P000583 1935-08-20 6060 203 Cannon House Office Building http://www.house.gov/paul/contact.shtml 14 202-226-6553 Ronald 'r':4 'tx':5 '-14':6 'rep':1 'ron':9 'paul':3,8,11 'ronald':2,7,10 M 400311 Paul Ron_Paul E. Rep. Ronald Paul [R, TX-14] 1898 Ron N00005906 46807 Republican 202-225-2831 Protestant TX Ron Ronald Paul 9.39819004524887 http://www.house.gov/paul/ congressmanronpaul K000336 1946-10-08 17563 2445 Rayburn House Office Building http://kucinich.house.gov/Contact/Starter.htm 10 202-225-5745 Dennis 'd':4 'oh':5 '-10':6 'rep':1 'denni':2,7,9 'kucinich':3,8,10 M 400227 Kucinich Dennis_J._Kucinich J. Rep. Dennis Kucinich [D, OH-10] 5939 N00003572 14745 Democrat 202-225-5871 Catholic OH Dennis Kucinich 7.32638888888889 http://kucinich.house.gov/ djkucinich 8 299 39317 Tue Jan 09 18:17:00 -0600 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:12:04 -0500 2008 3745 true 128 15 81 0 On Passage: H R 1 Implementing the 9/11Commission Recommendations Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 07:21:49 -0500 2007 house h 917 39317 1167973200 false 0 1185569640 1204174800 157 1 7351 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 NayAye 13 411 39617 Tue Jul 31 10:57:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 21:45:46 -0500 2008 3557 true 8 763 77 0 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: S 1 Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 true 2/3 Passed On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Thu Sep 13 15:15:02 -0500 2007 house s 172 39617 1167886800 false 0 1186077000 1189742400 19 1 12813 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 10 247 39735 Thu Jun 07 13:04:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:12:46 -0500 2008 4177 true 176 443 48 0 On Passage: S 5 Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 11:50:45 -0500 2007 house s 188 39735 1167886800 false 0 1181239440 1182312000 53 5 5211 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 NayAye 8 264 40013 Thu Jan 18 17:09:00 -0600 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:13:07 -0500 2008 3606 true 163 40 129 0 On Passage: H R 6 Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 07:37:16 -0500 2007 house h 963 40013 1168578000 false 0 1198003500 1198040400 304 6 13022 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 NayAye 8 241 40769 Thu Mar 01 14:56:00 -0600 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:53:30 -0500 2008 3873 true 185 118 137 0 On Passage: H R 800 The Employee Free Choice Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 08:25:10 -0500 2007 house h 861 40769 1170651600 false 1182873060 1182830400 220 800 31479 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 NayAye 8 265 40957 Tue Sep 25 19:53:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:53:52 -0500 2008 2854 true 159 906 86 1 Agree to Senate Amendments with Amendments: H R 976 Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act false 1/2 Passed Agree to Senate Amendments with Amendments Tue Sep 25 20:20:05 -0500 2007 house h 472 40957 1170997200 false 1192727820 1192764600 146 976 4104 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 NayNay 6 302 41430 Wed Mar 21 13:51:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:13:45 -0500 2008 3793 true 125 172 64 0 On Passage: H R 1227 Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act of 2007 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 08:58:20 -0500 2007 house h 136 41430 1172638800 false 1174503060 1174622400 8 1227 703 110 400422 1174622400 2007-03-23 Thu Nov 06 19:31:09 -0600 2008 110-h1227 H.R.1227 Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act of 2007 NayAye 0 263 41853 Fri Oct 03 12:22:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 21:03:40 -0500 2008 5099 true 171 681 325 0 On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments: H R 1424 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 false 1/2 Passed On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments Fri Oct 03 12:50:08 -0500 2008 house h 1285 41853 1173416400 false 1223054520 1223051220 236 1424 48621 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 NayNay 5 218 42155 Wed Apr 25 20:27:00 -0500 2007 true Thu Oct 30 13:25:40 -0500 2008 2835 true 208 265 81 2 On Agreeing to the Conference Report: H R 1591 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes false 1/2 Passed On Agreeing to the Conference Report Thu Sep 13 09:56:06 -0500 2007 house h 675 42155 1174363200 false 1178131020 1178164320 208 1591 7787 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 NayNay 16 237 42156 Thu May 03 12:46:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:14:06 -0500 2008 3047 true 180 299 52 0 On Passage: H R 1592 To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes. false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 10:17:58 -0500 2007 house h 767 42156 1174363200 false 1178214360 1178510400 243 1592 2505 110 400080 1178510400 2007-05-07 Thu Nov 06 20:34:07 -0600 2008 110-h1592 H.R.1592 Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 AbstainAye 14 241 42933 Thu Apr 19 13:42:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:14:35 -0500 2008 3708 true 177 231 96 1 On Passage: H R 1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:35:01 -0500 2007 house h 148 42933 1176868800 false 1177008120 1179892800 6 1905 997 110 400295 1179892800 2007-05-23 Thu Nov 06 21:11:40 -0600 2008 110-h1905 H.R.1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 NayAye 37 220 42936 Fri Sep 07 14:30:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 23:08:03 -0500 2008 4411 true 175 863 57 0 On Passage: H R 1908 Patent Reform Act of 2007 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 16:20:16 -0500 2007 house h 343 42936 1176868800 false 1189193400 1189483200 49 1908 3884 110 400025 1189483200 2007-09-11 Thu Nov 06 21:12:00 -0600 2008 110-h1908 H.R.1908 Patent Reform Act of 2007 AbstainNay 22 404 43023 Tue Oct 23 16:06:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 23:03:55 -0500 2008 2941 true 6 993 176 0 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 1955 Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 true 2/3 Passed On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Tue Oct 23 16:22:13 -0500 2007 house h 1990 43023 1176955200 false 1193173560 1193198400 208 1955 39223 110 400166 1193198400 2007-10-24 Thu Nov 06 21:17:36 -0600 2008 110-h1955 H.R.1955 Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 AbstainNay 7 221 43550 Thu May 10 18:59:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:48:52 -0500 2008 4260 true 205 333 88 0 On Passage: H R 2206 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 10:39:17 -0500 2007 house h 483 43550 1178596800 false 1180052760 1180065600 97 2206 6632 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 10 231 43958 Fri Jul 27 13:02:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:39:09 -0500 2008 2948 true 191 756 63 0 On Passage: H R 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 15:10:39 -0500 2007 house h 902 43958 1179806400 false 1211471820 1211428800 233 2419 14718 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 NayAbstain 8 223 45075 Thu Jul 12 17:13:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:15:04 -0500 2008 3748 true 201 624 75 0 On Passage: H R 2956 Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 13:44:55 -0500 2007 house h 206 45075 1184040000 false 1184278380 1184558400 38 2956 953 110 400377 1184558400 2007-07-16 Thu Nov 06 23:48:08 -0600 2008 110-h2956 H.R.2956 Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act AbstainNay 31 293 45187 Thu Sep 18 16:25:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 23:05:04 -0500 2008 5020 true 109 614 60 0 On Passage: H R 3036 No Child Left Inside Act of 2008 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 18 16:51:51 -0500 2008 house h 190 45187 1184212800 false 1221773100 1222920000 3 3036 4252 Authorizes $100 million per year for five years to state education departments and non-profits to develop and implement outdoor, hands-on education plans for grades K-12. Under the bill, each state would follow federal guidelines in developing their own environmental literacy plans and submit them to the United States Department of Education for approval and funding. It is expected to pass the House before Congress adjourns, but not to be considered by the Senate this session. 110 412212 1222920000 2008-10-02 Thu Nov 06 23:59:56 -0600 2008 110-h3036 H.R.3036 No Child Left Inside Act of 2007 NayAye 4 225 45433 Wed Aug 01 18:37:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:17:25 -0500 2008 2640 true 204 787 90 0 On Passage: H R 3162 Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 15:30:29 -0500 2007 house h 408 45433 1185249600 false 1186011420 1188878400 149 3162 3267 110 400110 1188878400 2007-09-04 Fri Nov 07 00:24:52 -0600 2008 110-h3162 H.R.3162 Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007 NayAye 23 227 45638 Sat Aug 04 21:20:00 -0500 2007 false Mon Oct 27 21:40:19 -0500 2008 4355 true 183 836 70 0 On Passage: S 1927 Protect America Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 16:03:00 -0500 2007 house s 219 45638 1185940800 false 1186280400 1190692800 33 1927 5410 110 300072 1190692800 2007-09-25 Fri Nov 07 16:22:27 -0600 2008 110-s1927 S.1927 Protect America Act of 2007 AbstainNay 14 235 46401 Wed Nov 07 17:23:00 -0600 2007 true Mon Oct 27 23:08:36 -0500 2008 3965 true 184 1057 118 0 On Passage: H R 3685 Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) false 1/2 Passed On Passage Wed Nov 07 17:52:15 -0600 2007 house h 423 46401 1190865600 false 1194477780 1194930000 87 3685 6185 110 400140 1194930000 2007-11-13 Fri Nov 07 01:49:57 -0600 2008 110-h3685 H.R.3685 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007 AbstainAye 16 285 46404 Thu Nov 08 10:19:00 -0600 2007 false Mon Oct 27 22:17:47 -0500 2008 3378 true 132 1060 76 0 On Passage: H R 3688 United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Nov 08 10:35:08 -0600 2007 house h 183 46404 1190865600 false 1196796540 1197608400 21 3688 1550 110 400189 1197608400 2007-12-14 Fri Nov 07 01:50:30 -0600 2008 110-h3688 H.R.3688 United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act NayNay 11 264 46923 Wed Oct 31 14:34:00 -0500 2007 true Mon Oct 27 22:20:28 -0500 2008 2690 true 157 1025 46 0 On Passage: H R 3920 Trade and Globalization Assistance Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Wed Oct 31 14:51:05 -0500 2007 house h 107 46923 1193025600 false 1193859240 1194498000 12 3920 2329 110 400333 1194498000 2007-11-08 Fri Nov 07 02:21:08 -0600 2008 110-h3920 H.R.3920 Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act AbstainAye 17 354 47311 Thu Feb 07 17:17:00 -0600 2008 true Mon Oct 27 22:41:37 -0500 2008 4095 true 58 40 65 0 On Passage: H R 4137 To amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Feb 07 17:37:49 -0600 2008 house h 608 47311 1194584400 false 1217550360 1220155200 132 4137 21300 This gigantic, 800-page bill is aimed at lowering tuition costs and streamlining the financial aid process. Among its many provision are new penalties for states that cut their contributions to higher education, protections for prospective student loan borrowers, proposals to make text books more affordable and expanded funding options for low-income and non-traditional students. Notably, it also contains a controversial provision requiring colleges to develop a plan to block peer-to-peer filesharing and illegal downloading, and offer students a legal alternative. 110 400278 1218686400 2008-08-14 Fri Nov 07 02:47:01 -0600 2008 110-h4137 H.R.4137 College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007 NayAye 12 410 47597 Thu May 08 11:22:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 23:07:55 -0500 2008 4627 true 11 300 175 0 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 4279 Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008 true 2/3 Passed On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Tue May 20 18:09:40 -0500 2008 house h 470 47597 1196830800 false 1210263720 1210564800 30 4279 19249 110 400080 1210564800 2008-05-12 Fri Nov 07 03:03:43 -0600 2008 110-h4279 H.R.4279 PRO-IP Act of 2007 NayNay 9 312 49093 Tue Sep 23 12:58:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 22:20:46 -0500 2008 5029 true 112 623 62 0 On Passage: H R 5244 Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Tue Sep 23 13:21:08 -0500 2008 house h 296 49093 1202360400 false 1222192680 1222920000 11 5244 4696 Seeks to improve consumer protections against credit card industry abuses. Among its many proposed policies are better regulation of interest rate increases, increased protections for cardholders who pay on time, stricter guidelines against misleading terms in contracts and new congressional reporting requirements on industry profits, rates and fees. 110 400251 1222920000 2008-10-02 Fri Nov 07 04:53:18 -0600 2008 110-h5244 H.R.5244 Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2008 NayAye 23 274 49937 Thu Jun 12 13:39:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 22:21:05 -0500 2008 4765 true 137 412 172 0 On Passage: H R 5749 Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Jun 12 14:14:56 -0500 2008 house h 282 49937 1207713600 false 1213295940 1213329600 24 5749 176736 This bill would provide for 13 more weeks of unemployment benefits to workers exhausting their regular unemployment compensation, In states with unemployment rates above 6 percent, it would provide an additional 13 weeks, for a total of 26. The extension would apply to anyone whose benefits are exhausted before January 2009, an estimated 3.5 million. 110 400262 1213329600 2008-06-13 Fri Nov 07 05:52:33 -0600 2008 110-h5749 H.R.5749 Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008 AbstainAye 16 248 50045 Tue Jul 15 17:48:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 22:42:58 -0500 2008 4872 true 170 493 108 0 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: H R 5803 To direct the Election Assistance Commission to establish a program to make grants to participating States and units of local goverment to carry out a program to make backup paper ballots in the case of the failure of a voting system or voting equipment false 2/3 Failed On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Tue Jul 15 18:06:23 -0500 2008 house h 20 50045 1208232000 false 1216162080 1216158480 5803 644 110 400245 1216158480 2008-07-15 Fri Nov 07 05:58:48 -0600 2008 110-h5803 H.R.5803 To direct the Election Assistance Commission to establish a program to make grants to participating States and units of local government which will administer the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2008 for carrying out a program to make backup paper ballots available in the case of the failure of a voting system or voting equipment in the election or some other emergency situation, and for other purposes. AyeAye 12 263 50673 Wed May 21 15:08:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 23:05:30 -0500 2008 4689 true 160 344 93 0 On Passage: H R 6049 Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Wed May 21 15:36:44 -0500 2008 house h 719 50673 1210737600 false 1222207080 1222660800 170 6049 25341 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 NayAye 13 293 51249 Fri Jun 20 11:48:00 -0500 2008 false Mon Oct 27 22:58:36 -0500 2008 4794 true 129 437 144 0 On Passage: H R 6304 FISA Amendments Act of 2008 true 1/2 Passed On Passage Wed Jun 25 09:12:12 -0500 2008 house h 635 51249 1213848000 false 1215629220 1215662400 82 6304 16055 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 AbstainNay 20 355 51313 Tue Jun 24 11:36:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 21:37:21 -0500 2008 4802 true 59 443 94 0 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 6331 Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act true 2/3 Passed On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Wed Jun 25 09:02:40 -0500 2008 house h 631 51313 1213934400 false 1216159080 1216151280 220 6331 27822 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 NayAye 17 283 51829 Thu Sep 18 13:11:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 22:21:26 -0500 2008 5014 true 133 608 53 0 On Passage: H R 6604 Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 18 14:21:10 -0500 2008 house h 131 51829 1216872000 false 1221761460 1222920000 9 6604 1489 110 400316 1222920000 2008-10-02 Fri Nov 07 07:33:09 -0600 2008 110-h6604 H.R.6604 Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act of 2008 NayAye 11 381 51865 Sun Sep 28 16:03:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 23:07:28 -0500 2008 5077 true 41 664 163 0 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: S 3325 true 2/3 Passed On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Sun Sep 28 16:50:08 -0500 2008 house s 268 51865 1216872000 false 1222635780 1223870400 34 3325 14487 110 300065 1223870400 2008-10-13 Tue Nov 18 11:13:17 -0600 2008 110-s3325 S.3325 The Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act of 2008 NayNay 9 236 52431 Tue Sep 16 21:04:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 23:05:58 -0500 2008 5004 true 189 599 70 0 On Passage: H R 6899 Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Tue Sep 16 21:21:10 -0500 2008 house h 311 52431 1221451200 false 1221617040 1221710400 39 6899 3715 110 400331 1221710400 2008-09-18 Tue Nov 18 11:02:13 -0600 2008 110-h6899 H.R.6899 Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act AbstainAye 12 264 52866 Fri Sep 26 17:41:00 -0500 2008 true Mon Oct 27 22:21:39 -0500 2008 5070 true 158 660 93 0 On Passage: H R 7110 Making supplemental appropriations for job creation and preservation, infrastructure investment, and economic and energy assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Fri Sep 26 17:52:22 -0500 2008 house h 176 52866 1222401600 false 1222468860 1226898000 31 7110 9401 110 400300 1226898000 2008-11-17 Tue Nov 18 11:02:47 -0600 2008 110-h7110 H.R.7110 Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008 NayAye 0 240 60845 Sat Nov 07 21:20:00 -0600 2009 false Tue Nov 10 12:33:17 -0600 2009 6342 true 194 884 726 1 On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 1 to H R 3962 true 1/2 Agreed to On Agreeing to the Amendment Sat Nov 07 21:55:38 -0600 2009 house h 565 6 60845 1256788800 true 1257653760 1258347600 438 3962 99811 This is the House health care bill that was <a href="http://www.opencongress.org/roll_call/show/6343">approved</a> by the House of Representatives on Nov. 7, 2009. Broadly, it seeks to expand health care coverage to the approximately 40 million Americans who are currently uninsured by lowering the cost of health care and making the system more efficient. To that end, it includes a new government-run insurance plan (a.k.a. a <a href="http://www.opencongress.org/articles/view/1174--What-is-the-Public-Option-">public option</a>) to compete with the private companies, a requirement that all Americans have health insurance, a ban on denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition and, to pay for it all, a surtax on individuals with incomes above $500,000.<br><br> 111 400110 1258347600 2009-11-16 Tue Nov 17 05:35:53 -0600 2009 111-h3962 H.R.3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act AyeNay 4 315 39427 Wed Jan 10 16:10:00 -0600 2007 true 3525 116 18 91 0 On Passage: H R 2 Fair Minimum Wage Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 07:23:44 -0500 2007 house h 651 39427 1167973200 false 0 1170367200 1170306000 84 2 8656 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 NayAye 8 253 39479 Thu Jan 11 14:11:00 -0600 2007 true 2671 174 20 80 0 On Passage: H R 3 Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 07:25:01 -0500 2007 house h 467 39479 1167973200 false 0 1168546260 1168578000 30 3 2715 A bill to allow the use of human embryonic stem cells for any research approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 110 400101

1/11/2007--Passed House without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo, provided such embryos: (1) have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics; (2) were created for the purposes of fertility treatment; (3) were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment and would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded (as determined in consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment); and (4) were donated by such individuals with written informed consent and without any financial or other inducements. Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue final guidelines to carry out this Act within 60 days; and (2) submit annual reports on activities and research conducted under this Act.<br/>

1168578000 2007-01-12 Thu Nov 06 18:31:40 -0600 2008 NayAye 10 255 39490 Fri Jan 12 13:22:00 -0600 2007 true 3063 170 23 114 0 On Passage: H R 4 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 07:26:51 -0500 2007 house h 433 39490 1167973200 false 0 1168629720 1172638800 53 4 6103 110 400110

1/12/2007--Passed House without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)<br/>Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers the prices that may be charged to prescription drug plan sponsors and Medicare Advantage organizations for covered part D drugs for part D eligible individuals enrolled under a prescription drug plan or under a Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MA-PD) plan.<br/>

1172638800 2007-02-28 Thu Nov 06 18:31:43 -0600 2008 AyeAye 48 256 39516 Thu Jun 07 16:08:00 -0500 2007 true 4281 128 447 44 0 On Passage: H R 65 Lumbee Recognition Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 11:53:31 -0500 2007 house h 108 39516 1167886800 false 0 1181250480 1215489600 3 65 844 110 400266

7/8/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on June 7, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)<br/>Lumbee Recognition Act - Extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, as designated as petitioner number 65 by the Office of Federal Acknowledgment.<br/>Permits any group of Indians in Robeson and adjoining counties, North Carolina, whose members are not enrolled in the Tribe to petition for acknowledgment of tribal existence. Makes the Tribe and its members eligible for all services and benefits provided to Indians because of their status as members of a federally recognized tribe. Deems, for purposes of delivery of such services, those members of the Tribe residing in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland Counties in North Carolina to be residing on or near an Indian reservation.<br/>Instructs the Secretary to treat fee lands which the Tribe seeks to convey to the United States to be held in trust as &quot;on-reservation&quot; trust acquisitions if such lands are located within Robeson County. Prohibits the Tribe from conducting gaming activities.<br/>Grants the state of North Carolina jurisdiction over all criminal offenses and all civil actions on lands within North Carolina that are owned by or held in trust for the Tribe or any independent Indian community of the Tribe. Authorizes the Secretary to accept any transfer by the state of any portion of the state's jurisdiction of such offenses and actions pursuant to an agreement between the Tribe and the state. Bars such transfer of jurisdiction from taking effect until two years after the effective date of the agreement. Authorizes appropriations.

1215489600 2008-07-08 Thu Nov 06 18:38:55 -0600 2008 NayAye 21 389 39902 Tue Apr 24 16:08:00 -0500 2007 true 3124 22 254 45 0 On Passage: H R 362 To authorize science scholarships for educating mathematics and science teachers, and for other purposes true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:49:11 -0500 2007 house h 311 39902 1168405200 false 0 1177448880 1210046400 15 362 2695 110 400155

4/24/2007--Passed House amended. Title I: Science Scholarships - 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act - (Sec. 103) Requires the National Science Foundation (NSF), in carrying out the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program (formerly, the Robert Noyce Scholarship program), to increase the number of elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers having both exemplary subject knowledge and pedagogical skills by up to 10,000 per year. (Sec. 104) Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (the Act) to revise requirements for the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program, which provides scholarships, stipends, and teacher training to science, mathematics, and engineering students and professionals in exchange for service as elementary or secondary school teachers. Opens the program to all undergraduate students. (Currently, only juniors and seniors may participate.) Requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that receive grants to: (1) provide participants with the academic courses and field teaching experiences necessary for teacher certification or licensing, including summer internships for freshmen students; and (2) include mathematics, science, and engineering faculty in developing and implementing the program. Authorizes IHEs to involve teacher leaders in the development of pedagogical content and the supervision of students in their field teaching experiences. Requires the Director to broadly disseminate information about the grant application process to ensure the participation of a diversity of IHEs. Increases the maximum duration of student scholarships from two to three years, professional stipends from one year to 16 months, and the minimum yearly scholarship amount from $7,500 to $10,000. Eliminates the requirement that scholarship recipients serve in high-need areas, but reduces their service obligation by one year for doing so. Requires the Director to establish for individuals with a service obligation an information clearinghouse on teaching opportunities in high-need LEAs. Authorizes the Director of the NSF to accept private donations for the program. Requires the Director to report to Congress within four years of this Act's enactment on the program's effectiveness. Authorizes appropriations for the program for FY2008-FY2012. Requires the Secretary to establish, under the program, a Special Partnership program that provides competitive grants to IHEs that partner with one or more private nonprofit organizations, local or state governments, and businesses to provide stipends, courses, and support to mathematics, science, and engineering professionals who enroll in an educational program enabling them to obtain teacher certification or licensing within 16 months. Requires selection of stipend recipients primarily on the basis of their content knowledge of science or mathematics as demonstrated on a required test. Requires stipend recipients to complete four years of service as mathematics or science teachers in public secondary schools. Requires partnership members to identify a nonfederal source of salary supplements for stipend recipients fulfilling their service obligation. Title II: Mathematics and Science Education Improvement - (Sec. 201) Revises requirements for the Mathematics and Science Education Partnership program (Partnership program), which provides grants to IHEs or nonprofit institutions for the improvement of elementary and secondary mathematics and science instruction. Requires that IHE grantees enter into partnerships though one or more of their science, engineering, or mathematics departments. Includes IHE faculty, in addition to local educational agencies (LEAs), states, and businesses, among the entities with which IHEs and nonprofit institutions may partner. Adds to the list of grant fund uses: (1) teacher training in the provision of challenging mathematics, science, and technology college preparatory courses, including advanced placement and international baccalaureate courses; (2) laboratory training and support for teachers; (3) model induction programs for teachers in their first two years of teaching; (4) technology, in addition to mathematics and science, in the student enrichment programs which are to include after-school programs and summer camps for female, minority, and disabled students; (5) master's degree programs for in-service teachers; and (6) the development and dissemination of curriculum tools that foster inventiveness and innovation. Requires grantees providing challenging college preparatory courses to encourage companies employing scientists, mathematicians, or engineers to provide mentors to teachers and students. Sets minimum and maximum grant amounts. Requires the Director to provide to Congress: (1) within one year of this Act's enactment, a determination as to which completed partnership projects should be seen as models to be replicated on a more expansive basis; and (2) within four years of this Act's enactment, a summary of partnership evaluations that describes recommended changes to the program. (Sec. 202) Requires the Director to establish a grant program for summer or academic year teacher institutes or workshops authorized under the Partnership program, including teacher training in the provision of challenging mathematics, science, and technology college preparatory courses. Gives grant priority to applicants proposing to attract teachers from certain high-need LEAs. Allows grantees under the Teacher Institutes for the 21st Century program to operate one- to two-week summer teacher institutes. Authorizes FY2008-FY2012 appropriations to: (1) the NSF for the teacher institute or workshop grants; and (2) to the Department of Energy (DOE) for the Laboratory Science Teacher Professional Development program. (Sec. 203) Requires the master's degree programs for in-service mathematics and science teachers under the Partnership program to be designed to allow teachers to enroll as part-time students and earn their degree within three years. Authorizes grantees to use funds for the development and acquisition of educational materials and equipment, and to provide stipends to students that cover their costs of attendance. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for such programs. (Sec. 204) Prohibits anything in this Act from being construed as limiting the authority of states or local school boards to determine the curricula of their students. (Sec. 205) Revises the Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Talent Expansion program to require the Director to issue grants to IHEs for the creation of centers to develop and disseminate curriculum, teaching methods, and ways to better train professors and teacher assistants to increase the number and performance of undergraduate students in such courses. Requires the Director to strive to increase the representation of students from secondary schools that serve a high concentration of low-income families, when providing grants under the Talent Expansion program to increase the number of students studying and completing bachelor's degrees, concentrations, or certificates in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Authorizes appropriations for the Talent Expansion program for FY2008-FY2012, with specified amounts set aside for the centers. (Sec. 206) Redefines a &quot;high-need local educational agency,&quot; for purposes of the Act, as a LEA that is receiving grants under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as a result of serving a high concentration of children from low-income families and experiencing a shortage of highly qualified science, mathematics, or engineering teachers. (Sec. 207) Replaces the term &quot;master teacher&quot; with the term &quot;teacher leader&quot; each time it appears in the Act. (Sec. 208) Requires the Director to establish a Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science research pilot program awarding grants to partnerships between IHEs, high-need LEAs, and businesses or nonprofit organizations to improve laboratories and provide instrumentation as part of a comprehensive effort to improve the quality of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology instruction in secondary schools. Requires such partnerships to include significant teacher training, unless such training is addressed through other means. Limits the federal share of partnership costs to 50%. Requires the Director to report to Congress within five years regarding the program's effect on student performance. Authorizes appropriations for the program for FY2008-FY2011. (Sec. 209) Requires the Director to report to Congress within two years on the extent to which IHEs are donating used laboratory equipment to elementary and secondary schools.<br/>

1210046400 2008-05-06 Thu Nov 06 18:41:48 -0600 2008 NayAye 15 397 39903 Tue Apr 24 18:12:00 -0500 2007 true 3937 20 257 52 0 On Passage: H R 363 Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:51:02 -0500 2007 house h 98 39903 1168405200 false 0 1177456320 1177473600 15 363 2197 110 400155

4/24/2007--Passed House amended. Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act - (Sec. 2) Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to carry out a program of awarding grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education in the United States and at certain research organizations to conduct research in fields relevant to the mission of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Permits the existing Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program to be designated as the mechanism for awarding such grants. Requires: (1) the duration of such awards to be five years; and (2) the amount of such an award per year to be at least $80,000. Instructs such Director: (1) in awarding such grants, to endeavor to ensure that the recipients are from a variety of institutions of higher education and nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organizations; (2) in support of such goal, to broadly disseminate information about when and how to apply for such grants, including by conducting outreach to historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions; and (3) in awarding such grants, to give special consideration to eligible early-career researchers who have followed alternative career paths such as working part-time or in nonacademic settings, or who have taken a significant career break or other leave of absence. Instructs such Director, for FY2008-FY2012, to earmark at least 3.5% of funds appropriated to NSF for research and activities related to such grants program, except to the extent that a sufficient number of meritorious grant applications have not been received for a fiscal year. Requires reports describing the: (1) distribution of the institutions of the awardees of the CAREER Program since FY2001 among specified categories of institutions of higher education; and (2) impact of such program on the ability of young faculty to compete for NSF research grants. (Sec. 3) Requires the Director of the Office of Science of the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out a program of awarding grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at specified institutions of higher education and the research organizations described in this section to conduct research in fields relevant to the mission of the DOE, giving priority to grants to expand domestic energy production and use through coal-to-liquids technology and advanced nuclear reprocessing. Requires: (1) the duration of such awards to be up to five years; and (2) the amount of such an award per year to be at least $80,000. Instructs such Director to give priority to proposals in which the proposed work includes collaborations with DOE national laboratories. Instructs such Director: (1) in awarding such grants, to endeavor to ensure that the recipients are from a variety of institutions of higher education and nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organizations; and (2) in support of such goal, to broadly disseminate information about when and how to apply for such grants, including by conducting outreach to historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 to the Secretary of Energy to carry out such Director's responsibilities under this section. Requires such Director to transmit a report on efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers at the DOE laboratories. (Sec. 4) Requires the Director of the NSF to earmark at least 1.5% of funds appropriated for research and related activities to the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program. Instructs such Director to coordinate with federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, to expand the interdisciplinary nature of such program. Authorizes such Director to accept funds from other federal departments and agencies to carry out such program. (Sec. 5) Directs the President to periodically present the Presidential Innovation Award, on the basis of recommendations received from the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy or on the basis of such other information as the President considers appropriate, to individuals who develop one or more unique scientific or engineering ideas in the national interest. Specifies that such awards shall be made to: (1) stimulate scientific and engineering advances in the national interest; (2) illustrate the linkage between science and engineering and national needs; (3) show the potential of such innovation to substantively enhance the economic competitiveness of the United States through development of commercializable intellectual property; and (4) provide an example to students of the contributions they could make to society by entering the science and engineering profession. Bars an individual from receiving such an award unless at the time such award is made the individual is: (1) a citizen or foreign national of the United States; or (2) is an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who has filed an application for naturalization and is not permanently ineligible to become a U.S. citizen. (Sec. 6) Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a National Coordination Office for Research Infrastructure to: (1) identify and prioritize deficiencies in research facilities and instrumentation in academic institutions and at national laboratories that are available for use by academic researchers; and (2) institute and coordinate the planning by federal agencies for the acquisition and maintenance of research facilities and major instrumentation required to address the deficiencies identified. Instructs such Office, in prioritizing such deficiencies, to consider research needs in areas relevant to the nation's economic competitiveness. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to appoint individuals to serve in such Office from among the principal federal agencies that support research in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering, and at a minimum, to include individuals from the NSF and the DOE. Requires such Director to provide annual reports to Congress at the time of the President's budget proposal: (1) describing the research infrastructure needs identified; (2) listing research facilities projects and budget proposals for major instrumentation acquisitions that are included in the President's budget proposal; and (3) explaining how these projects and acquisitions relate to the deficiencies and priorities arrived at. (Sec. 7) Permits the NSF, in carrying out its research programs on science policy and on the science of learning, to support research on the process of innovation and the teaching of inventiveness. (Sec. 8) Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to transmit a report on efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers at the NIST laboratories and joint institutes. (Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a balanced science program as authorized by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 contributes significantly to innovation in, and the economic competitiveness of, the United States; and (2) a robust National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), funded at authorized levels, would offer a balance among science, aeronautics, exploration, and human space flight programs, all of which can attract and employ scientists, engineers, and technicians across a broad range of fields in science, technology , mathematics, and engineering. Instructs the Administrator of NASA to fully participate in any interagency efforts to promote innovation and economic competitiveness through scientific research and development within authorized spending levels. (Sec. 10) Directs the NSF to establish a program to be known as the Undergraduate Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or US-STEM program, for awarding scholarships to undergraduate scholars in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Specifies the requirements that a student must meet to be eligible for a scholarship under such program, including that the student is a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United States. Provides for scholarship recipients to be selected based on merit and such other criteria as the NSF shall establish. Instructs the NSF to announce awards before April 1 for each upcoming academic year and allows the NSF to make up to 2,500 awards per year. Permits awards to be made for a maximum of two academic years for each student, and requires that scholarship amounts be paid to the student's institution. Requires the Director of the NSF to establish an advisory board, which shall make recommendations to such Director for selection criteria for scholarship recipients, and provide guidance and oversight for such program. Authorizes appropriations to the NSF for FY2009-FY2013 for carrying out such program.<br/>

1177473600 2007-04-25 Thu Nov 06 18:41:52 -0600 2008 NayAye 18 242 39955 Wed Jul 16 18:54:00 -0500 2008 true 4893 175 507 59 0 On Passage: H R 415 To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System false 1/2 Passed On Passage Wed Jul 16 19:24:54 -0500 2008 house h 62 39955 1168491600 false 0 1216252440 1216267200 2 415 1544 110 400140

7/16/2008--Passed House amended. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (the Act) to designate specified segments of the Taunton River in Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Requires the river segments to be managed in accordance with the Taunton River Stewardship Plan, dated July 2005, including any amendment to such Plan, that the Secretary of the Interior determines to be consistent with this Act. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to provide for the protection, preservation, and enhancement of each river segment, to enter into cooperative agreements, which may include provisions for financial and other assistance, with: (1) the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (including the political subdivisions of Massachusetts); (2) the Taunton River Stewardship Council; and (3) any appropriate nonprofit, as determined by the Secretary. Bars the river segments from being: (1) administered as a unit of the National Park System; or (2) subject to the laws (including regulations) that govern the administration of such System.<br/>Considers the zoning ordinances adopted by specified towns and cities, including any provision of the zoning ordinances related to the conservation of floodplains, wetlands, and watercourses associated with any river segment designated by this Act, to satisfy each standard and requirement under the Act regarding the prohibition on the federal acquisition of certain lands by condemnation for inclusion in any national, wild, scenic, or recreational river area. Authorizes the Secretary, respecting each river segment, to only acquire parcels of land by donation or with the owner's consent. Prohibits the acquisition of any parcel by condemnation. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and private industry, to complete a report regarding the energy resources available on the lands and waters included in the segments of the Taunton River designated by this Act. Prohibits anything in this Act from: (1) being construed as affecting the authority or responsibility of Massachusetts to manage or regulate fish and resident wildlife, including the authority to regulate hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational shooting; (2) being construed as limiting access for hunting, fishing, trapping, or recreational shooting; or (3) impacting the supply of domestically-produced energy resources.<br/>

1216267200 2008-07-17 Thu Nov 06 18:42:30 -0600 2008 NayAye 8 356 40012 Wed Jan 17 16:35:00 -0600 2007 true 3477 71 32 78 0 On Passage: H R 5 College Student Relief Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 07:32:20 -0500 2007 house h 289 40012 1168578000 false 0 1169073300 1169069700 30 5 1155 110 400278

1/17/2007--Passed House without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) College Student Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to phase-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. Limits FFEL lender insurance to 95% of the unpaid balance of such loans. (Currently, 97% of a FFEL issued after June 2006 is federally-insured.) Provides for graduated reductions in the percentage of defaulted FFEL loan collections a guaranty agency is allowed to retain until, beginning in October 2010, it is equal to the average rate paid to collection agencies that have contracts with the Secretary of Education. Eliminates exceptional performer status for lenders, servicers, and guaranty agencies, which rewards such entities for high due diligence in FFEL collection. Reduces special allowance payments made to FFEL lenders to compensate them for the difference between FFEL interest rates and market rates. Exempts small lenders from such reduction. Increases the loan fee charged FFEL lenders from .5% to 1% of the principal amount of loans disbursed after June 2007. Prohibits its collection from borrowers. Increases, after June 2007, the rebate fee charged a holder of FFEL consolidated loans, provided that at least 90% of the total principal and accrued unpaid interest outstanding on loans held by such holder are such loans.<br/>

1169010000 2007-01-17 Thu Nov 06 18:31:46 -0600 2008 AyeAye 18 416 40097 Fri Jan 19 10:17:00 -0600 2007 true 3352 0 42 59 0 On Passage: H R 475 House Page Board Revision Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 07:38:28 -0500 2007 house h 33 40097 1168923600 false 0 1169223420 1170392400 3 475 363 110 400216

2/2/2007--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.) House Page Board Revision Act of 2007 - Amends House Resolution 611, 97th Congress, agreed to November 30, 1982, as enacted into permanent law, to increase from one to two the number of Members of the House appointed to the House Page Board by the House minority leader. Requires the one-year (renewable) appointment to the Page Board, jointly by the Speaker and the minority leader, of: (1) one individual who, at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of his or her appointment, is or was a parent of a page participating in the program; and (2) one individual who is a former page of the House, but who is not a Member of the House or the parent of a page. Requires a vacancy in the position held by such Member to be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Requires the individual appointed to fill a vacancy to serve for the remainder of the original term. Permits such individual to be reappointed in accordance with this Act. Authorizes per diem travel payments to such individuals for attending Board meetings away from home or business. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Page Board to meet regularly, in accordance with a schedule established jointly by the Speaker and minority leader.<br/>

1170392400 2007-02-02 Thu Nov 06 18:43:03 -0600 2008 AyeAye 18 261 40151 Wed Oct 24 14:04:00 -0500 2007 true 4053 153 1000 53 0 On Passage: H R 505 Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Wed Oct 24 14:51:07 -0500 2007 house h 114 40151 1169010000 false 1193252640 1193371200 8 505 1484 110 400001

10/24/2007--Passed House without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)<br/>Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 4) Reaffirms that: (1) the United States has a special political and legal relationship with Native Hawaiians; and (2) Native Hawaiians have the right to autonomy in their internal affairs, to self-determination and self-governance, to reorganize a Native Hawaiian governing entity, and to become economically self-sufficient.<br/>(Sec. 5) Establishes the U.S. Office for Native Hawaiian Relations within the Office of the Secretary of the Interior.<br/>(Sec. 6) Establishes the Native Hawaiian Interagency Coordinating Group to: (1) coordinate federal programs and policies that affect Native Hawaiians or federal actions that may significantly or uniquely affect their resources, rights, or lands; (2) consult with the Native Hawaiian governing entity; and (3) ensure the participation of each federal agency in the development of the Group's annual report to Congress.<br/>(Sec. 7) Recognizes the right of the Native Hawaiian people to reorganize the single Native Hawaiian governing entity to provide for their common welfare and to adopt appropriate organic governing documents. Establishes a commission to: (1) prepare and maintain a roll of the adult members of the Native Hawaiian community who elect to participate in such reorganization; and (2) certify that the members proposed for inclusion on the roll meet the definition of Native Hawaiian. Requires the Secretary to dissolve the Commission upon reaffirmation of the special political and legal relationship between the governing entity and the United States.<br/>Outlines the process for such reorganization. Authorizes formation of a Native Hawaiian Interim Governing Council, which may conduct a referendum among the Native Hawaiians listed on the roll to determine the proposed elements of the governing documents.<br/>Reaffirms the special political and legal relationship between the United States and the governing entity upon the Secretary's certification of the governing documents and the election of the entity's officers. Extends federal recognition to the entity as the representative governing body of the Native Hawaiian people. (Sec. 8) Reaffirms the delegation of authority to the state of Hawaii to address the conditions of Native Hawaiians.<br/>Authorizes the United States, upon the reaffirmation of such political and legal relationship, together with the state, to enter into negotiations with the governing entity to lead to an agreement addressing such matters as: (1) the transfer of lands, natural resources, and other assets and the protection of existing rights related to such lands or resources; (2) the exercise of governmental authority over any such land and assets; (3) the exercise of civil and criminal jurisdiction; (4) the delegation of governmental powers and authorities to the governing entity by the United States and the state; (5) any residual responsibilities of the United States and the state; and (6) grievances regarding assertions of historical wrongs committed against Native Hawaiians by the United States or the state.<br/>Authorizes the parties to the negotiations, upon agreement on matters negotiated with the United States, to submit proposed amendments to federal or state law.<br/>Requires any governmental authority or power to be exercised by the governing entity that is currently exercised by the state or federal governments to be exercised by the governing entity only as agreed to in negotiations and beginning on the date on which legislation to implement such agreement has been enacted by Congress or Hawaii. Declares that this Act does not establish authority for the recognition of Native Hawaiian groups other than the governing entity.<br/>(Sec. 9) Prohibits the governing entity and Native Hawaiians from conducting gaming activities as a matter of claimed inherent authority or under the authority of federal law.<br/>Prohibits the Secretary from taking land into trust on behalf of individuals or groups claiming to be Native Hawaiian or on behalf of the governing entity.<br/>Provides that this Act will result in the recognition of the single Native Hawaiian governing entity.<br/>

1193371200 2007-10-26 Thu Nov 06 18:43:26 -0600 2008 NayAye 31 400 40223 Thu Feb 08 16:39:00 -0600 2007 true 3835 3 92 68 0 On Passage: H R 547 Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 08:09:12 -0500 2007 house h 97 40223 1169096400 false 1170974340 1171688400 6 547 432 110 400155

2/8/2007--Passed House amended. Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act - Instructs the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a program of research and development of materials to be added to biofuels to make them more compatible with existing infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels to the point of final sale. Cites problem areas to be addressed, including microbial contamination. Directs the Assistant Administrator to: (1) implement a research, development, demonstration program on portable, low-cost, and accurate methods and technologies for testing sulfur content in fuel, including Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Low Sulfur Diesel; and (2) begin demonstrations of such technologies within a year after enactment of this Act. Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a physical properties database and standard reference materials for biofuels. Authorizes appropriations to EPA to implement this Act.<br/>

1171688400 2007-02-17 Thu Nov 06 18:44:01 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 10 423 40232 Wed Feb 28 13:13:00 -0600 2007 true 3218 0 110 48 0 On Passage: H R 556 The National Security Foreign Investment Reform and Strengthened Transparency Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 08:20:17 -0500 2007 house h 120 40232 1169096400 false 1184184600 1185422400 16 556 1300 110 400251

7/26/2007--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on June 29, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to revise provisions concerning presidential authority to review certain mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers to direct the President, acting through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and upon receiving written notification from any parties to a possible merger, acquisition or takeover proposed or pending after August 23, 1988, which could result in foreign control of any person engaged in interstate commerce (covered transaction), to review such covered transaction to determine its effects on national security. Requires CFIUS to investigate a covered transaction which it determines is a foreign government-controlled transaction. Permits any party to a covered transaction to initiate a review by submitting a written notice of the transaction to CFIUS. Authorizes the President or CFIUS to initiate a review of: (1) any covered transaction; (2) any covered transaction that has been previously reviewed or investigated, if any party submitted false or misleading material information; or (3) any covered transaction that has been previously reviewed or investigated, if any party intentionally materially breaches a mitigation agreement or condition imposed on the transaction. Requires CFIUS to immediately conduct an investigation of the effects of certain covered transactions on national security and to take necessary actions to protect the national security, if a review results in a determination that: (1) the transaction threatens to impair national security and that threat has not been mitigated, or the transaction is a foreign government-controlled transaction; (2) the transaction would result in control of any U.S. critical infrastructure by a foreign person, if CFIUS determines that the transaction could impair national security and that impairment has not been properly mitigated; or (3) the lead agency for each covered transaction recommends, and CFIUS concurs, that an investigation be undertaken. Requires such investigations to be completed within 45 days. Provides that an investigation of a foreign government-controlled transaction or one involving a critical infrastructure will not be required if the Secretary of the Treasury and the head of the lead agency jointly determine that the transaction will not impair national security. Requires the chairperson of CFIUS: (1) to publish in the Federal Register guidance on the types of transactions that CFIUS has reviewed and that have presented national security considerations; and (2) and head of the lead agency to transmit to specified Members of Congress a certified notice and written report concerning each investigation of a covered transaction. Requires the Director of National Intelligence to conduct an analysis of any threat to national security posed by a covered transaction. (Sec. 3) Establishes: (1) CFIUS as a multi-agency statutory committee and revises its membership; and (2) an additional Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to perform CFIUS-related duties. Requires the Secretary to designate a CFIUS member(s) to act as the lead agency or agencies with respect to a covered transaction. (Sec. 4) Adds several factors to be considered by the President in evaluating a covered transaction, including whether the proposed transaction: (1) has national security-related effects on U.S. critical technologies; and (2) is a foreign government-controlled transaction. (Sec. 5) Authorizes CFIUS or a lead agency to enter into agreements with parties to a covered transaction to mitigate any threat to national security. Requires the lead agency to negotiate, modify, monitor, and enforce such agreements. Requires designated agencies to provide periodic reports to CFIUS on the implementation of any agreements or conditions. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the President to suspend or prohibit any covered transaction that threatens to impair national security. (Current law authorizes the President to suspend or prohibit a transaction by or with foreign persons so that their control will not threaten to impair national security.) Requires (under current law, authorizes) the President to consider specified factors (including those added in this Act) when determining whether to suspend or prohibit a covered transaction. (Sec. 7) Requires: (1) upon request, CFIUS to brief certain Members of Congress of covered transactions for which action has concluded; and (2) CFIUS annual reports to Congress after completed investigations. Requires specific report information with respect to possible foreign acquisition of U.S. companies involved in the research, development, or production of critical technologies, as well as possible industrial espionage activities. Requires the Secretary to: (1) annually study foreign direct investments in the United States, especially investments in critical infrastructure and industries affecting national security by foreign governments (or their agents) which comply with any boycott of Israel or do not ban terrorist organizations; and (2) report each study's results to Congress. Directs the Inspector General of the Treasury to: (1) conduct an investigation of each failure of the Department of the Treasury to make any report required by CFIUS; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees on investigation results. (Sec. 8) Requires the certification of information submitted by a party to a covered transaction.<br/>

1185422400 2007-07-26 Thu Nov 06 18:44:17 -0600 2008 AyeAye 8 367 40245 Wed Mar 07 16:20:00 -0600 2007 true 4475 58 125 62 0 On Passage: H R 569 Water Quality Investment Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 08:29:26 -0500 2007 house h 64 40245 1169096400 false 1173306000 1173330000 3 569 713 110 400309

3/7/2007--Passed House amended. Water Quality Investment Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require projects receiving sewer overflow control grant assistance to be carried out subject to the requirements applicable to projects receiving assistance from state water pollution control revolving funds, except to the extent that the governor of the state in which the project is located determines that a revolving fund requirement is inconsistent with the purposes of the sewer overflow control grant program. Authorizes appropriations for sewer overflow control grants through FY2012. Modifies grant funding allocation provisions to reflect new dates of authorization and reauthorized amounts. Eliminates the set-aside for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make direct grants to municipalities and municipal entities during the second year of authorization. Establishes a December 31, 2010, deadline for the Administrator's report to Congress on recommended funding levels for sewer overflow control grants. Prohibits the funds authorized by this Act from being used to lobby governmental entities or officers or to pay for expenses related to memberships in organizations or associations.<br/>

1173330000 2007-03-08 Thu Nov 06 18:44:27 -0600 2008 NayAye 18 277 40284 Thu Apr 26 11:38:00 -0500 2007 true 3642 137 269 65 0 On Passage: H R 249 To restore the prohibition on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros. false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:58:57 -0500 2007 house h 157 40284 1167973200 false 1177605480 1177645020 12 249 843 110 400331

