awinml/test-datasets-finrag
0
1text,summary,title,result2"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.3 4 This Act may be cited as the ``HIV Nondiscrimination in Travel and 5Immigration Act of 2007''.6 7SEC. 2. FINDINGS.8 9 Congress makes the following findings:10 (1) Under Federal immigration law, prospective immigrants, 11 foreign students, refugees, and tourists who are infected with 12 the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are prohibited from 13 entering the United States. Applicants for permanent residence 14 and refugee status are required to be tested for HIV infection.15 (2) Applicants for temporary admission as nonimmigrants, 16 such as tourists and foreign students, are required to disclose 17 their HIV status when applying for a visa. If questioned, such 18 applicants may be required to undergo an HIV test.19 (3) The Secretary of Homeland Security may issue a waiver 20 to the HIV prohibition, on a case-by-case basis, only to any 21 HIV-positive individual who--22 (A)(i) applies for permanent admission as an 23 immigrant;24 (ii) is the parent, spouse, unmarried son or 25 daughter, or minor adopted child of a United States 26 citizen or a permanent resident, or a refugee or asylee 27 adjusting to immigrant status; and28 (iii) can establish that--29 (I) the danger to the public health of the 30 United States created by the applicant's 31 admission would be minimal;32 (II) the possibility of the spread of the 33 infection created by the applicant's admission 34 would be minimal; and35 (III) there would be no cost incurred by 36 any level of government agency of the United 37 States without the prior consent of that 38 agency;39 (B)(i) applies for admission as a refugee;40 (ii) is eligible for admission for humanitarian 41 purposes or to assure family unity, or whose admission 42 is otherwise in the public interest; and43 (iii) meets the requirements described in 44 subclauses (I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(iii); or45 (C) applies for a short-term nonimmigrant visa, 46 including--47 (i) a tourist who meets the requirements 48 described in subclauses (I) through (III) of 49 subparagraph (A)(iii) and intends to remain in 50 the United States for less than 30 days; and51 (ii) a participant in a designated event, 52 such as a conference or international sporting 53 event and intends to remain in the United 54 States for less than 10 days.55 (4) The travel and immigration ban on HIV-positive 56 individuals--57 (A) was implemented in 1987 by regulations issued 58 through the Public Health Service of the Department of 59 Health and Human Services; and60 (B) requires HIV screening for all persons over 14 61 years of age who apply for an immigrant or nonimmigrant 62 visa.63 (5) Section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Immigration and 64 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)(A)(i)) authorizes the 65 Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe regulations 66 to determine which diseases are considered ``communicable 67 diseases of public health significance'' that would exclude 68 noncitizens with such diseases from entering the United States.69 (6) In 1991, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 70 after conducting a public health analysis, proposed ending the 71 HIV travel and immigration ban by removing HIV from the list of 72 communicable diseases of public health significance. The 73 proposal was eventually dropped due to opposition from the 74 Congress.75 (7) In 1993, Congress revoked the authority of the 76 Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a public health 77 determination regarding HIV status as grounds for 78 inadmissibility for potential foreign students, tourists, 79 refugees, and immigrants to the United States by specifically 80 designating ``infection with the etiologic agent for acquired 81 immune deficiency syndrome'' as a communicable disease of 82 public health significance under section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the 83 Immigration and Nationality Act.84 (8) The United States is 1 of 13 countries with a law that 85 bans travel and immigration for persons with HIV. The other 86 countries are Armenia, Brunei, China, Iraq, Qatar, South Korea, 87 Libya, Moldova, Oman, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, and 88 Sudan.89 (9) The HIV travel and immigration ban impacts thousands of 90 prospective HIV-positive foreign students, tourists, refugees 91 and immigrants who may be denied entry into the United States 92 due solely to their HIV status.93 (10) The HIV travel and immigration ban may discourage some 94 foreign students, refugees, and nonpermanent residents who are 95 in the United States and who may be at risk of infection from 96 seeking testing, treatment, or care for HIV/AIDS.97 (11) The United Nations, the Joint United Nations Programme 98 on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the World Health Organization oppose 99 any restrictions on travel and immigration for people living 100 with HIV/AIDS. The 2006 Consolidated Version of the United 101 Nation's International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, 102 produced jointly by the Office of the United Nations High 103 Commissioner for Human Rights and UNAIDS, states ``There is no 104 public health rationale for restricting liberty of movement or 105 choice of residence on the grounds of HIV status. According to 106 current international health regulations, the only disease 107 which requires a certificate for international travel is yellow 108 fever. Therefore, any restrictions on these rights based on 109 suspected or real HIV status alone, including HIV screening of 110 international travellers, are discriminatory and cannot be 111 justified by public health concerns. . . . Where States 112 prohibit people living with HIV from longer-term residency due 113 to concerns about economic costs, States should not single out 114 HIV/AIDS, as opposed to comparable conditions, for such 115 treatment and should establish that such costs would indeed be 116 incurred in the case of the individual alien seeking residency. 117 In considering entry applications, humanitarian concerns, such 118 as family reunification and the need for asylum, should 119 outweigh economic considerations.''.120 (12) On World AIDS Day, December 1, 2006, the President 121 proposed streamlining the current waiver process for HIV-122 positive individuals seeking to enter the United States on 123 short-term business or tourist visas for up to 60 days by 124 granting them a categorical waiver. If implemented, the 125 President's proposal would only affect the waiver process for 126 short-term visitors, and would not affect HIV-positive 127 individuals seeking permanent residence or nontourist visas.128 (13) There is no scientific evidence to support the claim 129 that the HIV travel and immigration ban is an effective way to 130 prevent the spread of HIV or that it provides any economic 131 benefit by reducing costs to the public health care system.132 133SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT.134 135 Section 212(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 136U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)(A)) is amended--137 (1) in clause (i), by striking ``which shall include 138 infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune 139 deficiency syndrome,''; and140 (2) by striking ``is inadmissibility'' and inserting ``is 141 inadmissible''.142 143SEC. 4. REVIEW OF TRAVEL AND IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS REGARDING HIV.144 145 (a) Review.--Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment 146of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in 147consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall convene a 148panel of public health experts, including nongovernmental experts, to 149review all policies regarding HIV as a communicable disease of public 150health significance under section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Immigration 151and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182 (a)(1)(A)(i)), including--152 (1) the results of the last analysis of the policy 153 conducted by the Public Health Service; and154 (2) a 60-day public comment period initiated after 155 sufficient public notice in the Federal Register.156 (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after initiating the review 157under subsection (a), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in 158consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall--159 (1) make a determination regarding the continued listing of 160 HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance 161 under section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of such Act;162 (2) submit a report to Congress containing the results of 163 such review, including--164 (A) the determination reached by the review 165 process;166 (B) the rationale for the determination;167 (C) the anticipated public health impact of the 168 determination in relation to other communicable 169 diseases;170 (D) the estimated costs of implementing the 171 determination;172 (E) the names and affiliations of members of the 173 review panel; and174 (F) a brief summary of the public comments; and175 (3) make the report