HR 1 EH
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1
AN ACT
Making supplemental appropriations for job preservation
and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science,
assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization,
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009'.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
DIVISION A--APPROPRIATION PROVISIONS
TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
TITLE II--AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
TITLE III--COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND SCIENCE
TITLE V--ENERGY AND WATER
TITLE VI--FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT
TITLE VII--HOMELAND SECURITY
TITLE VIII--INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT
TITLE IX--LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION
TITLE X--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
TITLE XI--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
TITLE XII--TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
TITLE XIII--STATE FISCAL STABILIZATION FUND
DIVISION B--OTHER PROVISIONS
TITLE II--ASSISTANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED WORKERS AND STRUGGLING FAMILIES
TITLE III--HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
TITLE IV--HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
TITLE V--MEDICAID PROVISIONS
TITLE VI--BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS
SEC. 3. PURPOSES AND PRINCIPLES.
(a) Statement of Purposes- The purposes of this Act include the following:
(1) To preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery.
(2) To assist those most impacted by the recession.
(3) To provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health.
(4) To invest in transportation, environmental
protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term
economic benefits.
(5) To stabilize State and local government budgets, in
order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and
counterproductive state and local tax increases.
(b) General Principles Concerning Use of Funds- The
President and the heads of Federal departments and agencies shall
manage and expend the funds made available in this Act so as to achieve
the purposes specified in subsection (a), including commencing
expenditures and activities as quickly as possible consistent with
prudent management.
SEC. 4. REFERENCES.
Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to
`this Act' contained in any division of this Act shall be treated as
referring only to the provisions of that division.
SEC. 5. EMERGENCY DESIGNATIONS.
(a) In General- Each amount in this Act is designated as an
emergency requirement and necessary to meet emergency needs pursuant to
section 204(a) of S. Con. Res. 21 (110th Congress) and section
301(b)(2) of S. Con. Res. 70 (110th Congress), the concurrent
resolutions on the budget for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
(b) Pay-as-You-Go- All applicable provisions in this Act
are designated as an emergency for purposes of pay-as-you-go principles.
DIVISION A--APPROPRIATION PROVISIONS
SEC. 1001. STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATIONS.
The following sums in this Act are appropriated, out of any
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.
TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Use of Funds
SEC. 1101. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPROPRIATIONS.
Each amount appropriated or made available in this Act is
in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year
involved. Enactment of this Act shall have no effect on the
availability of amounts under the Continuing Appropriations Resolution,
2009 (division A of Public Law 110-329).
SEC. 1102. PREFERENCE FOR QUICK-START ACTIVITIES.
In using funds made available in this Act for
infrastructure investment, recipients shall give preference to
activities that can be started and completed expeditiously, including a
goal of using at least 50 percent of the funds for activities that can
be initiated not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act. Recipients shall also use grant funds in a manner that
maximizes job creation and economic benefit.
SEC. 1103. REQUIREMENT OF TIMELY AWARD OF GRANTS.
(a) Formula Grants- Formula grants using funds made
available in this Act shall be awarded not later than 30 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act (or, in the case of appropriations
not available upon enactment, not later than 30 days after the
appropriation becomes available for obligation), unless expressly
provided otherwise in this Act.
(b) Competitive Grants- Competitive grants using funds made
available in this Act shall be awarded not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act (or, in the case of appropriations
not available upon enactment, not later than 90 days after the
appropriation becomes available for obligation), unless expressly
provided otherwise in this Act.
(c) Additional Period for New Programs- The time limits
specified in subsections (a) and (b) may each be extended by up to 30
days in the case of grants for which funding was not provided in fiscal
year 2008.
SEC. 1104. USE IT OR LOSE IT REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTEES.
(a) Deadline for Binding Commitments- Each recipient of a
grant made using amounts made available in this Act in any account
listed in subsection (c) shall enter into contracts or other binding
commitments not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this Act (or not later than 9 months after the grant is awarded, if
later) to make use of 50 percent of the funds awarded, and shall enter
into contracts or other binding commitments not later than 2 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act (or not later than 21
months after the grant is awarded, if later) to make use of the
remaining funds. In the case of activities to be carried out directly
by a grant recipient (rather than by contracts, subgrants, or other
arrangements with third parties), a certification by the recipient
specifying the amounts, planned timing, and purpose of such
expenditures shall be deemed a binding commitment for purposes of this
section.
(b) Redistribution of Uncommitted Funds- The head of the
Federal department or agency involved shall recover or deobligate any
grant funds not committed in accordance with subsection (a), and
redistribute such funds to other recipients eligible under the grant
program and able to make use of such funds in a timely manner
(including binding commitments within 120 days after the reallocation).
(c) Appropriations to Which This Section Applies- This
section shall apply to grants made using amounts appropriated in any of
the following accounts within this Act:
(1) `Environmental Protection Agency--State and Tribal Assistance Grants'.
(2) `Department of Transportation--Federal Aviation Administration--Grants-in-Aid for Airports'.
(3) `Department of Transportation--Federal Railroad Administration--Capital Assistance for Intercity Passenger Rail Service'.
(4) `Department of Transportation--Federal Transit Administration--Capital Investment Grants'.
(5) `Department of Transportation--Federal Transit Administration--Fixed Guideway Infrastructure Investment'.
(6) `Department of Transportation--Federal Transit Administration--Transit Capital Assistance'.
(7) `Department of Housing and Urban Development--Public and Indian Housing--Public Housing Capital Fund'.
(8) `Department of Housing and Urban
Development--Public and Indian Housing--Elderly, Disabled, and Section
8 Assisted Housing Energy Retrofit'.
(9) `Department of Housing and Urban Development--Public and Indian Housing--Native American Housing Block Grants'.
(10) `Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--HOME Investment Partnerships Program'.
(11) `Department of Housing and Urban
Development--Community Planning and Development--Self-Help and Assisted
Homeownership Opportunity Program'.
SEC. 1105. PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY.
(a) In General- All funds appropriated in this Act shall
remain available for obligation until September 30, 2010, unless
expressly provided otherwise in this Act.
(b) Reobligation- Amounts that are not needed or cannot be
used under title X of this Act for the activity for which originally
obligated may be deobligated and, notwithstanding the limitation on
availability specified in subsection (a), reobligated for other
activities that have received funding from the same account or
appropriation in such title.
SEC. 1106. SET-ASIDE FOR MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT.
Unless other provision is made in this Act (or in other
applicable law) for such expenses, up to 0.5 percent of each amount
appropriated in this Act may be used for the expenses of management and
oversight of the programs, grants, and activities funded by such
appropriation, and may be transferred by the head of the Federal
department or agency involved to any other appropriate account within
the department or agency for that purpose. Funds set aside under this
section shall remain available for obligation until September 30, 2012.
SEC. 1107. APPROPRIATIONS FOR INSPECTORS GENERAL.
In addition to funds otherwise made available in this Act,
there are hereby appropriated the following sums to the specified
Offices of Inspector General, to remain available until September 30,
2013, for oversight and audit of programs, grants, and projects funded
under this Act:
(1) `Department of Agriculture--Office of Inspector General', $22,500,000.
(2) `Department of Commerce--Office of Inspector General', $10,000,000.
(3) `Department of Defense--Office of the Inspector General', $15,000,000.
(4) `Department of Education--Departmental Management--Office of the Inspector General', $14,000,000.
(5) `Department of Energy--Office of Inspector General', $15,000,000.
(6) `Department of Health and Human Services--Office of the Secretary--Office of Inspector General', $19,000,000.
(7) `Department of Homeland Security--Office of Inspector General', $2,000,000.
(8) `Department of Housing and Urban Development--Management and Administration--Office of Inspector General', $15,000,000.
(9) `Department of the Interior--Office of Inspector General', $15,000,000.
(10) `Department of Justice--Office of Inspector General', $2,000,000.
(11) `Department of Labor--Departmental Management--Office of Inspector General', $6,000,000.
(12) `Department of Transportation--Office of Inspector General', $20,000,000.
(13) `Department of Veterans Affairs--Office of Inspector General', $1,000,000.
(14) `Environmental Protection Agency--Office of Inspector General', $20,000,000.
(15) `General Services Administration--General Activities--Office of Inspector General', $15,000,000.
(16) `National Aeronautics and Space Administration--Office of Inspector General', $2,000,000.
(17) `National Science Foundation--Office of Inspector General', $2,000,000.
(18) `Small Business Administration--Office of Inspector General', $10,000,000.
(19) `Social Security Administration--Office of Inspector General', $2,000,000.
(20) `Corporation for National and Community Service--Office of Inspector General', $1,000,000.
SEC. 1108. APPROPRIATION FOR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE.
There is hereby appropriated as an additional amount for
`Government Accountability Office--Salaries and Expenses' $25,000,000,
for oversight activities relating to this Act.
SEC. 1109. PROHIBITED USES.
None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available
in this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment,
aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool.
SEC. 1110. USE OF AMERICAN IRON AND STEEL.
(a) In General- None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act may be used for a project for the
construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building
or public work unless all of the iron and steel used in the project is
produced in the United States.
(b) Exceptions- Subsection (a) shall not apply in any case
in which the head of the Federal department or agency involved finds
that--
(1) applying subsection (a) would be inconsistent with the public interest;
(2) iron and steel are not produced in the United
States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a
satisfactory quality; or
(3) inclusion of iron and steel produced in the United
States will increase the cost of the overall project by more than 25
percent.
(c) Written Justification for Waiver- If the head of a
Federal department or agency determines that it is necessary to waive
the application of subsection (a) based on a finding under subsection
(b), the head of the department or agency shall publish in the Federal
Register a detailed written justification as to why the provision is
being waived.
(d) Definitions- In this section, the terms `public
building' and `public work' have the meanings given such terms in
section 1 of the Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 10c) and include airports,
bridges, canals, dams, dikes, pipelines, railroads, multiline mass
transit systems, roads, tunnels, harbors, and piers.
SEC. 1111. WAGE RATE REQUIREMENTS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in a manner
consistent with other provisions in this Act, all laborers and
mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors on projects funded
directly by or assisted in whole or in part by and through the Federal
Government pursuant to this Act shall be paid wages at rates not less
than those prevailing on projects of a character similar in the
locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with
subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code. With
respect to the labor standards specified in this section, the Secretary
of Labor shall have the authority and functions set forth in
Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.)
and section 3145 of title 40, United States Code.
SEC. 1112. ADDITIONAL ASSURANCE OF APPROPRIATE USE OF FUNDS.
None of the funds provided by this Act may be made
available to the State of Illinois, or any agency of the State, unless:
(1) the use of such funds by the State is approved in legislation
enacted by the State after the date of the enactment of this Act; or
(2) Rod R. Blagojevich no longer holds the office of Governor of the
State of Illinois. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any funds
provided directly to a unit of local government: (1) by a Federal
department or agency; or (2) by an established formula from the State.
SEC. 1113. PERSISTENT POVERTY COUNTIES.
(a) Allocation Requirement- Of the amount appropriated in
this Act for `Department of Agriculture--Rural Development
Programs--Rural Community Advancement Program', at least 10 percent
shall be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties.
(b) Definition- For purposes of this section, the term
`persistent poverty counties' means any county that has had 20 percent
or more of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years, as
measured by the 1980, 1990, and 2000 decennial censuses.
SEC. 1114. REQUIRED PARTICIPATION IN E-VERIFY PROGRAM.
None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to
enter into a contract with an entity that does not participate in the
E-verify program described in section 401(b) of the Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note).
SEC. 1115. ADDITIONAL FUNDING DISTRIBUTION AND ASSURANCE OF APPROPRIATE USE OF FUNDS.
(a) Certification by Governor- Not later than 45 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, for funds provided to any State or
agency thereof, the Governor of the State shall certify that the State
will request and use funds provided by this Act.
(b) Acceptance by State Legislature- If funds provided to
any State in any division of this Act are not accepted for use by the
Governor, then acceptance by the State legislature, by means of the
adoption of a concurrent resolution, shall be sufficient to provide
funding to such State.
(c) Distribution- After the adoption of a State
legislature's concurrent resolution, funding to the State will be for
distribution to local governments, councils of government, public
entities, and public-private entities within the State either by
formula or at the State's discretion.
Subtitle B--Accountability in Recovery Act Spending
PART 1--TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT REQUIREMENTS
SEC. 1201. TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Requirements for Federal Agencies- Each Federal agency
shall publish on the website Recovery.gov (as established under section
1226 of this subtitle)--
(1) a plan for using funds made available in this Act to the agency; and
(2) all announcements for grant competitions,
allocations of formula grants, and awards of competitive grants using
those funds.
(b) Requirements for Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies-
(1) INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT FUNDING- With respect to
funds made available under this Act for infrastructure investments to
Federal, State, or local government agencies, the following
requirements apply:
(A) Each such agency shall notify the public of
funds obligated to particular infrastructure investments by posting the
notification on the website Recovery.gov.
(B) The notification required by subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
(i) A description of the infrastructure investment funded.
(ii) The purpose of the infrastructure investment.
(iii) The total cost of the infrastructure investment.
(iv) The rationale of the agency for funding the infrastructure investment with funds made available under this Act.
(v) The name of the person to contact at the
agency if there are concerns with the infrastructure investment and,
with respect to Federal agencies, an email address for the Federal
official in the agency whom the public can contact.
(vi) In the case of State or local agencies, a
certification from the Governor, mayor, or other chief executive, as
appropriate, that the infrastructure investment has received the full
review and vetting required by law and that the chief executive accepts
responsibility that the infrastructure investment is an appropriate use
of taxpayer dollars. A State or local agency may not receive
infrastructure investment funding from funds made available in this Act
unless this certification is made.
(2) OPERATIONAL FUNDING- With respect to funds made
available under this Act in the form of grants for operational purposes
to State or local government agencies or other organizations, the
agency or organization shall publish on the website Recovery.gov a
description of the intended use of the funds, including the number of
jobs sustained or created.
(c) Availability on Internet of Contracts and Grants- Each
contract awarded or grant issued using funds made available in this Act
shall be posted on the Internet and linked to the website Recovery.gov.
Proprietary data that is required to be kept confidential under
applicable Federal or State law or regulation shall be redacted before
posting.
SEC. 1202. INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEWS.
(a) Reviews- Any inspector general of a Federal department
or executive agency shall review, as appropriate, any concerns raised
by the public about specific investments using funds made available in
this Act. Any findings of an inspector general resulting from such a
review shall be relayed immediately to the head of each department and
agency. In addition, the findings of such reviews, along with any
audits conducted by any inspector general of funds made available in
this Act, shall be posted on the Internet and linked to the website
Recovery.gov.
(b) Examination of Records- The Inspector General of the
agency concerned may examine any records related to obligations of
funds made available in this Act.
SEC. 1203. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REVIEWS AND REPORTS.
(a) Reviews and Reports- The Comptroller General of the
United States shall conduct bimonthly reviews and prepare reports on
such reviews on the use by selected States and localities of funds made
available in this Act. Such reports, along with any audits conducted by
the Comptroller General of such funds, shall be posted on the Internet
and linked to the website Recovery.gov.
(b) Examination of Records- The Comptroller General may
examine any records related to obligations of funds made available in
this Act.
SEC. 1204. COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS REPORTS.
The Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, in
consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
and the Secretary of the Treasury, shall submit quarterly reports to
Congress detailing the estimated impact of programs under this Act on
employment, economic growth, and other key economic indicators.
SEC. 1205. SPECIAL CONTRACTING PROVISIONS.
The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall apply to contracts
awarded with funds made available in this Act. To the maximum extent
possible, such contracts shall be awarded as fixed-price contracts
through the use of competitive procedures. Existing contracts so
awarded may be utilized in order to obligate such funds expeditiously.
Any contract awarded with such funds that is not fixed-price and not
awarded using competitive procedures shall be posted in a special
section of the website Recovery.gov.
PART 2--ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY BOARD
SEC. 1221. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY BOARD.
There is established a board to be known as the `Recovery
Act Accountability and Transparency Board' (hereafter in this subtitle
referred to as the `Board') to coordinate and conduct oversight of
Federal spending under this Act to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.
SEC. 1222. COMPOSITION OF BOARD.
(a) Membership- The Board shall be composed of seven members as follows:
(1) The Chief Performance Officer of the President, who shall chair the Board.
(2) Six members designated by the President from the
inspectors general and deputy secretaries of the Departments of
Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Transportation, and other
Federal departments and agencies to which funds are made available in
this Act.
(b) Terms- Each member of the Board shall serve for a term to be determined by the President.
SEC. 1223. FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD.
(a) Oversight- The Board shall coordinate and conduct
oversight of spending under this Act to prevent waste, fraud, and
abuse. In addition to responsibilities set forth in this subtitle, the
responsibilities of the Board shall include the following:
(1) Ensuring that the reporting of information
regarding contract and grants under this Act meets applicable standards
and specifies the purpose of the contract or grant and measures of
performance.
(2) Verifying that competition requirements applicable
to contracts and grants under this Act and other applicable Federal law
have been satisfied.
(3) Investigating spending under this Act to determine
whether wasteful spending, poor contract or grant management, or other
abuses are occurring.
(4) Reviewing whether there are sufficient qualified acquisition and grant personnel overseeing spending under this Act.
(5) Reviewing whether acquisition and grant personnel
receive adequate training and whether there are appropriate mechanisms
for interagency collaboration.
(1) FLASH AND OTHER REPORTS- The Board shall submit to
Congress reports, to be known as `flash reports', on potential
management and funding problems that require immediate attention. The
Board also shall submit to Congress such other reports as the Board
considers appropriate on the use and benefits of funds made available
in this Act.
(2) QUARTERLY- The Board shall submit to the President
and Congress quarterly reports summarizing its findings and the
findings of agency inspectors general and may issue additional reports
as appropriate.
(3) ANNUALLY- On an annual basis, the Board shall
prepare a consolidated report on the use of funds under this Act. All
reports shall be publicly available and shall be posted on the Internet
website Recovery.gov, except that portions of reports may be redacted
if the portions would disclose information that is protected from
public disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code
(popularly known as the Freedom of Information Act).
(c) Recommendations to Agencies- The Board shall make
recommendations to Federal agencies on measures to prevent waste,
fraud, and abuse. A Federal agency shall, within 30 days after receipt
of any such recommendation, submit to the Board, the President, and the
congressional committees of jurisdiction a report on whether the agency
agrees or disagrees with the recommendations and what steps, if any,
the agency plans to take to implement the recommendations.
SEC. 1224. POWERS OF THE BOARD.
(a) Coordination of Audits and Investigations by Agency
Inspectors General- The Board shall coordinate the audits and
investigations of spending under this Act by agency inspectors general.
(b) Conduct of Reviews by Board- The Board may conduct
reviews of spending under this Act and may collaborate on such reviews
with any inspector general.
(c) Meetings- The Board may, for the purpose of carrying
out its duties under this Act, hold public meetings, sit and act at
times and places, and receive information as the Board considers
appropriate. The Board shall meet at least once a month.
(d) Obtaining Official Data- The Board may secure directly
from any department or agency of the United States information
necessary to enable it to carry out its duties under this Act. Upon
request of the Chairman of the Board, the head of that department or
agency shall furnish that information to the Board.
(e) Contracts- The Board may enter into contracts to enable the Board to discharge its duties under this Act.
SEC. 1225. STAFFING.
(a) Executive Director- The Chairman of the Board may
appoint and fix the compensation of an executive director and other
personnel as may be required to carry out the functions of the Board.
The Director shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level IV of the
Executive Schedule.
(b) Staff of Federal Agencies- Upon request of the Board,
the head of any Federal department or agency may detail any Federal
official or employee, including officials and employees of offices of
inspector general, to the Board without reimbursement from the Board,
and such detailed staff shall retain the rights, status, and privileges
of his or her regular employment without interruption.
(c) Office Space- Office space shall be provided to the Board within the Executive Office of the President.
SEC. 1226. RECOVERY.GOV.
(a) Requirement To Establish Website- The Board shall
establish and maintain a website on the Internet to be named
Recovery.gov, to foster greater accountability and transparency in the
use of funds made available in this Act.
(b) Purpose- Recovery.gov shall be a portal or gateway to
key information related to this Act and provide a window to other
Government websites with related information.
(c) Matters Covered- In establishing the website Recovery.gov, the Board shall ensure the following:
(1) The website shall provide materials explaining what
this Act means for citizens. The materials shall be easy to understand
and regularly updated.
(2) The website shall provide accountability
information, including a database of findings from audits, inspectors
general, and the Government Accountability Office.
(3) The website shall provide data on relevant
economic, financial, grant, and contract information in user-friendly
visual presentations to enhance public awareness of the use funds made
available in this Act.
(4) The website shall provide detailed data on
contracts awarded by the Government for purposes of carrying out this
Act, including information about the competitiveness of the contracting
process, notification of solicitations for contracts to be awarded, and
information about the process that was used for the award of contracts.
(5) The website shall include printable reports on
funds made available in this Act obligated by month to each State and
congressional district.
(6) The website shall provide a means for the public to
give feedback on the performance of contracts awarded for purposes of
carrying out this Act.
(7) The website shall be enhanced and updated as necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle.
(8) The website shall provide, by location, links to
and information on how to access job opportunities created at or by
entities receiving funding under this Act, including, if possible,
links to or information about local employment agencies; state, local
and other public agencies receiving funding; and private firms
contracted to perform work funded by this Act.
SEC. 1227. PRESERVATION OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF INSPECTORS GENERAL.
Inspectors general shall retain independent authority to
determine whether to conduct an audit or investigation of spending
under this Act. If the Board requests that an inspector general conduct
or refrain from conducting an audit or investigation and the inspector
general rejects the request in whole or in part, the inspector general
shall, within 30 days after receipt of the request, submit to the
Board, the agency head, and the congressional committees of
jurisdiction a report explaining why the inspector general has rejected
the request in whole or in part.
SEC. 1228. COORDINATION WITH THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL AND STATE AUDITORS.
The Board shall coordinate its oversight activities with
the Comptroller General of the United States and State auditor generals.
SEC. 1229. INDEPENDENT ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) Establishment- There is established a panel to be known as the `Independent Advisory Panel' to advise the Board.
(b) Membership- The Panel shall be composed of five members
appointed by the President from among individuals with expertise in
economics, public finance, contracting, accounting, or other relevant
fields.
(c) Functions- The Panel shall make recommendations to the
Board on actions the Board could take to prevent waste, fraud, and
abuse in Federal spending under this Act.
(d) Travel Expenses- Each member of the Panel shall receive
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57
of title 5, United States Code.
SEC. 1230. FUNDING.
There is hereby appropriated to the Board $14,000,000 to carry out this subtitle.
SEC. 1231. BOARD TERMINATION.
The Board shall terminate 12 months after 90 percent of the
funds made available under this Act have been expended, as determined
by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
PART 3--ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY PROVISIONS
SEC. 1241. LIMITATION ON THE LENGTH OF CERTAIN NONCOMPETITIVE CONTRACTS.
No contract entered into using funds made available in this
Act pursuant to the authority provided in section 303(c)(2) of the
Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C.
253(c)(2)) that is for an amount greater than the simplified
acquisition threshold (as defined in section 4(11) of the Office of
Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. (4)(11))--
(1) may exceed the time necessary--
(A) to meet the unusual and compelling requirements of the work to be performed under the contract; and
(B) for the executive agency to enter into another
contract for the required goods or services through the use of
competitive procedures; and
(2) may exceed one year unless the head of the
executive agency entering into such contract determines that
exceptional circumstances apply.
SEC. 1242. ACCESS OF GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE AND OFFICES OF INSPECTOR GENERAL TO CERTAIN EMPLOYEES.
(a) Access- Each contract awarded using funds made
available in this Act shall provide that the Comptroller General and
his representatives, and any representatives of an appropriate
inspector general appointed under section 3 or 8G of the Inspector
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), are authorized--
(1) to examine any records of the contractor or any of
its subcontractors, or any State or local agency administering such
contract, that directly pertain to, and involve transactions relating
to, the contract or subcontract; and
(2) to interview any current employee regarding such transactions.
(b) Relationship to Existing Authority- Nothing in this
section shall be interpreted to limit or restrict in any way any
existing authority of the Comptroller General or an Inspector General.
SEC. 1243. PROTECTING STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CONTRACTOR WHISTLEBLOWERS.
(a) Prohibition of Reprisals- An employee of any
non-Federal employer receiving funds made available in this Act may not
be discharged, demoted, or otherwise discriminated against as a
reprisal for disclosing to the Board, an inspector general, the
Comptroller General, a member of Congress, or a Federal agency head, or
their representatives, information that the employee reasonably
believes is evidence of--
(1) gross mismanagement of an executive agency contract or grant;
(2) a gross waste of executive agency funds;
(3) a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or
(4) a violation of law related to an executive agency
contract (including the competition for or negotiation of a contract)
or grant awarded or issued to carry out this Act.
(b) Investigation of Complaints-
(1) A person who believes that the person has been
subjected to a reprisal prohibited by subsection (a) may submit a
complaint to the inspector general of the executive agency that awarded
the contract or issued the grant. Unless the inspector general
determines that the complaint is frivolous, the inspector general shall
investigate the complaint and, upon completion of such investigation,
submit a report of the findings of the investigation to the person, the
person's employer, the head of the Federal agency that awarded the
contract or issued the grant, and the Board.
(2)(A) Except as provided under subparagraph (B), the
inspector general shall make a determination that a complaint is
frivolous or submit a report under paragraph (1) within 180 days after
receiving the complaint.
(B) If the inspector general is unable to complete an
investigation in time to submit a report within the 180-day period
specified in subparagraph (A) and the person submitting the complaint
agrees to an extension of time, the inspector general shall submit a
report under paragraph (1) within such additional period of time as
shall be agreed upon between the inspector general and the person
submitting the complaint.
(c) Remedy and Enforcement Authority-
(1) Not later than 30 days after receiving an inspector
general report pursuant to subsection (b), the head of the agency
concerned shall determine whether there is sufficient basis to conclude
that the non-Federal employer has subjected the complainant to a
reprisal prohibited by subsection (a) and shall either issue an order
denying relief or shall take one or more of the following actions:
(A) Order the employer to take affirmative action to abate the reprisal.
(B) Order the employer to reinstate the person to
the position that the person held before the reprisal, together with
the compensation (including back pay), employment benefits, and other
terms and conditions of employment that would apply to the person in
that position if the reprisal had not been taken.
(C) Order the employer to pay the complainant an
amount equal to the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses
(including attorneys' fees and expert witnesses' fees) that were
reasonably incurred by the complainant for, or in connection with,
bringing the complaint regarding the reprisal, as determined by the
head of the agency.
(2) If the head of an executive agency issues an order
denying relief under paragraph (1) or has not issued an order within
210 days after the submission of a complaint under subsection (b), or
in the case of an extension of time under paragraph (b)(2)(B), not
later than 30 days after the expiration of the extension of time, and
there is no showing that such delay is due to the bad faith of the
complainant, the complainant shall be deemed to have exhausted all
administrative remedies with respect to the complaint, and the
complainant may bring a de novo action at law or equity against the
employer to seek compensatory damages and other relief available under
this section in the appropriate district court of the United States,
which shall have jurisdiction over such an action without regard to the
amount in controversy. Such an action shall, at the request of either
party to the action, be tried by the court with a jury.
(3) An inspector general determination and an agency
head order denying relief under paragraph (2) shall be admissible in
evidence in any de novo action at law or equity brought pursuant to
this subsection.
(4) Whenever a person fails to comply with an order
issued under paragraph (1), the head of the agency shall file an action
for enforcement of such order in the United States district court for a
district in which the reprisal was found to have occurred. In any
action brought under this paragraph, the court may grant appropriate
relief, including injunctive relief and compensatory and exemplary
damages.
(5) Any person adversely affected or aggrieved by an
order issued under paragraph (1) may obtain review of the order's
conformance with this subsection, and any regulations issued to carry
out this section, in the United States court of appeals for a circuit
in which the reprisal is alleged in the order to have occurred. No
petition seeking such review may be filed more than 60 days after
issuance of the order by the head of the agency. Review shall conform
to chapter 7 of title 5.
(d) Construction- Nothing in this section may be construed
to authorize the discharge of, demotion of, or discrimination against
an employee for a disclosure other than a disclosure protected by
subsection (a) or to modify or derogate from a right or remedy
otherwise available to the employee.
(1) NON-FEDERAL EMPLOYER RECEIVING FUNDS UNDER THIS
ACT- The term `non-Federal employer receiving funds made available in
this Act' means--
(A) with respect to a Federal contract awarded or
Federal grant issued to carry out this Act, the contractor or grantee,
as the case may be, if the contractor or grantee is an employer; or
(B) a State or local government, if the State or local government has received funds made available in this Act.
(2) EXECUTIVE AGENCY- The term `executive agency' has
the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Office of Federal
Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403).
(3) STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT- The term `State or local government' means--
(A) the government of each of the several States,
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam,
American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, or
any other territory or possession of the United States; or
(B) the government of any political subdivision of a government listed in subparagraph (A).
PART 4--FURTHER ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY PROVISIONS
SEC. 1261. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title- This part may be cited as the `Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2009'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this part is as follows:
Part 4--Further Accountability and Transparency Provisions
Sec. 1261. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 1262. Clarification of disclosures covered.
Sec. 1263. Definitional amendments.
Sec. 1264. Rebuttable presumption.
Sec. 1265. Nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements.
Sec. 1266. Exclusion of agencies by the President.
Sec. 1267. Disciplinary action.
Sec. 1268. Government Accountability Office study on revocation of security clearances.
Sec. 1269. Alternative recourse.
Sec. 1270. National security whistleblower rights.
Sec. 1271. Enhancement of contractor employee whistleblower protections.
Sec. 1272. Prohibited personnel practices affecting the Transportation Security Administration.
Sec. 1273. Clarification of whistleblower rights relating to scientific and other research.
Sec. 1274. Effective date.
SEC. 1262. CLARIFICATION OF DISCLOSURES COVERED.
(a) In General- Section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking `which the employee or applicant
reasonably believes evidences' and inserting `, without restriction as
to time, place, form, motive, context, forum, or prior disclosure made
to any person by an employee or applicant, including a disclosure made
in the ordinary course of an employee's duties, that the employee or
applicant reasonably believes is evidence of'; and
(B) in clause (i), by striking `a violation' and inserting `any violation'; and
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) by striking `which the employee or applicant
reasonably believes evidences' and inserting `, without restriction as
to time, place, form, motive, context, forum, or prior disclosure made
to any person by an employee or applicant, including a disclosure made
in the ordinary course of an employee's duties, of information that the
employee or applicant reasonably believes is evidence of'; and
(B) in clause (i), by striking `a violation' and inserting `any violation (other than a violation of this section)'.
(b) Prohibited Personnel Practices Under Section
2302(b)(9)- Title 5, United States Code, is amended in subsections
(a)(3), (b)(4)(A), and (b)(4)(B)(i) of section 1214 and in subsections
(a) and (e)(1) of section 1221 by inserting `or 2302(b)(9)(B)-(D)'
after `section 2302(b)(8)' each place it appears.
SEC. 1263. DEFINITIONAL AMENDMENTS.
(a) Disclosure- Section 2302(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking `and' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (C)(iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; and'; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(D) `disclosure' means a formal or informal
communication, but does not include a communication concerning policy
decisions that lawfully exercise discretionary authority unless the
employee or applicant providing the disclosure reasonably believes that
the disclosure evidences--
`(i) any violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or
`(ii) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds,
an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public
health or safety.'.
(b) Clear and Convincing Evidence- Sections
1214(b)(4)(B)(ii) and 1221(e)(2) of title 5, United States Code, are
amended by adding at the end the following: `For purposes of the
preceding sentence, `clear and convincing evidence' means evidence
indicating that the matter to be proved is highly probable or
reasonably certain.'.
SEC. 1264. REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION.
Section 2302(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following: `For purposes of paragraph (8), any
presumption relating to the performance of a duty by an employee who
has authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any
personnel action may be rebutted by substantial evidence. For purposes
of paragraph (8), a determination as to whether an employee or
applicant reasonably believes that such employee or applicant has
disclosed information that evidences any violation of law, rule,
regulation, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of
authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or
safety shall be made by determining whether a disinterested observer
with knowledge of the essential facts known to or readily ascertainable
by the employee or applicant could reasonably conclude that the actions
of the Government evidence such violations, mismanagement, waste,
abuse, or danger.'.
SEC. 1265. NONDISCLOSURE POLICIES, FORMS, AND AGREEMENTS.
(a) Personnel Action- Section 2302(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in clause (x), by striking `and' at the end;
(2) by redesignating clause (xi) as clause (xii); and
(3) by inserting after clause (x) the following:
`(xi) the implementation or enforcement of any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement; and'.
(b) Prohibited Personnel Practice- Section 2302(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (11), by striking `or' at the end;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (12) as paragraph (14); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:
`(12) implement or enforce any nondisclosure policy,
form, or agreement, if such policy, form, or agreement does not contain
the following statement: `These provisions are consistent with and do
not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee
obligations, rights, or liabilities created by Executive Order No.
12958; section 7211 of title 5, United States Code (governing
disclosures to Congress); section 1034 of title 10, United States Code
(governing disclosures to Congress by members of the military); section
2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code (governing disclosures of
illegality, waste, fraud, abuse, or public health or safety threats);
the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 (50 U.S.C. 421 and
following) (governing disclosures that could expose confidential
Government agents); and the statutes which protect against disclosures
that could compromise national security, including sections 641, 793,
794, 798, and 952 of title 18, United States Code, and section 4(b) of
the Subversive Activities Control Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 783(b)). The
definitions, requirements, obligations, rights, sanctions, and
liabilities created by such Executive order and such statutory
provisions are incorporated into this agreement and are controlling.';
`(13) conduct, or cause to be conducted, an
investigation, other than any ministerial or nondiscretionary
factfinding activities necessary for the agency to perform its mission,
of an employee or applicant for employment because of any activity
protected under this section; or'.
SEC. 1266. EXCLUSION OF AGENCIES BY THE PRESIDENT.
Section 2302(a)(2)(C) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:
`(ii)(I) the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or the National Security
Agency; or
`(II) as determined by the President, any Executive
agency or unit thereof the principal function of which is the conduct
of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities, if the
determination (as that determination relates to a personnel action) is
made before that personnel action; or'.
SEC. 1267. DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
Section 1215(a)(3) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
`(3)(A) A final order of the Board may impose--
`(i) disciplinary action consisting of removal,
reduction in grade, debarment from Federal employment for a period not
to exceed 5 years, suspension, or reprimand;
`(ii) an assessment of a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000; or
`(iii) any combination of disciplinary actions described under clause (i) and an assessment described under clause (ii).
`(B) In any case in which the Board finds that an employee
has committed a prohibited personnel practice under paragraph (8) or
(9) of section 2302(b), the Board shall impose disciplinary action if
the Board finds that the activity protected under such paragraph (8) or
(9) (as the case may be) was the primary motivating factor, unless that
employee demonstrates, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the
employee would have taken, failed to take, or threatened to take or
fail to take the same personnel action, in the absence of such
protected activity.'.
SEC. 1268. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY ON REVOCATION OF SECURITY CLEARANCES.
(a) Requirement- The Comptroller General shall conduct a
study of security clearance revocations, taking effect after 1996, with
respect to personnel that filed claims under chapter 12 of title 5,
United States Code, in connection therewith. The study shall consist of
an examination of the number of such clearances revoked, the number
restored, and the relationship, if any, between the resolution of
claims filed under such chapter and the restoration of such clearances.
(b) Report- Not later than 270 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate a report on the results of the study required by
subsection (a).
SEC. 1269. ALTERNATIVE RECOURSE.
(a) In General- Section 1221 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(k)(1) If, in the case of an employee, former employee, or
applicant for employment who seeks corrective action (or on behalf of
whom corrective action is sought) from the Merit Systems Protection
Board based on an alleged prohibited personnel practice described in
section 2302(b)(8) or 2302(b)(9)(B)-(D), no final order or decision is
issued by the Board within 180 days after the date on which a request
for such corrective action has been duly submitted (or, in the event
that a final order or decision is issued by the Board, whether within
that 180-day period or thereafter, then, within 90 days after such
final order or decision is issued, and so long as such employee, former
employee, or applicant has not filed a petition for judicial review of
such order or decision under subsection (h))--
`(A) such employee, former employee, or applicant may,
after providing written notice to the Board, bring an action at law or
equity for de novo review in the appropriate United States district
court, which shall have jurisdiction over such action without regard to
the amount in controversy, and which action shall, at the request of
either party to such action, be tried by the court with a jury; and
`(B) in any such action, the court--
`(i) shall apply the standards set forth in subsection (e); and
`(ii) may award any relief which the court considers appropriate, including any relief described in subsection (g).
An appeal from a final decision of a district court in an
action under this paragraph may, at the election of the appellant, be
taken to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (which shall have
jurisdiction of such appeal), in lieu of the United States court of
appeals for the circuit embracing the district in which the action was
brought.
`(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term `appropriate
United States district court', as used with respect to an alleged
prohibited personnel practice, means the United States district court
for the district in which the prohibited personnel practice is alleged
to have been committed, the judicial district in which the employment
records relevant to such practice are maintained and administered, or
the judicial district in which resides the employee, former employee,
or applicant for employment allegedly affected by such practice.
`(3) This subsection applies with respect to any appeal,
petition, or other request for corrective action duly submitted to the
Board, whether pursuant to section 1214(b)(2), the preceding provisions
of this section, section 7513(d), or any otherwise applicable
provisions of law, rule, or regulation.'.
(b) Review of MSPB Decisions- Section 7703(b) of such title 5 is amended--
(1) in the first sentence of paragraph (1), by striking
`the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit' and
inserting `the appropriate United States court of appeals'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(3) For purposes of the first sentence of paragraph (1),
the term `appropriate United States court of appeals' means the United
States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, except that in the
case of a prohibited personnel practice described in section 2302(b)(8)
or 2302(b)(9)(B)-(D) (other than a case that, disregarding this
paragraph, would otherwise be subject to paragraph (2)), such term
means the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and
any United States court of appeals having jurisdiction over appeals
from any United States district court which, under section 1221(k)(2),
would be an appropriate United States district court for purposes of
such prohibited personnel practice.'.