4/26/2007--Passed House without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)<br/>Amends the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to: (1) prohibit the sale or transfer of any free-roaming horse or burro or its remains on U.S. public lands for consideration for processing into commercial products; and (2) repeal provisions permitting the sale of certain excess animals or their remains and excluding from criminal fine or imprisonment a person who processes or permits the processing of such animals' remains.<br/>

1177560000 2007-04-26 Thu Nov 06 18:40:41 -0600 2008 NayAye 6 368 40537 Thu Mar 08 13:45:00 -0600 2007 true 2846 59 130 66 0 On Passage: H R 700 To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the pilot program for alternative water source projects. true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 08:32:29 -0500 2007 house h 81 40537 1170046800 false 1173383100 1173416400 2 700 747 110 412189

3/8/2007--Passed House amended. Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for the pilot program for alternative water source projects. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in making grants under the program, to consider whether a project is located in an area which is served by a public water system serving 10,000 individuals or fewer. Prohibits the funds authorized by this Act from being used to lobby governmental entities or officers or to pay for expenses related to memberships in organizations or associations.<br/>

1173416400 2007-03-09 Thu Nov 06 18:46:24 -0600 2008 NayAye 9 286 40556 Wed Jan 31 14:50:00 -0600 2007 true 3240 140 72 75 0 On Passage: H J RES 20 Further Continuing Appropriations for FY 2007 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 07:56:49 -0500 2007 house hj 153 40556 1170046800 false 1171455000 1171515600 28 20 1029 A funding resolution, totaling $463.5 billion, to fund much of the government (all but the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security) for the remainder of the 2007 fiscal year (FY07), ending September 30, 2007. This is a continuing resolution, a type of bill that generally extends funding for agencies at the same level as the previous year. However, this particular continuing resolution specifies certain changes in funding from the previous year. Notable cuts in funding were made for the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program. Funding increases were made for programs in areas such as health care, education, scientific research, housing, and transportation. The bill aslo eliminates all FY06 funding bill earmarks (specifically allocated funds) in FY07. 110 400300

2/15/2007--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 (Public Law 109-289, division B), as amended by Public Laws 109-369 and 109-383, to extend specified continuing appropriations through FY2007. Division B: Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 - Title I: Full-Year Continuing Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Appropriates amounts at specified levels for continuing operations, projects, or activities, conducted in FY2006, for which appropriations, funds, or other authority would be made available in: (1) the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006; (2) the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2006; (3) the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006; (4) the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006; (5) the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006; (6) the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006; (7) the Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2006; (8) the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006; and (9) the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006. Limits such levels to the amounts appropriated in such appropriations Acts, including transfers and obligation limitations, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 106) Provides funding under this Continuing Resolution through FY2007. (Sec. 110) Provides additional funding for certain accounts for advance payments for the first quarter of FY2008. (Sec. 111) Appropriates additional amounts, for employees whose pay is funded by accounts under this Contiuing Resolution, to fund 50% of any increase in rates of pay which became effective under: (1) annual adjustments to federal pay schedules; (2) locality-based comparability payments; and (3) presidential authority to fix an alternative level of comparability payments. (Sec. 112) Declares that any language specifying an earmark in a committee report or statement of managers accompanying an appropriations Act for FY2006 shall have no legal effect with respect to funds appropriated by this Continuing Resolution. (Sec. 115) Prohibits the percentage salary adjustment scheduled to take effect for 2007 for Members of Congress from taking effect. Title II: Elimination of Earmarks, Adjustments in Funding, and Other Provisions - Chapter I: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies - (Sec. 20101) Sets forth, subject to certain restrictions and requirements, the levels for accounts of the Department of Agriculture for Agriculture, Conservation, and Rural Development Programs, as well as the Rural Housing Service, the Food and Nutrition Service, Foreign Assistance and Related Programs, and the Food and Drug Administration. (Sec. 20117) Rescinds specified amounts of unobligated balances appropriated for: (1) encouragement of exportation and domestic consumption of agricultural products; and (2) employment and training programs under the Food Stamp Act of 1977. (Sec. 20119) Prohibits obligation of, and rescinds, specified funds derived from interest on the cushion of credit payments, as authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. (Sec. 20120) Makes additional appropriations to the Secretary of Agriculture for the costs of loans and loan guarantees under the Rural Development Mission Area, and authorizes certain funds transfers, to ensure that FY2006 program levels are maintained for FY2007. (Sec. 20121) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer certain funds for programs and activities administered under the Farm Service Agency, Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund to maintain, at least, FY2006 program and activities levels. (Sec. 20122) Requires the program level for any loan or loan guarantee program under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 with a negative credit subsidy score for FY2007 to be the program level established pursuant to such Act for FY2006. (Sec. 20123) Requires the Secretary to continue the Water and Waste Systems Direct Loan Program and the loan guarantee programs of the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund under the authority and conditions (including the borrower's interest rate and fees as of FY2006) provided by the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006. (Sec. 20124) Specifies circumstances in which the Secretary shall adjust payment allocations under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to ensure that each institution participating in the nutrition and family education program for low-income areas under the Smith-Lever Act receives a payment of at least $100,000. Chapter 2: Department of Defense - (Sec. 20201) Provides for full-year continuing appropriations for environmental restoration activities of the Department of Defense (DOD). (Sec. 20202) Appropriates additional funding for specified FY2007 military activities, the Defense Health Program, and Research, Development, Test and Evaluation. (Sec. 20203) Subjects such amounts to the terms and conditions set forth in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007 (Public Law 109-289). Chapter 3: Energy and Water Development - (Sec. 20301) Sets forth the levels of specified accounts for the Corps of Engineers-Civil, Department of the Army under the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2006 (the Act in this Chapter). (Sec. 20302) Waives the limitation on total project costs in the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, as amended, during FY2007 for any project that received funds provided in this Continuing Resolution. (Sec. 20303) Waives application of certain restrictions or requirements in the Act to funds appropriated by this Continuing Resolution. (Sec. 20312) Amends the Water Desalination Act of 1996 to extend the authorization of appropriations through FY2011. (Sec. 20313) Sets forth the levels for specified accounts of the Department of Energy, including Energy Supply and Conservation, Departmental Administration, the National Nuclear Security Administration, as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). (Sec. 20318) Prohibits the Secretary of Energy from making any funds available for construction activities for Project 99-D-143, mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility, Savannah River Site, South Carolina, until August 1, 2007. (Sec. 20319) Repeals specified limits of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1993 on the transfer between appropriations of certain funds made available for DOE activities under such Act or subsequent Energy and Water Development Appropriations Acts. (Sec. 20320) Makes appropriaitons for the cost of guaranteed loans under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Limits the total principal amount of commitments to guarantee such loans. Prohibits loan guarantees from being awarded under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 until specified final regulations are issued. Requires: (1) the Secretary of Energy to arrange with an independent auditor for annual evaluations of the loan guarantee program; and (2) the Comptroller General, in addition to the independent audit, to review annually and report to the congressional appropriations committees on the DOE's execution of such program. Requires the Secretary to promulgate final regulations for such loan guarantees within six months of the enactment of this Continuing Resolution. (Sec. 20321) Requires for FY2007 the Administrators of the Southeastern Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and the Western Power Administration, except as otherwise directed by federal law, to use the &quot;yield&quot; rate in computing interest during construction and interest on the unpaid balance of the cost of federal power facilities. Defines &quot;yield rate&quot; as the average yield during the preceding fiscal year on interest-bearing marketable U.S. securities which, at the time of computation, have terms of 15 years or more remaining to maturity. (Sec. 20322) Waives the application of certain authorizations or requirements to funds appropriated by this Continuing Resolution for the Department of Energy, Energy Programs, Nuclear Waste Disposal, as well as Weapons Activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration, and Construction, Rehabilitation, Operation and Maintenance activities of the Western Area Power Administration. (Sec. 20325) Repeals provisions in Title III of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2006: (1) making 20% the nonfederal share of project costs for the Reno Hydrogen Fuel Project; and (2) authorizing the Secretary to provide up to $10 million for the purchase of mineral rights at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site. (Sec. 20326) Extends through FY2007 specified federal law relating to the Appalachian regional development. Chapter 4: Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs - (Sec. 20401) Sets the levels of specified Bilateral Economic Assistance accounts, including certain rescissions. (Sec. 20410) Amends the Inter-American Development Bank Act (22 U.S.C. 283-283z-10) to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to make a specified contribution to the first replenishment of the resources of the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund. (Sec. 20411) Applies to FY2007 a specified authorization of appropriations for U.S. contributions to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Trust Fund. (Sec. 20412) Waives compliance with certain United Nations sanctions against Iraq with respect to funds and authorities provided under this Continuing Resolution. Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 to extend through FY2007 its requirements for visas for aliens with a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. (Sec. 20413) Directs the President to notify Congress of each foreign country and international organization to which the U.S. government intends to provide any portion of the funds appropriated by this Continuing Resolution. Requires such notification to compare amounts, by category of assistance, provided or intended to be provided from funds appropriated for FY2006 and FY2007 for each such country and international organization. (Sec. 20414) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006, with respect to Bilateral Economic Assistance appropriations for the U.S. Agency for International Development for the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund, to switch the $70 million allotment for The Vaccine Fund to The GAVI Fund. (Sec. 20415) Applies to FY2007 the authorization of appropriations for cancellation of all amounts owed to the United States (or any U.S. agency) by any country eligible for debt reduction as a result of certain loans made or credits extended before June 20, 1999. Chapter 5: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies - (Sec. 20501) Sets forth the levels of specified accounts, subject to certain requirements and restrictions, of the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Bureau of Land Management (BLM); (2) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); (3) the National Park Service (NPS); (4) the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); (5) the Bureau of Indian Affairs; (6) the Minerals Management Service; and also (7) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Sec. 20504) Rescinds the contract authority provided for FY2007 under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. (Sec. 20508) Waives certain requirements for the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture. (Sec. 20509) Sets forth the levels of specified accounts, subject to certain restrictions, for the Forest Service. (Sec. 20512) Sets forth the levels of specified accounts, subject to certain restrictions, for the Indian Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Smithsonian Institution. (Sec. 20514) Denies additional funding for FY2007 for the Memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr. or a specified grant to Kendall County, Illinois. (Sec. 20516) Continues in effect for the 2006-2007 winter use season the NPS final rules for managing winter visitation and recreational use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway. (Sec. 20517) Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 to require renewal of nonrenewable grazing permits authorized by the Jarbidge Field Office of the BLM within the past ten years. (Sec. 20519) Requires transfer to the U.S. Forest Service, Wildland Fire Management, of specified funds made available by the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005 for construction of a wildfire management training facility in San Bernardino County, California, to be available for hazardous fuels reduction, hazard mitigation, and rehabilitation activities of the Forest Service. (Sec. 20520) Amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 to extend through FY2007 the authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to permit the State Forester of Utah to perform forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services on National Forest System lands in Utah. (Sec. 20521) Prohibits the use of any funds by the Department of the Interior, in relation to any proposal to store water for 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. Chapter 6: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies - (Sec. 20601) Sets forth the levels of specified accounts, including certain restrictions, for the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Employment Standards Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Departmental Management, Veterans Employment and Training, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Programs and the Veterans Workforce Investment Programs, and the Office of the Inspector General. Specifies job training grants to be awarded competitively. (Sec. 20610) Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to revise requirements attached to the transfer to states of any federal equity acquired in real property through grants to states for unemployment compensation administration or Wagner-Peyser Act grants related to the U.S. Employment Service. (Sec. 20611) Sets forth the levels of specified accounts, including certain restrictions and rescissions, for the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Aging, Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. (Sec. 20623) Extends through parts of FY2007 the prohibition against withholding substance abuse funding from a state pursuant to the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 20624) Exempts application to from funds appropriated by this Continuing Resolution a certain restriction and specified waiver authority contained in the Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2006. (Sec. 20625) Sets forth the levels of specified accounts, including certain restrictions, for the Department of Education for Education for the Disadvantaged, School Improvement Programs, Innovation and Improvement, Safe Schools and Citizenship Education, Special Education, Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research, Special Institutions for Persons With Disabilities (National Technical Institute for the Deaf), Student Financial Assistance, Student Aid Administration, Higher Education, and Departmental Management (Program Administration) (Sec. 20633) Makes $4,310 the maximum Pell Grant for which a student shall be eligible during award year 2007-2008. (Sec. 20637) Exempts this Continuing Resolution from the requirement of the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2006 for an additional appropriation to carry out the Pell Grant program in order to eliminate an estimated accumulated shortfall of FY2006 budget authority. (Sec. 20638) Sets forth the levels of specified accounts, including certain restrictions, for the Corporation for National and Community Service, including a specified amount for establishment of a VISTA Advance Payments Revolving Fund. (Sec. 20642) Requires funds appropriated to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission under the Medicare Improvements and Extension Act of 2006 to be used for such purpose. (Sec. 20643) Sets forth the level of specified accounts for the Railroad Retirement Board and the Social Security Administration. Chapter 7: Legislative Branch - (Sec. 20701) Sets forth the levels of accounts for the Senate, Contingent Expenses of the Senate, Senators' Official Personnel, and Office Expense Account. (Sec. 20702) Sets forth the level for the House of Representatives, Salaries and Expenses account. Enacts into law the following sections of H.R. 5521, 109th Congress, as passed by the House on June 7, 2006: (1) Sec. 103 (authorizing an Acting Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in the event of the CAO's death, resignation, separation from office, or disability); and (2) Sec. 107 (making positions under the House Press Gallery, the House Periodical Press Gallery, and the House Radio and Television Correspondents' Gallery responsible to provide media support services with respect to the presidential nominating conventions). (Sec. 20703) Sets forth the levels of accounts for the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office and the Capitol Police. Requires the cost of basic training for the Capitol Police at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for FY2007 to be paid by the Secretary of Homeland Security from funds available to the Department of Homeland Security. Sets forth the levels of accounts for the Architect of the Capitol and the Library of Congress. Rescinds specified amounts of unobligated balances available to the Library of Congress for: (1) the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program; (2) furniture and furnishings; and (3) an Integrated Library System. Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005 (Public Law 109-13) to repeal certain changes to membership of the Joint Committee on the Library and the Board of Trustees of the Open World Leadership Center (OWLC). Restores prior law, as if it had not been amended, to reseat the chair of the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch of the Committee on Appropriations of the House (or his or her designee) on both the Joint Committee and the OWLC Board, and remove the chair of the House Committee on Appropriations (or his or her designee) from membership on both entities. Sets forth the level for the Government Printing Office, Government Printing Office Revolving Fund account. Increases the maximum amount of: (1) rental payments received by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) from the leasing of space in in its Building others that may be available for use in FY2006; and (2) of reimbursements received by the Comptroller General from federal corporations for GAO audits that may be available for use in FY2006. Chapter 8: Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs - (Sec. 20801) Sets forth revised levels for amounts authorized under the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (MCAAFY2007), Division B of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, and the Military Quality of Life, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2006, subject to certain restrictions, with respect to: (1) certain military construction accounts; (2) certain accounts within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); (3) salaries and expenses of the American Battle Monuments Commission; (4) the Foreign Currency Fluctuations Account; and (5) salaries and expenses of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. (Sec. 20805) Rescinds specified funds under prior military construction appropriations Acts. (Sec. 20814) Amends MCAAFY2007 to revise the list of authorized Army construction and land acquisition projects for inside the United States. Chapter 9: Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies - (Sec. 20901) Establishes funding levels, subject to certain requirements and restrictions, for the Department of Justice for FY2007 for: (1) general administration, including for information sharing technology, narrowband communications, and salaries and expenses for the Federal Detention Trustee and the Office of Inspector General; (2) the U.S. Patrol Commission; (3) the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission; (4) the U.S. Marshals Service; (5) the Asset Forfeiture Fund; (6) the Drug Enforcement Administration; (7) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; (8) the Federal Prison System; (9) Office of Justice Programs, including the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program; (10) the Antitrust Division; (11) the U.S. Trustee System Fund; (12) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (13) the National Security Division; (14) U.S. Attorneys; (15) Administrative Review and Appeal; and (16) general legal activities. Specifies certain uses and limits on, or prohibitions against, the use of funds appropriated by this Act. (Sec. 20911) Establishes funding levels, subject to certain requirements and restrictions, for the Department of Commerce for FY 2007 for: (1) the Bureau of the Census; (2) Technology Administration; (3) the National Institute of Standards and Technology; (4) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and (5) U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Rescinds unobligated balances available to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. (Sec. 20915) Establishes funding levels, subject to certain requirements and restrictions, for FY2007 for: (1) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (2) the National Science Foundation; (3) the Antitrust Modernization Commission; (4) the Legal Services Corporation; and (5) the Small Business Administration. Rescinds unobligated balances for salaries and expenses and the Business and Disaster Loans Program Accounts in the Small Business Administration. Prohibits the use of funds to implement any reduction in force or other involuntary separations (except for cause) by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration prior to September 30, 2007. (Sec. 20919) Rescinds unobligated balances for certain Department of Justice programs, including: (1) the Working Capital Fund; (2) the Telecommunications Carrier Compliance Fund; (3) the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund; (4) the Assets Forfeiture Fund; and (5) Office of Justice Programs. (Sec. 20942) Establishes funding levels, subject to certain requirements and restrictions, for the Department of State for FY2007 for: (1) Administration of Foreign Affairs; (2) Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities; (3) International Broadcasting Operations; and (4) the Commission on International Religious Freedom. (Sec. 20946) Extends through calendar 2007 the prohibition on the use of funds to change Federal Communication Commission rules relating to universal service support payments. Chapter 10: Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies - (Sec. 21001) Makes certain funds available for agency facility improvements and associated administrative costs of the Department of Transportation (DOT). (Sec. 21002) Extends through FY2007: (1) authority of the Secretary of Transportation to provide aviation insurance and reinsurance; and (2) limitations on air carrier liability for third party claims arising out of acts of terrorism. (Sec. 21003) Rescinds certain funds made available under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 to compensate air carriers for direct and incremental losses incurred in connection with the attacks of September 11, 2001. (Sec. 21004) Denies funds for activities or reimbursements to fixed-based general aviation operators and the providers of general aviation ground support services at specified Washington, D.C., area air fields for direct and incremental financial losses incurred by them solely due to federal government actions following the September 11, 2001, attacks. (Sec. 21005) Sets forth levels for specified accounts of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Highway Administration. (Sec. 21009) Rescinds certain funds authorized for FY2007 and prior years for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning and programs. (Sec. 21011) Declares that certain restrictions and authorities under the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 shall not apply to FY2007. (Sec. 21013) Sets the level for the limitation on obligations and transfer of contract authority for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Operations and Research (Highway Trust Fund), subject to certain fund reductions and other requirements. (Sec. 21014) Rescinds specified federal-aid highway funds apportioned to each state. (Sec. 21015) Sets the level for certain accounts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Maritime Administration, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, the DOT Office of Inspector General, and the National Transportation Safety Board. (Sec. 21020) Denies certain appropriations for Alaska Railroad Rehabilitation. (Sec. 21024) Requires allocation, at the discretion of the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, of certain funds to carry out specified new fixed guideway capital projects under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFE-TEA). (Sec. 21027) Rescinds certain unobligated balances for ship construction of the Maritime Administration and for the National Transportation Safety Board. (Sec. 21033) Sets forth, subject to certain restrictions, the levels of certain accounts of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for Public and Indian Housing, Community Planning and Development, the Federal Housing Administration, Policy Development and Research, Research and Technology, and the Office of Lead Hazard Control. (Sec. 21043) Amends the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 to extend the mark-to-market program through FY2011. (Sec. 21044) Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development through FY2007 to insure and enter into commitments to insure mortgages under the National Housing Act. (Sec. 21045) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to extend assistance to public housing agencies through FY2007. (Sec. 21048) Sets forth the levels of accounts for the Department of the Treasury for Departmental Offices and the Internal Revenue Service. (Sec. 21054) Sets forth the levels of accounts for the Judiciary, including Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services, and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. (Sec. 21056) Amends the Judicial Improvements Act of 1990 to require the first vacancy in the office of district judge in the district of Kansas to be filled with a temporary judgeship. Declares that the first vacancy occurring 16 years or more after the confirmation date of the judge named to fill such temporary judgeship shall not be filled. (Sec. 21057) Sets forth the levels of accounts for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) (Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center). (Sec. 21058) Requires the structure of any of ONDCP offices or components to remain as they were on October 1, 2006. Prohibits the use of any funds under this Continuing Resolution to implement a reorganization of offices within the ONDCP without the explicit approval of the congressional appropriations committees. (Sec. 21059) Extends through FY2008 the availability of funds under this Continuing Resolution for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) (Federal Drug Control Programs). Directs the ONDCP to submit by certain deadlines to the congressional appropriations committees a plan for the initial HIDTA allocation funding and the discretionary HIDTA funding. (Sec. 21060) Sets forth the levels of accounts for the Election Assistance Commission and the General Services Administration (GSA), including new obligational authority for GSA. (Sec. 21062) Declares that, notwithstanding GSA Order ADM 5440 of December 21, 2006, the Office of Governmentwide Policy and the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs shall continue to exist and operate separately. Prohibits the use of any funds to establish or operate an Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs and Governmentwide Policy, or any such combination, without the explicit approval of the congressional appropriations committees. (Sec. 21063) Prohibits the obligation of any of funds under this Continuing Resolution for the Coast Guard consolidation and development of St. Elizabeths campus in the District of Columbia. (Sec. 21064) Sets forth the levels of accounts for the Merit Systems Protection Board and the National Archives and Records Administration. (Sec. 21068) Extends through FY 2007 the six executive agency franchise fund pilot programs established by the Office of Management and Budget. (Sec. 21069) Authorizes appropriations for FY2007 for the Office of Government Ethics. (Sec. 21070) Sets forth the levels of accounts for the Office of Personnel Management, the Office of Special Counsel, the U.S. Postal Service, and for the Federal Payments to: (1) the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (DC); (2) the DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer; (3) DC Emergency Planning and Security Costs; and (4) Defender Services in DC Courts. (Sec. 21073) Requires that any appropriation or funds made available to DC for the Federal Payment for School Improvement for public charter school credit enhancement and direct loans remain available until expended. Denies the availability of funds under this Continuing Resolution for the Federal Payments to DC for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program or Marriage Development and Improvement, both otherwise provided for in the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2006. Amends the 2005 District of Columbia Omnibus Authorization Act to postpone the effective date of the requirement that the DC Chief Financial Officer (CFO) carry out procurement for the CFO Office through a procurement office or division operating independently of, and not governed by, the Office of Contracting and Procurement. (Sec. 21074) States that a certain amount provided for Other Federal Drug Control Programs shall not be required as a directed grant to the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America for the National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute. Provides such amount, instead, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, for training, technical assistance, evaluation, research, and capacity building for coalitions. (Sec. 21076) Prohibits the appropriation or availability of funds under this Continuing Resolution for the Air Transportation Stabilization Program Account or the Treasury Building and Annex Repair and Restoration account of the Department of the Treasury. (Sec. 21077) Declares that specified minimum amounts made available to the Internal Revenue Service under the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 for regular and enhanced tax enforcement shall not apply for purposes of this Continuing Resolution. (Sec. 21078) Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to charge and collect fees for attending or otherwise participating in a conference it sponsors. Chapter 11: Department of Homeland Security - (Sec. 21101) Requires the transfer to the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), of specified amounts from unobligated balances currently available to TSA and other specified accounts, in order to liquidate obligations incurred against funds appropriated in FY2002 and FY2003. Prohibits TSA from utilizing any unobligated balances from the screener partnership program, the explosive detection system purchase program, the explosive detection system installation program, the checkpoint support program, aviation regulation and other enforcement programs, the air cargo program, the air cargo research and development program, and operation integration. Requires specified amounts of the funds so transferred to come from the Secure Flight Program, the Immediate Office of the Deputy Secretary, the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Office of Public Affairs, and the MAX-HR Human Resource System.<br/>

1171515600 2007-02-15 Thu Nov 06 18:30:44 -0600 2008 AbstainNay 22 303 40574 Fri Mar 09 13:18:00 -0600 2007 true 4021 108 135 58 0 On Passage: H R 720 Water Quality Financing Act of 2007 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 08:35:33 -0500 2007 house h 125 40574 1170133200 false 1173467880 1174276800 16 720 1786 110 400299

3/9/2007--Passed House amended. Water Quality Financing Act of 2007 - Title I: Technical and Management Assistance - (Sec. 101) Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (popularly known as the Clean Water Act [CWA]) to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants to nonprofit organizations to provide: (1) technical assistance to rural and small municipalities for grants from the Water Pollution Control Revolving Loan Funds; (2) technical assistance and training for rural and small publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and decentralized wastewater systems to enable them to protect water quality and comply with the CWA; and (3) information to rural and small municipalities and municipalities that meet a state's affordability criteria with respect to planning, design, construction, and operation of POTWs and decentralized wastewater treatment systems.<br/>Authorizes annual appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for grants for: (1) research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution; and (2) financial and technical assistance for communities. Directs that at least 20% of the funding appropriated be used for such financial and technical assistance grants. Requires the Administrator to make available a specified amount to support an EPA clearinghouse that collects and disseminates information on small flows of sewage and innovative or alternative wastewater treatment processes and techniques. Requires the Administrator to establish procedures to promote competition and openness in the award of grants to nonprofit organizations.<br/>(Sec. 102) Authorizes annual appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for state water pollution control grants. (Sec. 103) Includes among the types of pilot projects for which the Administrator is authorized to provide technical assistance and grants for treatment works to carry out projects relating to: (1) stormwater best management practices that control pollutants from municipal separate storm sewer systems and use innovative technologies to manage, reduce, treat, or reuse stormwater, including low-impact technologies; (2) efforts of municipalities and property owners to demonstrate cooperative ways to address nonpoint sources of pollution to reduce adverse impacts on water quality; and (3) development of an integrated water resource plan for the coordinated management and protection of surface water, groundwater, and stormwater resources on a watershed or subwatershed basis. Authorizes annual appropriations through FY2012 for watershed pilot projects. Title II: Construction of Treatment Works - (Sec. 201) Provides that a community seeking financial assistance from the state revolving fund (SRF) for the replacement or major rehabilitation of a sewage collection system existing on January 1, 2007, or for the construction of a new system shall be eligible for such assistance provided that: (1) the replacement and rehabilitation of the existing collection system or the new collection system is to address an existing adverse environmental condition; and (2) otherwise meets the requirements of the CWA.<br/>(Sec. 202) Amends the definition of &quot;treatment works&quot; to include the acquisition of lands and interests in land that are necessary for construction. Title III: State Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds - (Sec. 302) Adds conditions for states to follow in order to be eligible for capitalization grants for their revolving funds, including directing states to: (1) comply with federal accounting standards governing the reporting of infrastructure assets; (2) require loan applicants to evaluate innovative and alternative processes, materials, techniques, and technologies for carrying out water infrastructure projects and to select projects that may result in greater environmental benefits; (3) require loan applicants to consider the costs and effectiveness of other design, management, and financing approaches for carrying out the project; (4) use at least 15% of their annual capitalization grants received after September 30, 2007, to assist municipalities serving fewer than 10,000 individuals that meet the state's affordability criteria; and (5) require the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates to be paid to workers involved in the construction of treatment works carried out with state assistance from the SRF or federal capitalization grants.<br/>(Sec. 303) Expands the types of projects and activities eligible for assistance through SRFs to include: (1) the implementation of lake protection projects under the Clean Lakes Program; (2) the repair or replacement of decentralized wastewater treatment systems that treat domestic sewage; (3) measures to manage, reduce, treat, or reuse municipal stormwater runoff; (4) measures to reduce the demand for POTW capacity through water conservation, efficiency, or reuse; (5) increased security measures at POTWs; and (6) the development and implementation of watershed pilot projects. Authorizes states to extend the repayment period for an SRF loan from the current limit of 20 years to the lesser of 30 years or the design life of the project to be financed with the proceeds.<br/>Requires, as a condition of eligibility for a loan from the SRF, that the loan recipient develop and implement a fiscal sustainability plan for any portion of the treatment works proposed for repair, replacement, or expansion. Sets forth the elements that must be included in such a plan.<br/>Authorizes states to use: (1) either 4% of the capitalization grant (current law), $400,000 a year, or up to one-fifth of 1% of the total valuation of the SRF, whichever amount is greatest, for administrative expenses, plus any fees collected for such purposes; (2) up to 2% of the capitalization grant to provide owners and operators of treatment works that serve 10,000 individuals or fewer with technical and planning assistance and assistance in financial management, user fee analysis, budgeting, capital improvement planning, facility operation and maintenance, equipment replacement, repair schedules, and other activities to improve wastewater treatment plant management and operations; and (3) provide additional subsidization, including forgiveness of principal and negative interest loans to benefit specified municipalities or to implement an innovative or alternative process, material, technique, or technology (including low-impact technologies, nonstructural protection of surface waters, a new or improved method of waste treatment, and nutrient pollutant trading) that may result in greater environmental benefits.<br/>Requires states to establish affordability criteria on or before September 30, 2008, to assist in identifying municipalities that would experience a significant hardship raising the revenue necessary to finance the construction of POTWs. Authorizes: (1) states to use the criteria in previously established affordability criteria that meet specified requirements; (2) the Administrator to publish information to assist states in establishing affordability criteria; and (3) states to give priority to a project by local and state governments for the construction of a POTW if the recipient of the funds meets a state's affordability criteria.<br/>Requires states to use 25% of any increases in a federal capitalization grant allotted to a state in fiscal years where the Administrator has more than $1 billion in funds available to provide additional subsidization for projects identified in the state's intended use plan. Limits the total amount of additional subsidization a state may provide to 30% of the total amount of capitalization grants received by the state.<br/>(Sec. 304) Preserves the current SRF allotment formula for capitalization grants for the first $1.35 billion of any future fiscal year appropriation. Increases the amount a state may reserve for water quality management planning and state continuing planning processes from the current limit of 1% of such annual grants to 2%. Requires the Administrator, after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment, to publish an allotment formula based on water quality needs in accordance with the most recent survey of needs.<br/>(Sec. 305) Requires states, after providing for public comment, to establish: (1) a list of SRF projects and activities that gives priority to projects that achieve the greatest degree of water quality improvement; and (2) a methodology for prioritizing such projects and activities that takes into consideration whether water quality improvements would be realized without SRF assistance and whether the projects and activities would address water quality impairments associated with existing treatment works. Sets forth considerations that states shall consider in determining which projects and activities will achieve the greatest degree of water quality improvement. Authorizes states to: (1) consider the cumulative water quality improvements associated with projects or activities for categories of nonpoint sources of pollution; and (2) use previously developed methodologies that meet applicable requirements. Requires a state's annual intended use plan to include an explanation of why a state does not fund projects in the order established by its priority list.<br/>(Sec. 306) Requires states, as part of their existing reporting requirements to EPA, to include a list of eligible purposes for which assistance is provided under the SRF.<br/>(Sec. 307) Requires the Administrator: (1) to assist states in establishing simplified procedures for treatment works to obtain SRF assistance; (2) after providing for public comment, to publish a manual to assist treatment works in obtaining such assistance; and (3) at the request of any state and after providing for public comment, to assist in the development of criteria for a state to determine compliance with the conditions of funding assistance.<br/>(Sec. 308) Authorizes appropriations for the capitalization of SRFs for FY2008-FY2011.<br/>Title IV: General Provisions - (Sec 402) Increases the authorized set-aside from SRF funding for serving Indian tribes from the current amount of one-half of 1% to not more than 1.5% of the total federal appropriation for the capitalization of SRFs.<br/>Title V: Studies - (Sec. 501) Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on: (1) the funding mechanisms and sources available to establish a Clean Water Trust Fund, including an analysis of potential sources that can be efficiently collected, are broad based, are related to water quality, and that support the annual funding levels authorized; and (2) the funding mechanisms and sources potentially available for wastewater infrastructure and other water pollution control activities under the Clean Water Act, including an analysis of funding and investment mechanisms and revenue sources from other potential supplemental or alternative sources that could be used to fund such activities.<br/>(Sec. 503) Requires the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the government of Canada, to study the condition of wastewater treatment facilities that discharge into the Great Lakes. Directs the Administrator to: (1) determine the effect that such facilities have on Great Lakes water quality; and (2) develop recommendations to improve water quality monitoring by the operators of such facilities, to establish a protocol for information sharing between the countries, and to promote cooperation between the countries to prevent the discharge of untreated and undertreated waste.<br/>Title VI: Tonnage Duties - (Sec. 601) Changes the tonnage duty on specified vessels entering or returning to a U.S. port from 2 cents per ton to: (1) 4.5 cents per ton (but not more than a total of 22.5 cents per ton per year) for FY2006-FY2007; (2) 9 cents per ton (but not more than a total of 45 cents per ton per year) for FY2008-FY2017; and (3) 2 cents per ton (but not more than a total of 10 cents per ton per year) for each fiscal year thereafter. Changes the higher rate of duties imposed on specified vessels at U.S. entry ports from a foreign port from 6 cents per ton to: (1) 13.5 cents per ton (but not more than a total of 67.5 cents per ton per year) for FY2006-FY2007; (2) 27 cents per ton (but not more than a total of $1.35 per ton per year) for fiscal years 2008 through 2017, and (3) 6 cents per ton (but not more than a total of 30 cents per ton per year) for each fiscal year thereafter.<br/>Title VII: Secure Maritime and Vessel Workforce - (Sec. 701) Prohibits individuals who have been issued transportation worker identification cards from boarding a maritime vessel if the individual has been convicted, or found not guilty by reason of insanity, in a civilian or military jurisdiction of any of the following felonies: (1) espionage; (2) sedition; (3) treason; (4) terrorism; (5) a crime involving a transportation security incident; (6) improper transportation of a hazardous material; (7) unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, manufacture, purchase, receipt, transfer, shipping, transporting, import, export, storage of, or dealing in an explosive or incendiary device, explosive materials, or a destructive device; (8) murder; (9) conspiring or attempting to commit any of such crimes; and (10) specified violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act or a comparable state law.<br/>

1174276800 2007-03-19 Thu Nov 06 18:46:38 -0600 2008 NayAye 10 272 40818 Wed Mar 28 12:28:00 -0500 2007 true 2924 150 205 51 1 On Passage: H R 835 Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:18:50 -0500 2007 house h 46 40818 1170738000 false 1175102880 1190779200 4 835 699 110 400001

9/26/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment, 2nd committee reporting. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)<br/>Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act of 2007 - Amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 and the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to extend through FY2012 the authorization of appropriations for housing assistance for Native Americans and loan guarantees for Native Hawaiian housing.<br/>Amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 to: (1) make the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands of the state of Hawaii eligible for loan guarantees; and (2) extend through FY2012 the authorization of appropriations for the credit subsidy to cover the costs of federal guarantees for financing for tribal housing activities.<br/>

1190779200 2007-09-26 Thu Nov 06 18:48:05 -0600 2008 NayAye 8 331 40964 Wed Mar 14 17:08:00 -0500 2007 true 2606 94 153 71 0 On Passage: H R 985 Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 08:46:39 -0500 2007 house h 185 40964 1171256400 false 1173910080 1181102400 10 985 2561 110 400425

3/14/2007--Passed House amended. Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Expands the types of whistleblower disclosures protected from personnel reprisals to include disclosures without restriction as to time, place, form, motive, context, forum, or prior disclosures made to any person by an employee or applicant for employment, including a disclosure made in the ordinary course of an employee's duties, that the employee or applicant reasonably believes is a violation of any law. (Sec. 3) Defines &quot;disclosure&quot; as a formal or informal communication, not including a communication concerning policy decisions that lawfully exercise discretionary authority unless the employee providing the disclosure reasonably believes that it evidences: (1) any violation of law; or (2) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. Defines &quot;clear and convincing evidence&quot; as evidence indicating that the matter to be proved is highly probable or reasonably certain, for purposes of Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) reviews of prohibited personnel practices.<br/>(Sec. 4) Provides that any presumption relating to the performance of a duty by an employee with personnel authority may be rebutted by substantial evidence. Codifies the legal standard (i.e., disinterested observer with knowledge of the essential facts) for determining whether an employee or applicant for employment has a reasonable belief of the validity of their whistleblower disclosures. (Sec. 5) Includes as a prohibited personnel practice the implementation or enforcement of any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement.<br/>Prohibits any agency from: (1) implementing or enforcing any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement if it does not contain a specified statement of employee rights and obligations; or (2) conducting an investigation (other than that necessary to the agency's mission) of an employee or applicant for employment because of any protected whistleblower activity. (Sec. 6) Includes as an agency exempt from whistleblower restrictions the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Requires the removal of any agency or unit by the President from whistleblower protection coverage to be made before any personnel action is taken against a whistleblower at that agency.<br/>(Sec. 7) Expands the authority of the MSPB to discipline an employee who takes adverse personnel action against a whistleblower if it finds that the protected activity was the primary motivating factor in such employee's action.<br/>(Sec. 8) Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study on certain security clearance revocations and to report to Congress on such study.<br/>(Sec. 9) Allows an employee, former employee, or applicant for employment who seeks corrective action from the MSPB for an alleged prohibited personnel practice to bring legal action in federal district court for de novo review and seek a jury trial, if the MSPB fails to issue a timely final order or decision.<br/>Allows the MSPB to award interest and reasonable expert witness fees as compensatory damages. (Sec. 10) Prohibits adverse personnel actions against an employee of a covered national security agency (i.e., Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office, and any other executive branch agency determined by the President to have as its principal function the conduct of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities) for making whistleblower disclosures to an authorized Member of Congress or executive branch official or to the Inspector General of the covered agency that employs the whistleblower. Requires: (1) the Inspector General to investigate any claim of adverse personnel actions against an employee of a covered agency; and (2) the head of such agency to make a determination of whether a prohibited personnel practice has taken place and take corrective action. Authorizes a whistleblower to seek judicial review of an adverse determination by an agency head.<br/>(Sec. 11) Requires the head of a civilian executive agency, within 180 days of an employee complaint, to determine whether a private contractor has subjected an employee whistleblower to a reprisal and to either issue an order denying relief or take corrective action. Allows such employee whistleblower to request a jury trial in a federal district court and seek compensatory damages if the agency head does not issue an order or take corrective action.<br/>(Sec. 12) Extends federal whistleblower protections to individuals holding or applying for a position in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). (Sec. 13) Modifies the definition of &quot;abuse of authority&quot; with respect to prohibited personnel practices against a whistleblower relating to scientific and other research to include: (1) any action that compromises the validity or accuracy of federally funded research or analysis; (2) the dissemination of false or misleading scientific, medical, or technical information; (3) any action that restricts or prevents publication of scientific material; and (4) any action that discriminates for or against any employee or applicant on the basis of religion (as defined in this Act). (Sec. 14) Makes the provisions of this Act effective 30 days after enactment (except for TSA employee whistleblower provisions which are effective immediately upon enactment).<br/>

1181102400 2007-06-06 Thu Nov 06 19:01:12 -0600 2008 AyeAye 7 253 40965 Tue Jul 31 13:33:00 -0500 2007 true 3423 172 767 38 0 On Passage: H R 986 Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 15:17:36 -0500 2007 house h 49 40965 1171256400 false 1185906780 1186113600 3 986 457 110 412193

7/31/2007--Passed House amended. (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on July 31, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate as a component of the national wild and scenic rivers system (the system) certain segments of the main stem and specified tributaries of the Eightmile River, Connecticut. Declares that such segments shall be managed in accordance with the Eightmile River Watershed Management Plan and such amendments as the Secretary of the Interior determines are consistent with this Act. Deems the Plan to satisfy the requirements for a comprehensive management plan required under the Act. Instructs the Secretary to coordinate management responsibilities regarding the Eightmile River with the Eightmile Coordinating Committee, as specified in the Plan. Allows the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements for administration and for assistance, advice, and cooperation to plan, protect, and manage river resources with the state of Connecticut, the towns of Salem, Lyme, and East Haddam, and appropriate local planning and environmental organizations. Requires the agreements to be consistent with the Plan and allows provisions for federal assistance. Prohibits the Eightmile River from being administered as part of the National Park System or being subject to related regulations.<br/>Deems: (1) the zoning ordinances adopted by the towns, in effect as of December 8, 2005, to satisfy the standards and requirements under the Act regarding the prohibition on federal acquisition of lands by condemnation for inclusion in any wild, scenic, or recreational river area; and (2) such towns to be &quot;villages&quot; for such purposes. Limits the authority of the Secretary to acquire lands for purposes of the Act to acquisition by donation or acquisition with the owner's consent and subjects it to the additional criteria set forth in the Plan. Recognizes specified tributaries of the Eightmile River watershed as integral to the protection and enhancement of the river and watershed. Authorizes appropriations.<br/>

1186113600 2007-08-03 Thu Nov 06 19:01:25 -0600 2008 NayAye 14 268 41172 Wed May 23 15:46:00 -0500 2007 true 2702 150 409 47 0 On Passage: H R 1100 Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Boundary Revision Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 11:28:41 -0500 2007 house h 40 41172 1171515600 false 1179953160 1213156800 1100 524 110 412225

9/17/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 17, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Boundary Revision Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire from willing sellers by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange not more than 110 acres of certain land, water, or interests in land and water to be added to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. Permits the Secretary, in order to preserve the historic character and landscape of the Site, to also acquire up to five acres of land for the development of a visitor center and visitor parking area adjacent to or in the vicinity of the Site. Instructs the Secretary, upon the acquisition of any land or interest in land under this Act, to revise the boundary of the Site to reflect the acquisition. Requires any land added to the Site by this Act to be administered as part of the Site in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.<br/>

1213156800 2008-06-11 Thu Nov 06 19:15:06 -0600 2008 NayAye 30 269 41518 Fri Apr 20 11:05:00 -0500 2007 true 3648 134 244 62 0 On Passage: H R 1257 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:42:57 -0500 2007 house h 151 41518 1172725200 false 1177085100 1177300800 29 1257 1088 110 400140

4/20/2007--Passed House amended. Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require a proxy, consent, or authorization for a shareholder meeting occurring on or after January 1, 2009, to permit a separate shareholder vote to approve executive compensation. States that such shareholder vote shall not be binding on the corporation or board of directors, nor construed: (1) as overruling a board decision; (2) to create or imply additional fiduciary duty by such board; (3) to restrict or limit shareholder ability to make proposals for inclusion in proxy materials related to executive compensation. Requires proxy solicitation material for a shareholder meeting occurring on or after January 1, 2009, concerning disposition of substantially all of an issuer's assets, to disclose compensation agreements or understandings with principal executive officers of either the issuer, or acquiring issuer, regarding (golden parachute) compensation which: (1) relates to such disposition; and (2) has not been subject to a shareholder vote. Provides that proxy solicitation material containing such executive compensation disclosures shall require a separate shareholder vote to approve such agreements or understandings. States such a shareholder vote shall not be binding on the corporation or the board of directors, nor construed: (1) as overruling a board decision; (2) to create or imply additional fiduciary duty by such board; (3) to constrain shareholder ability to make proposals for inclusion in proxy materials related to executive compensation.<br/>

1177300800 2007-04-23 Thu Nov 06 19:34:56 -0600 2008 NayAye 20 345 41547 Thu Jul 10 14:37:00 -0500 2008 true 4858 69 484 45 0 On Passage: H R 1286 Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Jul 10 15:06:39 -0500 2008 house h 74 41547 1172725200 false 1215718620 1215715020 1286 931 110 400178

7/10/2008--Passed House amended. Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act - Amends the National Trails System Act to designate a corridor of approximately 600 miles following the route taken by the armies of General George Washington and Count Rochambeau between Newport, Rhode Island, and Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781 and 1782, as the &quot;Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail.&quot; Requires the Trail to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with: (1) other federal, state, tribal, and local agencies; and (2) the private sector.<br/>Prohibits the United States from acquiring for the Trail any land or interest in land: (1) outside the exterior boundary of any federally-managed area without the owner's consent; and (2) acquired from a state or local government if that land was acquired by such government through eminent domain. Prohibits anything in this Act from affecting: (1) the development, production, conveyance, and transmission of energy; (2) state management, control, and regulation of fish and resident wildlife; and (3) access for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and private industry, to submit a report which: (1) contains a description of the energy resources available on such land and report on the amount of energy withdrawn from possible development; and (2) identifies the oil, natural gas, geothermal, wind, and solar energy that could be commercially produced, the annual available biomass for energy production, and any hydropower resources available, including tidal, dams, and in-stream flow turbines, and any impact on electricity transmission.

