in advance that the services are not available from private sector businesses. (Sec. 307) Requires DOE: (1) when it makes a user facility available to universities or other potential users, or seeks their input on significant user facility characteristics or equipment, to ensure broad public notice of the availability or input need; and (2) employ full and open competition in selecting a university or other potential user as a formal partner in the establishment or operation of a user facility. (Sec. 308) Deems any funds appropriated by this or any other Act, or made available by the transfer of funds in this Act, for intelligence activities to be specifically authorized by Congress for purposes of the National Security Act of 1947 during FY2008, until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY2008. (Sec. 309) Authorizes the use of specified funds by: (1) government-owned, contractor-operator operated laboratories for laboratory-directed research and development; and (2) the plant manager of a covered nuclear weapons production plant or the manager of the Nevada Site Office for plant or site-directed research and development. (Sec. 310) Directs the Administrators of the Southeastern Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and the Western Area Power Administration to use the &quot;yield&quot; rate in computing interest during construction and interest on the unpaid balance of the costs of federal power facilities. (Sec. 311) States that a specified Use Permit for activities conducted at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory shall: (1) continue in effect during the term of the existing Operating Contract, including extensions or renewals; and (2) be incorporated into any future management and operating contract for the Laboratory. (Sec. 312) Rescinds: (1) from discretionary accounts in this Act that contain congressionally directed projects, 1.6% of the budget authority provided for FY2008 for the projects; and (2) from all discretionary accounts in this Act 0.91% of other budget authority provided for FY2008. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Makes FY2008 appropriations to: (1) the Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; (3) the Delta Regional Authority; (4) the Denali Commission; (5) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; (6) the Office of Inspector General; (7) the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board; and (8) the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. (Sec. 401) Makes a technical correction to the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933. Title V: General Provisions - (Sec. 501) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to influence congressional action on legislation or appropriation matters pending before Congress. (Sec. 502) Prohibits the transfer of funds made available by this Act to any federal department, agency, or instrumentality, except pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority provided in, this Act or any other appropriation Act. Division D: Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2008 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Department of the Treasury - Department of the Treasury Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) department-wide systems and capital investments programs; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration; (5) the Air Transportation Stabilization Program Account; (6) the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; (7) the Financial Management Service; (8) the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau; (9) the U.S. Mint for the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund; (10) the Bureau of the Public Debt; (11) the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Program Account; and (12) the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Sets forth certain transfers of funds, including a certain rescission of funds. (Sec. 102) Requires the IRS to maintain a training program for IRS employees in taxpayers' rights, in dealing courteously with taxpayers, and in cross-cultural relations. (Sec. 104) Makes funds for the IRS under any Act available for improved facilities and increased staffing to provide sufficient and effective 1-800 help line service for taxpayers. (Sec. 105) Extends the Secretary of the Treasury's authority through July 22, 2013, to establish, fix the compensation of, and appoint individuals to certain designated critical administrative, technical, and professional positions needed to carry out IRS functions. (Sec. 106) Extends through such date the Secretary's authority to provide: (1) recruitment, retention and relocation incentives, and relocation expenses for certain IRS employees; and (2) performance awards for certain IRS senior executives. (Sec. 107) Transfers from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) the authority to fix the rate of basic pay for IRS positions designated by the Secretary under streamlined critical pay authority. (Sec. 108) Earmarks at least $7.35 million out of funds made available by this Act to increase above FY2007 levels the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and related support activities performing Automatic Collection System functions. (Sec. 113) Bars the use of appropriatons by the Department or the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to redesign the $1 Federal Reserve note. (Sec. 115) Extends from eight years to 10 years the authorization for the personnel management demonstration project providing for the compensation and performance management of not more than a combined total of 950 employees who fill critical scientific, technical, engineering, intelligence analyst, language translator, and medical positions in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). (Sec. 117) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act or any other source to merge the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing without the approval of specified congressional committees. (Sec. 118) Deems any funds appropriated by this Act, or made available by the transfer of funds in this Act, for intelligence activities to be specifically authorized by Congress for purposes of the National Security Act of 1947 during FY2008, until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY2008. (Sec. 119) Requires charging to the Check Forgery Insurance Fund of the amount of any relief granted to a Department's official or agent resulting from the Comptroller General's authority to relieve him or her from liability for the physical loss or deficiency of public money, vouchers, checks, securities, or records. Title II: Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President - Executive Office of the President Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for compensation of the President and designated White House agencies, including: (1) the Council of Economic Advisers; (2) the Office of Policy Development; (3) the National Security Council (NSC); (4) the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board; (5) the Office of Administration; (6) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); (7) the Office of National Drug Control Policy; (8) the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center; (9) various other specified federal drug control programs; (10) special assistance to the President; and (11) the official residence of the Vice President. Sets forth certain transfers of funds. (Sec. 202) Requires the President to submit to the congressional appropriations committees, before the initial obligation of funds appropriated for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, a financial plan on the proposed uses of all such funds on a project-by-project basis. (Sec. 203) Allows the transfer between appropriated programs of up to 2% of any appropriations in this Act made available to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, upon the advance approval of the congressional appropriations committees. (Sec. 204) Allows the reprogramming within a program, project, or activity of up to $1 million of appropriations available to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, upon the advance approval of the congressional appropriations committees. Title III: The Judiciary - The Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations to the Judiciary for FY2008 for: (1) the U.S. Supreme Court; (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; (3) the U.S. Court of International Trade; (4) the courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services; (5) fees of jurors and commissioners; (6) court security; (7) the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts; (8) the Federal Judicial Center; (9) judicial retirement funds; and (10) the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Sets forth certain transfers of funds. (Sec. 305) Authorizes federal justices and judges to receive a salary adjustment during FY2008. (Sec. 306) Provides for the mandatory or discretionary delegation, in certain circumstances, of the duties and powers of the Administrator of General Services to an appropriate executive agency only (currently, an appropriate federal agency). (Sec. 307) Requires the U.S. Marshals Service to provide, for a pilot program, specified security services (except investigations) for courthouses which federal law authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide. (Sec. 308) Requires the court for the Western District of Washington to be held at Vancouver (currently, only at Bellingham, Seattle, and Tacoma). (Sec. 309) Amends the Judicial Improvement Act of 1990 to prohibit the filling of: (1) the first vacancy in the office of district judge in the district of Kansas occurring 17 (currently, 16) years or more after the confirmation date of the judge named to fill the temporary judgeship; and (2) the first vacancy in such office in the northern district of Ohio occurring 17 (currently, 15) years or more after such confirmation date. (In effect lengthens to 17 years the period of the respective temporary judgeship in such districts.) Title IV: District of Columbia - District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations to the District of Columbia for FY2008, including amounts for the federal payments: (1) for District of Columbia Resident Tuition Support; (2) for emergency planning and security costs in the District; (3) to District of Columbia Courts; (4) for Defender Services in District of Columbia Courts; (5) to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia; (6) to the District of Columbia Public Defender Service; (7) to the DC Water and Sewer Authority; (8) to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council; (9) the Office of the Chief Financial Officer; (10) for school improvement; (11) for construction of a consolidated bioterrorism and forensics laboratory; (12) for the DC central library and branch locations; (13) for reimbursement to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (14) to the Executive Office of the Mayor of the District. Requires certain funds appropriated for operating expenses to be subject to the provisions of, allocated, and expended as proposed under &quot;Title III--District of Columbia Funds&quot; of the Fiscal Year 2008 Proposed Budget and Financial Plan submitted to Congress by the District of Columbia on June 7, 2007. Title V: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for independent agencies, including: (1) the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); (2) the Election Assistance Commission, election reform programs, and election data collection grants; (3) the Federal Communication Commission (FCC); (4) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), for its Office of Inspector General; (5) the Federal Election Commission (FEC); (6) the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA); (7) the Federal Trade Commission (FTC); (8) the General Services Administration (GSA); (9) government-wide policy and operating expenses; (10) the GSA Office of Inspector General; (11) the Electronic Government Fund; (12) allowances and office staff for former presidents; (13) the Federal Citizen Information Center Fund; (14) the Merit Systems Protection Board; (15) Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation; (16) the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund; (17) the National Archives and Records Administration; (18) the National Historic Publications and Records Commission Grants Program; (19) the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA); (20) the Credit Union Community Development Revolving Loan Fund; (21) the Office of Government Ethics; (22) the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), including the Office of Inspector General; (23) the government payment for annuitants, employee health benefits, employee life insurance, and the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (24) the Office of Special Counsel; (25) the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); (26) the Selective Service System; (27) the Small Business Administration (SBA), including the Office of Inspector General; (28) the U.S. Postal Service; and (29) the U.S. Tax Court. Sets forth certain transfers of funds. (Sec. 501) Requires the Election Assistance Commission by March 30, 2008, to establish an election data collection grant program to provide a grant of $2 million to five eligible states to improve the collection of data relating to the regularly scheduled November 2008 federal general election. (Sec. 510) Amends the Universal Service Antideficiency Temporary Suspension Act to extend through December 31, 2008, the prohibition on applying certain requirements relating to limitations on expending, obligating, or apportioning appropriations to the collection or receipt of federal universal (telecommunications) service contributions or their expenditure or obligation for universal service support programs. (Sec. 511) Prohibits the use of funds by the FCC to modify, amend, or change its rules or regulations for universal service support payments to implement the February 27, 2004, recommendations of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service regarding single connection or primary line restrictions on universal service support payments. (Sec. 526) Prohibits the use of funds by GSA to reorganize its organizational structure through an operating plan change without approval by the congressional appropriations committees. (Sec. 527) Provides that, if specified congressional committees adopt a resolution granting lease authority pursuant to a specified GSA prospectus, then GSA shall ensure that the delineated area of procurement is identical to the delineated area included in the prospectus for all lease agreements. Requires GSA, if it determines that such area should not be identical to the one included in such prospectus, to provide an explanatory statement to each of such committees and the congressional appropriations committees before exercising such lease authority. (Sec. 531) Requires all disaster loans issued in Alaska or North Dakota to be administered by SBA. Prohibits the sale of such loans during FY2008. (Sec. 532) Requires funds made available under the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 for: (1) Nevada's Commission on Economic Development to be made available to the Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (CET); and (2) the Chattanooga Enterprise Center to be made available to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. (Sec. 533) Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to modify the amount of specified unobligated funds available for SBA disaster loans to pre-existing businesses located in a major disaster area because of the Gulf of Mexico hurricanes in 2005. Changes the outright amount of $25 million to a maximum of $25 million. (Sec. 534) Appropriates an additional amount to SBA through FY2009 for initiatives related to small business development and entrepreneurship, including programmatic and construction activities, subject to specified terms and conditions. Title VI: General Provisions (This Act) - Sets forth permissions for and restrictions upon the use of funds under this Act. (Sec. 607) Prohibits payment of the salary from any appropriation under this Act for any person filling a position (other than temporary) formerly held by an employee who has: (1) left to enter the U.S. Armed Forces; (2) satisfactorily completed his or her period of active military or naval service; (3) within 90 days after release from such service, or from hospitalization continuing after discharge for up to one year, applied for restoration to his former position; and (4) been certified by OPM as still qualified to perform the duties of his or her former position, but not been restored to it. (Sec. 608) Prohibits the expenditure of funds under this Act by an entity unless it agrees that such expenditure will comply with the Buy American Act. (Sec. 609) Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act to any person or entity that has been convicted of violating the Buy American Act. (Sec. 612) Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for use by the Executive Office of the President to request from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) any official background investigation report on any individual, except when: (1) such individual has given his or her express written consent for such request within six months before the date of such request and during the same presidential administration; or (2) such request is required due to extraordinary circumstances involving national security. (Sec. 613) Makes certain cost accounting standards promulgated under the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act inapplicable to a federal employees health benefits program contract. (Sec. 614) Authorizes OPM to accept and utilize (without regard to any restriction on unanticipated travel expenses) funds made available to OPM pursuant to court approval for resolving litigation and implementing any settlement agreements regarding the nonforeign area cost-of-living allowance program. (Sec. 615) Prohibits the availability of funds appropriated by this Act to pay for an abortion, or the administrative expenses in connection with any health plan under the federal employees health benefits program (FEHBP) which provides any benefits or coverage for abortions, unless the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, or the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest. (Sec. 617) Prohibits the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury from determining, for purposes of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 or the Revised Statutes of the United States, that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is a financial activity subject to their jurisdiction. (Sec. 618) Makes the restriction on purchasing nondomestic articles, materials, and supplies set forth in the Buy American Act inapplicable to the acquisition by the federal government of commercial information technology. (Sec. 619) Makes it the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury, upon request of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, to invest in full the amount appropriated and contributed to the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Fund. (Sec. 620) Prohibits an officer or employee of any regulatory agency or commission funded by this Act from accepting, on behalf of that agency, or such agency or commission from accepting, payment or reimbursement from a non-federal entity for travel-related expenses to enable an officer or employee to attend and participate in any meeting or similar function relating to official duties, when the entity offering payment or reimbursement is subject to regulation by such agency or commission, or represents such person or entity, unless the person or entity is a non-profit tax-exempt organization. (Sec. 621) Prohibits the FCC from using funds made available by this Act to implement the Fairness Doctrine, as repealed in General Fairness Doctrine Obligations of Broadcast Licensees or any other regulations having the same substance. (Sec. 622) Requires quarter dollar coins issued during FY2009 to have designs on the reverse side which are emblematic of: (1) the District of Columbia; (2) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (3) Guam; (4) American Samoa; (5) the U.S. Virgin Islands; and (6) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (Sec. 623) Modifies the edge-incused inscription on $1 coins minted and issued honoring each of the Presidents of the United States to remove &quot;In God We Trust.