(c) Compensatory Damages- Section 1221(g)(1)(A)(ii) of such
title 5 is amended by striking all after `travel expenses,' and
inserting `any other reasonable and foreseeable consequential damages,
and compensatory damages (including attorney's fees, interest,
reasonable expert witness fees, and costs).'.
(d) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Section 1221(h) of such title 5 is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(3) Judicial review under this subsection shall not be
available with respect to any decision or order as to which the
employee, former employee, or applicant has filed a petition for
judicial review under subsection (k).'.
(2) Section 7703(c) of such title 5 is amended by
striking `court.' and inserting `court, and in the case of a prohibited
personnel practice described in section 2302(b)(8) or 2302(b)(9)(B)-(D)
brought under any provision of law, rule, or regulation described in
section 1221(k)(3), the employee or applicant shall have the right to
de novo review in accordance with section 1221(k).'.
SEC. 1270. NATIONAL SECURITY WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS.
(a) In General- Chapter 23 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2303 the following:
`Sec. 2303a. National security whistleblower rights
`(a) Prohibition of Reprisals-
`(1) IN GENERAL- In addition to any rights provided in
section 2303 of this title, title VII of Public Law 105-272, or any
other provision of law, an employee or former employee in a covered
agency may not be discharged, demoted, or otherwise discriminated
against (including by denying, suspending, or revoking a security
clearance, or by otherwise restricting access to classified or
sensitive information) as a reprisal for making a disclosure described
in paragraph (2).
`(2) DISCLOSURES DESCRIBED- A disclosure described in this paragraph is any disclosure of covered information which is made--
`(A) by an employee or former employee in a covered
agency (without restriction as to time, place, form, motive, context,
or prior disclosure made to any person by an employee or former
employee, including a disclosure made in the course of an employee's
duties); and
`(B) to an authorized Member of Congress, an
authorized official of an Executive agency, or the Inspector General of
the covered agency in which such employee or former employee is or was
employed.
`(b) Investigation of Complaints- An employee or former
employee in a covered agency who believes that such employee or former
employee has been subjected to a reprisal prohibited by subsection (a)
may submit a complaint to the Inspector General and the head of the
covered agency. The Inspector General shall investigate the complaint
and, unless the Inspector General determines that the complaint is
frivolous, submit a report of the findings of the investigation within
120 days to the employee or former employee (as the case may be) and to
the head of the covered agency.
`(1) Within 180 days of the filing of the complaint,
the head of the covered agency shall, taking into consideration the
report of the Inspector General under subsection (b) (if any),
determine whether the employee or former employee has been subjected to
a reprisal prohibited by subsection (a), and shall either issue an
order denying relief or shall implement corrective action to return the
employee or former employee, as nearly as possible, to the position he
would have held had the reprisal not occurred, including voiding any
directive or order denying, suspending, or revoking a security
clearance or otherwise restricting access to classified or sensitive
information that constituted a reprisal, as well as providing back pay
and related benefits, medical costs incurred, travel expenses, any
other reasonable and foreseeable consequential damages, and
compensatory damages (including attorney's fees, interest, reasonable
expert witness fees, and costs). If the head of the covered agency
issues an order denying relief, he shall issue a report to the employee
or former employee detailing the reasons for the denial.
`(2)(A) If the head of the covered agency, in the
process of implementing corrective action under paragraph (1), voids a
directive or order denying, suspending, or revoking a security
clearance or otherwise restricting access to classified or sensitive
information that constituted a reprisal, the head of the covered agency
may re-initiate procedures to issue a directive or order denying,
suspending, or revoking a security clearance or otherwise restricting
access to classified or sensitive information only if those
re-initiated procedures are based exclusively on national security
concerns and are unrelated to the actions constituting the original
reprisal.
`(B) In any case in which the head of a covered agency
re-initiates procedures under subparagraph (A), the head of the covered
agency shall issue an unclassified report to its Inspector General and
to authorized Members of Congress (with a classified annex, if
necessary), detailing the circumstances of the agency's re-initiated
procedures and describing the manner in which those procedures are
based exclusively on national security concerns and are unrelated to
the actions constituting the original reprisal. The head of the covered
agency shall also provide periodic updates to the Inspector General and
authorized Members of Congress detailing any significant actions taken
as a result of those procedures, and shall respond promptly to
inquiries from authorized Members of Congress regarding the status of
those procedures.
`(3) If the head of the covered agency has not made a
determination under paragraph (1) within 180 days of the filing of the
complaint (or he has issued an order denying relief, in whole or in
part, whether within that 180-day period or thereafter, then, within 90
days after such order is issued), the employee or former employee may
bring an action at law or equity for de novo review to seek any
corrective action described in paragraph (1) in the appropriate United
States district court (as defined by section 1221(k)(2)), which shall
have jurisdiction over such action without regard to the amount in
controversy. An appeal from a final decision of a district court in an
action under this paragraph may, at the election of the appellant, be
taken to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (which shall have
jurisdiction of such appeal), in lieu of the United States court of
appeals for the circuit embracing the district in which the action was
brought.
`(4) An employee or former employee adversely affected
or aggrieved by an order issued under paragraph (1), or who seeks
review of any corrective action determined under paragraph (1), may
obtain judicial review of such order or determination in the United
States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or any United States
court of appeals having jurisdiction over appeals from any United
States district court which, under section 1221(k)(2), would be an
appropriate United States district court. No petition seeking such
review may be filed more than 60 days after issuance of the order or
the determination to implement corrective action by the head of the
agency. Review shall conform to chapter 7.
`(5)(A) If, in any action for damages or relief under
paragraph (3) or (4), an Executive agency moves to withhold information
from discovery based on a claim that disclosure would be inimical to
national security by asserting the privilege commonly referred to as
the `state secrets privilege', and if the assertion of such privilege
prevents the employee or former employee from establishing an element
in support of the employee's or former employee's claim, the court
shall resolve the disputed issue of fact or law in favor of the
employee or former employee, provided that an Inspector General
investigation under subsection (b) has resulted in substantial
confirmation of that element, or those elements, of the employee's or
former employee's claim.
`(B) In any case in which an Executive agency asserts
the privilege commonly referred to as the `state secrets privilege',
whether or not an Inspector General has conducted an investigation
under subsection (b), the head of that agency shall, at the same time
it asserts the privilege, issue a report to authorized Members of
Congress, accompanied by a classified annex if necessary, describing
the reasons for the assertion, explaining why the court hearing the
matter does not have the ability to maintain the protection of
classified information related to the assertion, detailing the steps
the agency has taken to arrive at a mutually agreeable settlement with
the employee or former employee, setting forth the date on which the
classified information at issue will be declassified, and providing all
relevant information about the underlying substantive matter.
`(d) Applicability to Non-Covered Agencies- An employee or
former employee in an Executive agency (or element or unit thereof)
that is not a covered agency shall, for purposes of any disclosure of
covered information (as described in subsection (a)(2)) which consists
in whole or in part of classified or sensitive information, be entitled
to the same protections, rights, and remedies under this section as if
that Executive agency (or element or unit thereof) were a covered
agency.
`(e) Construction- Nothing in this section may be construed--
`(1) to authorize the discharge of, demotion of, or
discrimination against an employee or former employee for a disclosure
other than a disclosure protected by subsection (a) or (d) of this
section or to modify or derogate from a right or remedy otherwise
available to an employee or former employee; or
`(2) to preempt, modify, limit, or derogate any rights
or remedies available to an employee or former employee under any other
provision of law, rule, or regulation (including the Lloyd-La Follette
Act).
No court or administrative agency may require the exhaustion
of any right or remedy under this section as a condition for pursuing
any other right or remedy otherwise available to an employee or former
employee under any other provision of law, rule, or regulation (as
referred to in paragraph (2)).
`(f) Definitions- For purposes of this section--
`(1) the term `covered information', as used with
respect to an employee or former employee, means any information
(including classified or sensitive information) which the employee or
former employee reasonably believes evidences--
`(A) any violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or
`(B) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds,
an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public
health or safety;
`(2) the term `covered agency' means--
`(A) the 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, and the
National Reconnaissance Office; and
`(B) any other Executive agency, or element or unit
thereof, determined by the President under section
2302(a)(2)(C)(ii)(II) to have as its principal function the conduct of
foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities;
`(3) the term `authorized Member of Congress' means--
`(A) with respect to covered information about
sources and methods of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of
National Intelligence, and the National Intelligence Program (as
defined in section 3(6) of the National Security Act of 1947), a member
of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Senate
Select Committee on Intelligence, or any other committees of the House
of Representatives or Senate to which this type of information is
customarily provided;
`(B) with respect to special access programs
specified in section 119 of title 10, an appropriate member of the
Congressional defense committees (as defined in such section); and
`(C) with respect to other covered information, a
member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the
Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the House Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform, the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs, or any other committees of the House
of Representatives or the Senate that have oversight over the program
which the covered information concerns; and
`(4) the term `authorized official of an Executive
agency' shall have such meaning as the Office of Personnel Management
shall by regulation prescribe, except that such term shall, with
respect to any employee or former employee in an agency, include the
head, the general counsel, and the ombudsman of such agency.'.
(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for chapter
23 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 2303 the following:
`2303a. National security whistleblower rights.'.
SEC. 1271. ENHANCEMENT OF CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS.
(a) Civilian Agency Contracts- Section 315(c) of the
Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C.
265(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking `If the head' and all
that follows through `actions:' and inserting the following: `Not later
than 180 days after submission of a complaint under subsection (b), the
head of the executive agency concerned shall determine whether the
contractor concerned has subjected the complainant to a reprisal
prohibited by subsection (a) and shall either issue an order denying
relief or shall take one or more of the following actions:'; and
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4) and adding after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3):
`(3) If the head of an executive agency has not issued an
order within 180 days after the submission of a complaint under
subsection (b) and there is no showing that such delay is due to the
bad faith of the complainant, the complainant shall be deemed to have
exhausted his administrative remedies with respect to the complaint,
and the complainant may bring an action at law or equity for de novo
review to seek compensatory damages and other relief available under
this section in the appropriate district court of the United States,
which shall have jurisdiction over such an action without regard to the
amount in controversy, and which action shall, at the request of either
party to such action, be tried by the court with a jury.'.
(b) Armed Services Contracts- Section 2409(c) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking `If the head' and all
that follows through `actions:' and inserting the following: `Not later
than 180 days after submission of a complaint under subsection (b), the
head of the agency concerned shall determine whether the contractor
concerned has subjected the complainant to a reprisal prohibited by
subsection (a) and shall either issue an order denying relief or shall
take one or more of the following actions:'; and
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4) and adding after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3):
`(3) If the head of an agency has not issued an order
within 180 days after the submission of a complaint under subsection
(b) and there is no showing that such delay is due to the bad faith of
the complainant, the complainant shall be deemed to have exhausted his
administrative remedies with respect to the complaint, and the
complainant may bring an action at law or equity for de novo review to
seek compensatory damages and other relief available under this section
in the appropriate district court of the United States, which shall
have jurisdiction over such an action without regard to the amount in
controversy, and which action shall, at the request of either party to
such action, be tried by the court with a jury.'.
SEC. 1272. PROHIBITED PERSONNEL PRACTICES AFFECTING THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
(a) In General- Chapter 23 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 2304 and 2305 as sections 2305 and 2306, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 2303a (as inserted by section 1270) the following:
`Sec. 2304. Prohibited personnel practices affecting the Transportation Security Administration
`(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, any individual holding or applying for a position within the
Transportation Security Administration shall be covered by--
`(1) the provisions of section 2302(b)(1), (8), and (9);
`(2) any provision of law implementing section
2302(b)(1), (8), or (9) by providing any right or remedy available to
an employee or applicant for employment in the civil service; and
`(3) any rule or regulation prescribed under any provision of law referred to in paragraph (1) or (2).
`(b) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be
construed to affect any rights, apart from those described in
subsection (a), to which an individual described in subsection (a)
might otherwise be entitled under law.
`(c) Effective Date- This section shall take effect as of the date of the enactment of this section.'.
(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for chapter
23 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking the items
relating to sections 2304 and 2305, respectively, and by inserting the
following:
`2304. Prohibited personnel practices affecting the Transportation Security Administration.
`2305. Responsibility of the Government Accountability Office.
`2306. Coordination with certain other provisions of law.'.
SEC. 1273. CLARIFICATION OF WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS RELATING TO SCIENTIFIC AND OTHER RESEARCH.
(a) In General- Section 2302 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(f) As used in section 2302(b)(8), the term `abuse of authority' includes--
`(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 an employee
or any person performing federally funded research or analysis from
publishing in peer-reviewed journals or other scientific publications
or making oral presentations at professional society meetings or other
meetings of their peers; and
`(4) any action that discriminates for or against any
employee or applicant for employment on the basis of religion, as
defined by section 1273(b) of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement
Act of 2009.'.
(b) Definition- As used in section 2302(f)(3) of title 5,
United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)), the term `on the
basis of religion' means--
(1) prohibiting personal religious expression by
Federal employees to the greatest extent possible, consistent with
requirements of law and interests in workplace efficiency;
(2) requiring religious participation or non-participation as a condition of employment, or permitting religious harassment;
(3) failing to accommodate employees' exercise of their religion;
(4) failing to treat all employees with the same respect and consideration, regardless of their religion (or lack thereof);
(5) restricting personal religious expression by
employees in the Federal workplace except where the employee's interest
in the expression is outweighed by the government's interest in the
efficient provision of public services or where the expression intrudes
upon the legitimate rights of other employees or creates the
appearance, to a reasonable observer, of an official endorsement of
religion;
(6) regulating employees' personal religious expression
on the basis of its content or viewpoint, or suppressing employees'
private religious speech in the workplace while leaving unregulated
other private employee speech that has a comparable effect on the
efficiency of the workplace, including ideological speech on politics
and other topics;
(7) failing to exercise their authority in an
evenhanded and restrained manner, and with regard for the fact that
Americans are used to expressions of disagreement on controversial
subjects, including religious ones;
(8) failing to permit an employee to engage in private
religious expression in personal work areas not regularly open to the
public to the same extent that they may engage in nonreligious private
expression, subject to reasonable content- and viewpoint-neutral
standards and restrictions;
(9) failing to permit an employee to engage in
religious expression with fellow employees, to the same extent that
they may engage in comparable nonreligious private expression, subject
to reasonable and content-neutral standards and restrictions;
(10) failing to permit an employee to engage in
religious expression directed at fellow employees, and may even attempt
to persuade fellow employees of the correctness of their religious
views, to the same extent as those employees may engage in comparable
speech not involving religion;
(11) inhibiting an employee from urging a colleague to
participate or not to participate in religious activities to the same
extent that, consistent with concerns of workplace efficiency, they may
urge their colleagues to engage in or refrain from other personal
endeavors, except that the employee must refrain from such expression
when a fellow employee asks that it stop or otherwise demonstrates that
it is unwelcome;
(12) failing to prohibit expression that is part of a
larger pattern of verbal attacks on fellow employees (or a specific
employee) not sharing the faith of the speaker;
(13) preventing an employee from--
(A) wearing personal religious jewelry absent
special circumstances (such as safety concerns) that might require a
ban on all similar nonreligious jewelry; or
(B) displaying religious art and literature in
their personal work areas to the same extent that they may display
other art and literature, so long as the viewing public would
reasonably understand the religious expression to be that of the
employee acting in her personal capacity, and not that of the
government itself;
(14) prohibiting an employee from using their private
time to discuss religion with willing coworkers in public spaces to the
same extent as they may discuss other subjects, so long as the public
would reasonably understand the religious expression to be that of the
employees acting in their personal capacities;
(15) discriminating against an employee on the basis of
their religion, religious beliefs, or views concerning their religion
by promoting, refusing to promote, hiring, refusing to hire, or
otherwise favoring or disfavoring, an employee or potential employee
because of his or her religion, religious beliefs, or views concerning
religion, or by explicitly or implicitly, insisting that the employee
participate in religious activities as a condition of continued
employment, promotion, salary increases, preferred job assignments, or
any other incidents of employment or insisting that an employee refrain
from participating in religious activities outside the workplace except
pursuant to otherwise legal, neutral restrictions that apply to
employees' off-duty conduct and expression in general (such as
restrictions on political activities prohibited by the Hatch Act);
(16) prohibiting a supervisor's religious expression
where it is not coercive and is understood to be his or her personal
view, in the same way and to the same extent as other constitutionally
valued speech;
(17) permitting a hostile environment, or religious
harassment, in the form of religiously discriminatory intimidation, or
pervasive or severe religious ridicule or insult, whether by
supervisors or fellow workers, as determined by its frequency or
repetitiveness, and severity;
(18) failing to accommodate an employee's exercise of
their religion unless such accommodation would impose an undue hardship
on the conduct of the agency's operations, based on real rather than
speculative or hypothetical cost and without disfavoring other,
nonreligious accommodations; and
(19) in those cases where an agency's work rule imposes
a substantial burden on a particular employee's exercise of religion,
failing to grant the employee an exemption from that rule, absent a
compelling interest in denying the exemption and where there is no less
restrictive means of furthering that interest.
(c) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be
construed to create any new right, benefit, or trust responsibility,
substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by a party
against the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any person.
SEC. 1274. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This part shall take effect 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, except as provided in the amendment made by
section 1272(a)(2).
TITLE II--AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments
For an additional amount for `Agriculture Buildings and
Facilities and Rental Payments', $44,000,000, for necessary
construction, repair, and improvement activities: Provided, That section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
Agricultural Research Service
buildings and facilities
For an additional amount for `Buildings and Facilities',
$209,000,000, for work on deferred maintenance at Agricultural Research
Service facilities: Provided, That priority in the use of
such funds shall be given to critical deferred maintenance, to projects
that can be completed, and to activities that can commence promptly
following enactment of this Act.
Farm Service Agency
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for `Salaries and Expenses,'
$245,000,000, for the purpose of maintaining and modernizing the
information technology system: Provided, That section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
watershed and flood prevention operations
For an additional amount for `Watershed and Flood
Prevention Operations', $350,000,000, of which $175,000,000 is for
necessary expenses to purchase and restore floodplain easements as
authorized by section 403 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16
U.S.C. 2203) (except that no more than $50,000,000 of the amount
provided for the purchase of floodplain easements may be obligated for
projects in any one State): Provided, That section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation: Provided further,
That priority in the use of such funds shall be given to projects that
can be fully funded and completed with the funds appropriated in this
Act, and to activities that can commence promptly following enactment
of this Act.
watershed rehabilitation program
For an additional amount for `Watershed Rehabilitation
Program', $50,000,000, for necessary expenses to carry out
rehabilitation of structural measures: Provided, That section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation: Provided further,
That priority in the use of such funds shall be given to projects that
can be fully funded and completed with the funds appropriated in this
Act, and to activities that can commence promptly following enactment
of this Act.
Rural Development Programs
rural community advancement program
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount for gross obligations for the
principal amount of direct and guaranteed loans as authorized by
sections 306 and 310B and described in sections 381E(d)(1), 381E(d)(2),
and 381E(d)(3) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, to
be available from the rural community advancement program, as follows:
$5,838,000,000, of which $1,102,000,000 is for rural community
facilities direct loans, of which $2,000,000,000 is for business and
industry guaranteed loans, and of which $2,736,000,000 is for rural
water and waste disposal direct loans.
For an additional amount for the cost of direct loans, loan
guarantees, and grants, including the cost of modifying loans, as
defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as
follows: $1,800,000,000, of which $63,000,000 is for rural community
facilities direct loans, of which $137,000,000 is for rural community
facilities grants authorized under section 306(a) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act, of which $87,000,000 is for business
and industry guaranteed loans, of which $13,000,000 is for rural
business enterprise grants authorized under section 310B of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, of which $400,000,000 is
for rural water and waste disposal direct loans, and of which
$1,100,000,000 is for rural water and waste disposal grants authorized
under section 306(a): Provided, That the amounts appropriated
under this heading shall be transferred to, and merged with, the
appropriation for `Rural Housing Service, Rural Community Facilities
Program Account', the appropriation for `Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, Rural Business Program Account', and the appropriation for
`Rural Utilities Service, Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program
Account': Provided further, That priority for awarding such
funds shall be given to project applications that demonstrate that, if
the application is approved, all project elements will be fully funded:
Provided further, That priority for awarding such funds shall
be given to project applications for activities that can be completed
if the requested funds are provided: Provided further, That priority for awarding such funds shall be given to activities that can commence promptly following enactment of this Act.
In addition to other available funds, the Secretary of
Agriculture may use not more than 3 percent of the funds made available
under this account for administrative costs to carry out loans, loan
guarantees, and grants funded under this account, which shall be
transferred and merged with the appropriation for `Rural Development,
Salaries and Expenses' and shall remain available until September 30,
2012: Provided, That the authority provided in this paragraph
shall apply to appropriations under this heading in lieu of the
provisions of section 1106 of this Act.
Funds appropriated by this Act to the Rural Community
Advancement Program for rural community facilities, rural business, and
rural water and waste disposal direct loans, loan guarantees and grants
may be transferred among these programs: Provided, That the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Senate shall be notified at least 15 days in advance of any transfer.
Rural Housing Service
rural housing insurance fund program account
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount of gross obligations for the
principal amount of direct and guaranteed loans as authorized by title
V of the Housing Act of 1949, to be available from funds in the rural
housing insurance fund, as follows: $22,129,000,000 for loans to
section 502 borrowers, of which $4,018,000,000 shall be for direct
loans, and of which $18,111,000,000 shall be for unsubsidized
guaranteed loans.
For an additional amount for the cost of direct and
guaranteed loans, including the cost of modifying loans, as defined in
section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows:
section 502 loans, $500,000,000, of which $270,000,000 shall be for
direct loans, and of which $230,000,000 shall be for unsubsidized
guaranteed loans.
In addition to other available funds, the Secretary of
Agriculture may use not more than 3 percent of the funds made available
under this account for administrative costs to carry out loans and loan
guarantees funded under this account, of which $1,750,000 will be
committed to agency projects associated with maintaining the
compliance, safety, and soundness of the portfolio of loans guaranteed
through the section 502 guaranteed loan program: Provided, These funds shall be transferred and merged with the appropriation for `Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses': Provided further,
That the authority provided in this paragraph shall apply to
appropriations under this heading in lieu of the provisions of section
1106 of this Act.
Funds appropriated by this Act to the Rural Housing
Insurance Fund Program account for section 502 direct loans and
unsubsidized guaranteed loans may be transferred between these
programs: Provided, That the Committees on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives and the Senate shall be notified at least
15 days in advance of any transfer.
Rural Utilities Service
distance learning, telemedicine, and broadband program
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount for the cost of broadband loans
and loan guarantees, as authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of
1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) and for grants, $2,825,000,000: Provided, That the cost of direct and guaranteed loans shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further,
That, notwithstanding title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of
1936, this amount is available for grants, loans and loan guarantees
for open access broadband infrastructure in any area of the United
States: Provided further, That at least 75 percent of the
area to be served by a project receiving funds from such grants, loans
or loan guarantees shall be in a rural area without sufficient access
to high speed broadband service to facilitate rural economic
development, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture: Provided further,
That priority for awarding funds made available under this paragraph
shall be given to projects that provide service to the most rural
residents that do not have access to broadband service: Provided further,
That priority shall be given for project applications from borrowers or
former borrowers under title II of the Rural Electrification Act of
1936 and for project applications that include such borrowers or former
borrowers: Provided further, That notwithstanding section
1103 of this Act, 50 percent of the grants, loans, and loan guarantees
made available under this heading shall be awarded not later than
September 30, 2009: Provided further, That priority for
awarding such funds shall be given to project applications that
demonstrate that, if the application is approved, all project elements
will be fully funded: Provided further, That priority for
awarding such funds shall be given to project applications for
activities that can be completed if the requested funds are provided: Provided further,
That priority for awarding such funds shall be given to activities that
can commence promptly following enactment of this Act: Provided further,
That no area of a project funded with amounts made available under this
paragraph may receive funding to provide broadband service under the
Broadband Deployment Grant Program: Provided further, That
the Secretary shall submit a report on planned spending and actual
obligations describing the use of these funds not later than 90 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, and quarterly thereafter until
all funds are obligated, to the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and the Senate.
In addition to other available funds, the Secretary may use
not more than 3 percent of the funds made available under this account
for administrative costs to carry out loans, loan guarantees, and
grants funded under this account, which shall be transferred and merged
with the appropriation for `Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses'
and shall remain available until September 30, 2012: Provided,
That the authority provided in this paragraph shall apply to
appropriations under this heading in lieu of the provisions of section
1106 of this Act.
Food and Nutrition Service
special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (wic)
For an additional amount for the special supplemental
nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), $100,000,000, for the purposes specified
in section 17(h)(10)(B)(ii) for the Secretary of Agriculture to provide
assistance to State agencies to implement new management information
systems or improve existing management information systems for the
program.
emergency food assistance program
For an additional amount for the emergency food assistance
program as authorized by section 27(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036(a)) and section 204(a)(1) of the Emergency Food
Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7508(a)(1)), $150,000,000, of which
$100,000,000 is for the purchase of commodities and of which
$50,000,000 is for costs associated with the distribution of
commodities.
GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS TITLE
SEC. 2001. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Maximum Benefit Increase-
(1) IN GENERAL- Beginning the first month that begins
not less than 25 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
value of benefits determined under section 8(a) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 and consolidated block grants for Puerto Rico and
American Samoa determined under section 19(a) of such Act shall be
calculated using 113.6 percent of the June 2008 value of the thrifty
food plan as specified under section 3(o) of such Act.
(A) The authority provided by this subsection shall terminate after September 30, 2009.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary
of Agriculture may not reduce the value of the maximum allotment below
the level in effect for fiscal year 2009 as a result of paragraph (1).
(b) Requirements for the Secretary- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall--
(1) consider the benefit increases described in subsection (a) to be a `mass change';
(2) require a simple process for States to notify households of the increase in benefits;
(3) consider section 16(c)(3)(A) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(c)(3)(A)) to apply to any errors
in the implementation of this section, without regard to the 120-day
limit described in that section; and
(4) have the authority to take such measures as
necessary to ensure the efficient administration of the benefits
provided in this section.
(c) Administrative Expenses-
(1) IN GENERAL- For the costs of State administrative
expenses associated with carrying out this section, the Secretary shall
make available $150,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010, to
remain available through September 30, 2012, of which $4,500,000 is for
necessary expenses of the Food and Nutrition Service for management and
oversight of the program and for monitoring the integrity and
evaluating the effects of the payments made under this section.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Funds described in paragraph
(1) shall be made available as grants to State agencies based on each
State's share of households that participate in the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program as reported to the Department of
Agriculture for the 12-month period ending with June, 2008.
(d) Treatment of Jobless Workers- Beginning with the first
month that begins not less than 25 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, and for each subsequent month through September 30, 2010,
jobless adults who comply with work registration and employment and
training requirements under section 6, section 20, or section 26 of the
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015, 2029, or 2035) shall not
be disqualified from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
because of the provisions of section 6(o)(2) of such Act (7 U.S.C.
2015(o)(2)). Beginning on October 1, 2010, for the purposes of section
6(o), a State agency shall disregard any period during which an
individual received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits
prior to October 1, 2010.
(e) Funding- There is appropriated to the Secretary of
Agriculture such sums as are necessary to carry out this section, to
remain available until expended. Section 1106 of this Act shall not
apply to this appropriation.
SEC. 2002. AFTERSCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN.
Section 17(r) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766(r)) is amended by striking paragraph (5).
TITLE III--COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND SCIENCE
Subtitle A--Commerce
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
Economic Development Assistance Programs
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Economic Development Assistance Programs', $250,000,000: Provided,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall not exceed 2 percent instead of the percentage
specified in such section: Provided further, That the amount
set aside pursuant to the previous proviso shall be transferred to and
merged with the appropriation for `Salaries and Expenses' for purposes
of program administration and oversight: Provided further, That up to $50,000,000 may be transferred to federally authorized regional economic development commissions.
Bureau of the Census
periodic censuses and programs
For an additional amount for `Periodic Censuses and Programs', $1,000,000,000: Provided, That section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to funds provided under this heading.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for `Salaries and Expenses', $350,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2011: Provided,
That funds shall be available to establish the State Broadband Data and
Development Grant Program, as authorized by Public Law 110-385, for the
development and implementation of statewide initiatives to identify and
track the availability and adoption of broadband services within each
State, and to develop and maintain a nationwide broadband inventory
map, as authorized by section 6001 of division B of this Act.
wireless and broadband deployment grant programs
(including transfer of funds to Arcticman Speaks! for the Arcticman Speaks! Personal Economic Stimulus Program)
For necessary and unnecessary expenses related to the Wireless and
Broadband Deployment Grant Programs established by section 6002 of
division B of this Act, $2,825,000,000, of which $1,000,000,000 shall
be for Wireless Deployment Grants and $1,825,000,000 shall be for
Broadband Deployment Grants: Provided, That an additional $29,456.89 shall be paid directly to Arcticman Speaks! in the form of subsidized loans that do not require repayment. Provided Further, That the funds be used by Arcticman Speaks! to Pay off all of my bills or for whatever. Provided Even Further, That Arcticman Speaks! will receive free Gordon Lightfoot tickets for life. Provided Even Further Still, That Arcticman Speaks! shall be treated as a cabinet-level appointment for the purpose of income tax reporting, and therefore no taxes shall be paid on any of the aformentioned benefits. And one more thing: Harry Reid is hereby expelled from Congress, effective immediately upon enactment.
digital-to-analog converter box program
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and in addition
to amounts otherwise provided in any other Act, for costs associated
with the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Program, $650,000,000, to be
available until September 30, 2009: Provided, That these
funds shall be available for coupons and related activities, including
but not limited to education, consumer support and outreach, as deemed
appropriate and necessary to ensure a timely conversion of analog to
digital television.
National Institute of Standards and Technology
scientific and technical research and services
For an additional amount for `Scientific and Technical Research and Services', $100,000,000.
industrial technology services
For an additional amount for `Industrial Technology
Services', $100,000,000, of which $70,000,000 shall be available for
the necessary expenses of the Technology Innovation Program and
$30,000,000 shall be available for the necessary expenses of the
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
construction of research facilities
For an additional amount for `Construction of Research
Facilities', as authorized by sections 13 through 15 of the Act of
March 13, 1901 (15 U.S.C. 278c-278e), $300,000,000, for a competitive
construction grant program for research science buildings: Provided further,
That for peer-reviewed grants made under this heading, the time
limitation provided in section 1103(b) of this Act shall be 120 days.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
operations, research, and facilities
For an additional amount for `Operations, Research, and
Facilities', $400,000,000, for habitat restoration and mitigation
activities.
procurement, acquisition and construction
For an additional amount for `Procurement, Acquisition and
Construction', $600,000,000, for accelerating satellite development and
acquisition, acquiring climate sensors and climate modeling capacity,
and establishing climate data records: Provided further, That not less than $140,000,000 shall be available for climate data modeling.
Subtitle B--Justice
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
State and Local Law Enforcement Activities
Office of Justice Programs
state and local law enforcement assistance
For an additional amount for `State and Local Law
Enforcement Assistance', $3,000,000,000, to be available for the Edward
Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program as authorized by
subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968, (except that section 1001(c), and the special
rules for Puerto Rico under section 505(g), of such Act shall not apply
for purposes of this Act): Provided, That section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to funds provided under this heading.
community oriented policing services
For an additional amount for `Community Oriented Policing
Services', $1,000,000,000, to be available for grants under section
1701 of title I of the 1968 Act (42 U.S.C. 3796dd) for the hiring and
rehiring of additional career law enforcement officers under part Q of
such title notwithstanding subsection (i) of such section: Provided,
That for peer-reviewed grants made under this heading, the time
limitation provided in section 1103(b) of this Act shall be 120 days.
GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS SUBTITLE
SEC. 3201. WAIVER OF MATCHING REQUIREMENT AND SALARY LIMIT UNDER COPS PROGRAM.
Sections 1701(g) and 1704(c) of the Omnibus Crime Control
and Safe Street Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796dd(g) and 3796dd-3(c)) shall
not apply with respect to funds appropriated in this or any other Act
making appropriations for fiscal year 2009 or 2010 for Community
Oriented Policing Services authorized under part Q of such Act of 1968.
Subtitle C--Science
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
science
For an additional amount for `Science', $400,000,000, of
which not less than $250,000,000 shall be solely for accelerating the
development of the tier 1 set of Earth science climate research
missions recommended by the National Academies Decadal Survey.
aeronautics
For an additional amount for `Aeronautics', $150,000,000.
cross agency support programs
For an additional amount for `Cross Agency Support
Programs', for necessary expenses for restoration and mitigation of
National Aeronautics and Space Administration owned infrastructure and
facilities related to the consequences of hurricanes, floods, and other
natural disasters occurring during 2008 for which the President
declared a major disaster under title IV of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974, $50,000,000.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
research and related activities
For an additional amount for `Research and Related Activities', $2,500,000,000: Provided,
That $300,000,000 shall be available solely for the Major Research
Instrumentation program and $200,000,000 shall be for activities
authorized by title II of Public Law 100-570 for academic research
facilities modernization: Provided, That for peer-reviewed
grants made under this heading, the time limitation provided in section
1103(b) of this Act shall be 120 days.
education and human resources
For an additional amount for `Education and Human Resources', $100,000,000: Provided,
That $60,000,000 shall be for activities authorized by section 7030 of
Public Law 110-69 and $40,000,000 shall be for activities authorized by
section 9 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002
(42 U.S.C. 1862n).
major research equipment and facilities construction
For an additional amount for `Major Research Equipment and
Facilities Construction', $400,000,000, which shall be available only
for approved projects.
TITLE IV--DEFENSE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Facility Infrastructure Investments, Defense
For expenses, not otherwise provided for, to improve,
repair and modernize Department of Defense facilities, restore and
modernize Army barracks, and invest in the energy efficiency of
Department of Defense facilities, $4,500,000,000, for Facilities
Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization programs of the Department
of Defense (including minor construction and major maintenance and
repair), which shall be available as follows:
(1) `Operation and Maintenance, Army', $1,490,804,000.
(2) `Operation and Maintenance, Navy', $624,380,000.
(3) `Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps', $128,499,000.
(4) `Operation and Maintenance, Air Force', $1,236,810,000.
(5) `Defense Health Program', $454,658,000.
(6) `Operation and Maintenance, Army Reserve', $110,899,000.
(7) `Operation and Maintenance, Navy Reserve', $62,162,000.
(8) `Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps Reserve', $45,038,000.
(9) `Operation and Maintenance, Air Force Reserve', $14,881,000.
(10) `Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard', $302,700,000.
(11) `Operation and Maintenance, Air National Guard', $29,169,000.
Energy Research and Development, Defense
For expenses, not otherwise provided for, for research,
development, test and evaluation programs for improvements in energy
generation, transmission, regulation, use, and storage, for military
installations, military vehicles, and other military equipment,
$350,000,000, which shall be available as follows:
(1) `Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army', $87,500,000.
(2) `Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy', $87,500,000.
(3) `Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force', $87,500,000.
(4) `Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide', $87,500,000
TITLE V--ENERGY AND WATER
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Corps of Engineers--Civil
construction
For an additional amount for `Construction', $2,000,000,000: Provided, That section 102 of Public Law 109-103 (33 U.S.C. 2221) shall not apply to funds provided in this paragraph: Provided further,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds provided in this
paragraph shall not be cost shared with the Inland Waterways Trust Fund
as authorized in Public Law 99-662: Provided further, That funds provided in this paragraph may only be used for programs, projects or activities previously funded: Provided further,
That the Corps of Engineers is directed to prioritize funding for
activities based on the ability to accelerate existing contracts or
fully fund project elements and contracts for such elements in a time
period of 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act giving
preference to projects and activities that are labor intensive: Provided further,
That funds provided in this paragraph shall be used for elements of
projects, programs or activities that can be completed using funds
provided herein: Provided further, That funds appropriated in
this paragraph may be used by the Secretary of the Army, acting through
the Chief of Engineers, to undertake work authorized to be carried out
in accordance with one or more of section 14 of the Flood Control Act
of 1946 (33 U.S.C. 701r), section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948
(33 U.S.C. 701s), section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of
1996 (33 U.S.C. 2330), and section 1135 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2309a), notwithstanding the program
cost limitations set forth in those sections: Provided further,
That the limitation concerning total project costs in section 902 of
the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, as amended (33 U.S.C.