described in paragraph (2) available to 176 the public.","HIV Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) bar to U.S. admission.177 178Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) convene a panel of public health experts to review immigration policies regarding HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance (and thus a health-related ground for inadmissibility); and (2) make a determination and report to Congress regarding the continued listing of HIV as a health-related ground for inadmissibility.","A bill to remove a provision from the Immigration and Nationality Act that prohibits individuals with HIV from being admissible to the United States, and for other purposes.","179The HIV Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act of 2007 is aimed at amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to remove HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance that would exclude noncitizens with such diseases from entering the United States. The Act finds that under current federal immigration law, prospective immigrants, foreign students, refugees, and tourists who are infected with HIV are prohibited from entering the United States. It also finds that the HIV travel and immigration ban impacts thousands of prospective HIV-positive foreign students, tourists, refugees, and immigrants who may be denied entry into the United States due solely to their HIV status. The Act calls for a review of travel and immigration regulations regarding HIV and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene a panel of public health experts to review policies regarding HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance under section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act."180"SECTION 1. FINDINGS.181 182 The Congress finds the following:183 (1) Family offices are not of national concern in that 184 their advice, counsel, publications, writings, analyses, and 185 reports are not furnished or distributed to clients on a retail 186 basis, but are instead furnished or distributed only to persons 187 who are members of a particular family.188 (2) Family offices do not hold themselves out to the public 189 as investment advisers.190 (3) Family offices do not engage in the business of 191 advising others, but instead provide a wide range of services 192 to members of the family they serve, only one of which involves 193 investment advice, for which they may receive compensation from 194 the members of the family.195 (4) Since the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 was enacted, 196 the Securities and Exchange Commission has regularly issued 197 orders to individual family offices exempting them from all of 198 the provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.199 (5) Section 409 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and 200 Consumer Protection Act expressly exempts family offices from 201 all of the provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.202 (6) It was the intent of Congress that section 409 of the 203 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act be 204 interpreted broadly to encompass all family offices as they are 205 currently organized and operated, as well as to encompass 206 changes in the organization and operation of family offices in 207 the future.208 209SEC. 2. FAMILY OFFICE DEFINITION.210 211 Section 202(a) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 21280b-2(a)) is amended--213 (1) in paragraph (11)(G), in the matter added by section 214 409(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 215 Protection Act, by striking ``, as defined by rule, regulation, 216 or order of the Commission, in accordance with the purposes of 217 this title'';218 (2) by redesignating the second paragraph (29), as added by 219 section 770 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 220 Protection Act, as paragraph (31); and221 (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:222 ``(32) Family office.--223 ``(A) In general.--The term `family office' means a 224 company (including any director, partner, trustee, or 225 employee of such company, when acting in their 226 respective capacities as such) that--227 ``(i) has no clients other than family 228 clients;229 ``(ii) is--230 ``(I) owned, directly or 231 indirectly, by,232 ``(II) controlled, directly or 233 indirectly, by, or234 ``(III) operated primarily for the 235 benefit of,236 family clients; and237 ``(iii) does not hold itself out to the 238 public as an investment adviser.239 ``(B) Grandfathering.--A person described under 240 section 409(b)(3) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform 241 and Consumer Protection Act, but who otherwise meets 242 the requirements under subparagraph (A), shall qualify 243 as a family office.244 ``(C) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph:245 ``(i) Control.--The term `control' means 246 the power to exercise a controlling influence 247 over the management or policies of a company, 248 unless such power is solely the result of being 249 an officer of such company.250 ``(ii) Family client.--The term `family 251 client' means:252 ``(I) Any family member.253 ``(II) Any key employee.254 ``(III) Any charitable foundation, 255 charitable organization, charitable 256 trust, or other non-profit organization 257 established or controlled, directly or 258 indirectly, by persons one or more of 259 whom is a family client.260 ``(IV) Any trust or estate funded 261 exclusively by one or more family 262 members or established primarily for 263 the benefit of one or more family 264 clients.265 ``(V) Any limited liability 266 company, partnership, corporation, or 267 other entity, if--268 ``(aa) such entity is 269 majority-owned or controlled, 270 directly or indirectly, by, or 271 operated primarily for the 272 benefit of, one or more family 273 clients;274 ``(bb) the family office is 275 giving investment advice to 276 such entity; and277 ``(cc) persons who are not 278 otherwise defined as a family 279 client do not own interests in 280 such entity.281 ``(VI) Any former family member.282 ``(VII) Any former key employee, 283 if, upon the termination of such 284 individual's employment by the family 285 office or family client, the former key 286 employee shall not receive investment 287 advice from the family office or the 288 family client (or invest additional 289 assets with a family office-advised 290 trust, charitable foundation, or 291 entity), other than with respect to 292 assets advised, directly or indirectly, 293 by the family office or family client 294 immediately prior to the termination of 295 such individual's employment, except 296 that a former key employee shall be 297 permitted to receive investment advice 298 from the family office with respect to 299 additional investments that the former 300 key employee was contractually 301 obligated to make, and that relate to a 302 family office advised investment 303 existing, in each case, prior to the 304 time the person became a former key 305 employee. For purposes of this 306 subclause, the term `family office' 307 shall include any entity described 308 under subclause (V).309 ``(iii) Family member.--310 ``(I) In general.--The term `family 311 member' means:312 ``(aa) Any natural person 313 whose economic activities 314 created or substantially 315 contributed to the family's 316 wealth, and such person's 317 spouse.318 ``(bb) The siblings, 319 parents, grandparents of a 320 person described in item (aa).321 ``(cc) The spouse of a 322 person described in item (bb).323 ``(dd) The siblings of a 324 person described in item (bb) 325 or (cc).326 ``(ee) The spouse of a 327 person described in item (dd).328 ``(ff) The lineal 329 descendant of a person 330 described in item (bb), (cc), 331 (dd), or (ee).332 ``(gg) The spouse of a 333 person described in item (ff).334 ``(II) Construction.--For purposes 335 of this clause--336 ``(aa) the term `lineal 337 descendant' includes natural 338 children, adopted children, and 339 stepchildren;340 ``(bb) the term `spouse' 341 includes spousal equivalents; 342 and343 ``(cc) the terms 344 `siblings', `parents', and 345 `grandparents' include step-346 siblings, step-parents, and 347 step-grandparents, 348 respectively.349 ``(iv) Former family member.--The term 350 `former family member' means a spouse or a 351 descendant who was a family member but is no 352 longer a family member due to a divorce or 353 other similar event.354 ``(v) Key employee.--The term `key 355 employee' means any natural person (and such 356 person's spouse or lineal descendant) who is an 357 executive officer, director, trustee, general 358 partner, or person serving in a similar 359 capacity, of the family office or any employee 360 of the family office (other than an employee 361 performing solely clerical, secretarial, or 362 administrative functions) who, in connection 363 with his or her regular functions or duties, 364 participates in the investment activities of 365 the family office. For purposes of this 366 subclause, the term `family office' shall 367 include any entity described under clause 368 (ii)(V).369 ``(vi) Spousal equivalent.--The term 370 `spousal equivalent' means a cohabitant 371 occupying a relationship generally equivalent 372 to that of a spouse.373 ``(D) Involuntary events.