&quot; Requires the design on the obverse or the reverse of the coins to bear such inscription. (Sec. 624) Appropriates specified funds, to remain available until expended, for the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation. Title VII: General Provisions Government-Wide - Sets forth requirements for the use of appropriations by designated departments, agencies, and corporations. (Sec. 716) Sets restrictions upon the use of appropriations by any federal department, agency, or instrumentality unless it has in place, and will continue to administer in good faith, a written policy designed to ensure that all workplaces are free from discrimination and sexual harassment and are not in violation of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Sec. 730) Extends through FY2008 the authorization for the franchise fund pilot programs implemented in six executive agencies, with the exception of DHS. (Sec. 731) Prohibits the use of funds by federal agencies to collect, review, create, or contract for any aggregation of data by any means of any personally identifiable information relating to an individual's access to or use of any federal government Internet site. (Sec. 732) Prohibits the use of funds to enter into or renew a contract for a federal employee health plan which provides for prescription drug coverage, except where the contract also provides for contraceptive coverage. Exempts specified religious plans from such prohibition. Prohibits a federal employee health plan, however, from discriminating against an individual on the basis that the individual refuses to prescribe or otherwise provide for contraceptives because such activities would be contrary to his or her religious beliefs or moral convictions. (Sec. 733) Recognizes the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) as the official anti-doping agency for Olympic, Pan American, and Paralympic sport in the United States. (Sec. 734) Allows the use of funds appropriated for official travel by federal departments and agencies, if consistent with OMB Circular A-126 regarding official travel for government personnel, to participate in the fractional aircraft ownership pilot program. (Sec. 735) Bars the use of funds to implement or enforce restrictions or limitations on the Coast Guard Congressional Fellowship Program, or to implement the proposed OPM regulations relating to the detail of executive branch employees to the legislative branch. (Sec. 736) Prohibits an executive branch agency from purchasing, constructing, and/or leasing any additional facilities, except within or contiguous to existing locations, to conduct federal law enforcement training without advance approval of congressional appropriations committees. Authorizes the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to obtain the temporary use of additional facilities by lease, contract, or other agreement for training which cannot be accommodated in existing Center facilities. (Sec. 737) Bars, for FY2008, the availability of funds for transfers or reimbursements to the E-Government initiatives sponsored by OMB before 15 days following an OMB report to the congressional appropriations committees and receipt of their approval of such transfer. Requires future agency funding requests for a new or ongoing E-Government initiative to submit specified justification materials to the congressional appropriations committees for their approval. (Sec. 738) Requires the head of each appropriate executive department and agency to transfer certain funds to or reimburse the FAAto ensure the uninterrupted, continuous operation by the FAA of the Midway Atoll Airfield for the entirety of FY2008 and any period thereafter that precedes the enactment of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2009. Limits the total funds transferred or reimbursed to $6 million for any 12-month period. (Sec. 739) Prohibits the use of funds for conversion to contractor performance of any activity or function of an executive agency performed by more than 10 federal employees, unless certain requirements are met for public-private competition, cost-effectiveness, and preservation of employer-sponsored health insurance plans meeting specified criteria. Exempts from these requirements: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD); (2) the airport security screening opt-out program; (3) a commercial or industrial type function included on the procurement list established pursuant to the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (JWOA), or planned to be converted to performance by a qualified nonprofit agency for the blind or other severely handicapped individuals in accordance with JWOA; (4) DOD depot contracts or contracts for depot maintenance; or (5) activities that are the subject of an ongoing competition that was publicly announced before the enactment of this Act. Redefines &quot;interested party&quot; to modify the eligibility of federal employees to protest procurement actions under OMB Circular A-76. Makes eligible to protest such action, with respect to a public-private competition, or a decision to convert a federal employee function to private sector performance without such competition: (1) any official who submitted the agency tender in such competition; and (2) one person designated as their agent by a majority of the federal agency employees engaged in the performance of such activity or function. Directs the Comptroller General to administer matters in a manner best suited for expediting final resolution of such protests and final action in such competitions. Grants an interested federal agency official or designated federal employee representative the right to intervene in a civil action commenced by a private sector interested party. Prohibits the use of funds available in this Act by: (1) OMB to direct or require another agency to prepare, undertake, continue, or complete a public-private competition or direct conversion under OMB Circular A-76 or any other administrative regulation, directive, or policy; or (2) an agency to take such action as a result of OMB direction or requirement. (Sec. 740) Requires a pay increase of 3.5% for federal employees, including civilian employees of DOD and DHS for FY2008. (Sec. 741) Bars the use of funds by an executive branch agency, unless otherwise authorized by existing law, to produce any prepackaged news story intended for broadcast or distribution in the United States, unless the story includes a clear notification within its text or audio that it was prepared or funded by that agency. (Sec. 742) Bars the use of funds in contravention of the Privacy Act or regulations concerning protection of privacy and freedom of information. Amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 to revise requirements for a federal agency's review of its own use of information in identifiable form as the privacy and data protection procedures. Repeals the requirement for biennial independent, third-party reviews of such use of information. Requires the Inspector General of each agency to: (1) periodically conduct a review of the agency's implementation of privacy and data protection procedures and policy requirements; and (2) report such results to specified congressional committees. Authorizes (but no longer requires) the Inspector General to contract with an independent, third party organization to conduct the review. (Sec. 743) Requires each executive department and agency to evaluate the creditworthiness of an individual before issuing him or her a government travel charge card. Prohibits issuance of such a card, except in specified circumstances, to individuals that either lack a credit history or are found to have an unsatisfactory credit history. Requires such evaluation to include an assessment of the individual's consumer report from a consumer reporting agency. Amends the Consumer Fair Credit Reporting Act to conform with this section. (Sec. 744) Requires OMB, in coordination with the governor of each Great Lakes state and the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, to submit to the appropriate authorizing and appropriating congressional committees an interagency budget crosscut report displaying the budget proposed, including any planned interagency or intra-agency transfer, for each of the federal agencies that carries out Great Lakes restoration activities. (Sec. 745) Prohibits the use of funds for any federal government contract with any foreign incorporated entity which is treated as an inverted domestic corporation under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, or any subsidiary of such an entity. Requires any Secretary to waive such prohibition if so required in the interest of national security. (Sec. 746) Requires each executive department and agency to establish on the homepage of its website an obvious, direct link to the website of its respective Inspector General. Requires each Office of Inspector General to: (1) post on its website any public report or audit (or portion of it) issued within one day of its release; (2) provide a website service to allow an individual to request automatic receipt of related information and receive its electronic transmittal, or notice of its availability without further request; and (3) establish a direct website link for individuals to report waste, fraud, and abuse anonymously. (Sec. 747) Prohibits the use of funds to carry out a public-private competition or direct conversion under OMB Circular A-76, or any successor regulation, directive or policy, relating to the Human Resources Lines of Business initiative until 60 days after OMB reports to the congressional appropriations committees on the use of such competitions and direct conversion to contractor performance as part of such initiative. Requires OMB to provide a copy of such report to GAO at the same time it reports to such committees. (Sec. 748) Requires OMB to establish a pilot program (in at least three Cabinet-level departments, based on varying levels of annual contracting for services) to develop and implement an inventory to track the cost and size (in contractor manpower equivalents) of service contracts, particularly with respect to contracts that: (1) have been performed poorly by a contractor because of excessive costs or inferior quality; (2) involve inherently governmental functions; or (3) were undertaken without competition. Title VIII: General Provisions (District of Columbia) - Sets forth authorized or prohibited uses of funds appropriated by this Act identical or similar to corresponding provisions of the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2007. (Sec. 804) Prohibits the use of federal funds provided in this Act for publicity or propaganda purposes or implementation of any policy including boycott designed to support or defeat legislation pending before Congress or any state legislature. Allows the District of Columbia to use local funds provided in this title to carry out lobbying activities on any matter. (Sec. 805) Authorizes the District of Columbia government to approve and execute reprogramming and transfer requests of local funds under this title through December 1, 2008. (Sec. 810) Bars the use of federal funds to: (1) implement or enforce the Health Care Benefits Expansion Act of 1992 (also known as the District Domestic Partner Act); or (2) otherwise implement or enforce any system of registration of unmarried, cohabitating couples, including but not limited to registration for the purpose of extending employment, health, or governmental benefits to such couples on the same basis that such benefits are extended to legally married couples. (Sec. 811) Authorizes the Mayor of the District to accept, obligate, and expend federal, private, and other grants received by the District government that are not reflected in the amounts appropriated in this Act, subject to reports by the Chief Financial Officer of the District (CFO) and review and approval by the DC Council. (Sec. 813) Prohibits the use of federal funds contained in this Act by the District of Columbia Corporation Counsel or any other officer or entity of the District government to provide assistance for any petition drive or civil action which seeks to require Congress to provide for voting representation in Congress for the District. Declares that nothing in this section bars the Counsel from reviewing or commenting on briefs in private lawsuits, or from consulting with officials of the District government regarding such lawsuits. (Sec. 814) Prohibits the use of federal funds contained in this Act for any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug. (Sec. 815) Prohibits the use of funds contained in this Act 60 days after its enactment to pay the salary of any chief financial officer of any District government office or independent agency who has not filed a certification with the Mayor and CFO that the officer understands applicable duties and restrictions, including reports required as a result of this Act or its amendments. (Sec. 816) Provides that nothing in this Act may be construed to prevent the Council or the Mayor from addressing the issue of the provision of contraceptive coverage by health insurance plans. Expresses the intent of Congress that any legislation enacted on such issue should include a &quot;conscience clause&quot; which provides exceptions for religious beliefs and moral convictions. (Sec. 817) Requires the Mayor to report annually to specified congressional committees on the following District issues: (1) crime; (2) access to substance and alcohol abuse treatment; (3) management of parolees and pretrial violent offenders; (4) education; (5) improvement in basic District services, including rat control and abatement; (6) application for and management of federal grants; and (7) indicators of child well-being. (Sec. 819) Prohibits the availability of funds to pay: (1) the fees in excess of $4,000 of an attorney who represents a party or defends an action, including an administrative proceeding, brought against the DC Public Schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); or (2) the fees of an attorney or firm whom the CFO determines to have a pecuniary interest, either through an attorney, officer, or employee of the firm, in any special education diagnostic services, schools, or other special education service providers. (Sec. 820) Allows an increase in the amount appropriated by this Act, subject to CFO certification and certain restrictions, by up to $100 million from funds identified in the comprehensive annual financial report as the District's FY2007 unexpended general fund surplus. (Sec. 821) Authorizes an increase in appropriations pursuant to this Act, up to specified amounts, and subject to certain restrictions, to account for an unanticipated growth of revenue collections. (Sec. 822) Authorizes the CFO to conduct short-term borrowing from the emergency and contingency reserve funds, under specified conditions. (Sec. 823) Prohibits the use of funds contained in this Act to enact or carry out any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or distribution of any schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act or any tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) derivative. Provides that the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative of 1998, also known as Initiative 59, approved by the electors of the District on November 3, 1998, shall not take effect. (Sec. 824) Prohibits the expenditure of funds appropriated under this Act for abortions except where the mother's life would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, or in cases of rape or incest. (Sec. 825) Amends the District of Columbia Court Reform and Criminal Procedure Act of 1970 to authorize appropriations directly to the Public Defenders Service (PDS) instead of, as currently, through the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia or an appointed trustee for the PDS. (Sec. 826) Allows the transfer of amounts appropriated in this Act as operating funds to the District's enterprise and capital funds. Requires such transferred amounts to retain appropriation authority consistent with this Act. (Sec. 827) Declares that: (1) in FY2008 and thereafter, amounts deposited in the Student Enrollment Fund shall be available for expenditure upon deposit and shall remain available until expended, consistent with the terms detailed in the Student Funding Formula Assessment, Educational Data Warehouse, and Enrollment Fund Establishment Amendment Act of 2007 (title IV-D of D.C. Law L17-0020); and (2) the entire provisions of that Act are incorporated herein by reference. Division E: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008 - Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Department of Homeland Security - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General. Withholds specified funds until the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary): (1) certifies and reports to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees that DHS has revised its guidance with respect to relations with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to specifically provide for expedited timeframes for providing GAO with access to records, interviews of program officials, and a significant streamlining of the review process for documents and interview requests; and (2) defines in a memorandum to all DHS employees the roles and responsibilities of the Inspector General. Provides that not more than 75% of funds provided for the Office of the Secretary shall be obligated prior to the submission of the first quarterly report on progress to improve and modernize efforts to remove criminal aliens judged deportable from the United States. Prohibits the use of specified funds to support or supplement the appropriations provided for the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology project (US-VISIT) or the Automated Commercial Environment. Requires the Chief Information Officer to submit to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees an expenditure plan for specified information technology acquisition projects, including those funded by multiple components of DHS through reimbursable agreements.. Title II: Security, Enforcement, and Investigations - Makes appropriations for: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including for automated systems, border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology, and air and marine interdiction, operations, maintenance, and procurement, and construction; (2) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including for activities to promote awareness of the child pornography tipline, to reimburse other agencies for costs associated with the repatriation of smuggled illegal aliens, and to enforce laws against forced child labor and for the Federal Protective Service, automated systems, and construction; (3) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including for aviation and surface transportation security, transportation threat assessment and credentialing, transportation security support, and Federal Air Marshals; (4) the Coast Guard, including for environmental compliance and restoration, reserve training, acquisition, construction, and improvements, alteration of bridges, research, development, test, and evaluation, and retired pay; and (5) the U.S. Secret Service, including for acquisition, construction, improvements, and related expenses. Designates funding to: (1) procure commercially available technology to expand and improve DHS's risk-based approach to target and inspect cargo containers under the Secure Freight Initiative and the Global Trade Exchange; (2) support software development, equipment, contract services, and the implementation of inbound lands and modification to vehicle primary processing lanes at ports of entry; and (3) promote information and education exchange with friendly nations to promote sharing of best practices and technologies relating to homeland security. Restricts the obligation of specified funds until: (1) the Senate and House Appropriations Committees receive a report on preliminary results of testing of pilots at ports of entry; and (2) such committees receive and approve a plan for expenditure for a program to establish a security barrier along the U.S. borders of fencing and vehicle barriers and other forms of tactical infrastructure and technology. Makes funds available to ICE for detention and removal operations and to improve and modernize efforts to identify aliens convicted of a crime and sentenced to imprisonment who may be deportable, and to deport those judged deportable. Requires the Secretary and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to adjust security fees to ensure collections are sufficient for the Federal Protective Service to maintain, by July 31, 2008, not fewer than 1,200 full-time equivalent staff and 900 full-time equivalent Police Officers, Inspectors, Area Commanders, and Special Agents who are directly engaged in protecting and enforcing laws at federal buildings. Restricts the use of funds to solicit or consider requests to privatize U.S. facilities used to detain illegal aliens until the House and Senate Appropriations Committees receive a plan for carrying out such privatization. Authorizes funds collected and made available from aviation security fees to be expended for the purpose of improving screening at airport checkpoints, refurbishment and replacement of current equipment, installation of surveillance systems to monitor checkpoint activities, modification of checkpoint infrastructure to support reconfigurations, and creation of additional checkpoints to screen aviation passengers and airport personnel. Requires the Assistant Secretary (TSA), upon determining that the Secure Flight program does not need to check airline passenger names against the full terrorist watch list, to certify to the Appropriations Committees that no significant security risks are raised by screening airline passenger names only against a subset of the full terrorist watch list. Prohibits making funds available for procurements related to the acquisition of additional major assets as part of the Integrated Deepwater Systems program not already under contract until an Alternatives Analysis has been completed by an independent qualified third party. Directs the Secretary to submit to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, in conjunction with the President's FY2009 budget, a review of the Revised Deepwater Implementation Plan that identifies any changes for the fiscal year, an annual performance comparison of Deepwater assets to pre-Deepwater legacy assets, a status report of legacy assets, a detailed explanation of how the costs of legacy assets are being accounted for within the Deepwater program, and the earned value management system gold card data for each Deepwater asset. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees: (1) every five years beginning in FY2011, a comprehensive review of the Revised Deepwater Implementation Plan; and (2) annually, at the time the President's budget is submitted, a future-years capital investment plan for the Coast Guard. Title III: Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery - Makes appropriations for: (1) the immediate Office of the Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs, the National Protection Planning Office, support for operations, information technology, and facility costs; (2) infrastructure protection and information security programs and activities; (3) US-VISIT, with sums withheld until the Appropriations Committees receive and approve an expenditure plan prepared by the Secretary that includes specified elements; (4) the Office of Health Affairs; and (5) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including for grants to state and local governments for terrorism prevention activities, firefighter assistance grants, emergency management performance grants, the radiological emergency preparedness program, the U.S. Fire Administration, disaster relief and the disaster assistance direct loan program account, the Flood Map Modernization Fund, the National Flood Insurance Fund, the National Flood Mitigation Fund, the National Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund, and emergency food and shelter. Requires the Secretary's expenditure plan for US-VISIT to include: (1) a complete schedule for implementation of a biometric exit program or a certification that such program is not possible within five years; and (2) a detailed accounting of operation and maintenance, contractor services, and program costs associated with the management of identity services. Designates funds for the Urban Search and Rescue Response System, including funds for the Office of National Capital Region Coordination. Requires: (1) the Governors of West Virginia and Pennsylvania to be incorporated into efforts to integrate the activities of federal, state, and local governments in the National Capital Region; (2) specified funds to be used to develop a web-based version of the National Fire Incident Reporting System that will ensure that fire-related data can be submitted and accessed by fire departments in real time; and (3) the FEMA Administrator to update training practices relating to addressing health concerns of recipients of assistance from FEMA. Sets guidelines for the submission of grant applications to FEMA. Authorizes the Center for Domestic Preparedness to provide training to emergency response providers from the federal government, foreign governments, or private entities on a reimbursable basis. Requires: (1) GAO to report to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees regarding the data, assumptions, and methodology that DHS uses to assess risk and allocate Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grants; (2) FEMA to submit a monthly Disaster Relief report to those committees; and (3) the Secretary to ensure that each agency is periodically reminded of DHS policies on the detailed information required in supporting documentation for reimbursements and on the necessity for timely agency billings. Title IV: Research and Development, Training, and Services - Makes appropriations for: (1) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), including funding to address backlogs of security checks associated with pending applications and petitions; (2) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, including for acquisition, construction, improvements, and related expenses; (3) Science and Technology, including for research, development, acquisition, and operations; and (4) the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, including for research, development, testing, evaluation, and operations, and for systems acquisition. Permits CIS to use funds for up to five vehicles for employee use in areas where the Administrator of General Services does not provide vehicles for lease. Prohibits Domestic Nuclear Detection Office funds from being obligated for full-scale procurement of Advanced Spectroscopic Portal Monitors until the Secretary certifies that a significant increase in operational effectiveness will be achieved. Requires separate certifications prior to procurement for primary and secondary deployment that address the unique requirements for operational effectiveness of each type of deployment. Prohibits funds from being used for high-risk concurrent development and production of mutually dependent software and hardware. Title V: General Provisions - (Sec. 501) Provides that no part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly provided. (Sec. 503) Provides that none of the funds provided by this Act, by previous appropriations Acts to the agencies in or transferred to DHS that remain available for obligation or expenditure in FY2008, or from any accounts in the Treasury derived by the collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be available for obligation or expenditure through a reprogramming of funds that: (1) creates a new program; (2) eliminates a program, project, office, or activity; (3) increases funds for any program, project, or activity for which funds have been denied or restricted by Congress; (4) proposes to use funds directed for a specific activity by either of the Senate or House Appropriations Committees for a different purpose; or (5) enters into a contract for the performance of any function or activity for which funding levels were requested for federal full-time equivalent positions unless those committees are notified 15 days in advance of such reprogramming of funds. Limits reprogramming of funds and transfers among appropriations. Prohibits any reprogramming or transfers after June 30, 2008, except in extraordinary circumstances which imminently threaten the safety of human life or the protection of property. (Sec. 504) Prohibits funds made available to DHS from being used to make payments to the DHS Working Capital Fund, except for activities and amounts allowed in the President's FY2008 budget, with exceptions. (Sec. 505) Prohibits, except as otherwise specifically provided by law, more than 50% of unobligated balances remaining available at the end of FY2008 from appropriations for salaries and expenses for FY2008 in this Act from remaining available through September 30, 2009, in the account and for the purposes for which the appropriations were provided. (Sec. 506) Deems funds made available by this Act for intelligence activities to be specifically authorized by Congress for purposes of the National Security Act of 1947 during FY2008 until the enactment of an Act authorizing intelligence activities for FY2008. (Sec. 507) Designates the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board to lead the federal law enforcement training accreditation process. (Sec. 508) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act to make grant allocations or discretionary grant or contract awards, to issue a letter of intent totaling in excess of $1 million, or to announce publicly the intention to make such awards unless the Secretary of DHS notifies the Appropriations Committees at least three full business days in advance. Requires the Administrator of FEMA to brief those Committees five business days in advance of announcing publicly the intention of making an award of State Homeland Security grants, Urban Area Security Initiative grants, or Regional Catastrophic Preparedness grants. (Sec. 509) Prohibits any agency from purchasing, constructing, or leasing any additional facilities, except within or contiguous to existing locations, to be used to conduct federal law enforcement training without the advance approval of the Appropriations Committees, with an exception. (Sec. 510) Requires the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to schedule basic or advanced law enforcement training at all four training facilities under the Center's control to ensure that these centers are operated at the highest capacity throughout the fiscal year. (Sec. 511) Prohibits: (1) the use of funds made available by this Act for expenses for construction, repair, alteration, or acquisition project for which a prospectus, if required, has not been approved, with an exception; and (2) the use of funds in this Act in contravention of the Buy American Act. (Sec. 513) Prohibits: (1) the obligation of funds for deployment or implementation of the Secure Flight program or other follow on or successor passenger prescreening program, on other than a test basis, until the Secretary has certified and GAO has reported that specified requirements have been met; and (2) during the testing phase, information gathered from passengers, foreign or domestic air carriers, or reservation systems from being used to screen aviation passengers, or delay or deny boarding to such passengers, except where passenger names are matched to a government watch list. (Sec. 514) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to amend the oath of allegiance required by the Immigration and Nationality Act. (Sec. 515) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to process or approve a competition under OMB Circular A-76 for services provided as of June 1, 2004, by employees of CIS who are known as Immigration Information Officers, Contact Representatives, or Investigative Assistants. (Sec. 516) Prohibits the availability of funds appropriated to the Secret Service for the protection of the head of a federal agency other than the Secretary unless the Director is fully reimbursed. (Sec. 517) Amends the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 to authorize the Director, starting in FY2008, to enter into an agreement to perform protection of a federal official other than a person designated for protection under the federal criminal code, on a fully reimbursable basis. (Sec. 518) Requires: (1) the Secretary to research, develop, and procure new technologies to inspect and screen air cargo carried on passenger aircraft at the earliest date possible; (2) existing checked baggage explosive detection equipment and screeners to be used to screen air cargo carried on such aircraft to be used to the greatest extent practicable at each airport until the new technologies are available; and (3) the Assistant Secretary (TSA) to work with air carriers and airports to ensure that the screening of cargo carried on passenger aircraft increases incrementally each quarter and to report to the Appropriations Committees on air cargo inspection statistics by airport and air carrier. (Sec. 519) Prohibits funds in this Act from being used: (1) by any person other than the privacy officer appointed under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to alter, require changes to, delay, or prohibit the transmission of a privacy officer report to Congress; and (2) to pay the salary of any employee serving as a contracting officer's technical representative (COTR) or acting in a similar capacity who has not received COTR training. (Sec. 521) Makes any funds appropriated or transferred to TSA &quot;Aviation Security,&quot; &quot;Administration,&quot; and &quot;Transportation Security Support&quot; for FY2004-FY2007, which are recovered or deobligated, available only for procurement and installation of explosive detection systems for air cargo, baggage, and checkpoint screening systems, subject to notification. Requires quarterly reports to be submitted to the Appropriations Committees on any funds that are recovered or deobligated. (Sec. 522) Makes provisions regarding protecting sensitive security information from disclosure in civil proceedings applicable to FY2008. (Sec. 523) Makes funds appropriated to the Coast Guard for acquisition, construction, and improvements in FY2002-FY2006 for the 110-123 foot patrol boat conversion that are received as the result of negotiation, mediation, or litigation available until expended for the Replacement Patrol Boat program. (Sec. 524) Continues operations of the DHS Working Capital Fund during FY2008. (Sec. 525) States that none of the funds provided in this Act shall be available to commence operations of the National Applications Office or the National Immigration Information Sharing Operation until: (1) the Secretary certifies that these programs comply with all existing laws; and (2) such certification is reviewed by GAO. (Sec. 526) Requires the Chief Financial Officer of DHS to submit to the Appropriations Committees a monthly budget and staffing report that includes total obligations and on-board versus funded full-time equivalent staffing levels and the number of contract employees by office. (Sec. 527) Modifies a provision regarding undercover investigative operations authority of the Secret Service to make it applicable to FY2008. (Sec. 528) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act in contravention of specified federal buildings performance and reporting requirements. (Sec. 529) Requires the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center instructor staff to be classified as inherently governmental for purposes of the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998. (Sec. 530) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act: (1) in contravention of provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 regarding minimum fleet requirements for alternative fueled vehicles; and (2) to take an action that would violate an executive order relating to greening the government through federal fleet and transportation efficiency. (Sec. 532) Makes certain contracting provisions of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 applicable to FY2008. (Sec. 534) Amends the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 to allow a state or political subdivision to adopt or enforce a regulation, requirement, or standard of performance regarding chemical facility security that is more stringent than the federal standard, unless there is an actual conflict. (Sec. 535) Applies Civil Service Retirement System and Federal Employees' Retirement System provisions to customs and border protection officers. (Sec. 536) Prohibits using appropriated funds to enforce prohibitions on carrying a butane lighter aboard a passenger aircraft unless the Assistant Secretary (TSA) reverses the determination of July 19, 2007, that such lighters are not a significant threat to civil aviation security. (Sec. 537) Prohibits using funds provided in this Act to alter or reduce operations within the Coast Guard's Civil Engineering Program nationwide, except as specifically authorized by statute. (Sec. 539) Prohibits the obligation of Office of the Secretary and Executive Management, Office of the Under Secretary for Management, or Office of the Chief Financial Officer appropriations for a grant or contract awarded by a means other than full and open competition, with exceptions. Permits a waiver for the award of a contract during a national emergency. Requires the DHS Inspector General to review departmental contracts awarded through other than full and open competition to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations. (Sec. 540) Subjects to judicial review the estimates and additional collections made before October 1, 2007, pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2005 for the difference between aviation security costs and the amount collected from the security fee imposed on passengers. (Sec. 542) Establishes a $10,000 civil penalty for failure to collect an airport security badge from, and notify (within 24 hours) the airport operator about, a terminated employee. (Sec. 543) Prohibits the use of funds: (1) by CIS to grant an immigration benefit unless the results of required background checks have been received; and (2) to destroy any horse or other equine belonging to the federal government that has become unfit for service, unless the trainer or handler is first given the option to take possession through an adoption program that has safeguards against slaughter and inhumane treatment. (Sec. 545) Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to change the date for implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to no earlier than the date that is the later of three months after the Secretary of State and the Secretary make required certifications or June 1, 2009. (Sec. 546) Prohibits the use of funds provided in this Act to carry out a reorganization within DHS. (Sec. 547) Prohibits funds provided in this Act for the Office of the Chief Information Officer from being used for data center development other than for the National Center for Critical Information Processing and Storage until the Chief Information Officer certifies that the Center is fully utilized as DHS's primary data storage center at the highest capacity throughout the fiscal year. (Sec. 548) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act to reduce the Coast Guard's Operations Systems Center mission or its government-employed or contract staff levels. (Sec. 550) Allows specified sums currently available to TSA to be transferred to Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing for the Secure Flight program. Prohibits TSA from utilizing any prior year balances from the screener partnership program, explosives detection system purchase, explosives detection system installation, checkpoint support, aviation regulation and other enforcement, air cargo, and air cargo research and development. (Sec. 551) Rescinds unobligated balances made available for specified agencies. (Sec. 552) Directs the Secretary, under the FEMA Public Assistance Program, to provide a single payment for any eligible costs for local educational agencies impacted by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita within 30 days of a request. Requires the payment for schools in Louisiana to be submitted to to the Louisiana Department of Education. Bars FEMA from reducing assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for local educational agencies impacted by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Makes a provision of the Stafford Act regarding hazard mitigation funds inapplicable to more than one facility on a school site impacted by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. (Sec. 554) Modifies sexual abuse prohibitions under the federal criminal code to substitute references to the Attorney General with references to the head of any federal agency. (Sec. 555) Directs: (1) the Secretary to maintain on the home page of the DHS website a direct link to the website of the Office of Inspector General; and (2) the Inspector General Office's website to include a direct link for individuals to anonymously report waste, fraud, or abuse. (Sec. 556) Directs the Secretary to require that all DHS contracts link fees awarded to successful acquisition outcomes. (Sec. 557) Prohibits the expenditure of Office of the Secretary and Executive Management funds for any new hires by DHS that are not verified through the basic pilot program of employment eligibility required under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility act of 1996. (Sec. 558) Prohibits the use of CBP or DHS funds to prevent an individual from importing a prescription drug from Canada if: (1) such individual is not in the business of importing a prescription drug; and (2) such drug complies with specified provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and is not a controlled substance or a biological product. Makes this section applicable only to individuals transporting on their person a personal-use quantity of the drug not exceeding a 90-day supply. (Sec. 559) Prohibits the use of funds to issue any rule or regulation which implements the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to Petitions for Aliens to Perform Temporary Nonagricultural Services or Labor. (Sec. 561) Directs the Secretary to provide, under the FEMA Public Assistance Program: (1) the relocation costs as estimated by FEMA on May 5, 2006, for the Peebles School in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, which was damaged by Hurricane Rita in 2005; and (2) the currently uncompensated debris removal costs from Super Typhoon Paka and the firefighting costs associated with the Malojloj hardfill fire in 1998. (Sec. 563) Amends HSA to direct the Secretary to: (1) regulate the sale and transfer of ammonium nitrate to prevent its misappropriation or use in a terrorist act; (2) establish a threshold percentage for a substance to be treated as ammonium nitrate; (3) establish a process by which ammonium nitrate facility owners and ammonium nitrate purchasers are required to register with DHS and are issued a registration number; and (4) require facility owners to maintain a record of each sale or transfer of ownership of ammonium nitrate for two years. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) exempting persons producing, selling, or purchasing ammonium nitrate exclusively for use as an explosive material under a federal explosives license; (2) ensuring that access of agricultural producers to ammonium nitrate is not unduly burdened; (3) restricting the disclosure of information obtained under this section; (4) inspecting and auditing facility owner records to prevent the misappropriation of ammonium nitrate; and (5) timely reporting of the theft or unexplained loss of ammonium nitrate. Prohibits: (1) buying and taking possession of ammonium nitrate, or owning or operating an ammonium nitrate facility, without a registration number; or (2) failing to comply with any requirement of this section. Prescribes a civil penalty. Sets forth provisions regarding protections from civil liability and preemption. Sets deadlines for regulations. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 564) Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require the Secretary to construct reinforced fencing along not less than 700 miles of the southwest border and provide for the installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors to gain operational control of such border. (Sec. 565) Modifies provisions of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to direct the Secretary to establish an international registered traveler program that incorporates available technologies, such as biometrics, e-passports, and security threat assessments, to expedite the screening and processing of international travelers in the United States. Permits the Secretary to impose a fee for the program. Directs the Secretary to establish a phased-implementation of a biometric-based international registered traveler program in conjunction with US-VISIT, other prescreening initiatives, and the Visa Waiver Program at U.S. airports with the highest volume of international travelers. (Sec. 566) Directs the Comptroller General to study DHS's use of shared border management to secure U.S. borders. (Sec. 567) Prohibits the use of funds for planning, testing, piloting, or developing a national identification card. (Sec. 568) Repeals a provision requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acquisition management system to apply to TSA acquisitions and authorizing system modifications by the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security. (Sec. 569) Requires the FEMA Administrator, 30 days after the date the President makes a determination about declaring a major disaster and any appeal is completed, to submit to specified congressional committees and publish on the FEMA website a report summarizing damage assessment information used. (Sec. 570) Provides that if the Secretary establishes a National Transportation Security Center of Excellence, the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University may be included as a member institution. (Sec. 571) Requires TSA to permit approved members of Registered Traveler programs to satisfy the required identity verification procedures at security screening checkpoints by presenting a biometrically-secure Registered Traveler card in lieu of the government-issued photo identification document required of non-participants. (Sec. 572) Amends HSA to make the Secretary's grant of authority to carry out a pilot program regarding research and development projects effective until September 30, 2008. (Sec. 573) Rescinds specified disaster relief funds to Mississippi for Hurricane Katrina. Appropriates additional funds for a grant to that state for an interoperable communications system. Title VI: Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization - (Sec. 601) Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act of 2007 [sic] - Directs the Commissioner of CBP, every other year, to: (1) review the Port of Entry Infrastructure Assessment Study and the nationwide strategy to prioritize and address infrastructure needs at land ports of entry prepared by DHS and the General Services Administration (GSA), update the assessment of the infrastructure needs of all U.S. land ports of entry, and submit an updated assessment to Congress; and (2) implement the infrastructure and technology improvement projects in the order of priority assigned or forward the prioritized list to the GSA Administrator for implementation. (Sec. 604) Directs the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, to submit to specified congressional committees annually a National Land Border Security Plan that includes a vulnerability assessment of each port of entry on the U.S. northern and southern borders. Authorizes the Secretary to establish one or more port security coordinators at such ports. Directs the Secretary to carry out a technology demonstration program to test and evaluate new port of entry technologies that enhance inspections and the detection of weapons of mass destruction. (Sec. 606) Authorizes appropriations for border security. Division F: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and related agencies for FY2008. Title I: Department of the Interior - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for: (1) land and resource management; (2) construction; (3) land acquisition; (3) Oregon and California grant lands; (4) range improvements; (5) service charges, deposits, and forfeitures with respect to public lands; (6) miscellaneous trust funds; and (7) wildland fire management (including transfer of funds). Appropriates funds for FY2008 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for: (1) resource management; (2) construction; (3) land acquisition; (4) expenses related to carrying out the Endangered Species Act of 1973; (5) the National Wildlife Refuge Fund; (6) expenses related to carrying out the North American Wetlands Conservation Act; (7) financial assistance for projects to promote the conservation of neotropical migratory birds; (8) expenses related to carrying out, through the Multinational Species Conservation Fund, the African Elephant Conservation Act, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000, and the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004; and (9) wildlife conservation grants to states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Indian tribes. Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the National Park Service (NPS) for: (1) the National Park System (including expenses for carrying out programs of the U.S. Park Police); (2) expenses related to cost share agreements for Centennial Challenge signature projects and programs; (3) expenses for national recreation and preservation programs; (4) expenses related to carrying out the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (including transfers of funds); (5) construction; (6) land acquisition and state assistance from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Rescinds specified contract authority to obligate funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for FY2008. Makes appropriations for FY2008 to: (1) the U.S. Geological Survey for surveys, investigations, and research; (2) the Minerals Management Service for royalty and offshore minerals management and oil spill research; (3) the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement for regulation and technology and the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund; (4) the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for operation of Indian programs, (including transfer of funds), construction (including transfer of funds), Indian land and water claim settlements and miscellaneous payments to Indians, and Indian guaranteed loans; (5) the Office of the Secretary for departmental offices; (6) provide assistance to U.S. territories and to carry out the Compacts of Free Association with respect to the Marshall Islands, Palau, and Micronesia; (7) the Office of the Solicitor; (8) the Office of Inspector General; (9) provide for the operation of trust programs for Indians; (10) provide for a program for consolidation of fractional interests in Indian lands by direct expenditure or cooperative agreement; (11) make payments in lieu of taxes to units of local government containing certain federally owned lands; (12) the Central Hazardous Materials Fund for expenses of the Department of the Interior and its component offices and bureaus for the remedial action of hazardous waste substances, pollutants, or contaminants pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; and (13) the Department of the Interior natural resource damage assessment and restoration. Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of specified funds. (Sec. 112) Prohibits the use of any funds appropriated for the Department of the Interior to study or implement any plan to drain Lake Powell or reduce the water level of the lake below the range of water levels required for the operation of the Glen Canyon Dam. (Sec. 114) Makes funds appropriated for FY2008 under this Act available to the tribes within the California Tribal Trust Reform Consortium, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, and the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boys Reservation through the same methodology as funds were distributed in FY2003. Prohibits the Department from imposing its trust management infrastructure upon or altering existing trust resource management systems of such tribes which have a self-governance compact and operate in accordance with the Tribal Self-Governance Program. (Sec. 115) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands, waters, or interests therein for the purpose of operating and maintaining facilities in the support of transportation and accommodation of visitors to Ellis, Governors, and Liberty Islands. (Sec. 116) Provides for: (1) the renewal of nonrenewable grazing permits authorized by the Jarbidge Field Office of the BLM within the past eleven years; and (2) the Animal Unit Months authorized in any nonrenewable grazing permit from March 1, 1997, to the present to continue in effect under the renewed permit. Prohibits anything in this section from being deemed to extend the renewed permit beyond the standard one-year term. (Sec. 118) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to sell property within Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge and Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge to the Washington State Department of Transportation. (Sec. 119) Prohibits any funds to the Department of the Interior from being used, in relation to any proposal to store water for the purpose of export, for approval of any right-of-way or similar authorization on the Mojave National Preserve or lands managed by the Needles Field Office of the BLM, or for carrying out any activities associated with such right-of-way or similar approval. (Sec. 120) Amends the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Establishment Act to: (1) provide for the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands, interests in lands, and associated water rights, within Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area by purchase (under current law, with by purchase with donated or appropriated funds); and (2) eliminate the requirement permitting acquisition by donation or exchange only of lands or interests within the Conservation Area owned by the state of Nevada or a political subdivision of Nevada. (Sec. 121) Authorizes the Minerals Management Service to accept, from public and private sources, in FY2008 only, contributions of money and services to conduct work in support of the orderly exploration and development of Outer Continental Shelf resources. (Sec. 122) Repeal requirements with regard to instructing the Secretary to immediately cease an approved plan approved to exterminate the deer and elk on Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands, California, and to not exterminate or nearly exterminate the deer and elk. (Sec. 124) Amends the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 to: (1) provide for the government, institutions, and people of Palau (under current law, the Republic of Palau) to remain eligible for appropriations and to receive grants under the provisions of law specified in such Act with respect to continuing education programs and supplemental education grants until the end of FY2009, to the extent the government, institutions, and people were so eligible under such provisions in FY2003. (Sec. 125) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements if the agreements will: (1) serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in carrying out the programs administered by the Department of the Interior; and (2) all parties will contribute resources to the accomplishment of these objectives. Bars such agreements, at the Secretary's discretion, from being subject to a competitive process. (Sec. 126) Transfers the federal properties commonly referred to as the Barnes Ranch and Agency Lake Ranch (the properties) in Klamath county, Oregon, managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, to the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in accordance with a specified Memorandum of Understanding dated March 2, 2007, as expeditiously as possible and no later than December 2008. Requires such federal properties and all federal refuge lands within the adjusted boundary area for the Refuge to be made part of the Refuge and to be managed by the Service. Provides that, each year after the properties become part of the Refuge, those increments of water passively stored on the properties shall be applied and credited toward the requirements of any consultation or reconsultation over Klamath Project operations pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. (Sec. 127) Amends the Corinth Battlefield Preservation Act of 2000 to: (1) modify the composition of Corinth Unit of Shiloh National Military Park; and (2) repeal provisions for authorization of a special resource study to determine whether additional properties in and around Corinth, Mississippi, and nearby areas in Tennessee are appropriate for inclusion in the Unit. (Sec. 128) Amends Public Law 107-226 (Flight 93 National Memorial Act) to: (1) remove the requirement that the land or interests in land for the memorial site be acquired from willing sellers; and (2) authorize the acquisition of the land or interests by condemnation with donated or appropriated funds. (Sec. 129) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior, in implementing provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act relating to permitting the continuation of revenue-producing visitor services to deem Denali National Park Wilderness Centers, Ltd., to be a person who, on or before January 1, 1979, was engaged in adequately providing the scope and level of visitor services within what is currently Denali National Park and Preserve. (Sec. 130) Amends the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 to require that: (1) the separate resource acquisition and enhancement plans provide that not less than one-third of the funds appropriated for the enhancement, restoration, and utilization of the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribes' and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe's natural resources in partnership with adjacent non-Indian communities or entities in the area through each Tribe's Tribal Resource Fund be expended for municipal or rural water development; (2) annual expenditures under that provision be reported annually to the Secretary of the Interior; and (3) any funds appropriated by such Act and placed in the Southern Ute and Mountain Ute Tribal Resource Funds which have not been disbursed five years after the date of the final settlement of the Tribes' claims to water rights on the Animas and La Plata Rivers in Colorado, be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury. (Sec. 131) Allows funds provided in this Act for federal land acquisition by the NPS for the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail to be used for a grant to a state, local government, or any other land management entity for the acquisition of lands, without regard to any restriction on the use of federal land acquisition funds provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 as amended. (Sec. 132) Makes, from within amounts provided to the National Park Service Land Acquisition account by this Act, a specified amount available to the state of Mississippi pursuant to a grant agreement with the NPS in order that the state may acquire land or interests in land on Cat Island, which is within the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Prohibits funds provided to the state through such grant agreement from being contingent upon matching funds provided by the state. Provides for any lands or interests acquired with funds under this section to be owned by the federal government and administered as part of the National Seashore. (Sec. 133) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire specified land adjacent to the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado or an interest in such land for addition to the Park. Permits such an acquisition of land to be made by donation, purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. Revises the boundary of the Park to reflect the acquisition of such land. Requires the Secretary to administer any land or interest in land acquired under this section as part of the Park. (Sec. 135) Authorizes funds provided under P.L. 109-54 (Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006) to be granted to the Alice Ferguson Foundation for site planning and design and rehabilitation of the Potomac River Habitat Study Complex and the Wareham Lodge. Title II: Environmental Protection Agency - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for: (1) science and technology; (2) environmental programs and management; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) buildings and facilities; (5) the Hazardous Substance Superfund (including transfers of funds); (6) the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program; (7) expenses to carry out EPA 's responsibilities under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 concerning oil spill response; and (8) state and tribal assistance grants for environmental programs and infrastructure assistance. Rescinds a specified amount from unobligated balances for carrying out projects and activities authorized under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with regard to the reimbursement of certain publicly owned treatment works on which construction was initiated after June 30, 1966, but before July 1, 1973. Requires that, from funds provided in the Environmental Programs and Management account, a specified amount shall be provided to develop a final rule, not later than 18 months after enactment, that requires mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions above appropriate thresholds in all sectors of the U.S. economy. Title III: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service for: (1) forest and rangeland research; (2) state and private forestry; (3) the National Forest System; (4) capital improvement and maintenance (including transfers of funds); (5) land acquisitions, including specified National Forest areas in Utah, Nevada, and California; (6) range rehabilitation, protection, and improvement; (7) gifts, donations, and bequests for forest and rangeland research; (8) federal land management in Alaska; and (9) wildland fire management (including transfers of funds). Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Indian Health Service (IHS); and (2) the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Makes appropriations for FY2008 in specified amounts for various purposes to the: (1) Executive Office of the President; (2) Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (3) Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation; (4) Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; (5) Smithsonian Institution, including the Legacy Fund for major restoration, renovation, and rehabilitation of existing Smithsonian facilities; (6) National Gallery of Art; (7) John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; (8) Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; (9) National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities; (10) Commission of Fine Arts, including expenses for National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs; (11) Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (12) National Capital Planning Commission; (13) U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; (14) Presidio Trust Fund; (15) White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance (including transfer of funds); and (16) the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth limitation on the use of funds under this Act. (Sec. 405) Requires: (1) estimated overhead charges, deductions, reserves or holdbacks from programs, projects, activities and subactivities to support governmentwide, departmental, agency or bureau administrative functions or headquarters, regional or central operations to be presented in annual budget justifications and subject to approval by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations; and (2) changes to such estimates to be presented to such Committees for approval. (Sec. 411) Sets forth requirements for the sale of timber in Region 10 of the Forest Service, including western red cedar timber. (Sec. 413) Permits the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to make reciprocal agreements in which the individuals furnished by an agreement to provide fire management services are considered, for tort liability, employees of the foreign country receiving the services when the individuals are fighting fires. Prohibits the Secretaries from making any agreement in which a foreign country does not assume any and all responsibility for acts or omissions of American firefighters who are firefighting in such foreign country. (Sec. 414) Allows the Secretaries, in awarding a federal contract for any of specified purposes with funds made available by this Act, notwithstanding federal government procurement and contracting laws, to give consideration to local contractors who are from economically disadvantaged rural communities and who provide employment and training for dislocated and displaced workers. Allows the Secretaries, notwithstanding such laws, to award contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements in certain areas to various entities, including local non-profits and the Youth Conservation Corps. Includes in such areas habitat restoration or management and forest hazardous fuels reduction. (Sec. 415) Limits the amounts of funds made available by this Act or any other Act to the Department of the Interior to initiate or continue competitive sourcing studies in FY2008 for programs, projects, and activities for which funds are appropriated by this Act. Prohibits any of the funds made available by this or any other Act from being used in FY2008 for competitive sourcing studies and any related activities involving Forest Service personnel. Exempts the Forest Service from implementing the Letter of Obligation and post-competitive accountability guidelines where a competitive sourcing study involved 65 or fewer full-time equivalents, the performance decision was made in favor of the agency provider, no net savings was achieved by conducting the study, and such study was completed prior to the date of this Act. Directs agencies funded in this Act, in preparing any reports to the Committees on Appropriations on competitive sourcing activities, to include all costs attributable to conducting the competitive sourcing competitions and staff work to prepare for competitions or to determine the feasibility of starting competitions. Instructs the Secretary of of the Interior, in carrying out any competitive sourcing study involving Department of the Interior employees, to: (1) determine whether any of the employees concerned are also qualified to participate in wildland fire management activities; and (2) take into consideration the effect that contracting with a private sector source would have on the ability of the Department of the Interior to effectively and efficiently fight and manage wildfires. (Sec. 416) Extends the authority for: (1) the pilot program for enhancing Forest Service administration of rights-of-way and other land uses; and (2) the deposit of all fees collected to recover the costs of processing applications for, and monitoring compliance with, authorizations to use and occupy National Forest System lands pursuant to certain Acts. (Sec. 417) Amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2003 to extend the authority for cooperative agreements between the Secretary of Agriculture and public or private agencies, organizations, institutions, and persons covering Forest Service programs to facilitate the administration of Forest Service programs and activities when the principal purpose of the resulting relationship is to the mutually significant benefit of the Forest Service and the other party or parties to the agreement, including nonprofit entities. (Sec. 418) Bars the IHS, until October 1, 2009, from disbursing funds for the provision of health care services pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to any Alaska Native village or Alaska Native village corporation that is located within the area served by an Alaska Native regional health entity. Treats Eastern Aleutian Tribes Inc., as such an entity to whom funds may be disbursed. (Sec. 419) Prohibits, unless otherwise provided herein, any funds appropriated in this Act for the acquisition of lands or interests in lands from being expended for the filing of declarations of takings or complaints in condemnation without the approval of the Committees on Appropriations. Makes such provision non-applicable to funds appropriated: (1) to implement the Everglades National Park Protection and Expansion Act of 1989; or (2) for federal assistance to the state of Florida to acquire lands for Everglades restoration purposes. (Sec. 420) Extends the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, until September 30, 2008, to permit the State Forester of Utah to perform forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services on National Forest System lands in Utah. (Sec. 421) Extends through FY2008, a decision made by the Secretary of Agriculture to authorize grazing on an allotment and categorically exclude it from documentation in an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement. Makes such a categorical exclusion non-applicable with respect to any allotment in a federally designated wilderness area. (Sec. 422) Requires the deposit of a permit fee collected during FY2007 by the Secretary of Agriculture for a marina in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in a special account, to remain available for certain recreation enhancement purposes, and for direct operating or capital costs associated with the issuance of a marina permit. (Sec. 423) Directs the Forest Service to allocate to the Regions of the Forest Service, a specified amount from the current balance in the &quot;timber roads purchaser election fund,&quot; for: (1) vegetative treatments in timber stands at high risk of fire due to insect, disease, or drought; (2) road work in support of vegetative treatments to support forest health objectives; and (3) maintaining infrastructure for the processing of woody fiber in Regions where it is critical to sustaining local economies and fulfilling the forest health objectives of the Forest Service. (Sec. 424) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to sell all interest of the United States between 5,195 or 5,205 acres of National Forest System lands in Billings county, North Dakota, in order to offset the acreage acquired by the government upon the acquisition of the Elkhorn Ranch in Medora. States congressional intent that there will be no net gain in federally owned land in North Dakota as a result of such land conveyances. Sets forth provisions pertaining to such land sales. Instructs the Secretary, in using the proceeds from the sale of of land under this section, to: (1) cover direct expenses incurred by the Secretary in conducting the sale; and (2) deposit any remaining proceeds into the fund established by the Sisk Act to be available for the acquisition of land for inclusion in the National Forest System. Mandates that the lands are to be conveyed from FY2008 to FY2009. Bars the Secretary, in the conveyance of any land authorized by this section, from being required to conduct additional environmental analysis, including heritage resource analysis. Prohibits any sale, offer to sell, or conveyance from being subject to administrative appeal. Specifies that, the grazing land lease terms in effect on the date of enactment of this Act relating to the acquired Elkhorn Ranch shall remain in effect until December 31, 2009, after which the federal land grazing use of the Ranch shall be managed through the grazing agreement between the Medora Grazing Association and the Forest Service. Requires the Animal Unit Months (AUMs) for both federal and private lands encompassing the Ranch to become part of the grazing agreement held by the Association to be reallocated to its members. Provides for the continuation of the multiple uses of the acquired Elkhorn Ranch. (Sec. 425) Bars the Forest Service, in FY2008 and thereafter, from changing the eligibility requirements for base property, and livestock ownership as they relate to leasing of base property and shared livestock agreements for grazing permits on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands that were in effect as of July, 18, 2005. (Sec. 426) Amends the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act to: (1) require certification by the Secretary of State that international exhibitions of photographs, motion pictures, and audio and videotapes are in the national interest; and (2) set separate limits, with respect to domestic exhibitions, on the aggregate of loss or damage covered by indemnity agreements made under such Act and single exhibition agreement. (Sec. 427) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior, in accordance with authorities relating to pilot testing of agency-wide joint permitting and leasing programs respecting federal lands, to execute an agreement that transfers management and oversight of the Great Onyx, Harper's Ferry, and Oconaluftee Job Corps Centers to the Forest Service. Provides for such Job Corps Centers to continue being administered under the requirements pertaining to Civilian Conservation Centers under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. (Sec. 428) Directs the Forest Service to seek to collaborate with stakeholders or the parties concerned in regards to harvest operations outside of the Giant Sequoia National Monument that relate to decisions approving the Revised Ice Timber Sale and Fuels Reduction Project and the Frog Project. (Sec. 429) Amends the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations Act, 1997 to provide for the reimbursement of temporary fire line managers for the cost of professional liability insurance. Defines &quot;temporary fire line manager &quot; to mean an employee of the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior, whose duties include, as determined by the employing agency: (1) temporary supervision or management of personnel engaged in wildland or managed fire activities; (2) providing analysis or information that affects a decision by a supervisor or manager about a wildland or managed fire; or (2) directing the deployment of equipment for a wildland or managed fire. (Sec. 430) Expresses the sense of Congress that there should be enacted a comprehensive and effective national program of mandatory, market-based limits and incentives on emissions of greenhouse gases that slow, stop, and reverse the growth of such emissions at a rate and in a manner that: (1) will not significantly harm the U.S. economy; and (2) will encourage comparable action by other nations that are major trading partners and key contributors to global emissions. (Sec. 431) Prohibits the use of funds to purchase light bulbs unless they have the &quot;ENERGY STAR&quot; or &quot;Federal Energy Management Program&quot; designation, except in instances where the agency determines that ENERGY STAR or FEMP designated light bulbs are not cost-effective over the life of the light bulbs or are not reasonably available to meet the functional requirements of the agency. (Sec. 432) Prohibits the use of funds to promulgate or implement the EPA proposed regulations concerning National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: General Provisions published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2007. (Sec. 433) Prohibits the use of funds: (1) to prepare or publish final regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale (and tar sands) resources on public lands pursuant to requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 with regard to a programmatic environmental impact statement for such program; or (2) to conduct an oil shale lease sale pursuant to such Act. (Sec. 434) Amends the Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery Act (the Act) to: (1) extend the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct the pilot project for the implementation of the Quincy Library Group-Community Stability Proposal on federal lands within Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, and the Sierraville ranger district of Tahoe National Forest in California; and (2) direct the Forest Service to initiate a collaborative process with the plaintiffs concerned and the Quincy Library Group to determine whether modifications to the pilot project are appropriate for the remainder of the project. Makes provisions under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 relating to environmental analysis, special administrative review process, and judicial review with respect to authorized hazardous fuel reduction projects on certain federal lands applicable to projects authorized by the Act. (Sec. 435) Provides, in addition to the amounts otherwise provided to the EPA in this Act, a specified amount to the EPA for transfer to the Department of the Navy for clean-up activities at Treasure Island Naval Station--Hunters Point Annex. (Sec. 436) Provides, in addition to amounts provided to the Environmental Protection Agency in this Act, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality with an additional amount for a grant to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for ongoing relocation assistance as administered by the Lead Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Trust. (Sec. 437) Rescinds, as specified, an amount equal to 1.56% of the budget authority provided for FY2008 for any discretionary appropriation in titles I through IV of this Act. Prescribes a separate rescission formula with respect to the heading &quot;Bureau of Indian Affairs Indian Land and Water Claim Settlements and Miscellaneous Payments to Indians&quot; and states that the across-the-board rescission under this section, and any subsequent across-the-board rescission for FY2008, and the disribution of the recission shall be at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior who shall report on such distribution and the rationale therefor to the Committees on Appropriations. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit to such committees a report specifying the account and amount of each rescission made pursuant to this section. Title V: Wildfire Suppression Emergency Appropriations - Makes additional appropriations for FY2008 for wildland fire management (including transfers of funds) to: (1) the Department of the Interior for the BLM; and (2) the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service. Division G - Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Department of Labor for: (1) the Employment and Training Administration, including training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) state unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Employee Benefits Security Administration; (8) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); (9) the Employment Standards Administration; (10) certain special benefits, including benefits for disabled coal miners; (11) the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund; (12) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (13) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); (14) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (15) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (16) the Office of Disability Employment Policy; (17) departmental management; (18) the Office of Jobs Corps; (19) veterans employment and training; and (20) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds and transfers of funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 101) Prohibits use of Job Corps funds under this title to pay individual compensation at a rate in excess of Executive Level I. (Sec. 102) Allows not more than 1% of discretionary funds for the current fiscal year for the Department of Labor in this Act to be transferred between a program, project, or activity. Prohibits any increase of any such program, project, or activity by more than 3% by any such transfer. (Sec. 103) Prohibits funds under this Act from being obligated or expended to procure goods mined, produced, manufactured, or harvested or services rendered, in whole or in part, by forced or indentured child labor in industries and host countries already identified by the Department of Labor prior to enactment of this Act, in accordance with a specified executive order. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of Labor, after September 30, 2007, to issue a monthly transit subsidy to Department of Labor employees in the National Capital Region in an amount of not less than $110. (Sec. 105) Prohibits funds appropriated in this title from being obligated for demonstration and pilot (including dislocated worker demonstration and pilot), multiservice, research, and multistate projects under the Workforce Investment Act prior to the Secretary of Labor's submission to Congress of a plan detailing the uses of such funds. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations to the Denali Commission to conduct job training of the local workforce where Denali Commission projects will be constructed. (Sec. 107) Requires, with a specified exception, that funds made available to the Department of Labor for grants under the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 be used only for the training of foreign workers in the occupations and industries for which such workers were hired under the H-1B visa program. (Sec. 108) Specifies certain job training grants to be awarded competitively. (Sec. 110) Prohibits funds made available in this or any other Act from being used to finalize or implement regulations under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, or the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002, until legislation reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 is enacted. (Sec. 111) Prohibits funds appropriated in this title from being used to carry out competitive sourcing activities at the Department of Labor under OMB Circular A-76 until 60 days after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports to Congress on the use of competitive sourcing at the Department of Labor. (Sec. 112) Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) revise, not later than June 20, 2008, regulations related to the usage of belt haulage entries in underground coal mines to require that such entries not be used to ventilate active working places of underground coal mines without prior approval from the Assistant Secretary of Labor; and (2) propose, not later than June 15, 2008, regulations requiring rescue chambers, or facilities that afford at least the same measure of protection, in underground coal mines. Prohibits the approval of mine ventilation plans incorporating the use of air coursed through belt haulage entries to ventilate active working places until such plans have been reviewed and determined to provide at least the same measure of protection where belt haulage entries are not used to ventilate such places. (Sec. 113) Prohibits recipients of employment and training funds from using such funds to pay the salary and bonuses of an individual at a rate in excess of Executive Level II, with an exception for specified vendors. (Sec. 114) Authorizes states to use national emergency grants to provide: (1) temporary public sector employment and services to certain individuals affected by the May 4, 2007, Greensburg, Kansas, tornado; and (2) professional municipal services for a 24-month period. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); (3) the National Institutes of Health (NIH); (4) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (5) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (6) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; (7) the Administration for Children and Families; (8) the Administration on Aging; and (9) the Office of the Secretary. (Sec. 210) Prohibits the use of funds for voluntary family planning projects unless the applicant certifies that it encourages family participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning services and that it provides counseling to minors on how to resist attempts to coerce minors into engaging in sexual activities. (Sec. 211) Prohibits any provider of voluntary planning services under the Public Health Service Act from being exempt from any state law requiring notifications or the reporting of child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest. (Sec. 212) Prohibits the use of funds to carry out the Medicare Advantage program if the Secretary of Health and Human Services denies participation in such program to an otherwise eligible entity because it will not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or provide referrals for abortions. (Sec. 213) Prohibits the use of funds to withhold substance abuse funding from a state that fails to enforce state laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 18 if such state certifies to the Secretary that it will commit additional funds to ensure compliance with such laws. Sets forth requirements for states that miss the retailer compliance rate goal established by the Secretary. (Sec. 214) Allows the Secretary to exercise certain authority in order to carry out international health activities during FY2008. (Sec. 219) Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant to the Delta Health Alliance, a nonprofit alliance of academic institutions in the Mississippi Delta region that has as its primary purposes addressing longstanding, unmet health needs and catalyzing economic development in the Mississippi Delta. (Sec. 222) Prohibits the use of funds for the CDC Ombudsman Program. (Sec. 223) Establishes in the Treasury a nonrecurring expenses fund to be available for capital acquisition necessary for the operation of HHS, including facilities infrastructure and information technology infrastructure, subject to approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Title III: Department of Education - Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Department of Education for: (1) education for the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) Indian education; (5) innovation and improvement activities; (6) safe schools and citizenship education; (7) English language acquisition and language enhancement; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) career, technical, and adult education; (12) certain student financial assistance programs (including rescissions of funds), as well as federal administrative expenses for such programs (setting a maximum individual Pell Grant amount); (13) specified higher education programs; (14) Howard University; (15) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (16) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (17) the Institute of Education Sciences; and (18) departmental management, including program administration, the Office for Civil Rights, and the Office of the Inspector General. Sets the maximum individual Pell Grant amount at $4,241 during award year 2008-2009. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 301) Prohibits the use of funds to transport teachers or students in order to: (1) overcome racial imbalance in any school; or (2) carry out a racial desegregation plan. (Sec. 302) Prohibits the use of funds to require, directly or indirectly, the transportation of any student to a school other than the school nearest the student's home, in order to comply with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, except a student requiring special education to the school offering special education. Declares that a prohibited indirect requirement of student transportation includes the transportation of students to carry out a plan involving the reorganization of the grade structure of schools, the pairing of schools, or the clustering of schools, or any combination of grade restructuring, pairing or clustering. Exempts the establishment of magnet schools from such prohibition. (Sec. 303) Prohibits the use of funds to prevent the implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation in public schools. (Sec. 304) Allows the transfer between appropriations of not more than 1% of discretionary funds for the current fiscal year for the Department of Education in this Act. Prohibits any increase of any such appropriation by more than 3% by any such transfer. Limits such transfer authority to the satisfaction of emergency needs. (Sec. 305) Prohibits the use of funds to promulgate, implement, or enforce any revision to the regulations in effect on June 1, 2007, regarding the recognition of accrediting agencies or associations under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), until legislation specifically requiring such revision is enacted. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary of Education to implement procedures, within 60 days of the Act's enactment, to assess and disclose whether certain individuals or entities have a potential financial interest in, or impaired objectivity towards, a product or service purchased with, or guaranteed or insured by, funds administered by the Department of Education or an entity with which the Department has a contract. Specifies for such scrutiny the Department's: (1) officers and employees; (2) contractors and subcontractors, and the individuals they hire; (3) peer review panel members; and (4) consultants and advisors. Requires the Department's Inspector General to review the implementation and adequacy of such procedures and report to Congress on their adequacy. (Sec. 307) Considers five specified Illinois school districts to be local educational agencies (LEAs) for FY2008-FY2009 for purposes of the Impact Aid program, which compensates LEAs, under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), for the financial burden of federal activities affecting their school districts. Considers federally connected students in such districts to be attending schools in one such district, North Chicago Community Unit School District 187, for the purpose of making that district eligible for Impact Aid. Conditions such treatment on the agreement of the five school districts to apportion such assistance equitably among all five of them, and to use it only for direct educational services. (Sec. 308) Prohibits the Secretary of Education from terminating, before 2008, voluntary flexibility agreements under the HEA in existence with Federal Family Education Loan program guaranty agencies on October 1, 2007. Requires the Secretary, before April 2008, to renegotiate terminated agreements that are not cost neutral, provided guaranty agencies want to enter into cost neutral agreements. (Sec. 309) Prohibits the Secretary of Education from determining that a nonprofit educational institution does not qualify as an institution of higher education under the HEA due to its status as a subsidiary of an entity that filed a bankruptcy petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York on February 21, 2001. (Sec. 310) Rescinds funds available for administering student loans under the HEA's Federal Direct Loan program. (Sec. 311) Provides LEAs that received Impact Aid as heavily impacted LEAs for FY2007 with such assistance for FY2008. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to: (1) the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; (2) the Corporation for National and Community Service, for domestic volunteer service programs and the Office of Inspector General; (3) the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) the Institute of Museum and Library Services; (7) the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) the National Council on Disability; (10) the National Labor Relations Board; (11) the National Mediation Board; (12) the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (13) the Railroad Retirement Board, including its Office of Inspector General; and (14) the Social Security Administration, including payments to the Social Security trust funds, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, and the Office of Inspector General. (Sec. 401) Defines &quot;qualified student loan,&quot; with respect to national service education awards, as any loan determined by an institution of higher education to be necessary to cover a student's cost of attendance at such institution and made, insured, or guaranteed directly to a student by a state agency, in addition to other meanings under the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (the Act through out this title). (Sec. 402) Allows funds made available under such Act to assist entities in placing applicants with disabilities to be provided to any entity that receives a grant under it. (Sec. 403) Requires the Corporation for National and Community Service to make any significant changes to program requirements, service delivery, or policy only through public notice and comment rulemaking. Prohibits, for FY2008 and during any grant selection process, an officer or employee of the Corporation from knowingly disclosing any covered grant selection information regarding such selection, directly or indirectly, to any person other than an authorized officer or employee of the Corporation. (Sec. 404) Allows Professional Corps programs that recruit and place qualified participants in certain educational, health, and other professional positions to apply for waiver of the requirement that any such program desiring to provide living allowances in excess of the authorized maximum submit an allowance application to the Corporation on a competitive basis. (Sec. 405) Authorizes the Corporation to solicit and accept the services of organizations and individuals (other than participants) to assist in carrying out its duties under the national service laws. Subjects an individual who provides such services to the same protections and limitations as volunteers under the Act. (Sec. 406) Requires organizations operating projects under the AmeriCorps Education Awards Program to do so without regard to certain requirements relating to: (1) the 5% limitation on administrative costs; (2) matching funds; (3) living allowances and other inservice benefits; (4) ineligible service categories; (5) living allowances; (6) health insurance; and (7) child care. (Sec. 407) Requires AmeriCorps programs receiving grants under the National Service Trust program to meet an overall minimum share requirement of 24% for the first three years that they receive AmeriCorps funding, and thereafter to meet the overall minimum share requirement of specified regulations, without regard to the operating costs match requirement or the member support federal share limitations in the Act. (Sec. 408) Allows formula-based grants to states and territories under the Act to operate AmeriCorps programs only if the application describes: (1) proposed positions into which participants will be placed; (2) the proposed minimum qualifications of such participants; (3) an assurance that the state will select national service programs for subgrants on a competitive basis; and (4) an assurance that the aforementioned information will be provided for each such subgrant before its execution. Title V: General Provisions - Specifies certain uses and limits on or prohibitions against the use of funds appropriated by this Act. (Sec. 501) Authorizes the Secretaries of Labor, of Health and Human Services, and of Education to transfer unexpended balances of prior appropriations to accounts corresponding to current appropriations provided in this Act, to be used for the same purpose, and for the same periods of time, for which they were originally appropriated. (Sec. 505) Bars use of funds to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug. (Sec. 507) Prohibits the expenditure of funds appropriated in this Act, and in any trust fund to which funds are appropriated in this Act, for: (1) any abortion; or (2) health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion. (Sec. 508) Declares that such prohibition does not apply: (1) if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest; or (2) in the case where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. Declares that nothing in Sec. 507 shall be construed as: (1) prohibiting the expenditure by a state, locality, entity, or private person of state, local, or private funds (other than Medicaid matching funds); or (2) restricting the ability of any managed care provider from offering abortion coverage or the ability of a state or locality to contract separately with such a provider for such coverage with state funds (other than Medicaid matching funds). Bars the availability of funds to a federal agency or program, or to a state or local government, if it subjects any institutional or individual health care entity to discrimination on the basis that the health care entity does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions. (Sec. 509) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for: (1) the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes; or (2) research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed, discarded, or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero under certain federal regulations and the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 510) Bars the use of funds for activities promoting the legalization of any drug or other substance included in schedule I of the schedules of controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act, except for normal and recognized executive-congressional communications. Makes such limitation inapplicable when there is significant medical evidence of a therapeutic advantage to the use of such drug or other substance or that federally sponsored clinical trials are being conducted to determine therapeutic advantage. (Sec. 511) Bars the use of funds to promulgate or adopt any final standard under the Social Security Act providing for, or providing for the assignment of, a unique health identifier for an individual (except in an individual's capacity as an employer or a health care provider), until legislation is enacted specifically approving the standard. (Sec. 512) Bars the obligation or expenditure of funds to enter into or renew a contract with an entity if: (1) it is otherwise a contractor with the United States and is subject to the requirement regarding submission of an annual report to the Secretary of Labor concerning employment of certain veterans; and (2) it has not submitted the required report for the most recent applicable year. (Sec. 513) Prohibits the transfer of funds made available in this Act to any federal department, agency, or instrumentality, except pursuant to an appropriation Act. (Sec. 514) Prohibits the availability of certain funds designated to carry out the Library Services and Technology Act from being made available to certain libraries covered by such Act, as amended by the Children's Internet Protection Act, unless such libraries have made the required certifications of such Act. (Sec. 515) Prohibits the availability of certain funds designated to carry out part D of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 from being made available to certain elementary or secondary schools covered by such Act, as amended by the Children's Internet Protection Act and the No Child Left Behind Act, unless the local educational agency (LEA) with responsibility for such covered school has made the required certifications. (Sec. 517) Prohibits the use of funds to: (1) request that a candidate for appointment to a federal scientific advisory committee disclose his or her political affiliation or voting history or the position he or she holds with respect to political issues not directly related to and necessary for the work of the committee involved; or (2) disseminate scientific information that is deliberately false or misleading. (Sec. 518) Requires each department and related agency funded through this Act, within 45 days of enactment of this Act, to submit an operating plan that details at the program, project, and activity level any funding allocations for FY2008 that are different than those specified in this Act, the accompanying detailed table in the explanatory statement described in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of this Act), or the FY2008 budget request. (Sec. 519) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act to carry out the evaluation of the Upward Bound program described in the absolute priority for Upward Bound Program participant selection and evaluation published by the Department of Education (DOE) in the Federal Register on September 22, 2006. (Sec. 520) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act to employ unauthorized aliens as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act. (Sec. 521) Requires the Secretaries of Labor, of Health and Human Services, and of Education each to report to the congressional appropriations committees on the number, amount, and other specified details of contracts, non-formula grants, and cooperative agreements exceeding $100,000 in value and awarded by the Department on a noncompetitive basis during each quarter of FY2008. (Sec. 522) Requires the departments, agencies, and commissions funded under this Act to establish and maintain on the homepages of their Internet websites: (1) a direct link to the Internet websites of their Offices of Inspectors General; and (2) a website mechanism by which individuals may anonymously report cases of waste, fraud, or abuse. (Sec. 523) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5 million, or to award a grant in excess of such amount, unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the awarding agency that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, it: (1) has filed all federal tax returns required during the three years preceding the certification; (2) has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue Code; and (3) has not, more than 90 days before certification, been notified of any unpaid federal tax assessment for which the liability remains unsatisfied, unless the assessment is the subject of an installment agreement or offer in compromise approved by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and not in default, or the assessment is the subject of a non-frivolous administrative or judicial proceeding. (Sec. 524) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Abstinence Education, and QI Programs Extension Act of 2007, to reduce funding for the Medicare Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative Fund. (Sec. 525) Makes Iraqi and Afghan aliens granted special immigrant status under the Immigration and Nationality Act eligible for resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other refugee benefits for a maximum six-month period. (Sec. 526) Bars the use of funds by the Commissioner of the SSA to pay the compensation of SSA employees to administer Social Security benefit payments, under any agreement between the United States and Mexico establishing totalization arrangements between the social security system established by title II (Federal Old-age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act and the social security system of Mexico, which would not otherwise be payable but for such agreement. (Sec. 527) Prohibits the expenditure or obligation of funds by the Commissioner to process claims for credit for quarters of Social Security coverage based on work performed under a Social Security account number that was not the claimant's number. (Sec. 528) Makes 1.747% across-the-board rescissions in the FY2008 budget authority provided: (1) for discretionary accounts of this Act; and (2) in any advance appropriation for FY2008 for such discretionary accounts made available by any prior fiscal year appropriation Act. Exempts discretionary budget authority: (1) that has been designated as an emergency requirement in this Act; or (2) made available under title III under the Student Financial Assistance account for the Federal Pell Grants program. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to report to the congressional appropriations committees on the account and amount of each such rescission. Title VI: National Commission on Children and Disasters - Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety, and Health Act of 2007 - (Sec. 603) Establishes the National Commission on Children and Disasters, which shall: (1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of children's needs relating to preparation for, response to, and recovery from all hazards, including major disasters and emergencies; (2) identify, review, and evaluate existing laws, regulations, policies, and programs relevant to such needs; (3) identify, review, and evaluate lessons learned from past disasters and emergencies relative to addressing such needs; and (4) report findings and recommendations to the President and Congress. Requires specific recommendations on the need for a national resource center on children and disasters, coordination of resources and services, administrative actions, policies, regulations, and legislative changes. (Sec. 612) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2009. Division H: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 - Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Legislative Branch Appropriations - Makes appropriations to the Senate for FY2008 for: (1) expense allowances; (2) representation allowances for the Majority and Minority Leaders; (3) salaries of specified officers, employees, and committees (including the Committee on Appropriations); (4) agency contributions for employee benefits; (5) inquiries and investigations; (6) the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control; (7) the Offices of the Secretary and of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate; (8) miscellaneous items; (9) the Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account; and (10) official mail costs. (Sec. 2) Amends the Legislative Appropriations Act, 2003 to extend the Office of the President Pro Tempore Emeritus of the Senate through the 110th Congress. (Sec. 4) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1968 to limit the annual gross compensation for employees of Senate standing, select, or joint committees to $162,515. (Sec. 5) Establishes the United States Senate-Japan Interparliamentary Group consisting of up to 12 appointed Senators (United States group) to meet once per Congress with representatives of the Diet of Japan for discussion of common problems in the interest of relations between the United States and Japan. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6) Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1979 to increase from $25,000 to $30,000 the expense allowance for the Offices of the Secretary and of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate for expense payments of orientation seminars for Senators, Senate officials, or members of their staff and other similar meetings in the Capitol Building or the Senate Office Building. (Sec. 7) States that the official duties of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate employees under the Senate Daily Press Gallery, the Senate Periodical Press Gallery, the Senate Press Photographers Gallery, and the Senate Radio and Television Correspondents Gallery may include providing media support services for the presidential nominating conventions of the national committees of political parties. (Sec. 8) Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1977 to increase from eight to nine the maximum number of individual consultants the Majority and Minority Leaders may each appoint. Makes appropriations to the House of Representatives for FY2008 for: (1) salaries and/or expenses of the House leadership offices, committees (including the Committee on Appropriations), officers and employees, and the Child Care Center; and (2) Members' representational allowances. (Sec. 101) Requires deposit in the Treasury of any amounts of a Member's representational allowance for FY2008 remaining after all payments are made, to be used for federal deficit reduction, or, if there is no deficit, for federal debt reduction. (Sec. 102) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer of the House (CAO) to contract on a competitive basis with a public or private entity (currently, private entity only) for the management, operation, and maintenance of the House exercise facility. (Sec. 103) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996 to require the fees collected by the CAO for internal delivery in House nonpostage mail from outside sources to be deposited in the Treasury for credit to the CAO account (currently, deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts). (Sec. 104) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 to modify use of the House Services Revolving Fund to include purposes relating to energy and water conservation and environmental activities carried out in buildings, facilities, and grounds under the CAO's jurisdiction and approved by the House Committee on Appropriations. (Sec. 105) Amends House Resolution 1238, 91st Congress, agreed to December 22, 1970 (as enacted into permanent law by chapter VIII of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1971) to adjust the additional Secretary's salary of a former Speaker of the House from a maximum of step one of level six of the House Employee Schedule to a maximum of step seven of level 11. Makes appropriations for salaries and/or expenses of: (1) the Joint Economic and Taxation Committees; (2) the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies of 2009; (3) the Office of the Attending Physician; (4) the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office; (5) the preparation of statements of appropriations; (6) the Capitol Police; (7) the Office of Compliance; (8) the Congressional Budget Office; and (9) the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), including for the care and operation of the buildings, grounds, and security of the Senate, the House, the Capitol power plant, the Library of Congress, the Capitol Police, the Botanic Garden, and the Capitol Visitor Center. (Sec. 1002) Authorizes the Chief of the Capitol Police, during FY2008 and each succeeding fiscal year, and after notifying the congressional appropriations committees, to make advance payments for obligations of the U.S. Capitol Police for subscription services, if he determines it to be more prompt, efficient, or economical to do so. (Sec. 1003) Rescinds $876,000 from the unexpended balances available to the AOC for the Capitol Power Plant in the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. Appropriates such amount, in addition to amounts otherwise available in this Act for the salaries of the Capitol Police, for expenses resulting from any utility tunnel repairs and asbestos abatement activities carried out by the AOC, if such amount is designated as an emergency requirement. (Sec. 1004) U.S. Capitol Police and Library of Congress Police Merger Implementation Act of 2007 - Transfers each Library of Congress (LOC) Police employee and each LOC Police civilian employee to the U.S. Capitol Police. States that: (1) an LOC Police employee shall become a member of the Capitol Police on the employee's transfer date if the Chief of the Capitol Police determines and issues a written certification that the employee meets specified eligibility requirements; and (2) if the Chief determines that such requirements are not met, then such employee shall become a civilian employee of the Capitol Police. Requires the determination to be made for all LOC Police employees before FY2010. Exempts LOC Police employees who become members of the Capitol Police from federal mandatory separation law, subject to specified conditions. Entitles any creditable service accrued by such LOC Police employees before becoming a Capitol Police to be included in calculating the employee's service as a member of the Capitol Police for purposes of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Provides that: (1) the transfer of such personnel shall not cause any such employee to be separated or receive a reduction in pay; and (2) any credited annual, sick leave, other leave, or compensatory leave of the individual shall be transferred to the individual's credit as a member or employee of the Capitol Police. Prohibits the Chief from imposing a probationary period on transferred individuals. Reduces and cancels a specified portion of the unobligated balance of the Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) program revolving fund Requires the Librarian of Congress to establish standards and regulations for the physical security, control, and preservation of the Library of Congress collections and property, and for maintenance of suitable order and decorum within the Library. Amends such Act to provide for payment of Capitol Police services for Library of Congress special events. (Sec. 1101) Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to increase the rate of pay to at least the highest annual rate of compensation of any Senate or House officer for the following positions of the Office of Compliance: (1) a member of the Board of Directors; (2) Executive Director; and (3) General Counsel. Increases the rate of pay of the Office's Deputy Executive Director to at least 96% of such highest annual rate. (Sec. 1201) Authorizes the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to establish and conduct an executive exchange program under which up to three CBO employees may be assigned to private sector organizations, and up to three employees of such organizations may be assigned to CBO, for one-year periods to further CBO's and Congress' institutional interests, including to provide training to CBO officers and employees. Considers such organizations' employees to be CBO employees for purposes of specified federal laws. Terminates such assignments two years after the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 1301) Architect of the Capitol Inspector General Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Office of the AOC the Office of the Inspector General. Requires the authorities and reporting responsibilities of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to be exercised by the AOC regarding payment of recruitment, relocation, and retention bonuses to AOC and Botanic Garden employees. (Sec. 1302) Authorizes the AOC, through FY2008, to establish and conduct a pilot program to test flexible work schedules within the Office of the AOC and the Botanic Garden. (Sec. 1303) Authorizes the Office of the AOC to pay the travel and transportation allowances of new employees. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to to include the AOC in the demonstration program of solar heating and cooling in federal buildings. (Sec. 1304) Authorizes the AOC, after notifying the congressional appropriations committees during FY2008 and each succeeding fiscal year, to make advance payments for obligations of the AOC's Office for subscription services, if the AOC determines it to be more prompt, efficient, or economical to do so. (Sec. 1305) Considers the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), for maintenance purposes, as an extension of the Capitol Building. Makes the maintenance functions for the CVC's infrastructure the responsibility of the AOC. (Sec. 1306) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2004 to modify conditions under which the AOC may lease space within areas of the District of Columbia and its environs. Requires the approval of: (1) the Senate Committee on Appropriations for the Senate; (2) the House Committee on Appropriations for the House; and (3) both Committees for space to be leased for the U.S. Capitol Police and the AOC. (Sec. 1307) Authorizes the AOC to grant easements for rights-of-way over, in, and upon the Capitol grounds and any other public lands under AOC jurisdiction and control. Establishes in the Treasury an easement account in which the AOC shall deposit all related proceeds received from such easements. (Sec. 1308) Authorizes the AOC to use the two-phase selection procedures authorized in the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 for entering into a contract for the design and construction of a public building, facility, or work (a design-build contract) in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions as the head of an executive agency under such Act. (Sec. 1309) Requires the AOC to: (1) appoint an assistant to perform the responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services (CEO) during the CEO's absence or disability, or during a vacancy in such appointed position; and (2) fix the salary for such position at the highest total salary for the Senior Executive Service for the locality involved. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses, the Copyright Office, Congressional Research Service (CRS), and Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; (2) the Government Printing Office (GPO); (3) the Government Accountability Office (GAO); (4) a payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund; and (5) a payment to the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Development Trust Fund. (Sec. 1401) Authorizes the expenditure of up to $5,000 for the incentive awards program of the Library of Congress. (Sec. 1402) Establishes an upper limit of $122.529 million for the FY2008 obligational authority of the Library of Congress with regard to certain reimbursable and revolving fund activities. Authorizes the Librarian of Congress, under specified conditions, to transfer temporarily up to $1.9 million of funds appropriated in this Act for Library of Congress salaries and expenses to the revolving fund for the FEDLINK Program and the Federal Research Program established under the Library of Congress Fiscal Operations Improvement Act of 2000. (Sec. 1403) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1998 to subject the Cooperative Acquisitions Program Revolving Fund to audit by the Comptroller General at his or her discretion. (Currently, the Librarian of Congress prepares and submits to Congress an audited financial statement conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards for financial audits issued by the Comptroller General.) (Sec. 1404) Authorizes the transfer of up to 10% of FY2008 Library of Congress appropriations between any of the headings for which the amounts are appropriated, upon the approval of the congressional appropriations committees. (Sec. 1501) Establishes a Contract Appeals Board within GAO to hear and decide appeals from decisions of a contracting officer with respect to any legislative branch agency's contract. Applies the Contract Disputes Act of 1978, as amended, to such appeals, except for certain provisions relating to: (1) maritime contracts; (2) specified agency boards of contract appeals; and (3) certain actions in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Reduces from $100,000 to $50,000 the amount of any claim a contracting officer may decide. (Sec. 1502) Repeals and/or modifies certain GAO audits and reporting requirements under the: (1) Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2000; (2) Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001; (3) Congressional Hunger Fellows Act of 2002; (4) Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998; (5) National Moment of Remembrance Act; (6) Social Security Act; and (7) Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Title II: General Provisions - Specifies authorized and prohibited uses of funds appropriated by this Act identical or similar to corresponding provisions of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2007. (Sec. 209) Prohibits the use of the funds made available to the AOC or the U.S. Capitol Guide Service and Congressional Special Services Office in this Act to eliminate guided tours of the U.S. Capitol led by congressional employees and interns. Allows temporary suspension or restriction of such tours for security or related reasons to the same extent as guided tours of the U.S. Capitol led by the AOC or the Capitol Guide Service. (Sec. 210) Rescinds 0.25% of the budget authority provided for FY2008 for discretionary accounts in title I of this Act, except under section 1003. Division I: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Department of Defense - Appropriates funds for FY2008 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force (military departments), DOD, the Army and Air National Guard, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing and related operation and maintenance for the military departments and DOD; (4) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (5) chemical demilitarization construction; and (6) the Department of Defense Base Closure Accounts of 1990 and 2005. Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this title and in other military construction appropriations Acts. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary of Defense to notify the appropriate congressional committees 30 days in advance of the plans and scope of any proposed military exercise involving U.S. personnel if construction costs are anticipated to exceed $100,000. (Sec. 118) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriations committees on actions taken by DOD and the Department of State to encourage other members of NATO, Japan, South Korea, and U.S. allies bordering the Arabian Sea to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of such nations and the United States. (Sec. 121) Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned, at least 60 days prior to issuing any solicitation for a contract with the private sector for military family housing, to notify the appropriations committees of any guarantees (including the making of mortgage or rental payments) proposed to be made to the private party in the event of: (1) the closure or realignment of the installation for which the housing is provided; (2) a reduction in force of units stationed at such installation; or (3) the extended deployment overseas of units stationed at such installation. (Sec. 122) Authorizes the transfer of DOD funds for expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program under the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966. (Sec. 124) Requires the Secretary or any other DOD official requested by the congressional military construction, veterans affairs, and related agencies subcommittees to respond within 21 days to a question or inquiry pursuant to a subcommittee hearing or other activity. (Sec. 126) Places specified restrictions and limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds made available in this title or in any other military construction appropriations Act to carry out a military construction, land acquisition, or family housing project at or for a military installation approved for closure, or for supporting a function that has been approved for realignment to another installation, in 2005 under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. (Sec. 128) Prohibits funds from this title from being used for any activity related to the construction of an outlying landing field in Washington County, North Carolina. Title II: Department of Veterans Affairs - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) veterans' benefits programs; (2) readjustment benefits; (3) veterans insurance and indemnities; (4) the Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund; (5) the Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program; (6) the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program; (7) guaranteed transitional housing loans for homeless veterans; (8) the Veterans Health Administration (including for medical and prosthetic research); (9) the National Cemetery Administration; (10) general operating expenses; (11) information technology systems; (12) the Office of the Inspector General; (13) construction for major and minor projects; and (14) grants for the construction of state extended care facilities and veterans cemeteries. Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this title. (Sec. 210) Makes funds from this title available to reimburse expenses of the Office of Resolution Management and the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, within specified limits. (Sec. 216) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary, for purposes of this title) to allow veterans eligible under existing VA medical care requirements and who reside in Alaska to obtain medical services from facilities supported by the Indian Health Service or tribal organizations. (Sec. 218) Prohibits the VA from using funds available in this or any other Act to replace the current system by which the Veterans Integrated Service Networks select and contract for diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment. (Sec. 220) Directs the Secretary to report quarterly to the appropriations committees on the financial status of the Veterans Health Administration. (Sec. 224) Prohibits the Secretary from declaring as excess to the needs of VA, or otherwise disposing or reducing the acreage of, federal lands and improvements at the Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Medical Center, California. (Sec. 225) Requires the VA to continue research into Gulf War Illness at levels not less than those made available in FY2007, within available funds contained in this Act. (Sec. 226) Requires the: (1) VA Inspector General (IG) to establish and maintain on the homepage of the Internet website of the IG a mechanism for individuals to anonymously report cases of VA waste, fraud, or abuse; and (2) Secretary to establish and maintain on the homepage of the VA's website a direct link to the IG's website. (Sec. 227) Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to transfer up to $5 million to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support increased training of psychologists skilled in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and related disorders. Requires the Secretary to notify Congress of each transfer. (Sec. 235) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a major medical facility lease in FY2008 to implement the recommendations outlined in the August, 2007 study of south Texas veterans' inpatient and specialty outpatient health care needs. (Sec. 230) Increases (with a corresponding offset) amounts made available for VA construction, major projects. Designates such additional amount as an emergency requirement. (Sec. 231) Extends through FY2008: (1) specified per diem copayments in connection with the provision of VA hospital and nursing home care; and (2) the right to recovery from third-party insurance providers in connection with VA treatment for a non-service-connected disability. (Sec. 235) Designates as emergency requirements under this Act specified VA accounts and programs. Title III: Related Agencies - Appropriates funds for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; (3) cemeterial expenses, Army; and (4) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Title IV: General Provisions - Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act. (Sec. 408) Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to submit to the appropriations committees projected annual appropriations necessary for the VA to continue providing veterans' health care for FY2009-FY2012. (Sec. 409) Prohibits the use of funds for any action related to or promoting the expansion of the boundaries or size of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado. (Sec. 410) Authorizes the city of Aurora, Colorado, to convey by donation to the United States certain non-federal lands adjacent to the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Colorado, for construction of a veterans' medical facility. Division J: Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Department of State and Related Agencies - Makes FY2008 appropriations for the Department of State (Department) for: (1) administration of foreign affairs and diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the Capital Investment Fund; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) educational and cultural exchange programs; (5) representation allowances; (6) protection of foreign missions and officials; (7) U.S. embassy security, construction, and maintenance; (8) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (9) the repatriation loans program account; (10) the American Institute in Taiwan; (11) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (12) international organizations, peacekeeping, and commissions; (13) the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico; (14) salaries and expenses; (15) plan preparation and construction of authorized projects; (16) the International Joint Commission and the International Boundary Commission, United States and Canada; (17) international fisheries commissions; (18) the Asia Foundation; (19) the Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund; (20) the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated; (21) the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program; (22) the Broadcasting Board of Governors; (23) the Commission for Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; (24) the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom; (25) the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (26) the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China; (27) the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission; (28) the United States Senate-China Interparliamentary Group; and (29) the United States Institute of Peace. (Sec. 102) Directs the Department and the Broadcasting Board of Governors to provide the Appropriations