1215662400 2008-07-10 Thu Nov 06 19:38:39 -0600 2008 NayAye 7 380 41660 Wed Apr 25 17:06:00 -0500 2007 true 3199 45 263 59 0 On Passage: H R 1332 Small Business Lending Improvements Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:54:47 -0500 2007 house h 63 41660 1173157200 false 1177538760 1177992000 6 1332 696 110 400631

4/25/2007--Passed House amended. Small Business Lending Improvements Act of 2007 - Title I: 7(A) Program - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act relating to the 7(a) (business start-up loan) program to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to offset (contribute to) borrower and lender fees associated with 7(a) loans when funds are made available to the SBA for such contributions. Requires the quarterly adjustment of any contributions made. (Sec. 102) Directs the Administrator to carry out a rural lending outreach program to provide up to an 85 percent guaranty for loans of $250,000 or less made by lenders to small businesses in rural areas. Requires the SBA to approve or decline such loan within 36 hours. (Sec. 103) Directs the Administrator to carry out a permanent Community Express Program (currently a pilot program) for loans of $250,000 or less to small businesses: (1) whose majority ownership is held by women, members of qualified Indian tribes, socially or economically disadvantaged individuals, veterans, or members of the reserves; or (2) located in a low- or moderate-income area. Requires the SBA to approve or decline such loans within 36 hours. (Sec. 104) Requires the Administrator to carry out a Medical Professionals in Designated Shortage Areas Program to provide loans to small businesses that provide medical, dental, or psychiatric services and are located in a health professional shortage area (as defined under the Public Health Service Act). Directs the SBA to guarantee 90 percent of such loan, and reduces by half the borrower and lender fees. (Sec. 105) Directs the Administrator to carry out an Increased Veteran Participation Program to small businesses whose majority ownership is held by veterans or members of the reserves. Directs the SBA to guarantee 90 percent of such loan, and eliminates the borrower and lender fees. (Sec. 106) Directs the Administrator to establish, and permit a lender making a 7(a) loan to use, an alternative size standard (such as business net worth and average net income) for determining loan eligibility. (Sec. 107) Requires the Administrator to carry out a program to provide support to regional SBA offices in assisting small business lenders who do not participate in the SBA's preferred lender program to participate in the 7(a) program. Title II: Certified Development Company Economic Development Loan Program - (Sec. 201) Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (SBIA) to designate the financing program authorized under title IV of the SBIA as the Certified Development Company Economic Development Loan Program. (Sec. 203) Provides eligibility requirements for designation as a certified development company (CDC) under the SBIA, including: (1) less than 500 employees; (2) a purpose of fostering economic development to create and preserve jobs and stimulate private investment; (3) nonprofit status; (4) in good standing with all local laws; (5) full-time professional management and staff; (6) a specific area of operations; and (7) ethical requirements, including conflict of interest standards. (Sec. 204) Defines a &quot;rural area&quot; for SBIA purposes as any area other than a city or town with a population greater than 50,000 and the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such city or town. (Sec. 205) Includes as an SBIA public policy goal the expansion of businesses in low-income communities that would be eligible for new market tax credit investments under the Internal Revenue Code. (Sec. 206) Allows the ownership interest of two or more owners to be combined to determine whether a small business is at least 51 percent owned by minorities, women, or veterans in order to qualify for assistance as a group listed in the public policy goals. (Sec. 207) Permits an SBIA borrower to refinance a limited amount of existing indebtedness that was not previously guaranteed by the SBA. (Sec. 208) Allows SBIA borrowers to provide more than the required amount of equity and to use the excess equity to reduce the amount of the first mortgage loan up to, but not less than, the amount of the SBA-guaranteed portion of the loan. (Sec. 209) Requires any CDC which does not foreclose and liquidate defaulted loans under the SBIA to contract with a qualified third party to do so. Directs the SBA to reimburse a CDC for expenses paid in connection with such foreclosure and liquidation activities if such expenses were either approved in advance or were reasonable and appropriate. (Sec. 210) Allows SBIA borrowers to include loan and debenture closing costs, other than borrower's attorney fees, in the debenture. (Sec. 211) Allows a borrower to obtain maximum SBIA financing and also obtain a 7(a) loan in the maximum amount permitted under that program. (Sec. 212) Authorizes SBIA loans for projects which: (1) reduce energy consumption by at least ten percent; or (2) increase the use of design to produce buildings that reduce the use of non-renewable resources, minimize environmental impact, and relate with the natural environment. Makes such projects eligible for the $4 million debenture under the CDC Economic Development Loan Program. (Sec. 214) Extends through FY2008 the period during which CDCs will be permitted to: (1) base their loan loss reserves on the outstanding balance of debentures; and (2) use an alternative risk-based methodology to calculate such reserves.<br/>

1177992000 2007-05-01 Thu Nov 06 19:44:13 -0600 2008 NayAye 9 247 41666 Thu Jul 31 18:33:00 -0500 2008 true 4953 178 556 80 0 On Passage: H R 1338 Paycheck Fairness Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Jul 31 19:25:00 -0500 2008 house h 202 41666 1173157200 false 1217547180 1217563200 18 1338 5159 110 400103

3/6/2007--Introduced.<br/>Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for and enforcement of prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages to: (1) add nonretaliation requirements; (2) increase penalties; and (3) authorize the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for negotiation skills training programs for girls and women. Directs the Secretaries of Labor and Education to issue regulations or policy guidance to integrate such training into certain programs under their Departments. Directs the Secretary to provide for certain studies, information, national summit, and guidelines, awards, and assistance for employer evaluations of job categories based on objective criteria. Establishes the Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require the EEOC to collect certain pay information. Directs: (1) the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to collect data on woman workers in the Current Employment Statistics survey; (2) the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to use specified types of methods in investigating compensation discrimination and in enforcing pay equity; and (3) the Secretary to make accurate information on compensation discrimination readily available to the public.<br/>

1217563200 2008-08-01 Thu Nov 06 19:44:59 -0600 2008 NayAye 8 267 41689 Wed Apr 18 15:55:00 -0500 2007 true 3583 158 225 74 0 On Passage: H R 1361 Relief for Entrepreneurs: Coordination of Objectives and Values for Effective Recovery Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:31:18 -0500 2007 house h 50 41689 1173157200 false 1176929700 1186113600 1 1361 711 110 400416

4/18/2007--Passed House amended. Relief for Entrepreneurs: Coordination of Objectives and Values for Effective Recovery Act of 2007 or RECOVER Act - Title I: Planning - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive written disaster plan, which shall include, among other things, a description of disasters most likely to occur in each SBA region as well as an assessment of the needs to respond to each disaster. Requires the plan to be: (1) completed within 180 days after enactment of this Act; and (2) updated annually and following any incident of national significance (significant incident). Directs the Administrator to report to the congressional small business committees with respect to each update. (Sec. 102) Directs the Administrator to: (1) conduct a disaster simulation exercise at least once each fiscal year; and (2) report to the small business committees with respect to each exercise. (Sec. 103) Requires: (1) the Administrator to maintain a disaster reserve corps of at least 1,000 individuals to perform functions related to disaster response; (2) each such individual to be appropriately trained; and (3) the Administrator to report to the small business committees with respect to the corps. (Sec. 104) Directs the Administrator to: (1) develop long-term plans to secure additional office space to accommodate an expanded workforce in times of disaster; and (2) report such plans to the small business committees. (Sec. 105) Requires the Administrator to ensure that SBA disaster programs are coordinated, to the maximum extent practicable, with the disaster assistance programs of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Requires a report from the Administrator to the small business committees concerning SBA regulations to ensure that each application for SBA disaster assistance is submitted to the SBA as quickly as practicable or directed to the appropriate agency. (Sec. 106) Establishes in the SBA an Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance to: (1) develop and implement the SBA's plans for disaster response; and (2) direct the SBA's training exercises with respect to disasters. Establishes a Director for Disaster Lending to direct all aspects of the SBA's disaster lending program. Title II: Lending - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) provide disaster loans to certain private nonprofit organizations with respect to a significant incident; (2) make or guarantee a mitigation loan to a small business for damage or destruction due to a significant incident; and (3) provide or make such loans for FY2006 with respect to a nonprofit or small business located, as of August 28, 2005, in an area affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, or Wilma. (Sec. 202) Directs the Administrator to: (1) develop, implement, and maintain a centralized information system to track communications between SBA personnel and applicants for disaster assistance; and (2) ensure that each applicant receives follow-up communications from the SBA at all critical stages of the application process. (Sec. 203) Requires the Administrator to carry out an Immediate Disaster Assistance program under which the SBA participates on a deferred basis in 85% of the balance of financing of a loan less than or equal to $25,000 for a business affected by a disaster. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the Administrator, in making disaster mitigation loans, to provide to the recipient an option to defer loan repayment for up to four years. Prohibits the Administrator from requiring repayment until 12 months after the final loan disbursement is made. (Sec. 206) Provides a process for the SBA disbursement of disaster mitigation loans, with separate processes for loans: (1) of up to $150,000; (2) from $150,000 to $500,000; and (3) greater than $500,000. (Sec. 207) Prohibits the Administrator, in making a business disaster mitigation loan of $100,000 or less, from requiring the borrower to use the borrower's home as collateral. (Sec. 208) Authorizes the Administrator to carry out a program to permit banks and other financial institutions to process, approve, close, and service disaster loans for a fee of up to 2% of the total loan amount. Allows such program during any period: (1) of a significant incident; or (2) which the average time for the SBA to approve disaster loans in response to any single disaster is 30 days or more. (Sec. 209) Directs the Administrator to ensure that SBA has in place a facility for disaster loan processing that, whenever the SBA's primary processing facility becomes unavailable, is able to take over such processing within two days. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 210) Authorizes the Administrator to make grants of up to $100,000 to small businesses located in disaster areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, or Wilma that experienced specified housing and/or infrastructure losses, upon such businesses' certification to reestablish in the same areas. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 211) Authorizes the Administrator to carry out a program under which the Administrator makes grants to individuals who: (1) are victims of a declared disaster; (2) receive disaster assistance because of that disaster; (3) receive disaster benefits other than the SBA assistance; and (4) are required to remit those benefits to the SBA because of a duplication of benefits. Permits grants to be up to the amount required to be remitted by the individual. (Sec. 212) Increases from $1.5 million to $3 million the maximum disaster loan limit for individual borrowers. (Sec. 213) Prohibits the Administrator, in making disaster loans, from requiring the borrower to pay any non-amortized amount for the first five years after repayment begins. (Sec. 214) Authorizes the Administrator to make economic injury disaster loans to private nonprofit organizations. (Sec. 215) Allows the $3 million maximum disaster loan limit to be waived in the case of applicants that will constitute a major source of employment due to changed economic circumstances. (Sec. 216) Increases from 90 days to one year after an essential employee of a small business is released or discharged from active duty after required military service the period during which the affected small business may apply for economic injury assistance due to such employee's absence. Allows the Administrator, when appropriate, to waive such limit and provide a later ending date. Directs the Administrator to establish a process under which such a business may file a preliminary application for such assistance before the date on which the employee is ordered to active duty. (Sec. 217) Authorizes the Administrator to provide economic injury disaster loans under circumstances caused by ice storms and blizzards. (Sec. 218) Requires a report from the Administrator to the small business committees concerning the SBA's ability to provide disaster loans to small businesses that depend on high snowfall and sustain economic injury due to a lack of snowfall. (Sec. 219) Authorizes the Administrator to carry out a program to refinance Gulf Coast disaster loans by providing an option to defer loan repayment by up to four years after the original loan disbursement was made. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Oversight - (Sec. 301) Requires, 45 days after the end of each fiscal year, a report from the Administrator to the small business committees on SBA disaster assistance operations for that fiscal year. Requires, during the period of a significant incident, the Administrator to report, on a monthly basis, on SBA disaster assistance operations with respect to that incident.<br/>

1186113600 2007-08-03 Thu Nov 06 19:48:00 -0600 2008 NayAye 13 347 41690 Thu Mar 15 13:27:00 -0500 2007 true 4020 73 156 79 0 On Passage: H R 1362 Accountability in Contracting Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 08:48:29 -0500 2007 house h 102 41690 1173157200 false 1173983220 1174017360 18 1362 1341 110 400425

3/15/2007--Passed House amended. Accountability in Contracting Act - Title I: Improving the Quality of Contracts - (Sec. 101) Requires the revision of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) within one year after the enactment of this Act to restrict the contract period of certain noncompetitive federal contracts in excess of $1 million to the minimum contract period necessary to: (1) meet the urgent and compelling requirements of the work to be performed under such contract; and (2) enter into another contract through the use of competitive procedures. Requires FAR to limit noncompetitive contract periods to not more than one year unless the head of the executive agency concerned determines that the government would be seriously injured by the limitation on the contract period. (Sec. 102) Requires certain executive agency heads (including the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) who award contracts in a total amount of at least $1 billion to develop and implement plans to minimize the use of noncompetitive contracts. Requires such plans to contain measurable goals and to be submitted to specified oversight and other committees of Congress and the Comptroller General. Requires the Comptroller General to review and report to Congress on such plans. Exempts certain contracts entered into under the Small Business Act and other small business programs for HUBZone small business concerns and disabled veterans.<br/>(Sec. 103) Requires certain executive agency heads (including the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) who award contracts in a total amount of at least $1 billion to develop and implement plans to maximize the use of fixed-price type contracts for the procurement of goods and services. Requires such plans to contain measurable goals and to be submitted to specified oversight and other committees of Congress and the Comptroller General. Requires the Comptroller General to review and report to Congress on such plans. Title II: Increasing Contract Oversight - (Sec. 201) Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require executive agency heads (including Defense Department agency heads) to make publicly available (on the website of the agency and through the Federal Procurement Data System) certain justification and approval documents for using noncompetitive contract procedures within 14 days after the award of a contract. Requires public disclosure of such documents for contracts awarded on the basis of urgent and compelling needs within 30 days of a contract award. (Sec. 202) Requires the head of each federal agency and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to submit to specified congressional committees quarterly reports on audits of contractor costs and performance.<br/>(Sec. 203) Requires the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy to: (1) conduct a study of the composition, scope, and functions of the government-wide acquisition workforce and develop a comprehensive definition of such workforce; and (2) report to specified congressional committees on such study with recommendations.<br/>(Sec. 204) Makes permanent the authority for the acquisition workforce training fund.<br/>(Sec. 205) Requires a federal agency that intends to award a noncompetitive contract to a foreign-owned company based in a country that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism to notify specified congressional committees at least 30 days before awarding such contract.<br/>(Sec. 206) Prohibits an executive agency from awarding a contract to an institution of higher education that has a policy or practice that prohibits or prevents access to its students for the purpose of military recruiting. Exempts educational institutions that have a longstanding policy of pacifism based on historical religious affiliation.<br/>Title III: Promoting Integrity in Contracting - (Sec. 301) Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to: (1) prohibit former federal officials from accepting compensation from contractors as lawyers or lobbyists; (2) allow former federal officials to accept compensation from any division or affiliate of a contractor that does not produce the same or similar products or services if a designated ethics officer determines that the acceptance of such compensation would not damage public confidence in the integrity of the procurement process; (3) require federal procurement officers to disclose job offers made to their relatives; (4) prohibit federal employees who are former employees of a federal contractor from being personally and substantially involved with any award of a contract to their former employer, or in the administration of such contract at a senior personnel level, for one year after the federal employee leaves the employment of the contractor unless a waiver is granted; and (5) require the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to promulgate regulations to enforce these requirements and monitor and investigate individual and agency compliance.<br/>(Sec. 302) Requires the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to submit a report to Congress, , with the Director's recommendations, on requiring government contractors that advise federal agencies on procurement policy and federally funded research and development centers to comply with restrictions on personal financial interests.<br/>

1173931200 2007-03-15 Thu Nov 06 19:48:10 -0600 2008 AyeAye 9 299 41729 Tue Mar 27 18:33:00 -0500 2007 true 3414 124 201 57 1 On Passage: H R 1401 Rail and Public Transportation Security Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:16:19 -0500 2007 house h 148 41729 1173330000 false 1175038380 1186113600 14 1401 1086 110 400402

3/27/2007--Passed House amended. Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 - Title I: Rail and Public Transportation Security - (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and implement a plan entitled the National Strategy for Rail and Public Transportation Security.<br/>(Sec. 102) Requires the Secretary to assign each railroad carrier, public transportation operator, or over-the-road bus private operator (covered transportation) to a certain risk-based tier.<br/>(Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to issue regulations that: (1) require each provider of covered transportation assigned to a high- or medium-risk tier to assess their vulnerability to terrorism and to implement, subject to approval of the Secretary, a security plan that addresses certain security performance requirements; (2) establish standards for such assessments and plans; and (3) establish a security program for providers of covered transportation not assigned to a high- or medium-risk tier.<br/>Imposes civil and criminal penalties for failure to comply with the requirements of this Act.<br/>Requires the periodic review of vulnerability assessments and security plans by each provider of covered transportation.<br/>Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the feasibility of implementing named-based checks against terrorist watch lists for all National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) passengers.<br/>(Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to develop, and submit to Congress, an information sharing plan to develop strategic intelligence on threats and vulnerabilities to covered transportation for dissemination to federal, state, and local agencies, tribal governments, and appropriate stakeholders.<br/>(Sec. 105) Requires the Secretary to establish a program to make grants to providers of covered transportation with completed vulnerability assessments and approved security plans for certain security improvements. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2011.<br/>(Sec. 108) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2011 to the Secretary to make grants to Amtrak for certain fire and life-safety improvements to tunnels on the Northeast Corridor.<br/>(Sec. 109) Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop training programs to prepare covered transportation workers (including front-line employees) for potential threat conditions; and (2) establish a security exercises program for such workers and other named entities to respond to acts of terrorism. Requires each provider of covered transportation to: (1) develop, and submit for approval by the Secretary, a security training program; and (2) complete, not later than one year after approval, the training of all covered workers.<br/>(Sec. 111) Requires the Secretary to carry out a research and development (R&amp;amp;D) program to improve the security of covered transportation. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2011.<br/>(Sec. 112) Sets forth: (1) certain whistleblower protections for DHS, Department of Transportation (DOT), and covered transportation employees (including contractors and subcontractors) who have provided information or otherwise assisted in any investigation regarding certain conduct, or who have refused to violate or assist in the violation of any regulation, related to covered transportation security; and (2) criminal penalties for persons who violate such requirements. Directs the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on the enforcement of such requirements.<br/>(Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary to increase the total number of full-time DHS surface transportation security inspectors to at least 600 by December 31, 2010.<br/>(Sec. 114) Establishes in DHS a National Domestic Preparedness Consortium. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2011.<br/>(Sec. 115) Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), to develop Visible Intermodal Protection Response (VIPR) teams to augment security for any mode of transportation at any location within the United States. (Sec. 116) Establishes a National Transportation Security Center of Excellence at an institution of higher education to conduct research and education activities, and develop or provide professional security training (including training of rail and public transportation employees), with emphasis on the use of intelligent transportation systems, technologies, and architectures.<br/>(Sec. 117) Provides that any statutory limitation on the number of TSA employees shall not apply to employees carrying out this Act.<br/>(Sec. 118) Requires all security-related grants distributed under this Act to be administered on the basis of risk.<br/>(Sec. 119) Directs the Secretary to implement a threat assessment screening program for covered transportation employees (including contractors and subcontractors).<br/>(Sec. 120) Requires each provider of covered transportation to provide an adequate redress process for its employees (including contractors and subcontractors) who are adversely affected by background checks performed by the provider.<br/>(Sec. 121) Establishes a task force to review lists of crimes that disqualify individuals from certain transportation-related employment under TSA regulations and to assess whether such lists are accurate indicators of a terrorism security risk.<br/>(Sec. 122) Sets forth civil penalties for violations of regulations and orders of the Secretary.<br/>(Sec. 123) Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a threat assessment of a terrorist attack on the Nation's school bus transportation system.<br/>(Sec. 124) Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to require certain enhanced security measures for shipments of security sensitive materials.<br/>(Sec. 125) Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology and the Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, to establish national voluntary consensus standards for the testing and use of technologies to improve the security of covered transportation. Directs the Secretary to utilize the Technology Clearinghouse to identify, acquire, and deploy technology and training for use by federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, emergency response providers, providers of covered transportation, shippers of hazardous materials, and others to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism on covered transportation.<br/>(Sec. 126) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Transportation to jointly assess likely methods of deliberate attacks against rail tank cars used to transport toxic-inhalation-hazard materials, including the degree to which such methods may be successful in causing death, injury, or serious adverse effects to human health, the environment, or public welfare. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on such assessment.<br/>Requires the Secretary, acting through the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center, to conduct air dispersion modeling analysis of a release of such materials from a rail tank car in an urban area. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress detailing conclusions and findings with respect to such analysis.<br/>(Sec. 127) Directs the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to evaluate prototype systems (including spectroscopic technologies) to detect nuclear or radiological materials on the rails. Requires, upon completion of such evaluation, the Office, in coordination with Customs and Border Protection and the TSA, to ensure that certain protocols are established and a deployment strategy is developed to detect such materials arriving by rail. Requires, not later than September 30, 2008, the Office to report to Congress on such evaluation and strategy.<br/>(Sec. 128) Requires recipients of grants for purchase of security plan technologies to give preference to qualified anti-terrorism technologies and technologies that are eligible for liability protections.<br/>(Sec. 130) Requires the Secretary with respect to the screening of in-bound rail shipments to the United States for terrorists or weapons of mass destruction to: (1) deploy, where practicable, non-intrusive inspection imaging equipment at locations where rail shipments cross an international border to enter the United States; or (2) implement alternative procedures to screen such rail shipments at locations where deployment of such equipment is not practicable.<br/>(Sec. 131) Directs the Secretary, in carrying out the threat assessment screening program for covered transportation employees (including contractors and subcontractors), to require high-risk tier providers of covered transportation to submit the names of their employees to the Secretary to conduct checks against terrorist watchlists and immigration status databases.<br/>(Sec. 132) Directs the Comptroller General to conduct, and submit to Congress, an annual review regarding the administration and use of grants awarded under this Act.<br/>(Sec. 133) Makes the Secretary the principal federal official responsible for transportation security. Delineates the roles and responsibilities of DHS and the Department of Transportation (DOT) in carrying out the requirements of this Act.<br/>(Sec. 134) Directs the Secretary to assess, and report the results to Congress on, the safety and security vulnerabilities of placing high voltage electric transmission lines along active railroad rights-of-way.<br/>(Sec. 135) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of, and report to Congress on, foreign rail security practices, including the feasibility of implementing such practices in the United States.<br/>(Sec. 136) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to coordinate with state and local governments to minimize the need to transport toxic inhalation hazardous materials by rail.<br/>(Sec. 137) Grants immunity from civil liability to persons who report threats to or acts of terrorism against transportation systems or passengers.<br/>Title II: Secure Transportation Through Increased Use of Canine Detection Teams - (Sec. 201) Requires the Secretary to encourage, and coordinate with owners and providers of covered transportation to encourage, the deployment of canine detection teams at high-risk transportation systems at an increase of not less than ten percent of such teams at high-risk rail and mass transit systems for each fiscal year for FY2008-FY2012.<br/>(Sec. 202) Authorizes the TSA's National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program to train up to an additional 100 canine detection teams per year, with at least a specified number of additional teams trained for each fiscal year for FY2008-FY2012. Requires detection teams to be deployed at covered transportation systems across the country. Directs the Administrator of TSA to report to Congress on personnel and resources needed to fulfill such requirements. Authorizes appropriations.<br/>(Sec. 203) Requires the TSA Puppy Program to increase the number of domestically bred canines to meet the increase in demand for canine detection teams. Directs the Administrator of TSA to report to Congress on personnel and resources needed to fulfill such requirements. Authorizes appropriations.<br/>

1186113600 2007-08-03 Thu Nov 06 19:52:54 -0600 2008 NayAye 13 268 41853 Wed Mar 05 19:03:00 -0600 2008 true 3467 148 101 62 0 On Passage: H R 1424 Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Wed Mar 05 19:21:48 -0600 2008 house h 1285 41853 1173416400 false 1223054520 1223051220 236 1424 48621 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

10/3/2008--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on October 1, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)<br/>Division A: Emergency Economic Stabilization - Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 - Title I: Troubled Assets Relief Program - (Sec. 101) Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to establish the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to purchase troubled assets from any financial institution, in accordance with terms, conditions, policies, and procedures the Secretary develops.<br/>Directs the Secretary to establish within the Office of Domestic Finance of the Department of the Treasury an Office of Financial Stability, through which TARP shall be implemented.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate financial institutions as financial agents of the federal government; and (2) establish vehicles to purchase, hold, and sell troubled assets and issue obligations.<br/>Directs the Secretary to prevent unjust enrichment of participating financial institutions, including any sale of a troubled asset (with certain exceptions) to the Secretary at a price higher than what the seller paid to purchase the asset. Exempts from this requirement any troubled assets acquired in a merger or acquisition, or a purchase of assets from a financial institution that is either under conservatorship or receivership, or that has initiated bankruptcy proceedings.<br/>(Sec. 102) Requires the Secretary, if TARP is established, to establish also a program to guarantee troubled assets originated or issued before March 14, 2008, including mortgage-backed securities.<br/>Establishes the Troubled Assets Insurance Financing Fund for deposit of premiums collected from participating financial institutions in order to fund such guarantee program.<br/>(Sec. 104) Establishes the Financial Stability Oversight Board to review and report to Congress on the authorities created under this Act and their effect in assisting American families in preserving home ownership, stabilizing financial markets, and protecting taxpayers.<br/>(Sec. 105) Requires the Secretary to report periodically to Congress regarding: (1) transactions (tranche reports); (2) purchases; (3) liabilities; and (4) the status of regulatory oversight over financial markets.<br/>(Sec. 106) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into financial transactions regarding any troubled asset purchased under this Act. Requires deposit into the Treasury of all revenues and proceeds from the sale of troubled assets.<br/>(Sec. 107) Authorizes the Secretary to waive specific provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation if urgent and compelling circumstances make compliance with them contrary to the public interest. Requires submission of such a waiver, and its justification, to certain congressional oversight committees.<br/>Requires the Secretary, in any solicitation or contract containing such a waiver, to develop and implement standards and procedures to ensure the inclusion and utilization of minorities and women, and minority- and women-owned businesses, in that solicitation or contract, including contracts to asset managers, servicers, property managers, and other service providers or expert consultants.<br/>Makes the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) eligible for, and requires its consideration in, the selection of asset managers for residential mortgage loans and residential mortgage-backed securities. Requires the Secretary to reimburse the FDIC for any services rendered.<br/>(Sec. 108) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations or guidelines to address and manage or to prohibit conflicts-of-interest that may arise in connection with the administration and execution of the authorities under this Act.<br/>(Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary, to the extent that he or she acquires mortgages, mortgage-backed securities, and other assets secured by residential real estate, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as conservator of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), to implement a plan to maximize assistance for home owners and encourage the servicers of the underlying mortgages to take advantage of the HOPE for Homeowners Program under the National Housing Act or other available programs to minimize foreclosures. Authorizes the Secretary to use loan guarantees and credit enhancements to facilitate loan modifications to prevent avoidable foreclosures.<br/>(Sec. 110) Directs federal property managers (the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the FDIC, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), to the extent that they hold, own, or control mortgages, mortgage-backed securities, and other assets secured by residential real estate, including multifamily housing, to implement a plan that seeks to maximize assistance for homeowners and use its authority to encourage the servicers of the underlying mortgages to take advantage of the HOPE for Homeowners Program or other available programs to minimize foreclosures.<br/>(Sec. 111) Subjects any financial institution that sells troubled assets to the Secretary to specified executive compensation requirements.<br/>Directs the Secretary to require a financial institution to meet appropriate standards for executive compensation and corporate governance whenever: (1) the purposes of this Act are best met through direct purchases of troubled assets from an individual financial institution where no bidding process or market prices are available; and (2) the Secretary receives a meaningful equity or debt position in the financial institution as a result of the transaction.<br/>Requires such standards to include: (1) limits on compensation that exclude incentives for senior executive officers to take unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the financial institution's value during the period the Secretary holds an equity or debt position in it; (2) a provision for the recovery by the financial institution of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to a senior executive officer based on statements of earnings, gains, or other criteria that are later proven to be materially inaccurate; and (3) a prohibition on the institution's making any golden parachute payment to its senior executive officer during the period that the Secretary holds an equity or debt position in the financial institution.<br/>Requires the Secretary, upon a determination that specified auction purchases of troubled assets best meet the purposes of this Act, to prohibit, for certain financial institutions, any new employment contract with a senior executive officer that provides a golden parachute in the event of an involuntary termination, bankruptcy filing, insolvency, or receivership.<br/>(Sec. 112) Instructs the Secretary to coordinate with foreign financial authorities and central banks to work toward the establishment of similar programs by such authorities and central banks.<br/>States that, to the extent the foreign entities hold troubled assets as a result of extending financing to financial institutions that have failed or defaulted on such financing, such troubled assets qualify for purchase under this title.<br/>(Sec. 113) Prescribes requirements for purchase and sale of assets by the Secretary, using market mechanisms, in a manner that will minimize any potential long-term negative impact on the taxpayer.<br/>(Sec. 114) Requires the Secretary to: (1) make available to the public a description, amounts, and pricing of assets acquired under this Act within two business days of purchase, trade, or other disposition; and (2) determine whether the disclosure required of financial institutions that sell troubled assets to the Secretary with respect to off-balance sheet transactions, derivatives instruments, contingent liabilities, and similar sources of potential exposure adequately provides sufficient information to the public regarding the true financial position of the institutions (market transparency).<br/>Requires the Secretary to recommend additional disclosure requirements to the relevant regulators if disclosure pursuant to this market transparency requirement is not adequate for that purpose.<br/>(Sec. 115) Limits the Secretary's authority to purchase troubled assets under this Act to: (1) $250 billion outstanding at any one time; (2) $350 billion outstanding at any one time if, at any time, the President certifies to Congress that the Secretary needs to exercise authority for up to such an amount; and (3) $700 billion outstanding at any one time if, at any time after such a certification, the President reports to Congress a plan of the Secretary to exercise the authority authority for up to such an amount, unless Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval within 15 calendar days of transmission of the plan.<br/>Requires a joint resolution of disapproval to receive fast track consideration in the House and the Senate.<br/>(Sec. 116) Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) perform ongoing oversight of TARP activities and performance and its agents and representatives, including vehicles established by the Secretary under this Act; and (2) study and report to Congress on the extent to which leverage and sudden deleveraging of financial institutions was a factor behind the current financial crisis.<br/>(Sec. 118) Authorizes the Secretary to use proceeds from the sale of government bonds to pay the costs of administering authorities under this Act.<br/>Declares that funds expended or obligated by the Secretary for actions authorized by this Act, including the payment of administrative expenses, shall be deemed appropriated at the time of expenditure or obligation.<br/>(Sec. 119) Subjects the actions of the Secretary under this Act to judicial review, with specified limitations.<br/>(Sec. 120 Terminates the authorities under sections 101 and 102, with a certain exception, on December 31, 2009. Authorizes a two-year extension of such authorities if the Secretary submits a specified certification to Congress.<br/>(Sec. 121) Establishes the Office of the Special Inspector General for TARP to conduct oversight of the purchase, management, and sale of assets by the Secretary, including the management of any program established under this Act.<br/>(Sec. 122) Increases the statutory limit on the public debt to $11.315 trillion.<br/>(Sec. 124) Amends the National Housing Act, with respect to extinguishment of subordinate liens for refinanced mortgages, to authorize the Secretary to make payments, which shall be accepted as payment in full of all indebtedness to any holder of an existing subordinate mortgage in lieu of certain future appreciation payments.<br/>(Sec. 125) Establishes the Congressional Oversight Panel to review and report to Congress on the status of the financial markets and regulatory system.<br/>(Sec. 126) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to prohibit false advertising, misuse of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) names, and misrepresentation of insured status.<br/>(Sec. 127) Requires the federal financial regulatory agencies to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other law enforcement agencies investigating fraud, misrepresentation, and malfeasance regarding development, advertising, and sale of financial products.<br/>(Sec. 128) Amends the Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006 to accelerate from October 1, 2011, to October 1, 2008, the effective date for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (Board) to: (1) pay interest on balances maintained at a Federal Reserve bank; and (2) employ increased flexibility to set reserve requirements for member banks.<br/>(Sec. 129) Instructs the Board to submit periodic updates to certain congressional committees regarding its exercise of loan authority.<br/>(Sec. 131) Directs the Secretary to reimburse the Exchange Stabilization Fund for any funds that are used for the Treasury Money Market Funds Guaranty Program for the U.S. money market mutual fund industry.<br/>Prohibits the Secretary from using the Exchange Stabilization Fund to establish any future guaranty programs for the U.S. money market mutual fund industry.<br/>(Sec. 132) Authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to suspend application of Statement Number 157 (about mark-to-market accounting) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.<br/>Instructs the SEC to study and report to Congress on the applicability of such standard to financial and depository institutions.<br/>(Sec. 133) Directs the SEC to study and report to Congress on Statement Number 157.<br/>(Sec. 134) Instructs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to report to Congress, after five years, on the net amount within TARP.<br/>Instructs the President, in case of a shortfall within TARP, to submit to Congress a legislative proposal that recoups from the financial industry an amount equal to such shortfall in order to ensure that TARP does not add to the deficit or national debt.<br/>(Sec. 136) Increases from $100,000 to $250,000, until December 31, 2009, the amount of deposit and share insurance coverage offered under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Credit Union Act.<br/>Title II: Budget-Related Provisions - (Sec. 201) Requires all information used by the Secretary in connection with activities authorized under this Act (including the records to which the Comptroller General is entitled) to be made available, upon request, to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation to assist congressional committees with conducting oversight, monitoring, and analysis of such authorized activities.<br/>(Sec. 202) Requires OMB to report to the President and Congress semiannually: (1) an estimate of the cost of troubled assets and their guarantees; (2) the information used to derive such estimate; and (3) a detailed analysis of how the estimate has changed from the previous report.<br/>Requires the second and each ensuing report to explain the differences between CBO's required estimate and prior OMB estimates.<br/>Requires CBO to assess and report to Congress on OMB's report, including: (1) the cost of the troubled assets and their guarantees; (2) the information and valuation methods used to calculate such cost; and (3) the impact on the deficit and the debt.<br/>Authorizes appropriations.<br/>(Sec. 203) Requires the President's annual budget request to Congress to include as supplementary materials a separate analysis of the budgetary effects for all prior fiscal years, the current fiscal year, the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, and ensuing fiscal years of the Secretary's actions taken or to be taken using any authority provided in this Act.<br/>(Sec. 204) Designates all provisions of this Act as an emergency requirement necessary to meet emergency needs. Prohibits rescissions of any amounts provided in it from being counted for budget enforcement purposes.<br/>Title III: Tax Provisions - (Sec. 301) Provides for ordinary income or loss treatment of gain or loss from the sale or exchange of any applicable preferred stock by any applicable financial institution. Defines &quot;applicable preferred stock&quot; as preferred stock in Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac that was held on September 6, 2008, or that was sold or exchanged on or after January 1, 2008, and before September 7, 2008. Defines &quot;applicable financial institution&quot; as a banking, financial, or investment institution or a depository institution holding company. Allows the Secretary of the Treasury to apply ordinary gain or loss treatment to certain sales of preferred stock not held on September 6, 2008. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out this section. (Sec. 302) Denies certain employers whose assets have been purchased under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) a tax deduction for the payment of compensation or other benefits in excess of $500,000 to their executives or other highly compensated employees. Makes tax penalties for excess parachute payments applicable to employers who participate in TARP and their executives.<br/>(Sec. 303) Extends through 2012 the exclusion from gross income of income attributable to a discharge of indebtedness on a principal residence.<br/>Division B: Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 - Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 - Title I: Energy Production Incentives - Subtitle A: Renewable Energy Incentives - (Sec. 101) Extends through 2009 the tax credit for producing electricity from wind and refined coal facilities. Extends through 2010 such tax credit for other facilities, including closed and open-loop biomass, solar energy, small irrigation power, landfill gas, trash combustion, and hydropower. Modifies rules for and definitions of refined coal, trash and biomass facilities, and hydropower production.<br/>(Sec. 102) Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources.<br/>(Sec. 103) Extends through 2016 the energy tax credit for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property. Allows a new energy tax credit for combined heat and power system property. Increases to $1,500 the credit limitation for fuel cell property. Modifies energy tax credit rules to allow: (1) offsets of tax credit amounts against alternative minimum tax (AMT) liabilities; and (2) public utility property to qualify for such credit.<br/>(Sec. 104) Allows a new energy tax credit for 30% of expenditures for wind turbines used to generate electricity in a residence and for geothermal heat pump systems.<br/>(Sec. 106) Extends through 2016 the tax credit for residential energy efficient property. Eliminates the limitation on the tax credit for solar electric property. Allows a residential energy tax credit for 30% of small wind energy and geothermal heat pump property expenditures.<br/>(Sec. 107) Allows a new tax credit for investment in new clean renewable energy bonds for capital investment in renewable energy facilities.<br/>Extends through 2009 the authority to issue clean renewable energy bonds.<br/>(Sec. 108) Includes steel industry fuel as a renewable resource for purposes of the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources. Defines &quot;steel industry fuel&quot; as fuel that: (1) is produced by liquefying coal waste sludge and distributing it on coal; and (2) is used as a feedstock for the manufacture of coke. (Sec. 109) Extends through 2009 the deferral of tax on the gain on sales of transmission property by vertically-integrated electric utilities to independent transmission companies approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).<br/>Subtitle B: Carbon Mitigation and Coal Provisions - (Sec. 111) Allows a 30% investment tax credit rate for advanced coal-based generation technology projects and increases the maximum credit amounts allocable for such projects to $2.55 billion.<br/>Authorizes additional carbon energy projects, including projects for the capture and and sequestration of carbon dioxide. (Sec. 112) Increases to 30% the investment tax credit rate for coal gasification projects and the aggregate credit amount for such projects.<br/>(Sec. 113) Extends the excise tax on coal until the earlier of January 1, 2019, or the day after the first December 31 after December 31, 2007, on which there is no balance of repayable advances made to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund and no unpaid interest on such advances. Makes a one-time appropriation to the Trust Fund to pay the difference between the market value of outstanding repayable advances (plus accrued interest) and the proceeds from the obligations issued by such Trust Fund to the Secretary of the Treasury.<br/>(Sec. 114) Sets forth special rules for refund claims of the coal excise tax by certain coal producers and exporters.<br/>(Sec. 115) Allows a new tax credit for carbon dioxide sequestration. (Sec. 116) Provides for the treatment of certain income and gains from industrial source carbon dioxide as qualifying income for publicly traded partnerships. (Sec. 117) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for a comprehensive review of Internal Revenue Code provisions that have the largest effects on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and an estimate of the magnitude of such effects. Requires the Academy to report to Congress on the results of such study within two years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.<br/>Title II: Transportation and Domestic Fuel Security Provisions - (Sec. 201) Includes cellulosic biofuel within the definition of biomass ethanol plant property for purposes of the bonus depreciation allowance. (Sec. 202) Increases and extends through 2009 income and excise tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel. (Sec. 203) Disqualifies foreign-produced fuel that is used or sold for use outside the United States from the income and excise tax credits for alcohol, biodiesel, and alternative fuel production. (Sec. 204) Extends through 2009 the excise tax credit for alternative fuel and fuel mixtures. Requires such fuels to include compressed or liquefied biomass gas and to meet certain carbon capture requirements. (Sec. 205) Allows a new tax credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles. Limits the amount of such credit based upon the gross vehicle weight rating of such vehicles. Terminates such credit after 2014.<br/>(Sec. 206) Allows an exclusion from the heavy truck excise tax for idling reduction devices and advanced insulation used in certain heavy trucks and trailers.<br/>(Sec. 207) Extends through 2010 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures. Includes electricity as a clean burning fuel for purposes of such credit. (Sec. 208) Provides for the treatment of certain income and gains from alcohol, biodiesel, and alternative fuels and mixtures as qualifying income for publicly traded partnerships. (Sec. 209) Extends through 2013 the taxpayer election to expense costs of certain refinery property. (Sec. 210) Extends the suspension of the taxable income limit on percentage depletion for oil and natural gas produced from marginal properties.<br/>(Sec. 211) Allows employees to exclude reimbursements for bicycle commuting expenses from gross income. Title III: Energy Conservation And Efficiency Provisions - (Sec. 301) Allows a new tax credit for investment in qualified energy conservation bonds for capital expenditures to reduce energy consumption in public buildings, implement green community programs, develop alternative and renewable energy sources, and promote mass commuting facilities. (Sec. 302) Extends through 2009 the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property expenditures. Includes energy-efficient biomass fuel stoves as property eligible for such tax credit. Modifies tax credit standards for water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, and energy efficiency improvements.<br/>(Sec. 303) Extends through 2013 the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings.<br/>(Sec. 304) Extends through 2009 the tax credit for residential energy efficiency improvements.<br/>(Sec. 305) Modifies tax credit amounts and standards for energy efficient household appliances produced after 2007. (Sec. 306) Allows an accelerated 10-year recovery period for the depreciation of qualified smart electric meters and smart electric grid systems.<br/>(Sec. 307) Extends through FY2012 the authority to issue tax-exempt bonds for qualified green building and sustainable design projects.<br/>(Sec. 308) Allows a 50% depreciation allowance for reuse and recycling property used to collect, distribute, or recycle certain materials, including scrap, fibers, and metals.<br/>Title IV: Revenue Provisions - (Sec. 401) Reduces by 3% the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities for taxpayers with income derived from activities related to oil, gas, or any primary products thereof.<br/>(Sec. 402) Revises the tax treatment of foreign oil and gas extraction income and foreign oil related income for purposes of the foreign tax credit. (Sec. 403) Includes within the reporting requirements of investment brokers the adjusted basis of any publicly traded security owned by customers of such brokers.<br/>(Sec. 404) Extends through 2009 the 0.2% Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) surtax.<br/>(Sec. 405) Increases the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate and extends such rate through 2017.<br/>Division C: Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief - Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Title I: Alternative Minimum Tax Relief - (Sec. 101) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2008 for individual taxpayers: (1) the offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits against regular and alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability; and (2) the increased AMT exemption amounts.<br/>Increases the AMT refundable credit amount for individuals who have long-term unused minimum tax credits from prior taxable years. Abates any underpayment of tax attributable to the application of special AMT rules for the treatment of incentive stock options.<br/>Title II: Extension of Individual Tax Provisions - (Sec. 201) Extends through 2009: (1) the tax deduction for state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes; (2) the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses; (3) the tax deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers; (4) the additional standard tax deduction from gross income for real property taxes; (5) tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans for charitable purposes; (6) the exemption from withholding of tax of interest-related and short-term capital gain dividends received from a regulated investment company (RIC) and the special rule for RIC stock held in the estate of a nonresident non-citizen; and (7) the inclusion of an RIC within the definition of &quot;qualified investment entity&quot; for income tax purposes.<br/>Title III: Extension of Business Tax Provisions - (Sec. 301) Extends through 2009: (1) the tax credit for increasing research activities; (2) the new markets tax credit; (3) the subpart F income exemption for active financing income; (4) special rules for related controlled foreign corporations and for the tax treatment of certain payments to tax-exempt organizations by a controlled subsidiary; (5) accelerated depreciation for qualified leasehold and restaurant improvements and for certain improvements to retail space; (6) the special rule for reductions in the basis of S corporation stock for charitable contributions of property; (7) the increase in alcohol excise taxes payable to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; (8) the economic development credit for American Samoa; (9) tax incentives for mine rescue team training and advanced mine safety equipment; (10) the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities in Puerto Rico; (11) issuance authority for qualified zone academy bonds; (12) the Indian employment tax credit; (13) accelerated depreciation of business property on Indian reservations and of motorsports racing track facilities; (14) the tax credit for railroad track maintenance; (15) expensing allowances for film and television production costs and for environmental remediation costs; (16) work opportunity tax credit eligibility for Hurricane Katrina employees (through August 28, 2009); (17) the increased rehabilitation tax credit for property in the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone; (18) the tax deduction for corporate contributions of computer technology and equipment for educational purposes; (19) tax incentives for investment in the District of Columbia; and (20) the expanded tax deductions for charitable contributions of food and book inventories by noncorporate taxpayers.<br/>(Sec. 325) Extends through 2014: (1) the suspension of tariff duties on certain wool products; and (2) the Wool Research, Promotion, and Development Trust Fund.<br/>Title IV: Extension of Tax Administration Provisions - (Sec. 401) Makes permanent the authority of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to: (1) conduct undercover operations; and (2) disclose tax return information related to terrorist activities.<br/>Title V: Additional Tax Relief and Other Tax Provisions - Subtitle A: General Provisions - (Sec. 501) Lowers in 2008 (from $10,000 to $8,500) the earned income threshold amount for determining the refundable portion of the child tax credit.<br/>(Sec. 502) Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the tax deduction for domestic film and television productions to: (1) include within the income base for such deduction compensation for services performed in the United States by actors, production personnel, directors, and producers and any copyrights, trademarks, or other intangibles with respect to a film production; and (2) allow a deduction for partners or S corporation shareholders who own at least a 20% interest in a film project.<br/>(Sec. 503) Exempts from the excise tax on bows and arrows certain shafts consisting of all natural wood that, after assembly, measure 5/16 of an inch or less in diameter and that are not suitable for use with bows that would otherwise be subject to such tax (having a peak draw weight of 30 pounds or more).<br/>(Sec. 504) Allows taxpayers who are plaintiffs in the civil action In re Exxon Valdez, No. 89-095-CV (HRH) (Consolidated) (D. Alaska), or their heirs or dependents, to: (1) elect to average, for income tax purposes, income received in settlement of such civil action; and (2) make a limited contribution of such settlement income to certain tax-exempt retirement plans in the year such income is received.<br/>(Sec. 505) Allows accelerated depreciation (i.e., five-year recovery period) for certain farming business machinery or equipment placed in service before January 1, 2010.<br/>(Sec. 506) Modifies the standards for imposing penalties on tax return preparers for understatements of tax to require: (1) substantial authority for a position with respect to an item on a tax return if such position was not disclosed with the return; and (2) a reasonable basis for a position that was disclosed with the return. Requires tax return preparers to have a reasonable belief that a position with respect to a tax shelter or a reportable transaction (a transaction having a potential for tax avoidance or evasion) will more likely than not be sustained on its merits.<br/>Subtitle B: Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 - (Sec. 511) Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits to ensure that: (1) the financial requirements, such as deductibles and copayments, applicable to such mental health or substance use disorder benefits are no more restrictive than the predominant financial requirements applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan; (2) there are no separate cost sharing requirements that are applicable only with respect to mental health or substance use disorder benefits; (3) the treatment limitations applicable to such mental health or substance use disorder benefits are no more restrictive than the predominant treatment limitations applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan; and (4) there are no separate treatment limitations that are applicable only with respect to mental health or substance use disorder benefits.<br/>Requires the criteria for medical necessity determinations and the reason for any denial of reimbursement or payment for services made under the plan with respect to mental health or substance use disorder benefits to be made available by the plan administrator.<br/>Requires the plan to provide out-of network coverage for mental health or substance use disorder benefits if the plan provides coverage for medical or surgical benefits provided by out-of network providers.<br/>Exempts from the requirements of this Act a group health plan if the application of this Act results in an increase for the plan year of the actual total costs of coverage with respect to medical and surgical benefits and mental health and substance use disorder benefits by an amount that exceeds 2% for the first plan year and 1% for each subsequent plan year. Requires determinations as to increases in actual costs under a plan to be made and certified by a qualified and licensed actuary. Requires determinations for such an exemption to be made after such plan has complied with this Act for the first six months of the plan year.<br/>Sets forth requirements for notifications of exemptions under this Act, including notification of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the appropriate state agencies, and participants and beneficiaries in the plan.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary and the appropriate state agency to audit the books and records of a group health plan relating to an exemption.<br/>Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to the appropriate congressional committees on compliance of group health plans with the requirements of this Act; and (2) publish guidance and information concerning the requirements of this Act and provide assistance concerning such requirements and the continued operation of applicable state law. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the specific rates, patterns, and trends in coverage and exclusion of specific mental health and substance use disorder diagnoses by health plans and health insurance.<br/>Title VI: Other Provisions - (Sec. 601) Revises the provisions of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.<br/>Provides for: (1) calculating payments to eligible states, counties, and territories for FY2008-FY2011 and; (2) the making of transition payments for FY2008-FY2010 to California, Louisiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington. Sets forth distribution, election, and expenditure rules.<br/>Permits eligible electing counties to expend a portion of funds received for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, and other consistent resource objectives upon project approval.<br/>Sets forth requirements for a merchantable timber contracting pilot program.<br/>Revises provisions concerning resource advisory committees and the use and availability of project funds for projects submitted by such committees. Terminates authority to initiate projects on September 30, 2011.<br/>Revises provisions for the use of county funds for certain projects. Requires certification by participating counties that county funds have been expended only for authorized uses. Terminates authority to initiate such projects on September 30, 2011.<br/>Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2011 to carry out the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.<br/>Amends the Act of May 23, 1908, and the Weeks Law to prescribe that an amount equal to the annual average of 25% of all amounts received for the applicable fiscal year and each of the preceding six fiscal years from each national forest (under current law, 25% of all moneys received during any fiscal year) be paid at the end of such year to eligible states and counties for the benefit of public schools and public roads in which such forests are situated.<br/>Amends federal law regarding payment in lieu of taxes to provide, for FY2008-FY2012, for each county or other eligible unit of local government to be entitled to payment for entitlement land (certain land owned by the U.S. government).<br/>(Sec. 602) Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to require the transfer of $9 million on October 1, 2010, to the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund to provide for refunds of certain health benefit premiums, death benefit premiums, and unassigned beneficiaries premiums.<br/>Title VII: Disaster Relief - Subtitle A: Heartland and Hurricane Ike Disaster Relief - Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 - (Sec. 702) Makes certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code providing tax benefits to residents of the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone and the Hurricane Katrina disaster areas, including provisions for tax-exempt bond financing, the low-income housing tax credit, an increased rehabilitation tax credit, education and housing tax benefits, employee retention tax credits, and tax-exempt bond financing, applicable to residents of the Midwestern disaster area on a similar basis. Defines &quot;Midwestern disaster area&quot; as an area in which a major disaster has been declared by the President on or after May 20, 2008, and before August 1, 2008, under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of severe storms, tornados, or flooding occurring in any of the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. (Sec. 703) Includes within the reporting requirements of tax-exempt public charities information about disaster relief activities and contributions received for those purposes. (Sec. 704) Extends through 2010 tax-exempt bond financing and low-income housing tax credit benefits to the Hurricane Ike disaster area. Defines the &quot;Hurricane Ike disaster area&quot; as an area in Texas or Louisiana that was declared a major disaster area by the President by reason of Hurricane Ike and that was determined by the President to warrant federal assistance.<br/>Subtitle B: National Disaster Relief - (Sec. 706) Waives the 10% adjusted gross income limitation on personal casualty losses for losses sustained from a federally declared disaster occurring before January 1, 2010. Defines &quot;federally declared disaster&quot; as any disaster determined by the President to warrant federal assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Increases the standard tax deduction by a taxpayer's net disaster loss (i.e., personal casualty losses in a disaster area over personal casualty gains). Increases until December 31, 2009, the threshold for deductible casualty losses (from $100 to $500).<br/>(Sec. 707) Allows the expensing of business-related costs incurred due to a federally declared disaster for: (1) the abatement or control of hazardous substances; (2) removal of debris or demolition of damaged structures; or (3) repair of damaged property.<br/>(Sec. 708) Provides for a five-year carryback period for net operating losses attributable to a federally declared disaster. Allows such losses as a deduction in computing alternative minimum taxable income.<br/>(Sec. 709) Modifies certain mortgage revenue bond requirements for principal residences damaged or destroyed in a federally declared disaster occurring before January 1, 2010.<br/>(Sec. 710) Allows accelerated depreciation and increases the expensing allowance for qualified disaster assistance property. Defines &quot;qualified disaster assistance property&quot; to include nonresidential real or residential rental property in a federally declared disaster area.<br/>Title VIII: Spending Reductions and Appropriate Revenue Raisers for New Tax Relief Policy - (Sec. 801) Requires the inclusion in gross income for income tax purposes of employee compensation deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan of a nonqualified entity when there is no substantial risk of forfeiture of the rights to such compensation. Defines &quot;nonqualified entity&quot; as any foreign corporation unless substantially all of its income is: (1) effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States; or (2) subject to a comprehensive foreign income tax. Includes certain partnerships within such definition.<br/>