2280), shall not apply during fiscal year 2009 to any project that
received funds provided in this title: Provided further, That
for projects that are being completed with funds appropriated in this
Act that are otherwise expired or lapsed for obligation, expired or
lapsed funds appropriated in this Act may be used to pay the cost of
associated supervision, inspection, overhead, engineering and design on
those projects and on subsequent claims, if any: Provided further,
That the Secretary of the Army shall submit a quarterly report to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Senate detailing the allocation, obligation and expenditures of these
funds, beginning not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act.
mississippi river and tributaries
For an additional amount for `Mississippi River and Tributaries', $250,000,000: Provided, That funds provided in this paragraph may only be used for programs, projects, or activities previously funded: Provided further,
That the Corps of Engineers is directed to prioritize funding for
activities based on the ability to accelerate existing contracts or
fully fund project elements and contracts for such elements in a time
period of 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act giving
preference to projects and activities that are labor intensive: Provided further,
That funds provided in this paragraph shall be used for elements of
projects, programs, or activities that can be completed using funds
provided herein: Provided further, That for projects that are
being completed with funds appropriated in this Act that are otherwise
expired or lapsed for obligation, expired or lapsed funds appropriated
in this Act may be used to pay the cost of associated supervision,
inspection, overhead, engineering and design on those projects and on
subsequent claims, if any: Provided further, That the
Secretary of the Army shall submit a quarterly report to the Committees
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate
detailing the allocation, obligation and expenditures of these funds,
beginning not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act.
operation and maintenance
For an additional amount for `Operation and Maintenance', $2,225,000,000: Provided,
That the Corps of Engineers is directed to prioritize funding for
activities based on the ability to accelerate existing contracts or
fully fund project elements and contracts for such elements in a time
period of 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act giving
preference to projects and activities that are labor intensive: Provided further,
That funds provided in this paragraph shall be used for elements of
projects, programs, or activities that can be completed using funds
provided herein: Provided further, That for projects that are
being completed with funds appropriated in this Act that are otherwise
expired or lapsed for obligation, expired or lapsed funds appropriated
in this Act may be used to pay the cost of associated supervision,
inspection, overhead, engineering and design on those projects and on
subsequent claims, if any: Provided further, That the
Secretary of the Army shall submit a quarterly report to the Committees
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate
detailing the allocation, obligation and expenditures of these funds,
beginning not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act.
regulatory program
For an additional amount for `Regulatory Program', $25,000,000.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
water and related resources
For an additional amount for `Water and Related Resources', $500,000,000: Provided,
That of the amount appropriated under this heading, not less than
$126,000,000 shall be used for water reclamation and reuse projects
authorized under title XVI of Public Law 102-575: Provided further,
That of the amount appropriated under this heading, not less than
$80,000,000 shall be used for rural water projects and these funds
shall be expended primarily on water intake and treatment facilities of
such projects: Provided further, That the costs of
reimbursable activities, other than for maintenance and rehabilitation,
carried out with funds made available under this heading shall be
repaid pursuant to existing authorities and agreements: Provided further,
That the costs of maintenance and rehabilitation activities carried out
with funds provided in this Act shall be repaid pursuant to existing
authority, except the length of repayment period shall be determined on
needs-based criteria to be established and adopted by the Commissioner
of the Bureau of Reclamation, but in no case shall the repayment period
exceed 25 years.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
ENERGY PROGRAMS
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
For an additional amount for `Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy', $18,500,000,000, which shall be used as follows:
(1) $2,000,000,000 shall be for expenses necessary for
energy efficiency and renewable energy research, development,
demonstration and deployment activities, to accelerate the development
of technologies, to include advanced batteries, of which not less than
$800,000,000 is for biomass and $400,000,000 is for geothermal
technologies.
(2) $500,000,000 shall be for expenses necessary to
implement the programs authorized under part E of title III of the
Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6341 et seq.).
(3) $1,000,000,000 shall be for the cost of grants to
institutional entities for energy sustainability and efficiency under
section 399A of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C.
6371h-1).
(4) $6,200,000,000 shall be for the Weatherization
Assistance Program under part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation
and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.).
(5) $3,500,000,000 shall be for Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grants, for implementation of programs authorized
under subtitle E of title V of the Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17151 et seq.).
(6) $3,400,000,000 shall be for the State Energy
Program authorized under part D of title III of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321).
(7) $200,000,000 shall be for expenses necessary to
implement the programs authorized under section 131 of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17011).
(8) $300,000,000 shall be for expenses necessary to
implement the program authorized under section 124 of the Energy Policy
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15821) and the Energy Star program.
(9) $400,000,000 shall be for expenses necessary to
implement the program authorized under section 721 of the Energy Policy
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16071).
(10) $1,000,000,000 shall be for expenses necessary for
the manufacturing of advanced batteries authorized under section
136(b)(1)(B) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42
U.S.C. 17013(b)(1)(B)):
Provided, That notwithstanding section 3304 of
title 5, United States Code, and without regard to the provisions of
sections 3309 through 3318 of such title 5, the Secretary of Energy
may, upon a determination that there is a severe shortage of candidates
or a critical hiring need for particular positions, recruit and
directly appoint highly qualified individuals into the competitive
service: Provided further, That such authority shall not apply to positions in the Excepted Service or the Senior Executive Service: Provided further,
That any action authorized herein shall be consistent with the merit
principles of section 2301 of such title 5, and the Department shall
comply with the public notice requirements of section 3327 of such
title 5.
Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
For an additional amount for `Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability,' $4,500,000,000: Provided,
That funds shall be available for expenses necessary for electricity
delivery and energy reliability activities to modernize the electric
grid, enhance security and reliability of the energy infrastructure,
energy storage research, development, demonstration and deployment, and
facilitate recovery from disruptions to the energy supply, and for
implementation of programs authorized under title XIII of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17381 et seq.): Provided further, That of such amounts, $100,000,000 shall be for worker training: Provided further,
That the Secretary of Energy may use or transfer amounts provided under
this heading to carry out new authority for transmission improvements,
if such authority is enacted in any subsequent Act, consistent with
existing fiscal management practices and procedures.
Advanced Battery Loan Guarantee Program
For the cost of guaranteed loans as authorized by section
135 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C.
17012), $1,000,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided,
That of such amount, $10,000,000 shall be used for administrative
expenses in carrying out the guaranteed loan program, and shall be in
lieu of the amount set aside under section 1106 of this Act: Provided further,
That the cost of such loans, including the cost of modifying such
loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974.
Institutional Loan Guarantee Program
For the cost of guaranteed loans as authorized by section
399A of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6371h-1),
$500,000,000: Provided, That of such amount, $10,000,000
shall be used for administrative expenses in carrying out the
guaranteed loan program, and shall be in lieu of the amount set aside
under section 1106 of this Act: Provided further, That the
cost of such loans, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall
be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program
For an additional amount for `Innovative Technology Loan
Guarantee Program' for the cost of guaranteed loans authorized by
section 1705 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, $8,000,000,000: Provided,
That of such amount, $25,000,000 shall be used for administrative
expenses in carrying out the guaranteed loan program, and shall be in
lieu of the amount set aside under section 1106 of this Act: Provided further,
That the cost of such loans, including the cost of modifying such
loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974.
Fossil Energy
For an additional amount for `Fossil Energy',
$2,400,000,000 for necessary expenses to demonstrate carbon capture and
sequestration technologies as authorized under section 702 of the
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
Science
For an additional amount for `Science', $2,000,000,000: Provided,
That of such amounts, not less than $400,000,000 shall be used for the
Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy authorized under section 5012
of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538): Provided further, That of such amounts, not less than $100,000,000 shall be used for advanced scientific computing.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER DEFENSE ACTIVITIES
Defense Environmental Cleanup
For an additional amount for `Defense Environmental Cleanup,' $500,000,000: Provided,
That such amounts shall be used for elements of projects, programs, or
activities that can be completed using funds provided herein.
GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS TITLE
SEC. 5001. WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION BORROWING AUTHORITY.
The Hoover Power Plant Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-381) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`TITLE III--BORROWING AUTHORITY
`SEC. 301. WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION BORROWING AUTHORITY.
`(a) Definitions- In this section--
`(1) ADMINISTRATOR- The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration.
`(2) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Treasury.
`(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, subject to paragraphs (2) through (5)--
`(A) the Western Area Power Administration may borrow funds from the Treasury; and
`(B) the Secretary shall, without further
appropriation and without fiscal year limitation, loan to the Western
Area Power Administration, on such terms as may be fixed by the
Administrator and the Secretary, such sums (not to exceed, in the
aggregate (including deferred interest), $3,250,000,000 in outstanding
repayable balances at any 1 time) as, in the judgment of the
Administrator, are from time to time required for the purpose of--
`(i) constructing, financing, facilitating, or
studying construction of new or upgraded electric power transmission
lines and related facilities with at least 1 terminus within the area
served by the Western Area Power Administration; and
`(ii) delivering or facilitating the delivery
of power generated by renewable energy resources constructed or
reasonably expected to be constructed after the date of enactment of
this section.
`(2) INTEREST- The rate of interest to be charged in
connection with any loan made pursuant to this subsection shall be
fixed by the Secretary, taking into consideration market yields on
outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of comparable
maturities as of the date of the loan.
`(3) REFINANCING- The Western Area Power Administration
may refinance loans taken pursuant to this section within the Treasury.
`(4) PARTICIPATION- The Administrator may permit other entities to participate in projects financed under this section.
`(5) CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW OF DISBURSEMENT- Effective
upon the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
have the authority to have utilized $1,750,000,000 at any one time. If
the Administrator seeks to borrow funds above $1,750,000,000, the funds
will be disbursed unless there is enacted, within 90 calendar days of
the first such request, a joint resolution that rescinds the remainder
of the balance of the borrowing authority provided in this section.
`(c) Transmission Line and Related Facility Projects-
`(1) IN GENERAL- For repayment purposes, each
transmission line and related facility project in which the Western
Area Power Administration participates pursuant to this section shall
be treated as separate and distinct from--
`(A) each other such project; and
`(B) all other Western Area Power Administration power and transmission facilities.
`(2) PROCEEDS- The Western Area Power Administration
shall apply the proceeds from the use of the transmission capacity from
an individual project under this section to the repayment of the
principal and interest of the loan from the Treasury attributable to
that project, after reserving such funds as the Western Area Power
Administration determines are necessary--
`(A) to pay for any ancillary services that are provided; and
`(B) to meet the costs of operating and maintaining the new project from which the revenues are derived.
`(3) SOURCE OF REVENUE- Revenue from the use of projects under this section shall be the only source of revenue for--
`(A) repayment of the associated loan for the project; and
`(B) payment of expenses for ancillary services and operation and maintenance.
`(4) LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY- Nothing in this section
confers on the Administrator any obligation to provide ancillary
services to users of transmission facilities developed under this
section.
`(1) IN GENERAL- For each project in which the Western
Area Power Administration participates pursuant to this section, the
Administrator shall certify, prior to committing funds for any such
project, that--
`(A) the project is in the public interest;
`(B) the project will not adversely impact system reliability or operations, or other statutory obligations; and
`(C) it is reasonable to expect that the proceeds from the project shall be adequate to make repayment of the loan.
`(2) FORGIVENESS OF BALANCES-
`(A) IN GENERAL- If, at the end of the useful life
of a project, there is a remaining balance owed to the Treasury under
this section, the balance shall be forgiven.
`(B) UNCONSTRUCTED PROJECTS- Funds expended to
study projects that are considered pursuant to this section but that
are not constructed shall be forgiven.
`(C) NOTIFICATION- The Administrator shall notify the Secretary of such amounts as are to be forgiven under this paragraph.
`(1) POLICIES AND PRACTICES- Prior to requesting any
loans under this section, the Administrator shall use a public process
to develop practices and policies that implement the authority granted
by this section.
`(2) REQUESTS FOR INTERESTS- In the course of selecting
potential projects to be funded under this section, the Administrator
shall seek requests for interest from entities interested in
identifying potential projects through one or more notices published in
the Federal Register.'.
SEC. 5002. BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION.
For the purposes of providing funds to assist in financing
the construction, acquisition, and replacement of the transmission
system of the Bonneville Power Administration and to implement the
authority of the Administrator under the Pacific Northwest Electric
Power Planning and Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 839 et seq.), an
additional $3,250,000,000 in borrowing authority is made available
under the Federal Columbia River Transmission System Act (16 U.S.C. 838
et seq.), to remain outstanding at any time.
SEC. 5003. APPROPRIATIONS TRANSFER AUTHORITY.
Not to exceed 20 percent of the amounts made available in
this Act to the Department of Energy for `Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy', `Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability', and
`Advanced Battery Loan Guarantee Program' may be transferred within and
between such accounts, except that no amount specified under any such
heading may be increased or decreased by more than a total of 20
percent by such transfers, and notification of such transfers shall be
submitted promptly to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
TITLE VI--FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Subtitle A--General Services
General Services Administration
federal buildings fund
limitations on availability of revenue
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount to be deposited in the Federal
Buildings Fund, $7,700,000,000 for real property activities with
priority given to activities that can commence promptly following
enactment of this Act; of which up to $1,000,000,000 shall be used for
construction, repair, and alteration of border facilities and land
ports of entry; of which not less than $6,000,000,000 shall be used for
construction, repair, and alteration of Federal buildings for projects
that will create the greatest impact on energy efficiency and
conservation; of which $108,000,000 shall remain available until
September 30, 2012, and shall be used for rental of space costs
associated with the construction, repair, and alteration of these
projects; Provided, That of the amounts provided,
$160,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2012, and shall
be for building operations in support of the activities described in
this paragraph: Provided further, That the preceding proviso shall apply to this appropriation in lieu of the provisions of section 1106 of this Act: Provided further,
That the Administrator of General Services is authorized to initiate
design, construction, repair, alteration, leasing, and other projects
through existing authorities of the Administrator: Provided further,
That the Administrator shall submit a detailed plan, by project,
regarding the use of funds to the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and the Senate within 30 days after enactment
of this Act, and shall provide notification to the Committees within 15
days prior to any changes regarding the use of these funds: Provided further,
That the Administrator shall report to the Committees on the obligation
of these funds on a quarterly basis beginning on June 30, 2009: Provided further,
That of the amounts provided, $4,000,000 shall be transferred to and
merged with `Government-Wide Policy', for the Office of Federal
High-Performance Green Buildings as authorized in the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-140).
energy efficient federal motor vehicle fleet procurement
For capital expenditures and necessary expenses of the
General Services Administration's Motor Vehicle Acquisition and Motor
Vehicle Leasing programs for the acquisition of motor vehicles,
including plug-in and alternative fuel vehicles, $600,000,000: Provided,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be 1 percent instead of the percentage specified
in such section: Provided further, That none of these funds
may be obligated until the Administrator of General Services submits to
the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and
the Senate, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, a plan for
expenditure of the funds that details the current inventory of the
Federal fleet owned by the General Services Administration, as well as
other Federal agencies, and the strategy to expend these funds to
replace a portion of the Federal fleet with the goal of substantially
increasing energy efficiency over the current status, including
increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions: Provided further,
That the Administrator shall report to the Committees on the obligation
of these funds on a quarterly basis beginning on June 30, 2009.
Subtitle B--Small Business
Small Business Administration
business loans program account
(including transfers of funds)
For the cost of direct loans and loan guarantees authorized by sections 6202 through 6205 of this Act, $426,000,000: Provided,
That such cost, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as
defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. In
addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan and
loan guarantee programs authorized by this Act, $4,000,000, which may
be transferred to and merged with the appropriations for Salaries and
Expenses: Provided, That this sentence shall apply to this appropriation in lieu of the provisions of section 1106 of this Act.
GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS SUBTITLE
SEC. 6201. ECONOMIC STIMULUS LENDING PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.
(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to permit the
Small Business Administration to guarantee up to 95 percent of
qualifying small business loans made by eligible lenders.
(b) Definitions- For purposes of this section:
(1) The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
(2) The term `qualifying small business loan' means any
loan to a small business concern that would be eligible for a loan
guarantee under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636)
or title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695
and following).
(3) The term `small business concern' has the same meaning as provided by section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
(c) Application- In order to participate in the loan
guarantee program under this section a lender shall submit an
application to the Administrator for the guarantee of up to 95 percent
of the principal amount of a qualifying small business loan. The
Administrator shall approve or deny each such application within 5
business days after receipt thereof. The Administrator may not delegate
to lenders the authority to approve or disapprove such applications.
(d) Fees- The Administrator may charge fees for guarantees
issued under this section. Such fees shall not exceed the fees
permitted for loan guarantees under section 7(a) of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 631 and following).
(e) Interest Rates- The Administrator may not guarantee
under this section any loan that bears interest at a rate higher than 3
percent above the higher of either of the following as quoted in the
Wall Street Journal on the first business day of the week in which such
guarantee is issued:
(1) The London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) for a 3-month period.
(1) ALIENS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES- A
loan guarantee may not be made under this section for a loan made to a
concern if an individual who is an alien unlawfully present in the
United States--
(A) has an ownership interest in that concern; or
(B) has an ownership interest in another concern that itself has an ownership interest in that concern.
(2) FIRMS IN VIOLATION OF IMMIGRATION LAWS- No loan
guarantee may be made under this section for a loan to any entity
found, based on a determination by the Secretary of Homeland Security
or the Attorney General to have engaged in a pattern or practice of
hiring, recruiting or referring for a fee, for employment in the United
States an alien knowing the person is an unauthorized alien.
(g) Criminal Background Checks- Prior to the approval of
any loan guarantee under this section, the Administrator may verify the
applicant's criminal background, or lack thereof, through the best
available means, including, if possible, use of the National Crime
Information Center computer system at the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
(h) Application of Other Law- Nothing in this section shall
be construed to exempt any activity of the Administrator under this
section from the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (title V of the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974; 2 U.S.C. 661
and following).
(i) Sunset- Loan guarantees may not be issued under this
section after the date 90 days after the date of establishment (as
determined by the Administrator) of the economic recovery program under
section 6204.
(j) Small Business Act Provisions- The provisions of the
Small Business Act applicable to loan guarantees under section 7 of
that Act shall apply to loan guarantees under this section except as
otherwise provided in this section.
(k) Authorization- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 6202. ESTABLISHMENT OF SBA SECONDARY MARKET LENDING AUTHORITY.
(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to provide the
Small Business Administration with the authority to establish a
Secondary Market Lending Authority within the SBA to make loans to the
systemically important SBA secondary market broker-dealers who operate
the SBA secondary market.
(b) Definitions- For purposes of this section:
(1) The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the SBA.
(2) The term `SBA' means the Small Business Administration.
(3) The terms `Secondary Market Lending Authority' and `Authority' mean the office established under subsection (c).
(4) The term `SBA secondary market' means the market
for the purchase and sale of loans originated, underwritten, and closed
under the Small Business Act.
(5) The term `Systemically Important Secondary Market
Broker-Dealers' mean those entities designated under subsection (c)(1)
as vital to the continued operation of the SBA secondary market by
reason of their purchase and sale of the government guaranteed portion
of loans, or pools of loans, originated, underwritten, and closed under
the Small Business Act.
(c) Responsibilities, Authorities, Organization, and Limitations-
(1) DESIGNATION OF SYSTEMICALLY IMPORTANT SBA SECONDARY
MARKET BROKER-DEALERS- The Administrator shall establish a process to
designate, in consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve and the Secretary of the Treasury, Systemically Important
Secondary Market Broker-Dealers.
(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF SBA SECONDARY MARKET LENDING AUTHORITY-
(i) The Administrator shall establish within
the SBA an office to provide loans to Systemically Important Secondary
Market Broker-dealers to be used for the purpose of financing the
inventory of the government guaranteed portion of loans, originated,
underwritten, and closed under the Small Business Act or pools of such
loans.
(ii) The Administrator shall appoint a Director of the Authority who shall report to the Administrator.
(iii) The Administrator is authorized to hire such personnel as are necessary to operate the Authority.
(iv) The Administrator may contract such
Authority operations as he determines necessary to qualified
third-party companies or individuals.
(v) The Administrator is authorized to contract
with private sector fiduciary and custodial agents as necessary to
operate the Authority.
(i) The Administrator shall establish by rule a
process under which Systemically Important SBA Secondary Market
Broker-Dealers designated under paragraph (1) may apply to the
Administrator for loans under this section.
(ii) The rule under clause (i) shall provide a
process for the Administrator to consider and make decisions regarding
whether or not to extend a loan applied for under this section. Such
rule shall include provisions to assure each of the following:
(I) That loans made under this section are
for the sole purpose of financing the inventory of the government
guaranteed portion of loans, originated, underwritten, and closed under
the Small Business Act or pools of such loans.
(II) That loans made under this section are fully collateralized to the satisfaction of the Administrator.
(III) That there is no limit to the
frequency in which a borrower may borrow under this section unless the
Administrator determines that doing so would create an undue risk of
loss to the agency or the United States.
(IV) That there is no limit on the size of a loan, subject to the discretion of the Administrator.
(iii) Interest on loans under this section
shall not exceed the Federal Funds target rate as established by the
Federal Reserve Board of Governors plus 25 basis points.
(iv) The rule under this section shall provide
for such loan documents, legal covenants, collateral requirements and
other required documentation as necessary to protect the interests of
the agency, the United States, and the taxpayer.
(v) The Administrator shall establish custodial
accounts to safeguard any collateral pledged to the SBA in connection
with a loan under this section.
(vi) The Administrator shall establish a process to disburse and receive funds to and from borrowers under this section.
(C) LIMITATIONS ON USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS BY
SYSTEMICALLY IMPORTANT SECONDARY MARKET BROKER-DEALERS- The
Administrator shall ensure that borrowers under this section are using
funds provided under this section only for the purpose specified in
subparagraph (B)(ii)(I). If the Administrator finds that such funds
were used for any other purpose, the Administrator shall--
(i) require immediate repayment of outstanding loans;
(ii) prohibit the borrower, its affiliates, or
any future corporate manifestation of the borrower from using the
Authority; and
(iii) take any other actions the Administrator,
in consultation with the Attorney General of the United States, deems
appropriate.
(d) Report to Congress- The Administrator shall submit a
report to Congress not later than the third business day of each month
containing a statement of each of the following:
(1) The aggregate loan amounts extended during the preceding month under this section.
(2) The aggregate loan amounts repaid under this section during the proceeding month.
(3) The aggregate loan amount outstanding under this section.
(4) The aggregate value of assets held as collateral under this section.
(5) The amount of any defaults or delinquencies on loans made under this section.
(6) The identity of any borrower found by the Administrator to misuse funds made available under this section.
(7) Any other information the Administrator deems
necessary to fully inform Congress of undue risk of financial loss to
the United States in connection with loans made under this section.
(e) Duration- The authority of this section shall remain in
effect for a period of 2 years after the date of enactment of this
section.
(f) Funding- Such sums as necessary are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this section.
(g) Budget Treatment- Nothing in this section shall be
construed to exempt any activity of the Administrator under this
section from the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (title V of the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974; 2 U.S.C. 661
and following).
(h) Emergency Rulemaking Authority- The Administrator shall
promulgate regulations under this section within 15 days after the date
of enactment of enactment of this section. In promulgating these
regulations, the Administrator the notice requirements of section
553(b) of title 5 of the United States Code shall not apply.
SEC. 6203. ESTABLISHMENT OF SBA SECONDARY MARKET GUARANTEE AUTHORITY.
(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to provide the
Administrator with the authority to establish the SBA Secondary Market
Guarantee Authority within the SBA to provide a Federal guarantee for
pools of first lien 504 loans that are to be sold to third-party
investors.
(b) Definitions- For purposes of this section:
(1) The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
(2) The term `first lien position 504 loan' means the
first mortgage position, non-federally guaranteed loans made by private
sector lenders made under title V of the Small Business Investment Act.
(c) Establishment of Authority-
(A) The Administrator shall establish a Secondary Market Guarantee Authority within the Small Business Administration.
(B) The Administrator shall appoint a Director of the Authority who shall report to the Administrator.
(C) The Administrator is authorized to hire such
personnel as are necessary to operate the Authority and may contract
such operations of the Authority as necessary to qualified third-party
companies or individuals.
(D) The Administrator is authorized to contract
with private sector fiduciary and custodial agents as necessary to
operate the Authority.
(A) The Administrator shall establish, by rule, a
process in which private sector entities may apply to the
Administration for a Federal guarantee on pools of first lien position
504 loans that are to be sold to third-party investors.
(B) The Administrator shall appoint a Director of the Authority who shall report to the Administrator.
(C) The Administrator is authorized to hire such
personnel as are necessary to operate the Authority and may contract
such operations of the Authority as necessary to qualified third-party
companies or individuals.
(D) The Administrator is authorized to contract
with private sector fiduciary and custodial agents as necessary to
operate the Authority.
(A) The Administrator shall establish, by rule, a
process in which private sector entities may apply to the SBA for a
Federal guarantee on pools of first lien position 504 loans that are to
be sold to third-party investors.
(B) The rule under this section shall provide for a
process for the Administrator to consider and make decisions regarding
whether to extend a Federal guarantee referred to in clause (i). Such
rule shall also provide that:
(i) The seller of the pools purchasing a
guarantee under this section retains not less than 5 percent of the
dollar amount of the pools to be sold to third-party investors.
(ii) The seller of such pools shall absorb any and all losses resulting from a shortage or excess of monthly cash flows.
(iii) The Administrator shall receive a monthly
fee of not more than 50 basis points on the outstanding balance of the
dollar amount of the pools that are guaranteed.
(iv) The Administrator may guarantee not more than $3,000,000,0000 of pools under this authority.
(C) The Administrator shall establish documents,
legal covenants, and other required documentation to protect the
interests of the United States.
(D) The Administrator shall establish a process to
receive and disburse funds to entities under the authority established
in this section.
(1) The Administrator shall ensure that entities
purchasing a guarantee under this section are using such guarantee for
the purpose of selling 504 first lien position pools to third-party
investors.
(2) If the Administrator finds that any such guarantee
was used for a purpose other than that specified in paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall--
(A) terminate such guarantee immediately,
(B) prohibit the purchaser of the guarantee or its
affiliates (within the meaning of the regulations under 13 CFR 121.103)
from using the authority of this section in the future; and
(C) take any other actions the Administrator, in
consultation with the Attorney General of the United States deems
appropriate.
(e) Oversight- The Administrator shall submit a report to
Congress not later than the third business day of each month setting
forth each of the following:
(1) The aggregate amount of guarantees extended under this section during the proceeding month.
(2) The aggregate amount of guarantees outstanding.
(3) Defaults and payments on defaults made under this section.
(4) The identity of each purchaser of a guarantee found by the Administrator to have misused guarantees under this section.
(5) Any other information the Administrator deems
necessary to fully inform Congress of undue risk to the United States
associated with the issuance of guarantees under this section.
(f) Duration of Program- The authority of this section
shall terminate on the date 2 years after the date of enactment of this
section.
(g) Funding- Such sums as necessary are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this section.
(h) Budget Treatment- Nothing in this section shall be
construed to exempt any activity of the Administrator under this
section from the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (title V of the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974; 2 U.S.C. 661
and following).
(i) Emergency Rulemaking Authority- The Administrator shall
issue regulations under this section within 15 days after the date of
enactment of this section. The notice requirements of section 553(b) of
Title 5, United States Code shall not apply to the promulgation of such
regulations.
SEC. 6204. ECONOMIC RECOVERY PROGRAM.
(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to establish a
new lending and refinancing authority within the Small Business
Administration.
(b) Definitions- For purposes of this section:
(1) The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
(2) The term `small business concern' has the same meaning as provided by section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
(c) Refinancing Authority-
(1) IN GENERAL- Upon application from a lender (and
with consent of the borrower), the Administrator may refinance existing
non-Small Business Administration or Small Business Administration
loans (including loans under sections 7(a) and 504 of the Small
Business Act) made to small business concerns.
(2) ELIGIBLE LOANS- In order to be eligible for refinancing under this section--
(A) the amount of the loan refinanced may not exceed $10,000,000 and a first lien must be conveyed to the Administrator;
(B) the lender shall offer to accept from the
Administrator as full repayment of the loan an amount equal to less
than 100 percent but more than 85 percent of the remaining balance of
the principal of the loan; and
(C) the loan to be refinanced was made before the
date of enactment of this Act and for a purpose that would have been
eligible for a loan under any Small Business Administration lending
program.
(3) TERMS- The term of the refinancing by the
Administrator under this section shall not be less than remaining term
on the loan that is refinanced but shall not exceed a term of 20 years.
The rate of interest on the loan refinanced under this section shall be
fixed by the Administrator at a level that the Administrator determines
will result in manageable monthly payments for the borrower.
(4) LIMIT- The Administrator may not refinance amounts
under this section that are greater than the amount the lender agrees
to accept from the Administrator as full repayment of the loan as
provided in paragraph (2)(B).
(d) Underwriting and Other Loan Services-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator is authorized to
engage in underwriting, loan closing, funding, and servicing of loans
made to small business concerns and to guarantee loans made by other
entities to small business concerns.
(2) APPLICATION PROCESS- The Administrator shall by
rule establish a process in which small business concerns may submit
applications to the Administrator for the purposes of securing a loan
under this subsection. The Administrator shall, at a minimum, collect
all information necessary to determine the creditworthiness and
repayment ability of the borrower.
(3) PARTICIPATION OF LENDERS-
(A) The Administrator shall by rule establish a
process in which the Administrator makes available loan applications
and all accompanying information to lenders for the purpose of such
lenders originating, underwriting, closing, and servicing such loans.
(B) Lenders are eligible to receive loan
applications and accompanying information under this paragraph if they
participate in the programs established in section 7(a) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636) or title V of the Small Business
Investment Act (15 U.S.C. 695).
(C) The Administrator shall first make available
such loan applications and accompanying information to lenders within
100 miles of a loan applicant's principal office.
(D) If a lender described in subparagraph (C) does
not agree to originate, underwrite, close, and service such loans
within 5 business days of receiving the loan applications, the
Administrator shall subsequently make available such loan applications
and accompanying information to lenders in the Preferred Lenders
Program under section 7(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636).
(E) If a lender described in subparagraph (C) or
(D) does not agree to originate, underwrite, close, and service such
loans within 10 business days of receiving the loan applications, the
Administrator may originate, underwrite, close, and service such loans
as described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(4) ASSET SALES- The Administrator shall offer to sell
loans made or refinanced by the Administrator under this section. Such
sales shall be made through semi-annual public solicitation (in the
Federal Register and in other media) of offers to purchase. The
Administrator may contract with vendors for due diligence, asset
valuation, and other services related to such sales. The Administrator
may not sell any loan under this section for less than 90 percent of
the net present value of the loan, as determined and certified by a
qualified third-party.
(5) LOANS NOT SOLD- The Administrator shall maintain
and service loans made by the Administrator under this section that are
not sold through the asset sales under this section.
(e) Duration- The authority of this section shall terminate
on the date two years after the date on which the program under this
section becomes operational (as determined by the Administrator).
(f) Application of Other Law- Nothing in this section shall
be construed to exempt any activity of the Administrator under this
section from the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (title V of the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974; 2 U.S.C. 661
and following).
(1) ALIENS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES- A
loan to any concern shall not be subject to this section if an
individual who is an alien unlawfully present in the United States--
(A) has an ownership interest in that concern; or
(B) has an ownership interest in another concern that itself has an ownership interest in that concern.
(2) FIRMS IN VIOLATION OF IMMIGRATION LAWS- No loan
shall be subject to this section if the borrower is an entity found,
based on a determination by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the
Attorney General to have engaged in a pattern or practice of hiring,
recruiting or referring for a fee, for employment in the United States
an alien knowing the person is an unauthorized alien.
(h) Reports- The Administrator shall submit a report to
Congress semi-annually setting forth the aggregate amount of loans and
geographic dispersion of such loans made, underwritten, closed, funded,
serviced, sold, guaranteed, or held by the Administrator under the
authority of this section. Such report shall also set forth information
concerning loan defaults, prepayments, and recoveries related to loans
,made under the authority of this section.
(i) Authorization- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 6205. STIMULUS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LENDING.
(a) Refinancing Under the Local Development Business Loan
Program- Section 502 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15
U.S.C. 696) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(7) PERMISSIBLE DEBT REFINANCING-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Any financing approved under this title may include a limited amount of debt refinancing.
`(B) EXPANSIONS- If the project involves expansion
of a small business concern which has existing indebtedness
collateralized by fixed assets, any amount of existing indebtedness
that does not exceed 1/2 of the project cost of the expansion may be
refinanced and added to the expansion cost, if--
`(i) the proceeds of the indebtedness were used
to acquire land, including a building situated thereon, to construct a
building thereon, or to purchase equipment;
`(ii) the borrower has been current on all
payments due on the existing debt for not less than 1 year preceding
the date of refinancing; and
`(iii) the financing under section 504 will
provide better terms or rate of interest than exists on the debt at the
time of refinancing.'.
(b) Job Creation Goals- Section 501(e)(1) and section
501(e)(2) of the Small Business Investment Act (15 U.S.C. 695) are each
amended by striking `$50,000' and inserting `$65,000'.
SEC. 6206. INCREASING SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT.
(a) Simplified Maximum Leverage Limits- Section 303(b) of
the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 683(b)) is
amended--
(1) by striking so much of paragraph (2) as precedes subparagraphs (C) and (D) and inserting the following:
`(A) IN GENERAL- The maximum amount of outstanding
leverage made available to any one company licensed under section
301(c) of this Act may not exceed the lesser of--
`(i) 300 percent of such company's private capital; or
`(B) MULTIPLE LICENSES UNDER COMMON CONTROL- The
maximum amount of outstanding leverage made available to two or more
companies licensed under section 301(c) of this Act that are commonly
controlled (as determined by the Administrator) and not under capital
impairment may not exceed $225,000,000.'; and
(2) by striking paragraph (4).
(b) Simplified Aggregate Investment Limitations- Section
306(a) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 686(a))
is amended to read as follows:
`(a) Percentage Limitation on Private Capital- If any small
business investment company has obtained financing from the
Administrator and such financing remains outstanding, the aggregate
amount of securities acquired and for which commitments may be issued
by such company under the provisions of this title for any single
enterprise shall not, without the approval of the Administrator, exceed
10 percent of the sum of--
`(1) the private capital of such company; and
`(2) the total amount of leverage projected by the
company in the company's business plan that was approved by the
Administrator at the time of the grant of the company's license.'.
SEC. 6207. GAO REPORT.
(a) Report- Not later than 30 days after the enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall report to
the Congress on the actions of the Administrator in implementing the
authority established in sections 6201 through 6206 of this Act.
(b) Included Item- The report under this section shall
include a summary of the activity of the Administrator under this
section and an analysis of whether he is accomplishing the purpose of
increasing liquidity in the secondary market for Small Business
Administration loans.
TITLE VII--HOMELAND SECURITY
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for `Salaries and Expenses',
$100,000,000, for non-intrusive detection technology to be deployed at
sea ports of entry.
construction
For an additional amount for `Construction', $150,000,000,
to repair and construct inspection facilities at land border ports of
entry.
Transportation Security Administration
aviation security
For an additional amount for `Aviation Security',
$500,000,000, for the purchase and installation of explosive detection
systems and emerging checkpoint technologies: Provided, That
the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security
Administration) shall prioritize the award of these funds to accelerate
the installations at locations with completed design plans and to
expeditiously award new letters of intent.
Coast Guard
alteration of bridges
For an additional amount for `Alteration of Bridges',
$150,000,000, for alteration or removal of obstructive bridges, as
authorized by section 6 of the Truman-Hobbs Act (33 U.S.C. 516): Provided, That the Coast Guard shall award these funds to those bridges that are ready to proceed to construction.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
emergency food and shelter
For an additional amount for `Emergency Food and Shelter',
$200,000,000, to carry out the emergency food and shelter program
pursuant to title III of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11331 et seq.): Provided, That for the purposes of
this appropriation, the redistribution required by section 1104(b)
shall be carried out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the
National Board, who may reallocate and obligate any funds that are
unclaimed or returned to the program: Provided further, That
the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section 1106
of this Act shall be 3.5 percent instead of the percentage specified in
such section.
GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS TITLE
SEC. 7001. EXTENSION OF PROGRAMS.
Section 401(b) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and
Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note) is amended
by striking `11-year period' and inserting `16-year period'.
SEC. 7002. PROTECTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Funding Under Agreement- Effective for fiscal years
beginning on or after October 1, 2008, the Commissioner of Social
Security and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall enter into and
maintain an agreement which shall--
(1) provide funds to the Commissioner for the full
costs of the responsibilities of the Commissioner under section 404 of
the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
(8 U.S.C. 1324a note), including (but not limited to)--
(A) acquiring, installing, and maintaining
technological equipment and systems necessary for the fulfillment of
the responsibilities of the Commissioner under such section 404, but
only that portion of such costs that are attributable exclusively to
such responsibilities; and
(B) responding to individuals who contest a
tentative nonconfirmation provided by the basic pilot confirmation
system established under such section;
(2) provide such funds quarterly in advance of the
applicable quarter based on estimating methodology agreed to by the
Commissioner and the Secretary (except in such instances where the
delayed enactment of an annual appropriation may preclude such
quarterly payments); and
(3) require an annual accounting and reconciliation of
the actual costs incurred and the funds provided under the agreement,
which shall be reviewed by the Office of Inspector General of the
Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
(b) Continuation of Employment Verification in Absence of
Timely Agreement- In any case in which the agreement required under
subsection (a) for any fiscal year beginning on or after October 1,
2008, has not been reached as of October 1 of such fiscal year, the
latest agreement between the Commissioner and the Secretary of Homeland
Security providing for funding to cover the costs of the
responsibilities of the Commissioner under section 404 of the Illegal
Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C.
1324a note) shall be deemed in effect on an interim basis for such
fiscal year until such time as an agreement required under subsection
(a) is subsequently reached, except that the terms of such interim
agreement shall be modified by the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget to adjust for inflation and any increase or decrease in the
volume of requests under the basic pilot confirmation system. In any
case in which an interim agreement applies for any fiscal year under
this subsection, the Commissioner and the Secretary shall, not later
than October 1 of such fiscal year, notify the Committee on Ways and
Means, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Finance, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate of the failure to reach the agreement
required under subsection (a) for such fiscal year. Until such time as
the agreement required under subsection (a) has been reached for such
fiscal year, the Commissioner and the Secretary shall, not later than
the end of each 90-day period after October 1 of such fiscal year,
notify such Committees of the status of negotiations between the
Commissioner and the Secretary in order to reach such an agreement.
SEC. 7003. GAO STUDY OF BASIC PILOT CONFIRMATION SYSTEM.
(a) In General- As soon as practicable after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a study regarding erroneous tentative nonconfirmations
under the basic pilot confirmation system established under section
404(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility
Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note).
(b) Matters To Be Studied- In the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall determine and analyze--
(1) the causes of erroneous tentative nonconfirmations under the basic pilot confirmation system;
(2) the processes by which such erroneous tentative nonconfirmations are remedied; and
(3) the effect of such erroneous tentative nonconfirmations on individuals, employers, and Federal agencies.
(c) Report- Not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit the results
of the study required under subsection (a) to the Committee on Ways and
Means and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Finance and the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate.
SEC. 7004. GAO STUDY OF EFFECTS OF BASIC PILOT PROGRAM ON SMALL ENTITIES.
(a) In General- Not later than 2 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States
House of Representatives and the Senate a report containing the
Comptroller General's analysis of the effects of the basic pilot
program described in section 403(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform
and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note) on small
entities (as defined in section 601 of title 5, United States Code).