--If--374 ``(i) a person that is not a family client 375 becomes a client of the family office as a 376 result of the death of a family member or key 377 employee or other involuntary transfer from a 378 family member or key employee, or379 ``(ii) a person ceases to be a family 380 client,381 that person shall be deemed to be a family client until 382 the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date that 383 it is both legally and practically feasible for the 384 family office to transfer the affected assets to such 385 person, but in no event earlier than 1 year from the 386 date that it becomes legally feasible to transfer the 387 affected assets unless it becomes practically feasible 388 to affect such a transfer sooner.''.","Amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to define ""family office"" (exempt from coverage by the Act) as a company (including any director, partner, trustee, or employee of such company, when acting in their respective capacities as such) that has no clients other than family clients and is owned, controlled, or operated primarily for the benefit of family clients and does not hold itself out to the public as an investment adviser.",To amend the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to add a definition of family office.,"389The Congress finds that family offices are not of national concern as they do not distribute advice or counsel to clients on a retail basis but only to family members. They do not engage in advising others and provide a wide range of services to family members, only one of which involves investment advice. Since the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 was enacted, the Securities and Exchange Commission has regularly issued orders exempting family offices from the provisions of the act. Section 409 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act expressly exempts family offices from the provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Congress intends for this exemption to encompass all family offices as they are currently organized and operated as well as changes in their organization and operation in the future. A new paragraph is added to Section 202(a) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to define family office as a company that meets certain criteria, including having no clients other than family clients, not holding itself out to the public as an investment adviser, and being controlled or owned by family clients. Family clients are defined as family members, key employees, certain trusts or estates, charitable foundations or organizations, and other entities controlled by family clients. Former family members and former key employees are also considered family clients under certain conditions."390"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.391 392 This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Drug Savings Through Choice 393Act of 2007''.394 395SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICARE OPERATED PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN 396 OPTION.397 398 (a) In General.--Subpart 2 of part D of the Social Security Act is 399amended by inserting after section 1860D-11 (42 U.S.C. 1395w-111) the 400following new section:401 402 ``medicare operated prescription drug plan option403 404 ``Sec. 1860D-11A. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other 405provision of this part, for each year (beginning with 2008), in 406addition to any plans offered under section 1860D-11, the Secretary 407shall offer a Medicare operated prescription drug plan (as defined in 408subsection (b)) with a service area that consists of the entire United 409States.410 ``(b) Medicare Operated Prescription Drug Plan Defined.--For 411purposes of this part, the term `Medicare operated prescription drug 412plan' means a prescription drug plan that offers qualified prescription 413drug coverage and access described in section 1860D-2(d) to the prices 414negotiated under subsection (c)(1). Such plan may offer supplemental 415prescription drug coverage in the same manner as other qualified 416prescription drug coverage offered by other prescription drug plans.417 ``(c) Enhanced Affordability Through Negotiations.--418 ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 1860D-11(i), for 419 purposes of offering the Medicare operated prescription drug 420 plan under this section, the Secretary shall negotiate with 421 pharmaceutical manufacturers with respect to the purchase price 422 of such covered part D drugs and shall encourage the use of 423 more affordable therapeutic equivalents to the extent such 424 practices do not override medical necessity as determined by 425 the prescribing physician.426 ``(2) Implementation of other cost savings strategies.--To 427 the extent practicable and consistent with paragraph (1), the 428 Secretary shall implement strategies similar to those used by 429 the Department of Veterans Affairs or other Federal purchasers 430 of prescription drugs, and other strategies, to reduce the 431 purchase cost of covered part D drugs.432 ``(3) Conditioning use of formularies.--Insofar as the 433 Medicare operated prescription drug plan uses a formulary, such 434 plan shall inform, consistent with section 1860D-4(a)(3)(B), 435 enrollees of changes in such formulary, including changes in 436 covered drugs and the prices of such drugs.437 ``(4) Savings used to fill gaps in prescription drug 438 coverage.--Any savings to the Medicare operated prescription 439 drug plan resulting from actions take under this subsection 440 shall be used by the plan to extend coverage under the plan to 441 individuals who have reached the initial coverage limit 442 applicable under the plan but who have not reached the annual 443 out-of-pocket threshold specified in section 1860D-2(b)(4)(B).444 ``(d) Monthly Premiums.--445 ``(1) For qualified prescription drug coverage.--446 ``(A) Nationally uniform monthly beneficiary 447 premium.--The monthly beneficiary premium for qualified 448 prescription drug coverage and access to negotiated 449 prices described in section 1860D-2(a)(1)(A) to be 450 charged under the Medicare operated prescription drug 451 plan shall be uniform nationally.452 ``(B) Bid based on costs.--The bid submitted under 453 section 1860D-11(b)(2)(C) for the Medicare operated 454 prescription drug plan shall be based on the average 455 monthly per capita actuarial cost of offering such plan 456 for the year involved, including administrative 457 expenses.458 ``(2) Supplemental prescription drug coverage.--Insofar as 459 the Medicare operated prescription drug plan offers 460 supplemental prescription drug coverage, the Secretary shall 461 adjust the amount of the bid submitted under section 1860D-462 11(b)(2)(C) (and the premium charged under paragraph (1)) to 463 reflect the additional benefits offered under such coverage.464 ``(e) Open Enrollment.--A part D eligible individual may enroll in 465the Medicare operated prescription drug plan at any time.''.466 (b) No Late Enrollment Penalty for Individuals Enrolled in Medicare 467Operated Prescription Drug Plan.--Section 1860D-13(b)(2) of such Act 468(42 U.S.C. 1395w-113(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the 469following new sentence: ``A part D eligible individual described in 470this paragraph does not include an individual enrolled in the Medicare 471operated prescription drug plan during the period in which the 472individual is so enrolled.''.473 (c) Conforming Amendments.--474 (1) Section 1860D-1(b)(1)(B)(iii) of the Social Security 475 Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-101(b)(1)(B)(iii)) is amended by inserting 476 ``and section 1860D-11A(e)'' after ``paragraphs (2) and (3) of 477 this subsection''.478 (2) Section 1860D-2(b)(3)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-479 102(b)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting ``and section 1860D-480 11A(c)(4)'' after ``paragraph (4)''.481 (3) Section 1860D-3(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-103(a)) 482 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:483 ``(4) Availability of the medicare operated prescription 484 drug plan.--485 ``(A) In general.--The Medicare operated 486 prescription drug plan shall be offered nationally in 487 accordance with section 1860D-11A.488 ``(B) Relationship to other plans.--489 ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), 490 the Medicare operated prescription drug plan 491 shall be offered in addition to any qualifying 492 plan or fallback prescription drug plan offered 493 in a PDP region and shall not be considered to 494 be such a plan for purposes of meeting the 495 requirements of this subsection.496 ``(ii) Designation as a fallback plan.--497 Notwithstanding any other provision of this 498 part, the Secretary may designate the Medicare 499 operated prescription drug plan as the fallback 500 prescription drug plan for any fallback service 501 area (as defined in section 1860D-11(g)(3)) 502 determined to be appropriate by the 503 Secretary.''