1223006400 2008-10-03 Tue Nov 18 11:03:52 -0600 2008 NayAye 15 313 41856 Tue May 22 13:59:00 -0500 2007 true 3197 104 396 66 0 On Passage: H R 1427 Federal Housing Finance Reform Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 11:20:03 -0500 2007 house h 283 41856 1173416400 false 1179860340 1179979200 42 1427 5292 110 400140

5/22/2007--Passed House amended. Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2007 - Title I: Reform of Regulation of Enterprises and Federal Home Loan Banks - Subtitle A: Improvement of Safety and Soundness - (Sec. 101) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (Act) to establish, in place of the present Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, a Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), headed by a Director (Director) possessing general supervisory and regulatory authority over the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and the federal home loan banks (&quot;the regulated entities&quot;). (Sec. 102) Requires the Director to establish standards for each regulated entity, especially standards relating to: (1) adequacy of internal controls and information systems; (2) independence and adequacy of internal audit systems; (3) management of credit and counterparty risk; (4) management of any asset and investment portfolio; (5) investments and acquisitions; and (6) overall risk management processes, particularly adequacy of oversight by senior management and the board of directors, and of processes and policies to identify and control material risks, including reputational risks. (Sec. 103) Establishes the Federal Housing Enterprise Board to advise the Director. (Sec. 104) Instructs the Director to require a regulated entity to: (1) submit a timely report upon its discovery that it has purchased or sold a fraudulent loan or financial instrument, or if it suspects a possible fraud relating to a purchase or sale of any loan or financial instrument; (2) establish and maintain procedures designed to discover such transactions; and (3) report annually the total value of charitable contributions made to nonprofit organizations. (Sec. 106) Instructs the Director to establish and collect from the regulated entities annual assessments to provide for FHFA costs and expenses. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Director to appoint accountants, economists, specialists in financial markets or information technology, and examiners with respect to supervision and regulation of the regulated entities. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to subject federal home loan banks to examinations by the Director. (Sec. 108) Specifies factors the Director may consider when determining (as under present law) whether to prohibit the regulated entities from providing compensation to any executive officer of an entity that is not reasonable and comparable with compensation for employment in other similar businesses involving similar duties and responsibilities. Authorizes the Director to consider any relevant factors, including any wrongdoing on the officer's part. Authorizes the Director to require a regulated entity to withhold any payment, transfer, or disbursement of compensation to an executive officer, or to place such compensation in an escrow account, during the review of the compensation's reasonableness and comparability. (Sec. 109) Revises the Director's authority to provide for review of regulated entities by a rating organization. Authorizes the Director to contract with any entity the Director considers appropriate to conduct such a review. Repeals the requirement that such entity be a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. (Sec. 110) Requires each regulated entity to: (1) establish an Office of Minority and Women Inclusion, or designate an office to be responsible for carrying out all matters relating to diversity in management, employment, and business activities; and (2) develop standards and procedures to ensure inclusion and utilization of minorities and women, and minority- and women-owned businesses, in all the regulated entity's business activities. (Sec. 112) Declares that the submission to FHFA by any person of any information for any purpose in the course of any of FHFA supervisory or regulatory process shall not be construed as waiving, destroying, or otherwise affecting any privilege such person may claim with respect to such information under federal or state law as to any person or entity other than FHFA. (Sec. 113) Revises requirements governing risk-based capital requirements. Instructs the Director to establish risk-based capital requirements (as under present law) to ensure that the regulated entities, including the federal home loan banks, operate in a safe and sound manner, maintaining sufficient capital and reserves to support the risks that arise in their operations and management. (Sec. 114) Authorizes the Director to: (1) raise the minimum and critical capital levels governing the federal home loan banks as well as the other regulated entities; (2) make temporary minimum capital increases for a regulated entity; and (3) establish additional capital and reserve requirements for a particular program or activity. Allows the Director discretion to set the critical capital level for each federal home loan bank. (Sec. 115) Instructs the Director to establish standards by which the portfolio holdings of the regulated entities, or their rate of growth, will be deemed to be consistent with their mission and the safe and sound operations. Authorizes the Director, while monitoring the portfolio of each regulated entity, to require an entity to dispose of or acquire any asset, if consistent with the purposes of the Act. (Sec. 116) Sets forth corporate governance requirements for the regulated entities. (Sec. 117) Requires each each regulated entity to register its capital stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (Sec. 118) Amends the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 to include one representative of the FHFA on the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC). (Sec. 119) Instructs the Director to study and report to Congress on the pricing, transparency, and reporting of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the federal home loan banks with regard to guarantee fees and analogous practices, transparency and reporting requirements of other participants in the business of mortgage purchases and securitization (including advances pricing practices by the federal home loan banks). Subtitle B: Improvement of Mission Supervision - (Sec. 132) Instructs the Director to require each regulated entity to obtain the Director's approval for any regulated entity product before initially offering it. (Sec. 133) Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to revise conforming loan limits. Requires loan limit adjustments for high-cost areas to: (1) the lesser of 150% of the foregoing limitation for a particular size residence; or (2) the amount equal to the median price in such area for such size residence. Applies such an adjustment only with respect to mortgages on which are based securities issued and sold by the corporation involved. Requires the Director to establish a housing price index method of assessing the national average one-family house price for use in adjusting such conforming loan limitations. Directs the Comptroller General to audit and report to Congress on the housing price index methodology established by the Director to determine whether it is accurate and appropriate. Instructs the Director to study and report in the Federal Register on: (1) the effect that restricting the conforming loan limits for high-cost areas only to mortgages on which Fannie Mae- and Freddie Mac-issued securities are based would have on the cost to borrowers for, and availability of, mortgages on housing in such high-cost areas; and (2) the extent to which Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be able to issue and sell securities based on such mortgages. (Sec. 134) Revises requirements for the annual housing report to specified congressional committees on the activities of each regulated entity. Requires a monthly survey of mortgage markets. Requires the Director to establish standards by which mortgages purchased and/or securitized shall be characterized as subprime solely for the purpose of complying with such report. (Sec. 135) Requires the regulated entities to study and report to Congress annually on the levels of affordable housing inventory, and their changes, throughout the United States. (Sec. 136) Requires the Director to establish standards that prohibit the regulated entities from issuing a mortgage unless the mortgagor furnishes a Social Security account number at the time of settlement. (Sec. 137) Instructs the Director (currently the Secretary) to establish, with respect to the mortgage purchases by the regulated entities, annual housing goals that measure single-family housing and multifamily special affordable housing for low-income families. Authorizes a regulated entity to petition the Director to reduce the level of any goal under specified conditions. (Sec. 138) Makes it a duty of each regulated entity to increase the liquidity of mortgage investments and improve the distribution of investment capital available for mortgage financing for underserved markets, including rural rental housing. (Sec. 139) Requires the Director, with respect to enforcing compliance with housing goals, to assign more than 125% credit toward achievement of housing goals for mortgage purchase activities of the regulated entities that comply with specified goal requirements and support: (1) housing that meets energy efficiency or environmental standards; or (2) housing that includes a licensed childcare center. Specifies steps the Director may take in enforcing compliance with housing goals, including cease-and-desist orders, civil money penalties, and prohibitions against an entity's offering of certain products or new activities, services, and undertakings. (Sec. 140) Requires the Director to establish and manage an affordable housing fund to provide formula grants to: (1) increase homeownership for extremely low-and very low-income families; (2) increase investment in housing in low-income areas, and areas designated as qualified census tracts or an area of chronic economic distress; (3) increase and preserve the supply of rental and owner-occupied housing for extremely low- and very low-income families; (4) increase investment in public infrastructure development in connection with housing assisted under this Act; and (5) leverage investments from other sources in affordable housing and in public infrastructure development in connection with housing assisted under this Act. Requires the Director to prohibit each regulated entity from redirecting costs of allocations to the originators of mortgages purchased or securitized by the entity. Designates permissible activities funded under the Affordable Housing Fund Grant. Restricts such grants to homebuyers who, prior to purchase, have: (1) completed a homeownership counseling program approved by the Director; and (2) demonstrated that they are lawfully present in the United States. Sets forth identification prerequisites for occupancy or assistance under the Affordable Housing Grant program. Requires all adult members of a household to provide personal identification in one of the following forms: (1) a Social Security card accompanied by a photo identification card issued by the federal or a state government; (2) a driver's license or identification card issued by a state; (3) a passport issued by the United States or a foreign government; and (4) a photo identification card issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security (acting through the Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to issue regulations establishing affordable housing needs formulas that reflect this Act. Sets forth requirements governing funding accountability and transparency. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the effects that the affordable housing fund will have on the availability and affordability of credit for homebuyers. (Sec. 142) Transfers certain enforcement authorities with respect to noncomplying regulated entities from the HUD Secretary to the Director. Revises grounds for issuance of charges in cease-and-desist proceedings. Grants the Director additional specified enforcement powers, including the power to impose civil money penalties. Subtitle C: Prompt Corrective Action - (Sec. 151) Requires the Director to establish: (1) capital classifications for the federal home loan banks; and (2) establish criteria for each such capital classification based on the amount and types of capital held by a bank and the risk-based, minimum, and critical capital levels for the banks. Identifies such classifications as adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. Specifies grounds for discretionary reclassification by the Director (as undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized) of other regulated entities (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Prohibits a regulated entity from making any capital distribution if, after making the distribution, it would be undercapitalized. (Sec. 152) Sets forth supervisory actions applicable to undercapitalized and significantly undercapitalized regulated entities, including mandatory monitoring; restriction of asset growth; and prior approval of acquisitions, new products, and new activities. (Sec. 154) Revises requirements for appointment of conservators for critically undercapitalized regulated entities, extending them to all regulated entities. Retains mandatory conservatorship authority in specified circumstances, but makes such authority discretionary in others. Allows the Director, at his or her discretion, to establish a conservatorship or receivership, as appropriate, for the purpose of reorganizing, rehabilitating, or winding up the affairs of a critically undercapitalized regulated entity, including one guilty of a criminal money laundering offense. Details the powers of the Director acting as conservator or receiver. Specifies procedures for the determination of claims against entities under a conservatorship or receivership. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act with respect to the succession of federal home loan banks to declare that each federal home loan bank shall have succession until it is voluntarily merged with another bank under such Act, or until it is merged, reorganized, rehabilitated, liquidated, or otherwise wound up by the Director. Subtitle D: Enforcement Actions - (Sec. 161) Revises cease-and-desist proceeding requirements governing a regulated entity. (Sec. 163) Authorizes the Director to petition the court for a prejudgment attachment. (Sec. 164) Grants the Director authority to petition a U.S. district court directly for enforcement of orders, or request the Attorney General to do so. (Currently, the Director is limited to requesting the Attorney General to do so.) (Sec. 165) Revises the current three tiers of civil money penalties, applying them to all regulated entities, and doubling them. (Sec. 166) Grants the Director removal and prohibition authority with respect to a regulated entity-affiliated party, including authority to suspend. (Sec. 167) Sets forth criminal penalties for any person who, subject to a removal or prohibition order, and without the Director's prior approval, knowingly participates in the affairs of a regulated entity. (Sec. 168) Grants the Director subpoena power. Subtitle E: General Provisions - (Sec. 181) Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to reduce the membership and revise requirements governing the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac boards of directors, respectively. Eliminates the five members of each board appointed by the U.S. President. (Sec. 182) Instructs the Director of FHFA to report to Congress regarding: (1) the safety and soundness of the portfolio operations of the regulated entities; and (2) the effects on financial and housing finance markets of alternatives to the current secondary market system for housing finance. Title II: Federal Home Loan Banks - (Sec. 202) Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to revise requirements governing the board of directors, including directors' compensation. Reduces board membership from 14 to 13. (Sec. 203) Replaces the Federal Housing Finance Board with the FHFA. Transfers from HUD to the FHFA oversight authority over federal home loan banks, including monitoring and enforcing compliance with affordable housing and community investment program requirements. (Sec. 204) Permits joint activities of federal home loan banks only if the banks are otherwise authorized to perform such functions or services individually. (Sec. 205) Requires the Director to prescribe regulations to ensure that each federal home loan bank has access to information it needs to determine the nature and extent of its joint and several liability. (Sec. 206) Authorizes the merger of any two or more federal home loan banks with the approval of the Director and of the boards of directors of the banks involved. (Sec. 207) Exempts federal home loan banks from specified disclosure requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and bank members from compliance with such requirements regarding their ownership of, or transactions in, capital stock of the banks. (Sec. 208) Increases from $500 million to $1 billion the total asset requirement for a community financial institution. Allows such institutions to use advances for community development lending and community development loans as collateral for advances. (Sec. 210) Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress and FHFA on: (1) how and the extent to which affordable housing programs of the federal home loan banks are used to assist long-term care facilities for low- and moderate-income individuals; and (2) the effectiveness and adequacy of such assistance in meeting the needs of affected communities. Title III: Transfer of Functions, Personnel, and Property of Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, Federal Housing Finance Board, and Department of Housing and Urban Development - Subtitle A: Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight - (Sec. 301) Abolishes the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) of HUD, and transfers its functions, personnel, and property to FHFA.. Subtitle B: Federal Housing Finance Board - (Sec. 321) Abolishes the Federal Housing Finance Board, and transfers its functions, personnel, and property to FHFA. Subtitle C: Department of Housing and Urban Development - (Sec. 341) Directs the HUD Secretary to determine which enterprise-related functions, duties, activities, property, and personnel of the Secretary shall be transferred by this Act to FHFA. Sets forth transition procedures.<br/>

1179979200 2007-05-24 Thu Nov 06 19:56:13 -0600 2008 NayAye 19 365 41858 Wed May 02 18:06:00 -0500 2007 true 4461 48 285 54 0 On Passage: H R 1429 Improving Head Start Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 10:09:19 -0500 2007 house h 211 41858 1173416400 false 1195075800 1197435600 20 1429 4269 110 400216

12/12/2007--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since the Conference Report was filed in the House on November 14, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 - Amends the Head Start Act (the Act) to revise and reauthorize Head Start programs. (Sec. 2) Includes among the aims of Head Start programs children's growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, social and emotional functioning, creative arts, physical skills, and approaches to learning. (Sec. 3) Includes community-based organizations and financial literacy training within the definitions of Head Start delegate agencies and family literacy services, respectively. Adds definitions of Head Start deficiencies, homeless children, institutions of higher education, interrater reliability, limited English proficient (LEP) children, principles of scientific research, professional development for teachers and staff, scientifically valid research, and unresolved areas of noncompliance. Removes Micronesia and the Marshall Islands from the list of program participants. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to provide financial assistance to Head Start agencies for five-year periods. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for Head Start programs for FY2008-FY2012. (Sec. 6) Sets forth allotment requirements, as well as limitations on and authorized uses of Head Start funds. Reserves from such funds: (1) amounts for state, Indian, migrant and seasonal, and territorial Head Start programs that are equal to the base amounts such programs received for the prior fiscal year; (2) amounts for collaborative grants at the FY2007 level; (3) at least 2.5% and no more than 3% for training and technical assistance, at least 20% of which is to be used to provide such assistance to Early Head Start programs; and (4) specified monetary amounts for research, demonstration, and evaluation activities and for discretionary payments. Requires the use of remaining funds for cost of living increases for each Head Start agency and the provision of specified amounts to Indian and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs to increase enrollment. Requires that after at least 20% of of the training and technical assistance funds are reserved for Early Head Start programs: (1) at least 50% of such remaining funds be available for the direct use of Head Start agencies; (2) at least 25% be available to the Secretary for state-based or national training and technical assistance systems; and (3) the remainder be available to the Secretary to assist local Early Head Start entities meet and exceed program performance standards. Requires any additional remaining funds to be used for specified Head Start quality improvement and expansion activities. Provides funding for the Republic of Palau through FY2009 and, if legislation approving a new agreement regarding assistance to Palau is not enacted by the end of FY2009, through FY2012. Directs the Secretary to establish policies and procedures assuring that: (1) by FY2009 at least 10% of the children enrolled by each Head Start and delegate agency will be disabled children eligible for special education or early intervention services; and (2) such agencies will collaborate with state and local agencies providing such services. Applies service delivery guidelines to: (1) models that leverage the capacity and capabilities of the delivery system of early childhood education and development services or programs; and (2) procedures to provide for the conversion of part-day programs to full-day programs or part-day slots to full-day slots and serve additional infants and toddlers. Provides that, when Head Start appropriations are less than the prior fiscal year's appropriations or not sufficient to maintain services comparable to that prior year's services, Head Start grantees may negotiate a reduced funded enrollment level with the Secretary without a reduction in their grant level, if they can show that a reduced enrollment level is necessary to maintain the quality of services. Requires regulations to ensure appropriate supervision and background checks of individuals with whom Head Start agencies contract to transport children. Requires the Secretary to: (1) appoint a national migrant and seasonal Head Start collaboration director and a national Indian Head Start collaboration director; (2) conduct annual consultations in each affected Head Start region with tribal governments operating Head Start or Early Head Start programs to better gauge their needs; and (3) establish policies and procedures to remove barriers to the enrollment and participation of homeless children in Head Start programs. (Sec. 7) Provides for the development of a new system for designating Head Start agencies and the consideration of additional criteria in evaluating applicants. Includes community-based and faith-based organizations among the entities that may be designated Head Start agencies. Maintains the current process of designating a Head Start agency until the Secretary develops and implements a transparent, reliable, and valid designation renewal system that integrates the recommendations of an expert panel. Designates those grantees that the system finds to be successfully delivering a high quality and comprehensive Head Start program as Head Start agencies for five years, but requires underperforming grantees to enter into open competition with other applicants. Sets forth criteria to be considered in choosing between competing applicants, including each applicant's ability to: (1) attract and retain qualified staff; (2) maintain child-to-teacher ratios and family service worker caseloads; (3) use scientifically-based curriculum and teaching practices that are developmentally appropriate and promote school readiness; (4) coordinate with other public or private entities providing early childhood education and development programs and services for young children or willing to commit resources to Head Start programs; (5) provide family health, literacy, and parenting services; (6) extend outreach to fathers; and (7) meet the needs of LEP, disabled, homeless, and foster care children. Removes the priority currently given nonprofit applicants. Directs the Secretary to continue to involve parents and affected area residents in selection of qualified applicants for such designation. Prohibits a non-Indian Head Start agency from operating an Indian Head Start program, unless there is no Indian Head Start agency available in the community. (Sec. 8) Revises Head Start quality standards and monitoring requirements. Requires the Secretary to modify program performance standards, as necessary, so they are scientifically-based, developmentally appropriate, and based on the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework to ensure that children, at a minimum, progress in language, literacy, mathematics, science, cognitive abilities, approaches to learning, social and emotional development, creative arts, physical development and the acquisition of the English language. Adds as new factors the Secretary must consider in modifying such standards: (1) the recommendations of the study on Developmental Outcomes and Assessments for Young Children by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS); (2) the need for Head Start agencies to communicate regularly with parents; and (3) the unique challenges faced by individual programs, including seasonal, short term, and rural programs. Requires facilities used by Head Start, Early Head Start, and delegate agencies for regularly scheduled center-based and combination program option classroom activities to meet or exceed state and local licensing requirements, and be accessible by state and local authorities to monitor and ensure compliance, unless state or local law prohibits such access. Requires scientifically-based measures of program performance to be reviewed periodically so they reflect advances in the science of early childhood development. Prohibits federal use of any assessment to: (1) rank, compare, or otherwise evaluate individual Head Start children for purposes other than research, training, or technical assistance; and (2) reward or sanction individual Head Start children or teachers. Prohibits the Secretary from using any single assessment as the sole method for assessing program effectiveness or making agency funding determinations. Requires the Secretary's reviews of Head Start agencies and programs to include unannounced site inspections, as appropriate. Requires the full reviews, conducted at least once every three years for each agency, to include a risk-based assessment approach. Requires review teams to receive periodic training to ensure quality and consistency across reviews. Includes in such reviews: (1) an assessment of whether programs adequately address community needs; (2) an observational instrument that addresses classroom quality; and (3) an assessment of whether programs use federal funds appropriately and conform to Head Start eligibility and enrollment requirements. Requires that Early Head Start program reviews be conducted by individuals knowledgeable about infant and toddler development. Directs Head Start agencies to evaluate their delegate agencies and inform them of deficiencies which must be corrected. Prohibits Head Start agencies from terminating a delegate agency's contract or reducing its service area without showing cause or demonstrating the decision's cost-effectiveness. Requires summaries of program reviews and the outcomes of quality improvement plans to be made available to all parents with children receiving Head Start assistance, in addition to the public. Requires each Head Start and delegate agency to: (1) conduct a comprehensive self-assessment at least once each program year; (2) develop goals and a plan for improving childrens' school readiness; and (3) implement ongoing monitoring of its programs. Directs Head Start agencies to report their actual enrollment monthly to the Secretary and, if it is less than the funded enrollment, any apparent reason for the shortfall. Directs the Secretary to develop plans for programs to reduce or eliminate underenrollment, and provide such programs with technical assistance in implementing such plans. Sets forth rules for the redistribution of base grants recaptured, withheld, or reduced. (Sec. 9) Revises the power and functions of Head Start agencies. Adds to the minimum services Head Start agencies provide by requiring them to: (1) seek the involvement of local business, in addition to parents and community residents, in the design and implementation of programs; (2) offer health services to parents of participating children, including information on maternal depression; (3) provide parents of LEP children with outreach and information in an understandable and uniform format, and to the extent practicable, in a language such parents can understand; (4) promote the continued involvement of parents and, as appropriate, foster parents, grandparents, and kinship caregivers in the education of participating children upon their transition to school; and (5) provide disabled children with intervention and referral services. Directs each Head Start agency to establish and maintain a formal structure for program governance, for the oversight of quality services for Head Start children and families, and for making decisions related to program design and implementation. Requires such structure to include a governing body with legal and fiscal responsibility for the Head Start agency and a policy council, elected by Head Start parents, which is responsible for the direction of the Head Start program. Directs the Secretary to develop policies, procedures, and guidance on the resolution of internal disputes and the implementation of collaborative decision-making in program governance. Requires Head Start agencies to conduct outreach to schools, local educational agencies (LEAs), local businesses, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, museums, and libraries to generate support and leverage community resources to improve school readiness. Requires Head Start agencies, in communities where both public prekindergarten programs and Head Start programs operate, to collaborate and coordinate activities with the public agency and providers responsible for operating prekindergarten programs, including outreach activities to identify eligible children. Directs Head Start agencies, with parental consent, to communicate regularly with schools children will be attending to share information about them, collaborate with such schools' teachers, and ensure children's smooth transition to such schools. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of Head Start agencies to coordinate activities with LEAs and schools in which participating children will enroll. Includes in such collaboration, enhancing the efficiency of services while increasing the participation of underserved eligible children. Requires each Head Start agency, within one year of this Act's enactment, to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the local entity responsible for managing publicly funded preschool programs in its service area for the coordination and review of program services. Establishes curricular requirements that are research-based, comprehensive, and aligned with the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and state early learning standards, as appropriate. Requires the use of ongoing research-based assessment methods and developmental screening tools. Directs programs to develop training and technical assistance plans and professional development plans focused on teacher effectiveness. Requires each Head Start agency to enroll 100% of its funded enrollment, maintain an active waiting list, and conduct community outreach. Requires such agencies to use strong fiscal controls. (Sec. 10) Adds to requirements for Head Start program coordination with LEAs and schools to ensure the continuity of childrens' K-12 education by requiring: (1) the needs of homeless and LEP children, and those currently underserved by Head Start programs, to be addressed; (2) the continuity of developmentally appropriate curricula between Head Start agencies and LEAs; and (3) an emphasis on the role of parental involvement in a child's academic success. Directs the Secretary to provide Head Start agencies with information on, and technical assistance in establishing, policies and activities that support childrens' successful transition to public schools. (Sec. 11) Provides for local and state integration of early childhood education. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Secretary to award, upon written request, collaboration grants to states and each national administrative office serving Indian Head Start and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs to facilitate coordination among Head Start agencies and entities that carry out other activities designed to benefit low-income families and children from birth to school entry. Requires the use of collaboration grants to: (1) assist Head Start agencies to collaborate with entities involved in state and local planning processes to better meet the needs of low-income families and children; (2) assist Head Start agencies to coordinate activities with the responsible state agency under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, and other specified entities; (3) promote alignment of Head Start curricula and services with state early learning standards, as appropriate, and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework; (4) promote better linkages between Head Start agencies and other child and family agencies; and (5) carry out the activities of the state Director of Head Start Collaboration. Requires the state to appoint or designate a state Director of Head Start Collaboration (currently state liaison), and establish an Office of such Director. Requires the state Director to: (1) make specified assessments and strategic plans; (2) promote certain partnerships; (3) enable state agencies to better coordinate professional development opportunities for Head Start staff; and (4) help Head Start agencies develop plans to provide full-working-day, full calendar year services, and align them with state early learning standards, as appropriate, and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework. Directs the Governor of the state to designate or establish a state advisory council on early childhood education and care for children from birth to school entry, on which the state's Director of Head Start Collaboration shall serve. (Sec. 12) Exempts from the requirement for prior submission of explanatory plans to the chief executive officer of a state any contracts, agreements, grants, loans, or other assistance for Indian Head Start programs or migrant or seasonal Head Start programs. (Sec. 13) Adds to Head Start administrative requirements. Directs each Head Start agency to make a report available to the public at least once each fiscal year disclosing: (1) its finances and budget; (2) its enrollment, including the percentage of its enrollees receiving medical and dental exams; (3) the results of the Secretary's most recent review and the financial audit; (4) parental involvement activities; and (5) the agency's efforts to prepare children for kindergarten. Prohibits an agency from using federal funds to purchase a facility unless the agency receives the Secretary's approval and informs the Secretary of its efforts to collaborate with other community providers in seeking assistance to purchase such facility. (Sec. 14) Alters rules regarding eligible Head Start program participants. Requires that homeless children be deemed eligible for Head Start services Allows Head Start agencies to provide services to limited percentages of participants who: (1) are not impoverished but whose family income is below 130% of the poverty level; or (2) who do not meet poverty criteria but would benefit from such services, such as disabled children. Requires priority to be given to children who are homeless or whose family income is below the poverty level. Exempts certain amounts of military pay and allowances from family income consideration for purposes of determining Head Start eligibility, including: (1) special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger; and (2) a specified basic allowance, especially for housing. Authorizes a Head Start agency, after it demonstrates a need through a communitywide strategic planning and needs assessment, to apply to the Secretary to convert part-day sessions, particularly consecutive part-day sessions, into full-day sessions. Allows a Head Start agency to use program funds to serve infants and toddlers if it provides certain information to the Secretary proving its capacity and capability to carry out an effective Early Head Start program. Subjects such agency to the same rules applicable to Early Head Start programs. Allows Indian Head Start agencies that also operate a Early Head Start program to reallocate funds between both programs at any time. (Sec. 15) Adds to Early Head Start program service, coordination, and training requirements. Requires Early Head Start programs to include: (1) parental training in parenting skills and in basic child development; (2) coordination with home-based services, programs for homeless infants and toddlers, and family support services; (3) appropriate screening and referral for children with documented behavioral problems; (4) procedures for transitioning children and parents from an Early Head Start program into a Head Start program or another local early childhood education and development program; (5) communication channels to help coordinate such Early Head Start programs with other early childhood education and development programs; and (6) formal linkages with agencies responsible for administering the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. Includes as eligible Early Head Start service providers: (1) entities operating Indian or migrant or seasonal Head Start programs; and (2) community-based and faith-based organizations capable of providing child and family services that meet Head Start standards and other appropriate requirements. Makes homeless children eligible for Early Head Start services. Applies the changes made to Head Start income eligiblity requirements to Early Head Start programs. Makes available from Early Head Start training and technical assistance funds: (1) at least 50% for the direct use of Early Head Start agencies; (2) at least 25% for state-based or national training and technical assistance systems, including supportive infant and toddler specialists; and (3) the remainder to assist local Early Head Start entities meet and exceed program performance standards. Directs the Secretary to ensure that all teachers providing direct services to children and families in Early Head Start centers have a minimum of a child development associate credential and training in early childhood development by September 30, 2010, and training in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development by September 30, 2012. Directs the Secretary to establish standards for training, qualifications, and the conduct of home visits for home visitor staff in Early Head Start programs. Requires that such standards include content related to the role of parents in child development and in working with other health and developmental service providers to eliminate gaps in service. (Sec. 16) Revises requirements for appeals, notice, and hearings. Prohibits Head Start agencies from using federal Head Start assistance for legal fees and other costs incurred in pursuing appeals; but permits the Secretary to reimburse Head Start agencies for fees deemed reasonable and customary. (Sec. 17) Requires Head Start agencies to submit to the Secretary complete annual accountings of their administrative expenses as well as, within 30 days after completion of an audit, a copy of the audit management letters and audit findings. (Sec. 18) Revises training and technical assistance requirements. Adds as targets of such assistance: (1) services and outreach to homeless children, LEP children and their families, and disabled children; (2) the unique needs of rural Head Start programs; (3) members of governing bodies and policy councils or committees; (4) ensuring that staff are qualified to promote child obesity prevention; (5) training for Indian Head Start agency staff; and (6) Head Start agency selection and use of performance measures. Requires the Secretary to provide additional support for: (1) an organization to administer a centralized child development and national assessment program leading to recognized credentials for early childhood education and development personnel; and (2) training personnel to better serve LEP children and their families, abused or neglected children, children coping with community violence, children with health problems, disabled children and their families, migrant and seasonal farmworker families, and homeless families. Directs the Secretary to establish an outreach program to recruit and train professionals from diverse backgrounds to become Head Start teachers Requires each Head Start agency to ensure that all of its teachers receive ongoing training in language and emergent literacy. Prohibits the use of training funds for long-distance travel to training that is available locally or regionally. Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts in each state with one or more entities that have expertise in supporting the delivery of high-quality early childhood education and development programs for the development of state-based or national (for migrant, seasonal, or Indian programs) training and technical assistance systems that improve the capacity of Head Start programs to meet or exceed Head Start performance standards. Requires the Secretary to consult appropriate federal agencies and other experts, as appropriate, regarding indoor air quality and children's health and inform Head Start agencies of programs that improve indoor air. Establishes the Career Advancement Partnership program that allows the Secretary to award demonstration grants to historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and tribal colleges and universities to increase the number and expertise of teachers in early childhood education or related fields. Requires individuals that receive program assistance to teach in a center-based Head Start program for a period equivalent to the period for which they received assistance, or repay such assistance. (Sec. 19) Amends staff qualification and development requirements. Directs the Secretary to ensure that by September 30, 2013, at least 50% of Head Start teachers and all Head Start education coordinators nationwide in center-based programs have: (1) a baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood education; or (2) a baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience in teaching preschool children. Requires all Head Start teaching assistants nationwide in center-based programs to have a child development associate credential or be working toward an associate or baccalaureate degree by such date. Requires Head Start agencies to issue progress reports regarding their teachers' attainment of credentials and degrees. Requires each Head Start classroom that does not have a teacher that meets such qualifications to be assigned at least one teacher that meets certain alternative credentialing and degree requirements. Requires each Head Start teacher to attend at least 15 clock hours of professional development per year. Requires individuals who receive educational assistance for teacher training under the Act to teach or work in a Head Start center for a minimum of three years thereafter, or repay the total or an amount prorated on the basis of service completed. Directs the Secretary to review and, as necessary, revise or develop maximum caseload requirements for Head Start family service workers and promote strategies that ensure their ability to meet the needs of special populations, including LEP children. Requires each Head Start agency and program to create a professional development plan for all their employees who provide direct services to children, and regularly evaluate the plan's effectiveness. Prohibits Head Start agencies from employing individuals before interviewing them, verifying their personal and employment references, and obtaining criminal record background checks. (Sec. 20) Alters Head Start research, demonstration, and evaluation requirements. Includes homeless children, abused and neglected children, and foster care children in the continuing program of Head Start research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, which are now to be scientifically-based. Repeals the mandate for the required use and linkage of specified surveys in evaluating Head Start program participants. Requires that research, demonstration, and evaluation activities: (1) contribute to increasing the effective delivery of Head Start services to disabled and nondisabled children in classrooms containing a mixture of such children; and (2) identify successful strategies that promote good oral and vision health for Early Head Start and Head Start participants. Directs the Secretary to: (1) study and report to Congress on the status of LEP children and their families in Head Start and Early Head Start programs; and (2) award competitive research and evaluation grants to organizations with a demonstrated capacity to serve and study such children and their families, migrant and seasonal farmworker families, and other families of diverse populations served by Head Start programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) integrate into each Head Start program assessment the results of the National Academy of Sciences study on Developmental Outcomes and Assessments for Young Children, when they become available; and (2) use them to develop, inform, and revise Head Start quality standards and measures. Terminates further development and use of the National Reporting System. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and report on Head Start program participation by eligible Indian, Alaskan Native, and migrant and seasonal children. Directs the Secretary to study and make recommendations for improving federal, state, and local emergency preparedness and response capabilities as they relate to Head Start and Early Head Start programs. (Sec. 21) Includes homeless children, foster care children, and children participating Indian Head Start or migrant or seasonal Head Start programs in the biennial reports on the status of children in Head Start programs. Requires such reports to include information on the number of children served, disaggregated by eligibility type. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress annually on whether triennial reviews of Head Start agencies provide reasonable assurances that such agencies are complying with applicable fiscal laws and regulations. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on; (1) the provision of services to disabled Head Start children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and (2) efforts to prevent and reduce obesity in Head Start children. (Sec. 22) Prohibits any Head Start employee from being compensated at a rate greater than the level II Executive Schedule pay rate. (Sec. 23) Extends the ban against aid to or assistance in any unlawful demonstration, rioting, or civil disturbance to any individual in any Head Start Agency or other agency assisted under the Head Start Act. (Sec. 24) Extends certain political activity restrictions to any individual employed by or assigned to a program receiving assistance under the Head Start Act during the hours in which he or she is working on its behalf. Prohibits the use of Head Start appropriations for voter registration activities. (Sec. 25) Requires Head Start agencies to obtain written parental consent before administering to a child, or referring the child for, a nonemergency intrusive physical examination, including one in connection with the program. Declares that such requirement shall not be construed to prohibit agencies from using established methods for handling cases of suspected or known child abuse and neglect in compliance with applicable federal, state, or tribal law. (Sec. 26) Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate up to 200 exemplary Head Start agencies as Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood; and (2) make them bonus grants. Requires the Centers to use at least 15% of their grants to disseminate best practices for achieving early academic success to other Head Start agencies in their states. Authorizes the use of remaining grant funds on Head Start access and quality improvement efforts, and coordinating Head Start services with other educational and social services for children and their families. Directs the Secretary to award a grant or contract to an independent organization to research and report on the Centers' ability to: (1) improve Head Start childrens' school readiness and performance in the earliest grades; and (2) encourage delegate agencies, additional Head Start agencies, and other early childhood education and development providers to meet measurable improvement goals, particularly in school readiness. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012. (Sec. 28) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress: (1) certifying that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has, for each program and activity of the Administration for Children and Families, determined which bears a significant risk of making improper payments; and (2) describing the actions to be taken to reduce improper payments to such programs and activities.<br/>

1197435600 2007-12-12 Thu Nov 06 19:56:54 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 19 291 41931 Wed Oct 24 11:08:00 -0500 2007 true 3348 122 996 65 0 On Passage: H R 1483 Celebrating America’s Heritage Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Wed Oct 24 11:21:02 -0500 2007 house h 85 41931 1173672000 false 1193242080 1213588800 12 1483 1192 110 400334

6/16/2008--Reported to Senate amended. Celebrating America's Heritage Act - Title I: Designations: Subtitle A: Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area - (Sec. 1103) Establishes the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area in Alabama. (Sec. 1104) Designates the Muscle Shoals Regional Center as the local coordinating entity for the Area. Requires the Muscle Shoals Regional Center to prepare and submit a management plan for the Area. Authorizes the Muscle Shoals Regional Center, subject to the prior approval of the Secretary of the Interior, to use federal funds made available under this subtitle to: (1) make grants to the state, political subdivisions of the state, nonprofits, and other persons; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide technical assistance to the state, political subdivisions of the state, nonprofits, federal agencies, and other interested parties. Prohibits the Muscle Shoals Regional Center from using federal funds received under this subtitle to acquire any interest in real property. (Sec. 1105) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance under the authority of this subtitle for the development and implementation of the management plan; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with interested parties to carry out this subtitle. (Sec. 1106) Authorizes the Secretary: (1) upon request of the Muscle Shoals Regional Center, to provide technical and financial assistance to it, on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis (as determined by the Secretary), to develop and implement the management plan; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with the Muscle Shoals Regional Center and other public or private entities to provide such technical or financial assistance. Requires the Secretary to evaluate and report on the accomplishments of the Area. (Sec. 1107) Specifies this subtitle's effect with regard to: (1) other federal agencies; and (2) property owners and certain related regulatory protections. (Sec. 1109) Authorizes appropriations. Limits: (1) the amount to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle to $10 million of which not more than $1 million may be made available for any fiscal year; and (2) the federal cost share of any activity carried out using any assistance made available under this subtitle to 50%. Prohibits anything in this subtitle from precluding the Muscle Shoals Regional Center from using federal funds made available under other laws for the purposes for which those funds were authorized. (Sec. 1110) Terminates the authority of the Secretary to provide financial assistance under this subtitle 15 years after enactment of this Act. Subtitle B: Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area (Sec. 1203) Establishes the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area in Arizona. Designates the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance, Inc. as the local coordinating entity for the Area. (Sec. 1204) Requires the Alliance to prepare and submit a management plan for the Area. Authorizes the Alliance to use federal funds made available under this subtitle to: (1) make grants to the state, political subdivisions of the state, nonprofits, and other persons; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide technical assistance to political subdivisions of the state, nonprofits, federal agencies, and other interested parties. Prohibits the Alliance from using federal funds received under this subtitle to acquire any interest in real property. Prohibits anything in this subtitle from precluding the Alliance from using federal funds from other sources for authorized purposes. (Sec. 1206) Authorizes the Secretary: (1) upon request of the Alliance, to provide technical and financial assistance to it, on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis (as determined by the Secretary), to develop and implement the management plan; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with the Alliance and other public or private entities to provide such technical or financial assistance. Requires the Secretary to evaluate and report on the accomplishments of the Area. (Sec. 1207) Specifies this subtitle's effect with regard to: (1) other federal agencies; and (2) property owners and certain related regulatory protections. (Sec. 1209) Authorizes appropriations. Limits: (1) the amount to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle to $10 million of which not more than $1 million may be made available for any fiscal year; and (2) the federal cost share of any activity carried out using any assistance made available under this subtitle to 50%. (Sec. 1210) Terminates the authority of the Secretary to provide financial assistance under this subtitle 15 years after enactment of this Act. Title II: Study - (Sec. 2001) Requires the Secretary to study and report on the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National Heritage Area to be comprised of: (1) the area of land between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers of the eastern coastal region of Virginia; (2) Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, King George, and Lancaster Counties of Virginia; and (3) any other area adjacent to or in the vicinity of those areas that have similar heritage aspects. Title III: Technical Amendments - (Sec. 3001) Amends the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Act to modify requirements concerning the Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission. Requires the Commission to be composed of at least 21 members (under current law, 27 members), but not more than 27 members at any given time. Extends the duration of the Commission for an additional 5 years. Provides for Department of Interior employees detailed to the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties (under current law, duties with regard to the preparation and approval of the Canalway Plan for the Corridor). Authorizes the Superintendent of Saratoga National Historical Park in New York, upon request, to provide any operational assistance that is appropriate to assist with the implementation of the Canalway Plan. Makes the amount authorized to be appropriated for the Corridor in any fiscal year available until expended. (Sec. 3002) Amends federal law relating to the establishment of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (re-named the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor) in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to modify the composition of the membership of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission.