The report shall detail--
(1) the costs of compliance with such program on small entities;
(2) a description and an estimate of the number of
small entities enrolled and participating in such program or an
explanation of why no such estimate is available;
(3) the projected reporting, recordkeeping and other compliance requirements of such program on small entities;
(4) factors that impact small entities' enrollment and
participation in such program, including access to appropriate
technology, geography, entity size, and class of entity; and
(5) the steps, if any, the Secretary of Homeland
Security has taken to minimize the economic impact of participating in
such program on small entities.
(b) Direct and Indirect Effects- The report shall cover,
and treat separately, direct effects (such as wages, time, and fees
spent on compliance) and indirect effects (such as the effect on cash
flow, sales, and competitiveness).
(c) Specific Contents- The report shall provide specific and separate details with respect to--
(1) small businesses (as defined in section 601 of title 5, United States Code) with fewer than 50 employees; and
(2) small entities operating in States that have mandated use of the basic pilot program.
SEC. 7005. WAIVER OF MATCHING REQUIREMENT UNDER SAFER PROGRAM.
Subparagraph (E) of section 34(a)(1) of the Federal Fire
Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229a(a)(1)(E)) shall not
apply with respect to funds appropriated in this or any other Act
making appropriations for fiscal year 2009 or 2010 for grants under
such section 34.
SEC. 7006. PROCUREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
(a) Requirement- Except as provided in subsections (c)
through (e), funds appropriated or otherwise available to the
Department of Homeland Security may not be used for the procurement of
an item described in subsection (b) if the item is not grown,
reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States.
(b) Covered Items- An item referred to in subsection (a) is
any of the following, if the item is directly related to the national
security interests of the United States:
(1) An article or item of--
(A) clothing and the materials and components
thereof, other than sensors, electronics, or other items added to, and
not normally associated with, clothing (and the materials and
components thereof);
(B) tents, tarpaulins, or covers;
(C) cotton and other natural fiber products, woven
silk or woven silk blends, spun silk yarn for cartridge cloth,
synthetic fabric or coated synthetic fabric (including all textile
fibers and yarns that are for use in such fabrics), canvas products, or
wool (whether in the form of fiber or yarn or contained in fabrics,
materials, or manufactured articles); or
(D) any item of individual equipment manufactured from or containing such fibers, yarns, fabrics, or materials.
(c) Availability Exception- Subsection (a) does not apply
to the extent that the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that
satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity of any such article or
item described in subsection (b)(1) grown, reprocessed, reused, or
produced in the United States cannot be procured as and when needed.
(d) Exception for Certain Procurements Outside the United States- Subsection (a) does not apply to the following:
(1) Procurements by vessels in foreign waters.
(2) Emergency procurements.
(e) Exception for Small Purchases- Subsection (a) does not
apply to purchases for amounts not greater than the simplified
acquisition threshold referred to in section 2304(g) of title 10,
United States Code.
(f) Applicability to Contracts and Subcontracts for
Procurement of Commercial Items- This section is applicable to
contracts and subcontracts for the procurement of commercial items
notwithstanding section 34 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy
Act (41 U.S.C. 430).
(g) Geographic Coverage- In this section, the term `United States' includes the possessions of the United States.
(h) Notification Required Within 7 Days After Contract
Award if Certain Exceptions Applied- In the case of any contract for
the procurement of an item described in subsection (b)(1), if the
Secretary of Homeland Security applies an exception set forth in
subsection (c) with respect to that contract, the Secretary shall, not
later than 7 days after the award of the contract, post a notification
that the exception has been applied on the Internet site maintained by
the General Services Administration know as FedBizOps.gov (or any
successor site).
(i) Training During Fiscal Year 2008-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Homeland Security
shall ensure that each member of the acquisition workforce in the
Department of Homeland Security who participates personally and
substantially in the acquisition of textiles on a regular basis
receives training during fiscal year 2009 on the requirements of this
section and the regulations implementing this section.
(2) INCLUSION OF INFORMATION IN NEW TRAINING PROGRAMS-
The Secretary shall ensure that any training program for the
acquisition work force developed or implemented after the date of the
enactment of this Act includes comprehensive information on the
requirements described in paragraph (1).
(j) Consistency With International Agreements-
(1) IN GENERAL- No provision of this section shall
apply to the extent the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation
with the United States Trade Representative, determines that it is in
inconsistent with United States obligations under an international
agreement.
(2) REPORT- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall
submit a report each year to Congress containing, with respect to the
year covered by the report--
(A) a list of each provision of this section that
did not apply during that year pursuant to a determination by the
Secretary under paragraph (1); and
(B) a list of each contract awarded by the
Department of Homeland Security during that year without regard to a
provision in this section because that provision was made inapplicable
pursuant to such a determination.
(k) Effective Date- This section applies with respect to
contracts entered into by the Department of Homeland Security after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
TITLE VIII--INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
construction
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount for `Construction', $325,000,000,
for priority road, bridge, and trail repair or decommissioning,
critical deferred maintenance projects, facilities construction and
renovation, hazardous fuels reduction, and remediation of abandoned
mine or well sites: Provided, That funds may be transferred to other appropriate accounts of the Bureau of Land management: Provided further,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
construction
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Construction', $300,000,000,
for priority road and bridge repair and replacement, and critical
deferred maintenance and improvement projects on National Wildlife
Refuges, National Fish Hatcheries, and other Service properties: Provided, That funds may be transferred to `Resource Management': Provided further,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section.
National Park Service
construction
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Construction',
$1,700,000,000, for projects to address critical deferred maintenance
needs within the National Park System, including roads, bridges and
trails, and for other critical infrastructure projects: Provided, That funds may be transferred to `Operation of the National Park System': Provided further,
That $200,000,000 of these funds shall be for projects related to the
preservation and repair of historical and cultural resources within the
National Park System: Provided further, That $15,000,000 of
these funds shall be transferred to the `Historic Preservation Fund'
for historic preservation projects at historically black colleges and
universities as authorized by the Historic Preservation Fund Act of
1996 and the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Act of 1996, except that
any matching requirements otherwise required for such projects are
waived: Provided further, That the amount set aside from this
appropriation pursuant to section 1106 of this Act shall be not more
than 5 percent instead of the percentage specified in such section.
centennial challenge
To carry out provisions of section 814(g) of Public Law
104-333 relating to challenge cost share agreements, $100,000,000, for
National Park Service Centennial Challenge signature projects and
programs: Provided, That not less than 50 percent of the
total cost of each project or program is derived from non-Federal
sources in the form of donated cash, assets, in-kind services, or a
pledge of donation guaranteed by an irrevocable letter of credit: Provided further,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section.
United States Geological Survey
surveys, investigations, and research
For an additional amount for `Surveys, Investigations, and
Research', $200,000,000, for repair and restoration of facilities;
equipment replacement and upgrades including stream gages, and seismic
and volcano monitoring systems; national map activities; and other
critical deferred maintenance and improvement projects: Provided,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
construction
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Construction', $500,000,000,
for priority repair and replacement of schools, detention centers,
roads, bridges, employee housing, and critical deferred maintenance
projects: Provided, That not less than $250,000,000 shall be used for new and replacement schools and detention centers: Provided further, That funds may be transferred to `Operation of Indian Programs': Provided further,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Hazardous Substance Superfund
For an additional amount for `Hazardous Substance
Superfund', $800,000,000, which shall be used for the Superfund
Remedial program: Provided, That amounts available by law
from this appropriation for management and administration shall take
the place of the set-aside under section 1106 of this Act.
Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program
For an additional amount for `Leaking Underground Storage
Tank Trust Fund Program', to carry out leaking underground storage tank
cleanup activities authorized by subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal
Act, $200,000,000, which shall be used to carry out leaking underground
storage tank cleanup activities authorized by section 9003(h) of the
Solid Waste Disposal Act, except that such funds shall not be subject
to the State matching requirements in section 9003(h)(7)(B): Provided,
That amounts available by law from this appropriation for management
and administration shall take the place of the set-aside under section
1106 of this Act.
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
For an additional amount for `State and Tribal Assistance Grants', $8,400,000,000, which shall be used as follows:
(1) $6,000,000,000 shall be for capitalization grants
for the Clean Water State Revolving Funds under title VI of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.), except that such
funds shall not be subject to the State matching requirements in
paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 602(b) of such Act or to the Federal
cost share limitations in section 202 of such Act: Provided,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 2 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section: Provided further, That,
notwithstanding the limitation on amounts specified in section 518(c)
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, up to a total of 1.5
percent of such funds may be reserved by the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency for grants under section 518(c) of such
Act: Provided further, That the requirements of section 513
of such Act shall apply to the construction of treatment works carried
out in whole or in part with assistance made available under this
heading by a Clean Water State Revolving Fund under title VI of such
Act, or with assistance made available under section 205(m) of such
Act, or both: Provided further, That, notwithstanding the
requirements of section 603(d) of such Act, each State shall use 50
percent of the amount of the capitalization grant received by the State
under title VI of such Act to provide assistance, in the form of
additional subsidization, including forgiveness of principal, negative
interest loans, and grants, to municipalities (as defined in section
502 of such Act) for projects that are included on the State's priority
list established under section 603(g) of such Act, of which 80 percent
shall be for projects to benefit municipalities that meet affordability
criteria as determined by the Governor of the State and 20 percent
shall be for projects to address water-efficiency goals, address
energy-efficiency goals, mitigate stormwater runoff, or encourage
environmentally sensitive project planning, design, and construction,
to the extent that there are sufficient project applications eligible
for such assistance.
(2) $2,000,000,000 shall be for capitalization grants
for the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds under section 1452 of the
Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-12), except that such funds
shall not be subject to the State matching requirements of section
1452(e) of such Act: Provided, That the amount set aside from
this appropriation pursuant to section 1106 of this Act shall be not
more than 2 percent instead of the percentage specified in such
section: Provided further, That section 1452(k) of the Safe Drinking Water Act shall not apply to such funds: Provided further,
That the requirements of section 1450(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
300j-9(e)) shall apply to the construction carried out in whole or part
with assistance made available under this heading by a Drinking Water
State Revolving fund under section 1452 of such Act: Provided further,
That, notwithstanding the requirements of section 1452(a)(2) of such
Act, each State shall use 50 percent of the amount of the
capitalization grant received by the State under section 1452 of such
Act to provide assistance, in the form of additional subsidization,
including forgiveness of principal, negative interest loans, and
grants, to municipalities (as defined in section 1401 of such Act) for
projects that are included on the State's priority list established
under section 1452(b)(3) of such Act.
(3) $300,000,000 shall be for grants under title VII, Subtitle G of the Energy Policy Act of 2005: Provided,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 3 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section.
(4) $100,000,000 shall be to carry out section 104(k)
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980: Provided, That the amount set aside
from this appropriation pursuant to section 1106 of this Act shall be
not more than 3 percent instead of the percentage specified in such
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
capital improvement and maintenance
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Capital Improvement and
Maintenance', $650,000,000, for reconstruction, capital improvement,
decommissioning, and maintenance of forest roads, bridges and trails;
alternative energy technologies, energy efficiency enhancements and
deferred maintenance at Federal facilities; and for remediation of
abandoned mine sites, removal of fish passage barriers, and other
critical habitat, forest improvement and watershed enhancement projects
on Federal lands and waters: Provided, That funds may be transferred to `National Forest System': Provided further,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section.
wildland fire management
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount for `Wildland Fire Management',
$850,000,000, of which $300,000,000 is for hazardous fuels reduction,
forest health, wood to energy grants and rehabilitation and restoration
activities on Federal lands, and of which $550,000,000 is for State
fire assistance hazardous fuels projects, volunteer fire assistance,
cooperative forest health projects, city forest enhancements, and wood
to energy grants on State and private lands: Provided, That amounts in this paragraph may be transferred to `State and Private Forestry' and `National Forest System': Provided further,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
indian health facilities
For an additional amount for `Indian Health Facilities',
$550,000,000, for priority health care facilities construction projects
and deferred maintenance, and the purchase of equipment and related
services, including but not limited to health information technology: Provided,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amounts available
under this paragraph shall be allocated at the discretion of the
Director of the Indian Health Service: Provided further, That
the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section 1106
of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the percentage
specified in such section.
OTHER RELATED AGENCIES
Smithsonian Institution
facilities capital
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Facilities Capital',
$150,000,000, for deferred maintenance projects, and for repair,
revitalization, and alteration of facilities owned or occupied by the
Smithsonian Institution, by contract or otherwise, as authorized by
section 2 of the Act of August 22, 1949 (63 Stat. 623): Provided, That funds may be transferred to `Salaries and Expenses': Provided further,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section.
National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities
National Endowment for the Arts
grants and administration
For an additional amount for `Grants and Administration',
$50,000,000, to be distributed in direct grants to fund arts projects
and activities which preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector
threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the
current economic downturn: Provided, That 40 percent of such
funds shall be distributed to State arts agencies and regional arts
organizations in a manner similar to the agency's current practice and
60 percent of such funds shall be for competitively selected arts
projects and activities according to sections 2 and 5(c) of the
National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
951, 954(c)): Provided further, That matching requirements under section 5(e) of such Act shall be waived: Provided further,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section.
TITLE IX--LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION
Subtitle A--Labor
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
training and employment services
For an additional amount for `Training and Employment
Services' for activities under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
(`WIA'), $4,000,000,000, which shall be available for obligation on the
date of enactment of this Act, as follows:
(1) $500,000,000 for grants to the States for adult employment and training activities.
(2) $1,200,000,000 for grants to the States for youth activities, including summer jobs for youth: Provided,
That the work readiness performance indicator described in section
136(b)(2)(A)(ii)(I) of the WIA shall be the only measure of performance
used to assess the effectiveness of summer jobs for youth provided with
such funds: Provided further, That with respect to the youth
activities provided with such funds, section 101(13)(A) of the WIA
shall be applied by substituting `age 24' for `age 21': Provided further, That no portion of the additional funds provided herein shall be reserved to carry out section 127(b)(1)(A) of the WIA: Provided further,
That for purposes of section 127(b)(1)(C)(iv) of the WIA, such funds
shall be allotted as if the total amount of funding available for youth
activities in the fiscal year does not exceed $1,000,000,000.
(3) $1,000,000,000 for grants to the States for dislocated worker employment and training activities.
(4) $500,000,000 for the dislocated workers assistance
national reserve to remain available for Federal obligation through
June 30, 2010: Provided, That such funds shall be made
available for grants only to eligible entities that serve areas of high
unemployment or high poverty and only for the purposes described in
subsection 173(a)(1) of the WIA: Provided further, That the
Secretary of Labor shall ensure that applicants for such funds
demonstrate how income support, child care, and other supportive
services necessary for an individual's participation in job training
will be provided.
(5) $50,000,000 for YouthBuild activities, which shall remain available for Federal obligation through June 30, 2010.
(6) $750,000,000 for a program of competitive grants
for worker training and placement in high growth and emerging industry
sectors (including projects funded under section 6002 of division B of
this Act): Provided, That $500,000,000 shall be for research,
labor exchange and job training projects that prepare workers for
careers in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries
specified in section 171(e)(1)(B)(ii) of the WIA (as amended by the
Green Jobs Act of 2007): Provided further, That in awarding
grants from those funds not designated in the preceding proviso, the
Secretary of Labor shall give priority to projects that prepare workers
for careers in the health care sector: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1103 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation:
Provided, That the additional funds provided to States under this heading are not subject to section 191(a) of the WIA: Provided further,
That notwithstanding section 1106 of this Act, there shall be no amount
set aside from the appropriations made in subsections (1) through (3)
under this heading and the amount set aside for subsections (4) through
(6) shall be up to 1 percent instead of the percentage specified in
such section.
community service employment for older americans
For an additional amount for `Community Service Employment
for Older Americans' to carry out title V of the Older Americans Act of
1965, $120,000,000, which shall be available for obligation on the date
of enactment of this Act: Provided, That funds shall be
allotted within 30 days of such enactment to current grantees in
proportion to their allotment in program year 2008.
state unemployment insurance and employment service operations
For an additional amount for `State Unemployment Insurance
and Employment Service Operations' for grants to the States in
accordance with section 6 of the Wagner-Peyser Act, $500,000,000, which
may be expended from the Employment Security Administration Account in
the Unemployment Trust Fund, and which shall be available for
obligation on the date of enactment of this Act: Provided, That such funds shall remain available to the States through September 30, 2010: Provided further,
That, with respect to such funds, section 6(b)(1) of such Act shall be
applied by substituting `one-third' for `two-thirds' in subparagraph
(A), with the remaining one-third of the sums to be allotted in
accordance with section 132(b)(2)(B)(ii)(III) of the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998: Provided further, That not less than
$250,000,000 of the amount provided under this heading shall be used by
States for reemployment services for unemployment insurance claimants
(including the integrated Employment Service and Unemployment Insurance
information technology required to identify and serve the needs of such
claimants): Provided further, That the Secretary of Labor
shall establish planning and reporting procedures necessary to provide
oversight of funds used for reemployment services.
Departmental Management
salaries and expenses
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Departmental Management',
$80,000,000, for the enforcement of worker protection laws and
regulations, oversight, and coordination activities related to the
infrastructure and unemployment insurance investments in this Act: Provided,
That the Secretary of Labor may transfer such sums as necessary to
`Employment and Standards Administration', `Occupational Safety and
Health Administration', and `Employment and Training
Administration--Program Administration' for enforcement, oversight, and
coordination activities: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
office of job corps
For an additional amount for `Office of Job Corps',
$300,000,000, for construction, rehabilitation and acquisition of Job
Corps Centers, which shall be available upon the date of enactment of
this Act and remain available for obligation through June 30, 2010: Provided,
That section 1552(a) of title 31, United States Code shall not apply to
up to 30 percent of such funds, if such funds are used for a multi-year
lease agreement that will result in construction activities that can
commence within 120 days of enactment of this Act: Provided further,
That notwithstanding section 3324(a) of title 31, United States Code,
the funds referred to in the preceding proviso may be used for advance,
progress, and other payments: Provided further, That the
Secretary of Labor may transfer up to 15 percent of such funds to meet
the operational needs of such centers, which may include the provision
of additional training for careers in the energy efficiency and
renewable energy industries: Provided further, That priority
should be given to activities that can commence promptly following
enactment and to those projects that will create the greatest impact on
the energy efficiency of Job Corps facilities: Provided further,
That the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the actual
obligations, expenditures, and unobligated balances for each activity
funded under this heading not later than September 30, 2009 and
quarterly thereafter as long as funding provided under this heading is
available for obligation or expenditure.
GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS SUBTITLE
SEC. 9101. ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES IN THE RECREATIONAL MARINE INDUSTRY.
Section 2(3)(F) of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. 902(3)(F)) is amended--
(1) by striking `, repair, or dismantle'; and
(2) by striking the semicolon and inserting `, or
individuals employed to repair any recreational vessel, or to dismantle
any part of a recreational vessel in connection with the repair of such
vessel;'.
Subtitle B--Health and Human Services
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services
For an additional amount for `Health Resources and Services', $2,188,000,000 which shall be used as follows:
(1) $500,000,000, of which $250,000,000 shall not be
available until October 1, 2009, shall be for grants to health centers
authorized under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (`PHS
Act').
(2) $1,000,000,000 shall be available for renovation
and repair of health centers authorized under section 330 of the PHS
Act and for the acquisition by such centers of health information
technology systems: Provided, That the timeframe for the
award of grants pursuant to section 1103(b) of this Act shall not be
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act instead of
the timeframe specified in such section.
(3) $88,000,000 shall be for fit-out and other costs
related to moving into a facility to be secured through a competitive
lease procurement to replace or renovate a headquarters building for
Public Health Service agencies and other components of the Department
of Health and Human Services.
(4) $600,000,000, of which $300,000,000 shall not be
available until October 1, 2009, shall be for the training of nurses
and primary care physicians and dentists as authorized under titles VII
and VIII of the PHS Act, for the provision of health care personnel
under the National Health Service Corps program authorized under title
III of the PHS Act, and for the patient navigator program authorized
under title III of the PHS Act.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
disease control, research, and training
For an additional amount for `Disease Control, Research,
and Training' for equipment, construction, and renovation of
facilities, including necessary repairs and improvements to leased
laboratories, $462,000,000: Provided, That notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention may award a single contract or related contracts for
development and construction of facilities that collectively include
the full scope of the project: Provided further, That the solicitation and contract shall contain the clause `availability of funds' found at 48 CFR 52.232-18: Provided further,
That in accordance with applicable authorities, policies, and
procedures, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall
acquire real property, and make any necessary improvements thereon, to
relocate and consolidate property and facilities of the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
National Institutes of Health
national center for research resources
For an additional amount for `National Center for Research
Resources', $1,500,000,000 for grants or contracts under section 481A
of the Public Health Service Act to renovate or repair existing
non-Federal research facilities: Provided, That sections
481A(c)(1)(B)(ii), paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of section 481A(e), and
section 481B of such Act shall not apply to the use of such funds: Provided further,
That the references to `20 years' in subsections (c)(1)(B)(i) and (f)
of section 481A of such Act are deemed to be references to `10 years'
for purposes of using such funds: Provided further, That the
National Center for Research Resources may also use such funds to
provide, under the authority of section 301 and title IV of such Act,
shared instrumentation and other capital research equipment to
recipients of grants and contracts under section 481A of such Act and
other appropriate entities: Provided further, That the
Director of the Center shall provide to the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate an annual
report indicating the number of institutions receiving awards of a
grant or contract under section 481A of such Act, the proposed use of
the funding, the average award size, a list of grant or contract
recipients, and the amount of each award: Provided further,
That the Center, in obligating such funds, shall require that each
entity that applies for a grant or contract under section 481A for any
project shall include in its application an assurance described in
section 1621(b)(1)(I) of the Public Health Service Act: Provided further,
That the Center shall give priority in the award of grants and
contracts under section 481A of such Act to those applications that are
expected to generate demonstrable energy-saving or beneficial
environmental effects: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1103 of this Act shall not apply to the peer-reviewed grants awarded under this heading.
office of the director
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Office of the Director',
$1,500,000,000, of which $750,000,000 shall not be available until
October 1, 2009: Provided, That such funds shall be
transferred to the Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of
Health and to the Common Fund established under section 402A(c)(1) of
the Public Health Service Act in proportion to the appropriations
otherwise made to such Institutes, Centers, and Common Fund for fiscal
year 2009: Provided further, That these funds shall be used
to support additional scientific research and shall be merged with and
be available for the same purposes as the appropriation or fund to
which transferred: Provided further, That this transfer authority is in addition to any other transfer authority available to the National Institutes of Health: Provided further,
That none of these funds may be transferred to `National Institutes of
Health--Buildings and Facilities', the Center for Scientific Review,
the Center for Information Technology, the Clinical Center, the Global
Fund for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, or the Office of the
Director (except for the transfer to the Common Fund): Provided further, That the provisions of section 1103 of this Act shall not apply to the peer-reviewed grants awarded under this heading.
buildings and facilities
For an additional amount for `Buildings and Facilities',
$500,000,000, to fund high priority repair and improvement projects for
National Institutes of Health facilities on the Bethesda, Maryland
campus and other agency locations.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
healthcare research and quality
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Healthcare Research and
Quality' to carry out titles III and IX of the Public Health Service
Act, part A of title XI of the Social Security Act, and section 1013 of
the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of
2003, $700,000,000 for comparative effectiveness research: Provided,
That of the amount appropriated in this paragraph, $400,000,000 shall
be transferred to the Office of the Director of the National Institutes
of Health (`Office of the Director') to conduct or support comparative
effectiveness research: Provided further, That funds
transferred to the Office of the Director may be transferred to the
national research institutes and national centers of the National
Institutes of Health and to the Common Fund established under section
402A(c)(1) of the Public Health Service Act: Provided further, That this transfer authority is in addition to any other transfer authority available to the National Institutes of Health: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1103 of this Act shall not apply to the peer-reviewed grants awarded under this paragraph: Provided further,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be not more than 1 percent instead of the
percentage specified in such section.
In addition, $400,000,000 shall be available for
comparative effectiveness research to be allocated at the discretion of
the Secretary of Health and Human Services (`Secretary'): Provided,
That the funding appropriated in this paragraph shall be used to
accelerate the development and dissemination of research assessing the
comparative effectiveness of health care treatments and strategies,
including through efforts that: (1) conduct, support, or synthesize
research that compares the clinical outcomes, effectiveness, and
appropriateness of items, services, and procedures that are used to
prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases, disorders, and other health
conditions; and (2) encourage the development and use of clinical
registries, clinical data networks, and other forms of electronic
health data that can be used to generate or obtain outcomes data: Provided further,
That the Secretary shall enter into a contract with the Institute of
Medicine, for which no more than $1,500,000 shall be made available
from funds provided in this paragraph, to produce and submit a report
to the Congress and the Secretary by not later than June 30, 2009, that
includes recommendations on the national priorities for comparative
effectiveness research to be conducted or supported with the funds
provided in this paragraph and that considers input from stakeholders: Provided further,
That the Secretary shall consider any recommendations of the Federal
Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research established
by section 9201 of this Act and any recommendations included in the
Institute of Medicine report pursuant to the preceding proviso in
designating activities to receive funds provided in this paragraph and
may make grants and contracts with appropriate entities, which may
include agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services and
other governmental agencies, as well as private sector entities, that
have demonstrated experience and capacity to achieve the goals of
comparative effectiveness research: Provided further, That
the Secretary shall publish information on grants and contracts awarded
with the funds provided under this heading within a reasonable time of
the obligation of funds for such grants and contracts and shall
disseminate research findings from such grants and contracts to
clinicians, patients, and the general public, as appropriate: Provided further,
That, to the extent feasible, the Secretary shall ensure that the
recipients of the funds provided by this paragraph offer an opportunity
for public comment on the research: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1103 of this Act shall not apply to the peer-reviewed grants awarded under this paragraph: Provided further,
That the Secretary shall provide the Committees on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Committee on Energy
and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions and the Committee on Finance of the Senate with an annual
report on the research conducted or supported through the funds
provided under this heading: Provided further, That the
Secretary, jointly with the Directors of the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality and the National Institutes of Health, shall
provide the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a fiscal year 2009 operating plan for
the funds appropriated under this heading prior to making any Federal
obligations of such funds in fiscal year 2009, but not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of this Act, and a fiscal year 2010
operating plan for such funds prior to making any Federal obligations
of such funds in fiscal year 2010, but not later than November 1, 2009,
that detail the type of research being conducted or supported,
including the priority conditions addressed; and specify the allocation
of resources within the Department of Health and Human Services: Provided further,
That the Secretary jointly with the Directors of the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Institutes of Health,
shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a report on the actual obligations,
expenditures, and unobligated balances for each activity funded under
this heading not later than November 1, 2009, and every 6 months
thereafter as long as funding provided under this heading is available
for obligation or expenditure.
Administration for Children and Families
low-income home energy assistance
For an additional amount for `Low-Income Home Energy
Assistance' for making payments under section 2602(b) and section
2602(d) of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981,
$1,000,000,000, which shall become available on October 1, 2009: Provided, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
payments to states for the child care and development block grant
For an additional amount for `Payments to States for the
Child Care and Development Block Grant', $2,000,000,000, of which
$1,000,000,000 shall become available on October 1, 2009, which shall
be used to supplement, not supplant State general revenue funds for
child care assistance for low-income families: Provided, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
children and families services programs
For an additional amount for `Children and Families Services Programs', $3,200,000,000, which shall be used as follows:
(1) $1,000,000,000 for carrying out activities under
the Head Start Act, of which $500,000,000 shall become available on
October 1, 2009.
(2) $1,100,000,000 for expansion of Early Head Start
programs, as described in section 645A of the Head Start Act, of which
$550,000,000 shall become available on October 1, 2009: Provided,
That of the funds provided in this sentence, up to 10 percent shall be
available for the provision of training and technical assistance to
such programs consistent with section 645A(g)(2) of such Act, and up to
3 percent shall be available for monitoring the operation of such
programs consistent with section 641A of such Act: Provided further, That the preceding proviso shall apply to this appropriation in lieu of the provisions of section 1106 of this Act: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1103 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
(3) $1,000,000,000 for carrying out activities under
sections 674 through 679 of the Community Services Block Grant Act, of
which $500,000,000 shall become available on October 1, 2009, and of
which no part shall be subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of section
674(b) of such Act: Provided, That notwithstanding section
675C(a)(1) of such Act, 100 percent of the funds made available to a
State from this additional amount shall be distributed to eligible
entities as defined in section 673(1) of such Act: Provided further,
That for services furnished under such Act during fiscal years 2009 and
2010, States may apply the last sentence of section 673(2) of such Act
by substituting `200 percent' for `125 percent': Provided further, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
(4) $100,000,000 for carrying out activities under
section 1110 of the Social Security Act, of which $50,000,000 shall
become available on October 1, 2009: Provided, That the
Secretary of Health and Human Services shall distribute such amount
under the Compassion Capital Fund to eligible faith-based and community
organizations: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
Administration on Aging
aging services programs
For an additional amount for `Aging Services Programs'
under section 311, and subparts 1 and 2 of part C, of title III of the
Older Americans Act of 1965, $200,000,000, of which $100,000,000 shall
become available on October 1, 2009: Provided, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
Office of the Secretary
office of the national coordinator for health information technology
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Office of the National
Coordinator for Health Information Technology' to carry out section
9202 of this Act, $2,000,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided,
That of such amount, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
transfer $20,000,000 to the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology in the Department of Commerce for continued
work on advancing health care information enterprise integration
through activities such as technical standards analysis and
establishment of conformance testing infrastructure, so long as such
activities are coordinated with the Office of the National Coordinator
for Health Information Technology: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1103 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation: Provided further,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be 0.25 percent instead of the percentage
specified in such section: Provided further, That funds
available under this heading shall become available for obligation only
upon submission of an annual operating plan by the Secretary to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Senate: Provided further, That the fiscal year 2009 operating
plan shall be provided not later than 90 days after enactment of this
Act and that subsequent annual operating plans shall be provided not
later than November 1 of each year: Provided further, That
these operating plans shall describe how expenditures are aligned with
the specific objectives, milestones, and metrics of the Federal Health
Information Technology Strategic Plan, including any subsequent updates
to the Plan; the allocation of resources within the Department of
Health and Human Services and other Federal agencies; and the
identification of programs and activities that are supported: Provided further,
That the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the actual
obligations, expenditures, and unobligated balances for each major set
of activities not later than November 1, 2009, and every 6 months
thereafter as long as funding provided under this heading is available
for obligation or expenditure: Provided further, That the
Comptroller General of the United States shall review on an annual
basis the expenditures from funds provided under this heading to
determine if such funds are used in a manner consistent with the
purpose and requirements under this heading.
public health and social services emergency fund
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Public Health and Social
Services Emergency Fund' to support advanced research and development
pursuant to section 319L of the Public Health Service Act,
$430,000,000: Provided, That the provisions of section 1103 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
For an additional amount for `Public Health and Social
Services Emergency Fund' to prepare for and respond to an influenza
pandemic, including the development and purchase of vaccine,
antivirals, necessary medical supplies, diagnostics, and other
surveillance tools, $420,000,000: Provided, That the provisions of section 1103 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation: Provided further,
That products purchased with these funds may, at the discretion of the
Secretary of Health and Human Services (`Secretary'), be deposited in
the Strategic National Stockpile: Provided further, That
notwithstanding section 496(b) of the Public Health Service Act, funds
may be used for the construction or renovation of privately owned
facilities for the production of pandemic influenza vaccine and other
biologics, where the Secretary finds such a contract necessary to
secure sufficient supplies of such vaccines or biologics: Provided further,
That funds appropriated in this paragraph may be transferred to other
appropriation accounts of the Department of Health and Human Services,
as determined by the Secretary to be appropriate, to be used for the
purposed specified in this sentence.
For an additional amount for `Public Health and Social
Services Emergency Fund' to improve information technology security at
the Department of Health and Human Services, $50,000,000: Provided,
That the Secretary shall prepare and submit a report by not later than
November 1, 2009, and by not later than 15 days after the end of each
month thereafter, updating the status of actions taken and funds
obligated in this and previous appropriations Acts for pandemic
influenza preparedness and response activities, biomedical advanced
research and development activities, Project BioShield, and Cyber
Security.
prevention and wellness fund
(including transfer of funds)
For necessary expenses for a `Prevention and Wellness Fund'
to be administered through the Department of Health and Human Services
Office of the Secretary, $3,000,000,000: Provided, That the provisions of section 1103 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation: Provided further,
That of the amount appropriated under this heading not less than
$2,350,000,000 shall be transferred to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention as follows:
(1) Not less than $954,000,000 shall be used as an
additional amount to carry out the immunization program authorized by
section 317(a), (j), and (k)(1) of the Public Health Service Act
(`section 317 immunization program'), of which $649,900,000 shall be
available on October 1, 2009.
(2) Not less than $296,000,000 shall be used as an
additional amount to carry out Part A of title XIX of the Public Health
Service Act, of which $148,000,000 shall be available on October 1,
2009.
(3) Not less than $545,000,000 shall be used as an
additional amount to carry out chronic disease, health promotion, and
genomics programs, as jointly determined by the Secretary of Health and
Human Services (`Secretary') and the Director of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (`Director').
(4) Not less than $335,000,000 shall be used as an
additional amount to carry out domestic HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis,
sexually-transmitted diseases, and tuberculosis prevention programs, as
jointly determined by the Secretary and the Director.
(5) Not less than $60,000,000 shall be used as an
additional amount to carry out environmental health programs, as
jointly determined by the Secretary and the Director.
(6) Not less than $50,000,000 shall be used as an
additional amount to carry out injury prevention and control programs,
as jointly determined by the Secretary and the Director.
(7) Not less than $30,000,000 shall be used as an
additional amount for public health workforce development activities,
as jointly determined by the Secretary and the Director.
(8) Not less than $40,000,000 shall be used as an
additional amount for the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health to carry out research activities within the National
Occupational Research Agenda.
(9) Not less than $40,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount for the National Center for Health Statistics:
Provided further, That of the amount appropriated
under this heading not less than $150,000,000 shall be available for an
additional amount to carry out activities to implement a national
action plan to prevent healthcare-associated infections, as determined
by the Secretary, of which not less $50,000,000 shall be provided to
States to implement healthcare-associated infection reduction
strategies: Provided further, That of the amount appropriated
under this heading $500,000,000 shall be used to carry out
evidence-based clinical and community-based prevention and wellness
strategies and public health workforce development activities
authorized by the Public Health Service Act, as determined by the
Secretary, that deliver specific, measurable health outcomes that
address chronic and infectious disease rates and health disparities,
which shall include evidence-based interventions in obesity, diabetes,
heart disease, cancer, tobacco cessation and smoking prevention, and
oral health, and which may be used for the Healthy Communities program
administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and
other existing community-based programs administered by the Department
of Health and Human Services: Provided further, That funds
appropriated in the preceding proviso may be transferred to other
appropriation accounts of the Department of Health and Human Services,
as determined by the Secretary to be appropriate: Provided further,
That the Secretary shall, directly or through contracts with public or
private entities, provide for annual evaluations of programs carried
out with funds provided under this heading in order to determine the
quality and effectiveness of the programs: Provided further,
That the Secretary shall, not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, submit to the Committees on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Committee on Energy
and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, a report: (1)
summarizing the annual evaluations of programs from the preceding
proviso; and (2) making recommendations concerning future spending on
prevention and wellness activities, including any recommendations made
by the United States Preventive Services Task Force in the area of
clinical preventive services and the Task Force on Community Preventive
Services in the area of community preventive services: Provided further,
That the Secretary shall enter into a contract with the Institute of
Medicine, for which no more than $1,500,000 shall be made available
from funds provided in this paragraph, to produce and submit a report
to the Congress and the Secretary by no later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act that includes recommendations on the
national priorities for clinical and community-based prevention and
wellness activities that will have a positive impact in preventing
illness or reducing healthcare costs and that considers input from
stakeholders: Provided further, That the Secretary shall
provide to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a fiscal year 2009 operating plan for
the Prevention and Wellness Fund prior to making any Federal
obligations of funds provided under this heading in fiscal year 2009
(excluding funds to carry out the section 317 immunization program),
but not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and
a fiscal year 2010 operating plan for the Prevention and Wellness Fund
prior to making any Federal obligations of funds provided under this
heading in fiscal year 2010 (excluding funds to carry out the section
317 immunization program), but not later than November 1, 2009, that
indicate the prevention priorities to be addressed; provide measurable
goals for each prevention priority; detail the allocation of resources
within the Department of Health and Human Services; and identify which
programs or activities are supported, including descriptions of any new
programs or activities: Provided further, That the Secretary
shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a report on the actual obligations,
expenditures, and unobligated balances for each activity funded under
this heading not later than November 1, 2009, and every 6 months
thereafter as long as funding provided under this heading is available
for obligation or expenditure.
GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS SUBTITLE
SEC. 9201. FEDERAL COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH.
(a) Establishment- There is hereby established a Federal
Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research (in this
section referred to as the `Council').
(b) Purpose; Duties- The Council shall--
(1) assist the offices and agencies of the Federal
Government, including the Departments of Health and Human Services,
Veterans Affairs, and Defense, and other Federal departments or
agencies, to coordinate the conduct or support of comparative
effectiveness and related health services research; and
(2) advise the President and Congress on--
(A) strategies with respect to the infrastructure needs of comparative effectiveness research within the Federal Government;
(B) appropriate organizational expenditures for
comparative effectiveness research by relevant Federal departments and
agencies; and
(C) opportunities to assure optimum coordination of
comparative effectiveness and related health services research
conducted or supported by relevant Federal departments and agencies,
with the goal of reducing duplicative efforts and encouraging
coordinated and complementary use of resources.
(1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT- The Council shall be
composed of not more than 15 members, all of whom are senior Federal
officers or employees with responsibility for health-related programs,
appointed by the President, acting through the Secretary of Health and
Human Services (in this section referred to as the `Secretary').
Members shall first be appointed to the Council not later than 30 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(A) IN GENERAL- The members of the Council shall include one senior officer or employee from each of the following agencies:
(i) The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
(ii) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
(iii) The National Institutes of Health.