.504 (4) Section 1860D-13(c)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-505 113(c)(3)) is amended--506 (A) in the heading, by inserting ``and the Medicare 507 operated prescription drug plan'' after ``Fallback 508 plans''; and509 (B) by inserting ``or the Medicare operated 510 prescription drug plan'' after ``a fallback 511 prescription drug plan''.512 (5) Section 1860D-16(b)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C.1395w-513 116(b)(1)) is amended--514 (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' after 515 the semicolon at the end; and516 (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at 517 the end and inserting ``; and''; and518 ``(E) payments for expenses incurred with respect 519 to the operation of the Medicare operated prescription 520 drug plan under section 1860D-11A.''.521 (6) Section 1860D-41(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-522 151(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 523 paragraph:524 ``(19) Medicare operated prescription drug plan.--The term 525 `Medicare operated prescription drug plan' has the meaning 526 given such term in section 1860D-11A(b).''.","Medicare Drug Savings Through Choice Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) offer a Medicare operated prescription drug plan with a service area that consists of the entire United States; (2) negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers to reduce the purchase cost of covered Medicare part D drugs; and (3) encourage the use of more affordable therapeutic equivalents.527 528Requires the monthly beneficiary premium charged under such a plan to be uniform nationally. Requires adjustment of such premium amount in case of supplemental prescription drug coverage.",To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare operated prescription drug plan option to deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare Program.,"529The ""Medicare Drug Savings Through Choice Act of 2007"" proposes an amendment to the Social Security Act to establish a Medicare Operated Prescription Drug Plan (MOPD) option. This plan would offer qualified prescription drug coverage and access at negotiated prices to Medicare beneficiaries across the United States. The MOPD would be offered in addition to any plans offered under section 1860D-11 and would not be subject to any other provisions of the act.530 531The Secretary would negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers to purchase prescription drugs at lower prices for the MOPD. They would also implement cost-saving strategies similar to those used by other federal purchasers of prescription drugs. Any savings from these negotiations would be used to extend coverage to individuals who have reached their initial coverage limit but have not yet reached their annual out-of-pocket threshold.532 533The MOPD would have a uniform monthly beneficiary premium for qualified prescription drug coverage and access to negotiated prices. This premium would be based on the average monthly per capita actuarial cost of offering the plan for the year involved, including administrative expenses. If the MOPD offers supplemental prescription drug coverage, the Secretary would adjust the premium accordingly.534 535Part D eligible individuals would be able to enroll in the MOPD at any time without facing late enrollment penalties. The Secretary may designate the MOPD as the fallback prescription drug plan for any fallback service area deemed appropriate by them.536 537The amendment includes several conforming changes to various sections of the Social Security Act to accommodate the new MOPD option."538"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.539 540 This Act may be cited as the ``Helping College Students Cross the 541Finish Line Act''.542 543SEC. 2. GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE AWARDS TO UNDERGRADUATE AND 544 VOCATIONAL STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL NEED TO ASSIST IN 545 COMPLETION OF DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS.546 547 Part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 5481070 et seq.) is amended by inserting after subpart 7 the following new 549subpart:550 551``Subpart 8--Grants to Institutions To Provide Awards to Undergraduate 552and Vocational Students With Financial Need To Assist in Completion of 553 Degree and Certificate Programs554 555``SEC. 420. GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE AWARDS TO UNDERGRADUATE 556 AND VOCATIONAL STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL NEED TO ASSIST IN 557 COMPLETION OF DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS.558 559 ``(a) Grants for Establishment of Financial Assistance Program.--560The Secretary shall award grants to institutions of higher education to 561establish programs of financial assistance for students in accordance 562with this section.563 ``(b) Financial Assistance Program.--564 ``(1) Establishment.--An institution of higher education 565 receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall establish a 566 financial assistance program to award funds to not less than 567 100 eligible students per academic year in accordance with this 568 subsection.569 ``(2) Student eligibility.--A student shall be eligible for 570 an award under a financial assistance program established by an 571 institution of higher education in accordance with this 572 subsection if--573 ``(A) such student is enrolled as an undergraduate 574 or vocational student at such institution on a not less 575 than half-time basis;576 ``(B) such student is academically able to complete 577 the degree or certificate program for which such 578 student is enrolled within an academic year;579 ``(C) such student is in good academic standing at 580 such institution (as determined by such institution) at 581 the time of the distribution of the award;582 ``(D) in the case of a student who previously 583 received an award under this section, such student 584 maintained good academic standing during the academic 585 period for which the student received such previous 586 award under this section;587 ``(E) such student has an outstanding tuition 588 payment due to such institution and is unable to fully 589 pay the amount due; and590 ``(F) the institution determines that without 591 financial assistance, such student will discontinue the 592 degree or certificate program for which such student is 593 enrolled due to an inability to pay tuition.594 ``(3) Grant amount.--The amount of an award to a student 595 under a financial assistance program established by an 596 institution of higher education in accordance with this 597 subsection for a semester or equivalent shall be the lesser 598 of--599 ``(A) $1,000; or600 ``(B) the amount of tuition such institution 601 determines the student is unable to pay for such 602 semester or equivalent.603 ``(4) Limitation on number of grants.--A student may only 604 receive an award under a financial assistance program 605 established by an institution of higher education in accordance 606 with this subsection for a total of two semesters or the 607 equivalent of two semesters.608 ``(5) Information on other financial assistance.--609 ``(A) Information required.--Each institution of 610 higher education receiving a grant under subsection (a) 611 shall provide information to each covered student 612 attending such institution on financial assistance 613 available from any source other than this section.614 ``(B) Covered student defined.--In this paragraph, 615 the term `covered student' means a student receiving an 616 award under a financial assistance program established 617 by an institution of higher education in accordance 618 with this subsection in an amount that does not fully 619 pay an outstanding tuition payment due to such 620 institution.621 ``(c) Financial Literacy Survey.--The Secretary shall create, and 622each student receiving an award under a financial assistance program 623established by an institution of higher education in accordance with 624subsection (b) shall complete, an online survey concerning financial 625literacy. Such survey shall include matters relating to budgeting and 626saving, student loan debt, and career planning.627 ``(d) Reports.--628 ``(1) Institutions of higher education.--Each institution 629 of higher education receiving a grant under subsection (a) 630 shall annually submit to the Secretary a report containing, for 631 the academic year preceding the date of the submission of such 632 report--633 ``(A) the number of students enrolled at such 634 institution that received an award under a financial 635 assistance program established by such institution in 636 accordance with subsection (b);637 ``(B) the number of such students who completed the 638 degree or certificate program in which such students 639 were enrolled during such academic year;640 ``(C) the number of such students who, following 641 completion of the degree or certificate program in 642 which such students were enrolled, subsequently 643 enrolled in a degree or certificate program at a higher 644 level;645 ``(D) the number of such students who, following 646 completion of the degree or certificate program in 647 which such students were enrolled, subsequently 648 obtained full-time employment and the average salary 649 for such students; and650 ``(E) any other information that the Secretary 651 considers necessary.652 ``(2) Secretary.