1213588800 2008-06-16 Thu Nov 06 20:03:27 -0600 2008 NayAye 14 394 41956 Thu Apr 19 18:08:00 -0500 2007 true 4399 25 234 65 0 On Passage: H R 1495 Water Resources Development Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:36:52 -0500 2007 house h 297 41956 1173758400 false 1194540300 1194584400 76 1495 4604 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 47 261 42015 Tue Jan 29 17:37:00 -0600 2008 true 3457 122 28 44 0 On Passage: H R 1528 New England National Scenic Trail Designation Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Tue Jan 29 17:51:02 -0600 2008 house h 73 42015 1173844800 false 1201649820 1213588800 2 1528 1482 110 400301

6/16/2008--Reported to Senate amended. New England National Scenic Trail Designation Act - Amends the National Trails System Act to designate the New England National Scenic Trail as a National Scenic Trail. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local agencies, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, and other organizations, to administer the Trail after considering the recommendations of the Metacomet Monadnock Mattabesett Trail System National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment prepared by the National Park Service (NPS), dated Spring 2006. Bars the acquisition of any land or interest for the Trail by the government without the owner's consent. Directs the Secretary to consider the actions outlined in the Trail Management Blueprint as the framework for management and administration of the Trail. Allows for the development of additional or more detailed plans for the administration, management, protection, access, maintenance, or development of the Trail consistent with the Blueprint, and as approved by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with Massachusetts, Connecticut, and other regional, local, and private organizations deemed necessary and desirable to accomplish cooperative trail objectives consistent with the Blueprint. Permits such an agreement to include provisions for limited financial assistance to encourage participation in the planning, acquisition, protection, operation, development, or maintenance of the Trail. Encourages the Secretary to work with New Hampshire and appropriate local and private organizations to include that part of the Metacomet-Monadock Trail in New Hampshire (which lies between Royalston, Massachusetts, and Jaffrey, New Hampshire) as a component of the Trail. Makes inclusion of this segment, as well as other potential side or connecting trails, contingent upon written application to the Secretary by appropriate state and local jurisdictions and a finding by the Secretary that trail management and administration is consistent with the Blueprint.<br/>

1213588800 2008-06-16 Thu Nov 06 20:11:44 -0600 2008 NayAye 7 426 42052 Wed Mar 28 16:11:00 -0500 2007 true 3309 0 208 56 0 On Passage: H R 1538 Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007 true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:20:43 -0500 2007 house h 151 42052 1173931200 false 1175116260 1188964800 22 1538 3193 110 400377

7/25/2007--Passed Senate amended. Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act - Title I: Wounded Warrior Matters - Subtitle A: Policy on Care, Management, and Transition of Servicemembers With Serious Injuries or Illnesses - (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs (Secretaries) to: (1) jointly develop and implement a comprehensive policy on the care and management of members of the Armed Forces (members) who are undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, are in medical hold or holdover status, or are otherwise on the temporary disability retired list for a serious injury or illness (recovering members); (2) jointly update the policy on a periodic basis (at least annually); and (3) jointly and separately review all policies and procedures of the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that apply to, or are covered by, the comprehensive 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 developed to include: (1) mechanisms to ensure responsibility for recovering members in medical hold or holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list; (2) processes, procedures, and standards for medical evaluations and physical disability evaluations of recovering members; (3) standards for determinations of the return of recovering members to active duty; (4) standards for the transition of recovering members from care and treatment by DOD to care and treatment by the VA before, during, and after separation from service; (5) VA access to military health records of recovering members; and (6) surveys and other mechanisms to measure patient and family satisfaction with the DOD and VA provision of care and services. Requires a report from: (1) the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to the congressional defense committees on instances when a disability rating assigned to a member by an informal physical evaluation board of DOD was reduced upon appeal, and the reasons for such reduction; (2) the Secretaries to the defense and veterans committees on the policy developed, as well as on policy updates; and (3) the Comptroller General (CG) annually to the defense and veterans committees assessing DOD and VA progress in developing and implementing the policy. (Sec. 112) Requires the Secretaries, in developing and implementing the policy, to: (1) take into account and fully address any unique needs of women members and women veterans; and (2) include a description of such needs, and the manner in which they are addressed, in any reports required under the previous section. Subtitle B: Health Care - Part I: Enhanced Availability of Care for Servicemembers - (Sec. 121) Entitles any recovering member and any former member with a severe injury or illness to medical and dental care in any military medical facility or through any civilian health care provider authorized by the Secretary to provide health and mental health services, including services for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Authorizes such medical and dental care for three years beginning on the date: (1) of enactment of this Act, for those whose injury or illness was incurred on or after October 7, 2001, and before the enactment of this Act; and (2) on which the injury or illness is incurred, for those whose injury or illness occurs on or after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to waive any limitation on the provision of such care if considered appropriate to assure the maximum feasible recovery and rehabilitation of the member or former member. Prohibits the Secretary from providing such medical and dental care after December 31, 2012, if the Secretary has not provided such care to such member or former member before that date. Entitles members with a severe injury or illness to rehabilitation and vocational benefits from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned (Secretary concerned) to reimburse recovering members and former members with a severe injury or illness for certain expenses incurred in connection with the receipt of required medical care. (Sec. 122) Requires the Secretary to provide reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses for follow-on specialty care and related services of a former member who incurred a disability while on active duty in a combat zone or in combat-related operations, is entitled to retired or retainer pay, and requires follow-up care, services, or supplies at a specific military treatment facility located more than 100 miles away from the member's residence. Part II: Care and Services for Dependents - (Sec. 126) 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. Makes a family member who is eligible for medical care under (1), above, for more than 45 days during a one-year period also eligible for job placement services offered by DOD. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on the need for additional employment services and job protection for family members who are placed on leave or displaced from employment while caring for a recovering member. (Sec. 127) Provides extended benefits under TRICARE (a DOD managed care program) for the primary caregivers of members who incur a serious injury or illness while on active duty. Part III: Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - (Sec. 131) Directs the Secretary to submit to the defense committees one or more comprehensive plans for DOD programs and activities to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat, and otherwise respond to TBI and PTSD in members. (Sec. 132) 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 and veterans committees on the pilot projects; and (4) after completion of the pilot projects, establish the appropriate mechanism for use in the protocol. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 133) Requires the Secretary to establish in DOD a center of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of: (1) TBI; and (2) PTSD. Requires reports from the Secretary to Congress on the establishment and operation of each center. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 134) Directs the Secretaries to jointly: (1) conduct a comprehensive review of the need for mental health treatment and services, and the adequacy of existing treatment and services, for female members and veterans; (2) report to the defense and veterans committees on the review; and (3) develop a comprehensive policy to address the treatment and care of female members and veterans who experience mental health problems and conditions, including PTSD. (Sec. 135) Authorizes appropriations to DOD for FY2008 for activities related to the improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members with: (1) TBI; or (2) PTSD. (Sec. 136) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on progress in implementing requirements under the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 relating to: (1) a study on TBI incurred by members participating in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; (2) enhanced mental health screening and services for members; and (3) 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. Part IV: Other Matters - (Sec. 141) Directs the Secretaries to: (1) develop and implement a joint electronic health record (joint record) for use by DOD and VA; and (2) accelerate the exchange of health care information between the two departments. Establishes the Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office for a Joint Electronic Health Record, with a Director and Deputy Director. Requires the Office to develop and prepare for deployment by September 30, 2010, a joint record which complies with applicable federal interoperability standards. Authorizes the Secretaries to carry out pilot projects of various technological approaches to the achievement of the joint record. Requires: (1) annual reports from the Office Director to the Secretaries and the defense and veterans committees on Office activities (to be made available to the public); and (2) semiannual reports, until joint record implementation, from the CG to the defense and veterans committees on DOD-VA progress in developing and implementing the joint record. Provides funding. (Sec. 142) 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 committees. (Sec. 143) Requires the Secretary to: (1) recommend to the defense committees legislative or administrative actions to address shortages in health care professionals within DOD; and (2) implement programs to recruit qualified individuals to serve as health care and mental health care personnel. Subtitle C: Disability Matters - Part I: Disability Evaluations - (Sec. 151) Authorizes the retirement or separation for disability of 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 compelling medical evidence or judgment warrants a finding that the disability existed before the member's entrance into active duty. (Sec. 152) Requires the Secretary concerned, in making disability determinations, to: (1) utilize the schedule for rating disabilities in use by the VA; and (2) not deviate from such schedule. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to utilize criteria other than the VA schedule if the criteria will result in a determination of a greater percentage of disability than in the use of the schedule. (Sec. 153) Directs the Secretary to establish within DOD 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% disabled or less; and (2) found to be ineligible for retirement. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to correct the military records of such individuals in light of any Board of Review findings. (Sec. 154) Directs the Secretary to carry out pilot programs on the revision and improvement of the disability evaluation system for members. Requires under one of 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 members as required under section 111. Requires: (1) each pilot program to be completed within one year after its commencement; and (2) an interim and final report on the pilot programs from the Secretary to the defense and veterans committees. (Sec. 155) Requires quarterly reports from the Secretary to the defense committees, until March 1, 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 on that system; (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. Part II: Other Disability Matters - (Sec. 161) 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 disability severance pay due to payments received as veterans' disability compensation in the case of disability severance 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. 162) Requires the Secretary to develop a form for member designation of a recipient of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance proceeds in cases where the member is medically incapacitated or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness. (Sec. 163) Directs the Secretaries to jointly develop and implement a mechanism to provide for the electronic transfer from DOD to VA of any DOD documents necessary to establish or support the eligibility of a member for benefits under laws administered by the VA at the time of the member's retirement, separation, or release from service. (Sec. 164) Requires the Secretary and the CG to report to the defense committees an assessment of the continuing utility of the temporary disability retired list in satisfying the purposes for which it was established. Subtitle D: Improvement of Facilities Housing Patients (Sec. 171) 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: (1) specify a deadline for standards compliance for each facility; and (2) report to the defense committees on actions taken to carry out this section. (Sec. 172) Requires quarterly reports from the Secretary to the defense committees, until March 1, 2009, on implementation of the action plan of the Army to correct deficiencies identified in the condition of facilities, and in the administration of outpatients in medical hold or holdover status, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other applicable Army installations. (Sec. 173) Directs the Secretary to: (1) assess the feasibility of accelerating the construction and completion of new facilities required to facilitate 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; (2) develop and carry out a plan for the construction and completion of the replacement facilities; (3) submit such plan to the defense committees; and (4) make certain certifications to such committees with respect to the plan submitted. Subtitle E: Outreach and Related Information on Benefits - (Sec. 181) 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 F: Other Matters - (Sec. 191) 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 upon the completion of each of the two phases of such study; (2) the Secretaries to develop a preliminary and final DOD-VA plan to address the NAS report findings and recommendations; (3) Secretaries to report each plan to Congress; and (4) CG to submit to Congress an assessment of each plan. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Veterans Matters - (Sec. 201) Expresses the sense of Congress concerning VA efforts toward the rehabilitation and community reintegration of veterans with TBI. (Sec. 202) 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 such 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 such 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 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. (Sec. 203) Requires the Secretary to use non-VA facilities to implement the TBI rehabilitation and reintegration plans described in the previous section when the Secretary: (1) is unable to provide the treatment or services at the frequency or for the duration prescribed in such plan; or (2) determines it to be the best option with respect to the recovery and rehabilitation of the individual. Requires the facilities used to maintain appropriate standards for the provision of such treatment or services. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to establish a program of research, education, and clinical care to provide intensive neuro-rehabilitation to veterans with a severe TBI, including veterans in a minimally conscious state who would otherwise receive only long-term residential care. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a program report from the Secretary to Congress. (Sec. 205) 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. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary, in carrying out specified VA research programs and activities, to ensure that such programs and activities include research on the sequelae (aftereffects) of mild to severe forms of TBI. (Sec. 207) Requires the Secretary to ensure that veterans' nursing home care is provided in an age-appropriate manner. (Sec. 208) Extends from two to five years after their release from service the period of eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care in the case of 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. 209) Replaces the word &quot;psychosis&quot; with &quot;mental illness&quot; as it pertains to the presumption of service-connection for veterans' disability compensation purposes. Directs the Secretary, upon request of a veteran described in the previous section, to provide such veteran with a preliminary mental health evaluation as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 days after the request. (Sec. 210) 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. 211) Requires the Secretary to carry out, in at least three locations, a demonstration program on preventing veterans at-risk of homelessness from becoming homeless. Terminates program authority at the end of FY2011. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 212) 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. Title III - Waives the scheduled FY2008 pay increases for members of the uniformed services and, instead, provides a higher increase, effective January 1, 2008, that will increase by 3.5% the rates of basic pay for members of the uniformed services.<br/>

1188964800 2007-09-05 Thu Jan 01 11:01:20 -0600 2009 AyeAye 8 397 42149 Thu May 17 11:48:00 -0500 2007 true 4290 27 373 109 0 On Passage: H R 1585 National Defense Authorization Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 11:05:33 -0500 2007 house h 1206 42149 1174363200 false 1197656760 1200440460 305 1585 18179 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 NayNay 3 218 42155 Fri Mar 23 11:43:00 -0500 2007 true 4110 212 186 93 1 On Passage: H R 1591 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:07:00 -0500 2007 house h 675 42155 1174363200 false 1178131020 1178164320 208 1591 7787 110 400300

4/24/2007--Conference report filed in House. U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 - Title I: Global War on Terror Supplemental Appropriations - Chapter 1 - Makes FY2007 emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, for commodities supplied in connection with dispositions abroad under Public Law 480 Title II Grants. (Sec. 1101) Makes specified appropriations to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for the release of eligible commodities for emergency humanitarian food needs in developing countries under the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act, in order to replenish the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust. Chapter 2 - Makes FY2007 emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of Justice, to remain available through FY2008, for general legal activities, U.S. Attorneys, the U.S. Marshals Service, the National Security Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Prison System. Allocates certain funds, including funds for the Office of the Inspector General, to implement corrective actions in response to the findings and recommendations in the Office of Inspector General report, &quot;A Review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Use of National Security Letters.&quot; Chapter 3 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2007 for contingency operations directly related to the global war on terror and other unanticipated defense-related operations, specifically for: (1) military personnel; (2) operation and maintenance (O&amp;amp;M); (3) the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund; (4) the Iraq Security Forces Fund; (5) the Iraq Freedom Fund; (6) the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund; (7) the Strategic Reserve Readiness Fund; (8) procurement; (9) research, development, test and evaluation; (10) Defense Working Capital Funds; (11) the National Defense Sealift Fund; (12) the Defense Health Program; (13) defense drug interdiction and counter-drug activities; and (14) the Intelligence Community Management Account. (Sec. 1302) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary, for purposes of this Chapter), in the national interest, to transfer between appropriations up to $3.5 billion of the funds made available to DOD in this Chapter. Requires congressional notification of each transfer. (Sec. 1306) Authorizes the Secretary to use specified funds to support counter-drug activities of the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan. (Sec. 1307) Allows specified O&amp;amp;M funds to be used to fund the Commander's Emergency Response Program (urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan). Requires quarterly reports from the Secretary to the congressional defense committees on the use of such funds. (Sec. 1308) Continues through FY2008 required reports from the Secretary to Congress on progress toward military and political stability in Iraq. (Sec. 1311) Prohibits any funds from being obligated or expended by the U.S. government to: (1) establish any military installation or base for the permanent stationing of U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq; or (2) exercise U.S. control over any oil resource of Iraq. (Sec. 1312) Prohibits funds from this Act from being used in contravention of specified laws enacted or regulations promulgated to implement the United Nations (UN) Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. (Sec. 1313) Requires quarterly reports to the defense committees from the: (1) Secretary on readiness assessments of Iraq and Afghan security forces; and (2) Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on proposed uses of funds in the Iraq Security Forces Fund and the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund. Directs the Secretary to notify such committees of any use or transfer of such funds in excess of $15 million. (Sec. 1315) Prohibits the obligation of more than 85% of O&amp;amp;M funds until the Secretary reports to the defense committees on the use of contracted services in support of U.S. military and reconstruction activities in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Sec. 1316) Authorizes a member of the Armed Forces, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this chapter and ending on September 30, 2007, to designate another person (in lieu of a codified list of survivors) to receive up to 50% of the death gratuity payable to such member upon their death from active-duty military service. (Sec. 1317) Increases from 20 to 287 the number of heavy and light armored vehicles authorized to be purchased by DOD for force protection purposes in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Sec. 1318) Directs the Secretary to annually inspect, for maintenance and operation quality control purposes, each DOD military medical treatment facility, each military quarters housing medical hold personnel, and each military quarters housing medical holdover personnel. Requires: (1) the correction of deficiencies found; and (2) a report from the Secretary to the defense committees setting forth appropriate standards in the event that no maintenance or operations standards exist at any such facility or if current standards are inadequate. (Sec. 1319) Authorizes the use of specified funds from the Iraq Security Forces Fund to assist the government of Iraq to support the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of militias and illegal armed groups. (Sec. 1320) Earmarks specified DOD funds to commission an independent private entity to assess the current capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces. Requires a findings report from such entity to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 1321) Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Woodrow W. Keeble for acts of valor during the Korean War. (Sec. 1323) Provides for the transfer of appropriated funds from specified military accounts to the Economic Support Fund, for use in programs in Pakistan. Chapter 4 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2007 appropriations to the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, for Defense Nuclear Non-proliferation. Chapter 5 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2007 appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for: (1) Analysis and Operations to support the State and Local Fusion Center program; (2) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to increase the number of officers, intelligence analysts, and support staff responsible for container security inspections and for other efforts to improve supply chain security, with a specified amount transferred to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for basic training costs; (3) Air and Marine Interdiction, Operations, Maintenance, and Procurement for air and marine operations on the Northern Border; (4) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); (5) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for aviation security, including the procurement and installation of checked baggage explosives detection systems, the expansion of checkpoint explosives detection pilot systems, and air cargo security, and for Federal Air Marshals; (6) National Protection and Programs for infrastructure protection and information security and for the Office of Health Affairs for nuclear event public health assessment and planning and other activities; (7) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including for management and administration, state and local programs (for port security grants, intercity rail passenger transportation, freight rail, and transit security grants, regional grants and regional technical assistance to high risk urban areas for catastrophic event planning and preparedness), and emergency management performance grants; (8) Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) to address backlogs of security checks associated with pending applications and petitions; (9) Science and Technology for research, development, acquisition, and operations for air cargo security research; and (10) the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office for non-container, rail aviation, and intermodal radiation detection activities and for systems acquisition. (Sec. 1501) Amends the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 to require information developed under provisions regarding the Secretary's issuance of interim final regulations establishing risk-based performance standards for security of chemical facilities and requiring vulnerability assessments and the development and implementation of site security plans for chemical facilities to be given protection from public disclosure identical to that given information developed by chemical facilities subject to regulation. Requires site security plans to be treated as sensitive security information. Provides that such Act shall not preclude or deny the right of any state or political subdivision to adopt or enforce any chemical facility security regulation, requirement, or standard that is more stringent than one issued under such Act. Directs the Secretary to update the regulations administered by the Secretary that govern sensitive security information to ensure the protection of all information required to be protected under such Act. Prohibits the use of funds provided in this Act or in such Act to carry out provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 regarding reorganization. Directs the Secretary to require all DHS contracts that provide award fees to link such fees to successful acquisition outcomes, which shall be specified in terms of cost, schedule, and performance. Chapter 6 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2007 appropriations to the House of Representatives and GAO. Chapter 7 - Makes supplemental appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for military construction and the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005. (Sec. 1701) Prohibits any funds from being used to close Walter Reed Army Medical Center until equivalent medical facilities at the Walter Reed National Medical Center at Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, and/or the Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Community Hospital have been constructed and equipped. Requires that, during any such transition, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center shall be adequately funded to maintain the maximum level of inpatient and outpatient services. (Sec. 1702) Prohibits any funds from being used to reorganize or relocate the functions of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology until the Secretary of Defense has submitted to the defense and appropriations committees a detailed plan and timetable for the proposed reorganization and relocation. Outlines plan requirements, including consideration of a related study being prepared by the GAO. Chapter 8 - Makes additional FY2008 appropriations for the Department of State for: (1) administration of foreign affairs and diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the Office of Inspector General; (3) educational and cultural exchange programs; and (4) international organizations and peacekeeping. Makes additional FY2008 appropriations for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for: (1) the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund; (2) international disaster and famine assistance; and (3) operating expenses, including the Office of Inspector General. Makes additional FY2008 appropriations for: (1) the Economic Support Fund; (2) the Democracy Fund for democracy programs in Iraq; (3) assistance to eastern Europe and the Baltic States for Kosovo; (4) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (5) migration and refugee assistance, with a set-aside for the rescue of Iraqi scholars; (6) the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (7) nonproliferation, antiterrorism, and demining; (8) the Broadcasting Board of Governors for international broadcasting operations; (9) the Department of the Treasury's international affairs technical assistance program; and (10) the foreign military financing program and peacekeeping operations. Rescinds specified funds for the Colombian Navy. (Sec. 1801) Authorizes the obligation and expenditure of funds appropriated under this title notwithstanding specified 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. 1802) Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense and for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, 2004, as amended by the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 and the Iraq Reconstruction Accountability Act of 2006 to revise the calculation provision for termination of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. (Sec. 1803) Prohibits: (1) economic support fund assistance under this Act from being made available to the government of Lebanon until the Secretary of State reports to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations respecting Lebanon's economic reform plan and on the specific conditions and benchmarks agreed upon by the United States and Lebanon pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding on cash transfer assistance for Lebanon; and (2) military financing or narcotics control/law enforcement fund assistance under this Act being made available to Lebanon until the Secretary reports to the Committees respecting procedures established to determine eligibility of members and units of the armed forces and police forces of Lebanon to participate in U.S. training and assistance programs and on the end use monitoring of all equipment provided under such programs. Requires the Secretary to certify to the Committees, prior to the initial obligation of certain military and antiterrorism assistance funds for Lebanon, that efforts have been made to ensure that such assistance is not provided to terrorist or terrorist-supporting individuals or entities. (Sec. 1804) Authorizes FY2007 appropriations for Department of the Treasury bilateral economic assistance to be used to assist Liberia in retiring its debts to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), and the African Development Bank. (Sec. 1805) Directs the Department of State to provide GAO staff members country clearances, life support, and logistical and security support necessary for GAO personnel to establish a presence in Iraq for periods of at least 45 days. (Sec. 1806) Makes the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor responsible for all policy, funding, and programming decisions regarding funds made available under this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing and related programs for the Human Rights and Democracy Fund of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. (Sec. 1807) Authorizes, and sets forth the conditions under which, the Inspector General of the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors may use personal services contracts to engage U.S. citizens to support the Office of the Inspector General's oversight of Iraq and Afghanistan programs. (Sec. 1808) Sets forth specified funding tables. (Sec. 1809) Directs the Secretary to report to the Committees respecting planned expenditures of funds under this chapter, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 1810) Prohibits economic support fund assistance under this Act to be made available to the government of Pakistan for non-project assistance until the Secretary reports to the Committees respecting the oversight mechanisms, performance benchmarks, and implementation processes for such funds. Sets aside amounts for political party development and election observation programs. (Sec. 1811) Authorizes specified funds under this Act to be used for a civilian reserve corps. (Sec. 1812) Directs the President to appoint a Coordinator for Iraq Assistance who shall be responsible for developing and implementing an overall strategy for political, economic, and military assistance for Iraq. Chapter 9 - (Sec. 1901) Prohibits funds from being used to deploy any unit of the Armed Forces to Iraq unless the chief of the military department concerned has certified to the defense and appropriations committees at least 15 days in advance that such unit is fully mission capable. Allows the President to waive a finding of not fully mission capable, and to deploy such a unit, if the President finds it necessary for national security and details the particular reason(s) why the unit's deployment is necessary. (Sec. 1902) Prohibits funds from being used to initiate, execute, or continue any order that has the effect of extending the deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom of any unit of the: (1) Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard beyond 365 days; or (2) Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve beyond 210 days. Provides the same presidential waiver as above. (Sec. 1903) Prohibits funds from being used to initiate, execute, or continue any order that has the effect of deploying for Operation Iraqi Freedom any unit of the: (1) Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard if such unit has been deployed within the previous 365 consecutive days; or (2) Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve if such unit has been deployed within the previous 210 consecutive days. Provides the same presidential waiver as under section 1901, above. (Sec. 1904) Outlines specified determinations, relating to actions of the government of Iraq, that must be made by the President to Congress on or before July 1, 2007. Requires that, if the President fails to make any of the determinations, the Secretary of Defense shall commence the redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq no later than such date, with a goal of completing such redeployment within 180 days. Requires that, if the President makes all such determinations, the Secretary shall commence such redeployment no later than October 1, 2007, with a goal of completing that redeployment within 180 days. Makes funds immediately available to plan and execute a safe and orderly redeployment. Prohibits the Secretary, after the appropriate redeployment period, from deploying or maintaining members of the Armed Forces in Iraq for any purpose other than: (1) protecting American diplomatic facilities, American citizens, and other U.S. forces; (2) serving in roles consistent with customary diplomatic positions; (3) engaging in targeted special actions limited in duration and scope to killing or capturing members of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations; and (4) training and equipping members of the Iraqi Security Forces. Limits to 50% the availability of funds from the Economic Support Fund and the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement account for assistance to Iraq until the President has made specified certifications to Congress with respect to Iraqi oil revenue sharing, elections, de-Baathification, and reconstruction. Excepts from the 50% limitation: (1) Economic Support Fund amounts for the Community Action Program and Community Stabilization Program in Iraq under the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); and (2) programs and activities to promote democracy in Iraq. Requires the Commander, Multi-National Forces--Iraq and the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq to report to Congress, beginning on September 1, 2007, and every 60 days thereafter on actions being taken by the government of Iraq to meet the presidential determinations required at the beginning of this section. Title II: Additional Hurricane Disaster Relief and Recovery - Chapter 1 - (Sec. 2101) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out an emergency forestry conservation reserve pilot program beyond 2006 in states determined to have suffered damage to merchantable timber in counties affected by hurricanes during 2005. Chapter 2 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2007 appropriations to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for state and local law enforcement assistance for discretionary grants authorized under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as in effect on September 30, 2006. Provides that such amounts shall be for local law enforcement initiatives in the Gulf Coast region related to the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and shall be apportioned among the states in quotient to their level of violent crime as estimated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Uniform Crime Report for 2005. Makes emergency supplemental FY2007 appropriations to the Department of Commerce for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Operations, Research, and Facilities for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the shrimp and fishing industries. Makes emergency supplemental FY2007 appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina. (Sec. 2201) Makes sums available to NASA for emergency hurricane and other natural disaster-related expenses to reimburse hurricane-related costs incurred by NASA in FY2005. Chapter 3 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2007 appropriations to the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers--Civil, for construction for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season, which may be used to continue construction of projects related to interior drainage for the greater New Orleans metropolitan area. Authorizes the use of specified funds by the Secretary of the Army to: (1) carry out projects and measures related to flood control and coastal emergencies for the West Bank and Vicinity and Lake Ponchartrain and Vicinity, Louisiana, projects; (2) support emergency operations, repairs, and other activities in response to flood, drought, and earthquake emergencies as authorized by law; and (3) implement the projects for hurricane storm damage reduction, flood damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration within Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties, Mississippi, in accordance with the Report of the Chief of Engineers dated December 31, 2006. Directs the Chief of Engineers, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to provide a monthly report to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees detailing the allocation and obligation of these funds. (Sec. 2301) Directs the Secretary to: (1) determine the value of eligible reimbursable expenses incurred by local governments in storm-proofing pumping stations, constructing safe houses for operators, and other interim flood control measures in and around the New Orleans metropolitan area that the Secretary determines to be integral to the overall plan to ensure operability of the stations during hurricanes, storms, and high water events and the flood control plan for the area; and (2) utilize funds remaining available for obligation from amounts appropriated for Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies for projects in the greater New Orleans metropolitan area to prosecute such projects in a manner which promotes the goal of continuing work at an optimal pace while maximizing levels of protection to reduce the risk of storm damage to people and property. (Sec. 2303) Directs the Chief of Engineers to investigate and report to Congress on the overall technical advantages, disadvantages, and operational effectiveness of: (1) operating the new pumping stations at the mouths of the 17th Street, Orleans Avenue, and London Avenue canals in the New Orleans area directed for construction concurrently or in series with existing pumping stations serving these canals; (2) removing the existing pumping stations and configuring the new pumping stations and associated canals to handle all needed discharges; and (3) replacing or improving the floodwalls and levees adjacent to the three outfall canals. (Sec. 2304) Directs the Secretary to accelerate completion of a comprehensive plan to deauthorize deep draft navigation on the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. Chapter 4 - Makes specified unobligated balances from appropriations to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Disaster Loans Program Account available for administrative expenses to carry out the disaster loan program. Requires specified sums to be used for loans for businesses located in an area for which the President declared a major disaster because of the hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005. Chapter 5 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2007 appropriations to DHS for FEMA for Disaster Relief, with a portion to be transferred to the Office of Inspector General. (Sec. 2501) Sets the federal share of assistance provided for Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, and Texas in connection with Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, Dennis, and Rita under the Stafford Act at 100% of eligible costs. Provides that such federal share shall apply to disaster assistance applied for before this Act's enactment. (Sec. 2502) Amends the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005 and the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to repeal prohibitions against canceling certain disaster loans authorized under the Stafford Act to assist local governments in providing essential services. (Sec. 2503) Extends the period for which FEMA may provide funds to a state or local government to pay utility costs resulting from the provision of temporary housing units to evacuees from hurricanes of the 2005 season. Chapter 6 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2007 appropriations to the Department of the Interior for the National Park Service (NPS) for the Historic Preservation Fund for necessary expenses related to the consequences of the 2005 hurricanes, subject to specified requirements. (Sec. 2601) Permits specified relief funds for Hurricane Katrina and other 2005 hurricane damage that were allocated to Mississippi by NPS to be used to reconstruct qualified properties that were listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the time of destruction. Chapter 7 - Makes additional appropriations to the Department of Education for: (1) institutions of higher education located in major disaster areas which were forced to close, relocate, or significantly curtail their activities as a result of hurricane damage; (2) specified Hurricane Education Recovery activities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama; and (3) programs to restart elementary and secondary school operations. (Sec. 2701) Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006 to extend through FY2008 specified waiver authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, especially authority to waive application of the rural area or similar limitations under any program administered by the Rural Development Mission Area, for the emergency watershed protection program in 2005 hurricane disaster areas. (Sec. 2702) Makes available for state expenditure through FY2008 certain Social Services Block Grant funds for necessary expenses related to the consequences of the 2005 hurricanes, which have been provided under the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006. (Sec. 2703) Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for FY2008-FY2009, to waive certain matching funds requirements of the Public Health Service Act for grants for health care and support services for individuals and families with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas, if such states fail to meet those match requirements for FY2006 or FY2007. Prohibits such a waiver, however, that would allow a grantee to provide less than a 25% matching grant. Requires such states, and any eligible metropolitan area in them, to comply with each applicable grant program requirement. Chapter 8 - Makes additional appropriations for the Department of Transportation (DOT) for: (1) the Federal Highway Administration for the emergency relief program; and (2) the Federal Transit Administration for operating and capital costs of transit services. Makes additional appropriations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Office of Inspector General. (Sec. 2801) Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006 to extend until December 31, 2007, the authority of the HUD Secretary to waive requirements for income eligibility and tenant contribution under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 with respect to tenant-based rental assistance in public and Indian housing. (Sec. 2802) Prescribes formulae for the funding of three specified categories of public housing agencies during calendar 2007. (Sec. 2803) Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006 to extend through calendar 2007 the authority of the HUD Secretary to permit a public housing agency to combine assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937 to facilitate the use of funds to assist families who were receiving housing assistance immediately before the 2005 hurricanes and were displaced from their housing by them. Title III: Other Emergency Appropriations - Chapter 1 - Makes additional appropriations to the Department of Commerce, to remain available through FY2008, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Operations, Research, and Facilities. Directs the National Marine Fisheries Service to cause distribution of such amounts among eligible recipients of assistance for the commercial fishery failure declared by the Secretary of Commerce on August 10, 2006. Chapter 2 - Makes additional appropriations to the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers-Civil, for: (1) operation and maintenance to dredge navigation channels related to consequences of the 2005 hurricanes; and (3) flood control and coastal emergencies to support emergency operations, repairs, and othe activities in response to flood, drought, and earthquake emergencies. Makes additional appropriations to the Department of the Interior for the Bureau of Reclamation for water and related resources to assist drought plagued areas of the west. Chapter 3 - Makes additional appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for urgent wildland fire suppression activities; and (2) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service (NPS), and the U.S. Geological Survey for the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds. Makes additional appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for the National Forest System and wildland fire management. (Sec. 3301) Appropriates additional funds to the Department of Agriculture for FY2007 for payments to be made, to the maximum extent practicable, in the same amounts and in the same manner as were paid to states and counties in 2006 under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. Chapter 4 - Makes additional appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for: (1) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for research to develop mine safety technology; (2) the Administration for Children and Families, for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); and (3) the Office of the Secretary. (Sec. 3401) Rescinds certain funds from unexpended balances available for Training and Employment Services and State Unemployment Insurance and Employment Service Operations of the Department of Labor. (Sec. 3402) Makes additional funds available to the Department of Education for Safe and Drug-Free Schools National Programs for competitive grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to address youth violence and related issues. Chapter 5 - Makes additional appropriations, to remain available through FY2011, to the Architect of the Capitol for utility tunnel repairs and asbestos abatement in the Capitol Power Plant. Chapter 6 - Makes supplemental appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the Veterans Health Administration for: (1) medical services; (2) medical administration; (3) medical facilities; (4) medical and prosthetic research; (5) general operating expenses; (6) information technology systems; and (7) minor projects construction. (Sec. 3601) Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to report to the congressional appropriations committees projecting appropriations necessary for Department of Defense (DOD) and VA to continue providing necessary health care to veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Sec. 3602) Declares that appropriations made by the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007, which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs contributes to the Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, shall remain available until expended for any authorized purpose of the Fund. (Sec. 3603) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to convey to the state of Texas, without consideration, all federal right, title, and interest in and to specified real property comprising the location of the Marlin, Texas, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, for the purposes of a prison. Authorizes environmental cleanup on the parcel to be conveyed. Title IV: Other Matters - Chapter 1 - Makes additional appropriations for salary and expenses to the Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency. (Sec. 4101) Allocates FY2007 funding for the Office of Women's Health of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (Sec. 4102) Prohibits use of funds available to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for FY2007 to implement the risk-based inspection program in the 30 prototype locations announced on February 22, 2007, by the Under Secretary for Food Safety, or at any other locations, until: (1) the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) has provided its findings to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and congressional appropriations committees on the data used in support of the development and design of such program; and (2) FSIS has addressed and resolved issues identified by OIG. Chapter 2 - (Sec. 4201) Classifies federal employees at the National Energy Technology Laboratory as inherently governmental for the purpose of the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998. (Sec. 4202) Prohibits use of funds made available during FY2007 to make, plan, or prepare to make, any payment on bonds issued by the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration or for an appropriated Federal Columbia River Power System investment, if the payment is both: (1) greater, during any fiscal year, than the payments calculated in the Administrator's rate hearing using the repayment method used to establish the Administrator's rates as in effect on October 1, 2006; and (2) based or conditioned on the Administrator's actual or expected net secondary power sales receipts. Chapter 3 - (Sec. 4301) Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to extend from the first federal election after January 1, 2006, until the first federal election after March 1, 2008, the election by which a state must ensure that all punch card or lever voting systems in qualifying precincts must be replaced, if it certifies to the Election Assistance Administration that it will not meet the original deadline. (Sec. 4302) Requires the structure of any of the offices or components within the Office of National Drug Control Policy to remain as they were on October 1, 2006. Prohibits use of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 to implement a reorganization of offices within such Office without the explicit approval of the congressional appropriations committees. (Sec. 4303) Authorizes the National Archives and Records Administration to obligate certain monies for the Public Interest Declassification Board. (Sec. 4304) Authorizes the District of Columbia Courts, notwithstanding a certain notice requirement, to reallocate specified FY2007 funds for the federal payment to such Courts from facilities to operations. (Sec. 4305) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to report to specified congressional committees the names of all companies which either directly or indirectly conduct business operations in Sudan relating to natural resource extraction (including oil-related activities and mining of minerals). Excludes companies operating under licenses from the Office of Foreign Assets Control or otherwise expressly exempted under federal law from having to obtain such licenses in order to operate in Sudan. Requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to notify the appropriate congressional committees whether the federal government has an active procurement contract with any of the identified companies, as well as the nature of the contract and dollar amounts involved. (Sec. 4306) Rescinds specified FY2007 funds provided for the GSA Office of the Inspector General in the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007. Makes additional funds, in the same amount, available to GSA for such purpose, to remain available through FY2008. (Sec. 4307) Amends the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 to require any appropriation or funds made available to the District of Columbia for the federal payment for foster care improvement to be available in accordance with a detailed expenditure plan submitted by the Mayor within 60 days after the enactment of this Act. Chapter 4 - (Sec. 4401) Requires up to a specified amount of unobligated balances remaining from prior appropriations for U.S. Coast Guard retired pay to remain available until expended, including for payment of obligations otherwise chargeable to lapsed or current appropriations. (Sec. 4402) Requires major procurement contracts, first-tier subcontracts, delivery or task orders entered into by the Coast Guard, first-tier subcontracts under them, and tasks or delivery orders issued pursuant to such contracts or subcontracts to contain specified requirements. Prohibits the Commandant from entering into a contract for lead asset production under the Program before obtaining an independent estimate of life-cycle costs of the asset concerned. Prohibits the Commandant from carrying out any asset acquisition or modification, or implementing any major asset design change, unless an independent third party with no financial interest in any Program component determines that such action is advisable. Prohibits obligation of certain funds available for the Integrated Deepwater Systems program until congressional appropriations committees receive an expenditure plan directly from the Coast Guard meeting specified criteria. (Sec. 4403) Prohibits the use of funds to alter or reduce operations within the Civil Engineering Program of the Coast Guard nationwide, including the civil engineering units, facilities, design and construction centers, maintenance and logistics command centers, the Coast Guard Academy and the Coast Guard Research and Development Center, except as specifically authorized by a statute enacted after the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 4404) Rescinds specified unobligated balances made available pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security Act, 2006 to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Makes additional appropriations to: (1) the U.S. Coast Guard for acquisition, construction, and improvements, to remain available through FY2009, to mitigate the Service's patrol boat operational gap; and (2) the Office of the Under Secretary for Management for an independent study to compare the DHS senior career and political staffing levels and senior career training programs with those of similarly structured cabinet-level agencies. (Sec. 4405) Prohibits entities performing lead system integrator functions in the acquisition of a major system by DHS after June 1, 2007, from having any direct financial interest in the development or construction of any individual system or element of any system of systems. Allows an exception to this prohibition for a particular entity if: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security certifies to specified congressional committees that the entity was selected to develop or construct the system or element concerned through the use of competitive procedures, and DHS took appropriate steps to prevent any organizational conflict of interest in the selection process; or (2) a subcontractor selected the entity to serve as a lower-tier subcontractor, through a process over which the entity exercised no control. Requires the Secretary to update DHS acquisition regulations by June 1, 2007, to reflect this section. Chapter 5 - (Sec. 4501) Amends the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 to make certain funds available for: (1) contract support costs of the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Operation of Indian Programs; (2) the Department of Health and Human Services for the Indian Health Service; and (3) the Department of Agriculture for the Save America's Treasures program of the Forest Service. (Sec. 4504) Makes certain FY2007 funds available to the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for land conservation partnerships authorized by the Highlands Conservation Act of 2004. Chapter 6 - Transfers to the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, to carry out advanced research and development activities, certain funds provided by the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 to the Department of Health and Human Services for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and for Office of its Director. Makes additional appropriations to the National Council on Disability, to remain available until expended, for necessary expenses related to the requirements of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, as enacted by the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007. (Sec. 4601) Amends the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 to require the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to transfer certain funds, to remain available through FY2008, to the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor for the development of an electronic Form 5500 filing system (EFAST2). (Sec. 4602) Amends the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 to provide funding for the Women's Bureau in the Department of Labor. (Sec. 4603) Makes specified funds available to Poison Control Centers in the Department of Health and Human Services from funds appropriated in the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 for its Health Resources and Services Administration. (Sec. 4604) Rescinds $1 million from funds made available by the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Office of the Secretary. (Sec. 4605) Amends the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 to increase the amount available to the Department of Education, Education for the Disadvantaged for basic grants, school improvement grants, and grants for quality initiatives for as well as a clearinghouse on comprehensive school reform. (Sec. 4606) Makes the mandatory funding in the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2006 for alternative financing programs under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 inapplicable to the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007. (Sec. 4607) Authorizes the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service to transfer up to a certain amount of funds from the Corporation's operating expenses account to its salaries and expenses account. (Sec. 4608) Makes 45 CFR 1310.12(a), which requires use of school buses or allowable alternate vehicles for the transport of Head Start children, effective 30 days after enactment of this Act. Exempts such vehicles in use as of January 1, 2007, however, for one year from the requirement under such Regulation regarding rear emergency exit doors. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review and revise allowable alternate vehicle standards (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling), consistent with specified findings, to exempt from federal seat spacing and supporting seating requirements related to compartmentalization any vehicle used to transport children for a Head Start program, if the vehicle meets all other applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, including those for seating systems, occupant crash protection, seat belt assemblies, and child restraint anchorage systems. Provides that, until the Secretary completes such review and revision, the provisions of 45 CFR 1310.12(a) relating to federal seat spacing and supporting seating requirements related to compartmentalization shall not apply to any allowable alternate vehicle used to transport children for a Head Start program if it meets all other applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. Chapter 7 - Makes additional appropriations to the legislative branch for a payment to Gloria W. Norwood, widow of Charles W. Norwood, Jr., a Representative from Georgia. Chapter 8 - (Sec. 4801) Makes inapplicable to the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 specified earmarks in the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006 (FOEFRPA 2006) for assistance for Ukraine for nuclear reactor safety initiatives and coal mine safety programs. Amends FOEFRPA 2006 to exempt the Middle East Foundation, or any other similar entity whose purpose is to support democracy, governance, human rights, and the rule of law in the Middle East region, from any requirement that a majority of its board of directors be U.S. Citizens. (Sec. 4802) Makes certain funding limitations inapplicable to FY2007 appropriations for the administration of foreign affairs, diplomatic, and consular programs. Chapter 9 - Makes additional appropriations for salaries and expenses to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. (Sec. 4901) Authorizes the obligation or expenditure of Department of Transportation funds to grant authority to a Mexican motor carrier to operate beyond U.S. municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border only to the extent that: (1) granting such authority is first tested as part of a pilot program; (2) the pilot program complies with federal requirements; and (3) simultaneous and comparable authority to operate within Mexico is made available to motor carriers domiciled in the United States. (Sec. 4902) States that certain funds provided for the National Transportation Safety Board (salaries and expenses) under the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 include amounts necessary to make certain capital lease payments due in FY2007. (Sec. 4903) Amends the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 and the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 with respect to the funding of section 8 tenant protection rental assistance costs and project-based rental assistance. (Sec. 4904) Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 to revise requirements for the renewal of expiring project-based certificate projects under the public housing agency project-based voucher program. Chapter 10 - (Sec. 4951) Designates amounts provided in title I of this Act as emergency requirements pursuant to H.Con.Res. 95, 109th Congress (FY2006 budget resolution) and as making appropriations for contingency operations directly related to the global war on terrorism and other unanticipated defense-related operations pursuant to H.Con.Res. 376, 109th Congress (FY2007 budget resolution). (Sec. 4952) Designates amounts provided in title II, III, V, and VI as emergency requirements pursuant to such concurrent resolutions. Title V: Agricultural Assistance - (Sec. 5101) Appropriates amounts for emergency financial assistance to producers on a farm that incurred qualifying quantity or quality losses for the 2005 or 2006 crop, or that part of the 2007 crop year before February 28, 2007, due to damaging weather or any related condition (including crop diseases, insects, and delayed planting). Requires that an eligible crop must have been planted before February 28, 2007, or in the case of prevented planting or other total loss, would have been planted before such date. Requires a producer who suffered qualifying losses to elect assistance for only one of such years. (Sec. 5102) Appropriates amounts for payments through the 2002 livestock compensation program for livestock assistance for disaster-caused losses between January 1, 2005 and February 28, 2007, including losses from blizzards that began in 2006 and continued into January 2007. States that a producer: (1) shall elect to receive payments in only one of such years, and that such losses must have been incurred in a disaster-designated county; and (2) may elect to receive compensation for wildfire-caused losses in the 2007 grazing season. Appropriates amounts for livestock indemnity payments to producers on farms in disaster-designated counties that have incurred livestock losses between January 1, 2005 and February 28, 2007, including losses from blizzards that started in 2006 and continued into January 2007. Requires a producer who suffered qualifying losses to elect assistance for only one of such years. (Sec. 5103) Appropriates amounts for agricultural and farm production land cleanup and restoration under the emergency conservation program. (Sec. 5104) Reduces producer payments under sections 5101 qnd 5102 by amounts received for the same or similar loss under: (1) the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006; (2) an agricultural disaster assistance provision contained in the announcement of the Secretary on January 26, 2006, or August 29, 2006; or (3) the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006. (Sec. 5105) Sets forth administrative provisions. (Sec. 5106) Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to revise national dairy market loss payment amount provisions. (Sec. 5107) Appropriates amounts for dairy production losses in disaster counties. (Sec. 5108) Directs the Secretary, in states with a shortage of claims adjusters, to permit the use of one certified claims adjuster with respect to animal forage crops (under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program). (Sec. 5109) Appropriates amounts for emergency grants for low-income migrant and seasonal farmworkers. (Sec. 5111) Appropriates amounts for Farm Service Agency salaries and expenses. (Sec. 5112) Directs the Secretary, in carrying out crop disaster and livestock assistance under this title, to require forage producers to have participated in a crop insurance pilot program or the noninsured crop disaster assistance program during the crop year for which compensation is received. Title VI: Elimination of SCHIP Shortfall and Other Matters - Makes additional FY2007 appropriations (to the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, State Children's Health Insurance Fund) to provide additional allotments to remaining FY2007 SCHIP shortfall states. (Sec. 6001) Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allot each remaining SCHIP shortfall state the amount necessary to eliminate the remainder of FY2007 funding shortfalls. (Sec. 6002) Imposes a one-year 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 SCHIP and SSA title XIX (Medicaid). Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, at any time before the end of such one-year period, from taking any action to: (1) finalize (or otherwise implement) provisions contained in the proposed rule; or (2) restrict Medicaid payments for graduate medical education (GME). Declares that the Secretary shall not be prohibited during such moratorium from taking any administrative action to: (1) enforce a provision of law in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act with respect to the Medicaid program or SCHIP; or (2) promulgate or implement a new rule or provision during such period with respect to such programs, other than one subject to this moratorium. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to require the use of tamper-resistant prescription pads under the Medicaid program. Authorizes any state operating a Pharmacy Plus waiver which would otherwise expire on June 30, 2007, to elect to continue to operate it through December 31, 2009. Describes a Pharmacy Plus waiver as a Secretary-approved waiver of certain federal requirements for state Medicaid plans regarding a state (Wisconsin) demonstration program that provides coverage for prescription drugs for individuals age 65 or over whose family income does not exceed 200% of the poverty line. Title VII: Fair Minimum Wage and Tax Relief - Subtitle A: Fair Minimum Wage - Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 - (Sec. 7001) Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage to: (1) $5.85 an hour on the 60th day after the enactment of this Act; (2) $6.55 an hour 12 months after that 60th day; and (3) $7.25 an hour 24 months after that 60th day. Makes such minimum wage increases applicable to American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on a different transitional basis. (Sec. 7003) Directs the Secretary of Labor to study and report to Congress on: (1) the impact of such minimum wage increases; and (2) the impact of any further increases on living standards and rates of employment in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Subtitle B: Small Business Incentives - Small Business and Work Opportunity Act of 2007 - (Sec. 7005) 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 website of the federal agency promulgating a 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 agency head to report annually to specified congressional committees on the agency's compliance with such requirements. (Sec. 7006) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program to assist states in encouraging the establishment and operation of employer-operated child care centers. 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 to report to Congress on such studies. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates such program after FY2012. (Sec. 7007) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to Congress on the benefits, costs, and other consequences of making the program for advance payment of the earned income tax credit available to all recipients of such credit. (Sec. 7008) Amends the Small Business Act to allow existing women's business centers to apply for three-year grants on an ongoing basis. Prohibits such 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. (Sec. 7009) Amends the Buy American Act to require the head of each federal agency 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 the United States. Requires such reports to be made publicly available. Subtitle C: Small Business Tax Incentives - Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007 - Part I: Small Business Tax Relief Provisions - Subpart A: General Provisions - (Sec. 7511) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the work opportunity tax credit through August 31, 2011. Establishes as a new targeted group under such credit designated community residents (in lieu of high risk youth). Requires such residents to be between 18 and 40 and have a principal place of abode in an empowerment zone, enterprise community, renewal community, or rural renewal community (defined as an area outside a metropolitan statistical area that has had a net population loss during specified periods). 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 disabled veterans for such credit and increases the amount of their wages eligible for such credit from $6,000 to $12,000. (Sec. 7512) Increases to $125,000 (with annual inflation adjustments) the expensing allowance for small business assets and extends such expensing allowance through 2010. (Sec. 7513) Allows employers to claim a business tax credit for social security taxes paid with respect to employee cash tips without regard to any increase in the federal minimum wage rate. (Sec. 7514) Allows a full credit against alternative minimum tax liability for the work opportunity tax credit and the tax credit for social security taxes paid with respect to employee cash tips. (Sec. 7515) Allows married couples who file joint tax returns to elect to conduct their business activities as qualified joint ventures without being taxed as a partnership. Defines &quot;qualified joint venture&quot; as a trade or business entity in which the only members are a husband and wife who materially participate in such ventures. Allows participating spouses to conduct their individual business activities as sole proprietors and divide their items of income and expense in accordance with their respective interests in such venture. Subpart B: Gulf Opportunity Zone Tax Incentives - (Sec. 7521) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2008 the increased expensing allowance for business property in the Gulf Opportunity Zone. (Sec. 7522) Qualifies certain buildings in the Gulf Opportunity Zone, the Rita GO Zone, and the Wilma GO Zone placed in service before 2011 for the housing tax credit without regard to certain otherwise applicable restrictions if such buildings receive (or received) a state or local housing credit allocation in 2006, 2007, or 2008. Extends through 2010 the treatment of GO Zones as difficult development areas for purposes of the increased housing tax credit. Excludes certain assistance provided under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (e.g., community development block grants), the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006, or the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006, in determining whether GO Zone buildings eligible for the housing tax credit are federally subsidized and therefor subject to limitations on such tax credit. (Sec. 7523) Treats qualified GO Zone repair and reconstruction loans provided prior to January 1, 2011, as qualified rehabilitation loans for purposes of the tax exemption for exempt facility and mortgage bonds. (Sec. 7524) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee on state and local practices in allocating and utilizing tax incentives provided by this Act. Requires such committees to hold public hearings if the report includes findings of significant fraud, waste, or abuse. Subpart C: Subchapter S Provisions - (Sec. 7531) 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. 7532) Excludes restricted bank director stock from treatment as S corporation stock. (Sec. 7533) 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. 7534) Revises the tax treatment of sales of stock of wholly-owned subsidiaries of S corporations. (Sec. 7535) 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. 7536) Allows a tax deduction for any interest expense paid or accrued on indebtedness incurred by an electing small business trust (ESBT) to acquire stock in an S corporation. Part II: Revenue Provisions - (Sec. 7541) Expands the age limitation provisions for minor children whose unearned income is treated as income of their parents for income tax purposes to include certain dependents under age 19 and students under the age of 24. (Sec. 7542) Increases from 18 to 36 months the period during which the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is required to notify taxpayers of tax deficiencies before the suspension period for interest and penalties on underpayments of tax takes effect. (Sec. 7543) Allows a levy on taxpayer assets to satisfy employment tax liabilities without granting a pre-levy collection due process hearing. (Sec. 7544) Makes permanent the authority for charging IRS user fees. (Sec. 7545) Increases the penalty for tendering a bad check or money order for payment of taxes. (Sec. 7546) Extends to all types of tax returns (currently, limited to income tax returns) tax penalties on tax return preparers. Increases penalties for understatements of tax due by tax return preparers who take unrealistic positions or engage in willful or reckless conduct in preparing returns. (Sec. 7547) Imposes a penalty for the filing of erroneous tax refund claims. (Sec. 7548) Amends the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 to increase in the third quarter of 2012 the estimated tax rate (from 106.25% to 114.25%) for corporations with assets of $1 billion or more.<br/>