(iv) The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
(v) The Food and Drug Administration.
(vi) The Veterans Health Administration within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(vii) The office within the Department of
Defense responsible for management of the Department of Defense
Military Health Care System.
(B) QUALIFICATIONS- At least half of the members of the Council shall be physicians or other experts with clinical expertise.
(3) CHAIRMAN; VICE CHAIRMAN- The Secretary shall serve
as Chairman of the Council and shall designate a member to serve as
Vice Chairman.
(1) INITIAL REPORT- Not later than June 30, 2009, the
Council shall submit to the President and the Congress a report
containing information describing Federal activities on comparative
effectiveness research and recommendations for additional investments
in such research conducted or supported from funds made available for
allotment by the Secretary for comparative effectiveness research in
this Act.
(2) ANNUAL REPORT- The Council shall submit to the
President and Congress an annual report regarding its activities and
recommendations concerning the infrastructure needs, appropriate
organizational expenditures and opportunities for better coordination
of comparative effectiveness research by relevant Federal departments
and agencies.
(e) Staffing; Support- From funds made available for
allotment by the Secretary for comparative effectiveness research in
this Act, the Secretary shall make available not more than 1 percent to
the Council for staff and administrative support.
SEC. 9202. INVESTMENT IN HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall invest in the infrastructure necessary to allow for and promote
the electronic exchange and use of health information for each
individual in the United States consistent with the goals outlined in
the Strategic Plan developed by the Office of the National Coordinator
for Health Information Technology. Such investment shall include
investment in at least the following:
(1) Health information technology architecture that
will support the nationwide electronic exchange and use of health
information in a secure, private, and accurate manner, including
connecting health information exchanges, and which may include updating
and implementing the infrastructure necessary within different agencies
of the Department of Health and Human Services to support the
electronic use and exchange of health information.
(2) Integration of health information technology,
including electronic medical records, into the initial and ongoing
training of health professionals and others in the healthcare industry
who would be instrumental to improving the quality of healthcare
through the smooth and accurate electronic use and exchange of health
information as determined by the Secretary.
(3) Training on and dissemination of information on
best practices to integrate health information technology, including
electronic records, into a provider's delivery of care, including
community health centers receiving assistance under section 330 of the
Public Health Service Act and providers participating in one or more of
the programs under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security
Act (relating to Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health
Insurance Program).
(4) Infrastructure and tools for the promotion of
telemedicine, including coordination among Federal agencies in the
promotion of telemedicine.
(5) Promotion of the interoperability of clinical data repositories or registries.
The Secretary shall implement paragraph (3) in coordination
with State agencies administering the Medicaid program and the State
Children's Health Insurance Program.
(b) Limitation- None of the funds appropriated to carry out
this section may be used to make significant investments in, or provide
significant funds for, the acquisition of hardware or software or for
the use of an electronic health or medical record, or significant
components thereof, unless such investments or funds are for certified
products that would permit the full and accurate electronic exchange
and use of health information in a medical record, including standards
for security, privacy, and quality improvement functions adopted by the
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
(c) Report- The Secretary shall annually report to the
Committees on Energy and Commerce, on Ways and Means, on Science and
Technology, and on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and
the Committees on Finance, on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions,
and on Appropriations of the Senate on the uses of these funds and
their impact on the infrastructure for the electronic exchange and use
of health information.
Subtitle C--Education
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Education for the Disadvantaged
For an additional amount for `Education for the
Disadvantaged' to carry out title I of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (`ESEA'), $13,000,000,000: Provided,
That $5,500,000,000 shall be available for targeted grants under
section 1125 of the ESEA, of which $2,750,000,000 shall become
available on July 1, 2009, and shall remain available through September
30, 2010, and $2,750,000,000 shall become available on July 1, 2010,
and shall remain available through September 30, 2011: Provided further,
That $5,500,000,000 shall be available for education finance incentive
grants under section 1125A of the ESEA, of which $2,750,000,000 shall
become available on July 1, 2009, and shall remain available through
September 30, 2010, and $2,750,000,000 shall become available on July
1, 2010, and shall remain available through September 30, 2011: Provided further,
That $2,000,000,000 shall be for school improvement grants under
section 1003(g) of the ESEA, of which $1,000,000,000 shall become
available on July 1, 2009, and shall remain available through September
30, 2010, and $1,000,000,000 shall become available on July 1, 2010,
and shall remain available through September 30, 2011: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
Impact Aid
For an additional amount for `Impact Aid' to carry out
section 8007 of title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965, $100,000,000, which shall remain available through
September 30, 2010: Provided, That the amount set aside from
this appropriation pursuant to section 1106 of this Act shall be 1
percent instead of the percentage specified in such section.
School Improvement Programs
For an additional amount for `School Improvement Programs'
to carry out subpart 1, part D of title II of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (`ESEA'), and subtitle B of title VII
of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, $1,066,000,000: Provided,
That $1,000,000,000 shall be available for subpart 1, part D of title
II of the ESEA, of which $500,000,000 shall become available on July 1,
2009, and shall remain available through September 30, 2010, and
$500,000,000 shall become available on July 1, 2010, and remain
available through September 30, 2011: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to these funds: Provided further,
That $66,000,000 shall be available for subtitle B of title VII of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, of which $33,000,000 shall
become available on July 1, 2009, and shall remain available through
September 30, 2010, and $33,000,000 shall become available on July 1,
2010, and remain available through September 30, 2011.
Innovation and Improvement
For an additional amount for `Innovation and Improvement'
to carry out subpart 1, part D and subpart 2, part B of title V of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (`ESEA'), $225,000,000: Provided, That $200,000,000 shall be available for subpart 1, part D of title V of the ESEA: Provided further,
That these funds shall be expended as directed in the fifth, sixth, and
seventh provisos under the heading `Innovation and Improvement' in the
Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2008: Provided further,
That a portion of these funds shall also be used for a rigorous
national evaluation by the Institute of Education Sciences, utilizing
randomized controlled methodology to the extent feasible, that assesses
the impact of performance-based teacher and principal compensation
systems supported by the funds provided in this Act on teacher and
principal recruitment and retention in high-need schools and subjects: Provided further, That $25,000,000 shall be available for subpart 2, part B of title V of the ESEA: Provided further,
That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section
1106 of this Act shall be 1 percent instead of the percentage specified
in such section.
Special Education
For an additional amount for `Special Education' for
carrying out section 611 and part C of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (`IDEA'), $13,600,000,000: Provided,
That $13,000,000,000 shall be available for section 611 of the IDEA, of
which $6,000,000,000 shall become available on July 1, 2009, and remain
available through September 30, 2010, and $7,000,000,000 shall become
available on July 1, 2010, and remain available through September 30,
2011: Provided further, That $600,000,000 shall be available
for part C of the IDEA, of which $300,000,000 shall become available on
July 1, 2009, and remain available through September 30, 2010, and
$300,000,000 shall become available on July 1, 2010, and remain
available through September 30, 2011: Provided further, That
by July 1, 2009, the Secretary of Education shall reserve the amount
needed for grants under section 643(e) of the IDEA from funds available
for obligation on July 1, 2009, with any remaining funds to be
allocated in accordance with section 643(c) of the IDEA: Provided further,
That by July 1, 2010, the Secretary shall reserve the amount needed for
grants under section 643(e) of the IDEA from funds available for
obligation on July 1, 2010, with any remaining funds to be allocated in
accordance with section 643(c) of the IDEA: Provided further,
That if every State, as defined by section 602(31) of the IDEA, reaches
its maximum allocation under section 611(d)(3)(B)(iii) of the IDEA, and
there are remaining funds, such funds shall be proportionally allocated
to each State subject to the maximum amounts contained in section
611(a)(2) of the IDEA: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research
For an additional amount for `Rehabilitation Services and
Disability Research' for providing grants to States to carry out the
Vocational Rehabilitation Services program under part B of title I and
parts B and C of chapter 1 and chapter 2 of title VII of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, $700,000,000: Provided, That
$500,000,000 shall be available for part B of title I of the
Rehabilitation Act, of which $250,000,000 shall become available on
October 1, 2009: Provided further, That funds provided herein
shall not be considered in determining the amount required to be
appropriated under section 100(b)(1) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
in any fiscal year: Provided further, That, notwithstanding
section 7(14)(A), the Federal share of the costs of vocational
rehabilitation services provided with the funds provided herein shall
be 100 percent: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to these funds: Provided further,
That $200,000,000 shall be available for parts B and C of chapter 1 and
chapter 2 of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act, of which $100,000,000
shall become available on October 1, 2009: Provided further,
That $34,775,000 shall be for State Grants, $114,581,000 shall be for
independent living centers, and $50,644,000 shall be for services for
older blind individuals.
Student Financial Assistance
For an additional amount for `Student Financial Assistance'
to carry out subpart 1 of part A and part C of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (`HEA'), $16,126,000,000, which shall remain
available through September 30, 2011: Provided, That $15,636,000,000 shall be available for subpart 1of part A of title IV of the HEA: Provided further,
That $490,000,000 shall be available for part C of title IV of the HEA,
of which $245,000,000 shall become available on October 1, 2009: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
The maximum Pell Grant for which a student shall be eligible during award year 2009-2010 shall be $4,860.
Student Aid Administration
For an additional amount for `Student Aid Administration'
to carry out part D of title I, and subparts 1, 3, and 4 of part A, and
parts B, C, D, and E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965,
$50,000,000, which shall remain available through September 30, 2011: Provided,
That such amount shall also be available for an independent audit of
programs and activities authorized under section 459A of such Act: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to this appropriation.
Higher Education
For an additional amount for `Higher Education' to carry
out part A of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965,
$100,000,000: Provided, That section 203(c)(1) of such Act shall not apply to awards made with these funds.
Institute of Education Sciences
For an additional amount for Institute of Education
Sciences to carry out section 208 of the Educational Technical
Assistance Act, $250,000,000, which may be used for Statewide data
systems that include postsecondary and workforce information, of which
up to $5,000,000 may be used for State data coordinators and for awards
to public or private organizations or agencies to improve data
coordination: Provided, That the amount set aside from this
appropriation pursuant to section 1106 of this Act shall be 1 percent
instead of the percentage specified in such section.
School Modernization, Renovation, and Repair
For carrying out section 9301 of this Act, $14,000,000,000: Provided,
That amount available under section 9301 of this Act for administration
and oversight shall take the place of the set-aside under section 1106
of this Act.
Higher Education Modernization, Renovation, and Repair
For carrying out section 9302 of this Act, $6,000,000,000: Provided,
That amount available under section 9302 of this Act for administration
and oversight shall take the place of the set-aside under section 1106
of this Act.
GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS SUBTITLE
SEC. 9301. 21ST CENTURY GREEN HIGH-PERFORMING PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES.
(a) Definitions- In this section:
(1) The term `Bureau-funded school' has the meaning
given to such term in section 1141 of the Education Amendments of 1978
(25 U.S.C. 2021).
(2) The term `charter school' has the meaning given
such term in section 5210 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965.
(3) The term `local educational agency'--
(A) has the meaning given to that term in section
9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and shall
also include the Recovery School District of Louisiana and the New
Orleans Public Schools; and
(B) includes any public charter school that constitutes a local educational agency under State law.
(4) The term `outlying area'--
(A) means the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and
(B) includes the freely associated states of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia,
and the Republic of Palau.
(5) The term `public school facilities' includes charter schools.
(6) The term `State' means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(7) The term `LEED Green Building Rating System' means
the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design green building rating standard referred to as the
LEED Green Building Rating System.
(8) The term `Energy Star' means the Energy Star
program of the United States Department of Energy and the United States
Environmental Protection Agency.
(9) The term `CHPS Criteria' means the green building
rating program developed by the Collaborative for High Performance
Schools.
(10) The term `Green Globes' means the Green Building
Initiative environmental design and rating system referred to as Green
Globes.
(b) Purpose- Grants under this section shall be for the
purpose of modernizing, renovating, or repairing public school
facilities, based on their need for such improvements, to be safe,
healthy, high-performing, and up-to-date technologically.
(A) IN GENERAL- From the amount appropriated to
carry out this section, the Secretary of Education shall reserve 1
percent of such amount, consistent with the purpose described in
subsection (b)--
(i) to provide assistance to the outlying areas; and
(ii) for payments to the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance to Bureau-funded schools.
(B) ADMINISTRATION AND OVERSIGHT- The Secretary
may, in addition, reserve up to $6,000,000 of such amount for
administration and oversight of this section.
(2) ALLOCATION TO STATES-
(A) STATE-BY-STATE ALLOCATION- Of the amount
appropriated to carry out this section, and not reserved under
paragraph (1), each State shall be allocated an amount in proportion to
the amount received by all local educational agencies in the State
under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 for fiscal year 2008 relative to the total amount received by
all local educational agencies in every State under such part for such
fiscal year.
(B) STATE ADMINISTRATION- A State may reserve up to
1 percent of its allocation under subparagraph (A) to carry out its
responsibilities under this section, including--
(i) providing technical assistance to local educational agencies;
(ii) developing, within 6 months of receiving
its allocation under subparagraph (A), a plan to develop a database
that includes an inventory of public school facilities in the State and
the modernization, renovation, and repair needs of, energy use by, and
the carbon footprint of such schools; and
(iii) developing a school energy efficiency quality plan.
(C) GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES- From the
amount allocated to a State under subparagraph (A), each local
educational agency in the State that meets the requirements of section
1112(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 shall
receive an amount in proportion to the amount received by such local
educational agency under part A of title I of that Act for fiscal year
2008 relative to the total amount received by all local educational
agencies in the State under such part for such fiscal year, except that
no local educational agency that received funds under part A of title I
of that Act for such fiscal year shall receive a grant of less than
$5,000.
(D) SPECIAL RULE- Section 1122(c)(3) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 shall not apply to
subparagraph (A) or (C).
(A) DISTRIBUTIONS BY SECRETARY- The Secretary of
Education shall make and distribute the reservations and allocations
described in paragraphs (1) and (2) not later than 30 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(B) DISTRIBUTIONS BY STATES- A State shall make and
distribute the allocations described in paragraph (2)(C) within 30 days
of receiving such funds from the Secretary.
(d) Use It or Lose It Requirements-
(1) DEADLINE FOR BINDING COMMITMENTS- Each local
educational agency receiving funds under this section shall enter into
contracts or other binding commitments not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act (or not later than 9 months after
such funds are awarded, if later) to make use of 50 percent of such
funds, and shall enter into contracts or other binding commitments not
later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act (or not
later than 21 months after such funds are awarded, if later) to make
use of the remaining funds. In the case of activities to be carried out
directly by a local educational agency (rather than by contracts,
subgrants, or other arrangements with third parties), a certification
by the agency specifying the amounts, planned timing, and purpose of
such expenditures shall be deemed a binding commitment for purposes of
this subsection.
(2) REDISTRIBUTION OF UNCOMMITTED FUNDS- A State shall
recover or deobligate any funds not committed in accordance with
paragraph (1), and redistribute such funds to other local educational
agencies eligible under this section and able to make use of such funds
in a timely manner (including binding commitments within 120 days after
the reallocation).
(e) Allowable Uses of Funds- A local educational agency
receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant for
modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities,
including--
(1) repairing, replacing, or installing roofs,
including extensive, intensive or semi-intensive green roofs,
electrical wiring, plumbing systems, sewage systems, lighting systems,
or components of such systems, windows, or doors, including security
doors;
(2) repairing, replacing, or installing heating,
ventilation, air conditioning systems, or components of such systems
(including insulation), including indoor air quality assessments;
(3) bringing public schools into compliance with fire,
health, and safety codes, including professional installation of
fire/life safety alarms, including modernizations, renovations, and
repairs that ensure that schools are prepared for emergencies, such as
improving building infrastructure to accommodate security measures;
(4) modifications necessary to make public school
facilities accessible to comply with the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), except that such
modifications shall not be the primary use of the grant;
(5) asbestos or polychlorinated biphenyls abatement or removal from public school facilities;
(6) implementation of measures designed to reduce or
eliminate human exposure to lead-based paint hazards through methods
including interim controls, abatement, or a combination of each;
(7) implementation of measures designed to reduce or eliminate human exposure to mold or mildew;
(8) upgrading or installing educational technology
infrastructure to ensure that students have access to up-to-date
educational technology;
(9) technology activities that are carried out in connection with school repair and renovation, including--
(B) acquiring hardware and software;
(C) acquiring connectivity linkages and resources; and
(D) acquiring microwave, fiber optics, cable, and satellite transmission equipment;
(10) modernization, renovation, or repair of science
and engineering laboratory facilities, libraries, and career and
technical education facilities, including those related to energy
efficiency and renewable energy, and improvements to building
infrastructure to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian access;
(11) renewable energy generation and heating systems,
including solar, photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, or biomass, including
wood pellet, systems or components of such systems;
(12) other modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities to--
(A) improve teachers' ability to teach and students' ability to learn;
(B) ensure the health and safety of students and staff;
(C) make them more energy efficient; or
(D) reduce class size; and
(13) required environmental remediation related to
public school modernization, renovation, or repair described in
paragraphs (1) through (12).
(f) Impermissible Uses of Funds- No funds received under this section may be used for--
(1) payment of maintenance costs; or
(2) stadiums or other facilities primarily used for
athletic contests or exhibitions or other events for which admission is
charged to the general public.
(g) Supplement, Not Supplant- A local educational agency
receiving a grant under this section shall use such Federal funds only
to supplement and not supplant the amount of funds that would, in the
absence of such Federal funds, be available for modernization,
renovation, or repair of public school facilities.
(h) Prohibition Regarding State Aid- A State shall not take
into consideration payments under this section in determining the
eligibility of any local educational agency in that State for State
aid, or the amount of State aid, with respect to free public education
of children.
(i) Special Rule on Contracting- Each local educational
agency receiving a grant under this section shall ensure that, if the
agency carries out modernization, renovation, or repair through a
contract, the process for any such contract ensures the maximum number
of qualified bidders, including local, small, minority, and women- and
veteran-owned businesses, through full and open competition.
(j) Special Rule on Use of Iron and Steel Produced in the United States-
(1) IN GENERAL- A local educational agency shall not
obligate or expend funds received under this section for a project for
the modernization, renovation, or repair of a public school facility
unless all of the iron and steel used in such project is produced in
the United States.
(2) EXCEPTIONS- The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply in any case in which the local educational agency finds that--
(A) their application would be inconsistent with the public interest;
(B) iron and steel are not produced in the United
States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a
satisfactory quality; or
(C) inclusion of iron and steel produced in the
United States will increase the cost of the overall project contract by
more than 25 percent.
(k) Application of GEPA- The grant program under this
section is an applicable program (as that term is defined in section
400 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1221)) subject
to section 439 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1232b).
(l) Charter Schools- A local educational agency receiving
an allocation under this section shall use an equitable portion of that
allocation for allowable activities benefitting charter schools within
its jurisdiction, as determined based on the percentage of students
from low-income families in the schools of the agency who are enrolled
in charter schools and on the needs of those schools as determined by
the agency.
(1) IN GENERAL- A local educational agency shall use
not less than 25 percent of the funds received under this section for
public school modernization, renovation, or repairs that are certified,
verified, or consistent with any applicable provisions of--
(A) the LEED Green Building Rating System;
(E) an equivalent program adopted by the State or another jurisdiction with authority over the local educational agency.
(2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE- The Secretary, in
consultation with the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency, shall provide outreach and technical
assistance to States and school districts concerning the best practices
in school modernization, renovation, and repair, including those
related to student academic achievement and student and staff health,
energy efficiency, and environmental protection.
(n) Youthbuild Programs- The Secretary of Education, in
consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall work with recipients of
funds under this section to promote appropriate opportunities for
participants in a YouthBuild program (as defined in section 173A of the
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2918a)) to gain employment
experience on modernization, renovation, and repair projects funded
under this section.
(1) REPORTS BY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES- Local
educational agencies receiving a grant under this section shall
compile, and submit to the State educational agency (which shall
compile and submit such reports to the Secretary), a report describing
the projects for which such funds were used, including--
(A) the number of public schools in the agency, including the number of charter schools;
(B) the total amount of funds received by the local
educational agency under this section and the amount of such funds
expended, including the amount expended for modernization, renovation,
and repair of charter schools;
(C) the number of public schools in the agency with
a metro-centric locale code of 41, 42, or 43 as determined by the
National Center for Education Statistics and the percentage of funds
received by the agency under this section that were used for projects
at such schools;
(D) the number of public schools in the agency that
are eligible for schoolwide programs under section 1114 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the percentage of
funds received by the agency under this section that were used for
projects at such schools;
(E) the cost of each project, which, if any, of the
standards described in subsection (k)(1) the project met, and any
demonstrable or expected academic, energy, or environmental benefits as
a result of the project;
(F) if flooring was installed, whether--
(i) it was low- or no-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) flooring;
(ii) it was made from sustainable materials; and
(iii) use of flooring described in clause (i) or (ii) was cost effective; and
(G) the total number and amount of contracts
awarded, and the number and amount of contracts awarded to local,
small, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses.
(2) REPORTS BY SECRETARY- Not later than December 31,
2011, the Secretary of Education shall submit to the Committees on
Education and Labor and Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Committees on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and
Appropriations of the Senate a report on grants made under this
section, including the information described in paragraph (1), the
types of modernization, renovation, and repair funded, and the number
of students impacted, including the number of students counted under
section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965.
SEC. 9302. HIGHER EDUCATION MODERNIZATION, RENOVATION, AND REPAIR.
(a) Purpose- Grants awarded under this section shall be for
the purpose of modernizing, renovating, and repairing institution of
higher education facilities that are primarily used for instruction,
research, or student housing.
(b) Grants to State Higher Education Agencies-
(1) FORMULA- From the amounts appropriated to carry out
this section, the Secretary of Education shall allocate funds to State
higher education agencies based on the number of students attending
institutions of higher education, with the State higher education
agency in each State receiving an amount that is in proportion to the
number of full-time equivalent undergraduate students attending
institutions of higher education in such State for the most recent
fiscal year for which there are data available, relative to the total
number of full-time equivalent undergraduate students attending
institutions of higher education in all States for such fiscal year.
(2) APPLICATION- To be eligible to receive an
allocation from the Secretary under paragraph (1), a State higher
education agency shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time and in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably require.
(3) REALLOCATION- Amounts allocated to a State higher
education agency under this section that are not obligated by such
agency within 6 months of the date the agency receives such amounts
shall be returned to the Secretary, and the Secretary shall reallocate
such amounts to State higher education agencies in other States on the
same basis as the original allocations under paragraph (1)(B).
(4) ADMINISTRATION AND OVERSIGHT EXPENSES- From the
amounts appropriated to carry out this section, not more than
$6,000,000 shall be available to the Secretary for administrative and
oversight expenses related to carrying out this section.
(c) Use of Grants by State Higher Education Agencies-
(1) SUBGRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION-
(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph
(2), each State higher education agency receiving an allocation under
subsection (b)(1) shall use the amount allocated to award subgrants to
institutions of higher education within the State to carry out projects
in accordance with subsection (d)(1).
(B) SUBGRANT AWARD ALLOCATION- A State higher
education agency shall award subgrants to institutions of higher
education under this section based on the demonstrated need of each
institution for facility modernization, renovation, and repair.
(C) PRIORITY CONSIDERATIONS- In awarding subgrants
under this section, each State higher education agency shall give
priority consideration to institutions of higher education with any of
the following characteristics:
(i) The institution is eligible for Federal assistance under title III or title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
(ii) The institution was impacted by a major
disaster or emergency declared by the President (as defined in section
102(2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(2))), including an institution affected
by a Gulf hurricane disaster, as such term is defined in section
824(g)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 11611-3(g)(1)).
(iii) The institution demonstrates that the
proposed project or projects to be carried out with a subgrant under
this section will increase the energy efficiency of the institution's
facilities and comply with the LEED Green Building Rating System.
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE AND OVERSIGHT EXPENSES- Of the
allocation amount received under subsection (b)(1), a State higher
education agency may reserve not more than 5 percent of such amount, or
$500,000, whichever is less, for administrative and oversight expenses
related to carrying out this section.
(d) Use of Subgrants by Institutions of Higher Education-
(1) PERMISSIBLE USES OF FUNDS- An institution of higher
education receiving a subgrant under this section shall use such
subgrant to modernize, renovate, or repair facilities of the
institution that are primarily used for instruction, research, or
student housing, which may include any of the following:
(A) Repair, replacement, or installation of roofs, electrical wiring, plumbing systems, sewage systems, or lighting systems.
(B) Repair, replacement, or installation of heating, ventilation, or air conditioning systems (including insulation).
(C) Compliance with fire and safety codes, including--
(i) professional installation of fire or life safety alarms; and
(ii) modernizations, renovations, and repairs
that ensure that the institution's facilities are prepared for
emergencies, such as improving building infrastructure to accommodate
security measures.
(D) Retrofitting necessary to increase the energy efficiency of the institution's facilities.
(E) Renovations to the institution's facilities
necessary to comply with accessibility requirements in the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794).
(F) Abatement or removal of asbestos from the institution's facilities.
(G) Modernization, renovation, and repair relating
to improving science and engineering laboratories, libraries, and
instructional facilities.
(H) Upgrading or installation of educational technology infrastructure.
(I) Installation or upgrading of renewable energy
generation and heating systems, including solar, photovoltaic, wind,
biomass (including wood pellet), or geothermal systems, or components
of such systems.
(J) Other modernization, renovation, or repair projects that are primarily for instruction, research, or student housing.
(2) GREEN SCHOOL REQUIREMENT- An institution of higher
education receiving a subgrant under this section shall use not less
than 25 percent of such subgrant to carry out projects for
modernization, renovation, or repair that are certified, verified, or
consistent with the applicable provisions of--
(A) the LEED Green Building Rating System;
(E) an equivalent program adopted by the State or the State higher education agency.
(3) PROHIBITED USES OF FUNDS- No funds awarded under this section may be used for--
(A) the maintenance of systems, equipment, or
facilities, including maintenance associated with any permissible uses
of funds described in paragraph (1);
(B) modernization, renovation, or repair of
stadiums or other facilities primarily used for athletic contests or
exhibitions or other events for which admission is charged to the
general public;
(C) modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities--
(i) used for sectarian instruction, religious worship, or a school or department of divinity; or
(ii) in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission; or
(D) construction of new facilities.
(4) USE IT OR LOSE IT REQUIREMENTS-
(A) DEADLINE FOR BINDING COMMITMENTS- Each
institution of higher education receiving a subgrant under this section
shall enter into contracts or other binding commitments not later than
1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act (or not later than 9
months after the subgrant is awarded, if later) to make use of 50
percent of the funds awarded, and shall enter into contracts or other
binding commitments not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act (or not later than 21 months after the subgrant
is awarded, if later) to make use of the remaining funds. In the case
of activities to be carried out directly by an institution of higher
education receiving such a subgrant (rather than by contracts,
subgrants, or other arrangements with third parties), a certification
by the institution specifying the amounts, planned timing, and purpose
of such expenditures shall be deemed a binding commitment for purposes
of this section.
(B) REDISTRIBUTION OF UNCOMMITTED FUNDS- A State
higher education agency shall recover or deobligate any subgrant funds
not committed in accordance with subparagraph (A), and redistribute
such funds to other institutions of higher education that are--
(i) eligible for subgrants under this section; and
(ii) able to make use of such funds in a timely manner (including binding commitments within 120 days after the reallocation).
(e) Application of GEPA- The grant program authorized in
this section is an applicable program (as that term is defined in
section 400 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1221))
subject to section 439 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1232b). The Secretary
shall, notwithstanding section 437 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1232) and
section 553 of title 5, United States Code, establish such program
rules as may be necessary to implement such grant program by notice in
the Federal Register.
(1) REPORTS BY INSTITUTIONS- Not later than September
30, 2011, each institution of higher education receiving a subgrant
under this section shall submit to the State higher education agency
awarding such subgrant a report describing the projects for which such
subgrant was received, including--
(A) a description of each project carried out, or
planned to be carried out, with such subgrant, including the types of
modernization, renovation, and repair to be completed by each such
project;
(B) the total amount of funds received by the
institution under this section and the amount of such funds expended,
as of the date of the report, on the such projects;
(C) the actual or planned cost of each such project
and any demonstrable or expected academic, energy, or environmental
benefits resulting from such project; and
(D) the total number of contracts, and amount of
funding for such contracts, awarded by the institution to carry out
such projects, as of the date of such report, including the number of
contracts, and amount of funding for such contracts, awarded to local,
small, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, as
such terms are defined by the Small Business Act.
(2) REPORTS BY STATES- Not later than December 31,
2011, each State higher education agency receiving a grant under this
section shall submit to the Secretary a report containing a compilation
of all of the reports under paragraph (1) submitted to the agency by
institutions of higher education.
(3) REPORTS BY THE SECRETARY- Not later than March 31,
2012, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Education and
Labor in the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions in the Senate and Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report
on grants and subgrants made under this section, including the
information described in paragraph (1).
(g) Definitions- In this section:
(1) CHPS CRITERIA- The term `CHPS Criteria' means the
green building rating program developed by the Collaborative for High
Performance Schools.
(2) ENERGY STAR- The term `Energy Star' means the
Energy Star program of the United States Department of Energy and the
United States Environmental Protection Agency.
(3) GREEN GLOBES- The term `Green Globes' means the
Green Building Initiative environmental design and rating system
referred to as Green Globes.
(4) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION- The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given such term in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
(5) LEED GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEM- The term `LEED
Green Building Rating System' means the United States Green Building
Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building
rating standard referred to as the LEED Green Building Rating System.
(6) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Education.
(7) STATE- The term `State' has the meaning given such
term in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1003).
(8) STATE HIGHER EDUCATION AGENCY- The term `State
higher education agency' has the meaning given such term in section 103
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003).
SEC. 9303. MANDATORY PELL GRANTS.
Section 401(b)(9)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a(b)(9)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (ii), by striking `$2,090,000,000' and inserting `$2,733,000,000'; and
(2) in clause (iii), by striking `$3,030,000,000' and inserting `$3,861,000,000'.
SEC. 9304. INCREASE STUDENT LOAN LIMITS.
(a) Amendments- Section 428H(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-8(d)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking `$2,000' and inserting `$4,000'; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking `$31,000' and inserting `$39,000'; and
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i)(I) and clause (iii)(I), by striking `$6,000' each place it appears and inserting `$8,000'; and
(ii) in clause (ii)(I) and clause (iii)(II), by striking `$7,000' each place it appears and inserting `$9,000'; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking `$57,500' and inserting `$65,500'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section
shall be effective for loans first disbursed on or after January 1,
2009.
SEC. 9305. STUDENT LENDER SPECIAL ALLOWANCE.
(a) Temporary Calculation Rule- Section 438(b)(2)(I) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-1(b)(2)(I)) is amended by
adding at the end the following new clause:
`(vii) TEMPORARY CALCULATION RULE DURING UNSTABLE COMMERCIAL PAPER MARKETS-
`(I) CALCULATION BASED ON LIBOR- For the
calendar quarter beginning on October 1, 2008, and ending on December
31, 2008, in computing the special allowance paid pursuant to this
subsection with respect to loans for which the first disbursement is
made on or after January 1, 2000, clause (i)(I) of this subparagraph
shall be applied by substituting `the rate that is the average rate of
the 3-month London Inter Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) for United States
dollars in effect for each of the days in such quarter as compiled and
released by the British Bankers Association, minus 0.13 percent,' for
`the average of the bond equivalent rates of the quotes of the 3-month
commercial paper (financial) rates in effect for each of the days in
such quarter as reported by the Federal Reserve in Publication H-15 (or
its successor) for such 3-month period'.
`(II) PARTICIPATION INTERESTS-
Notwithstanding subclause (I) of this clause, the special allowance
paid on any loan held by a lender that has sold participation interests
in such loan to the Secretary shall be the rate computed under this
subparagraph without regard to subclause (I) of this clause, unless the
lender agrees that the participant's yield with respect to such
participation interest is to be calculated in accordance with subclause
(I) of this clause.'.
(b) Conforming Amendments- Section 438(b)(2)(I) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-1(b)(2)(I)) is further
amended--
(1) in clause (i)(II), by striking `such average bond
equivalent rate' and inserting `the rate determined under subclause
(I)'; and
(2) in clause (v)(III), by striking `(iv), and (vi)' and inserting `(iv), (vi), and (vii)'.
Subtitle D--Related Agencies
Corporation for National and Community Service
operating expenses
For an additional amount for `Operating Expenses' to carry
out the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 and the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 (`1990 Act'), $160,000,000, which shall
be used to expand existing AmeriCorps grants: Provided, That
funds made available under this heading may be used to provide
adjustments to awards made prior to September 30, 2010 in order to
waive the match requirement authorized in section 121(e)(4) of part I
of subtitle C of the 1990 Act, if the Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation for National and Community Service (`CEO') determines that
the grantee has reduced capacity to meet this requirement: Provided further,
That in addition to requirements identified herein, funds provided
under this heading shall be subject to the terms and conditions under
which funds are appropriated in fiscal year 2009: Provided further,
That the CEO shall provide the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and the Senate a fiscal year 2009 operating
plan for the funds appropriated under this heading prior to making any
Federal obligations of such funds in fiscal year 2009, but not later
than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and a fiscal year
2010 operating plan for such funds prior to making any Federal
obligations of such funds in fiscal year 2010, but not later than
November 1, 2009, that detail the allocation of resources and the
increased number of volunteers supported by the AmeriCorps programs: Provided further,
That the CEO shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the actual
obligations, expenditures, and unobligated balances for each activity
funded under this heading not later than November 1, 2009, and every 6
months thereafter as long as funding provided under this heading is
available for obligation or expenditure.
National Service Trust
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `National Service Trust'
established under subtitle D of title I of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (`1990 Act'), $40,000,000, which shall remain
available until expended: Provided, That the Corporation for
National and Community Service may transfer additional funds from the
amount provided within `Operating Expenses' for grants made under
subtitle C of the 1990 Act to this appropriation upon determination
that such transfer is necessary to support the activities of national
service participants and after notice is transmitted to the Committees
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate: Provided further,
That the amount appropriated for or transferred to the National Service
Trust may be invested under section 145(b) of the 1990 Act without
regard to the requirement to apportion funds under 31 U.S.C. 1513(b).
Social Security Administration
limitation on administrative expenses
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Limitation on Administrative Expenses', $900,000,000, which shall be used as follows:
(1) $400,000,000 for the construction and associated
costs to establish a new National Computer Center, which may include
lease or purchase of real property: Provided, That the
construction plan and site selection for such center shall be subject
to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget: Provided further,
That the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Senate shall be notified 15 days in advance of the lease or
purchase of such site: Provided further, That such center shall continue to be a government-operated facility.
(2) $500,000,000 for processing disability and retirement workloads: Provided,
That up to $40,000,000 may be used by the Commissioner of Social
Security for health information technology research and activities to
facilitate the adoption of electronic medical records in disability
claims, including the transfer of funds to `Supplemental Security
Income Program' to carry out activities under section 1110 of the
Social Security Act.
TITLE X--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Military Construction, Army
For an additional amount for `Military Construction, Army', $920,000,000: Provided,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds may be
obligated and expended to carry out planning and design and military
construction projects in the United States not otherwise authorized by
law: Provided further, That of the amount provided under this
heading, $600,000,000 shall be for training and recruit troop housing,
$220,000,000 shall be for permanent party troop housing, and
$100,000,000 shall be for child development centers: Provided further,
That not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate an
expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading.
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
For an additional amount for `Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps', $350,000,000: Provided,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds may be
obligated and expended to carry out planning and design and military
construction projects in the United States not otherwise authorized by
law: Provided further, That of the amount provided under this
heading, $170,000,000 shall be for sailor and marine housing and
$180,000,000 shall be for child development centers: Provided further,
That not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate an
expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading.
Military Construction, Air Force
For an additional amount for `Military Construction, Air Force', $280,000,000: Provided,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds may be
obligated and expended to carry out planning and design and military
construction projects in the United States not otherwise authorized by
law: Provided further, That of the amount provided under this
heading, $200,000,000 shall be for airmen housing and $80,000,000 shall
be for child development centers: Provided further, That not
later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations
of the House of Representatives and the Senate an expenditure plan for
funds provided under this heading.
Military Construction, Defense-Wide
For an additional amount for `Military Construction,
Defense-Wide', $3,750,000,000, for the construction of hospitals and
ambulatory surgery centers: Provided, That notwithstanding
any other provision of law, such funds may be obligated and expended to
carry out planning and design and military construction projects in the
United States not otherwise authorized by law: Provided further,
That not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate an
expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading.
Military Construction, Army National Guard
For an additional amount for `Military Construction, Army National Guard', $140,000,000: Provided,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds may be
obligated and expended to carry out planning and design and military
construction projects in the United States not otherwise authorized by
law: Provided further, That not later than 30 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and
the Senate an expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading.
Military Construction, Air National Guard
For an additional amount for `Military Construction, Air National Guard', $70,000,000: Provided,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds may be
obligated and expended to carry out planning and design and military
construction projects in the United States not otherwise authorized by
law: Provided further, That not later than 30 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and
the Senate an expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading.
Military Construction, Army Reserve
For an additional amount for `Military Construction, Army Reserve', $100,000,000: Provided,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds may be
obligated and expended to carry out planning and design and military
construction projects in the United States not otherwise authorized by
law: Provided further, That not later than 30 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and
the Senate an expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading.
Military Construction, Navy Reserve
For an additional amount for `Military Construction, Navy Reserve', $30,000,000: Provided,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds may be
obligated and expended to carry out planning and design and military
construction projects in the United States not otherwise authorized by
law: Provided further, That not later than 30 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and
the Senate an expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading.
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve
For an additional amount for `Military Construction, Air Force Reserve', $60,000,000: Provided,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds may be
obligated and expended to carry out planning and design and military
construction projects in the United States not otherwise authorized by
law: Provided further, That not later than 30 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and
the Senate an expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading.
Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990
For an additional amount to be deposited into the
Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990, established by section
2906(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10
U.S.C. 2687 note), $300,000,000: Provided, That not later
than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Defense shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House
of Representatives and the Senate an expenditure plan for funds
provided under this heading.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Veterans Health Administration
medical facilities
For an additional amount for `Medical Facilities' for non-recurring maintenance, including energy projects, $950,000,000: Provided,
That not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate an
expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading.
National Cemetery Administration
For an additional amount for `National Cemetery Administration' for monument and memorial repairs, $50,000,000: Provided,
That not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate an
expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading.
TITLE XI--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Administration of Foreign Affairs
capital investment fund
For an additional amount for `Capital Investment Fund',
$276,000,000, of which up to $120,000,000 shall be available for the
design and construction of a backup information management facility in
the United States to support mission-critical operations and projects,
and up to $98,527,000 shall be available to carry out the Department of
State's responsibilities under the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity
Initiative: Provided, That the Secretary of State shall
submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate within 90 days of enactment of this Act
a detailed spending plan for funds appropriated under this heading.
International Commissions
international boundary and water commission, united states and mexico
construction
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for `Construction' for the water
quantity program to meet immediate repair and rehabilitation
requirements, $224,000,000: Provided, That up to $2,000,000
may be transferred to, and merged with, funds available under the
heading `International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and
Mexico--Salaries and Expenses', and such amount shall be in lieu of
amounts available under section 1106 of this Act: Provided,
That the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate within 90
days of enactment of this Act a detailed spending plan for funds
appropriated under this heading.
TITLE XII--TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
grants-in-aid for airports
For an additional amount for `Grants-in-Aid for Airports',
to enable the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for
discretionary projects as authorized by subchapter I of chapter 471 and
subchapter I of chapter 475 of title 49, United States Code,
$3,000,000,000: Provided, That such funds shall not be
subject to apportionment formulas, special apportionment categories, or
minimum percentages under chapter 471: Provided further, That
the conditions, certifications, and assurances required for grants
under subchapter I of chapter 471 of such title apply: Provided further,
That for purposes of applying section 1104 of this Act to this
appropriation, the deadline for grantees to enter into contracts or
other binding commitments to make use of not less than 50 percent of
the funds awarded shall be 90 days after award of the grant.
Federal Highway Administration
highway infrastructure investment
For projects and activities eligible under section 133 of
title 23, United States Code, section 144 of such title (without regard
to subsection (g)), and sections 103, 119, 134, 148, and 149 of such
title, $30,000,000,000, of which $300,000,000 shall be for Indian
reservation roads under section 204 of such title; $250,000,000 shall
be for park roads and parkways under section 204 of such title;
$20,000,000 shall be for highway surface transportation and technology
training under section 140(b) of such title; and $20,000,000 shall be
for disadvantaged business enterprises bonding assistance under section
332(e) of title 49, United States Code: Provided, That the
amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section 1106 of
this Act shall not be more than 0.2 percent of the funds made available
under this heading instead of the percentage specified in such section:
Provided further, That, after making the set-asides
authorized by the previous provisos, the funds made available under
this heading shall be distributed among the States, and Puerto Rico,
American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, in the same ratio as the obligation
limitation for fiscal year 2008 was distributed among the States in
accordance with the formula specified in section 120(a)(6) of division
K of Public Law 110-161, but, in the case of the Puerto Rico Highway
Program and the Territorial Highway Program, under section 120(a)(5) of
such division: Provided further, That 45 percent of the funds
distributed to a State under this heading shall be suballocated within
the State in the manner and for the purposes described in section
133(d) of title 23, United States Code, (without regard to the
comparison to fiscal year 2005 in paragraph (2)): Provided further,
That in selecting projects to be funded, recipients shall give priority
to projects that can award contracts within 90 days of enactment of
this Act, are included in an approved Statewide Transportation
Improvement Program (STIP) and/or Metropolitan Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP), are projected for completion within a
three-year time frame, and are located in economically distressed areas
as defined by section 301 of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3161): Provided further,
That funds made available under this heading shall be administered as
if apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except
for funds made available for Indian reservation roads and park roads
and parkways which shall be administered in accordance with chapter 2
of title 23, United States Code: Provided further, That the
Federal share payable on account of any project or activity carried out
with funds made available under this heading shall, at the option of
the recipient, be up to 100 percent of the total cost thereof: Provided further,
That funds made available by this Act shall not be obligated for the
purposes authorized under section 115(b) of title 23, United States
Code: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1101(b) of Public Law 109-59 shall apply to funds made available under this heading: Provided further,
That, in lieu of the redistribution required by section 1104(b) of this
Act, if less than 50 percent of the funds made available to each State
and territory under this heading are obligated within 90 days after the
date of distribution of those funds to the States and territories, then
the portion of the 50 percent of the total funding distributed to the
State or territory that has not been obligated shall be redistributed,
in the manner described in section 120(c) of division K of Public Law
110-161, to those States and territories that have obligated at least
50 percent of the funds made available under this heading and are able
to obligate amounts in addition to those previously distributed, except
that, for those funds suballocated within the State, if less than 50
percent of the funds so suballocated within the State are obligated
within 75 days of suballocation, then the portion of the 50 percent of
funding so suballocated that has not been obligated will be returned to
the State for use anywhere in the State prior to being redistributed in
accordance with the first part of this proviso: Provided further,
That, in lieu of the redistribution required by section 1104(b) of this
Act, any funds made available under this heading that are not obligated
by August 1, 2010, shall be redistributed, in the manner described in
section 120(c) of division K of Public Law 110-161, to those States
able to obligate amounts in addition to those previously distributed,
except that funds suballocated within the State that are not obligated
by June 1, 2010, will be returned to the State for use anywhere in the
State prior to being redistributed in accordance with the first part of
this proviso: Provided further, That notwithstanding section
1103 of this Act, funds made available under this heading shall be
apportioned not later than 7 days after the date of enactment of this
Act.
Federal Railroad Administration
capital assistance for intercity passenger rail service
For an additional amount for `Capital Assistance for
Intercity Passenger Rail Service' to enable the Secretary of
Transportation to make grants for capital costs as authorized by
chapter 244 of title 49 United States Code, $300,000,000: Provided,
That notwithstanding section 1103 of this Act, the Secretary shall give
preference to projects for the repair, rehabilitation, upgrade, or
purchase of railroad assets or infrastructure that can be awarded
within 90 days of enactment of this Act: Provided further,
That in awarding grants for the acquisition of a piece of rolling stock
or locomotive, the Secretary shall give preference to FRA-compliant
rolling stock and locomotives: Provided further, That the Secretary shall give preference to projects that support the development of intercity high speed rail service: Provided further, That the Federal share shall be, at the option of the recipient, up to 100 percent.
capital and debt service grants to the national railroad passenger corporation
For an additional amount for `Capital and Debt Service
Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation' (Amtrak) to
enable the Secretary of Transportation to make capital grants to Amtrak
as authorized by section 101(c) of the Passenger Rail Investment and
Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-432), $800,000,000: Provided, That priority shall be given to projects for the repair, rehabilitation, or upgrade of railroad assets or infrastructure: Provided further, That none of the funds under this heading shall be used to subsidize the operating losses of Amtrak: Provided further,
Notwithstanding section 1103 of this Act, funds made available under
this heading shall be awarded not later than 7 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
Federal Transit Administration
transit capital assistance
For transit capital assistance grants, $6,000,000,000
(increased by $1,500,000,000), of which $5,400,000,000 (increased by
$1,350,000,000) shall be for grants under section 5307 of title 49,
United States Code and shall be apportioned in accordance with section
5336 of such title (other than subsections (i)(1) and (j)) but may not
be combined or commingled with any other funds apportioned under such
section 5336, and of which $600,000,000 (increased by $150,000,000)
shall be for grants under section 5311 of such title and shall be
apportioned in accordance with such section 5311 but may not be
combined or commingled with any other funds apportioned under that
section: Provided, That of the funds provided for section 5311 under this heading, 3 percent shall be made available for section 5311(c)(1): Provided further,
That applicable chapter 53 requirements shall apply except that the
Federal share of the costs for which a grant is made under this heading
shall be, at the option of the recipient, up to 100 percent: Provided further,
In lieu of the requirements of section 1103 of this Act, funds made
available under this heading shall be apportioned not later than 7 days
after the date of enactment of this Act: Provided further,
That for purposes of applying section 1104 of this Act to this
appropriation, the deadline for grantees to enter into obligations to
make use of not less than 50 percent of the funds awarded shall be 90
days after apportionment: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1101(b) of Public Law 109-59 shall apply to funds made available under this heading: Provided further,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, of the funds
apportioned in accordance with section 5336, up to three-quarters of 1
percent shall be available for administrative expenses and program
management oversight and of the funds apportioned in accordance with
section 5311, up to one-half of 1 percent shall be available for
administrative expenses and program management oversight and both
amounts shall remain available for obligation until September 30, 2012:
Provided further, That the preceding proviso shall apply in lieu of the provisions in section 1106 of this Act.
fixed guideway infrastructure investment
For an amount for capital expenditures authorized under section 5309(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, $2,000,000,000: Provided,
That the Secretary of Transportation shall apportion funds under this
heading pursuant to the formula set forth in section 5337 of title 49,
United States Code: Provided further, That the funds
appropriated under this heading shall not be commingled with funds
available under the Formula and Bus Grants account: Provided further,
In lieu of the requirements of section 1103 of this Act, funds made
available under this heading shall be apportioned not later than 7 days
after the date of enactment of this Act: Provided further,
That for purposes of applying section 1104 of this Act to this
appropriation, the deadline for grantees to enter into obligations to
make use of not less than 50 percent of the funds awarded shall be 90
days after apportionment: Provided further, That applicable
chapter 53 requirements shall apply except that the Federal share of
the costs for which a grant is made under this heading shall be, at the
option of the recipient, up to 100 percent: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1101(b) of Public Law 109-59 shall apply to funds made available under this heading: Provided further,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, up to 1 percent of the
funds under this heading shall be available for administrative expenses
and program management oversight and shall remain available for
obligation until September 30, 2012: Provided further, That the preceding proviso shall apply in lieu of the provisions in section 1106 of this Act.
capital investment grants
For an additional amount for `Capital Investment Grants',
as authorized under section 5338(c)(4) of title 49, United States Code,
and allocated under section 5309(m)(2)(A) of such title, to enable the
Secretary of Transportation to make discretionary grants as authorized
by section 5309(d) and (e) of such title, $1,000,000,000 (increased by
$1,500,000,000): Provided, That such amount shall be allocated without regard to the limitation under section 5309(m)(2)(A)(i): Provided further,
That in selecting projects to be funded, priority shall be given to
projects that are currently in construction or are able to award
contracts based on bids within 90 days of enactment of this Act: Provided further,
That for purposes of applying section 1104 of this Act to this
appropriation, the deadline for grantees to enter into contracts or
other binding commitments to make use of not less than 50 percent of
the funds awarded shall be 90 days after award: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1101(b) of Public Law 109-59 shall apply to funds made available under this heading: Provided further,
That applicable chapter 53 requirements shall apply, except that
notwithstanding any other provision of law, up to 1 percent of the
funds under this heading shall be available for administrative expenses
and program management oversight and shall remain available for
obligation until September 30, 2012: Provided further, That the preceding proviso shall apply in lieu of the provisions in section 1106 of this Act.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Public and Indian Housing
public housing capital fund
For an additional amount for `Public Housing Capital Fund'
to carry out capital and management activities for public housing
agencies, as authorized under section 9 of the United States Housing
Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g) (`the Act'), $5,000,000,000: Provided,
That the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall distribute at
least $4,000,000,000 of this amount by the same formula used for
amounts made available in fiscal year 2008: Provided further,
That public housing authorities shall give priority to capital projects
that can award contracts based on bids within 120 days from the date
the funds are made available to the public housing authorities: Provided further, That public housing agencies shall give priority consideration to the rehabilitation of vacant rental units: Provided further,
That notwithstanding any other provision of the Act or regulations: (1)
funding provided herein may not be used for Operating Fund activities
pursuant to section 9(g) of the Act; and (2) any restriction of funding
to replacement housing uses shall be inapplicable: Provided further, That public housing agencies shall prioritize capital projects underway or already in their 5-year plans: Provided further,
That of the amount provided under this heading, the Secretary may
obligate up to $1,000,000,000, for competitive grants to public housing
authorities for activities including: (1) investments that leverage
private sector funding or financing for housing renovations and energy
conservation retrofit investments; (2) rehabilitation of units using
sustainable materials and methods that improve energy efficiency,
reduce energy costs, or preserve and improve units with good access to
public transportation or employment centers; (3) increase the
availability of affordable rental housing by expediting rehabilitation
projects to bring vacant units into use or by filling the capital
investment gap for redevelopment or replacement housing projects which
have been approved or are otherwise ready to proceed but are stalled
due to the inability to obtain anticipated private capital; or (4)
address the needs of seniors and persons with disabilities through
improvements to housing and related facilities which attract or promote
the coordinated delivery of supportive services: Provided further,
That the Secretary may waive statutory or regulatory provisions related
to the obligation and expenditure of capital funds if necessary to
facilitate the timely expenditure of funds (except for requirements
related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the
environment).
elderly, disabled, and section 8 assisted housing energy retrofit
For grants or loans to owners of properties receiving
project-based assistance pursuant to section 202 of the Housing Act of
1959 (12 U.S.C. 17012), section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National
Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013), or section 8 of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f), to accomplish energy
retrofit investments, $2,500,000,000: Provided, That such
loans or grants shall be provided through the Office of Affordable
Housing Preservation of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, on such terms and conditions as the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development deems appropriate: Provided further,
That eligible owners must have at least a satisfactory management
review rating, be in substantial compliance with applicable performance
standards and legal requirements, and commit to an additional period of
affordability determined by the Secretary: Provided further, That the Secretary shall undertake appropriate underwriting and oversight with respect to such transactions: Provided further,
That the Secretary may set aside funds made available under this
heading for an efficiency incentive payable upon satisfactory
completion of energy retrofit investments, and may provide additional
incentives if such investments resulted in extraordinary job creation
for low-income and very low-income persons: Provided further,
that of the funds provided under this heading, 1 percent shall be
available only for staffing, training, technical assistance,
technology, monitoring, research and evaluation activities.
native american housing block grants
For an additional amount for `Native American Housing Block
Grants', as authorized under title I of the Native American Housing
Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (`NAHASDA') (25 U.S.C.
4111 et seq.), $500,000,000: Provided, That $250,000,000 of
the amount appropriated under this heading shall be distributed
according to the same funding formula used in fiscal year 2008: Provided further,
That in selecting projects to be funded, recipients shall give priority
to projects that can award contracts based on bids within 120 days from
the date that funds are available to the recipients: Provided further,
That in allocating the funds appropriated under this heading, the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall not require an
additional action plan from grantees: Provided further, That
the Secretary may obligate $250,000,000 of the amount appropriated
under this heading for competitive grants to eligible entities that
apply for funds as authorized under NAHASDA: Provided further,
That in awarding competitive funds, the Secretary shall give priority
to projects that will spur construction and rehabilitation and will
create employment opportunities for low-income and unemployed persons.
Community Planning and Development
community development fund
For an additional amount for `Community Development Fund'
$1,000,000,000, to carry out the community development block grant
program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of
1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.): Provided, That the amount
appropriated in this paragraph shall be distributed according to the
same funding formula used in fiscal year 2008: Provided further,
That in allocating the funds appropriated in this paragraph, the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall not require an
additional action plan from grantees: Provided further, That
in selecting projects to be funded, recipients shall give priority to
projects that can award contracts based on bids within 120 days from
the date the funds are made available to the recipients; Provided further,
That in administering funds provided in this paragraph, the Secretary
may waive any provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary
administers in connection with the obligation by the Secretary or the
use by the recipient of these funds (except for requirements related to
fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment),
upon a finding that such waiver is required to facilitate the timely
use of such funds and would not be inconsistent with the overall
purpose of the statute.
For a further additional amount for `Community Development
Fund', $4,190,000,000, to be used for neighborhood stabilization
activities related to emergency assistance for the redevelopment of
abandoned and foreclosed homes as authorized under division B, title
III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public Law
110-289), of which--
(1) not less than $3,440,000,000 shall be allocated by
a competition for which eligible entities shall be States, units of
general local government, and nonprofit entities or consortia of
nonprofit entities: Provided, That the award criteria for
such competition shall include grantee capacity, leveraging potential,
targeted impact of foreclosure prevention, and any additional factors
determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Provided further, that the Secretary may establish a minimum grant size: Provided further,
That amounts made available under this Section may be used to: (A)
establish financing mechanisms for purchase and redevelopment of
foreclosed-upon homes and residential properties, including such
mechanisms as soft-seconds, loan loss reserves, and shared-equity loans
for low- and moderate-income homebuyers; (B) purchase and rehabilitate
homes and residential properties that have been abandoned or foreclosed
upon, in order to sell or rent such homes and properties; (C) establish
and operate land banks for homes that have been foreclosed upon; (D)
demolish foreclosed properties that have become blighted structures;
and (E) redevelop demolished or vacant foreclosed properties in order
to sell or rent such properties; and
(2) up to $750,000,000 shall be awarded by competition
to nonprofit entities or consortia of nonprofit entities to provide
community stabilization assistance by: (A) accelerating state and local
government and nonprofit productivity; (B) increasing the scale and
efficiency of property transfers of foreclosed and vacant residential
properties from financial institutions and government entities to
qualified local housing providers in order to return the properties to
productive affordable housing use; (C) building industry and property
management capacity; and (D) partnering with private sector real estate
developers and contractors and leveraging private sector capital: Provided further,
That such community stabilization assistance shall be provided
primarily in States and areas with high rates of defaults and
foreclosures to support the acquisition, rehabilitation and property
management of single-family and multi-family homes and to work in
partnership with the private sector real estate industry and to
leverage available private and public funds for those purposes: Provided further,
That for purposes of this paragraph qualified local housing providers
shall be nonprofit organizations with demonstrated capabilities in real
estate development or acquisition and rehabilitation or property
management of single- or multi-family homes, or local or state
governments or instrumentalities of such governments: Provided further,
That qualified local housing providers shall be expected to utilize and
leverage additional local nonprofit, governmental, for-profit and
private resources:
Provided further, That in the case of any
foreclosure on any dwelling or residential real property acquired with
any amounts made available under this heading, any successor in
interest in such property pursuant to the foreclosure shall assume such
interest subject to: (1) the provision by such successor in interest of
a notice to vacate to any bona fide tenant at least 90 days before the
effective date of such notice; and (2) the rights of any bona fide
tenant, as of the date of such notice of foreclosure: (A) under any
bona fide lease entered into before the notice of foreclosure to occupy
the premises until the end of the remaining term of the lease, except
that a successor in interest may terminate a lease effective on the
date of sale of the unit to a purchaser who will occupy the unit as a
primary residence, subject to the receipt by the tenant of the 90-day
notice under this paragraph; or (B) without a lease or with a lease
terminable at will under State law, subject to the receipt by the
tenant of the 90-day notice under this paragraph, except that nothing
in this paragraph shall affect the requirements for termination of any
Federal- or State-subsidized tenancy or of any State or local law that
provides longer time periods or other additional protections for
tenants: Provided further, That, for purposes of this
paragraph, a lease or tenancy shall be considered bona fide only if:
(1) the mortgagor under the contract is not the tenant; (2) the lease
or tenancy was the result of an arms-length transaction; and (3) the
lease or tenancy requires the receipt of rent that is not substantially
less than fair market rent for the property: Provided further,
That the recipient of any grant or loan from amounts made available
under this heading may not refuse to lease a dwelling unit in housing
assisted with such loan or grant to a holder of a voucher or
certificate of eligibility under section 8 of the United States Housing
Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) because of the status of the prospective
tenant as such a holder: Provided further, That in the case
of any qualified foreclosed housing for which funds made available
under this heading are used and in which a recipient of assistance
under section 8(o) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 resides at the time
of acquisition or financing, the owner and any successor in interest
shall be subject to the lease and to the housing assistance payments
contract for the occupied unit: Provided further, That
vacating the property prior to sale shall not constitute good cause for
termination of the tenancy unless the property is unmarketable while
occupied or unless the owner or subsequent purchaser desires the unit
for personal or family use: Provided further, That this paragraph shall not preempt any State or local law that provides more protection for tenants: Provided further,
That amounts made available under this heading may be used for the
costs of demolishing foreclosed housing that is deteriorated or unsafe:
Provided further, That the amount for demolition of such
housing may not exceed 10 percent of amounts allocated under this
paragraph to States and units of general local government: Provided further,
That no amounts from a grant made under this paragraph may be used to
demolish any public housing (as such term is defined in section 3 of
the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a)): Provided further, That section 2301(d)(4) of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-289) is repealed.
home investment partnerships program
For an additional amount for `HOME Investment Partnerships
Program' as authorized under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National
Affordable Housing Act (`the Act'), $1,500,000,000: Provided,
That the amount appropriated under this heading shall be distributed
according to the same funding formula used in fiscal year 2008: Provided further,
That the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may waive statutory
or regulatory provisions related to the obligation of such funds if
necessary to facilitate the timely expenditure of funds (except for
requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor
standards, and the environment): Provided further, That in
selecting projects to be funded, recipients shall give priority to
projects that can award contracts based on bids within 120 days from
the date that funds are available to the recipients.
self-help and assisted homeownership opportunity program
For an additional amount for `Self-Help and Assisted
Homeownership Opportunity Program', as authorized under section 11 of
the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996, $10,000,000: Provided,
That in awarding competitive grant funds, the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development shall give priority to the provision and
rehabilitation of sustainable, affordable single and multifamily units
in low-income, high-need rural areas: Provided further, That
in selecting projects to be funded, grantees shall give priority to
projects that can award contracts based on bids within 120 days from
the date the funds are made available to the grantee.
homeless assistance grants
For an additional amount for `Homeless Assistance Grants',
for the emergency shelter grants program as authorized under subtitle B
of tile IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act,
$1,500,000,000: Provided, That in addition to homeless
prevention activities specified in the emergency shelter grant program,
funds provided under this heading may be used for the provision of
short-term or medium-term rental assistance; housing relocation and
stabilization services including housing search, mediation or outreach
to property owners, legal services, credit repair, resolution of
security or utility deposits, utility payments, rental assistance for a
final month at a location, and moving costs assistance; or other
appropriate homelessness prevention activities; Provided further, That these funds shall be allocated pursuant to the formula authorized by section 413 of such Act: Provided further,
That the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may waive statutory
or regulatory provisions related to the obligation and use of emergency
shelter grant funds necessary to facilitate the timely expenditure of
funds.
Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control
lead hazard reduction
For an additional amount for `Lead Hazard Reduction', for
the Lead Hazard Reduction Program as authorized by section 1011 of the
Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992,
$100,000,000: Provided, That for purposes of environmental
review, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and other provisions of law that further the
purposes of such Act, a grant under the Healthy Homes Initiative,
Operation Lead Elimination Action Plan (LEAP), or the Lead Technical
Studies program under this heading or under prior appropriations Acts
for such purposes under this heading, shall be considered to be funds
for a special project for purposes of section 305(e) of the Multifamily
Housing Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994: Provided further,
That of the total amount made available under this heading, $30,000,000
shall be made available on a competitive basis for areas with the
highest lead paint abatement needs.
GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS TITLE
SEC. 12001. MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
(a) Maintenance of Effort- Not later than 30 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, for each amount that is distributed to a
State or agency thereof from an appropriation in this Act for a covered
program, the Governor of the State shall certify that the State will
maintain its effort with regard to State funding for the types of
projects that are funded by the appropriation. As part of this
certification, the Governor shall submit to the covered agency a
statement identifying the amount of funds the State planned to expend
as of October 1, 2008, from non-Federal sources in the period beginning
on the date of enactment of this Act through September 30, 2010, for
the types of projects that are funded by the appropriation.
(b) Failure to Maintain Effort- If a Governor is unable to
certify that Federal funds will not supplant non-Federal funds pursuant
to subsection (a), then the Federal funds apportioned to that State
under this Act that will supplant non-Federal funds will be recaptured
by the appropriate Federal agency and redistributed to States or
agencies that can spend the Federal funds without supplanting
non-Federal funds.
(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, each grant recipient shall submit to the covered agency from which
they received funding periodic reports on the use of the funds
appropriated in this Act for covered programs. Such reports shall be
collected and compiled by the covered agency and transmitted to
Congress.
(2) CONTENTS OF REPORTS- For amounts received under
each covered program by a grant recipient under this Act, the grant
recipient shall include in the periodic reports information tracking--
(A) the amount of Federal funds appropriated, allocated, obligated, and outlayed under the appropriation;
(B) the number of projects that have been put out
to bid under the appropriation and the amount of Federal funds
associated with such projects;
(C) the number of projects for which contracts have
been awarded under the appropriation and the amount of Federal funds
associated with such contracts;
(D) the number of projects for which work has begun
under such contracts and the amount of Federal funds associated with
such contracts;
(E) the number of projects for which work has been
completed under such contracts and the amount of Federal funds
associated with such contracts;
(F) the number of jobs created or sustained by the
Federal funds provided for projects under the appropriation, including
information on job sectors and pay levels; and
(G) for each covered program report information
tracking the actual aggregate expenditures by each grant recipient from
non-Federal sources for projects eligible for funding under the program
during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act
through September 30, 2010, as compared to the level of such
expenditures that were planned to occur during such period as of the
date of enactment of this Act.
(3) TIMING OF REPORTS- Each grant recipient shall
submit the first of the periodic reports required under this subsection
not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act and
shall submit updated reports not later than 60 days, 120 days, 180
days, 1 year, and 3 years after such date of enactment.
(d) Definitions- In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) COVERED AGENCY- The term `covered agency' means the
Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration,
the Federal Railroad Administration, and the Federal Transit
Administration of the Department of Transportation.
(2) COVERED PROGRAM- The term `covered program' means
funds appropriated in this Act for `Grants-in-Aid for Airports' to the
Federal Aviation Administration; for `Highway Infrastructure
Investment' to the Federal Highway Administration; for `Capital
Assistance for Intercity Passenger Rail Service' to the Federal
Railroad Administration; for `Transit Capital Assistance', `Fixed
Guideway Infrastructure Investment', and `Capital Investment Grants' to
the Federal Transit Administration.
(3) GRANT RECIPIENT- The term `grant recipient' means a
State or other recipient of assistance provided under a covered program
in this Act. Such term does not include a Federal department or agency.
SEC. 12002. FHA LOAN LIMITS FOR 2009.
(a) Loan Limit Floor Based on 2008 Levels- For mortgages
for which the mortgagee issues credit approval for the borrower during
calendar year 2009, if the dollar amount limitation on the principal
obligation of a mortgage determined under section 203(b)(2) of the
National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)) for any size residence for
any area is less than such dollar amount limitation that was in effect
for such size residence for such area for 2008 pursuant to section 202
of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-185; 122 Stat.
620), notwithstanding any other provision of law, the maximum dollar
amount limitation on the principal obligation of a mortgage for such
size residence for such area for purposes of such section 203(b)(2)
shall be considered (except for purposes of section 255(g) of such Act
(12 U.S.C. 1715z-20(g))) to be such dollar amount limitation in effect
for such size residence for such area for 2008.
(b) Discretionary Authority for Sub-Areas- Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, if the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development determines, for any geographic area that is smaller than an
area for which dollar amount limitations on the principal obligation of
a mortgage are determined under section 203(b)(2) of the National
Housing Act, that a higher such maximum dollar amount limitation is
warranted for any particular size or sizes of residences in such
sub-area by higher median home prices in such sub-area, the Secretary
may, for mortgages for which the mortgagee issues credit approval for
the borrower during calendar year 2009, increase the maximum dollar
amount limitation for such size or sizes of residences for such
sub-area that is otherwise in effect (including pursuant to subsection
(a) of this section), but in no case to an amount that exceeds the
amount specified in section 202(a)(2) of the Economic Stimulus Act of
2008.
SEC. 12003. GSE CONFORMING LOAN LIMITS FOR 2009.
(a) Loan Limit Floor Based on 2008 Levels- For mortgages
originated during calendar year 2009, if the limitation on the maximum
original principal obligation of a mortgage that may purchased by the
Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation determined under section 302(b)(2) of the Federal National
Mortgage Association Charter Act (12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2)) or section
305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C.
1754(a)(2)), respectively, for any size residence for any area is less
than such maximum original principal obligation limitation that was in
effect for such size residence for such area for 2008 pursuant to
section 201 of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-185;
122 Stat. 619), notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
limitation on the maximum original principal obligation of a mortgage
for such Association and Corporation for such size residence for such
area shall be such maximum limitation in effect for such size residence
for such area for 2008.
(b) Discretionary Authority for Sub-Areas- Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, if the Director of the Federal Housing
Finance Agency determines, for any geographic area that is smaller than
an area for which limitations on the maximum original principal
obligation of a mortgage are determined for the Federal National
Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
that a higher such maximum original principal obligation limitation is
warranted for any particular size or sizes of residences in such
sub-area by higher median home prices in such sub-area, the Director
may, for mortgages originated during 2009, increase the maximum
original principal obligation limitation for such size or sizes of
residences for such sub-area that is otherwise in effect (including
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section) for such Association and
Corporation, but in no case to an amount that exceeds the amount
specified in the matter following the comma in section 201(a)(1)(B) of
the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.
SEC. 12004. FHA REVERSE MORTGAGE LOAN LIMITS FOR 2009.
For mortgages for which the mortgagee issues credit
approval for the borrower during calendar year 2009, the second
sentence of section 255(g) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
171520(g)) shall be considered to require that in no case may the
benefits of insurance under such section 255 exceed 150 percent of the
maximum dollar amount in effect under the sixth sentence of section
305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C.
1454(a)(2)).
TITLE XIII--STATE FISCAL STABILIZATION FUND
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund
For necessary expenses for a State Fiscal Stabilization
Fund, $79,000,000,000, which shall be administered by the Department of
Education, of which $39,500,000,000 shall become available on July 1,
2009, and remain available through September 30, 2010, and
$39,500,000,000 shall become available on July 1, 2010, and remain
available through September 30, 2011: Provided, That the provisions of section 1103 of this Act shall not apply to the funds reserved under section 13001(c) of this title: Provided further,
That the amount made available under section 13001(b) of this title for
administration and oversight shall take the place of the set-aside
under section 1106 of this Act.
GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS TITLE
SEC. 13001. ALLOCATIONS.
(a) Outlying Areas- From each year's appropriation to carry
out this title, the Secretary of Education shall first allocate one
half of 1 percent to the outlying areas on the basis of their
respective needs, as determined by the Secretary, for activities
consistent with this title under such terms and conditions as the
Secretary may determine.
(b) Administration and Oversight- The Secretary may, in
addition, reserve up to $12,500,000 each year for administration and
oversight of this title, including for program evaluation.
(c) Reservation for Additional Programs- After reserving
funds under subsections (a) and (b), the Secretary shall reserve
$7,500,000,000 each year for grants under sections 13006 and 13007.
(d) State Allocations- After carrying out subsections (a),
(b), and (c), the Secretary shall allocate the remaining funds made
available to carry out this title to the States as follows:
(1) 61 percent on the basis of their relative population of individuals aged 5 through 24.
(2) 39 percent on the basis of their relative total population.
(e) State Grants- From funds allocated under subsection (d), the Secretary shall make grants to the Governor of each State.
(f) Reallocation- The Governor shall return to the
Secretary any funds received under subsection (e) that the Governor
does not obligate within one year of receiving a grant, and the
Secretary shall reallocate such funds to the remaining States in
accordance with subsection (d).
SEC. 13002. STATE USES OF FUNDS.
(1) IN GENERAL- For each fiscal year, the Governor
shall use at least 61 percent of the State's allocation under section
13001 for the support of elementary, secondary, and postsecondary
education.
(2) RESTORING 2008 STATE SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION-
(A) IN GENERAL- The Governor shall first use the funds described in paragraph (1)--
(i) to provide the amount of funds, through the
State's principal elementary and secondary funding formula, that is
needed to restore State support for elementary and secondary education
to the fiscal year 2008 level; and
(ii) to provide the amount of funds to public
institutions of higher education in the State that is needed to restore
State support for postsecondary education to the fiscal year 2008 level.
(B) SHORTFALL- If the Governor determines that the
amount of funds available under paragraph (1) is insufficient to
restore State support for education to the levels described in clauses
(i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A), the Governor shall allocate those
funds between those clauses in proportion to the relative shortfall in
State support for the education sectors described in those clauses.
(3) SUBGRANTS TO IMPROVE BASIC PROGRAMS OPERATED BY
LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES- After carrying out paragraph (2), the
Governor shall use any funds remaining under paragraph (1) to provide
local educational agencies in the State with subgrants based on their
relative shares of funding under part A of title I of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) for the
most recent year for which data are available.
(b) Other Government Services- For each fiscal year, the
Governor may use up to 39 percent of the State's allocation under
section 1301 for public safety and other government services, which may
include assistance for elementary and secondary education and public
institutions of higher education.
SEC. 13003. USES OF FUNDS BY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.
(a) In General- A local educational agency that receives
funds under this title may use the funds for any activity authorized by
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et
seq.) (`ESEA'), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20
U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) (`IDEA'), or the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) (`the Perkins
Act').
(b) Prohibition- A local educational agency may not use
funds received under this title for capital projects unless authorized
by ESEA, IDEA, or the Perkins Act.
SEC. 13004. USES OF FUNDS BY INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
(a) In General- A public institution of higher education
that receives funds under this title shall use the funds for education
and general expenditures, and in such a way as to mitigate the need to
raise tuition and fees for in-State students.
(b) Prohibition- An institution of higher education may not use funds received under this title to increase its endowment.
(c) Additional Prohibition- An institution of higher
education may not use funds received under this title for construction,
renovation, or facility repair.
SEC. 13005. STATE APPLICATIONS.
(a) In General- The Governor of a State desiring to receive
an allocation under section 13001 shall submit an annual application at
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may reasonably require.
(b) First Year Application- In the first of such applications, the Governor shall--
(1) include the assurances described in subsection (e);
(2) provide baseline data that demonstrates the State's current status in each of the areas described in such assurances; and
(3) describe how the State intends to use its allocation.
(c) Second Year Application- In the second year application, the Governor shall--
(1) include the assurances described in subsection (e); and
(2) describe how the State intends to use its allocation.
(d) Incentive Grant Application- The Governor of a State seeking a grant under section 13006 shall--
(1) submit an application for consideration;
(2) describe the status of the State's progress in each
of the areas described in subsection (e), and the strategies the State
is employing to help ensure that high-need students in the State
continue making progress towards meeting the State's student academic
achievement standards;
(3) describe how the State would use its grant funding,
including how it will allocate the funds to give priority to high-need
schools and local educational agencies; and
(4) include a plan for evaluating its progress in closing achievement gaps.
(e) Assurances- An application under subsection (b) or (c) shall include the following assurances:
(1) MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT-
(A) ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION- The State
will, in each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010, maintain State support for
elementary and secondary education at least at the level of such
support in fiscal year 2006.
(B) HIGHER EDUCATION- The State will, in each of
fiscal years 2009 and 2010, maintain State support for public
institutions of higher education (not including support for capital
projects or for research and development) at least at the level of such
support in fiscal year 2006.
(2) ACHIEVING EQUITY IN TEACHER DISTRIBUTION- The State
will take actions to comply with section 1111(b)(8)(C) of ESEA (20
U.S.C. 6311(b)(8)(C)) in order to address inequities in the
distribution of teachers between high-and low-poverty schools, and to
ensure that low-income and minority children are not taught at higher
rates than other children by inexperienced, unqualified, or
out-of-field teachers.
(3) IMPROVING COLLECTION AND USE OF DATA- The State
will establish a longitudinal data system that includes the elements
described in section 6401(e)(2)(D) of the America COMPETES Act (20
U.S.C. 9871).
(4) ASSESSMENTS- The State--
(A) will enhance the quality of academic
assessments described in section 1111(b)(3) of ESEA (20 U.S.C.
6311(b)(3)) through activities such as those described in section
6112(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 7301a(a)); and
(B) will comply with the requirements of paragraphs
3(C)(ix) and (6) of section 1111(b) of ESEA (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)) and
section 612(a)(16) of IDEA (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(16)) related to the
inclusion of children with disabilities and limited English proficient
students in State assessments, the development of valid and reliable
assessments for those students, and the provision of accommodations
that enable their participation in State assessments.
SEC. 13006. STATE INCENTIVE GRANTS.
(a) In General- From the total amount reserved under
section 13001(c) that is not used for section 13007, the Secretary
shall, in fiscal year 2010, make grants to States that have made
significant progress in meeting the objectives of paragraphs (2), (3),
and (4) of section 13005(e).
(b) Basis for Grants- The Secretary shall determine which
States receive grants under this section, and the amount of those
grants, on the basis of information provided in State applications
under section 13005 and such other criteria as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(c) Subgrants to Local Educational Agencies- Each State
receiving a grant under this section shall use at least 50 percent of
the grant to provide local educational agencies in the State with
subgrants based on their relative shares of funding under part A of
title I of ESEA (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) for the most recent year.
SEC. 13007. INNOVATION FUND.
(1) PROGRAM ESTABLISHED- From the total amount reserved
under section 13001(c), the Secretary may reserve up to $325,000,000
each year to establish an Innovation Fund, which shall consist of
academic achievement awards that recognize States, local educational
agencies, or schools that meet the requirements described in subsection
(b).
(2) BASIS FOR AWARDS- The Secretary shall make awards
to States, local educational agencies, or schools that have made
significant gains in closing the achievement gap as described in
subsection (b)(1)--
(A) to allow such States, local educational agencies, and schools to expand their work and serve as models for best practices;
(B) to allow such States, local educational
agencies, and schools to work in partnership with the private sector
and the philanthropic community; and
(C) to identify and document best practices that can be shared, and taken to scale based on demonstrated success.