--The Secretary shall annually submit to 653 Congress a report on the implementation of this section. Such 654 report shall include--655 ``(A) the aggregate data submitted by all 656 institutions of higher education in accordance with 657 paragraph (1);658 ``(B) an analysis of the grant program under this 659 section and any suggestions for improving such program; 660 and661 ``(C) any other information that the Secretary 662 considers necessary.663 ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 664appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary 665for fiscal years 2015 through 2020.''.","Helping College Students Cross the Finish Line Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish a financial assistance program that awards funds to at least 100 of the IHE's undergraduate or vocational students each academic year who: are enrolled on at least a half-time basis; are academically able to complete the degree or certificate program in which they are enrolled within an academic year; are in good academic standing; if they previously received such an award, maintained good academic standing during the academic period for which they received such award; are unable to fully pay an outstanding tuition payment that is due; and without financial assistance, will discontinue the degree or certificate program in which they are enrolled. Caps the amount of such award. Prohibits a student from receiving an award for more than two semesters or the equivalent of two semesters. Requires the IHEs to provide each student who receives an award that does not fully cover the amount due on the student's outstanding tuition with information on the financial assistance available from any other source. Directs the Secretary to create, and each student that receives an award to complete, an online financial literacy survey that includes matters relating to budgeting and saving, student loan debt, and career planning.",Helping College Students Cross the Finish Line Act,"666The ""Helping College Students Cross the Finish Line Act"" proposes to amend Part A of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 by adding Subpart 8, which focuses on grants to institutions to provide awards to undergraduate and vocational students with financial need to assist in completion of degree and certificate programs. Under this subpart, the Secretary shall award grants to institutions to establish financial assistance programs for eligible students who meet certain criteria, such as being enrolled on a half-time basis, academically able to complete their program within an academic year, and having an outstanding tuition payment due to the institution. The amount of an award to a student for a semester or equivalent is the lesser of $1,000 or the amount of tuition the institution determines the student is unable to pay for that period. Students may receive an award for a total of two semesters or the equivalent. Institutions receiving grants must provide information on other financial assistance available to students and complete an online financial literacy survey. Institutions must also submit annual reports to the Secretary on enrolled students who received awards under the financial assistance program, including completion rates, enrollment in higher-level programs, and employment data. The Secretary must submit an annual report to Congress on the implementation of this section, including aggregate data from all institutions and suggestions for improving the program. Appropriations of necessary funds are authorized for fiscal years 2015 through 2020 to carry out this section."667"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.668 669 This Act may be cited as the ``Housing Authority Funding Fairness 670Act of 2007''.671 672SEC. 2. VOUCHER RENEWAL FUNDING.673 674 Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 6751437f) is amended by striking subsection (dd) and inserting the 676following new subsection:677 ``(dd) Tenant-Based Vouchers.--678 ``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 679 authorized to be appropriated, for each of fiscal years 2008 680 through 2012, such sums as may be necessary for tenant-based 681 assistance under subsection (o) for the following purposes:682 ``(A) To renew all expiring annual contributions 683 contracts for tenant-based rental assistance.684 ``(B) To provide tenant-based rental assistance 685 for--686 ``(i) relocation and replacement of housing 687 units that are demolished or disposed of 688 pursuant to the Omnibus Consolidated 689 Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996 690 (Public Law 104-134);691 ``(ii) conversion of section 23 projects to 692 assistance under this section;693 ``(iii) the family unification program 694 under subsection (x) of this section;695 ``(iv) relocation of witnesses in 696 connection with efforts to combat crime in 697 public and assisted housing pursuant to a 698 request from a law enforcement or prosecution 699 agency;700 ``(v) enhanced vouchers authorized under 701 subsection (t) of this section;702 ``(vi) vouchers in connection with the HOPE 703 VI program under section 24;704 ``(vii) demolition or disposition of public 705 housing units pursuant to section 18 of the 706 United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 707 1437p);708 ``(viii) mandatory and voluntary 709 conversions of public housing to vouchers, 710 pursuant to sections 33 and 22 of the United 711 States Housing Act of 1937, respectively (42 712 U.S.C. 1437z-5, 1437t);713 ``(ix) vouchers necessary to comply with a 714 consent decree or court order;715 ``(x) vouchers transferred from another 716 public housing agency; and717 ``(xi) tenant protection assistance, 718 including replacement and relocation 719 assistance.720 ``(2) Allocation of renewal funding among public housing 721 agencies.--722 ``(A) From amounts appropriated for each year 723 pursuant to paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall 724 provide renewal funding for each public housing 725 agency--726 ``(i) based on leasing and costs from the 727 prior year, as adjusted by an annual adjustment 728 factor to be established by the Secretary;729 ``(ii) by making any adjustments necessary 730 to provide for the first-time renewal of 731 vouchers funded under paragraph (1)(B); and732 ``(iii) by making such other adjustments as 733 the Secretary considers appropriate.734 ``(B) Leasing and cost data.--For purposes of 735 subparagraph (A)(i), leasing and cost data shall be 736 calculated not less often than biennially by using the 737 average for the calendar year that, at the time of such 738 calculation, is the most recently completed calendar 739 year for which the Secretary determines data is 740 available, substantially verifiable, and complete. Such 741 leasing data shall be adjusted to include vouchers that 742 were set aside under a commitment to provide project-743 based assistance under subsection (o)(13).744 ``(C) Moving to work.--Notwithstanding 745 subparagraphs (A) and (B), each public housing agency 746 participating at any time in the moving to work 747 demonstration under section 204 of the Departments of 748 Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and 749 Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 750 U.S.C. 1437f note) or in the Moving to Work program 751 under section 36 of this Act shall be funded pursuant 752 to its agreement under such program and shall be 753 subject to any pro rata adjustment made under 754 subparagraph (D).755 ``(D) Pro rata allocation.--756 ``(i) Insufficient funds.--To the extent 757 that amounts made available for a fiscal year 758 are not sufficient to provide each public 759 housing agency with the full allocation for the 760 agency determined pursuant to subparagraphs (A) 761 and (C), the Secretary shall reduce such 762 allocation for each agency on a pro rata basis, 763 except that renewal funding of enhanced 764 vouchers under section 8(t) shall not be 765 subject to such proration.766 ``(ii) Excess funds.--To the extent that 767 amounts made available for a fiscal year exceed 768 the amount necessary to provide each housing 769 agency with the full allocation for the agency 770 determined pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and 771 (C), such excess amounts shall be used for the 772 purposes specified in subparagraphs (B) and (C) 773 of paragraph (4).774 ``(3) Advances.--775 ``(A) Authority.--During the last 3 months of each 776 calendar year, the Secretary shall provide amounts to 777 any public housing agency, at the request of the 778 agency, in an amount up to two percent of the 779 allocation for the agency for such calendar year.780 ``(B) Use.--Amounts advanced under subparagraph (A) 781 may be used to pay for additional voucher costs, 782 including costs related to temporary overleasing.783 ``(C) Repayment.--Amounts advanced under 784 subparagraph (A) in a calendar year shall be repaid to 785 the Secretary in the subsequent calendar year by 786 reducing the amounts made available for such agency for 787 such subsequent calendar year pursuant to allocation 788 under paragraph (2) by an amount equal to the amount so 789 advanced to the agency.790 ``(4) Recapture.--791 ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall recapture, 792 from amounts provided under the annual contributions 793 contract for a public housing agency for a calendar 794 year, all amounts allocated under paragraph (2) that 795 are unused by the agency at the end of each calendar 796 year.797 ``(B) Reallocation.