1178127420 2007-05-02 Thu Nov 06 20:30:21 -0600 2008 NayNay 17 404 42385 Wed Oct 03 13:32:00 -0500 2007 true 2942 11 937 53 0 On Passage: H R 928 Improving Government Accountability Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Wed Oct 03 13:51:48 -0500 2007 house h 96 42385 1170910800 false 1222547820 1223956800 9 928 3079 110 400081

10/14/2008--Public Law. Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to require Inspectors General (IGs) for designated federal entities to be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations.<br/>(Sec. 3) Requires the President and the heads of designated federal entities to communicate to Congress in writing the reasons for removing or transferring an IG no later than 30 days before such removal or transfer.<br/>(Sec. 4) Sets the pay for presidentially appointed IGs at Executive Schedule III plus 3%. Requires IGs of designated federal entities to be classified at a grade, level, or rank designation at or above those of a majority of the senior level executives of their entity. Limits the total increase in pay to such IGs for any pay adjustments made before FY2013. Prohibits: (1) the pay of such an IG from being less than the average total compensation of the senior level executives of that entity calculated on an annual basis; or (2) the pay of specified career federal employees, not including any bonus or performance award, from being reduced as a result of being appointed to the position of Inspector General.<br/>(Sec. 5) Prohibits IGs from receiving cash awards or bonuses.<br/>(Sec. 6) Requires each IG to: (1) appoint a Counsel to the IG; (2) obtain the services of a counsel appointed by and directly reporting to another IG on a reimbursable basis; or (3) obtain the services of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency's staff on a reimbursable basis.<br/>(Sec. 7) Establishes within the executive branch the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency to: (1) address integrity, economy, and effectiveness issues that transcend individual government agencies; and (2) increase the professionalism and effectiveness of personnel by developing policies, standards, and approaches to aid in the establishment of a well-trained and highly skilled workforce in the IG offices. Requires the Council to: (1) continually identify, review, and discuss areas of weakness and vulnerability in federal programs and operations with respect to fraud, waste, and abuse; (2) develop plans for coordinated, government-wide activities that address these problems and promote economy and efficiency in federal programs and operations; (3) develop policies that will aid in the maintenance of a corps of well-trained and highly skilled IG office personnel; (4) maintain electronic systems for the benefit of all IGs and one or more academies for the professional training of auditors, investigators, inspectors, evaluators, and other personnel; (5) submit individuals' recommendations for any IG appointment to the appropriate authority; and (6) report to Congress.<br/>Allows the Council's Executive Chairperson to authorize the use of interagency funding for: (1) government-wide training of IG office employees; and (2) the functions of the Integrity Committee of the Council.<br/>Authorizes the Council to: (1) establish in the Treasury a revolving fund to be called the Inspectors General Council Fund; or (2) enter into an arrangement with a department or agency to use an existing revolving fund. Authorizes such Fund to be used to implement the Council's functions and duties and to maintain training academies.<br/>Establishes an Integrity Committee for the Council to review and refer for investigation allegations of wrongdoing that are made against IGs and IG office staff members. Sets forth requirements concerning when an IG must refer allegations against its staff to the Committee. Requires investigations to be conducted in accordance with the most current Quality Standards for Investigations issued by the Council or its predecessors. Requires the Committee, in conjunction with the Council Chairperson, to establish additional policies and procedures necessary to ensure fairness and consistency in: (1) determining whether to initiate investigations; (2) conducting investigations; (3) reporting the results of investigations; and (4) providing people who are subjects of investigations with opportunities to respond to Committee reports.<br/>Sets forth reporting requirements for the Committee and the Council. Requires the Council to provide detailed information about specific allegations upon request from the chairperson or ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the congressional committees of jurisdiction.<br/>Provides that an allegation against the Special Counsel of the Office of Special Counsel or the Deputy Special Counsel may be received, reviewed, and referred for investigation by the Committee to the same extent and in the same manner as an allegation against an IG.<br/>Declares that: (1) this Act does not eliminate access to the Merit Systems Protection Board for review; and (2) Executive Order 12805, dated May 11, 1992, and Executive Order 12993, dated March 21, 1996, shall have no force or effect beginning on the earlier of the date on which the Council becomes operational or 180 days after this Act's enactment. Requires the Council to be operational no later than 180 days after this Act's enactment. Requires the IG to adopt policies and procedures to implement this Act that include, to the maximum extent practicable, all provisions in such orders.<br/>(Sec. 8) Requires: (1) each IG to annually transmit a budget estimate and request to the head of the entity to which he or she reports; (2) such requests to specify the funds requested for operations, training needs, and Council support; (3) the head of each entity to include in a proposed budget to the President amounts for such purposes and its IG's comments on the proposal; and (4) the President to include in each U.S. budget submitted to Congress a statement of each IG's budget estimates, the amounts for such purposes requested by the President, and any comments of an IG who concludes that the budget submitted would substantially inhibit the IG from performing the duties of office.<br/>(Sec. 10) Includes designated federal entities within the definition of &quot;authority&quot; for purposes of provisions concerning administrative remedies for false claims and statements.<br/>(Sec. 11) Empowers IGs of designated federal entities with the same law enforcement authority provided to other IGs. (Sec. 12) Provides for the application of semiannual reporting requirements concerning the activities of IG offices to inspection and evaluation reports.<br/>(Sec. 13) Requires agencies to maintain on their website homepages direct links to the website of their IG office. Requires each IG to: (1) post reports and audits no later than three working days after such reports or audits are made publicly available; and (2) maintain a direct link on the office's website homepage for individuals to report waste, fraud, and abuse. Provides that reporting individuals shall not be required to provide personally identifying information. Prohibits agency IGs from disclosing the identity of any individual making a report without consent unless such a disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation. Makes conforming changes to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2008 and repeals provisions that require each Office of Inspector General to 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.<br/>(Sec. 14) Considers each IG office to be a separate federal agency.<br/>Provides that the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration may provide physical security for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees but shall not be responsible for protecting the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.<br/>

1223956800 2008-10-14 Tue Nov 18 11:14:07 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 10 296 42516 Wed May 09 17:51:00 -0500 2007 true 3860 126 318 62 0 On Passage: H R 1684 Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 10:29:52 -0500 2007 house h 128 42516 1174881600 false 1178751060 1178856000 30 1684 2047 110 400402

5/9/2007--Passed House amended. Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2008.<br/>Title II: Policy and Management Improvements - (Sec. 201) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to replace provisions establishing within DHS a Directorate of Border and Transportation Security with provisions establishing a Directorate for Policy, headed by an Under Secretary for Policy, which shall include: (1) the Office of the Private Sector; (2) the Victim Assistance Officer; (3) the Tribal Security Officer; and (4) the Border Community Liaison Officer.<br/>Makes the Under Secretary for Policy the principal policy advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary). Directs the Under Secretary: (1) acting through the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Policy and Development, to ensure that all departmental policies, programs, and activities appropriately consider the needs of and impact upon children; and (2) to report to the House and Senate homeland security committees (the committees) on activities undertaken and the resulting improvement in security for children, schools, and other child-centered facilities.<br/>(Sec. 202) Includes among DHS's chief operating officers the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Procurement Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Human Capital Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, and Chief Security Officer. Directs: (1) the Secretary to delegate to such officers direct authority over their respective counterparts in component agencies; and (2) the chief operating officers in component agencies to coordinate activities with the heads of their respective agencies.<br/>(Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Policy, to conduct a comprehensive examination of DHS, to be known as the Comprehensive Homeland Security Review, in FY2009, with a subsequent review in the first fiscal year in which there begins the first presidential term of a new administration. Requires the Secretary in each review to: (1) include a DHS Strategy that is consistent with the most recent National Strategy for Homeland Security prescribed by the President; (2) define sufficient personnel and appropriate organizational structure, and to identify a budget plan, acquisition strategy, procurement process, and any other requirements and resources, that are necessary to provide for the successful execution of the full range of missions called for in the DHS Strategy. Requires the Secretary to report on each review to the committees and the President.<br/>(Sec. 204) Lists qualifications of the Under Secretary for Management. Requires the Secretary to name an individual who meets such qualifications within 90 days after this Act's enactment. (Sec. 205) Urges the consolidation of DHS and its key component headquarters on the West Campus of St. Elizabeth's Hospital as expeditiously as possible, with the agencies involved bearing costs for which they are responsible.<br/>(Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary, in each fiscal year budget requested for DHS, to include a separate line item for expenditures by the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement.<br/>(Sec. 207) Designates the Director of that Office as the primary representative of DHS on all entities whose purpose is to coordinate DHS counternarcotics enforcement activities with other federal, state, or local agencies.<br/>(Sec. 208) Requires the Secretary to ensure that the Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs has adequate authority to ensure that counterparts in component agencies of DHS adhere to the laws, rules, and departmental policies that the Assistant Secretary is responsible for implementing.<br/>Title III: Oversight Improvements - (Sec. 301) Directs the Inspector General of DHS to: (1) review each contract action related to DHS's Secure Border Initiative having a value greater than $20 million to determine compliance with applicable cost requirements, performance objectives, program milestones, requirements for inclusion of small, minority, and women-owned business, and timelines; and (2) complete a review within 60 days after initiation of the action and upon the conclusion of the performance of the contract. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Inspector General to expeditiously refer to the Secretary or other appropriate DHS official information related to improper conduct or wrongdoing for purposes of evaluating whether to suspend or debar the contractor.<br/>(Sec. 302) Requires: (1) the Chief Financial Officer to establish the position of Authorization Liaison Officer to provide timely budget and other financial information to the committees; and (2) the Authorization Liaison Officer to report directly to the Chief Financial Officer.<br/>(Sec. 303) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for operations of the Office of the Inspector General. Permits an Inspector General to authorize staff to use authorized funds to assist the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, at the Center's request, by conducting reviews of inactive case files that the Inspector General has reason to believe involve a child or possible offender located outside the United States and by developing recommendations for further investigations.<br/>(Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary to actively consult with the committees and keep them fully and currently informed regarding all activities and responsibilities within their jurisdictions. Requires the submission of the Coast Guard Mission Review Report to the committees (but no longer to the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee). Title IV: Procurement Policy and Resources Improvements - (Sec. 401) Directs: (1) the Chief Procurement Officer to provide homeland security procurement training to acquisition employees; and (2) the Secretary to establish a Council on Procurement Training. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Chief Procurement Officer, to appoint annuitants in procurement offices to support DHS's acquisition capabilities and enhance contract management throughout DHS, subject to a specified certification requirement. (Sec. 403) Requires the Secretary, in awarding a contract, to consider the contractor's past performance based on a required review. Directs the Secretary: (1) before awarding a contract, to require the contractor to submit specified information regarding the performance of government and private sector contracts; and (2) contact the relevant official who administered or oversaw each contract performed by that contractor during the previous five-year period.<br/>(Sec. 404) Requires: (1) the Chief Procurement Officer to conduct an independent review of any procurement of goods or services by DHS to ensure compliance with the Buy American Act; and (2) the Secretary to require disclosure of whether the offeror is owned or controlled by a foreign person.<br/>(Sec. 405) Requires the offeror for any contract to provide goods or services to DHS to submit: (1) an attestation that discloses any substantial role the offeror, its employees, or any corporate parent or subsidiary may have played in creating a solicitation, request for proposal, statement of work, or statement of objectives; (2) a description of the safeguards used to ensure that precautions were in place to prevent the offeror from receiving information through such role that could be used to provide an undue advantage in submitting an offer; and (3) a written certification as to whether the offeror is in default or delinquent on any tax payment to the federal government.<br/>(Sec. 406) Directs the Chief Procurement Officer to: (1) submit a report to the committees that identifies each DHS component that awarded less that 3% of its total value of contracts in FY2006 to qualified HUBZone small business concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans or less than 5% to socially or economically disadvantaged small business concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by women; and (2) develop, submit to the committees, and implement an action plan for achieving those objectives. (Sec. 407) Requires uniforms, protective gear, badges, and identification cards of DHS personnel to be manufactured in the United States, with exceptions.<br/>(Sec. 408) Directs the Secretary to establish within DHS's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and publicize a Mentor-Protege Program, which shall motivate and encourage prime contractors that are large businesses to provide developmental assistance to specified small business concerns.<br/>(Sec. 409) Prohibits the Secretary from conducting a reduction in force or furlough of the workforce of the Federal Protective Service until: (1) the Comptroller General submits a report requested by the the Senate homeland security committee on the source of shortfalls at the Service; and (2) the committees have conducted hearings on such report.<br/>Title V: Workforce and Training Improvements - (Sec. 501) Grants law enforcement officer status for retirement purposes to currently employed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers who retire or leave within five years of enactment. Sets forth provisions governing individual and government contributions for prior qualified service. Provides that nothing in this section shall result in any individual being involuntarily separated on account of provisions of any retirement system relating to the mandatory separation of a law enforcement officer based on age or age and service combined. Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) conduct a comprehensive review of the retirement system for law enforcement officers employed by the federal government, including all employees categorized as law enforcement officers for retirement purposes and any other federal employees performing law enforcement duties; (2) review relevant legislative proposals introduced over the 10 previous years and consult with law enforcement agencies and employee representatives; and (3) report to Congress on the findings by August 1, 2007.<br/>(Sec. 502) Directs: (1) the Chief Human Capital Officer of DHS to transmit to the committees and the Comptroller General a plan to address any under representation of minorities in the various categories of civil service employment within DHS; and (2) the Comptroller General, within one year after receiving the plan, to assess measures being implemented and the likelihood that the plan will succeed.<br/>(Sec. 503) Amends the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery From and Response To Terrorist Attacks on the United States to extend through December 31, 2008, the authorization for annuitants employed by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.<br/>(Sec. 504) Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of CBP, for the purpose of accelerating CBP's ability to secure the borders, to appoint annuitants to positions in CBP, subject to specified limitations.<br/>(Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary to establish a plan to address the recruitment and retention challenges faced by CBP that includes: (1) an increase in the pay percentage differentials to Border Patrol agents in certain high-cost areas; and (2) the establishment of a recruitment incentive for Border Patrol agents, a retention plan (including the payment of bonuses to agents for every year of service after the first two years of service), a mechanism whereby agents can transfer from one location to another after the first two years of service in their initial duty location, and quarterly goals for the recruitment of new agents. Directs the Secretary to report to the committees on whether the quarterly goals were met and on the status of recruitment efforts and attrition rates among Border Patrol Agents.<br/>(Sec. 506) Limits reimbursements relating to certain detailees assigned to DHS to the highest rate allowable for a member of the Senior Executive Service.<br/>(Sec. 507) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a DHS-wide review of security clearance and suitability review procedures for DHS employees and contractors, as well as for individuals in state and local government agencies and private sector entities with a need to receive classified information; and (2) take all necessary steps to strengthen DHS's security screening policies, including consolidating the security clearance investigative authority at DHS headquarters.<br/>(Sec. 508) Establishes within DHS a Chief Security Officer, who shall have responsibility for overall DHS-wide security activities, including issuing and confiscating credentials, controlling access to and disposing of classified and sensitive but unclassified materials, controlling access to sensitive areas and Secured Compartmentalized Intelligence Facilities, and communicating with other government agencies on the status of security clearances and security clearance applications.<br/>(Sec. 509) Directs the Secretary, acting through the Chief Human Capital Officer, to consider implementing recommendations set forth in the Homeland Security Advisory Council Culture Task Force Report of January 2007.<br/>(Sec. 510) Amends HSA to require the Administrator of the Homeland Security Education Program at DHS to use curricula modeled on existing DHS reviewed Master's degree curricula in homeland security, including asynchronous distance learning and video conferencing.<br/>(Sec. 511) Repeals the authority of DHS to establish a separate personnel system.<br/>(Sec. 512) Authorizes the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center of DHS to select appropriate federal employees other than law enforcement officers to serve as instructors of non-law enforcement classes.<br/>(Sec. 513) Prohibits any employee from being terminated, demoted, or discriminated against in the terms or conditions of employment because the employee is absent or late as a result of serving as a volunteer firefighter or providing volunteer emergency medical services as part of a response to an emergency or major disaster. Excludes absences for which the employee: (1) is absent for more than 14 days per calendar year; (2) responds to an emergency or major disaster without being officially deployed in accordance with a coordinator national deployment system; or (3) fails to provide written verification within a reasonable period of time. Allows employers to: (1) reduce the employee's regular pay for such time as the employee is absent; and (2) require the employee to provide written verification from the supervising Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state, or local official. Requires such an employee to make a reasonable effort to notify his or her employer that he or she may be absent or late. Gives such an employee a private cause of action for discrimination which violates this Act.<br/>Directs the Secretary of Labor to conduct a study of the impact that the requirements of this section could have on the employers of volunteer firefighters or individuals who provide volunteer emergency medical services and who may be called on to respond to an emergency or major disaster.<br/>Title VI: Biopreparedness Improvements - (Sec. 601) Amends HSA to provide that DHS's Chief Medical Officer shall have the rank and title of Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. Establishes within DHS an Office of Health Affairs, headed by such Officer. Expands that Officer's responsibilities to include leading DHS's medical care, public health, food, water, veterinary care, and agrosecurity and defense responsibilities and administering DHS's responsibilities for medical readiness.<br/>(Sec. 602) Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) direct the Secretary to utilize existing, credible risk assessments; and (2) consider the completion of assessments and determinations of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents to facilitate the assessment of countermeasures that may address more than one agent and countermeasures that may address adverse health consequences that are common to exposure to different agents. Directs the Secretary to complete determinations by December 31, 2007, and report on known chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents considered to be capable of significantly affecting national security.<br/>Extends the authorization of appropriations through FY2009 for terror threat assessments under the security countermeasures program. Authorizes additional sums for FY2008 for purposes including conducting risk assessments when there are no existing risk assessments that the Secretary considers credible.<br/>(Sec. 603) Requires the Secretary to conduct a joint study (with the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services) and report on the staffing and training requirements for pending capital programs to construct biodefense laboratories at Biosafety Levels 3 and 4 or to expand current biodefense laboratories to such levels.<br/>(Sec. 604) Directs: (1) the Secretary to establish a National Biosurveillance Integration Center (NBIC) to enhance the government's capability to rapidly identify, characterize, and localize a biological event by integrating and analyzing data related to human health, animals, plants, food, and the environment; and (2) the Director to develop, operate, and maintain an integrated network to detect a biological event that presents a risk to the United States.<br/>Requires the Director to: (1) monitor the availability and appropriateness of candidate data feeds and solicit new surveillance systems with data that would enhance biological situational awareness or overall performance of the NBIC; (2) review and seek to improve the statistical and other analytical methods used by the NBIC; (3) establish a procedure to enable government and private entities to report suspicious events that could warrant further assessments by the NBIC; (4) receive and consider all relevant homeland security information; and (5) provide technical assistance to government and private entities that contribute data relevant to the operation of the NBIC.<br/>Requires the Director to: (1) continuously evaluate available data for evidence of a biological event and integrate homeland security information with NBIC data to provide overall biological situational awareness and determine whether a biological event has occurred; and (2) take specified steps to share information, including establishing a mechanism for real-time communication with the National Operations Center and using information sharing networks available to DHS for distributing NBIC incident or situational awareness reports.<br/>Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into interagency agreements; (2) ensure that the Director is notified of homeland security information relating to any significant biological threat and receives all reports related to such a threat in a timely manner; and (3) designate the NBIC as a public health authority, ensure that NBIC complies with any applicable requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and ensure that all applicable privacy regulations are strictly adhered to in the operation of, and the sharing of any information related to, the NBIC. Authorizes the NBIC to collect or receive health information for the purpose of preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability.<br/>Requires: (1) the Director to establish an interagency working group and invite officials of federal agencies that conduct biosurveillance programs to participate; (2) the Secretary to report to Congress, by December 31 of each year, regarding the NBIC; and (3) the NBIC to be fully operational by September 30, 2008.<br/>(Sec. 605) Directs the Secretary to develop a risk analysis process that utilizes a scientific, quantitative methodology to assess and manage risks posed by chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents and use that process to conduct a risk assessment that supports the integration of such agents, in order to identify high risk agents, determine how best to mitigate those risks, and guide resource allocation. Title VII: Homeland Security Cybersecurity Improvements - (Sec. 701) Establishes within DHS an Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, headed by an Assistant Secretary, who shall be responsible for overseeing preparation, situational awareness, response, reconstitution, and mitigation necessary for cybersecurity and to protect communications from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.<br/>(Sec. 702) Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to: (1) support research, development, testing, evaluation, and transition of cybersecurity technology to improve the ability to prevent, protect against, detect, respond to, and recover from terrorist acts and cyber attacks, with emphasis on research and development relevant to large-scale, high-impact attacks; and (2) coordinate activities with the Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications and with other federal agencies and working groups. (Sec. 703) Directs the Assistant Secretary to collaborate with any federal entity that has authority over the activities set forth in this title.<br/>Title VIII: Science and Technology Improvements - (Sec. 801) Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to transmit to Congress a strategic plan that includes: (1) a strategy to enhance the Directorate for Science and Technology workforce; (2) a description of the methodology by which research, development, testing, and evaluation is prioritized and funded by the Directorate and the measures to be used to annually evaluate the Directorate's performance; (3) a plan for leveraging the expertise of the National Laboratories, the process for allocating funding to the National Laboratories, and a plan for fulfilling existing National Laboratory infrastructure commitments to maintain current capabilities and meet mission needs; and (4) a strategy for the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency.<br/>(Sec. 802) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Centers of Excellence Program and the Minority Serving Institutions Program.<br/>(Sec. 803) Directs the Under Secretary to enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council to assess DHS's university programs and make recommendations for improvements.<br/>(Sec. 804) Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that a sufficient number of full-time equivalent personnel who are trained and qualified to apply legal, economic, and risk analyses are involved in determining whether technologies may be designated as qualified antiterrorism technologies or certified under the SAFETY Act; (2) establish a formal coordination process that includes specified DHS officials; (3) promote awareness and utilization of the litigation and risk management provisions of the SAFETY Act; and (4) issue a DHS management directive providing for coordination between DHS procurement officials and any other DHS official responsible for implementing the SAFETY Act in advance of DHS procurement of an antiterrorism technology.<br/>(Sec. 805) Directs the Under Secretary to establish the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office, headed by a Director who shall: (1) be responsible for developing understandings or agreements for international cooperative activity in support of homeland security research, development, and comparative testing and for developing strategic priorities for international cooperative activity in support of homeland security research, development, and comparative testing; and (2) facilitate international cooperative activity to address strategic priorities and the matching of U.S. entities with non-U.S. entities engaged in homeland security research. Authorizes the Director to hold international homeland security technology workshops and conferences.<br/>Authorizes the Under Secretary to carry out specified international cooperative activities and to award grants to and enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with U.S. governmental organizations, businesses, federally funded research and development centers, institutions of higher education, and foreign public or private entities. Requires the Under Secretary to ensure that funding and resources expended in international cooperative activities will be equitably matched by the foreign partner organization.<br/>Authorizes the Under Secretary to conduct international cooperative activities jointly with other agencies. Specifies that partners may include Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and other allies in the global war on terrorism. Authorizes the Under Secretary, in coordination with the Chief Medical Officer, to facilitate the development of information sharing and other types of cooperative mechanisms with foreign countries to strengthen American preparedness against threats to the nation's agricultural and public health sectors from exotic diseases.<br/>(Sec. 806) Directs the Under Secretary to: (1) make available to any person or entity, for an appropriate fee, the services of any DHS owned and operated center or other facility for the testing of materials, equipment, models, computer software, and other items designed to advance the homeland security mission; and (2) ensure that the testing of materiel not owned by the government shall not cause government resources to be diverted from scheduled tests of government materiel or otherwise interfere with government mission requirements.<br/>Prohibits: (1) the disclosure outside the federal government of the test results and associated data that are trade secrets or privileged or confidential commercial or financial information without the consent of the person or entity for whom the tests are performed; and (2) fees from exceeding the amount necessary to recoup the costs involved. Directs the Under Secretary to submit to Congress: (1) a report detailing a plan for operating a program that would allow any person or entity, for an appropriate fee, to use any DHS facility for testing of materials, equipment, models, computer software, and other items designed to advance the homeland security mission; and (2) an annual report on the facilities that have collected fees, the amount collected, a description of each partnership formed, and the purpose for which the testing was conducted.<br/>Directs the Comptroller General to submit to Congress an assessment of this section's implementation.<br/>Title IX: Border Security Improvements - (Sec. 901) Directs the Secretary to submit to the committees the comprehensive strategy required by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) for the biometric entry and exit data system (United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program or US-VISIT) within seven days of this Act's enactment. Requires that strategy to include an action plan for full implementation of the biometric exit component of US-VISIT.<br/>Requires the comprehensive strategy and action plan to include: (1) an explanation of how US-VISIT will allow law enforcement officials to identify individuals who overstay their visas; (2) a description of biometric pilot projects; (3) an implementation schedule for deploying future biometric exit capabilities at all ports of entry; and (4) the actions the Secretary plans to take to accelerate the full implementation of the biometric exit component at such ports.<br/>Directs the Secretary to complete the exit portion of the system for aliens arriving in or departing from the United States at an airport or seaport by December 31, 2008. Prohibits the Secretary from transferring to the National Protection and Programs Directorate of DHS the office of DHS that carries out the biometric entry and exit data system until the Secretary submits to the committees the action plan for full implementation of the biometric exit component.<br/>(Sec. 902) Authorizes appropriations for the Shadow Wolves program.<br/>(Sec. 903) Directs the Secretary to take such steps to control the costs of hiring, training, and deploying new Border Patrol agents. Limits the per-agent cost of training, with exceptions subject to a certification requirement.<br/>(Sec. 904) Directs the Comptroller General to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report to update the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report of June 18, 2004, on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and specifically the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS), which shall include specified information, such as: (1) the rate of compliance with the current SEVIS requirements by program sponsors and educational institutions; (2) whether SEVIS adequately ensures that each covered foreign student or exchange visitor in nonimmigrant status is, in fact, actively participating in the program for which admission to the United States was granted; and (3) whether there are any new authorities, capabilities, or resources needed for SEVP and SEVIS to fully perform.<br/>(Sec. 905) Directs the Secretary to assess and report on the personnel, infrastructure, and technology required to reduce border crossing wait times for pedestrian and vehicular traffic at land ports of entry into the United States to less than wait times prior to September 11, 2001, while continuing appropriate security checks.<br/>(Sec. 906) Directs the Comptroller General to submit to the committees a report regarding Border Patrol policies and procedures pertaining to the use of lethal and non-lethal force and the pursuit of fleeing vehicles, including data on the number of incidents in which force was used and any penalties that were imposed on Border Patrol agents as a result of such use.<br/>(Sec. 907) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the status of the Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) initiative, including an analysis of current resources allocated to IBETs, an evaluation of progress made since the inception of the program, and recommendations as to the level of resources that would be required to improve the program's effectiveness in the future.<br/>(Sec. 908) Directs the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of CBP, to expeditiously implement at primary inspection points at U.S. ports of entry the Stolen and Lost Travel Document database managed by Interpol.<br/>Title X: Information Sharing Improvements - (Sec. 1001) Amends HSA to replace provisions regarding the sharing of grand jury, criminal investigation, and foreign intelligence information with provisions directing the Secretary to establish within DHS a State and Local Fusion Center Program to facilitate information sharing between DHS and state, local, and tribal law enforcement for homeland security and other purposes.<br/>(Sec. 1002) Directs the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Information Analysis, the Privacy Officer, and the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, to establish a program within the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to provide mandatory privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights protection training for appropriate DHS employees and state, local, and tribal employees serving in state and local fusion centers.<br/>(Sec. 1003) Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Information Analysis, to appoint up to 100 annuitants to positions in the Office of Information Analysis, subject to a specified certification requirement. Title XI: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 1101) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to be administered by the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to expand homeland security training to units of local and tribal governments located in rural areas; (2) give priority, in designating sites for training, to existing DHS facilities and closed military installations; and (3) conduct training onsite at facilities operated by participants.<br/>(Sec. 1102) Directs the Secretary to work with the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events to evaluate the feasibility of creating further incentives for private sector stakeholders to share protected critical infrastructure information with DHS.<br/>(Sec. 1103) Authorizes appropriation for the Secretary to require each owner or operator of a Tier I or Tier II critical infrastructure site as selected for the Buffer Zone Protection Program to conduct checks of their employees against available terrorist watch lists. (Sec. 1104) Directs the Secretary to include U.S. military surplus vehicles having demonstrated utility for responding to terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies on the Authorized Equipment List to allow state, local, and tribal agencies to purchase, modify, upgrade, and maintain such vehicles using homeland security assistance administered by DHS.<br/>(Sec. 1105) Authorizes funds for the Secretary to encourage the development and use of software- or Internet-based computer capabilities to support real-time incident management by federal, state, local, and tribal agencies. (Sec. 1106) Directs the Secretary to: (1) require the submission of quarterly expenditure reports as a condition of receiving homeland security grants; (2) publish and make publicly available on the DHS website a description of the nature and amount of each expenditure covered by the report; and (3) ensure that sensitive information is not disclosed. Makes this section inapplicable to any grant issued under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act or the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974.<br/>(Sec. 1107) Establishes a Metropolitan Medical Response System Program to support local jurisdictions in enhancing and maintaining all-hazards response capabilities to manage mass casualty incidents by systematically enhancing and integrating first responders, public health and emergency management personnel, business representatives, and volunteers. Requires the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs to develop the programmatic and policy guidance for the program in coordination with the Administrator of FEMA. Encourages local jurisdictions receiving assistance under the program to develop and maintain memoranda of understanding and agreement with neighboring jurisdictions to support a system of mutual aid among the jurisdictions. Directs the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs to conduct and report on a review of the Program.<br/>(Sec. 1109) Finds that the federal government should set standards for the issuance of birth certificates and sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.<br/>Directs the Secretary to establish a program to make grants to states to prevent terrorists and others from fraudulently obtaining and using state-issued identification cards and to develop more secure state-issued documents to be used for official federal purposes. Sets priorities in awarding grants. Prohibits the Secretary from using sums made available for any other DHS grant program to provide funding for expenses related to the REAL ID Act of 2005. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2010.<br/>(Sec. 1111) Authorizes funding to the Secretary to encourage the use of Citizen Corps funding and local Citizens Corps Councils to provide education and training for populations located around critical infrastructure on preparing for and responding to terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.<br/>(Sec. 1112) Directs the Secretary to report regarding: (1) how DHS will implement Comptroller General and Inspector General recommendations regarding the protection of agriculture; (2) the threat, vulnerability, and consequence of a terrorist attack on the U.S. levee system; and (3) progress in establishing procedures to ensure that federal air marshals are made aware of any armed or unarmed law enforcement personnel on board an aircraft and in accomplishing the operational aspects of the Force Multiplier Program. (Sec. 1115) Authorizes states to utilize grants under the State Homeland Security Grant Program and the Urban Area Security Initiative to provide funds to state and local judicial facilities for security.<br/>(Sec. 1116) Directs the Secretary to provide information relating to assistance requested or provided in response to a terrorist attack, major disaster, or other emergency to assist federal, state, or local law enforcement entities in the location of a missing child or registered sex offender.<br/>(Sec. 1117) Directs the Administrator of FEMA, in coordination with DHS's Disability Coordinator and Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, to use amounts authorized under this Act to enter into a cooperative agreement with the National Organization on Disability to carry out that organization's Emergency Preparedness Initiative.<br/>(Sec. 1118) Directs the Secretary, in awarding grants under the Urban Area Security Initiative, to take into consideration the number of tourists that have visited an urban area in the preceding two years.<br/>(Sec. 1119) Directs the Secretary to study and report on select foreign rail security practices and the cost and feasibility of implementing selected best practices that are not currently used in the United States, including any recommendations for covert testing, integrating security in infrastructure design, random searches or screenings, and an information clearinghouse.<br/>(Sec. 1120) Directs the Administrator of FEMA, in order to provide federal assistance to individuals and governments affected by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, Wilma, Tropical Storm Bonnie, and other future declared emergencies and major disasters in a customer-focused, expeditious, effective, and consistent manner, to maintain a recovery office in Florida for a at least three years after this Act's enactment. (Sec. 1121) Directs the Secretary to consult with states before the release of any information regarding grant awards under this Act.<br/>(Sec. 1122) Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study to: (1) determine the extent to which architecture, engineering, surveying, and mapping activities related to U.S. critical infrastructure are being sent to offshore locations; (2) assess whether any vulnerabilities or threats exist with respect to terrorism; and (3) recommend policies, regulations, or legislation necessary to protect national and homeland security interests.<br/>(Sec. 1123) Directs the Secretary to merge the procedures for the FAST program (authorized by the Tariff Act of 1930) and the NEXUS program (authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act) into a single procedure, with common eligibility and security screening requirements, enrollment processes, and sanctions regimes.<br/>Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that the procedures for NEXUS Highway, NEXUS Marine, and NEXUS Air are integrated into such a single procedure; (2) integrate all databases and information systems for the FAST and NEXUS programs in a manner that will permit any identification card issued to a participant to operate in all program locations; (3) consult with Canadian government representatives to equip not fewer than six new northern border crossings with NEXUS technology; (4) create a minimum of two remote enrollment centers for the FAST and NEXUS programs at each of the new border crossings; (5) create a minimum of two mobile enrollment centers to be used to accept and process applications in areas currently underserved by the FAST and NEXUS programs; and (6) design a process for those programs that permits individuals to securely submit their applications on-line and schedule a security interview at the nearest enrollment center.<br/>Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a plan to admit participants in an amount that is as inexpensive as possible per card issued for each of the FAST and NEXUS programs; (2) create a customer service telephone number for such programs; and (3) educate the public regarding the programs' benefits.<br/>Provides that, for purposes of a plan required under IRTPA, an identification card issued to a program participant shall be sufficient to denote identity and citizenship for travel into the United States by U.S. citizens and by categories of individuals for whom documentation requirements have previously been waived under the Immigration and Nationality Act.<br/>(Sec. 1124) Amends IRTPA to direct the Secretary to conduct a trial on the usability, reliability, and effectiveness of technology to implement the documentary requirements under that Act and to report on such trial before implementing such requirements.<br/>Directs the Secretary to establish a special procedure to permit an individual who does not possess a passport or other required document but who is determined to be a U.S. citizen to reenter the United States at an international land or maritime border, which shall terminate 180 days after the date of the implementation plan. Provides that U.S. or Canadian citizens who are less than 16 years of age shall not be required to present to an immigration officer a passport or other document when returning or traveling to the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean at any port of entry along the international land or maritime border of the United States.<br/>Authorizes the Secretary to consider expanding that special rule for minors to a U.S. or Canadian citizen who is under age 19 but is age 16 or older and who is traveling between the United States and Canada if such citizen is traveling as a student on an authorized and supervised school trip.<br/>Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a public communications plan to promote to U.S. citizens, representatives of the travel and trade industries, and local government officials information relating to the implementation of this section; (2) prepare an extensive regulatory impact analysis before publishing a rule implementing this section; and (3) report on implementation.<br/>(Sec. 1125) Expresses the sense of the Congress that efforts to achieve local, regional, and national interoperable emergency communications in the near term should be supported and are critical in assisting communities with their local and regional efforts to properly coordinate and execute their interoperability plans.<br/>(Sec. 1126) Makes sums available to the Secretary to take actions to protect the security of personal information submitted electronically to the DHS website established for the Travelers Redress Inquiry Program and related DHS websites.<br/>(Sec. 1127) Directs the Secretary to work with Florida and other states to resolve differences between the Transportation Worker Identification Credential and existing access control credentials.<br/>(Sec. 1128) Provides that the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection: (1) may establish an automated system to assist in the screening of persons seeking to enter or depart the United States; and (2) shall ensure than an administrative process is established or extended through which an individual may apply to correct any information retained by such system.<br/>

1178856000 2007-05-11 Thu Nov 06 20:45:01 -0600 2008 NayNay 15 333 42751 Thu Jul 12 21:21:00 -0500 2007 true 4537 83 629 75 0 On Passage: H R 1851 Section 8 Voucher Reform Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 13:48:01 -0500 2007 house h 107 42751 1175140800 false 1184293260 1184558400 4 1851 2536 110 400422

7/12/2007--Passed House amended. Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise requirements for public housing agency (PHA) inspections of each dwelling unit for which a housing assistance payment contract is established. Requires an initial inspection before any assistance payment is made. Allows such payments if failure to meet standards is a result only of non-life threatening conditions. Requires suspension of payments until each deficiency has been corrected.<br/>Permits a housing agency, in the case of projects receiving certain federal housing subsidies, to authorize occupancy before completion of an initial inspection. Requires biennial inspections, in lieu of current annual inspections, to determine compliance. Provides for interim inspections, upon family request, within 24 hours if a noncompliant condition is life-threatening, or within 15 days if not life-threatening. Specifies steps for a determination of noncompliance. Authorizes a public housing agency (PHA) to use withheld assistance to make repairs to a noncomplying dwelling unit. Prohibits a contract to make such repairs with the inspector who determined the dwelling unit's failure. Terminates the lease for any family residing in a unit for which the PHA terminates the housing assistance payments contract. Allows the family to remain in the unit subject to a new lease as an unassisted family. Requires the PHA to provide the family a period of time, which may be extended, to lease a new residence to assist with the tenant-based rental assistance. Requires the PHA to take specified steps to assist the family in relocating to other public housing it owns or operates if the family cannot otherwise find a new residence. (Sec. 3) Authorizes a PHA to establish for public housing and for families under the section 8 voucher program (other than elderly or disabled families) a tenant rent structure: (1) with a ceiling rent and a tenant contribution ceiling, adjustable periodically for inflation; (2) in which the rent is set and distributed on the basis of broad tiers of family income, adjustable annually; or (3) in which the rent is based on a percentage of family income. Revises low-income occupancy and rental payment requirements to prescribe reviews of family income at least annually for most tenants or every three years for fixed-income families. Repeals current requirements disallowing earned income from rent determinations or, in the alternative, allowing individual savings accounts. Redefines income. Excludes from such definition any imputed return on assets or benefits from Coverdell education savings accounts, as well as (according to current law) any payments attributable to underpayment of federal benefits due. Excludes from calculation of the income of student dependents: (1) any dependent's earned income; and (2) any grant-in-aid or scholarships related to full-time attendance used for tuition or books. Revises requirements for adjusted income to: (1) increase deductions for elderly or disabled families, dependents, and health and medical expenses; and (2) eliminate the exclusion of child and spousal support payments and the earned income of minors (except as allowed for dependents). Requires appropriate adjustments in the formula income of any PHA whose rental income is reduced by an amount not de minimus as a result of the amendments of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to report to Congress on the impact of this Act upon the revenues and costs of operating public housing units during FY2008 and FY2009. (Sec. 4) Prescribes eligibility criteria for assistance based upon assets and income. Prohibits rental of a public housing dwelling unit or related assistance to any family with: (1) net assets exceeding $100,000, adjusted annually for inflation; or (2) a present ownership interest in, and a legal right to reside in, real property suitable for residential occupancy, with certain exceptions. (Sec. 5) Revises requirements governing assistance to low-income working families. Prescribes an alternative eligibility formula for maximum family income (not applicable to Puerto Rico or any U.S. territories or possessions) if the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved is higher than 30% of the area median income. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations for tenant-based vouchers for FY2008-FY2012. Revises requirements for tenant-based contract renewals, including allocation of renewal funding among public housing agencies. Directs the HUD Secretary to issue guidance to PHAs that receive voucher assistance for non-elderly disabled families to ensure that the vouchers continue to be provided upon turnover to qualified non-elderly disabled families. (Sec. 7) Revises requirements for calculation of administrative fees, including those covering family self-sufficiency program costs. (Sec. 8) Revises requirements for Section 8 single grant home ownership downpayment assistance to an eligible family that purchases a dwelling unit that will be owned by one or more members of the family and occupied by them. Limits such a grant to $10,000. Redefines rent of manufactured housing for which vouchers may be used to include the amortized cost of purchasing a manufactured home, as well as specified other costs. (Sec. 9) Authorizes a PHA to report to certain consumer reporting agencies the past rent payment history of a family receiving tenant-based housing choice vouchers, if that family agrees in writing to such reporting. (Sec. 10) Directs the HUD Secretary to establish standards and procedures for assessing the performance of public housing agencies in carrying out the programs for tenant-based rental assistance and for homeownership assistance. (Sec. 11) Revises the authority of a PHA to use amounts provided under an annual contributions contract to enter into a housing assistance payment contract with respect to an existing, newly constructed, or rehabilitated structure (project-based assistance). Increases from 20% to 25% the amount of funding available for tenant-based assistance administered by the agency that may be attached to such structures. Allows attachment of an additional 5% to structures for homeless individuals and families. Revises income mixing requirements. Changes the maximum 25% of the dwelling units in any building that may be assisted under a housing assistance payment contract for project-based assistance to a maximum of 25 dwelling units or 25% of the dwelling units in any project. Specifies circumstances in which the 25% may be increased to 50%. Increases the maximum term of a housing assistance payment contract from 10 years to 15 years. Allows such a contract to specify renewal terms of up to 15 years. Authorizes a PHA to enter into such a contract at the time it enters into the initial agreement for a housing assistance payment contract. Revises requirements for rent calculation, rent adjustments, and tenant selection waiting lists (providing for site-based lists). Permits a PHA to enter into a housing assistance payments contract for dwelling units in cooperative housing and high-rise elevator buildings. States that neither a subsidy layering nor an environmental review shall be required for assistance in the case of a housing assistance payments contract (Sec. 12) Instructs the HUD Secretary to monitor rent burdens and report to Congress annually on the percentages of assisted families that pay more than 30% and 40 % of their adjusted incomes for rent. Requires a PHA to adjust the payment standard to eliminate excessive rent burdens. Requires annual reports to Congress on: (1) the degree to which assisted families are clustered in lower rent, higher poverty areas; and (2) the extent to which greater geographic distribution of such families could be achieved. Authorizes a PHA, without the Secretary's approval, to establish a payment standard of up to 120% of the fair market rent where necessary as a reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability. Allows a PHA to seek the Secretary's approval to use a payment standard greater than 120% for such a person. (Sec. 13) Directs the HUD Secretary to endeavor to define market areas, at least in metropolitan cities with over 40,000 rental dwelling units and urban counties (or portions of them) located outside such cities, in a manner that results in fair market rentals adequate to cover typical rental costs of units suitable for occupancy by persons assisted in a wide range of communities, including those with low poverty rates. Specifies circumstances in which the Secretary shall establish other separate market areas at a PHA's request. Declares that no PHA shall be required, as a result of a reduction in the fair market rental, to reduce the payment standard applied to a family continuing to reside in a unit for which the family was receiving assistance at the time the fair market rental was reduced. (Sec. 14) Limits a PHA's elective screening to criteria directly related to an applicant's ability to fulfill the obligations of an assisted lease, with due consideration of related mitigating circumstances. (Sec. 15) Revises requirements for enhanced voucher assistance to allow an assisted family to elect to remain in the same project in which the family was residing on the date of the project eligibility event (as under current law), regardless of unit and family size standards normally used by the administering agency (except that tenants may be required to move to units of appropriate size if available on the premises). Considers The Heritage Apartments in Malden, Massachusetts, eligible low-income housing to enable its residents to receive enhanced voucher assistance, upon prepayment of the mortgage loan for the property. Directs the Secretary to approve such prepayment and subsequent transfer of the property without any further condition; but declares the property, until the original maturity date of the prepaid mortgage loan, restricted for occupancy only by families with incomes not exceeding 80% of the adjusted median income for the area in which the property is located. (Sec. 16) Establishes the Housing Innovation Program (HIP) to provide PHAs and HUD with flexibility to design and evaluate innovative approaches to providing housing assistance. Authorizes the HUD Secretary to designate up to 60 PHAs to participate at any one time in HIP, plus another 20 PHA's subject to certain terms. Designates to participate in HIP all existing PHAs that have an agreement with HUD pursuant to the moving to work demonstration program ( &quot;MTW agency&quot;). Requires one-for-one replacement of demolished or disposed of dwelling units under HIP according to a comprehensive outreach plan developed by the PHA in conjunction with its residents and meeting certain criteria. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for resident technical assistance and for evaluations of all participating PHAs. (Sec. 17) Authorizes the HUD Secretary to enter into agreements with the Social Security Administration and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to permit HUD participation in certain state demonstration programs providing for persons with significant disabilities to be employed and to continue to receive supplemental security income (SSI), disability insurance, Medicaid, and other benefits under specified federal and state programs. (Sec. 18) Directs the Secretary to: (1) convene a task force to identify a list of vital documents to be competently translated to improve access to federally conducted and federally assisted programs and activities for individuals with limited English proficiency; (2) produce and make available on the HUD website translations of such documents in all necessary languages; (3) develop and carry out a plan to assist recipients of federal funds to improve access to programs and activities for such individuals; (4) develop and maintain a housing information resource center, with a 24-hour toll-free interpretation service telephone line, which shall assemble a document clearinghouse and evaluate best-practices models for all HUD programs that promote language assistance and strategies to improve language services for individuals with limited English proficiency. Requires the center to provide information relating to culturally and linguistically competent housing services for populations with limited English proficiency. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 19) Directs the Secretary, at the owner's request, to transfer (or authorize the transfer of) specified project-based rental assistance housing assistance payments contracts, restrictions, and debt: (1) on the housing owned or managed by Community Properties of Ohio Management Services LLC or an affiliate of Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing and located in Franklin County, Ohio, to other properties located in Franklin County, Ohio; and (2) on the housing that is owned or managed by The Model Group, Inc., and located in Hamilton County, Ohio, to other properties located in Hamilton County, Ohio. Requires any such transfer to result in the retention of the same number of units and amount of assistance. (Sec. 20) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 to PHAs for incremental tenant-based assistance sufficient to assist 20,000 incremental dwelling units in each fiscal year. (Sec. 21) Prohibits rental housing assistance on behalf of any individual or household unless the individuals or adult household members provide valid personal identification in the form of either: (1) a Social Security card with photo identification or REAL ID Act identification; (2) a passport; or (3) a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services identification card.<br/>

1184558400 2007-07-16 Thu Nov 06 21:04:46 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 12 348 42752 Tue Sep 18 14:21:00 -0500 2007 true 3843 72 876 63 0 On Passage: H R 1852 Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007 true 1/2 Passed On Passage Tue Sep 18 14:37:15 -0500 2007 house h 415 42752 1175140800 false 1190143260 1190174400 40 1852 5739 110 400422