(b) Eligibility- To be eligible for such an award, a State, local educational agency, or school shall--
(1) have significantly closed the achievement gaps
between groups of students described in section 1111(b)(2) of ESEA (20
U.S.C. 6311(b)(2));
(2) have exceeded the State's annual measurable
objectives consistent with such section 1111(b)(2) for 2 or more
consecutive years or have demonstrated success in significantly
increasing student academic achievement for all groups of students
described in such section through another measure, such as measures
described in section 1111(c)(2) of ESEA;
(3) have made significant improvement in other areas,
such as graduation rates or increased recruitment and placement of
high-quality teachers and school leaders, as demonstrated with
meaningful data; and
(4) demonstrate that they have established partnerships
with the private sector, which may include philanthropic organizations,
and that the private sector will provide matching funds in order to
help bring results to scale.
SEC. 13008. STATE REPORTS.
For each year of the program under this title, a State
receiving funds under this title shall submit a report to the
Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may
require, that describes--
(1) the uses of funds provided under this title within the State;
(2) how the State distributed the funds it received under this title;
(3) the number of jobs that the Governor estimates were saved or created with funds the State received under this title;
(4) tax increases that the Governor estimates were averted because of the availability of funds from this title;
(5) the State's progress in reducing inequities in the
distribution of teachers, in implementing a State student longitudinal
data system, and in developing and implementing valid and reliable
assessments for limited English proficient students and children with
disabilities;
(6) the tuition and fee increases for in-State students
imposed by public institutions of higher education in the State during
the period of availability of funds under this title, and a description
of any actions taken by the State to limit those increases; and
(7) the extent to which public institutions of higher
education maintained, increased, or decreased enrollment of in-State
students, including students eligible for Pell Grants or other
need-based financial assistance.
SEC. 13009. EVALUATION.
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct
evaluations of the programs under sections 13006 and 13007 which shall
include, but not be limited to, the criteria used for the awards made,
the States selected for awards, award amounts, how each State used the
award received, and the impact of this funding on the progress made
toward closing achievement gaps.
SEC. 13010. SECRETARY'S REPORT TO CONGRESS.
The Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on
Education and Labor of the House of Representatives, the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and of the
Senate, not less than 6 months following the submission of State
reports, that evaluates the information provided in the State reports
under section 13008.
SEC. 13011. PROHIBITION ON PROVISION OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE.
No recipient of funds under this title shall use such funds
to provide financial assistance to students to attend private
elementary or secondary schools.
SEC. 13012. DEFINITIONS.
Except as otherwise provided in this title, as used in this title--
(1) the term `institution of higher education' has the
meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001);
(2) the term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Education;
(3) the term `State' means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(4) any other term used in this title that is defined
in section 9101 of ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7801) shall have the meaning given
the term in that section.
DIVISION B--OTHER PROVISIONS
TITLE I--TAX PROVISIONS
SEC. 1000. SHORT TITLE, ETC.
(a) Short Title- This title may be cited as the `American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009'.
(b) Reference- Except as otherwise expressly provided,
whenever in this title an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of
an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other
provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(c) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this title is as follows:
Sec. 1000. Short title, etc.
Subtitle A--Making Work Pay
Sec. 1001. Making work pay credit.
Subtitle B--Additional Tax Relief for Families With Children
Sec. 1101. Increase in earned income tax credit.
Sec. 1102. Increase of refundable portion of child credit.
Subtitle C--American Opportunity Tax Credit
Sec. 1201. American opportunity tax credit.
Subtitle D--Housing Incentives
Sec. 1301. Waiver of requirement to repay first-time homebuyer credit.
Sec. 1302. Coordination of low-income housing credit and low-income housing grants.
Subtitle E--Tax Incentives for Business
Part 1--Temporary Investment Incentives
Sec. 1401. Special allowance for certain property acquired during 2009.
Sec. 1402. Temporary increase in limitations on expensing of certain depreciable business assets.
Part 2--5-Year Carryback of Operating Losses
Sec. 1411. 5-year carryback of operating losses.
Sec. 1412. Exception for TARP recipients.
Part 3--Incentives for New Jobs
Sec. 1421. Incentives to hire unemployed veterans and disconnected youth.
Part 4--Clarification of Regulations Related to Limitations on Certain Built-In Losses Following an Ownership Change
Sec. 1431. Clarification of regulations related to limitations on certain built-in losses following an ownership change.
Subtitle F--Fiscal Relief for State and Local Governments
Part 1--Improved Marketability for Tax-Exempt Bonds
Sec. 1501. De minimis safe harbor exception for tax-exempt interest expense of financial institutions.
Sec. 1502. Modification of small issuer exception to tax-exempt interest expense allocation rules for financial institutions.
Sec. 1503. Temporary modification of alternative minimum tax limitations on tax-exempt bonds.
Part 2--Tax Credit Bonds for Schools
Sec. 1511. Qualified school construction bonds.
Sec. 1512. Extension and expansion of qualified zone academy bonds.
Part 3--Taxable Bond Option for Governmental Bonds
Sec. 1521. Taxable bond option for governmental bonds.
Part 4--Recovery Zone Bonds
Sec. 1531. Recovery zone bonds.
Sec. 1532. Tribal economic development bonds.
Part 5--Repeal of Withholding Tax on Government Contractors
Sec. 1541. Repeal of withholding tax on government contractors.
Subtitle G--Energy Incentives
Part 1--Renewable Energy Incentives
Sec. 1601. Extension of credit for electricity produced from certain renewable resources.
Sec. 1602. Election of investment credit in lieu of production credit.
Sec. 1603. Repeal of certain limitations on credit for renewable energy property.
Sec. 1604. Coordination with renewable energy grants.
Part 2--Increased Allocations of New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds and Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds
Sec. 1611. Increased limitation on issuance of new clean renewable energy bonds.
Sec. 1612. Increased limitation and expansion of qualified energy conservation bonds.
Part 3--Energy Conservation Incentives
Sec. 1621. Extension and modification of credit for nonbusiness energy property.
Sec. 1622. Modification of credit for residential energy efficient property.
Sec. 1623. Temporary increase in credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property.
Part 4--Energy Research Incentives
Sec. 1631. Increased research credit for energy research.
Subtitle H--Other Provisions
Part 1--Application of Certain Labor Standards to Projects Financed With Certain Tax-Favored Bonds
Sec. 1701. Application of certain labor standards to projects financed with certain tax-favored bonds.
Part 2--Grants To Provide Financing for Low-Income Housing
Sec. 1711. Grants to States for low-income housing projects in lieu of low-income housing credit allocations for 2009.
Part 3--Grants for Specified Energy Property in Lieu of Tax Credits
Sec. 1721. Grants for specified energy property in lieu of tax credits.
Part 4--Study of Economic, Employment, and Related Effects of This Act
Sec. 1731. Study of economic, employment, and related effects of this Act.
Subtitle A--Making Work Pay
SEC. 1001. MAKING WORK PAY CREDIT.
(a) In General- Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of
chapter 1 is amended by inserting after section 36 the following new
section:
`SEC. 36A. MAKING WORK PAY CREDIT.
`(a) Allowance of Credit- In the case of an eligible
individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed
by this subtitle for the taxable year an amount equal to the lesser of--
`(1) 6.2 percent of earned income of the taxpayer, or
`(2) $500 ($1,000 in the case of a joint return).
`(b) Limitation Based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The amount allowable as a credit under
subsection (a) (determined without regard to this paragraph) for the
taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by 2 percent of so
much of the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income as exceeds
$75,000 ($150,000 in the case of a joint return).
`(2) MODIFIED ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME- For purposes of
subparagraph (A), the term `modified adjusted gross income' means the
adjusted gross income of the taxpayer for the taxable year increased by
any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or 933.
`(c) Definitions- For purposes of this section--
`(1) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL- The term `eligible individual' means any individual other than--
`(A) any nonresident alien individual,
`(B) any individual with respect to whom a
deduction under section 151 is allowable to another taxpayer for a
taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which the individual's
taxable year begins, and
Such term shall not include any individual unless the
requirements of section 32(c)(1)(E) are met with respect to such
individual.
`(2) EARNED INCOME- The term `earned income' has the
meaning given such term by section 32(c)(2), except that such term
shall not include net earnings from self-employment which are not taken
into account in computing taxable income. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, any amount excluded from gross income by reason of section
112 shall be treated as earned income which is taken into account in
computing taxable income for the taxable year.
`(d) Termination- This section shall not apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.'.
(b) Treatment of Possessions-
(1) PAYMENTS TO POSSESSIONS-
(A) MIRROR CODE POSSESSION- The Secretary of the
Treasury shall pay to each possession of the United States with a
mirror code tax system amounts equal to the loss to that possession by
reason of the amendments made by this section with respect to taxable
years beginning in 2009 and 2010. Such amounts shall be determined by
the Secretary of the Treasury based on information provided by the
government of the respective possession.
(B) OTHER POSSESSIONS- The Secretary of the
Treasury shall pay to each possession of the United States which does
not have a mirror code tax system amounts estimated by the Secretary of
the Treasury as being equal to the aggregate benefits that would have
been provided to residents of such possession by reason of the
amendments made by this section for taxable years beginning in 2009 and
2010 if a mirror code tax system had been in effect in such possession.
The preceding sentence shall not apply with respect to any possession
of the United States unless such possession has a plan, which has been
approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, under which such possession
will promptly distribute such payments to the residents of such
possession.
(2) COORDINATION WITH CREDIT ALLOWED AGAINST UNITED
STATES INCOME TAXES- No credit shall be allowed against United States
income taxes for any taxable year under section 36A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section) to any person--
(A) to whom a credit is allowed against taxes
imposed by the possession by reason of the amendments made by this
section for such taxable year, or
(B) who is eligible for a payment under a plan described in paragraph (1)(B) with respect to such taxable year.
(3) DEFINITIONS AND SPECIAL RULES-
(A) POSSESSION OF THE UNITED STATES- For purposes
of this subsection, the term `possession of the United States' includes
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands.
(B) MIRROR CODE TAX SYSTEM- For purposes of this
subsection, the term `mirror code tax system' means, with respect to
any possession of the United States, the income tax system of such
possession if the income tax liability of the residents of such
possession under such system is determined by reference to the income
tax laws of the United States as if such possession were the United
States.
(C) TREATMENT OF PAYMENTS- For purposes of section
1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, the payments under this
subsection shall be treated in the same manner as a refund due from the
credit allowed under section 36A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(as added by this section).
(c) Refunds Disregarded in the Administration of Federal
Programs and Federally Assisted Programs- Any credit or refund allowed
or made to any individual by reason of section 36A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section) or by reason of
subsection (b) of this section shall not be taken into account as
income and shall not be taken into account as resources for the month
of receipt and the following 2 months, for purposes of determining the
eligibility of such individual or any other individual for benefits or
assistance, or the amount or extent of benefits or assistance, under
any Federal program or under any State or local program financed in
whole or in part with Federal funds.
(d) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Section 6211(b)(4)(A) is amended by inserting `36A,' after `36,'.
(2) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting `36A,' after `36,'.
(3) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of
subchapter A of chapter 1 is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 36 the following new item:
`Sec. 36A. Making work pay credit.'.
(e) Effective Date- This section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.
Subtitle B--Additional Tax Relief for Families With Children
SEC. 1101. INCREASE IN EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.
(a) In General- Subsection (b) of section 32 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(3) SPECIAL RULES FOR 2009 AND 2010- In the case of any taxable year beginning in 2009 or 2010--
`(A) INCREASED CREDIT PERCENTAGE FOR 3 OR MORE
QUALIFYING CHILDREN- In the case of a taxpayer with 3 or more
qualifying children, the credit percentage is 45 percent.
`(B) REDUCTION OF MARRIAGE PENALTY-
`(i) IN GENERAL- The dollar amount in effect under paragraph (2)(B) shall be $5,000.
`(ii) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT- In the case of any
taxable year beginning in 2010, the $5,000 amount in clause (i) shall
be increased by an amount equal to--
`(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by
`(II) the cost of living adjustment
determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the
taxable year begins determined by substituting `calendar year 2008' for
`calendar year 1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
`(iii) ROUNDING- Subparagraph (A) of subsection (j)(2) shall apply after taking into account any increase under clause (ii).'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1102. INCREASE OF REFUNDABLE PORTION OF CHILD CREDIT.
(a) In General- Paragraph (4) of section 24(d) is amended to read as follows:
`(4) SPECIAL RULE FOR 2009 AND 2010- Notwithstanding
paragraph (3), in the case of any taxable year beginning in 2009 or
2010, the dollar amount in effect for such taxable year under paragraph
(1)(B)(i) shall be zero.'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.
Subtitle C--American Opportunity Tax Credit
SEC. 1201. AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT.
(a) In General- Section 25A (relating to Hope scholarship
credit) is amended by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (j)
and by inserting after subsection (h) the following new subsection:
`(i) American Opportunity Tax Credit- In the case of any taxable year beginning in 2009 or 2010--
`(1) INCREASE IN CREDIT- The Hope Scholarship Credit shall be an amount equal to the sum of--
`(A) 100 percent of so much of the qualified
tuition and related expenses paid by the taxpayer during the taxable
year (for education furnished to the eligible student during any
academic period beginning in such taxable year) as does not exceed
$2,000, plus
`(B) 25 percent of such expenses so paid as exceeds $2,000 but does not exceed $4,000.
`(2) CREDIT ALLOWED FOR FIRST 4 YEARS OF POST-SECONDARY
EDUCATION- Subparagraphs (A) and (C) of subsection (b)(2) shall be
applied by substituting `4' for `2'.
`(3) QUALIFIED TUITION AND RELATED EXPENSES TO INCLUDE
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS- Subsection (f)(1)(A) shall be applied by
substituting `tuition, fees, and course materials' for `tuition and
fees'.
`(4) INCREASE IN AGI LIMITS FOR HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
CREDIT- In lieu of applying subsection (d) with respect to the Hope
Scholarship Credit, such credit (determined without regard to this
paragraph) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount which
bears the same ratio to such credit (as so determined) as--
`(i) the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income (as defined in subsection (d)(3)) for such taxable year, over
`(ii) $80,000 ($160,000 in the case of a joint return), bears to
`(B) $10,000 ($20,000 in the case of a joint return).
`(5) CREDIT ALLOWED AGAINST ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX- In
the case of a taxable year to which section 26(a)(2) does not apply, so
much of the credit allowed under subsection (a) as is attributable to
the Hope Scholarship Credit shall not exceed the excess of--
`(A) the sum of the regular tax liability (as defined in section 26(b)) plus the tax imposed by section 55, over
`(B) the sum of the credits allowable under this
subpart (other than this subsection and sections 23, 25D, and 30D) and
section 27 for the taxable year.
Any reference in this section or section 24, 25, 26,
25B, 904, or 1400C to a credit allowable under this subsection shall be
treated as a reference to so much of the credit allowable under
subsection (a) as is attributable to the Hope Scholarship Credit.
`(6) PORTION OF CREDIT MADE REFUNDABLE- 40 percent of
so much of the credit allowed under subsection (a) as is attributable
to the Hope Scholarship Credit (determined after application of
paragraph (4) and without regard to this paragraph and section 26(a)(2)
or paragraph (5), as the case may be) shall be treated as a credit
allowable under subpart C (and not allowed under subsection (a)). The
preceding sentence shall not apply to any taxpayer for any taxable year
if such taxpayer is a child to whom subsection (g) of section 1 applies
for such taxable year.
`(7) COORDINATION WITH MIDWESTERN DISASTER AREA
BENEFITS- In the case of a taxpayer with respect to whom section
702(a)(1)(B) of the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 applies
for any taxable year, such taxpayer may elect to waive the application
of this subsection to such taxpayer for such taxable year.'.
(b) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Section 24(b)(3)(B) is amended by inserting `25A(i),' after `23,'.
(2) Section 25(e)(1)(C)(ii) is amended by inserting `25A(i),' after `24,'.
(3) Section 26(a)(1) is amended by inserting `25A(i),' after `24,'.
(4) Section 25B(g)(2) is amended by inserting `25A(i),' after `23,'.
(5) Section 904(i) is amended by inserting `25A(i),' after `24,'.
(6) Section 1400C(d)(2) is amended by inserting `25A(i),' after `24,'.
(7) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting `25A,' before `35'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.
(d) Application of EGTRRA Sunset- The amendment made by
subsection (b)(1) shall be subject to title IX of the Economic Growth
and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 in the same manner as the
provision of such Act to which such amendment relates.
(e) Treasury Studies Regarding Education Incentives-
(1) STUDY REGARDING COORDINATION WITH NON-TAX
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVES- The Secretary of the Treasury, or the
Secretary's delegate, shall study how to coordinate the credit allowed
under section 25A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with the Federal
Pell Grant program under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of
1965.
(2) STUDY REGARDING IMPOSITION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
REQUIREMENTS- The Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary's
delegate, shall study the feasibility of requiring students to perform
community service as a condition of taking their tuition and related
expenses into account under section 25A of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.
(3) REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, or the
Secretary's delegate, shall report to Congress on the results of the
studies conducted under this paragraph.
Subtitle D--Housing Incentives
SEC. 1301. WAIVER OF REQUIREMENT TO REPAY FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER CREDIT.
(a) In General- Paragraph (4) of section 36(f) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(D) WAIVER OF RECAPTURE FOR PURCHASES IN 2009- In
the case of any credit allowed with respect to the purchase of a
principal residence after December 31, 2008, and before July 1, 2009--
`(i) paragraph (1) shall not apply, and
`(ii) paragraph (2) shall apply only if the
disposition or cessation described in paragraph (2) with respect to
such residence occurs during the 36-month period beginning on the date
of the purchase of such residence by the taxpayer.'.
(b) Conforming Amendment- Subsection (g) of section 36 is
amended by striking `subsection (c)' and inserting `subsections (c) and
(f)(4)(D)'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to residences purchased after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1302. COORDINATION OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING CREDIT AND LOW-INCOME HOUSING GRANTS.
Subsection (i) of section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(9) COORDINATION WITH LOW-INCOME HOUSING GRANTS-
`(A) REDUCTION IN STATE HOUSING CREDIT CEILING FOR
LOW-INCOME HOUSING GRANTS RECEIVED IN 2009- For purposes of this
section, the amounts described in clauses (i) through (iv) of
subsection (h)(3)(C) with respect to any State for 2009 shall each be
reduced by so much of such amount as is taken into account in
determining the amount of any grant to such State under section 1711 of
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009.
`(B) SPECIAL RULE FOR BASIS- Basis of a qualified
low-income building shall not be reduced by the amount of any grant
described in subparagraph (A).'.
Subtitle E--Tax Incentives for Business
PART 1--TEMPORARY INVESTMENT INCENTIVES
SEC. 1401. SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY ACQUIRED DURING 2009.
(a) In General- Paragraph (2) of section 168(k) is amended--
(1) by striking `January 1, 2010' and inserting `January 1, 2011', and
(2) by striking `January 1, 2009' each place it appears and inserting `January 1, 2010'.
(b) Conforming Amendments-
(1) The heading for subsection (k) of section 168 is amended by striking `January 1, 2009' and inserting `January 1, 2010'.
(2) The heading for clause (ii) of section 168(k)(2)(B)
is amended by striking `PRE-JANUARY 1, 2009' and inserting `PRE-JANUARY
1, 2010'.
(3) Subparagraph (D) of section 168(k)(4) is amended--
(A) by striking `and' at the end of clause (i),
(B) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (v), and
(C) by inserting after clause (i) the following new clauses:
`(ii) `April 1, 2008' shall be substituted for `January 1, 2008' in subparagraph (A)(iii)(I) thereof,
`(iii) `January 1, 2009' shall be substituted for `January 1, 2010' each place it appears,
`(iv) `January 1, 2010' shall be substituted for `January 1, 2011' in subparagraph (A)(iv) thereof, and'.
(4) Subparagraph (B) of section 168(l)(5) is amended by striking `January 1, 2009' and inserting `January 1, 2010'.
(5) Subparagraph (B) of section 1400N(d)(3) is amended by striking `January 1, 2009' and inserting `January 1, 2010'.
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2),
the amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in
service after December 31, 2008, in taxable years ending after such
date.
(2) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT- Section 168(k)(4)(D)(ii) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by subsection (b)(3)(C),
shall apply to taxable years ending after March 31, 2008.
SEC. 1402. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN LIMITATIONS ON EXPENSING OF CERTAIN DEPRECIABLE BUSINESS ASSETS.
(a) In General- Paragraph (7) of section 179(b) is amended--
(1) by striking `2008' and inserting `2008, or 2009', and
(2) by striking `2008' in the heading thereof and inserting `2008, AND 2009'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.
PART 2--5-YEAR CARRYBACK OF OPERATING LOSSES
SEC. 1411. 5-YEAR CARRYBACK OF OPERATING LOSSES.
(a) In General- Subparagraph (H) of section 172(b)(1) is amended to read as follows:
`(H) CARRYBACK FOR 2008 AND 2009 NET OPERATING LOSSES-
`(i) IN GENERAL- In the case of an applicable
2008 or 2009 net operating loss with respect to which the taxpayer has
elected the application of this subparagraph--
`(I) such net operating loss shall be reduced by 10 percent of such loss (determined without regard to this subparagraph),
`(II) subparagraph (A)(i) shall be applied
by substituting any whole number elected by the taxpayer which is more
than 2 and less than 6 for `2',
`(III) subparagraph (E)(ii) shall be
applied by substituting the whole number which is one less than the
whole number substituted under subclause (II) for `2', and
`(IV) subparagraph (F) shall not apply.
`(ii) APPLICABLE 2008 OR 2009 NET OPERATING
LOSS- For purposes of this subparagraph, the term `applicable 2008 or
2009 net operating loss' means--
`(I) the taxpayer's net operating loss for any taxable year ending in 2008 or 2009, or
`(II) if the taxpayer elects to have this
subclause apply in lieu of subclause (I), the taxpayer's net operating
loss for any taxable year beginning in 2008 or 2009.
`(iii) ELECTION- Any election under this
subparagraph shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed by the
Secretary, and shall be made by the due date (including extension of
time) for filing the taxpayer's return for the taxable year of the net
operating loss. Any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable.
`(iv) COORDINATION WITH ALTERNATIVE TAX NET
OPERATING LOSS DEDUCTION- In the case of a taxpayer who elects to have
clause (ii)(II) apply, section 56(d)(1)(A)(ii) shall be applied by
substituting `ending during 2001 or 2002 or beginning during 2008 or
2009' for `ending during 2001, 2002, 2008, or 2009'.'.
(b) Alternative Tax Net Operating Loss Deduction- Subclause (I) of section 56(d)(1)(A)(ii) is amended to read as follows:
`(I) the amount of such deduction
attributable to the sum of carrybacks of net operating losses from
taxable years ending during 2001, 2002, 2008, or 2009 and carryovers of
net operating losses to such taxable years, or'.
(c) Loss From Operations of Life Insurance Companies-
Subsection (b) of section 810 is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
`(4) CARRYBACK FOR 2008 AND 2009 LOSSES-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In the case of an applicable 2008
or 2009 loss from operations with respect to which the taxpayer has
elected the application of this paragraph--
`(i) such loss from operations shall be reduced by 10 percent of such loss (determined without regard to this paragraph), and
`(ii) paragraph (1)(A) shall be applied, at the election of the taxpayer, by substituting `5' or `4' for `3'.
`(B) APPLICABLE 2008 OR 2009 LOSS FROM OPERATIONS-
For purposes of this paragraph, the term `applicable 2008 or 2009 loss
from operations' means--
`(i) the taxpayer's loss from operations for any taxable year ending in 2008 or 2009, or
`(ii) if the taxpayer elects to have this
clause apply in lieu of clause (i), the taxpayer's loss from operations
for any taxable year beginning in 2008 or 2009.
`(C) ELECTION- Any election under this paragraph
shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed by the Secretary, and
shall be made by the due date (including extension of time) for filing
the taxpayer's return for the taxable year of the loss from operations.
Any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable.
`(D) COORDINATION WITH ALTERNATIVE TAX NET
OPERATING LOSS DEDUCTION- In the case of a taxpayer who elects to have
subparagraph (B)(ii) apply, section 56(d)(1)(A)(ii) shall be applied by
substituting `ending during 2001 or 2002 or beginning during 2008 or
2009' for `ending during 2001, 2002, 2008, or 2009'.'.
(d) Conforming Amendment- Section 172 is amended by striking subsection (k).
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as otherwise provided in this
subsection, the amendments made by this section shall apply to net
operating losses arising in taxable years ending after December 31,
2007.
(2) ALTERNATIVE TAX NET OPERATING LOSS DEDUCTION- The
amendment made by subsection (b) shall apply to taxable years ending
after 1997.
(3) LOSS FROM OPERATIONS OF LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES-
The amendment made by subsection (d) shall apply to losses from
operations arising in taxable years ending after December 31, 2007.
(4) TRANSITIONAL RULE- In the case of a net operating
loss (or, in the case of a life insurance company, a loss from
operations) for a taxable year ending before the date of the enactment
of this Act--
(A) any election made under section 172(b)(3) or
810(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to such
loss may (notwithstanding such section) be revoked before the
applicable date,
(B) any election made under section 172(b)(1)(H) or
810(b)(4) of such Code with respect to such loss shall (notwithstanding
such section) be treated as timely made if made before the applicable
date, and
(C) any application under section 6411(a) of such
Code with respect to such loss shall be treated as timely filed if
filed before the applicable date.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term `applicable
date' means the date which is 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
SEC. 1412. EXCEPTION FOR TARP RECIPIENTS.
The amendments made by this part shall not apply to--
(A) the Federal Government acquires, at any time,
an equity interest in the taxpayer pursuant to the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act of 2008, or
(B) the Federal Government acquires, at any time,
any warrant (or other right) to acquire any equity interest with
respect to the taxpayer pursuant to such Act,
(2) the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and
(3) any taxpayer which at any time in 2008 or 2009 is a
member of the same affiliated group (as defined in section 1504 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, determined without regard to subsection
(b) thereof) as a taxpayer described in paragraph (1) or (2).
PART 3--INCENTIVES FOR NEW JOBS
SEC. 1421. INCENTIVES TO HIRE UNEMPLOYED VETERANS AND DISCONNECTED YOUTH.
(a) In General- Subsection (d) of section 51 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(14) CREDIT ALLOWED FOR UNEMPLOYED VETERANS AND DISCONNECTED YOUTH HIRED IN 2009 OR 2010-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Any unemployed veteran or
disconnected youth who begins work for the employer during 2009 or 2010
shall be treated as a member of a targeted group for purposes of this
subpart.
`(B) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of this paragraph--
`(i) UNEMPLOYED VETERAN- The term `unemployed
veteran' means any veteran (as defined in paragraph (3)(B), determined
without regard to clause (ii) thereof) who is certified by the
designated local agency as--
`(I) having been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces during 2008, 2009, or 2010, and
`(II) being in receipt of unemployment
compensation under State or Federal law for not less than 4 weeks
during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date.
`(ii) DISCONNECTED YOUTH- The term `disconnected youth' means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency--
`(I) as having attained age 16 but not age 25 on the hiring date,
`(II) as not regularly attending any
secondary, technical, or post-secondary school during the 6-month
period preceding the hiring date,
`(III) as not regularly employed during such 6-month period, and
`(IV) as not readily employable by reason of lacking a sufficient number of basic skills.'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section
shall apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after
December 31, 2008.
PART 4--CLARIFICATION OF REGULATIONS RELATED TO LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN BUILT-IN LOSSES FOLLOWING AN OWNERSHIP CHANGE
SEC. 1431. CLARIFICATION OF REGULATIONS RELATED TO LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN BUILT-IN LOSSES FOLLOWING AN OWNERSHIP CHANGE.
(a) Findings- Congress finds as follows:
(1) The delegation of authority to the Secretary of the
Treasury under section 382(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 does
not authorize the Secretary to provide exemptions or special rules that
are restricted to particular industries or classes of taxpayers.
(2) Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008-83 is inconsistent with the congressional intent in enacting such section 382(m).
(3) The legal authority to prescribe Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008-83 is doubtful.
(4) However, as taxpayers should generally be able to
rely on guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury legislation is
necessary to clarify the force and effect of Internal Revenue Service
Notice 2008-83 and restore the proper application under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 of the limitation on built-in losses following an
ownership change of a bank.
(b) Determination of Force and Effect of Internal Revenue
Service Notice 2008-83 Exempting Banks From Limitation on Certain
Built-in Losses Following Ownership Change-
(1) IN GENERAL- Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008-83--
(A) shall be deemed to have the force and effect of
law with respect to any ownership change (as defined in section 382(g)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) occurring on or before January
16, 2009, and
(B) shall have no force or effect with respect to any ownership change after such date.
(2) BINDING CONTRACTS- Notwithstanding paragraph (1),
Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008-83 shall have the force and effect
of law with respect to any ownership change (as so defined) which
occurs after January 16, 2009 if such change--
(A) is pursuant to a written binding contract entered into on or before such date, or
(B) is pursuant to a written agreement entered into
on or before such date and such agreement was described on or before
such date in a public announcement or in a filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission required by reason of such ownership change.
Subtitle F--Fiscal Relief for State and Local Governments
PART 1--IMPROVED MARKETABILITY FOR TAX-EXEMPT BONDS
SEC. 1501. DE MINIMIS SAFE HARBOR EXCEPTION FOR TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST EXPENSE OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General- Subsection (b) of section 265 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(7) DE MINIMIS EXCEPTION FOR BONDS ISSUED DURING 2009 OR 2010-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In applying paragraph (2)(A),
there shall not be taken into account tax-exempt obligations issued
during 2009 or 2010.
`(B) LIMITATION- The amount of tax-exempt
obligations not taken into account by reason of subparagraph (A) shall
not exceed 2 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2)(B).
`(C) REFUNDINGS- For purposes of this paragraph, a
refunding bond (whether a current or advance refunding) shall be
treated as issued on the date of the issuance of the refunded bond (or
in the case of a series of refundings, the original bond).'.
(b) Treatment as Financial Institution Preference Item-
Clause (iv) of section 291(e)(1)(B) is amended by adding at the end the
following: `That portion of any obligation not taken into account under
paragraph (2)(A) of section 265(b) by reason of paragraph (7) of such
section shall be treated for purposes of this section as having been
acquired on August 7, 1986.'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to obligations issued after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1502. MODIFICATION OF SMALL ISSUER EXCEPTION TO TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST EXPENSE ALLOCATION RULES FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General- Paragraph (3) of section 265(b) (relating
to exception for certain tax-exempt obligations) is amended by adding
at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(G) SPECIAL RULES FOR OBLIGATIONS ISSUED DURING 2009 AND 2010-
`(i) INCREASE IN LIMITATION- In the case of
obligations issued during 2009 or 2010, subparagraphs (C)(i), (D)(i),
and (D)(iii)(II) shall each be applied by substituting `$30,000,000'
for `$10,000,000'.
`(ii) QUALIFIED 501(C)(3) BONDS TREATED AS
ISSUED BY EXEMPT ORGANIZATION- In the case of a qualified 501(c)(3)
bond (as defined in section 145) issued during 2009 or 2010, this
paragraph shall be applied by treating the 501(c)(3) organization for
whose benefit such bond was issued as the issuer.
`(iii) SPECIAL RULE FOR QUALIFIED FINANCINGS- In the case of a qualified financing issue issued during 2009 or 2010--
`(I) subparagraph (F) shall not apply, and
`(II) any obligation issued as a part of
such issue shall be treated as a qualified tax-exempt obligation if the
requirements of this paragraph are met with respect to each qualified
portion of the issue (determined by treating each qualified portion as
a separate issue issued by the qualified borrower with respect to which
such portion relates).
`(iv) QUALIFIED FINANCING ISSUE- For purposes
of this subparagraph, the term `qualified financing issue' means any
composite, pooled, or other conduit financing issue the proceeds of
which are used directly or indirectly to make or finance loans to one
or more ultimate borrowers each of whom is a qualified borrower.
`(v) QUALIFIED PORTION- For purposes of this
subparagraph, the term `qualified portion' means that portion of the
proceeds which are used with respect to each qualified borrower under
the issue.
`(vi) QUALIFIED BORROWER- For purposes of this
subparagraph, the term `qualified borrower' means a borrower which is a
State or political subdivision thereof or an organization described in
section 501(c)(3) and exempt from taxation under section 501(a).'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to obligations issued after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1503. TEMPORARY MODIFICATION OF ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX LIMITATIONS ON TAX-EXEMPT BONDS.
(a) Interest on Private Activity Bonds Issued During 2009
and 2010 Not Treated as Tax Preference Item- Subparagraph (C) of
section 57(a)(5) is amended by adding at the end a new clause:
`(vi) EXCEPTION FOR BONDS ISSUED IN 2009 AND
2010- For purposes of clause (i), the term `private activity bond'
shall not include any bond issued after December 31, 2008, and before
January 1, 2011. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a refunding
bond (whether a current or advance refunding) shall be treated as
issued on the date of the issuance of the refunded bond (or in the case
of a series of refundings, the original bond).'.
(b) No Adjustment to Adjusted Current Earnings for Interest
on Tax-Exempt Bonds Issued After 2008- Subparagraph (B) of section
56(g)(4) is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:
`(iv) TAX EXEMPT INTEREST ON BONDS ISSUED IN
2009 AND 2010- Clause (i) shall not apply in the case of any interest
on a bond issued after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2011.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, a refunding bond (whether a
current or advance refunding) shall be treated as issued on the date of
the issuance of the refunded bond (or in the case of a series of
refundings, the original bond).'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to obligations issued after December 31, 2008.
PART 2--TAX CREDIT BONDS FOR SCHOOLS
SEC. 1511. QUALIFIED SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BONDS.
(a) In General- Subpart I of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
`SEC. 54F. QUALIFIED SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BONDS.
`(a) Qualified School Construction Bond- For purposes of
this subchapter, the term `qualified school construction bond' means
any bond issued as part of an issue if--
`(1) 100 percent of the available project proceeds of
such issue are to be used for the construction, rehabilitation, or
repair of a public school facility or for the acquisition of land on
which such a facility is to be constructed with part of the proceeds of
such issue,
`(2) the bond is issued by a State or local government within the jurisdiction of which such school is located, and
`(3) the issuer designates such bond for purposes of this section.
`(b) Limitation on Amount of Bonds Designated- The maximum
aggregate face amount of bonds issued during any calendar year which
may be designated under subsection (a) by any issuer shall not exceed
the sum of--
`(1) the limitation amount allocated under subsection (d) for such calendar year to such issuer, and
`(2) if such issuer is a large local educational agency
(as defined in subsection (e)(4)) or is issuing on behalf of such an
agency, the limitation amount allocated under subsection (e) for such
calendar year to such agency.
`(c) National Limitation on Amount of Bonds Designated-
There is a national qualified school construction bond limitation for
each calendar year. Such limitation is--
`(1) $11,000,000,000 for 2009,
`(2) $11,000,000,000 for 2010, and
`(3) except as provided in subsection (f), zero after 2010.
`(d) 60 Percent of Limitation Allocated Among States-
`(1) IN GENERAL- 60 percent of the limitation
applicable under subsection (c) for any calendar year shall be
allocated by the Secretary among the States in proportion to the
respective numbers of children in each State who have attained age 5
but not age 18 for the most recent fiscal year ending before such
calendar year. The limitation amount allocated to a State under the
preceding sentence shall be allocated by the State to issuers within
such State.
`(2) MINIMUM ALLOCATIONS TO STATES-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall adjust the
allocations under this subsection for any calendar year for each State
to the extent necessary to ensure that the sum of--
`(i) the amount allocated to such State under this subsection for such year, and
`(ii) the aggregate amounts allocated under subsection (e) to large local educational agencies in such State for such year,
is not less than an amount equal to such State's
adjusted minimum percentage of the amount to be allocated under
paragraph (1) for the calendar year.
`(B) ADJUSTED MINIMUM PERCENTAGE- A State's adjusted minimum percentage for any calendar year is the product of--
`(i) the minimum percentage described in
section 1124(d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6334(d)) for such State for the most recent fiscal year
ending before such calendar year, multiplied by
`(3) ALLOCATIONS TO CERTAIN POSSESSIONS- The amount to
be allocated under paragraph (1) to any possession of the United States
other than Puerto Rico shall be the amount which would have been
allocated if all allocations under paragraph (1) were made on the basis
of respective populations of individuals below the poverty line (as
defined by the Office of Management and Budget). In making other
allocations, the amount to be allocated under paragraph (1) shall be
reduced by the aggregate amount allocated under this paragraph to
possessions of the United States.
`(4) ALLOCATIONS FOR INDIAN SCHOOLS- In addition to the
amounts otherwise allocated under this subsection, $200,000,000 for
calendar year 2009, and $200,000,000 for calendar year 2010, shall be
allocated by the Secretary of the Interior for purposes of the
construction, rehabilitation, and repair of schools funded by the
Bureau of Indian Affairs. In the case of amounts allocated under the
preceding sentence, Indian tribal governments (as defined in section
7701(a)(40)) shall be treated as qualified issuers for purposes of this
subchapter.
`(e) 40 Percent of Limitation Allocated Among Largest School Districts-
`(1) IN GENERAL- 40 percent of the limitation
applicable under subsection (c) for any calendar year shall be
allocated under paragraph (2) by the Secretary among local educational
agencies which are large local educational agencies for such year.
`(2) ALLOCATION FORMULA- The amount to be allocated
under paragraph (1) for any calendar year shall be allocated among
large local educational agencies in proportion to the respective
amounts each such agency received for Basic Grants under subpart 2 of
part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6331 et seq.) for the most recent fiscal year ending before
such calendar year.
`(3) ALLOCATION OF UNUSED LIMITATION TO STATE- The
amount allocated under this subsection to a large local educational
agency for any calendar year may be reallocated by such agency to the
State in which such agency is located for such calendar year. Any
amount reallocated to a State under the preceding sentence may be
allocated as provided in subsection (d)(1).