--Not later than May 1 of each 798 calendar year, the Secretary shall--799 ``(i) calculate the aggregate unused 800 amounts for the preceding year recaptured 801 pursuant to subparagraph (A);802 ``(ii) set aside and make available such 803 amounts as the Secretary considers appropriate 804 to reimburse public housing agencies for 805 increased costs related to portability and 806 family self-sufficiency activities during such 807 year; and808 ``(iii) reallocate all remaining amounts 809 among public housing agencies that, in the 810 preceding year, used at least 99 percent of 811 amounts allocated under paragraph (2) for the 812 agency and leased fewer than the number of 813 vouchers authorized for the agency; except that 814 the Secretary may establish priority for 815 allocation of such amounts to public housing 816 agencies that leased fewer vouchers in such 817 preceding year than in the 12-month period 818 ending April 1, 2004.819 ``(C) Use.--Amounts reallocated to a public housing 820 agency pursuant to subparagraph (B)(iii) may be used 821 only to increase voucher leasing rates to the level 822 authorized for the agency.''.","Housing Authority Funding Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) repeal tenant-based contract renewals by application of an inflation factor; and (2) authorize FY2008-FY2012 appropriations for tenant-based rental assistance (vouchers).823 824Prescribes requirements for renewal funding for each public housing agency.",To authorize the renewal of tenant-based rental assistance vouchers under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.,"825The Housing Authority Funding Fairness Act of 2007 amends Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide funding for tenant-based vouchers for various purposes such as renewing expiring annual contributions contracts for tenant-based rental assistance, relocation and replacement of housing units, family unification program, and relocation of witnesses in connection with efforts to combat crime in public and assisted housing. The Act also establishes an allocation system for renewal funding among public housing agencies based on leasing and costs from the prior year, with adjustments for first-time renewal of vouchers and other factors. It allows for advances, repayment, and recapture of unused amounts for tenant-based vouchers, as well as reallocation of unused amounts among public housing agencies that have used at least 99 percent of their allocated funds and leased fewer vouchers than authorized for their agency."826"SECTION 1. TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL SECURITY 827CARD PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS AND ASSESSMENT.828 (a) Credential Improvements.--829 (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 830 enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation 831 Security Administration shall commence actions, consistent with 832 section 70105 of title 46, United States Code, to improve the 833 Transportation Security Administration's process for vetting 834 individuals with access to secure areas of vessels and maritime 835 facilities.836 (2) Required actions.--The actions described under paragraph 837 (1) shall include--838 (A) conducting a comprehensive risk analysis of security 839 threat assessment procedures, including--840 (i) identifying those procedures that need additional 841 internal controls; and842 (ii) identifying best practices for quality assurance 843 at every stage of the security threat assessment;844 (B) implementing the additional internal controls and best 845 practices identified under subparagraph (A);846 (C) improving fraud detection techniques, such as--847 (i) by establishing benchmarks and a process for 848 electronic document validation;849 (ii) by requiring annual training for Trusted Agents; 850 and851 (iii) by reviewing any security threat assessment-852 related information provided by Trusted Agents and 853 incorporating any new threat information into updated 854 guidance under subparagraph (D);855 (D) updating the guidance provided to Trusted Agents 856 regarding the vetting process and related regulations;857 (E) finalizing a manual for Trusted Agents and adjudicators 858 on the vetting process; and859 (F) establishing quality controls to ensure consistent 860 procedures to review adjudication decisions and terrorism 861 vetting decisions.862 (3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 863 of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland 864 Security shall submit a report to Congress that evaluates the 865 implementation of the actions described in paragraph (1).866 (b) Comprehensive Security Assessment of the Transportation 867Security Card Program.--868 (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 869 enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 870 commission an assessment of the effectiveness of the transportation 871 security card program (referred to in this section as ``Program'') 872 required under section 70105 of title 46, United States Code, at 873 enhancing security and reducing security risks for facilities and 874 vessels regulated under chapter 701 of that title.875 (2) Location.--The assessment commissioned under paragraph (1) 876 shall be conducted by a research organization with significant 877 experience in port or maritime security, such as--878 (A) a national laboratory;879 (B) a university-based center within the Science and 880 Technology Directorate's centers of excellence network; or881 (C) a qualified federally-funded research and development 882 center.883 (3) Contents.--The assessment commissioned under paragraph (1) 884 shall--885 (A) review the credentialing process by determining--886 (i) the appropriateness of vetting standards;887 (ii) whether the fee structure adequately reflects the 888 current costs of vetting;889 (iii) whether there is unnecessary redundancy or 890 duplication with other Federal- or State-issued 891 transportation security credentials; and892 (iv) the appropriateness of having varied Federal and 893 State threat assessments and access controls;894 (B) review the process for renewing applications for 895 Transportation Worker Identification Credentials, including the 896 number of days it takes to review application, appeal, and 897 waiver requests for additional information; and898 (C) review the security value of the Program by--899 (i) evaluating the extent to which the Program, as 900 implemented, addresses known or likely security risks in 901 the maritime and port environments;902 (ii) evaluating the potential for a non-biometric 903 credential alternative;904 (iii) identifying the technology, business process, and 905 operational impacts of the use of the transportation 906 security card and transportation security card readers in 907 the maritime and port environments;908 (iv) assessing the costs and benefits of the Program, 909 as implemented; and910 (v) evaluating the extent to which the Secretary of 911 Homeland Security has addressed the deficiencies in the 912 Program identified by the Government Accountability Office 913 and the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland 914 Security before the date of enactment of this Act.915 (4) Deadlines.--The assessment commissioned under paragraph (1) 916 shall be completed not later than 1 year after the date on which 917 the assessment is commissioned.918 (5) Submission to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the 919 date that the assessment is completed, the Secretary of Homeland 920 Security shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 921 Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and 922 Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland 923 Security and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 924 the House of Representatives the results of the assessment 925 commissioned under this subsection.926 (c) Corrective Action Plan; Program Reforms.--If the assessment 927commissioned under subsection (b) identifies a deficiency in the 928effectiveness of the Program, the Secretary of Homeland Security, not 929later than 60 days after the date on which the assessment is completed, 930shall submit a corrective action plan to the Committee on Commerce, 931Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and 932Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Homeland Security 933and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 934Representatives that--935 (1) responds to findings of the assessment;936 (2) includes an implementation plan with benchmarks;937 (3) may include programmatic reforms, revisions to regulations, 938 or proposals for legislation; and939 (4) shall be considered in any rulemaking by the Department of 940 Homeland Security relating to the Program.941 (d) Inspector General Review.