9/18/2007--Passed House amended. Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Amends the National Housing Act (Act) to: (1) modify requirements governing the maximum principal loan obligation, changing it to 125% of the median one-family house price in the area; and (2) extend the mortgage term from 35 to 40 years. (Sec. 5) Revises eligibility criteria for cash down payment for mortgage insurance. Alters the formula for determining the principal obligation to set the loan-to-value (LTV) for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) single family home at 97.75 % of the appraised value of the property (plus the amount of the mortgage insurance premium paid at the time the mortgage is insured, as under current law). Establishes an alternative formula for zero- and lower-down payment borrowers, allowing 100% of the appraised value of the property, plus HUD-approved initial service charges, appraisal, inspection, and other fees. Repeals the prerequisite for FHA mortgage insurance that a mortgagor obtain counseling in financial management and responsibilities of homeownership. Retains the current 3% cash down payment requirement, except for zero- and lower-down payment borrowers. Requires the Secretary, with respect to cash down payments, to consider as cash or its equivalent any amounts gifted by a family member (as under current law), the mortgagor's employer or labor union, or a qualified home ownership assistance entity, but only if there is no obligation on the part of the mortgagor to repay the gift. (Sec. 6) Sets forth eligibility criteria governing mortgage insurance premiums for zero- and lower-down payment borrowers who obtain a mortgage secured by a one- to four-family dwelling occupied as a principal residence. (Sec. 7 ) Distinguishes standard risk mortgages secured by a one- to four-family dwelling from higher-risk mortgages. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish underwriting standards for higher-risk mortgages for mortgagors with a credit score equivalent to a FICO score of less than 560; (2) provide for flexible premium rate variations according to the credit risk associated with the type of mortgage product being insured; and (3) create certain payment incentives, both discretionary and mandatory. (Sec. 10) Makes certain borrower protections, including mortgagee disclosures and mortgagor counseling, particularly foreclosure prevention counseling, mandatory for higher risk mortgages. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish underwriting standards governing insurance of mortgage loans; and (2) take actions to facilitate the availability of mortgage loans insured under this Act that are made for the purpose of paying or prepaying outstanding obligations under existing mortgages. (Sec. 12) Instructs the Secretary to submit in annual reports to Congress: (1) the rates of default and foreclosure for mortgages insured pursuant to certain mortgage insurance programs; and (2) loss mitigation actions. (Sec. 13) Permits an increase of up to 25% in the maximum mortgage amount that may be insured to account for the increased cost of a residence due to an increased need of space for locating and operating a licensed or certificated child care facility. (Sec. 14) Replaces the General Insurance Fund with the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (MMI Fund) with respect to funds received and disbursements made in connection with certain rehabilitation loans. (Sec. 16) Permits the Secretary to insure any mortgage covering a one-family unit in a condominium if the project of which it is part has a certain HUD-insured blanket mortgage. Extends the insurable mortgage term from 35 to 40 years. Includes among insurable multifamily projects those in which the dwelling units are manufactured housing units, semi-detached or detached. (Sec. 17) Revises requirements for the MMI Fund, specifying operating goals among other things. Requires an annual independent actuarial study of the Fund. (Sec. 18) Makes insurance of a Native Hawaiian or Indian reservation mortgage the obligation of the MMI Fund (instead of the General Insurance Fund). (Sec. 20) Eliminates the limitation placed upon the aggregate number of home equity conversion mortgages insured under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to insure a home equity conversion mortgage when its primary purpose is to enable an elderly mortgagor to purchase a one- to four-family dwelling in which the mortgagor will occupy one of the units. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish specified limits on the origination fee that may be charged to a mortgagor; and (2) study and report to Congress regarding mortgage insurance premiums charged for insurance of home equity conversion mortgages to determine the effects of reducing such premiums upon costs to mortgagors, and upon the financial soundness of the program. (Sec. 21) Revises: (1) requirements for participation by mortgage brokers and correspondent lenders in the mortgage insurance program; and (2) mortgage insurance eligibility criteria. Extends the meaning of &quot;mortgagee&quot; to mortgage brokers and correspondent lenders who post a bond of between $50,000 and $100,000 (indexed annually), as determined by the Secretary, in lieu of existing net worth and annual audit requirements. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress regarding the effect of such revised requirements upon increased participation by mortgage brokers and correspondent lenders in mortgage insurance programs under this Act. (Sec. 22) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements, for a certain period, to insure up to 100% of certain mortgages for a single family residence located in a major disaster area. (Sec. 23) Establishes penalties for failure by a mortgage and escrow account servicer to make required payments from escrow accounts (for taxes, insurance premiums, and other charges) in the case of a HUD-insured mortgage for a one- to four-family residence. Prohibits the Secretary from submitting any information to a consumer reporting agency regarding such failure that is adverse to the mortgagor's credit rating or interest. (Sec. 24) Restricts acceptable forms of identification for FHA mortgagors to: (1) a social security card with photo identification or REAL ID Act identification; (2) a passport; or (3) a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services identification card. (Sec. 25) Directs the Secretary to implement a pilot program to establish an automated process for borrowers without sufficient credit history. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress regarding: (1) the number of additional mortgagors served using such automated process; and (2) the impact of such process and the insurance of mortgages pursuant to it on the safety and soundness of the insurance funds under the Act of which such mortgages are obligations. (Sec. 26) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should report to Congress on the use of a portion of the funds received from premiums paid for FHA single family housing mortgage insurance that are in excess of the amounts paid out in claims to increase substantially the funding for FHA technology to bring it to the level and sophistication of technology used in the conventional mortgage lending market. (Sec. 27) Increases maximum FHA multifamily housing mortgage limits in high cost areas from 140% of the basic loan limit to 170% and, on a project-by-project basis, to 215%. (Sec. 28) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for discount sales of multifamily real properties. (Sec. 29) Exempts from the requirements, limitations, and prohibitions of subtitle A (FHA Asset Disposition) of title II of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, and the amendments made by such title, any multifamily real property transaction for which: (1) the Secretary has received, before the Act's enactment, written expressions of interest in purchasing the property from both a city government and its housing commission; (2) the Secretary acquires title to the property at a foreclosure sale after receipt of such expressions of interest; and (3) such city government and housing commission have resolved a previous disagreement with respect to the disposition of the property. (Sec. 30) Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to prohibit the Secretary from selling multifamily real property through any discount sale during FY2011, or any multifamily loan through a discount loan sale during such fiscal year, unless the property or loan is sold for an amount that is equal to or greater than 60% of the property market value or loan market value, respectively. (Sec. 31) Authorizes appropriations from the negative credit subsidy for mortgage insurance programs resulting from this Act for: (1) single family housing mortgage insurance; (2) housing counseling; (3) mortgage insurance technology, procedures, processes, program performance, and salaries; and (4) an affordable housing fund. Conditions such authorization for a fiscal year upon certification by the Secretary that mortgage insurance premiums charged during it: (1) are established at the minimum amount sufficient to comply with the requirements for the MMI capital ratio; and (2) ensure the safety and soundness of the other mortgage insurance funds under such Act. Requires any such negative credit subsidy to ensure adequately the efficient delivery and availability of the mortgage insurance programs. Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on how best to update and upgrade mortgage insurance program procedures and technologies so that the policies and procedures for originating, insuring, and servicing of mortgages conform with those customarily used by secondary market purchasers of residential mortgage loans. (Sec. 32) Sets limitations upon mortgage insurance premium increases. (Sec. 33) Amends the National Housing Act to establish civil money penalties for improperly influencing property appraisals. (Sec. 34) Instructs the Secretary to provide refunds of unearned premium charges paid for mortgage insurance to or on behalf of otherwise refund-eligible mortgagors whose mortgages were closed before December 8, 2004, and endorsed on or after such date. Authorizes appropriations.<br/>

1190174400 2007-09-19 Thu Nov 06 21:05:00 -0600 2008 NayAye 16 399 42852 Wed May 02 22:44:00 -0500 2007 true 4244 17 295 66 0 On Passage: H R 1867 National Science Foundation Authorization Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 10:15:29 -0500 2007 house h 61 42852 1176782400 false 1178163840 1210046400 5 1867 1109 110 400011

5/2/2007--Passed House amended. National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Authorizes appropriations to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for FY2008-FY2010, with specific allocations for: (1) research and related activities; (2) education and human resources; (3) major research equipment and facilities construction; (4) agency operations and award management; (5) the Office of the National Science Board; and (6) the Office of Inspector General. Sets minimum and maximum amounts of awards under the Major Research Instrumentation program. Permits, in addition to the acquisition of instrumentation and equipment, funds made available by awards under the Major Research Instrumentation program to be used to support the operations and maintenance of such instrumentation and equipment.<br/>Requires an institution of higher education receiving an award under such program to provide at least 30% of the cost from private or non-federal sources. Exempts institutions of higher education that are not Ph.D-granting institutions from such cost sharing requirement and allows the Director of the NSF (the Director) to reduce or waive such requirement for: (1) certain institutions that are not ranked among the top 100 institutions receiving federal research and development funding; and (2) consortia of institutions of higher education that include at least one institution that is not a Ph.D-granting institution. Requires the continuation of programs in support of undergraduate education, including those authorized under the provisions of section 17 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (relating to undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education reform). Increases funding for these programs in proportion to the increase in the total amount appropriated to NSF in any year for which appropriations are authorized by this Act. Revises the selection process for awards that require the submission of preproposals and that also limit the number of preproposals. Requires the National Science Board to: (1) assess the effects on institutions of higher education of NSF policies regarding the imposition of limitations on the number of proposals that may be submitted by a single institution for programs supported by NSF; (2) determine whether current policies are well justified and appropriate for the types of programs that limit the number of proposal submissions; and (3) summarize in a report its findings and any recommendations regarding changes to the current policy on the restriction of proposal submissions.<br/>Requires the Director to increase funding for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program in proportion to the increase in the total amount appropriated to the NSF for research and related activities in any year for which appropriations are authorized by this Act. Requires the Director: (1) as part of Informal Science Education activities, to support activities to create informal educational materials, exhibits, and multimedia presentations relevant to global warming, climate science, and greenhouse gas reduction strategies; and (2) as part of Discovery Research K-12 activities, to support the development of K-12 educational materials relevant to global warming, climate science, and greenhouse gas reduction strategies. (Sec. 4) Requires the continuation of the program of Centers for Research on Learning and Education Improvement as established in section 11 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (relating to the establishment of such Centers). Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to provide for the awarding of grants to eligible nonprofit organizations and their consortia to establish such Centers. (Sec. 5) Directs the National Science Board to evaluate: (1) the role of NSF in supporting interdisciplinary research, including through the Major Research Instrumentation program, the effectiveness of NSF's efforts in providing information to the scientific community about opportunities for funding of interdisciplinary research proposals, and the process through which interdisciplinary proposals are selected for support; and (2) the effectiveness of NSF's efforts to engage undergraduate students in research experiences in interdisciplinary settings, including through the Research in Undergraduate Institutions program and the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. Requires the Board to provide the results of its evaluation, including a recommendation for the proportion of the NSF's research and related activities funding that should be allocated for interdisciplinary research. (Sec. 6) Requires the Director to carry out a pilot program to award one-year grants to individuals to assist them in improving research proposals that were previously submitted to NSF but not selected for funding. Requires that such grants be used to enable individuals to resubmit updated research proposals for review by NSF through NSF's competitive merit review process. Permits using funds made available under this section for the generation of new data and the performance of additional analysis. Requires the Director to make awards under this section based on the advice of program officers of the NSF. Allows the Director to carry out this section through the Small Grants for Exploratory Research program. Directs the National Science Board to conduct a review and assessment of the pilot program. (Sec. 7) Requires the Director, in evaluating research proposals under NSF's broader impacts criterion, to give special consideration to proposals that involve partnerships between academic researchers and industrial scientists and engineers that address research areas that have been identified as having high importance for economic competitiveness, such as nanotechnology. Instructs the Director to encourage research proposals from institutions of higher education that involve partnerships with businesses and organizations representing businesses in fields that have been identified as having high importance for economic competitiveness and that include input on the research agenda from and cost-sharing by the industry partners. Requires the Director to report on the impact of the broader impacts grant criterion used by NSF. (Sec. 8) Instructs the Director to: (1) require that all grant applications that include funding to support postdoctoral researchers include a description of mentoring activities; and (2) ensure that this part of the application is evaluated under NSF's broader impacts merit review criterion. Instructs the Director to require that annual reports and the final report for research grants that include funding to support postdoctoral researchers include a description of the mentoring activities provided to such researchers. (Sec. 9) Instructs the Director to require that each institution that applies for financial assistance from NSF for science and engineering research or education describe in its grant proposal a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to participating undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers . (Sec. 10) Instructs the Director to ensure that all final project reports and citations of published research documents resulting from research funded, in whole or in part, by the NSF are made available to the public in a timely manner and through NSF's website. (Sec. 11) Makes an investigator supported under a NSF award, whom the Director determines has failed to comply with the provisions of section 734 (concerning the dissemination and sharing of research results) of the Foundation Grant Policy Manual, ineligible for a future award under any NSF supported program or activity. Allows the Director to restore the eligibility of such an investigator on the basis of the investigator's subsequent compliance with such provisions and with such other terms and conditions as the Director may impose.<br/>(Sec. 12) Requires the Director to annually evaluate all NSF's grants that are scheduled to expire within one year and that primarily: (1) meet the objectives of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunity Act; or (2) provide teacher professional development. Allows the Director, for grants that are identified and that are deemed by the Director to be successful in meeting the objectives of the initial grant solicitation, to extend those grants for up to three additional years beyond their scheduled expiration without the requirement for a recompetition. Permits the extension of such grants for an additional three years as specified. Requires the Director to submit a report that: (1) lists the grants extended; and (2) provides recommendations regarding the extension of such authority to programs other than those specified in this section. (Sec. 13) Requires the National Science Board to: (1) evaluate certain impacts of its policy to eliminate cost sharing for research grants and cooperative agreements for existing and new programs involving industry participation; and (2) report the results of such evaluation.<br/>(Sec. 14) Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to permit NSF to receive and use funds donated to NSF for specific prize competitions. (Sec. 15) Requires the National Science Board to evaluate the appropriateness of: (1) the requirement that funding for detailed design work and other preconstruction activities for major research equipment and facilities come exclusively from the sponsoring research division rather than being available from the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction account; and (2) NSF's policies for allocation of costs for, and oversight of, maintenance and operation of major research equipment and facilities. Requires the Board to report on the results of such evaluations and on any recommendations for modifying the current policies related to allocation of funding for such equipment and facilities. Requires that plans for proposed construction, repair, and upgrades to national research facilities include estimates of the total project cost and the source of funds for major upgrades of facilities in support of Antarctic research programs. Requires the Director to transmit: (1) a specified report cataloging all elementary and secondary school, informal, and undergraduate educational programs and activities supported through appropriations for research and related activities; and (2) along with the FY2011 budget request, a report listing the funding success rates and distribution of awards for the Research in Undergraduate Institutions program. Requires the Director, within 60 days of enactment of legislation providing for the annual appropriation of funds for NSF, to submit a plan for the allocation of education and human resources funds authorized by this Act for the corresponding fiscal year, including any funds from within the research and related activities account used to support activities that primarily improve education or broaden participation. (Sec. 16) Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to require: (1) the Inspector General of NSF to conduct triennial audits (currently, annual audits) of the compliance by the National Science Board with the requirements specified under the Act for open meetings; (2) the Board to maintain the General Counsel's certificate, the presiding officer's statement, and a transcript or recording of any closed meeting for at least three years after such meeting; and (3) appointment of technical and professional personnel on leave of absence from academic, industrial, or research institutions for a limited term and such operations and support staff members (currently, such clerical staff members) as may be necessary.<br/>Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1975 to increase the number of Alan T. Waterman Awards that may be made in any one fiscal year to three. (Sec. 17) Requires rendering of National Science Board reports to the President and Congress (currently, rendered to the President for submission to Congress). (Sec. 18) Directs NSF to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences for a report to Congress about barriers to increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and to identify strategies for bringing more underrepresented minorities into the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce. (Sec. 19) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the mathematics and science education partnership program at NSF and the mathematics and science partnership program at the Department of Education are intended to be complementary, not duplicative; (2) Congress intends that the NSF peer-reviewed partnership programs found to be effective should be put into wider practice by dissemination through the Department of Education partnership programs; and (3) the Director and the Secretary of Education should collaborate to ensure that the two components of this effort continue to work in concert for the benefit of states and local practitioners nationwide.<br/>(Sec. 20) Authorizes the Director to establish a new program to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to Hispanic-serving institutions to enhance the quality of undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education at such institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of students pursuing associate's or baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology. Specifies that the grants awarded shall support: (1) activities to improve courses and curricula in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology; (2) faculty development; (3) stipends for undergraduate students participating in research; and (4) other activities consistent with the grant program authorized by this section, as determined by the Director. States that funding for instrumentation is an allowed use of grants awarded under this section. (Sec. 21) Requires the Director to provide grant supplements to institutions receiving awards under the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program. Requires the grant supplements to be used to train graduate students in the communication of the substance and importance of their research to nonscientist audiences, including policymakers. Requires the Director to transmit a report describing how such activities have been implemented. Requires that such report include data on the number of graduate students trained and the number and size of grant supplements awarded, as well as a description of the types of activities funded.

1210046400 2008-05-06 Thu Nov 06 21:06:49 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 24 385 42853 Thu May 03 14:13:00 -0500 2007 true 4346 23 301 54 0 On Passage: H R 1868 Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 10:19:12 -0500 2007 house h 60 42853 1176782400 false 1178219580 1210046400 6 1868 1779 110 400437

5/3/2007--Passed House amended. Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for FY2008-FY2010 for: (1) scientific and technical research and services laboratory activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); (2) the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program; (3) construction and maintenance of NIST facilities; and (4) NIST Industrial Technology Services activities. Title II: Innovation and Technology Policy Reforms - (Sec. 201) Requires the Director of NIST (the Director), concurrent with submission to Congress of the President's annual budget request, to transmit a three-year programmatic planning report for NIST, including programs under the Scientific and Technical Research and Services, Industrial Technology Services, and Construction of Research Facilities functions, and subsequent updates. (Sec. 202) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to provide that annual reports to the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) and Congress be submitted by the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology within 30 days (currently, on or before January 31 in each year) after the submission to Congress of the President's annual budget request. Requires that such report also comment on the programmatic planning document and updates thereto transmitted to Congress by the Director. (Sec. 203) Establishes within NIST a Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board. Requires such Board to provide to the Director advice on: (1) MEP programs, plans, and policies; (2) assessments of the soundness of MEP plans and strategies; and (3) assessments of current performance against MEP program plans. Requires such Board to transmit annual reports to the Secretary for transmittal to Congress within 30 days after the submission to Congress of the President's annual budget request which shall address the status of the MEP program and comment on the relevant sections of the programmatic planning document and updates thereto transmitted to Congress by the Director.<br/>Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to allow the Secretary and the Director to accept funds from other federal departments and agencies and from the private sector to strengthen U.S. manufacturing. Prohibits such funds, if allocated to a Regional Center for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology or such Centers, from being considered in the calculation of the federal share of capital and annual operating and maintenance costs. Requires the Director to establish within the MEP program a program to award competitive grants among the Centers, or a consortium of such Centers, for the development of projects to solve new or emerging manufacturing problems. Permits one or more themes for the competition to be identified, which may vary from year to year, depending on the needs of manufacturers and the success of previous competitions. Bars recipients of such grant awards from being required to provide a matching contribution. (Sec. 204) Abolishes the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) and replaces it with the Technology Innovation Program (TIP), while continuing support originally awarded under ATP. Provides for TIP to assist U.S. businesses and institutions of higher education or other organizations, such as national laboratories and nonprofit research institutes, to accelerate the development and application of challenging, high-risk, high-reward technologies in areas of critical national need that promise widespread economic benefits for the nation. Requires the Director to make grants to eligible companies for research and development on high-risk, high-reward emerging and enabling technologies (including any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use) that address critical national needs and have a wide breadth of potential application, and form an important technical basis for future innovations. Specifies that such grants be made to: (1) eligible companies that are small or medium-sized businesses; or (2) joint ventures. Sets forth limitations on single company and joint venture grant amounts. Limits the federal share of a project to not more than half of total project costs. Requires the Director, in carrying out TIP, as appropriate, to coordinate with other senior state and federal officials to ensure cooperation and coordination in state and federal technology programs and to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts. Establishes within NIST a Technology Innovation Program (TIP) Advisory Board. Requires such Board to provide to the Director: (1) advice on programs, plans, and policies of TIP; (2) reviews of TIP's efforts to assess it economic impact; (3) reports on the general health of the program and its effectiveness in achieving its legislatively mandated mission; (4) guidance on areas of technology that are appropriate for TIP funding; and (5) recommendations as to whether, in order to better assess whether specific innovations to be pursued are being adequately supported by the private sector, the Director could benefit from advice and information from additional industry and other experts sources without a proprietary or financial interest in proposals being evaluated. Requires such Board to transmit annual reports to the Secretary for transmittal to Congress within 30 days after the submission to Congress of the President's annual budget request which shall address the status of TIP and comment on the relevant sections of the programmatic planning document and updates thereto transmitted to Congress by the Director. Defines &quot;high-risk, high-reward research&quot; to mean research that: (1) has the potential for yielding results with far-ranging or wide-ranging implications; (2) addresses critical national needs related to technology and measurement standards; and (3) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review process. (Sec. 205) Increases funding for research fellowships and other financial assistance to students at institutions of higher education within the United States and to U.S. citizens for research and technical activities on NIST programs. (Sec. 206) Requires the Director to establish a manufacturing research pilot grants program to make awards to partnerships to foster cost-shared collaborations among firms, educational and research institutions, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations in the development of innovative, multidisciplinary manufacturing technologies. Requires such partnerships to include at least one manufacturing industry partner and one nonindustry partner. Requires partnerships receiving awards to conduct applied research to develop new manufacturing processes, techniques, or materials that would contribute to improved performance, productivity, and competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, and build lasting alliances among collaborators. Bars: (1) awards from providing for not more than one-third of the costs of a partnership; and (2) not more than an additional one-third of such costs from being obtained directly or indirectly from other federal sources. Instructs the Director, in selecting applications, to ensure, a distribution of overall awards among a variety of manufacturing industry sectors and a range of firm sizes. Requires the Director to run a single pilot competition to solicit and make awards. Limits each award to a 3-year period. (Sec. 207) Requires the Director, in order to promote the development of a robust research community working at the leading edge of manufacturing sciences, to establish a program to award: (1) postdoctoral research fellowships at NIST for research activities related to manufacturing sciences; and (2) senior research fellowships to establish researchers in industry or at institutions of higher education who wish to pursue studies related to the manufacturing sciences at NIST. Requires the Director to provide stipends for post-doctoral research fellowships at a level consistent with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Post-doctoral Research Fellowship Program, and senior research fellowships at levels consistent with support for a faculty member in a sabbatical position. (Sec. 208) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to provide for the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology to meet at least twice each year (currently at least quarterly) at the call of the chairman of the Committee or whenever one-third of the Committee's members so request in writing. (Sec. 209) Directs NIST to provide for the establishment of a manufacturing research database to enable private sector individuals and federal officials to access a broad range of information on manufacturing research carried out with funding support from the federal government. Requires the database to contain: (1) all publicly available information maintained by a federal agency relating to manufacturing research projects funded in whole or in part by the federal government; and (2) information about all federal programs that may be of interest to manufacturers. Requires that the information contained in the database be accessible in a manner that enables users of the database to easily retrieve information of specific interest to them.<br/>Allows NIST to authorize charging a nominal fee for using the database to access such information as necessary to recover the costs of maintaining the database.<br/>Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 301) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to double the number of fellows per fiscal year to be included in the post-doctoral fellowship program. (Sec. 302) Amends such Act to add as a function of the Secretary and NIST, the authority to enter into contracts which include grants and cooperative agreements to further the purposes of NIST. (Sec. 303) Prohibits the transfer of not more than one-quarter of 1% of the amounts appropriated to NIST for any fiscal year to the Working Capital Fund, in addition to any other transfer authority. Permits, in addition, transfer to such Fund of funds provided to NIST from other federal agencies for the production of standard reference materials. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the Director to retain all building use and depreciation surcharge fees collected pursuant to OMB Circular A-25 (relating fees assessed for government services and for sale or use of government goods or resources). Requires such fees to be collected and credited to the construction of research facilities appropriation account for use in maintenance and repair of NIST's existing facilities. (Sec. 305) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to repeal the non-energy inventions program. (Sec. 307) Repeals the Act of July 21, 1950 (relating to the legal units of electrical and photometric measurement in the United States and relating to the establishment of the values of the primary electric and photometric units in absolute measure and the legal values for these units). (Sec. 309) Allows the Director, through September 30, 2010, to annually procure the temporary or intermittent services of up to 200 experts or consultants to assist on urgent or short-term projects.<br/>Directs the Comptroller General to report on whether additional safeguards would be needed with respect to the use of such authority if it were to be made permanent.<br/>(Sec. 310) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to revise the limitation on the number of Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards that may be made in any year by permitting not more than 18 awards to be made in any year to recipients who have not previously received such an award. Prohibits any award from being made within any category in which such an award may be given if there are no qualifying enterprises in that category.

1210046400 2008-05-06 Thu Nov 06 21:07:10 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 10 409 42858 Thu May 10 11:15:00 -0500 2007 true 4360 13 323 46 0 On Passage: H R 1873 Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 10:32:59 -0500 2007 house h 100 42858 1176782400 false 1178813700 1178856000 15 1873 1391 110 412208

5/10/2007--Passed House amended. Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act - Title I: Contract Bundling - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act to redefine the term &quot;bundled contract&quot; as a contract or order entered into to meet procurement requirements that are consolidated in a bundling of contract requirements, without regard to its designation by the procuring agency or whether a study of the effects of the solicitation on civilian or military personnel has been made. Expands the definition of &quot;bundling of contract requirements&quot; to cover construction services, and to cover a combination of contract requirements that would meet the definition of a bundling if it were not for the addition of a procurement requirement with at least one new good or service if the new features or functions do not substantially transform the goods or services previously performed. Makes the revised and expanded definitions inapplicable to contracts for construction services under $65 million or under $5 million for all other types of contracts. (Sec. 102) Requires a procurement contracting agency to provide the small business representative of that agency identifying information on incumbent contract holders, a description of the industries which might be interested in bidding on the contract requirements, and the number of small businesses listed in the industry categories that could be excluded from future bidding if the contract is combined or packaged. Allows the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), if there is cause to believe a contract combines requirements or a contract or task or delivery order for construction services or includes unjustified bundling, to request a statement of work for goods and services, and to request that the solicitation process be postponed ten days to allow the Administrator to review the statement and make recommendations. (Sec. 103) Allows a small business adversely affected by a proposed procurement, or trade association acting on behalf of the small business, to request that the SBA take actions to further the interests of that small business. (Sec. 104) Requires the SBA, whenever the SBA and the contracting procurement agency fail to agree on a bundling issue, to submit the matter to the head of the agency for a determination and the head of the agency to provide a written response to the SBA, with a copy of such response also being provided to specified congressional committees. Title II: Increasing the Number of Small Business Contracts and Subcontracts - (Sec. 201) Increases from: (1) 23% to 25% the government-wide small business procurement contract goal; and (2) 5% to 8% the government-wide procurement goal for small disadvantaged businesses and women-owned businesses. (Sec. 202) Includes overseas contracts within such small business procurement goals. (Sec. 203) Requires the President, before the close of each fiscal year, to establish new government-wide procurement goals for the following fiscal year. (Sec. 204) Allows a small business to be counted toward one additional procurement category goal (small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, qualified HUBZone businesses, and small businesses owned and controlled by women) only, even if the small business would otherwise qualify under more than one goal. (Sec. 205) Requires the head of each federal agency to submit to the Administrator and Congress a plan explaining how the agency intends to meet its small business procurement goals. (Sec. 206) Requires the maximum value of the small business threshold to be raised to that of the simplified acquisition threshold, adjusted annually for inflation. (Sec. 207) Directs the Administrator to require each prime contractor to report small business subcontract usage at all tiers based on the percentage of the total dollar amount of the contract award. (Sec. 208) Requires the Administrator to develop and maintain a password-protected database to enable the SBA to assist small businesses in marketing to large corporations that have not achieved their small business procurement goals. (Sec. 209) Directs the Administrator to ensure that whenever a small business enters its information in the Central Contractor Registry (or any successor registry), the Administrator contacts that business within 30 days regarding the likelihood of federal contracting opportunities. (Sec. 210) Directs the SBA, after an opportunity for notice and comment, to begin modifications to the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (ESRS) for the purpose of tracking companies' compliance with small business subcontracting plans included in successful contract bids. Allows for review of a company's record of compliance. Requires periodic prime contractor reports concerning such compliance. States that ESRS and its information shall be available to boards evaluating contract proposals, and requires agencies to take into consideration the compliance records of companies in competitions for federal contracts. (Sec. 211) Requires the head of each federal agency to report annually to Congress on the percentage of contracts awarded to to small businesses. Requires such agency head, if such percentage is less than 25, to explain the reasons therefor and steps to be taken to ensure that such percentage will not be less than 25 in the following fiscal year. (Sec. 212) Requires that, if a law is not enacted by the end of 2007 revising limits on the value of contracts awarded without the use of competitive procedures to Alaska Native Corporations and economically disadvantaged Indian tribes, the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy shall establish appropriate limits. Requires such Administrator to consult with such participants in establishing such limits. (Sec. 213) Includes green small businesses (small businesses that carry out their activities in an environmentally sound manner) within federal small business procurement contract goals. (Sec. 214) Requires the SBA Administrator to carry out, and report to Congress on, a study on the feasibility and desirability of providing financial incentives to federal contractors that achieve subcontracting goals which utilize small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Title III: Protection of Taxpayers From Fraud - (Sec. 301) Directs the SBA Administrator to work with appropriate federal agencies to ensure that whenever a small business is awarded a contract on the basis that it qualifies as a small business and then is determined not to qualify as small, a notification of those facts shall be placed on that business' listing in the Central Contractor (or successor) Registry. Requires the inspector general of each federal procurement agency to report annually to Congress on the number and dollar value of contracts that were coded as awards to small businesses but in fact were made to businesses that did not qualify as small businesses. (Sec. 302) Requires the SBA Administrator to ensure, on a biannual basis, that an independent audit is performed of the Central Contractor (or successor) Registry, and that the Dynamic Small Business Search portion of the Registry is purged of any businesses that are not in fact small businesses. (Sec. 303) Requires that, if a small business is awarded a contract because of a standard by which it is determined to be a small business, and such business is close to exceeding that standard at the time of award, then the business must, on an annual basis, recertify to the awarding agency whether it meets that standard. Title IV: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 401) Authorizes appropriations.<br/>

1178856000 2007-05-11 Thu Nov 06 21:07:49 -0600 2008 AyeAye 14 216 42934 Thu Apr 19 15:08:00 -0500 2007 true 4079 203 232 62 0 On Passage: H R 1906 Adjustment of Estimated Tax Payment Safe Harbor for Individual Taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income Greater than $5 Million false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 09:35:38 -0500 2007 house h 35 42934 1176868800 false 1177013280 1177039740 1906 363 110 400295

4/19/2007--Passed House without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)<br/>Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase (from 110% to 110.1%) the estimated tax payment safe harbor percentage for determining the amount of estimated tax payable by individual taxpayers whose adjusted gross income for the preceding taxable year exceeds $5 million.<br/>

1177009740 2007-04-19 Thu Nov 06 21:11:46 -0600 2008 NayAye 10 225 43295 Fri May 11 00:30:00 -0500 2007 true 3262 197 341 73 0 On Passage: H R 2082 Intelligence Authorization Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 10:44:25 -0500 2007 house h 423 43295 1177992000 false 1205276460 1205272860 75 2082 5492 110 400337

12/6/2007--Conference report filed in House. Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Title I: Budget and Personnel Authorizations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI); (2) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (3) Department of Defense (DOD); (4) Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); (5) National Security Agency (NSA); (6) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (7) Coast Guard; (8) Departments of State, the Treasury, Energy, and Justice; (9) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (10) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) (11) National Reconnaissance Office (NRO); (12) National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGIA); and (13) Department of Homeland Security. (Sec. 102) Specifies that the amounts authorized and the authorized personnel ceilings as of September 30, 2008, for such activities are those specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations, which shall be made available to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and the President. (Sec. 103) Allows the DNI, with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to authorize employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY2008 (by not more than 3%) when necessary to the performance of important intelligence functions. Authorizes the DNI to convert to performance by intelligence community (IC) personnel activities currently performed by contractor employees. Requires notification of the congressional intelligence committees in either case. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for the Intelligence Community Management Account of the DNI for FY2008, as well as for full-time personnel for elements within such Account. Earmarks a specified amount for the National Drug Intelligence Center. (Sec. 105) Deems funds appropriated for an intelligence or intelligence-related activity within the National Intelligence Program for FY2008 in excess of the amount specified for such activity in the classified Schedule of Authorizations as specifically authorized by Congress for such purposes. Title II: Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System - (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund. Title III: General Intelligence Community Matters - Subtitle A: Personnel Matters - (Sec. 301) Permits appropriations authorized by this Act for salary, pay, retirement, and other benefits for federal employees to be increased by such additional or supplemental amounts as may be necessary for increases in such compensation or benefits authorized by law. (Sec. 302) Allows an officer or employee of the United States or member of the Armed Forces to be detailed in any fiscal year after 2007 to the staff of an element of the IC funded through the Community Management Account, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis as jointly agreed to by the DNI and the head of the detailing IC element, for a period not to exceed two years. (Sec. 303) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to make the DNI responsible for ensuring that IC elements adopt a multi-level security clearance approach to enable the IC to make effective and efficient use of persons proficient in foreign languages or with cultural, linguistic, or other subject matter expertise critical to national security. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the DNI to grant authority to fix the rate of basic pay for one or more positions within the IC in excess of any applicable limitation: (1) with respect to a position which requires an extremely high level of expertise and is critical to successful accomplishment of an important mission; and (2) only to the extent necessary to recruit and retain well-qualified individuals. Prohibits such pay level from exceeding level II of the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 305) Permits the DNI to delegate to IC heads, and IC heads to delegate to senior officials within such IC element, the authority to approve certain employee travel on common carriers. Requires the DNI to submit to the intelligence committees guidelines for determining the senior officials to whom such further delegation is authorized. (Sec. 306) Directs the DNI to prepare and submit to the intelligence committees an annual personnel assessment for the IC that assesses the personnel levels for each IC element for the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the assessment is submitted. (Sec. 307) Requires the DNI to report to the intelligence committees describing the personal services activities performed by contractors across the IC, the impact of such contractors on the IC workforce, plans for conversion of contractor employment into government employment, and accountability mechanisms that govern the performance of such contractors. (Sec. 308) Prohibits the DNI or any IC element head from implementing a plan that provides compensation to personnel of that element based on performance until 45 days after the DNI reports to the intelligence committees on such performance-based compensation. (Sec. 309) Requires the DNI to report to the intelligence committees on the plans of each IC element to increase diversity within the IC. Subtitle B: Acquisition Matters - (Sec. 311) Requires the DNI to: (1) conduct an initial vulnerability assessment for any major system (and its significant items of supply) that is proposed for inclusion in the National Intelligence Program prior to completion of Milestone B or an equivalent acquisition decision; (2) conduct subsequent periodic assessments of each such system; (3) give due consideration to such assessments when developing and determining the annual consolidated National Intelligence Program budget; and (4) provide the intelligence committees with a copy of each assessment and a proposed schedule for subsequent assessments. (Sec. 312) Prohibits, after April 1, 2008, any funds appropriated to any IC element from being obligated for an IC business system modernization unless: (1) the approval authority designated by the DNI certifies that the modernization complies with an integrated enterprise architecture covering all IC business systems; and (2) the certification is approved by the Intelligence Community Business Systems Management Committee (established under this section). Directs the DNI to: (1) develop and implement by September 1, 2008, an enterprise architecture to cover all IC business systems, as well as the functions and activities supported by such systems; and (2) be responsible for an IC business system modernization if more than 50% of the cost of the modernization is funded by amounts appropriated for the National Intelligence Program. Requires the designated approval authority to establish and implement a process to review the planning, design, acquisition, development, deployment, operation, maintenance, modernization, project costs, benefits, and risks of the IC business systems for which the approval authority is responsible. Requires the DNI to: (1) include IC business system proposed funding in annual budget materials submitted to Congress; and (2) establish an Intelligence Community Business Systems Management Committee. Directs the Committee to recommend to the DNI policies and procedures to integrate all IC business activities and any transformation, reform, reorganization, or process improvement initiatives undertaken within the IC. Requires annual reports from the DNI to the intelligence committees, in 2009 through 2014, on IC compliance with requirements of this section. (Sec. 313) Requires the DNI to report annually to the intelligence committees on each acquisition of a major system by an IC element. (Sec. 314) Requires an IC element program manager of a major system to: (1) determine if the acquisition cost of such system has increased by at least 25% compared to its baseline cost; and (2) if so, notify the DNI of such increase within ten days. Directs the DNI, upon agreeing with the program manager's determination, to submit to the intelligence committees notification of such determination, a description of the increase, and a certification as to its necessity. Requires similar procedures by the IC element program manager and the DNI upon a determination that the acquisition cost of a program exceeds its baseline cost by 50% or more. Prohibits the obligation of funds for the acquisition of a major system if the appropriate certification is not submitted within 30 days after the determination of the cost increase. Subtitle C: Other Matters - (Sec. 321) Specifies that the authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any intelligence activity which is not otherwise authorized by the Constitution or laws of the United States. (Sec. 323) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to allow funds available to an intelligence committee to be reprogrammed for an intelligence activity if the activity supports an emergent need, improves program effectiveness, or increases efficiency. (Sec. 324) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to increase the maximum terms of imprisonment for the disclosure of agent information after access to either agent identifying information or classified information. (Sec. 325) Extends to IC elements current federal authority to delete from federal gift listing requirements (the listing of gifts received as part of federal employment) information concerning the receipt and disposition of foreign gifts and decorations, if the IC element head certifies to the Secretary of State that publication of such information could adversely affect U.S. intelligence sources or methods. (Sec. 326) Requires a report from the DNI to the defense and intelligence committees on measures taken by the DNI and each IC element to comply with provisions of the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 and related provisions of the Military Commissions Act of 2006. (Sec. 327) Prohibits any individual under the custody or control of an IC element, regardless of nationality or physical location, from being subject to any treatment or technique of interrogation not authorized by the U.S. Army Field Manual on Human Intelligence Collector Operations. (Sec. 328) Prohibits more than 30% of the funds authorized for an Expenditure Center (as listed in a classified report under the National Intelligence Program) from being obligated or expended until each member of the intelligence committees has been fully informed with respect to intelligence regarding a facility in Syria subject to military action by Israel on September 6, 2007, including intelligence relating to any agent or citizen of North Korea, Iran, or any other foreign country present at the facility. (Sec. 329) Incorporates into this Act each requirement to submit a report to the intelligence committees that is included in the classified annex to this Act. (Sec. 330) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 and the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to repeal various intelligence-related reporting requirements. Title IV: Matters Relating to Elements of the Intelligence Community - Subtitle A: Office of the Director of National Intelligence - (Sec. 401) States that the prohibition on the co-location of the Office of the DNI with any other IC element applies only to the co-location of the headquarters of each. (Sec. 402) Replaces the CIA Director with the DNI as a member of the Transportation Security Oversight Board. (Sec. 403) Establishes additional duties for the DNI's Director of Science and Technology, including: (1) assisting the DNI in establishing goals for basic, applied, and advanced research to meet and execute IC technology needs; and (2) submitting an annual report to Congress on the DNI's science and technology strategy. (Sec. 404) Designates as the head of the National Counter Proliferation Center the Director of the National Counter Proliferation Center, who shall be appointed by the DNI. Locates such Center within the Office of the DNI. (Sec. 405) Directs the DNI to develop and report to Congress on a plan to implement across the IC the recommendations of a specified report concerning the use of energy-efficient computer servers in the United States. (Sec. 406) Directs the DNI to submit to the intelligence committees a classified listing of all special access programs under the National Intelligence Program. (Sec. 407) Requires the DNI to report to the intelligence committees, at least once during FY2008 and twice during FY2009, on the intentions and capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with regard to their nuclear programs. Authorizes the DNI to submit a National Intelligence Estimate with regard to such intentions and capabilities. (Sec. 408) Requires the DNI to: (1) conduct accountability reviews of IC elements or personnel in relation to significant failures or deficiencies within the IC; and (2) establish guidelines and procedures for conducting such reviews. (Sec. 409) Permits the DNI to delegate to the Chief Information Officer of the IC the authority to protect intelligence sources and methods from unauthorized disclosure. (Sec. 410) Authorizes the DNI to expend funds, and make funds available to other federal departments and agencies, to address deficiencies or needs that arise in intelligence information access or sharing capabilities. Authorizes department or agency heads to use funds made available by the DNI for such purposes. Requires annual reports, in each of FY2009-FY2012, on the distribution of such funds. (Sec. 411) Authorizes the DNI to approve interagency financing of national intelligence centers established under authority of the National Security Act of 1947, as well as for boards, commissions, councils, or similar groups established by the DNI for a period not to exceed two years. Requires annual reports during FY2009-FY2012 on the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 412) Renames the DNI's Chief Information Officer as the Chief Information Officer of the Intelligence Community. (Sec. 413) Codifies under the National Security Act of 1947 the authority of the DNI to establish an Office of the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community. Outlines required duties. Requires semiannual Inspector General reports to the DNI (and to the head of any other federal department, with respect to portions of the report involving that department) summarizing Office activities. Directs the DNI to submit each such report to the intelligence committees. Requires an immediate report from the Inspector General to the DNI whenever the Inspector General becomes aware of serious or flagrant problems, abuses, or deficiencies relating to matters within the authority and responsibility of the DNI. Directs the DNI to submit each such report to the intelligence committees. Allows an IC employee or contractor who intends to report to Congress a complaint or information with respect to an urgent concern to report such complaint or information to the Inspector General. Requires the Inspector General to then determine whether such complaint or information appears credible, and to forward such findings to the DNI, who shall forward it to the intelligence committees. Directs the Inspector General to report to the Attorney General information relating to violations of federal criminal law that involve a program or operation of an IC element, or in relationships between IC elements. Requires the DNI to include in the National Intelligence Program budget a separate account for the Office of the Inspector General. Repeals superseded authority under the Inspector General Act of 1978. (Sec. 414) Requires the DNI to report annually to the intelligence committees on the foreign language proficiency of each IC element. (Sec. 415) Requires a report from the DNI to Congress on the advisability of providing federal retirement benefits to U.S. citizens for their service before 1977 as employees of Air America or an associated company while such company was owned or controlled by the U.S. government and operated or managed by the CIA. (Sec. 416) Requires the DNI to ensure that: (1) space intelligence-related issues and concerns are fully considered in carrying out IC authorities; and (2) IC agencies give due consideration to the vulnerability assessment prepared for a given major system at all stages of architecture and system planning, development, acquisition, operation, and support of a space intelligence system. (Sec. 417) Exempts from search, review, publication, and disclosure requirements of the Freedom of Information Act certain operational files in the Office of the DNI that were provided by IC elements. Provides exemption exceptions. Requires the DNI, at least once every ten years, to review the exempted operational files to determine whether such files, or any portion thereof, may be removed from the exemption. Provides judicial review of an allegation of the improper withholding of records through the use of such exemption. (Sec. 418) Makes provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act inapplicable to advisory committees of the Office of the DNI. (Sec. 419) Authorizes the DNI to prescribe regulations to exempt any system of records maintained within the Office of the DNI from certain Privacy Act requirements. (Sec. 420) Repeals certain administrative authorities within the Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive. Subtitle B: Central Intelligence Agency - (Sec. 431) Requires the CIA Inspector General, at least every three years, to conduct, and report to the intelligence committees on, an audit of each CIA covert action. (Sec. 432) Makes inapplicable to the CIA Director a requirement to submit to the intelligence committees an annual report on actions taken to ensure the auditability of CIA financial statements. (Sec. 433) Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to authorize CIA protective detail personnel to make arrests without a warrant: (1) for any offense against the United States committed in their presence; or (2) when having reasonable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing a felony. Authorizes the CIA Director to make such personnel available to the DNI. Requires a report from the DNI to the intelligence committees on the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 435) Amends the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 to replace the CIA Director with the DNI for responsibility over the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Subtitle C: Defense Intelligence Components - (Sec. 441) Removes the requirement that the NSA disclose to educational institutions students who are NSA employees or training program participants. (Sec. 442) Authorizes the NSA Director to designate NSA personnel to perform protective functions for the Director and any NSA personnel designated by the Director. Authorizes such protective personnel to make arrests without a warrant: (1) for any offense against the United States committed in their presence; or (2) when having reasonable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing a felony. Requires the NSA Director to report to the intelligence committees after the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 443) Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to require the heads of the NRO, DIA, NSA, and NGIA to appoint an independent inspector general for their agency (thus giving such inspectors general the same information-gathering power and independence as is currently held by inspectors general of other federal agencies). Allows the Secretary of Defense to prohibit the inspector general of an IC element from initiating, carrying out, or completing any audit or investigation if the DNI or Secretary determines that the prohibition is necessary to protect vital U.S. national security interests. Requires notification of such determination to the defense and intelligence committees. (Sec. 444) Requires the directors of the NSA and NRO to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (Sec. 445) Requires the NGIA, as directed by the DNI, to analyze, disseminate, and incorporate into the National System for Geospatial-Intelligence likenesses, videos, and presentations produced by ground-based platforms, including handheld or clandestine photography taken by or on behalf of human intelligence collection organizations or available as open-source information. (Sec. 446) Directs the Secretary of Defense, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2008, to delegate to the NGIA Director personnel security clearance authority with respect to NGIA personnel that is identical to the authority held by the NSA Director over NSA personnel. Subtitle D: Other Elements - (Sec. 451) Includes appropriate elements of the Coast Guard and DEA within the definition of &quot;intelligence community.&quot; Title V: Other Matters - Subtitle A: General Intelligence Matters - (Sec. 501) Amends the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to extend until December 31, 2008, the final report requirement of the National Commission for the Review of the Research and Development Programs of the United States Intelligence Community. Provides funding. (Sec. 502) Directs the DNI to report to the intelligence committees describing any authorization granted during the ten-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act to engage in intelligence activities related to the overthrow of a democratically elected government. (Sec. 503) Amends the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 to prohibit the Secretary of the Air Force, in any fiscal year after FY2007, from retiring any U-2 aircraft unless the Secretary of Defense has made certain certifications to Congress that the U-2 aircraft no longer contribute to mitigating any gaps in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. Subtitle B: Technical Amendments - (Sec. 511) Makes technical and/or clarifying amendments to the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991, the National Security Act of 1947, the National Security Intelligence Reform Act of 2004, the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949, and other specified laws.<br/>

1205272860 2008-03-11 Thu Nov 06 21:32:35 -0600 2008 NayNay 16 377 43308 Wed Oct 17 17:10:00 -0500 2007 true 3977 38 980 57 0 On Passage: H R 2095 Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Wed Oct 17 17:21:00 -0500 2007 house h 233 43308 1177992000 false 1222905840 1224129600 39 2095 5129 110 400299