Committees (Committees) with a quarterly accounting of the cumulative balances of any unobligated funds received during any previous fiscal year. (Sec. 103) Sets forth restrictions on office space for federal employees with respect to U.S. diplomatic facility construction, with an exception for Marine Corps use. (Sec. 104) Prohibits funds under this title from being used for U.N. peacekeeping missions that will involve U.S. Armed Forces personnel under foreign command unless in the U.S. national interest. (Sec. 105) Continues the prohibition, as provided for in the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, on the use of funds to provide visas to certain aliens who were involved in political violence in Haiti. (Sec. 106) States that: (1) the Senior Policy Operating Group on Trafficking in Persons shall coordinate all policies related to the activities of traffickers and victims of severe forms of trafficking; and (2) no funds shall be expended to perform functions that duplicate Group responsibilities. (Sec. 107) Provides that for purposes of birth registration, certification of nationality, or passport issuance of a U.S. citizen born in Jerusalem, the Secretary of State (Secretary) shall, upon request, record the place of birth as Israel. (Sec. 108) Limits the use of funds under this title for any consulting service procurement contract to those contracts where expenditures are a matter of public record, except where otherwise provided. (Sec. 109) Continues the prohibition, as provided for in the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, on the use of funds to increase the U.S. diplomatic presence in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam unless the President makes specified certifications. (Sec. 110) Provides for the obligation and expenditure of specified funds for the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Department notwithstanding certain provisions of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995, and the National Security Act of 1947. (Sec. 111) States that costs incurred by an agency or department funded under this Act resulting from personnel actions taken in response to funding reductions included in this Act shall be absorbed within such agency's or department's budgetary resources. (Sec. 112) Prohibits funds under this title from being used to pay expenses for any U.S. delegation to any specialized U.N. agency, body, or commission that is presided over by a country that has provided support for acts of international terrorism. (Sec. 113) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995, as amended, to provide for U.S. payments for U.N. peacekeeping operations in FY2008 at 27.1%. (Sec. 114) Prohibits FY2008 funding for Alhurra (Arabic language satellite television network) unless the Secretary reports to the Committees that Alhurra does not advocate on behalf of any organization that the Secretary knows, or has reason to believe, engages in terrorist activities. (Sec. 115) Directs: (1) the Secretary to establish on the Department homepage an Internet link to the website of the Department's Office of Inspector General; and (2) the Inspector General to establish an Internet mechanism by which individuals can anonymously report cases of waste, fraud, or abuse. (Sec. 116) Directs the Secretary to establish visa processing facilities in Iraq. (Sec. 117) Authorizes the expenditure of specified International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico funds for construction of secondary wastewater treatment capability from the Tijuana River, subject to specified conditions. (Sec. 118) Revises United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission provisions respecting: (1) performance reviews; and (2) cash awards. Title II: Export and Investment Assistance - Makes FY2008 appropriations for: (1) the Export-Import Bank, including the Office of Inspector General and direct and guaranteed loan and insurance programs and administrative expenses; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses, and for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, and authority to undertake programs under title IV of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 in Iraq; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Title III: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes FY2008 appropriations for: (1) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) global health programs, including child survival, nutrition, and disease programs, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, and programs for maternal health and family planning/reproductive health programs; (3) specified development assistance; (4) international disaster and famine assistance; (5) democracy transition and long-term development of countries in crisis; (6) direct loans and guaranteed loans for micro, small, and urban enterprise development; (7) operating expenses of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); (8) the Capital Investment Fund; (9) USAID Office of Inspector General; (10) Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance, including amounts for Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, USAID programs in the West Bank and Gaza, the Palestinian Authority (PA) under certain conditions, Lebanon, Afghanistan under certain conditions, Timor-Leste, the Central Highlands of Vietnam, Columbia, and North Korea; (11) the International Fund for Ireland; (12) assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States; (13) assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union; (14) the Inter-American Foundation, the African Development Foundation, the Peace Corps, with a prohibition on fund use for abortions, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation; (15) the Democracy Fund; (16) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (17) counterdrug activities in the Andean region of South America including restrictions on assistance to Colombia, and a prohibition on the combat use of U.S. Armed Forces or contractors for anti-drug activities in Columbia; (18) migration and refugee assistance; (19) the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (20) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs and activities, including U.S. contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission; and (21) the Department of the Treasury for international affairs technical assistance activities, and for debt restructuring of concessional loans, guarantees, and credits made to, and the canceling of amounts owed to, the United States by eligible foreign countries. Title IV: Military Assistance - Makes FY2008 appropriations for: (1) international military education and training (IMET), including provisions respecting Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Libya, Nepal, Haiti, Guatemala, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Nigeria; (2) foreign military financing grants, including provisions respecting Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Sudan, Haiti, Guatemala, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, and Democratic Republic of the Congo; and (3) international peacekeeping operations. Title V: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes FY2008 appropriations for the U.S. contribution to: (1) the Global Environment Facility of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank); (2) the International Development Association; (3) the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; (4) the Asian Development Fund; (5) the African Development Bank; (6) the African Development Fund; (7) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; (8) the International Fund for Agricultural Development; and (9) other international programs. Sets forth limitations on callable capital subscriptions with respect to the African Development Bank. Title VI: General Provisions - (Sec. 601) Prohibits payments to any international financial institution (as defined by this Act) while the U.S. executive director to the institution is compensated at a rate in excess of that for Level IV of the Executive Schedule, or any alternate U.S. director is compensated at a rate in excess of that for Level V of such Schedule. (Sec. 602) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act from being used to pay any voluntary U.S. contribution to the United Nations if the United Nations implements or imposes any tax on U.S. persons. (Sec. 603) Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including specified maximums for official residence expenses, entertainment expenses, and representation allowances for USAID. Sets forth entertainment and/or representation limits for: (1) the Inter-American Foundation; (2) the Trade and Development Agency; (3) the Peace Corps; (4) IMET; (5) the Foreign Military Financing Program; (6) the Trade and Development Agency; and (7) the Millennium Challenge Corporation. (Sec. 604) Requires that any department or agency which receives funds under this Act provides the Committees with a quarterly accounting of cumulative balances (by program, project, and activity) of unobligated and unexpended funds. (Sec. 606) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act for: (1) assistance under a new bilateral agreement unless such assistance is exempt from taxation, or reimbursed, by the foreign government; (2) direct assistance or reparations to Cuba, North Korea, Iran, or Syria; (3) assistance to any country whose elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree (assistance may be resumed if a democratic government is elected to office); (4) certain transfers between U.S. agencies except pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority provided in, this Act or any other appropriations Act, or between appropriations accounts without prior presidential consultation with Congress; (5) assistance to any country in default in excess of a year on payments on a U.S. loan unless the President determines such assistance is in the national interest; and (6) assistance for production of any export commodity by a foreign country if the commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar or competing commodity (with exceptions for specified benefits to U.S. producers or to developing countries). Limits certain: (1) Department and Broadcasting Board of Governors transfer authority; and (2) export financing transfer authority. (Sec. 610) Authorizes the commercial leasing of certain defense articles (instead of the government-to-government sale) to Israel, Egypt, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members, and major non-NATO allies if the President determines that there are compelling foreign policy or national security reasons. (Sec. 611) States, with specified exceptions, that no part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation after the expiration of the current fiscal year unless expressly provided for in this Act. (Sec. 614) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of specified international financial institutions to oppose any assistance for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export if it is in surplus on world markets and such assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 615) Sets forth specified congressional notification requirements. (Sec. 616) Declares that funds appropriated for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs that are returned or not made available for international organizations and programs shall remain available for obligation until September 30, 2009. Removes Libya from provisions requiring the withholding of U.S. funds for international programs for certain countries or entities. (Sec. 617) Prohibits the availability of assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union to a government of such an Independent State: (1) if it directs action in violation of the territorial integrity or national sovereignty of any other Independent State (with a national security waiver); or (2) to enhance its military capability (except for demilitarization, demining, or nonproliferation programs). Subjects such assistance for the Russian Federation, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to the regular notification procedures of the Committees. Withholds specified funds for the Russian Federation until the President certifies to the Committees that the Russian Federation has taken specified actions respecting Iran and Chechnya. (Sec. 618) Prohibits the use of development assistance funds for abortions or involuntary sterilizations as methods of family planning, to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions, or to provide any financial incentive to undergo sterilization. (Sec. 620) Prohibits the use of specified funds for Serbia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Cuba, Iran, Haiti, Libya, Ethiopia, Mexico, Nepal, or Cambodia except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees. (Sec. 622) Makes funds available to reimburse governmental and private entities for the cost of individuals detailed to USAID for global health programs in developing countries, including child health programs and HIV/AIDS prevention programs. (Sec. 623) Obligates certain funds for Afghanistan for humanitarian, reconstruction, and related assistance, including agricultural programs and programs for women and girls. (Sec. 624) Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to notify the Committees before providing excess DOD articles to certain NATO and major non-NATO countries. (Sec. 625) Conditions 20% of the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria on the progress of Fund financing reforms. (Sec. 626) Prohibits bilateral assistance funds to any country which the President determines grants sanctuary from prosecution to any individual or group which has committed an act of international terrorism or otherwise supports such activities. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition for national security and humanitarian reasons. (Sec. 627) Authorizes nongovernmental organizations which are USAID grantees or contractors to place funds made available to them under this Act in interest bearing accounts in order to enhance their participation in debt-for-development and debt-for-nature exchanges. (Sec. 628) Directs the Administrator of USAID to require foreign countries that receive foreign assistance which results in the generation of local currencies to deposit such currencies in a separate account to be used to finance foreign assistance activities. (Sec. 629) Requires the President to submit to the Committees a plan for the distribution of the assets of an Enterprise Fund before any distribution resulting from liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Fund. (Sec. 630) Obligates specified funds under this Act for financial market assistance to countries in transition. (Sec. 631) Declares that provisions under this or any other Act authorizing appropriations for foreign operations or export financing shall not be construed to prohibit activities authorized by the Peace Corps Act, the Inter-American Foundation Act, or the African Development Foundation Act. Requires an agency to report to the Committees whenever it is conducting or proposing activities in a country for which such assistance is prohibited. (Sec. 632) Prohibits the use of funds under titles II-V of this Act to provide: (1) financial incentives to a business to relocate outside the United States if doing so will reduce the number of U.S. employees; or (2) assistance for any program that contributes to the violation of internationally recognized workers rights in the recipient country. (Sec. 633) Directs the Secretary to report to the Committees detailing the total amount of FY2006 U.S. government expenditures, by federal agency, for programs and activities in each foreign country, identifying the line item as presented in the President's Budget Appendix and the purpose for which funds were provided. (Sec. 634) Allows funds appropriated under titles II-V of this Act for Afghanistan to be made available notwithstanding specified restrictions on: (1) assistance to countries in payment default to the United States; and (2) law enforcement assistance. Allows funds appropriated under titles II-III of this Act to be made available to: (1) Iraq, Lebanon, Montenegro, and Pakistan; (2) war victims; (3) displaced children; (4) displaced Burmese; and (5) victims of trafficking in persons and to combat such trafficking. Authorizes the use of foreign assistance funds to support tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation programs and energy programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Authorizes USAID to: (1) employ up to 25 personal services contractors in the United States to provide support for specified new or expanded overseas programs until permanent direct hire personnel are hired and trained; and (2) make an exception to the fair opportunity process under an indefinite-quantity contract for a small or disadvantaged business. Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005 to extend the provision considering certain Vietnamese nationals to be refugees of special humanitarian concern for purposes of eligibility for in-country refugee processing in Vietnam through FY2009. Expands authorities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for civilian police assistance for a regional, district, municipal, or other sub-national entity emerging from instability. Makes funds under this Act available to American educational institutions for programs and activities in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) relating to the environment, democracy, and the rule of law. Obligates specified funds managed by the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance of USAID as a general contribution to the World Food Program. Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 to extend application and reapplication authority through FY2008 for aliens seeking to qualify under specified refugee categories. Obligates specified funds for: (1) capital security cost-sharing fees of the Library of Congress for FY2008; (2) foreign prison improvements; and (3) the program for research and training on Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union. Makes funds available for programs to demobilize and reintegrate into civilian society former combatants of foreign governments or organizations who have renounced involvement or participation in such organizations. Extends the International Broadcasting Bureau personal services contracting pilot program through December 31, 2008. Increases funding for U.S. participation in the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue. Extends OPIC investment insurance, investment guaranty, and direct investment authorities through April 1, 2008. (Sec. 635) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Arab League boycott of Israel (reinstated in 1997), and the secondary boycott of American firms that have commercial ties with Israel, is an impediment to regional peace and to U.S. investment and trade in the Middle East and North Africa and should be terminated; and (2) the President should report annually to Congress on steps taken to encourage Arab League states to normalize their relations with Israel to end the boycott. (Sec. 636) Declares that restrictions on assistance to foreign countries contained in titles II-V of this Act or any other Act (except those relating to international terrorism or human rights violations) shall not be construed to restrict assistance: (1) in support of certain programs of nongovernmental organizations; or (2) under specified provisions of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. (Sec. 637) Authorizes the reprogramming of earmarked appropriations for other programs within the same account provided certain requirements are met. Sets forth requirements with respect to ceilings and earmarks of appropriations under this Act. (Sec. 638) Obligates specified funds under this Act for Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Asia and Near East Regional, and Regional Development Mission/Asia. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to use U.S. influence in each appropriate international financial institution in which the United States participates to oppose and vote against the extension of any loan or financial or technical assistance or any other utilization of funds for Burma. Obligates specified funds under this Act for: (1) democracy activities in Burma; (2) Burmese student groups and other organizations outside Burma; (3) humanitarian assistance to displaced Burmese along Burma's borders; and (4) community-based organizations in Thailand to provide humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons in eastern Burma. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct U.S. executive directors to international financial institutions to support projects in Tibet if such projects do not provide incentives for the migration and settlement of non-Tibetans into Tibet or facilitate the transfer of ownership of Tibetan land and natural resources to non-Tibetans. Obligates funds for nongovernmental organizations to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and in other Tibetan communities in the PRC, including National Endowment for Democracy programs. (Sec. 639) Prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States that were not authorized before the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 640) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to pay any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any U.N. member (including costs for attendance of another country's delegation at