--If a corrective action plan is 942submitted under subsection (c), the Inspector General of the Department 943of Homeland Security shall--944 (1) not later than 120 days after the date of such submission, 945 review the extent to which such plan implements the requirements 946 under subsection (c); and947 (2) not later than 18 months after the date of such submission, 948 and annually thereafter for 3 years, submit a report to the 949 congressional committees set forth in subsection (c) that describes 950 the progress of the implementation of such plan.951 952 Speaker of the House of Representatives.953 954 Vice President of the United States and 955 President of the Senate.","(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 10, 2016. (Sec. 1) This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to commence actions to improve its process for vetting individuals with access to secure areas of vessels and maritime facilities. These actions shall include: conducting a comprehensive risk analysis of security threat assessment procedures, including identifying procedures that need additional internal controls as well as best practices for quality assurance at every stage of the assessment; implementing such internal controls and best practices; improving fraud detection techniques; updating the guidance provided to Trusted Agents (Credentialing Office) regarding the vetting process and related regulations; finalizing a manual for such agents and adjudicators on the vetting process; and establishing quality controls to ensure consistent procedures to review adjudication decisions and terrorism vetting decisions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall commission a national laboratory, a university-based center within the Science and Technology Directorate's centers of excellence network, or a qualified federally-funded research and development center to conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Program at enhancing security and reducing security risks for maritime facilities and vessels that pose a high risk of being involved in a transportation security incident. The assessment shall review: the credentialing process, the process for renewing TWIC applications, and the security value of the TWIC program. If the assessment identifies a deficiency in effectiveness of the TWIC Program, DHS shall submit to Congress a corrective action plan that: responds to assessment findings and includes an implementation plan with benchmarks, and shall be considered in any DHS rulemaking with respect to the TWIC Program. The DHS Inspector General must review and report on the corrective action plan. ","To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare a comprehensive security assessment of the transportation security card program, and for other purposes.","956This text discusses improvements to the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) process for vetting individuals with access to secure areas of vessels and maritime facilities. It outlines specific actions that must be taken to improve security, such as conducting risk analyses, implementing additional internal controls, improving fraud detection techniques, updating guidance for Trusted Agents, and establishing quality controls for adjudication decisions. Additionally, it requires a comprehensive security assessment of the transportation security card program to evaluate its effectiveness at enhancing security and reducing security risks for regulated facilities and vessels. The assessment must be completed within one year and submitted to Congress. If deficiencies are identified in the program, the Secretary of Homeland Security must submit a corrective action plan within 60 days, which will be considered in any rulemaking by the Department of Homeland Security relating to the program. Finally, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security must review the extent to which the corrective action plan implements the requirements and submit reports on the progress of implementation to Congress for three years."957"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.958 959 This Act may be cited as the ``Southern Prairie Potholes National 960Wildlife Refuge Act''.961 962SEC. 2. FINDINGS.963 964 Congress finds that--965 (1) the area of the State of Iowa known as the Southern 966 Prairie Potholes and consisting primarily of the Willow Creek 967 watershed in Greene County offers exceptional potential for 968 restoration into a bountiful native wildlife habitat area;969 (2) ongoing restoration and preservation of this wildlife 970 habitat area will significantly enhance opportunities for 971 outdoor recreation in this region, including waterfowl and 972 upland hunting, wildlife viewing, and hiking;973 (3) the Southern Prairie Potholes area is located at the 974 southwestern edge of the Des Moines Lobe left by glaciers 975 12,000 years ago;976 (4) the sloughs and grassland offer a substantial oasis of 977 both wetland and grassland habitat at the southwestern boundary 978 of the most heavily cropped region in Iowa;979 (5) because of the location of the Southern Prairie 980 Potholes at the edge of the multistate and international region 981 known as the Prairie Potholes Region, and along important 982 migratory flyways, the restoration and preservation of the area 983 is critical to providing wildlife habitat across the full 984 extent of the Prairie Potholes Region;985 (6) this 23,500-acre area has for years been designated by 986 the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture as a priority area for 987 restoration and preservation because of the importance of the 988 area to wildlife, facilitating gradual public land acquisition 989 for habitat restoration;990 (7) the area already includes the 2,134-acre Dunbar Slough 991 wetland complex of Federal and State land managed as popular 992 wildlife and hunting areas serving Carroll, Greene, and Guthrie 993 Counties and beyond;994 (8) national wildlife refuges increasingly follow a mosaic 995 pattern with a core of publicly held land surrounded by 996 privately held land also located within the refuge boundary;997 (9) private ownership and uses are not affected for private 998 land within the designated boundaries of the refuge, but 999 private landowners may be provided increased opportunities for 1000 partnering on conservation or restoration practices;1001 (10) restoration and preservation of the Southern Prairie 1002 Potholes area will benefit hundreds of birds, mammals, 1003 butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians that have been classified 1004 as species of greatest conservation need, including the 1005 endangered Blanding's turtle;1006 (11) restoration of grassland and wetland in the area will 1007 contribute to improved flood control and water quality 1008 downstream, as the Middle Raccoon River is the major water 1009 source for the Des Moines metropolitan region and other 1010 communities;1011 (12) the Southern Prairie Potholes area offers unique 1012 recreational appeal because the area is adjacent to the 1013 existing Whiterock Conservancy, a 4,300-acre land trust 1014 dedicated to conserving and protecting the natural resources of 1015 Iowa and engaging the public with the landscape;1016 (13) Whiterock Conservancy offers outdoor recreation and 1017 education and includes a major new Backcountry Trail complex;1018 (14) the proximity of the Southern Prairie Potholes to the 1019 largest metropolitan area in Iowa adds to the ability of the 1020 area to provide natural resource experiences to a broad 1021 community; and1022 (15) the area is already attracting cyclists, and that 1023 appeal will grow with ongoing development of the cross-country 1024 American Discovery Trail transecting the area.1025 1026SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.1027 1028 In this Act:1029 (1) Refuge.--The term ``Refuge'' means the Southern Prairie 1030 Potholes National Wildlife Refuge established under section 4.1031 (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 1032 of the Interior.1033 1034SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF REFUGE.1035 1036 (a) Establishment.--1037 (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish the Southern 1038 Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of 1039 approximately 23,500 acres of Federal land, water, and 1040 interests in land and water within the boundaries depicted on 1041 the map entitled ``Southern Prairie Potholes Project Area'' and 1042 dated August 26, 2014.1043 (2) Boundary revisions.--The Secretary shall make such 1044 minor revisions of the boundaries of the Refuge as may be 1045 appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Refuge or to 1046 facilitate the acquisition of property within the Refuge.1047 (3) Availability of map.--The Secretary shall keep the map 1048 referred to in paragraph (1) available for inspection in 1049 appropriate offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife 1050 Service.1051 (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Refuge are--1052 (1) to enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation, 1053 including waterfowl and upland hunting, hiking, native habitat 1054 exploration, and wildlife viewing;1055 (2) to provide for the restoration or preservation of 1056 Refuge land to native wetland and grassland habitats and 1057 landscapes;1058 (3) to provide for the restoration and conservation of 1059 native plants and animal communities on suitable sites in the 1060 Southern Prairie Potholes area, including the protection of 1061 threatened and endangered species and the restoration of 1062 extirpated species;1063 (4) to provide critical travel and nesting habitat for 1064 migratory birds;1065 (5) to provide opportunities to private landowners to 1066 access technical or financial assistance for the voluntary 1067 restoration of the land of the private landowners for the 1068 benefit of fish and wildlife;1069 (6) to provide for outdoor recreation, including hunting, 1070 hiking, paddling, and wildlife viewing to the public; and1071 (7) to facilitate the education of the public, especially 1072 young people, about nature, the environment, and the 1073 conservation of the natural resources.1074 (c) Effective Date.