8/1/2008--Passed Senate amended. Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2013 for: (1) railroad safety, including the safe transportation of hazardous materials; (2) research and development (R&amp;amp;D); (3) the purchase of Gage Restraint Measurement System vehicles and track geometry vehicles or other comparable technology to assess track safety; and (4) rail security personnel in Department of Transportation (DOT) regional offices and in Washington, DC. Title I: Railroad Safety Risk Reduction and Strategy - (Sec. 101) Requires the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to have an Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, who shall be the FRA's Chief Safety Officer.<br/>(Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to develop: (1) a long-term railroad safety strategy that includes an annual plan for meeting specific goals; and (2) a railroad safety risk reduction pilot program (with appropriations authorized for FY2009-FY2010). (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to require each railroad carrier that is a Class I railroad, a railroad carrier that has inadequate safety performance, or a railroad that provides intercity passenger or commuter rail passenger transportation to develop, and submit for FRA approval, a railroad safety risk reduction program, including technology implementation and fatigue management plans, to reduce the rate of railroad accidents and injuries. Grants the Secretary authority to assess civil penalties for violations of such requirements. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to ensure that railroad carriers required to submit a railroad safety risk reduction program that includes in its technology implementation plan a schedule for implementation of a positive train control system complies with such schedule by December 31, 2018, unless the railroad implements its system by an earlier date. (Sec. 106) Revises hours of service requirements for a train employee to provide that such employee may not be required to be on duty: (1) where the employee has spent in any calendar month a total of 276 hours on duty, or waiting for transportation, or in deadhead transportation (limbo time), to a place of final release, or in any other mandatory service for the carrier; (2) for more than 12 consecutive hours; or (3) unless the employee has had at least 10 consecutive (currently, eight consecutive) hours off duty during the previous 24 hours. Prohibits requiring or allowing such an employee to remain or go on duty after that employee has initiated an on-duty period each day for: (1) six consecutive days, unless the employee has had at least 48 consecutive hours off duty at the employee's home terminal; or (2) each day for seven consecutive days, if permitted by a collective bargaining agreement or provided for by a pilot program, unless the employee has had at least 72 consecutive hours of duty at a home terminal. Caps the total number of hours that a train employee may spend on-duty and waiting for deadhead transportation on a train at 15 hours, unless the train is delayed by an accident, a major equipment failure, or a delay resulting from a cause unknown and unforeseeable to a railroad carrier.<br/>Revises hours of service requirements for signal employees, including signal employees of contractors or subcontractors. Repeals the requirement that a signal employee have at least eight consecutive hours off duty during any 24 hour period. Makes 12 consecutive hours the maximum time on duty, unless the employee has had at least 10 consecutive hours off duty during the previous 24 hours.<br/>Prohibits a signal employee from being allowed to go on duty under certain emergency authority to conduct routine repairs, routine maintenance, or routine inspection of signal systems. Prohibits a railroad or railroad contractor or subcontractor from communicating with a train or signal employee during time off duty, except to notify the employee of an emergency situation. Authorizes a railroad and its directly affected employees to develop jointly, and submit for the Secretary's approval, an alternate hours of service regime that would increase the maximum hours an employee may be allowed to remain on duty or decrease the minimum hours an employee may be required to rest. Subjects commuter and intercity passenger rail employees to existing hours of service requirements, until the earlier of: (1) the effective date of new regulations establishing different hours of service requirements for such employees; or (2) three years after enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations that make certain additional changes to hours of service requirements in order to improve safety and reduce employee fatigue.<br/>Directs the Secretary to conduct at least two pilot projects to analyze specific practices which may be used to reduce fatigue for train, engine, and other railroad employees. (Sec. 107) Exempts from certain public disclosure requirements, and from discovery or admission into evidence in a private court case, any information the Secretary has obtained as part of a railroad's risk reduction program or pilot program, except to enforce or carry out federal law. Title II: Highway-Rail Grade Crossing and Pedestrian Safety and Trespasser Prevention - (Sec. 201) Requires the Secretary to issue guidance to passenger railroads on methods and strategies to prevent pedestrian accidents, injuries, and fatalities at or near passenger stations. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary annually to identify the 10 states receiving federal funds for highway-rail grade crossing safety projects that have had the most highway-rail grade crossing collisions in the preceding year. Authorizes the Secretary to require such states, as a condition for receiving future federal funds, to develop a State Grade Crossing Action Plan approved by the Secretary that identifies specific solutions for improving the safety at highway-rail grade crossings. Requires the Secretary to assist states in developing and implementing such Plans. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to require each railroad carrier to remove from its active rights-of-way at all public highway-rail grade crossings, including at all private highway-rail grade crossings open to unrestricted public access, any vegetation which may obstruct the view of a pedestrian or a vehicle operator of a train's approach. Requires the Secretary to develop model legislation for states to address such grade crossings which have only passive warnings. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to issue regulations for establishment of a national crossing inventory that requires each railroad carrier and state to report to the Secretary current information about previously unreported highway-rail grade crossings, with annual updates on all grade crossings in the state concerned. Establishes civil penalties for violation of such requirements by a railroad carrier. (Sec. 205) Replaces the expired pilot demonstration program for emergency notification of grade crossing problems with a permanent system.<br/>Directs the Secretary to require each railroad carrier to: (1) establish a telephone service (which the Secretary may also require to be a dedicated toll-free telephone) to receive directly calls reporting malfunctions of signals, disabled vehicles blocking railroad tracks at grade crossings, obstructions to the view of a train's approach, or other related safety information; (2) warn any trains operating near the grade crossing immediately upon receiving such a report, and contact appropriate public safety officials to direct traffic and remove any disabled vehicle; (3) timely investigate any report of a view obstruction and remove it if possible, or correct any other reported unsafe circumstance; and (4) ensure placement of the telephone number and certain other explanatory information on signs at each grade crossing. (Sec. 206) Directs the FRA to make grants to Operation Lifesaver to: (1) carry out a public information and education program to help prevent and reduce railroad incidents, injuries, and fatalities, and to improve awareness along railroad rights-of-way and at highway-rail grade crossings; and (2) implement a pilot Railroad Safety Public Awareness Program addressing the need for targeted and sustained community outreach on rail and grade crossing safety. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2013. (Sec. 207) Directs the Secretary to make grants to up to three states annually to develop or continue public education activities and enforcement of highway-rail crossing safety laws. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013. (Sec. 208) Directs the Secretary to: (1) review current local, state, and federal laws regarding trespassing and vandalism on railroad property and violations of highway-rail grade crossing warning signs; and (2) develop and make available to state and local governments model state legislation providing for civil or criminal penalties, or both, for violations of highway-rail grade crossing warning signs. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase items of nominal value and distribute them to the public without charge as part of an educational or awareness program to improve the safety of highway-rail crossings and prevent trespass on railroad rights-of-way. (Sec. 209) Authorizes railroad carriers to submit for the Secretary's approval new technology providing warning to highway users at highway-rail grade crossings. Declares that: (1) such Secretarial approval preempts state law concerning the adequacy of such technology; and (2) a carrier shall not be liable for damages to persons or property as a result of an accident at a grade crossing that is protected by approved technology. Title III: Federal Railroad Administration - (Sec. 301) Requires the Secretary to gradually increase the number of rail safety-related employees at the FRA by 25 in each fiscal year for FY2008-FY2013. (Sec. 302) Increases penalties for violations of rail safety regulations prescribed or orders issued by the Secretary, including violations related to rail accident reporting and hours-of-service.<br/>(Sec. 303) Requires the Secretary annually to make publicly available, and publish on the FRA public website, a report of all railroad enforcement actions taken by the Secretary or the FRA during the prior fiscal year. (Sec. 304) Revises the Secretary's authority to prohibit an individual from performing safety-sensitive functions in the railroad industry because of previous violations of hazardous materials transportation laws. (Sec. 305) Allows the Secretary to authorize officers, employees, or agents (with or without making their presence known) to intercept and record a radio communication, with or without the consent of the sender or other receivers of the communication, where such communication is broadcast or transmitted over a radio frequency which is authorized for use by one or more railroad carriers by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and primarily used by such railroad carriers for communications in connection with railroad operations. Allows such activities for purposes of accident prevention and accident investigation. Sets forth uses of information obtained through such activities. (Sec. 306) Requires the Secretary to prescribe procedures with respect to requests for waivers of regulations or orders issued in emergency situations. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe temporary emergency waiver procedures without first providing an opportunity for public comment. Requires the Secretary to provide notice and an opportunity for a hearing after issuing an emergency waiver. (Sec. 307) Authorizes the FRA Administrator and designated employees to have access to federal and state criminal history and other law enforcement records to protect the safety and security of railroad operations. Prohibits the Administrator, however, from using such access to conduct criminal investigations. (Sec. 308) Requires the Secretary to update the FRA website to: (1) help the public find current information regarding FRA activities; and (2) provide a mechanism for the public to report to the FRA potential violations of federal railroad safety and hazardous materials transportation laws and orders. Title IV: Railroad Safety Enhancements - (Sec. 401) Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to require railroad carriers and railroad contractors and subcontractors to develop for the Secretary's approval plans for training members of certain crafts or classes of employees on federal railroad safety laws, regulations, and administrative orders. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees about whether the certification of certain crafts or classes of railroad carrier or railroad carrier contractor or subcontractor employees is necessary to reduce the number and rate of railroad accidents or to improve railroad safety.<br/>(Sec. 403) Requires the Secretary to: (1) study whether the required intervals of track inspections for each class of track and track remedial action requirements should be amended, and whether different track inspection and repair priorities or methods should be required; and (2) issue and implement recommendations for changes to federal track safety standards based on the results of the study. (Sec. 404) Requires the Secretary to study methods to improve the safety of rail passenger station platform gaps to: (1) comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and (2) minimize the associated safety risks of such gaps for railroad passengers and employees. (Sec. 405) Directs the Secretary to study and report to specified congressional committees on the safety impact of the use of personal electronic devices, including cell phones, video games, and other distracting devices, by safety-related railroad employees during work. Authorizes the Secretary to study other elements of the locomotive cab environment and their effect on an employee's health and safety. Authorizes the Secretary, based on the conclusions of the studies, to: (1) prohibit the use of such devices during work, unless they are being used in accordance with railroad operating rules; and (2) issue regulations to improve elements of the cab environment to protect an employee's health and safety. (Sec. 406) Requires the Secretary to establish grants programs for: (1) railroad safety technology; and (2) railroad safety infrastructure improvements. Sets the federal share of project costs for each program at 50%. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2013. (Sec. 408) Authorizes the Secretary to impose additional conditions for the movement of a defective or insecure locomotive or car to make repairs while on a railroad line. (Sec. 409) Requires the Secretary to prescribe standards governing the development and use of rail safety technology in dark territory (any territory in a railroad system that does not have a signal or train control system installed or operational). (Sec. 410) Revises rail employee sleeping quarters requirements to require a railroad carrier that provides sleeping quarters for its employees to provide indoor toilet facilities, potable water, and other features to protect their health.<br/>Requires the Secretary to issue regulations that: (1) govern the use of camp cars for employees and any individuals employed to maintain a railroad carrier's right of way; and (2) may prohibit the use of such cars, if necessary, to protect the health and safety of employees. (Sec. 411) Adds as an act of a railroad employee protected from employer retaliation the employee's: (1) request that a railroad carrier provide first aid, medical treatment, or transportation to a medical facility or hospital after being injured during the course of employment; or (2) compliance with treatment prescribed by a physician or licensed health care professional. States that a railroad carrier's refusal to permit an employee to return to work upon his or her release shall not be considered discrimination if such refusal complies with the carrier's medical standards for fitness for duty. (Sec. 412) Authorizes the Secretary, upon petition by a group of commonly controlled railroad carriers operating within the United States as a single, integrated rail system, to treat such group as a single railroad carrier for railroad safety purposes.<br/>(Sec. 413) Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the impacts of repealing a provision of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 which preempts state laws from requiring certain crew requirements in the former region of the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail).<br/>(Sec. 414) Requires any nonfederal alcohol and drug testing program of a railroad carrier to provide that all post-employment tests of the specimens of employees performed under the program be conducted using a scientifically recognized method of testing capable of determining the presence of the specific analyte at a level above the cutoff level established by the carrier.<br/>Requires each railroad carrier that has such a testing program to provide a redress process for its employees who were determined to be in violation of the program. (Sec. 415) Directs the Secretary to require each Class I railroad, each intercity passenger railroad carrier, and each commuter railroad carrier to develop, and submit for the Secretary's approval, a critical incident stress plan that provides for: (1) debriefing, counseling, guidance, and other appropriate support services to be offered to an employee affected by a critical incident; (2) relief from the balance of duty tour of any employee involved in a critical incident; (3) relief from duty of a requesting employee who witnessed a critical incident; and (4) leave from normal duties as necessary for an employee to receive preventive services, treatment, or both, related to the incident. (Sec. 416) Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the potential hazards to which railroad carrier employees and railroad contractors or subcontractors are exposed during the transportation of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. (Sec. 417) Requires the Secretary to complete a rulemaking proceeding to revise railroad employee alcohol and controlled substance testing requirements to cover all railroad carrier employees and railroad contractors or subcontractors who perform maintenance-of-way activities. Title V: Rail Passenger Disaster Family Assistance - (Sec. 501) Directs the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as soon as practicable after being notified of a rail passenger accident resulting in major loss of life, to provide certain assistance to families of passengers involved in the accident.<br/>(Sec. 502) Requires a rail passenger carrier to submit to the NTSB, the Secretary, and the Secretary of Homeland Security a plan for addressing the needs of families of passengers involved in an accident of a rail passenger carrier intercity train resulting in major loss of life. Provides for funding for FY2008.<br/>(Sec. 503) Requires the Secretary to establish a task force to develop a model plan and recommendations on how passenger rail carriers can provide assistance and notification to families of passengers involved in rail accidents. Title VI: Clarification of Federal Jurisdiction Over Solid Waste Facilities - Clean Railroads Act of 2007 - (Sec. 602) Exempts solid waste rail transfer facilities from the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (effectively allowing state and local authorities to regulate such facilities). (Sec. 603) Requires a solid waste rail transfer facility, within 90 days after the enactment of this Act, to comply with all federal and state solid waste environmental laws (except those requiring permits). Provides that such facilities shall not be required to possess a permit (other than a siting permit) from the appropriate permitting agency as complying with federal and state solid waste environmental laws: (1) if within six months after enactment of this Act the facility has applied, in good faith, for all required permits; and (2) until the permitting agency has either approved or denied the permit application. Provides that such facilities that do not possess a siting permit shall not be required to possess a siting permit or to comply with state land use requirements in order to operate, provided the facility has a land-use exemption properly issued by the Board. (Sec. 604) Authorizes the Board to issue a land-use exemption for a solid waste rail transfer facility operated or proposed to be operated by or on behalf of a rail carrier if: (1) state or local law affecting the siting unreasonably burdens the interstate railroad transportation of solid waste, or discriminates against such transportation and a solid waste rail transfer facility, or a rail carrier that owns or operates such a facility petitions the Board for such an exemption; or (2) the governor (or designee) of a state in which a facility that is already operating is located petitions the Board to initiate a permit proceeding for that particular facility. Allows the Board to issue a land use exemption only if the facility at the existing or proposed location does not pose an unreasonable risk to public health, safety, or the environment. Prohibits any such land-use exemption for a solid waste rail transfer facility proposed to be located on land within the National Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wilderness Preservation System, the National Trails System, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, a National Reserve, a National Monument, or certain lands for which a state has implemented a conservation management plan, if the facility's operation would be inconsistent with restrictions placed on such land. Title VII: Technical Corrections - (Sec. 701) Makes technical corrections to limitations on the use of local rail freight assistance. Considers any repaid portion of the U.S. Government's share of money, and any contingent interest recovered, to be state funds. Redefines &quot;motor carrier&quot; to exempt from unified carrier registration system plan and agreement requirements any carrier that the board of directors of the unified carrier registration plan determines appropriate.<br/>

1224129600 2008-10-16 Tue Nov 18 11:25:04 -0600 2008 NayAye 12 398 43351 Tue Oct 16 16:36:00 -0500 2007 true 3213 21 973 103 0 On Passage: H R 2102 Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 true 1/2 Passed On Passage Tue Oct 16 17:06:13 -0500 2007 house h 218 43351 1178078400 false 1192570560 1192680000 67 2102 5604 110 400043

10/16/2007--Passed House amended. Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Prohibits a federal entity (an entity or employee of the judicial or executive branch or an administrative agency of the federal government), in any matter arising under federal law, from compelling a covered person to testify or produce any document unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence, including determinations: (1) relating to exhaustion of alternative sources, (2) that the testimony or document sought is critical; (3) that disclosure of the information source's identity is necessary; and (4) that the public interest in compelling disclosure of the information or document involved outweighs the public interest in gathering or disseminating news or information. Allows a court, in making the last of those determinations, to consider the extent of any harm to national security. Defines &quot;covered person&quot; as a person who regularly gathers, photographs, records, writes, edits, reports, or publishes information concerning matters of public interest for dissemination to the public for a substantial portion of the person's livelihood or substantial financial gain, including a supervisor, employer, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of such a person. Excludes from that definition foreign powers and their agents and certain terrorist organizations and individuals. Requires the content of compelled testimony or documents to be limited and narrowly tailored. Prohibits construing this Act as applying to civil defamation, slander, or libel claims or defenses under state law. Exempts certain criminal or tortious conduct. (Sec. 3) Applies this Act to communications service providers with regard to testimony or any record, information, or other communication that relates to a business transaction between such providers and covered persons. Sets forth notice requirements. Permits a court to delay notice to a covered person upon determining that such notice would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of a criminal investigation.<br/>

1192680000 2007-10-18 Thu Nov 06 21:35:14 -0600 2008 AyeAye 15 121 43446 Wed Jun 25 15:14:00 -0500 2008 false 4817 298 458 51 0 On Passage: H R 2176 To provide for and approve the settlement of certain land claims of the Bay Mills Indian Community false 1/2 Failed On Passage Wed Jun 25 15:36:14 -0500 2008 house h 95 43446 1178164800 false 1214424840 1214452320 3 2176 1260 110 400391

4/4/2008--Reported to House without amendment, Part II. (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 6, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)<br/>Requires the Secretary of the Interior to take lands identified as alternative lands in the Settlement of Land Claim (the agreement between the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Governor of Michigan executed on August 23, 2002, including the document titled Addendum to Settlement of Land Claim, executed on November 13, 2007) into trust for the benefit of the Community within 30 days after the Secretary has: (1) received a title insurance policy for the alternative lands that shows that such lands are not subject to mortgages, liens, deeds of trust, options to purchase, or other security interests; and (2) confirmed that the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 has been complied with regarding the trust acquisition of the property.<br/>Provides for the alternative lands to become part of the Community's reservation immediately upon attaining trust status. Requires the alternative lands to be taken into trust as part of the settlement and extinguishment of the Community's Charlotte Beach land claims and to be deemed lands obtained in settlement of a land claim within the meaning of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.<br/>Extinguishes, concurrent with the Secretary taking the alternative lands into trust, all claims by the Community: (1) to the Charlotte Beach lands; or (2) against the United States, the State of Michigan, or any other person or entity based on or relating to claims to such lands, whether based on aboriginal or recognized title. Approves and ratifies the Settlement of Land Claim, which shall be enforceable by the Community or the Governorn according to its terms. Vests exclusive jurisdiction over any enforcement action in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.<br/>

1214421240 2008-06-25 Thu Nov 06 21:43:53 -0600 2008 AyeNay 10 302 43551 Thu May 10 20:45:00 -0500 2007 true 2803 120 336 86 0 On Passage: H R 2207 Making supplemental appropriations for agricultural and other emergency assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007 false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 10:41:16 -0500 2007 house h 54 43551 1178596800 false 1178847900 1178844240 7 2207 1759 110 400300

5/10/2007--Passed House amended. Agricultural Disaster Assistance and Western States Emergency Unfinished Business Appropriations Act, 2007 - Title I: Agricultural Assistance - (Sec. 1001) Appropriates FY2007 amounts for emergency financial assistance to producers on a farm that incurred qualifying quantity or quality losses for the 2005 or 2006 crop, or that part of the 2007 crop year before February 28, 2007, due to damaging weather or any related condition (including crop diseases, insects, and delayed planting). Requires that an eligible crop must have been planted before February 28, 2007, or in the case of prevented planting or other total loss, would have been planted before such date. Requires a producer who suffered qualifying losses to elect assistance for only one of such years.<br/>Limits assistance, including crop insurance and the value of any crop not lost, to 95% of the crop's value had there been no loss. Sets forth insurable and noninsurable commodity eligibility requirements.<br/>(Sec. 1002) Appropriates amounts for payments through the livestock compensation program for livestock assistance for disaster-caused losses between January 1, 2005, and February 28, 2007, including losses from blizzards that began in 2006 and continued into January 2007. Sets the payment rate at 70% of the rate otherwise applicable under such program.<br/>States that a producer: (1) shall elect to receive payments in only one of such years, and that such losses must have been incurred in a disaster-designated county; (2) may elect to receive compensation for wildfire-caused losses in the 2007 grazing season; and (3) shall not be penalized for reducing the average number of livestock the producer owned for grazing during the production year for which assistance is being provided.<br/>Appropriates amounts for livestock indemnity payments to producers on farms in disaster-designated counties that have incurred livestock losses between January 1, 2005, and February 28, 2007, including losses from blizzards that started in 2006 and continued into January 2007. Requires a producer who suffered qualifying losses to elect assistance for only one of such years. Sets payment rates at not less than 30% of the livestock's market value on the day before death.<br/>(Sec. 1003) Appropriates amounts for agricultural and farm production land cleanup and restoration under the emergency conservation program.<br/>(Sec. 1004) Reduces producer payments under sections 1001 and 1002 by amounts received for the same or similar loss under: (1) the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006; (2) an agricultural disaster assistance provision contained in the announcement of the Secretary on January 26, 2006, or August 29, 2006; or (3) the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006. Applies adjusted gross income limitations to assistance provided under sections 1001 through 1003.<br/>(Sec. 1005) Sets forth administrative provisions.<br/>(Sec. 1006) Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to revise national dairy market loss payment amount provisions.<br/>(Sec. 1007) Appropriates amounts for dairy production losses in disaster counties.<br/>(Sec. 1008) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in states with a shortage of claims adjusters, to permit the use of one certified claims adjuster with respect to animal forage crops (under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program).<br/>(Sec. 1009) Appropriates amounts for emergency grants for low-income migrant and seasonal farmworkers.<br/>(Sec. 1011) Appropriates amounts for Farm Service Agency salaries and expenses.<br/>(Sec. 1012) States that in carrying out crop disaster and livestock assistance in this title the Secretary shall require forage producers to have participated in a crop insurance pilot program or the noninsured crop disaster assistance program during the crop year for which compensation is received.<br/>(Sec. 1013) Designates amounts in this title as emergency requirements.<br/>Title II: Emergency Appropriations for Western States - Chapter 1: Fisheries Disaster Assistance - Appropriates additional funds to the Department of Commerce, to remain available through FY2008, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for operations, research, and facilities. Directs the National Marine Fisheries Service to distribute such amounts among eligible recipients of assistance for the commercial fishery failure declared by the Secretary of Commerce on August 10, 2006.<br/>Chapter 2: Wildland Firefighting and Rural Schools - Appropriates additional funds to the Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management) and to the Department of Agriculture (Forest Service) for wildland fire management/suppression, to be made available only if previously provided funds are insufficient. (Sec. 2201) Appropriates additional funds to the Department of Agriculture for FY2007 for payments to be made, to the maximum extent practicable, in the same amounts and in the same manner as were paid to states and counties in 2006 under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. Appropriates funds, to remain available until December 31, 2007, to cover any payment shortfalls under this section from funds not otherwise appropriated.<br/>Amends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to extend authorities under title II (Special Projects on Federal Lands) and title III (County Projects).<br/>Chapter 3: General Provision, This Title - (Sec. 2301) Designates amounts in this title as emergency requirements.<br/>

1178844240 2007-05-10 Thu Nov 06 21:47:43 -0600 2008 NayAye 7 171 43603 Thu May 10 16:39:00 -0500 2007 true 2878 255 330 97 0 On Passage: H R 2237 To provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq false 1/2 Failed On Passage Thu Sep 13 10:37:22 -0500 2007 house h 142 43603 1178683200 false 1178833140 1178829540 10 2237 1084 110 400263

5/9/2007--Introduced.<br/>Requires the Secretary of Defense: (1) within 90 days after the enactment of this Act, to commence the redeployment of units and members of the Armed Forces (U.S. forces) deployed in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and defense contractors operating in Iraq and funded using amounts appropriated to the Department of Defense (DOD); and (2) to complete such redeployment within 180 days after its commencement. Prohibits the use of DOD funds to increase the number of U.S. forces serving in Iraq in excess of the number of U.S. forces serving in Iraq as of January 1, 2007, unless specifically authorized by Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to retain in Iraq U.S. forces for: (1) providing security for embassy and diplomatic missions; (2) protecting American citizens; (3) serving in roles consistent with diplomatic positions; (4) engaging in targeted special actions of killing or capturing members of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations with global reach; and (5) training and equipping members of the Iraqi Security Forces. Makes funds immediately available to plan and execute a redeployment of U.S. forces and defense contractors from Iraq. Requires the President to transfer to the government of Iraq all right, title, and interest held by the United States in any military facility in Iraq that was constructed, repaired, or improved using amounts appropriated to DOD and occupied by U.S. forces. Prohibits any funds from being used to further deploy U.S. forces to Iraq after completion of the redeployment, unless specifically authorized by Congress. Prohibits anything in this Act from being construed to: (1) restrict the locations outside of Iraq to which U.S. forces redeployed from Iraq may be transferred; (2) prohibit or otherwise restrict the use of funds available to DOD for the purpose of providing financial assistance or equipment to the Iraqi Security Forces or multinational forces providing security or training in Iraq at the request of the government of Iraq; (3) prohibit or otherwise restrict the use of funds available to any department or agency of the United States (other than DOD) to carry out diplomatic, social, and economic reconstruction activities in Iraq at the request of the government of Iraq; and (4) prohibit or otherwise restrict the authority of the President to arrange asylum or other means of protection for Iraqi citizens who might be physically endangered by the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq.<br/>

1178829540 2007-05-10 Thu Nov 06 21:51:12 -0600 2008 AyeAye 22 244 43646 Thu Nov 01 13:54:00 -0500 2007 true 3852 166 1033 63 0 On Passage: H R 2262 Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Nov 01 14:37:26 -0500 2007 house h 221 43646 1178769600 false 1193943240 1194238800 44 2262 2739 110 400331

11/1/2007--Passed House amended. Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) States this Act applies to any mining claim, millsite claim, or tunnel site claim: (1) located under the general mining laws before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act; or (2) used for beneficiation or mineral processing activities, regardless of whether legal and beneficial title to the mineral is held by the United States. Title I: Mineral Exploration and Development - (Sec. 101) Conditions federal issuance of a patent for any mining or millsite claim located under the general mining laws upon specified determinations by the Secretary of the Interior. (Sec. 102) Subjects production of locatable minerals, including mineral concentrates or products derived from such minerals, to a royalty of 8% of the gross income from mining. Imposes a 4% royalty upon federal lands subject to an existing permit. Subjects to specified royalties certain federal land added to an existing operations permit. Sets forth royalty payment requirements governing claim holders, operators, and transporters. Makes each person liable for royalty payments under this Act jointly and severally liable for royalty on all locatable minerals, concentrates, or derived products lost or wasted from a mining claim maintained in compliance with this Act when such loss or waste is due to negligence on the part of any person or due to the failure to comply with any rule, regulation, or order issued under this Act. Establishes a civil penalty for failure to comply with royalty requirements. (Sec. 103) Sets forth a hardrock mining claim maintenance fee for each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site on federally owned lands, whether located before, on, or after enactment of this Act. Requires waiver of such fee for a claimant who certifies in writing that on the payment due date the claimant and all related parties held not more than 10 mining claims, mill sites, or tunnel sites, or any combination of them on public lands, and had performed requisite assessment work. States that nonpayment of the claim maintenance fee constitutes a forfeiture of the unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site. (Sec. 104) States that timely payment of the claim maintenance fee asserts claimant's authority to use and occupy the federal land concerned for prospecting and exploration. Title II: Protection of Special Places - (Sec. 201) States that mining claims may be located under the general mining laws only on such lands and interests as were open to location immediately before enactment of this Act. Designates the following lands as not open to location of mining claims under the general mining laws on or after the date of enactment of this Act: (1) wilderness study areas; (2) areas of critical environmental concern; (3) areas designated for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (including areas designated for potential addition, or eligible for inclusion in such system); and (4) any area identified in certain inventoried roadless areas maps contained in the Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation Final Environmental Impact Statement. (Sec. 202) Permits a state, political subdivision, or Indian tribe to petition the Secretary for withdrawal of specific federal land from operation of the general mining laws in order to protect specific values that are important to such entities. Title III: Environmental Considerations of Mineral Exploration and Development - (Sec. 301) Instructs the Secretary to ensure that mineral activities on federal land subject to a mining claim, millsite claim, or tunnel site claim are carefully controlled to prevent undue degradation of public lands and resources. Prohibits the Secretary from granting permission to engage in mineral activities if the Secretary publishes a determination in the Federal Register that undue degradation would result. (Sec. 302) Prohibits mineral activities on federal land that may cause a disturbance of surface resources unless the claim and permit were issued in compliance with this Act. (Sec. 303) Sets forth requirements for the exploration permit process and for operations permits. (Sec. 305) Prohibits the issuance or transfer of permits if the underlying claim is in violation of this Act unless corrective action has been taken according to specified requirements. Prohibits any permit issuance if there is a pattern of willful violations of its environmental protection requirements by the applicant, an affiliate, or the operator or claim holder if different from the applicant. (Sec. 306) Sets forth requirements for financial assurance as a prerequisite to a permit. Requires such financial assurance to include the estimated cost of maintaining effluent treatment to meet effluent limitations and water quality standards after cessation of mineral activities. (Sec. 307) Requires restoration of lands under this Act to a condition capable of supporting: (1) the uses they were capable of supporting prior to surface disturbance; or (2) other beneficial uses which conform to applicable land use plans as determined by the Secretaries. Sets forth operation and reclamation standards. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to work with state and local governments to ensure that surface or groundwater withdrawals as a result of mining activities do not cause undue degradation. (Sec. 308) Declares that state law or regulations which exceed the requirements of this Act shall not construed to be inconsistent with such requirements. States that an understanding before the enactment of this Act between the Secretary concerned and any state or political subdivision regarding mineral activities on lands subject to this Act may only continue in force until one year after the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 309) Prohibits issuance of a permit authorizing mineral activities that would impair the land or resources of the National Park System or a National Monument. Title IV: Mining Mitigation - Subtitle A: Locatable Minerals Fund - (Sec. 401) Establishes the Locatable Minerals Fund (Fund) composed of: (1) penalties, fees and royalties; (2) the Hardrock Reclamation Account, and (3) the Hardrock Community Impact Assistance Account. Subtitle B: Use of Hardrock Reclamation Account - (Sec. 411) Authorizes the Secretary to use moneys in the Hardrock Reclamation Account for the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past mineral activities on certain federal lands, including habitat reclamation and restoration. Prescribes requirements for allocation among certain states of 50% of the amounts deposited into such Account. Subtitle C: Use of Hardrock Community Impact Assistance Account - (Sec. 421) Makes the Hardrock Community Impact Assistance Account available to provide assistance for the planning, construction, and maintenance of public facilities and the provision of public services to states, political subdivisions, and Indian tribes socially or economically impacted by mineral activities conducted under the general mining laws. (Sec. 422) Prescribes allocation of funds from such Account. Title V: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Subtitle A: Administrative Provisions - (Sec. 501) Amends the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 to declare that it is federal mining and minerals policy to ensure that mineral extraction and processing not cause undue degradation of the natural and cultural resources of the public lands. Confers responsibility upon the Secretary of Agriculture to implement certain policy provisions of such Act. Amends the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to promptly initiate actions to improve the availability and analysis of mineral data in public land use decision making with respect to National Forest System lands. (Sec. 502) Authorizes the Secretaries to: (1) collect users fees; and (2) make inspections and monitor mineral activities. (Sec. 504) Authorizes citizens suits to compel compliance with this Act. (Sec. 505) Sets forth procedures for: (1) administrative and judicial review; and (2) enforcement, including penalties, suspensions and revocations. any person who holds a limited patent or maintains a claim pursuant to this section shall be required to carry out reclamation as prescribed Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 511) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to subject certain oil shale claims to the reclamation requirements of titles II and III of this Act. (Sec. 517) Repeals: (1) the Building Stone Act; and (2) the Saline Placer Act.<br/>

1194238800 2007-11-05 Thu Nov 06 21:54:02 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 13 396 43760 Thu May 24 16:05:00 -0500 2007 true 4098 22 423 76 1 On Passage: H R 2316 Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 11:37:56 -0500 2007 house h 132 43760 1179201600 false 1180040700 1180929600 12 2316 1318 110 400080

5/24/2007--Passed House amended. Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 - Title I: Closing the Revolving Door - (Sec. 101) Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add Rule XXVII (Disclosure by Members and Staff of Employment Negotiations). 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; (2) the commencement date; and (3) the Member's signature. 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. 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. (Sec. 102) Amends the federal criminal code to subject 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, 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. Provides that such individual may be disqualified from holding any federal office of honor, trust, or profit. States that nothing in such prohibition shall be construed to create any inference regarding whether such activity was a criminal or civil offence before the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 103) Prohibits an attorney or law firm (including a professional legal corporation or partnership, or an attorney employed by such firm) which contracts to provide services to a congressional committee or subcommittee, a Member of the leadership of either chamber, a covered legislative branch official, or a working group or congressional caucus, from knowingly making, with the intent to influence, any communication or appearance before any Member, officer, or congressional employee on behalf of another person (except the United States) in connection with any matter on which the attorney or law firm seeks official action by such Member, officer, or employee in his or her official capacity during the term of the contract and for one year thereafter. Subjects violators of such prohibition to a fine or imprisonment, or both. (Sec. 104) Amends the federal criminal code to require the Clerk of the House to: (1) notify former Members of the House, officers, or employees of post-employment restrictions; and (2) post the information contained in such notification on the public Internet site of the Clerk's Office. (Sec. 105) Establishes criminal penalties for a congressional employee formerly employed as a lobbyist who, within one year after leaving employment as a lobbyist, knowingly makes any communication to or appearance before the organization that employed him or her as a lobbyist (if not self-employed) or any client of that organization, present or past, during that one-year period on a matter relating specifically to that organization or client. Title II: Full Public Disclosure of Lobbying - (Sec. 201) Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to require: (1) quarterly instead of semiannual filing of lobbying disclosures reports; (2) electronic filing; (3) disclosure of registered lobbyist on contributions; and (4) disclosure by registered lobbyists of all past executive and congressional employment. (Sec. 203) Requires LDA reports to include requests for congressional earmarks. (Sec. 204) Requires a registered lobbyist who bundles two or more contributions made to a covered recipient in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000 during a quarterly period to: (1) file a quarterly report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House; and (2) notify the covered recipient by certified mail before filing such report. Requires the notification to the covered recipient also to include notice of the recipient's right to challenge and correct any information in the report to Congress before the registered lobbyist files such report. Defines &quot;covered recipient&quot; as a federal candidate, an individual holding federal office, a leadership PAC (an unauthorized, non-party political committee associated with an individual holding federal office), a multicandidate political committee, or a political party committee. (Sec. 205) Amends the LDA to prohibit a registered lobbyist, a registered organization that employs one or more lobbyists, or a registrant's employee from making a gift or providing travel to a Member, officer, or congressional employee, if the person or organization has knowledge that the gift or travel may not be accepted under the rules of the House of Representatives or the Senate. (Sec. 206) Redefines &quot;client&quot; with respect to LDA registration requirements. Treats as the client each individual member of a coalition or association that employs or retains other persons to conduct lobbying activities. (Currently individual members are not to be so treated.) Treats a coalition or association as the client, for purposes of the exemption from registration requirements, if: (1) total income for matters related to lobbying activities on behalf of a particular client (in the case of a lobbying firm) does not exceed and is not expected to exceed $5,000 in a semiannual period during which the registration would be made; or (2) total expenses in connection with lobbying activities (in the case of an organization whose employees engage in lobbying activities on its own behalf) do not exceed or are not expected to exceed $20,000 in such period. Treats an association (and not its members) as the client if it is a nonprofit tax-exempt association and has substantial exempt activities other than lobbying regarding the specific issue for which it engaged the person filing the registration statement. Declares that information on a member of a coalition or association need not be included in any registration if the amount reasonably expected to be contributed by such member toward the coalition's or association's legislation-influencing activities is less than $500 during the quarterly period during which such registration would be made. Waives such disclosure requirements, with respect to lobbying activities, if it is publicly available knowledge that the organization is affiliated with the client, or has been publicly disclosed to have provided funding to the client, unless the organization in whole or in major part plans, supervises, or controls such lobbying activities. (Sec. 207) Revises disclosure requirements regarding a lobbyist's employee who has served as a covered legislative branch official in the two years before the date on which such employee first acted (after December 19, 1995) as a lobbyist on the client's behalf. Repeals the two-year limit on the look-back period (thus requiring disclosure of the lobbyist employee's position regardless of when he or she served as a legislative branch official.) (Sec. 208) Requires the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House to: (1) maintain certain lobbying disclosure information in an electronic data base, available to the public free of charge over the Internet; and (2) make lobbying activity reports available for public inspection over the Internet within 48 hours after such report is filed. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 209) Expresses the sense of Congress that 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. (Sec. 210) Makes amendments made by this title inapplicable to political committee activities specified in the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Title III: Enforcement of Lobbying Restrictions - (Sec. 301) Amends the LDA to increase from $50,000 to $100,000 the civil penalty for knowing failure to comply with any LDA requirement. Establishes criminal penalties of fines or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, for knowing and corrupt failure to comply. Title IV: Inceased Disclosure - (Sec. 401) Amends Rule XXV (Limitations on Outside Earned Income and Acceptance of Gifts) of the Rules of the House to require a Member of the House to prohibit all of his or her staff from having any official 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. (Sec. 402) Requires the Clerk of the House 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 after receiving it. Permits Members of the House to omit certain personally identifiable information from the reports before such posting. 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. (Sec. 403) Amends Rule XXV (Limitations on Outside Earned Income and Acceptance of Gifts) of the Rules of the House to prohibit gifts to Members, officers, and employees of the House from state and local governments. Allows such individuals to accept from a state or local government a reimbursement (including payment in kind) for necessary transportation, lodging, and related expenses for travel to a meeting, speaking engagement, factfinding trip, or similar event related to officeholder duties. Title V: Additional Criminal Penalties for Public Officials - (Sec. 501) Amends the federal criminal code to authorize a sentencing judge to increase by up to two years any sentence of imprisonment in a federal criminal case in which a public official is convicted of a federal offense: (1) consisting of conduct during the course of official duty intended to enrich that official; and (2) involving bribery, fraud, extortion, or theft of public funds greater than $10,000. Title VI: General Provisions - (Sec. 501) Provides 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/>

1180929600 2007-06-04 Thu Nov 06 22:00:30 -0600 2008 NayAye 13 382 43761 Thu May 24 13:35:00 -0500 2007 true 3863 37 420 80 0 On Passage: H R 2317 Lobbying Transparency Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 11:35:59 -0500 2007 house h 55 43761 1179201600 false 1180031700 1180929600 19 2317 786 110 400415

5/24/2007--Passed House amended. Lobbying Transparency Act of 2007 - Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require a registered lobbyist who bundles two or more contributions made (in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000) to a covered recipient during a quarterly period to: (1) file a quarterly report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives; and (2) notify the covered recipient by certified mail before filing such report. Requires the notification to express the covered recipient's right to respond to the statement to challenge and correct any information included before the registered lobbyist files such report. Defines &quot;covered recipient&quot; as a federal candidate, an individual holding federal office, a leadership PAC (an unauthorized political committee which is associated with an individual holding federal office, excluding a political committee of a political party), a multicandidate political committee, or a political party committee.<br/>

1180929600 2007-06-04 Thu Nov 06 22:00:44 -0600 2008 NayNay 16 406 43985 Wed Jun 06 17:32:00 -0500 2007 true 3903 10 438 69 0 On Passage: H R 2446 Afghanistan Freedom and Security Support Act true 1/2 Passed On Passage Thu Sep 13 11:47:30 -0500 2007 house h 50 43985 1179806400 false 1181169120 1184644800 3 2446 796 110 400231

6/6/2007--Passed House amended. Afghanistan Freedom and Security Support Act of 2007 - Title I: Economic and Democratic Development Assistance for Afghanistan - (Sec. 103) Amends the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002 to provide for assistance with respect to: (1) continuing humanitarian needs; (2) a pilot program of crop substitution for poppy production; (3) agriculture, health, and infrastructure reconstruction; (4) education and anti-corruption, including implementation of the Afghan action plan on transitional justice; (5) assistance to women and girls; (6) energy development and short-term energy supply; and (7) capacity building. Authorizes additional FY2008-FY2010 appropriations for: (1) contributions to the United Nations Drug Control Program; and (2) the crop substitution program. Directs the President to report to Congress every 180 days through FY2010 respecting implementation of the crop substitution program. Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations for: (1) the Afghan Ministry of Women's Affairs; (2) the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission; (3) grants to Afghan-led nongovernmental organizations, including Afghan women-led nongovernmental organizations; and (4) short-term energy supply assistance. States that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) should give priority to U.S. organizations for grants to aid in Afghanistan's revitalization. (Sec. 104) Directs the President to provide Congress with an annual certification of whether any senior official of the government of Afghanistan, at the provincial or local levels, is engaged in or benefits from the illicit narcotics trade or is engaged in terrorist or criminal activities. Prohibits, as of FY2009, assistance to a local or provincial government of Afghanistan if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that one or more senior officials from such provincial or local government is engaged in or benefits from the narcotics trade or is engaged in terrorist or criminal activities. (Sec. 105) Directs the President to: (1) establish and implement a system to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of assistance provided under this title on a program-by-program basis to maximize such assistance's long-term impact; (2) establish assistance performance goals; and (3) provide assistance to enhance the government of Afghanistan's capacity to monitor and evaluate programs carried out by Afghan national, provincial, and local governments. Obligates specified funds for such purposes. (Sec. 106) Directs the President to provide assistance to support the auditing and oversight capacities of the Offices of the Inspector General of the Department of State and USAID in Afghanistan. Requires such Offices to maintain a permanent in-country presence in Afghanistan. Provides FY2008-FY2010 funding. (Sec. 107) Directs the President to appoint a Coordinator for U.S. assistance programs for Afghanistan. (Sec. 108) Directs the Secretary of State to establish a FY2008-FY2010 pilot program to provide scholarships to Afghan university students for public policy internships in the United States. (Sec. 109) Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations for economic and democratic development assistance for Afghanistan. Title II: Assistance for a New Framework for Afghanistan - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002 - (Sec. 201) Revises the cap on military drawdown assistance from $550 million aggregate to $300 million per fiscal year. Expresses the sense of Congress that such assistance to eligible foreign countries and international organizations should: (1) promote greater interoperability with and among the military forces of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the United States, and the government of Afghanistan; and (2) be used in part to protect women legislators when they return to their respective provinces. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the President to provide a subsidy of up to 5% of the acquisition cost of U.S. defense items if the purchasing nation will use such items or comparable defense items it already possesses in military operations in Afghanistan for an extended period of time. Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations. (Sec. 204) Extends the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002 through FY2010. Subtitle B: Other Matters - (Sec. 211) Directs the U.S. Armed Forces to continue to support counter-narcotics interdiction operations in Afghanistan in coordination with Afghanistan and with support from the United Kingdom and other countries. Directs the President to: (1) enhance civilian counter-narcotics teams; and (2) ensure that assistance to the Afghan National Police includes vetting procedures. Authorizes the participation of foreign counter-narcotics personnel. (Sec. 212) States that is U.S. policy to encourage the governments of Pakistan and friendly Arab countries to increase reconstruction assistance to, and diplomatic support for, Afghanistan. Directs the President to encourage Afghanistan-Pakistan military cooperation. (Sec. 213) Authorizes the President to provide training for foreign military personnel who are to be deployed to Afghanistan, particularly in the areas of special operations, counter-insurgency, border security, counter-terrorism, and counter-narcotics. Authorizes additional FY2008-FY2010 appropriations. (Sec. 214) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should be commended for and should continue ongoing assistance programs to innocent Afghan civilians who have suffered a serious loss during U.S. military operations. Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the feasibility of specified additions to such assistance programs. (Sec. 215) Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.N. Security Council should expand the UN mandate in Afghanistan to: (1) authorize international civilian law enforcement missions as a part of the peace operations in Afghanistan; (2) authorize, with the government of Afghanistan's concurrence, ISAF to participate in counter-drug interdiction operations; (3) centralize authority within the United Nations Special Representative for Afghanistan; and (4) extend ISAF's authorization beyond October 13, 2007. (Sec. 216) Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the appropriate congressional committees every six months on the sale and use of Iranian-made weapons for the Taliban in Afghanistan. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 301) Extends the donor contributions to Afghanistan reporting requirement through December 31, 2010. Revises the committees to which the Secretary of State must report. (Sec. 302) Replaces the existing Afghanistan reporting requirement of the Secretary of State with a comprehensive report by the President every six months through September 30, 2010, on progress and security in Afghanistan. (Sec. 303) Directs the President to formulate a comprehensive interagency strategy for long-term security and stability in Afghanistan which shall include strategies for reconstruction, counter-narcotics, and Afghanistan National Security Forces sustainability. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the President to appoint a special envoy to promote closer Afghanistan-Pakistan cooperation. (Sec. 305) States that it shall be U.S. policy to encourage Pakistan to permit Indian shipments across Pakistan's territory of equipment and material to Afghanistan in support of Indian reconstruction and development projects in Afghanistan. Directs the President to report annually until January 1, 2010, regarding actions taken by Pakistan to permit or impede such transit. (Sec. 306) Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations for Radio Free Afghanistan. (Sec. 307) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize under certain circumstances officers or employees of the government of Afghanistan or Pakistan to receive an award under the Department of State rewards program. (Sec. 308) States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the ability of the United States to respond to Iranian-supported or facilitated attacks against U.S. Armed Forces or interests in Afghanistan.<br/>

1184644800 2007-07-17 Thu Nov 06 22:22:14 -0600 2008 NayNay 12 278 44218 Wed Apr 09 17:10:00 -0500 2008 true 3747 140 174 55 0 On Passage: H R 2016 National Landscape Conservation System Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Wed Apr 09 17:25:56 -0500 2008 house h 120 44218 1177387200 false 1207779000 1207800000 9 2016 1601 110 400162

4/9/2008--Passed House amended. National Landscape Conservation System Act - Establishes in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) the National Landscape Conservation System (thus, enacting into law the National Landscape Conservation System [NLCS] created by BLM in 2000) in order to conserve, protect, and restore nationally significant landscapes that have outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values for the benefit of current and future generations. Requires that the NLCS include each of the following areas administered by BLM: (1) each area that is designated as a national monument, a national conservation area, a wilderness study area, a national scenic trail or historic trail designated as a component of the National Trails System, a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, or a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System; and (2) any area designated by Congress to be administered for conservation purposes, including the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (as designated under the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000), the Headwaters Forest Reserve, the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, and any additional area designated by Congress for inclusion in the NLCS. Prohibits anything in this Act from: (1) being construed to enhance, diminish, or modify any law or proclamation under which the components of the NLCS specified above were established, or are managed, including, but not limited to, the Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act, the Wilderness Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Trails System Act, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976; (2) creating a federal cause of action based on inclusion within the NLCS; (3) intending to additionally restrict or hinder energy development within such system; (4) affecting the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of the several states to manage, control, or regulate fish and resident wildlife under state law or regulations, including the regulation of, or access to, hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational shooting on BLM-managed public land; (5) limiting access to such activities; (6) affecting current grazing rights or operations due to inclusion in the NLCS; and (7) impeding any efforts by the Department of Homeland Security to secure U.S. borders.

1207800000 2008-04-10 Thu Nov 06 21:24:40 -0600 2008 AbstainAye 15 285 44420 Wed Apr 16 14:29:00 -0500 2008 true