--1075 (1) In general.--The establishment of the Refuge shall take 1076 effect on the date on which the Secretary publishes a notice 1077 that sufficient property has been acquired by the United States 1078 within the boundaries described in subsection (a)(1) to 1079 constitute an area that can be efficiently managed as a 1080 National Wildlife Refuge.1081 (2) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the notice 1082 described in paragraph (1) in the Federal Register and 1083 publications of local circulation in the vicinity of the area 1084 within the boundaries described in subsection (a)(1).1085 1086SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION OF REFUGE.1087 1088 (a) In General.--Subject to the purposes described in section 4(b), 1089the Secretary shall administer all land, water, and interests in land 1090and water acquired under this Act in accordance with the National 1091Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et 1092seq.).1093 (b) Additional Authority.--The Secretary may use such additional 1094statutory authority as may be available for the conservation of fish 1095and wildlife, and the provision of fish- and wildlife-oriented 1096recreational opportunities, as the Secretary considers appropriate to 1097carry out the purposes of this Act.1098 (c) Priority Uses.--In providing opportunities for compatible fish- 1099and wildlife-oriented recreation, the Secretary, in accordance with 1100paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge 1101System Administration Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)), shall ensure 1102that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and 1103environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses 1104of the Refuge.1105 (d) Volunteers and Partnerships.--The Secretary shall encourage the 1106use of volunteers and facilitate partnerships among the United States 1107Fish and Wildlife Service, local communities, conservation 1108organizations, and other non-Federal entities to promote public 1109awareness, conservation, and priority uses of the resources of the 1110Refuge.1111 1112SEC. 6. ACQUISITION OF LAND AND WATER.1113 1114 (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (c) and the availability of 1115appropriations, the Secretary may acquire up to 23,500 acres of land 1116and water, or interests in land and water, within the boundaries of the 1117Refuge as described in section 4(a)(1).1118 (b) Inclusion in Refuge.--Any land, water, or interests acquired by 1119the Secretary under this section shall be part of the Refuge.1120 (c) Manner of Acquisition.--All acquisition of land or water under 1121this section shall be made in a voluntary manner from willing sellers 1122only.1123 1124SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.1125 1126 There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 1127to carry out this Act.","Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the approximately 23,500-acre Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire land and water within the boundaries of the Refuge from willing sellers. Lists as purposes of the Refuge to: (1) enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation; (2) provide for the restoration or preservation of Refuge land to native wetland and grassland habitats and landscapes; (3) provide for the restoration and conservation of native plants and animal communities; (4) provide critical travel and nesting habitat for migratory birds; (5) provide opportunities to private landowners to access assistance for the voluntary restoration of land for the benefit of fish and wildlife; and (6) facilitate the education of the public about nature, the environment, and the conservation of the natural resources. Directs the Secretary to: (1) administer all land, water, and interests therein acquired under this Act in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966; (2) ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses of the Refuge; and (3) encourage the use of volunteers and facilitate partnerships to promote public awareness, conservation, and priority uses of Refuge resources. .",Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge Act,"1128The Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge Act aims to establish a wildlife refuge consisting of approximately 23,500 acres of federal land, water, and interests in land and water within the boundaries depicted on a map dated August 26, 2014. The purpose of the refuge is to enhance outdoor recreational opportunities, restore or preserve land to native wetland and grassland habitats, protect threatened and endangered species, provide critical habitat for migratory birds, offer opportunities for private landowners to access assistance for voluntary restoration, provide recreational opportunities such as hunting, hiking, paddling, and wildlife viewing to the public, and facilitate education about nature and conservation. The Secretary of the Interior will administer the refuge in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, with additional authority available for fish and wildlife conservation and recreation. Acquisition of land and water will be voluntary from willing sellers only, with funding provided through appropriations authorized by this act."1129"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.1130 1131 This Act may be cited as the ``National Women's High-Growth 1132Business Bipartisan Task Force Act of 2012''.1133 1134SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.1135 1136 In this Act--1137 (1) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean 1138 the Small Business Administration and the Administrator 1139 thereof, respectively;1140 (2) the term ``Task Force'' means the National Women's 1141 High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force established under 1142 section 3; and1143 (3) the term ``small business concern owned and controlled 1144 by women'' has the meaning given that term in section 3(n) of 1145 the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(n)).1146 1147SEC. 3. NATIONAL WOMEN'S HIGH-GROWTH BUSINESS BIPARTISAN TASK FORCE.1148 1149 (a) Establishment.--There is established the National Women's High-1150Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force, which shall serve as an 1151independent source of advice, research, and policy recommendations to--1152 (1) the Administrator;1153 (2) the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women's 1154 Business Ownership of the Administration;1155 (3) Congress;1156 (4) the President; and1157 (5) other Federal departments and agencies.1158 (b) Membership.--1159 (1) Number of members.--The Task Force shall be composed of 1160 15 members, of which--1161 (A) 8 shall be individuals who own small business 1162 concerns owned and controlled by women, including not 1163 fewer than 2 individuals who own small business 1164 concerns owned and controlled by women in industries in 1165 which women are traditionally underrepresented;1166 (B) 2 shall be individuals having expertise 1167 conducting research on women's business, women's 1168 entrepreneurship, new business development by women, 1169 and high-growth business development; and1170 (C) 5 shall be individuals who represent women's 1171 business organizations, including women's business 1172 centers and women's business advocacy groups.1173 (2) Appointment of members.--1174 (A) Owners of small business concerns owned and 1175 controlled by women.--Of the members of the Task Force 1176 described in paragraph (1)(A)--1177 (i) 2 shall be appointed by the Chairperson 1178 of the Committee on Small Business and 1179 Entrepreneurship of the Senate;1180 (ii) 2 shall be appointed by the Ranking 1181 Member of the Committee on Small Business and 1182 Entrepreneurship of the Senate;1183 (iii) 2 shall be appointed by the 1184 Chairperson of the Committee on Small Business 1185 of the House of Representatives; and1186 (iv) 2 shall be appointed by the Ranking 1187 Member of the Committee on Small Business of 1188 the House of Representatives.1189 (B) Other members.--The members of the Task Force 1190 described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) 1191 shall be appointed by the Administrator.1192 (C) Initial appointments.--The individuals 1193 described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall appoint 1194 the initial members of the Task Force not later than 90 1195 days after the date of enactment of this Act.1196 (D) Geographic considerations.--In making an 1197 appointment under this paragraph, the individuals 1198 described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall give 1199 consideration to the geographic areas of the United 1200 States in which the members of the Task Force live and