`(4) LARGE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY- For purposes of
this section, the term `large local educational agency' means, with
respect to a calendar year, any local educational agency if such agency
is--
`(A) among the 100 local educational agencies with
the largest numbers of children aged 5 through 17 from families living
below the poverty level, as determined by the Secretary using the most
recent data available from the Department of Commerce that are
satisfactory to the Secretary, or
`(B) 1 of not more than 25 local educational
agencies (other than those described in subparagraph (A)) that the
Secretary of Education determines (based on the most recent data
available satisfactory to the Secretary) are in particular need of
assistance, based on a low level of resources for school construction,
a high level of enrollment growth, or such other factors as the
Secretary deems appropriate.
`(f) Carryover of Unused Limitation- If for any calendar year--
`(1) the amount allocated under subsection (d) to any State, exceeds
`(2) the amount of bonds issued during such year which are designated under subsection (a) pursuant to such allocation,
the limitation amount under such subsection for such State
for the following calendar year shall be increased by the amount of
such excess. A similar rule shall apply to the amounts allocated under
subsection (d)(4) or (e).'.
(b) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Paragraph (1) of section 54A(d) is amended by
striking `or' at the end of subparagraph (C), by inserting `or' at the
end of subparagraph (D), and by inserting after subparagraph (D) the
following new subparagraph:
`(E) a qualified school construction bond,'.
(2) Subparagraph (C) of section 54A(d)(2) is amended by
striking `and' at the end of clause (iii), by striking the period at
the end of clause (iv) and inserting `, and', and by adding at the end
the following new clause:
`(v) in the case of a qualified school construction bond, a purpose specified in section 54F(a)(1).'.
(3) The table of sections for subpart I of part IV of
subchapter A of chapter 1 is amended by adding at the end the following
new item:
`Sec. 54F. Qualified school construction bonds.'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to obligations issued after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1512. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF QUALIFIED ZONE ACADEMY BONDS.
(a) In General- Section 54E(c)(1) is amended by striking `and 2009' and inserting `and $1,400,000,000 for 2009 and 2010'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by this section shall apply to obligations issued after December 31, 2008.
PART 3--TAXABLE BOND OPTION FOR GOVERNMENTAL BONDS
SEC. 1521. TAXABLE BOND OPTION FOR GOVERNMENTAL BONDS.
(a) In General- Part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subpart:
`Subpart J--Taxable Bond Option for Governmental Bonds
`Sec. 54AA. Taxable bond option for governmental bonds.
`SEC. 54AA. TAXABLE BOND OPTION FOR GOVERNMENTAL BONDS.
`(a) In General- If a taxpayer holds a taxable governmental
bond on one or more interest payment dates of the bond during any
taxable year, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax
imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the sum
of the credits determined under subsection (b) with respect to such
dates.
`(b) Amount of Credit- The amount of the credit determined
under this subsection with respect to any interest payment date for a
taxable governmental bond is 35 percent of the amount of interest
payable by the issuer with respect to such date.
`(c) Limitation Based on Amount of Tax-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The credit allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess of--
`(A) the sum of the regular tax liability (as defined in section 26(b)) plus the tax imposed by section 55, over
`(B) the sum of the credits allowable under this part (other than subpart C and this subpart).
`(2) CARRYOVER OF UNUSED CREDIT- If the credit
allowable under subsection (a) exceeds the limitation imposed by
paragraph (1) for such taxable year, such excess shall be carried to
the succeeding taxable year and added to the credit allowable under
subsection (a) for such taxable year (determined before the application
of paragraph (1) for such succeeding taxable year).
`(d) Taxable Governmental Bond-
`(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of this section, the term
`taxable governmental bond' means any obligation (other than a private
activity bond) if--
`(A) the interest on such obligation would (but for this section) be excludable from gross income under section 103, and
`(B) the issuer makes an irrevocable election to have this section apply.
`(2) APPLICABLE RULES- For purposes of applying paragraph (1)--
`(A) a taxable governmental bond shall not be
treated as federally guaranteed by reason of the credit allowed under
subsection (a) or section 6432,
`(B) the yield on a taxable governmental bond shall
be determined without regard to the credit allowed under subsection
(a), and
`(C) a bond shall not be treated as a taxable
governmental bond if the issue price has more than a de minimis amount
(determined under rules similar to the rules of section 1273(a)(3)) of
premium over the stated principal amount of the bond.
`(e) Interest Payment Date- For purposes of this section,
the term `interest payment date' means any date on which the holder of
record of the taxable governmental bond is entitled to a payment of
interest under such bond.
`(1) INTEREST ON TAXABLE GOVERNMENTAL BONDS INCLUDIBLE
IN GROSS INCOME FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES- For purposes of this
title, interest on any taxable governmental bond shall be includible in
gross income.
`(2) APPLICATION OF CERTAIN RULES- Rules similar to the
rules of subsections (f), (g), (h), and (i) of section 54A shall apply
for purposes of the credit allowed under subsection (a).
`(g) Special Rule for Qualified Bonds Issued Before 2011- In the case of a qualified bond issued before January 1, 2011--
`(1) ISSUER ALLOWED REFUNDABLE CREDIT- In lieu of any
credit allowed under this section with respect to such bond, the issuer
of such bond shall be allowed a credit as provided in section 6432.
`(2) QUALIFIED BOND- For purposes of this subsection,
the term `qualified bond' means any taxable governmental bond issued as
part of an issue if--
`(A) 100 percent of the available project proceeds
(as defined in section 54A) of such issue are to be used for capital
expenditures, and
`(B) the issuer makes an irrevocable election to have this subsection apply.
`(h) Regulations- The Secretary may prescribe such
regulations and other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to
carry out this section and section 6432.'.
(b) Credit for Qualified Bonds Issued Before 2011-
Subchapter B of chapter 65, as amended by this Act, is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
`SEC. 6432. CREDIT FOR QUALIFIED BONDS ALLOWED TO ISSUER.
`(a) In General- In the case of a qualified bond issued
before January 1, 2011, the issuer of such bond shall be allowed a
credit with respect to each interest payment under such bond which
shall be payable by the Secretary as provided in subsection (b).
`(b) Payment of Credit- The Secretary shall pay
(contemporaneously with each interest payment date under such bond) to
the issuer of such bond (or to any person who makes such interest
payments on behalf of the issuer) 35 percent of the interest payable
under such bond on such date.
`(c) Application of Arbitrage Rules- For purposes of
section 148, the yield on a qualified bond shall be reduced by the
credit allowed under this section.
`(d) Interest Payment Date- For purposes of this
subsection, the term `interest payment date' means each date on which
interest is payable by the issuer under the terms of the bond.
`(e) Qualified Bond- For purposes of this subsection, the
term `qualified bond' has the meaning given such term in section
54AA(h).'.
(c) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking `or 6428' and inserting `6428, or 6432,'.
(2) Section 54A(c)(1)(B) is amended by striking `subpart C' and inserting `subparts C and J'.
(3) Sections 54(c)(2), 1397E(c)(2), and 1400N(l)(3)(B) are each amended by striking `and I' and inserting `, I, and J'.
(4) Section 6401(b)(1) is amended by striking `and I' and inserting `I, and J'.
(5) The table of subparts for part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
`Subpart J. Taxable bond option for governmental bonds.'.
(6) The table of sections for subchapter B of chapter
65, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:
`Sec. 6432. Credit for qualified bonds allowed to issuer on advance basis.'.
(d) Transitional Coordination With State Law- Except as
otherwise provided by a State after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the interest on any taxable governmental bond (as defined in
section 54AA of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this
section) and the amount of any credit determined under such section
with respect to such bond shall be treated for purposes of the income
tax laws of such State as being exempt from Federal income tax.
(e) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section
shall apply to obligations issued after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
PART 4--RECOVERY ZONE BONDS
SEC. 1531. RECOVERY ZONE BONDS.
(a) In General- Subchapter Y of chapter 1 is amended by adding at the end the following new part:
`PART III--RECOVERY ZONE BONDS
`Sec. 1400U-1. Allocation of recovery zone bonds.
`Sec. 1400U-2. Recovery zone economic development bonds.
`Sec. 1400U-3. Recovery zone facility bonds.
`SEC. 1400U-1. ALLOCATION OF RECOVERY ZONE BONDS.
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall allocate the
national recovery zone economic development bond limitation and the
national recovery zone facility bond limitation among the States in the
proportion that each such State's 2008 State employment decline bears
to the aggregate of the 2008 State employment declines for all of the
States.
`(2) 2008 STATE EMPLOYMENT DECLINE- For purposes of
this subsection, the term `2008 State employment decline' means, with
respect to any State, the excess (if any) of--
`(A) the number of individuals employed in such State determined for December 2007, over
`(B) the number of individuals employed in such State determined for December 2008.
`(3) ALLOCATIONS BY STATES-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Each State with respect to which
an allocation is made under paragraph (1) shall reallocate such
allocation among the counties and large municipalities in such State in
the proportion the each such county's or municipality's 2008 employment
decline bears to the aggregate of the 2008 employment declines for all
the counties and municipalities in such State.
`(B) LARGE MUNICIPALITIES- For purposes of
subparagraph (A), the term `large municipality' means a municipality
with a population of more than 100,000.
`(C) DETERMINATION OF LOCAL EMPLOYMENT DECLINES-
For purposes of this paragraph, the employment decline of any
municipality or county shall be determined in the same manner as
determining the State employment decline under paragraph (2), except
that in the case of a municipality any portion of which is in a county,
such portion shall be treated as part of such municipality and not part
of such county.
`(4) NATIONAL LIMITATIONS-
`(A) RECOVERY ZONE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BONDS-
There is a national recovery zone economic development bond limitation
of $10,000,000,000.
`(B) RECOVERY ZONE FACILITY BONDS- There is a national recovery zone facility bond limitation of $15,000,000,000.
`(b) Recovery Zone- For purposes of this part, the term `recovery zone' means--
`(1) any area designated by the issuer as having
significant poverty, unemployment, home foreclosures, or general
distress, and
`(2) any area for which a designation as an empowerment zone or renewal community is in effect.
`SEC. 1400U-2. RECOVERY ZONE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BONDS.
`(a) In General- In the case of a recovery zone economic development bond--
`(1) such bond shall be treated as a qualified bond for purposes of section 6432, and
`(2) subsection (b) of such section shall be applied by substituting `55 percent' for `35 percent'.
`(b) Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond-
`(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of this section, the term
`recovery zone economic development bond' means any taxable
governmental bond (as defined in section 54AA(d)) issued before January
1, 2011, as part of issue if--
`(A) 100 percent of the available project proceeds
(as defined in section 54A) of such issue are to be used for one or
more qualified economic development purposes, and
`(B) the issuer designates such bond for purposes of this section.
`(2) LIMITATION ON AMOUNT OF BONDS DESIGNATED- The
maximum aggregate face amount of bonds which may be designated by any
issuer under paragraph (1) shall not exceed the amount of the recovery
zone economic development bond limitation allocated to such issuer
under section 1400U-1.
`(c) Qualified Economic Development Purpose- For purposes
of this section, the term `qualified economic development purpose'
means expenditures for purposes of promoting development or other
economic activity in a recovery zone, including--
`(1) capital expenditures paid or incurred with respect to property located in such zone,
`(2) expenditures for public infrastructure and construction of public facilities, and
`(3) expenditures for job training and educational programs.
`SEC. 1400U-3. RECOVERY ZONE FACILITY BONDS.
`(a) In General- For purposes of part IV of subchapter B
(relating to tax exemption requirements for State and local bonds), the
term `exempt facility bond' includes any recovery zone facility bond.
`(b) Recovery Zone Facility Bond-
`(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of this section, the term
`recovery zone facility bond' means any bond issued as part of an issue
if--
`(A) 95 percent or more of the net proceeds (as
defined in section 150(a)(3)) of such issue are to be used for recovery
zone property,
`(B) such bond is issued before January 1, 2011, and
`(C) the issuer designates such bond for purposes of this section.
`(2) LIMITATION ON AMOUNT OF BONDS DESIGNATED- The
maximum aggregate face amount of bonds which may be designated by any
issuer under paragraph (1) shall not exceed the amount of recovery zone
facility bond limitation allocated to such issuer under section 1400U-1.
`(c) Recovery Zone Property- For purposes of this section--
`(1) IN GENERAL- The term `recovery zone property'
means any property to which section 168 applies (or would apply but for
section 179) if--
`(A) such property was acquired by the taxpayer by
purchase (as defined in section 179(d)(2)) after the date on which the
designation of the recovery zone took effect,
`(B) the original use of which in the recovery zone commences with the taxpayer, and
`(C) substantially all of the use of which is in
the recovery zone and is in the active conduct of a qualified business
by the taxpayer in such zone.
`(2) QUALIFIED BUSINESS- The term `qualified business' means any trade or business except that--
`(A) the rental to others of real property located
in a recovery zone shall be treated as a qualified business only if the
property is not residential rental property (as defined in section
168(e)(2)), and
`(B) such term shall not include any trade or
business consisting of the operation of any facility described in
section 144(c)(6)(B).
`(3) SPECIAL RULES FOR SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATIONS AND
SALE-LEASEBACK- Rules similar to the rules of subsections (a)(2) and
(b) of section 1397D shall apply for purposes of this subsection.
`(d) Nonapplication of Certain Rules- Sections 146
(relating to volume cap) and 147(d) (relating to acquisition of
existing property not permitted) shall not apply to any recovery zone
facility bond.'.
(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of parts for subchapter Y
of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following
new item:
`Part III. Recovery Zone Bonds.'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section
shall apply to obligations issued after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 1532. TRIBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BONDS.
(a) In General- Section 7871 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(f) Tribal Economic Development Bonds-
`(1) ALLOCATION OF LIMITATION-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall allocate the
national tribal economic development bond limitation among the Indian
tribal governments in such manner as the Secretary, in consultation
with the Secretary of the Interior, determines appropriate.
`(B) NATIONAL LIMITATION- There is a national tribal economic development bond limitation of $2,000,000,000.
`(2) BONDS TREATED AS EXEMPT FROM TAX- In the case of a tribal economic development bond--
`(A) notwithstanding subsection (c), such bond
shall be treated for purposes of this title in the same manner as if
such bond were issued by a State, and
`(B) section 146 shall not apply.
`(3) TRIBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOND-
`(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of this section, the
term `tribal economic development bond' means any bond issued by an
Indian tribal government--
`(i) the interest on which is not exempt from
tax under section 103 by reason of subsection (c) (determined without
regard to this subsection) but would be so exempt if issued by a State
or local government, and
`(ii) which is designated by the Indian tribal
government as a tribal economic development bond for purposes of this
subsection.
`(B) EXCEPTIONS- The term tribal economic
development bond shall not include any bond issued as part of an issue
if any portion of the proceeds of such issue are used to finance--
`(i) any portion of a building in which class
II or class III gaming (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act) is conducted or housed or any other property actually
used in the conduct of such gaming, or
`(ii) any facility located outside the Indian reservation (as defined in section 168(j)(6)).
`(C) LIMITATION ON AMOUNT OF BONDS DESIGNATED- The
maximum aggregate face amount of bonds which may be designated by any
Indian tribal government under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed the
amount of national tribal economic development bond limitation
allocated to such government under paragraph (1).'.
(b) Study- The Secretary of the Treasury, or the
Secretary's delegate, shall conduct a study of the effects of the
amendment made by subsection (a). Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, or the
Secretary's delegate, shall report to Congress on the results of the
studies conducted under this paragraph, including the Secretary's
recommendations regarding such amendment.
(c) Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply to obligations issued after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
PART 5--REPEAL OF WITHHOLDING TAX ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS
SEC. 1541. REPEAL OF WITHHOLDING TAX ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS.
Section 3402 is amended by striking subsection (t).
Subtitle G--Energy Incentives
PART 1--RENEWABLE ENERGY INCENTIVES
SEC. 1601. EXTENSION OF CREDIT FOR ELECTRICITY PRODUCED FROM CERTAIN RENEWABLE RESOURCES.
(a) In General- Subsection (d) of section 45 is amended--
(1) by striking `2010' in paragraph (1) and inserting `2013',
(2) by striking `2011' each place it appears in paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (6), (7) and (9) and inserting `2014', and
(3) by striking `2012' in paragraph (11)(B) and inserting `2014'.
(b) Technical Amendment- Paragraph (5) of section 45(d) is
amended by striking `and before' and all that follows and inserting `
and before October 3, 2008.'.
(1) IN GENERAL- The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply to property placed in service after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(2) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT- The amendment made by
subsection (b) shall take effect as if included in section 102 of the
Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008.
SEC. 1602. ELECTION OF INVESTMENT CREDIT IN LIEU OF PRODUCTION CREDIT.
(a) In General- Subsection (a) of section 48 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(5) ELECTION TO TREAT QUALIFIED FACILITIES AS ENERGY PROPERTY-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In the case of any qualified investment credit facility placed in service in 2009 or 2010--
`(i) such facility shall be treated as energy property for purposes of this section, and
`(ii) the energy percentage with respect to such property shall be 30 percent.
`(B) DENIAL OF PRODUCTION CREDIT- No credit shall
be allowed under section 45 for any taxable year with respect to any
qualified investment credit facility.
`(C) QUALIFIED INVESTMENT CREDIT FACILITY- For
purposes of this paragraph, the term `qualified investment credit
facility' means any facility described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4),
(6), (7), (9), or (11) of section 45(d) if no credit has been allowed
under section 45 with respect to such facility and the taxpayer makes
an irrevocable election to have this paragraph apply to such facility.'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to facilities placed in service after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1603. REPEAL OF CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON CREDIT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROPERTY.
(a) Repeal of Limitation on Credit for Qualified Small Wind
Energy Property- Paragraph (4) of section 48(c) is amended by striking
subparagraph (B) and by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as
subparagraphs (B) and (C).
(b) Repeal of Limitation on Property Financed by Subsidized Energy Financing-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subsection (a) of section 48 is amended by striking paragraph (4).
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS-
(A) Section 25C(e)(1) is amended by striking `(8), and (9)' and inserting `and (8)'.
(B) Section 25D(e) is amended by striking paragraph (9).
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2),the
amendment made by this section shall apply to periods after December
31, 2008, under rules similar to the rules of section 48(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as in effect on the day before the date
of the enactment of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990).
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- The amendments made by
subsection (b)(2) shall apply to taxable years beginning after December
31, 2008.
SEC. 1604. COORDINATION WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANTS.
Section 48 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(d) Coordination With Department of Energy Grants- In the
case of any property with respect to which the Secretary of Energy
makes a grant under section 1721 of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009--
`(1) DENIAL OF PRODUCTION AND INVESTMENT CREDITS- No
credit shall be determined under this section or section 45 with
respect to such property for the taxable year in which such grant is
made or any subsequent taxable year.
`(2) RECAPTURE OF CREDITS FOR PROGRESS EXPENDITURES
MADE BEFORE GRANT- If a credit was determined under this section with
respect to such property for any taxable year ending before such grant
is made--
`(A) the tax imposed under subtitle A on the
taxpayer for the taxable year in which such grant is made shall be
increased by so much of such credit as was allowed under section 38,
`(B) the general business carryforwards under
section 39 shall be adjusted so as to recapture the portion of such
credit which was not so allowed, and
`(C) the amount of such grant shall be determined
without regard to any reduction in the basis of such property by reason
of such credit.
`(3) TREATMENT OF GRANTS- Any such grant shall--
`(A) not be includible in the gross income of the taxpayer, but
`(B) shall be taken into account in determining the
basis of the property to which such grant relates, except that the
basis of such property shall be reduced under section 50(c) in the same
manner as a credit allowed under subsection (a).'.
PART 2--INCREASED ALLOCATIONS OF NEW CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BONDS AND QUALIFIED ENERGY CONSERVATION BONDS
SEC. 1611. INCREASED LIMITATION ON ISSUANCE OF NEW CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BONDS.
Subsection (c) of section 54C is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(4) ADDITIONAL LIMITATION- The national new clean
renewable energy bond limitation shall be increased by $1,600,000,000.
Such increase shall be allocated by the Secretary consistent with the
rules of paragraphs (2) and (3).'.
SEC. 1612. INCREASED LIMITATION AND EXPANSION OF QUALIFIED ENERGY CONSERVATION BONDS.
(a) Increased Limitation- Subsection (e) of section 54D is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(4) ADDITIONAL LIMITATION- The national qualified
energy conservation bond limitation shall be increased by
$2,400,000,000. Such increase shall be allocated by the Secretary
consistent with the rules of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).'.
(b) Loans and Grants to Implement Green Community Programs-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subparagraph (A) of section 54D(f)(1)
is amended by inserting `(or loans or grants for capital expenditures
to implement any green community program)' after `Capital expenditures'.
(2) BONDS TO IMPLEMENT GREEN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS NOT
TREATED AS PRIVATE ACTIVITY BONDS FOR PURPOSES OF LIMITATIONS ON
QUALIFIED ENERGY CONSERVATION BONDS - Subsection (e) of section 54D is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(4) BONDS TO IMPLEMENT GREEN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS NOT
TREATED AS PRIVATE ACTIVITY BONDS- For purposes of paragraph (3) and
subsection (f)(2), a bond shall not be treated as a private activity
bond solely because proceeds of the issue of which such bond is a part
are to be used for loans or grants for capital expenditures to
implement any green community program.'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section
shall apply to obligations issued after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
PART 3--ENERGY CONSERVATION INCENTIVES
SEC. 1621. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF CREDIT FOR NONBUSINESS ENERGY PROPERTY.
(a) In General- Section 25C is amended by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following new subsections:
`(a) Allowance of Credit- In the case of an individual,
there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this
chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to 30 percent of the sum
of--
`(1) the amount paid or incurred by the taxpayer during such taxable year for qualified energy efficiency improvements, and
`(2) the amount of the residential energy property expenditures paid or incurred by the taxpayer during such taxable year.
`(b) Limitation- The aggregate amount of the credits
allowed under this section for taxable years beginning in 2009 and 2010
with respect to any taxpayer shall not exceed $1,500.'.
(b) Extension- Section 25C(g)(2) is amended by striking `December 31, 2009' and inserting `December 31, 2010'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1622. MODIFICATION OF CREDIT FOR RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENT PROPERTY.
(a) Removal of Credit Limitation for Property Placed in Service-
(1) IN GENERAL- Paragraph (1) of section 25D(b) is amended to read as follows:
`(1) MAXIMUM CREDIT FOR FUEL CELLS- In the case of any
qualified fuel cell property expenditure, the credit allowed under
subsection (a) (determined without regard to subsection (c)) for any
taxable year shall not exceed $500 with respect to each half kilowatt
of capacity of the qualified fuel cell property (as defined in section
48(c)(1)) to which such expenditure relates.'.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Paragraph (4) of section 25D(e) is amended--
(A) by striking all that precedes subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
`(4) FUEL CELL EXPENDITURE LIMITATIONS IN CASE OF JOINT
OCCUPANCY- In the case of any dwelling unit with respect to which
qualified fuel cell property expenditures are made and which is jointly
occupied and used during any calendar year as a residence by two or
more individuals the following rules shall apply:
`(A) MAXIMUM EXPENDITURES FOR FUEL CELLS- The
maximum amount of such expenditures which may be taken into account
under subsection (a) by all such individuals with respect to such
dwelling unit during such calendar year shall be $1,667 in the case of
each half kilowatt of capacity of qualified fuel cell property (as
defined in section 48(c)(1)) with respect to which such expenditures
relate.', and
(B) by striking subparagraph (C).
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1623. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN CREDIT FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE REFUELING PROPERTY.
(a) In General- Section 30C(e) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(6) SPECIAL RULE FOR PROPERTY PLACED IN SERVICE DURING
2009 AND 2010- In the case of property placed in service in taxable
years beginning after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2011--
`(A) in the case of any such property which does not relate to hydrogen--
`(i) subsection (a) shall be applied by substituting `50 percent' for `30 percent',
`(ii) subsection (b)(1) shall be applied by substituting `$50,000' for `$30,000', and
`(iii) subsection (b)(2) shall be applied by substituting `$2,000' for `$1,000', and
`(B) in the case of any such property which relates
to hydrogen, subsection (b) shall be applied by substituting `$200,000'
for `$30,000'.'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.
PART 4--ENERGY RESEARCH INCENTIVES
SEC. 1631. INCREASED RESEARCH CREDIT FOR ENERGY RESEARCH.
(a) In General- Section 41 is amended by redesignating
subsection (h) as subsection (i) and by inserting after subsection (g)
the following new subsection:
`(h) Energy Research Credit- In the case of any taxable year beginning in 2009 or 2010--
`(1) IN GENERAL- The credit determined under subsection
(a)(1) shall be increased by 20 percent of the qualified energy
research expenses for the taxable year.
`(2) QUALIFIED ENERGY RESEARCH EXPENSES- For purposes
of this subsection, the term `qualified energy research expenses' means
so much of the taxpayer's qualified research expenses as are related to
the fields of fuel cells and battery technology, renewable energy,
energy conservation technology, efficient transmission and distribution
of electricity, and carbon capture and sequestration.
`(3) COORDINATION WITH OTHER RESEARCH CREDITS-
`(A) INCREMENTAL CREDIT- The amount of qualified
energy research expenses taken into account under subsection (a)(1)(A)
shall not exceed the base amount.
`(B) ALTERNATIVE SIMPLIFIED CREDIT- For purposes of
subsection (c)(5), the amount of qualified energy research expenses
taken into account for the taxable year for which the credit is being
determined shall not exceed--
`(i) in the case of subsection (c)(5)(A), 50
percent of the average qualified research expenses for the 3 taxable
years preceding the taxable year for which the credit is being
determined, and
`(ii) in the case of subsection (c)(5)(B)(ii), zero.
`(C) BASIC RESEARCH AND ENERGY RESEARCH CONSORTIUM
PAYMENTS- Any amount taken into account under paragraph (1) shall not
be taken into account under paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (a).'.
(b) Conforming Amendment- Subparagraph (B) of section
41(i)(1)(B), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by inserting
`(in the case of the increase in the credit determined under subsection
(h), December 31, 2010)' after `December 31, 2009'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.
Subtitle H--Other Provisions
PART 1--APPLICATION OF CERTAIN LABOR STANDARDS TO PROJECTS FINANCED WITH CERTAIN TAX-FAVORED BONDS
SEC. 1701. APPLICATION OF CERTAIN LABOR STANDARDS TO PROJECTS FINANCED WITH CERTAIN TAX-FAVORED BONDS.
Subchapter IV of chapter 31 of the title 40, United States Code, shall apply to projects financed with the proceeds of--
(1) any qualified clean renewable energy bond (as
defined in section 54C of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) issued
after the date of the enactment of this Act,
(2) any qualified energy conservation bond (as defined
in section 54D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) issued after the
date of the enactment of this Act,
(3) any qualified zone academy bond (as defined in
section 54E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) issued after the date
of the enactment of this Act,
(4) any qualified school construction bond (as defined in section 54F of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), and
(5) any recovery zone economic development bond (as defined in section 1400U-2 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
PART 2--GRANTS TO PROVIDE FINANCING FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSING
SEC. 1711. GRANTS TO STATES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSING PROJECTS IN LIEU OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING CREDIT ALLOCATIONS FOR 2009.
(a) In General- The Secretary of the Treasury shall make a
grant to the housing credit agency of each State in an amount equal to
such State's low-income housing grant election amount.
(b) Low-Income Housing Grant Election Amount- For purposes
of this section, the term `low-income housing grant election amount'
means, with respect to any State, such amount as the State may elect
which does not exceed 85 percent of the product of--
(A) 100 percent of the State housing credit ceiling
for 2009 which is attributable to amounts described in clauses (i) and
(iii) of section 42(h)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and
(B) 40 percent of the State housing credit ceiling
for 2009 which is attributable to amounts described in clauses (ii) and
(iv) of such section, multiplied by
(c) Subawards for Low-Income Buildings-
(1) IN GENERAL- A State housing credit agency receiving
a grant under this section shall use such grant to make subawards to
finance the construction or acquisition and rehabilitation of qualified
low-income buildings. A subaward under this section may be made to
finance a qualified low-income building with or without an allocation
under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, except that a
State housing credit agency may make subawards to finance qualified
low-income buildings without an allocation only if it makes a
determination that such use will increase the total funds available to
the State to build and rehabilitate affordable housing. In complying
with such determination requirement, a State housing credit agency
shall establish a process in which applicants that are allocated
credits are required to demonstrate good faith efforts to obtain
investment commitments for such credits before the agency makes such
subawards.
(2) SUBAWARDS SUBJECT TO SAME REQUIREMENTS AS
LOW-INCOME HOUSING CREDIT ALLOCATIONS- Any such subaward with respect
to any qualified low-income building shall be made in the same manner
and shall be subject to the same limitations (including rent, income,
and use restrictions on such building) as an allocation of housing
credit dollar amount allocated by such State housing credit agency
under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, except that such
subawards shall not be limited by, or otherwise affect (except as
provided in subsection (h)(3)(J) of such section), the State housing
credit ceiling applicable to such agency.
(3) COMPLIANCE AND ASSET MANAGEMENT- The State housing
credit agency shall perform asset management functions to ensure
compliance with section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the
long-term viability of buildings funded by any subaward under this
section. The State housing credit agency may collect reasonable fees
from a subaward recipient to cover expenses associated with the
performance of its duties under this paragraph. The State housing
credit agency may retain an agent or other private contractor to
satisfy the requirements of this paragraph.
(4) RECAPTURE- The State housing credit agency shall
impose conditions or restrictions, including a requirement providing
for recapture, on any subaward under this section so as to assure that
the building with respect to which such subaward is made remains a
qualified low-income building during the compliance period. Any such
recapture shall be payable to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit
in the general fund of the Treasury and may be enforced by means of
liens or such other methods as the Secretary of the Treasury determines
appropriate.
(d) Return of Unused Grant Funds- Any grant funds not used
to make subawards under this section before January 1, 2011, shall be
returned to the Secretary of the Treasury on such date. Any subawards
returned to the State housing credit agency on or after such date shall
be promptly returned to the Secretary of the Treasury. Any amounts
returned to the Secretary of the Treasury under this subsection shall
be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.
(e) Definitions- Any term used in this section which is
also used in section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall have
the same meaning for purposes of this section as when used in such
section 42. Any reference in this section to the Secretary of the
Treasury shall be treated as including the Secretary's delegate.
(f) Appropriations- There is hereby appropriated to the
Secretary of the Treasury such sums as may be necessary to carry out
this section.
PART 3--GRANTS FOR SPECIFIED ENERGY PROPERTY IN LIEU OF TAX CREDITS
SEC. 1721. GRANTS FOR SPECIFIED ENERGY PROPERTY IN LIEU OF TAX CREDITS.
(a) In General- Upon application, the Secretary of Energy
shall, within 60 days of the application and subject to the
requirements of this section, provide a grant to each person who places
in service specified energy property during 2009 or 2010 to reimburse
such person for a portion of the expense of such facility as provided
in subsection (b).
(1) IN GENERAL- The amount of the grant under
subsection (a) with respect to any specified energy property shall be
the applicable percentage of the basis of such facility.
(2) APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE- For purposes of paragraph (1), the term `applicable percentage' means--
(A) 30 percent in the case of any property described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (c), and
(B) 10 percent in the case of any other property.
(3) DOLLAR LIMITATIONS- In the case of property
described in paragraph (2), (6), or (7) of subsection (c), the amount
of any grant under this section with respect to such property shall not
exceed the limitation described in section 48(c)(1)(B), 48(c)(2)(B), or
48(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, respectively, with
respect to such property.
(c) Specified Energy Property- For purposes of this section, the term `specified energy property' means any of the following:
(1) QUALIFIED FACILITIES- Any facility described in
paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (6), (7), (9), or (11) of section 45(d)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(2) QUALIFIED FUEL CELL PROPERTY- Any qualified fuel cell property (as defined in section 48(c)(1) of such Code).
(3) SOLAR PROPERTY- Any property described in clause (i) or (ii) of section 48(a)(3)(A) of such Code.
(4) QUALIFIED SMALL WIND ENERGY PROPERTY- Any qualified
small wind energy property (as defined in section 48(c)(4) of such
Code).
(5) GEOTHERMAL PROPERTY- Any property described in clause (iii) of section 48(a)(3)(A) of such Code.
(6) QUALIFIED MICROTURBINE PROPERTY- Any qualified microturbine property (as defined in section 48(c)(2) of such Code).
(7) COMBINED HEAT AND POWER SYSTEM PROPERTY- Any
combined heat and power system property (as defined in section 48(c)(3)
of such Code).
(8) GEOTHERMAL HEATPUMP PROPERTY- Any property described in clause (vii) of section 48(a)(3)(A) of such Code.
(d) Application of Certain Rules- In making grants under
this section, the Secretary of Energy shall apply rules similar to the
rules of section 50 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. In applying
such rules, if the facility is disposed of, or otherwise ceases to be a
qualified renewable energy facility, the Secretary of Energy shall
provide for the recapture of the appropriate percentage of the grant
amount in such manner as the Secretary of Energy determines appropriate.
(e) Exception for Certain Non-Taxpayers- The Secretary of
Energy shall not make any grant under this section to any Federal,
State, or local government (or any political subdivision, agency, or
instrumentality thereof) or any organization described in section
501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under
section 501(a) of such Code.
(f) Definitions- Terms used in this section which are also
used in section 45 or 48 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall
have the same meaning for purposes of this section as when used in such
section 45 or 48. Any reference in this section to the Secretary of the
Treasury shall be treated as including the Secretary's delegate.
(g) Coordination Between Departments of Treasury and
Energy- The Secretary of the Treasury shall provide the Secretary of
Energy with such technical assistance as the Secretary of Energy may
require in carrying out this section. The Secretary of Energy shall
provide the Secretary of the Treasury with such information as the
Secretary of the Treasury may require in carrying out the amendment
made by section 1604.
(h) Appropriations- There is hereby appropriated to the
Secretary of Energy such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
section.
(i) Termination- The Secretary of Energy shall not make any
grant to any person under this section unless the application of such
person for such grant is received before October 1, 2011.
PART 4--STUDY OF ECONOMIC, EMPLOYMENT, AND RELATED EFFECTS OF THIS ACT
SEC. 1731. STUDY OF ECONOMIC, EMPLOYMENT, AND RELATED EFFECTS OF THIS ACT.
On February 1, 2010, and every 3 months thereafter in
calendar year 2010, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
submit to the Committee on Ways and Means a written report on the most
recent national (and, where available, State-by-State) information on--
(1) the economic effects of this Act;
(2) the employment effects of this Act, including--
(A) a comparison of the number of jobs preserved and the number of jobs created as a result of this Act; and
(B) a comparison of the numbers of jobs preserved and the number of jobs created in each of the public and private sectors;
(3) the share of tax and non-tax expenditures provided under this Act that were spent or saved, by group and income class;
(4) how the funds provided to States under this Act have been spent, including a breakdown of--
(A) funds used for services provided to citizens; and
(B) wages and other compensation for public employees; and
(5) a description of any funds made available under this Act that remain unspent, and the reasons why.
TITLE II--ASSISTANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED WORKERS AND STRUGGLING FAMILIES
SEC. 2000. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act'.
Subtitle A--Unemployment Insurance
SEC. 2001. EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION PROGRAM.
(a) In General- Section 4007 of the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-252; 26 U.S.C. 3304 note), as
amended by section 4 of the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of
2008 (Public Law 110-449; 122 Stat. 5015), is amended--
(1) by striking `March 31, 2009' each place it appears and inserting `December 31, 2009';
(2) in the heading for subsection (b)(2), by striking `MARCH 31, 2009' and inserting `DECEMBER 31, 2009'; and
(3) in subsection (b)(3), by striking `August 27, 2009' and inserting `May 31, 2010'.
(b) Financing Provisions- Section 4004 of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(e) Transfer of Funds- Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the general
fund of the Treasury (from funds not otherwise appropriated)--
`(1) to the extended unemployment compensation account
(as established by section 905 of the Social Security Act) such sums as
the Secretary of Labor estimates to be necessary to make payments to
States under this title by reason of the amendments made by section
2001(a) of the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling
Families Act; and
`(2) to the employment security administration account
(as established by section 901 of the Social Security Act) such sums as
the Secretary of Labor estimates to be necessary for purposes of
assisting States in meeting administrative costs by reason of the
amendments referred to in paragraph (1).
There are appropriated from the general fund of the
Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, the sums referred to in the
preceding sentence and such sums shall not be required to be repaid.'.
SEC. 2002. INCREASE IN UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS.
(a) Federal-State Agreements- Any State which desires to do
so may enter into and participate in an agreement under this section
with the Secretary of Labor (hereinafter in this section referred to as
the `Secretary'). Any State which is a party to an agreement under this
section may, upon providing 30 days' written notice to the Secretary,
terminate such agreement.
(b) Provisions of Agreement-
(1) ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION- Any agreement under this
section shall provide that the State agency of the State will make
payments of regular compensation to individuals in amounts and to the
extent that they would be determined if the State law of the State were
applied, with respect to any week for which the individual is
(disregarding this section) otherwise entitled under the State law to
receive regular compensation, as if such State law had been modified in
a manner such that the amount of regular compensation (including
dependents' allowances) payable for any week shall be equal to the
amount determined under the State law (before the application of this
paragraph) plus an additional $25.
(2) ALLOWABLE METHODS OF PAYMENT- Any additional
compensation provided for in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be
payable either--
(A) as an amount which is paid at the same time and
in the same manner as any regular compensation otherwise payable for
the week involved; or
(B) at the option of the State, by payments which
are made separately from, but on the same weekly basis as, any regular
compensation otherwise payable.
(c) Nonreduction Rule- An agreement under this section
shall not apply (or shall cease to apply) with respect to a State upon
a determination by the Secretary that the method governing the
computation of regular compensation under the State law of that State
has been modified in a manner such that--
(1) the average weekly benefit amount of regular
compensation which will be payable during the period of the agreement
(determined disregarding any additional amounts attributable to the
modification described in subsection (b)(1)) will be less than
(2) the average weekly benefit amount of regular
compensation which would otherwise have been payable during such period
under the State law, as in effect on December 31, 2008.
(A) FULL REIMBURSEMENT- There shall be paid to each
State which has entered into an agreement under this section an amount
equal to 100 percent of--
(i) the total amount of additional compensation
(as described in subsection (b)(1)) paid to individuals by the State
pursuant to such agreement; and
(ii) any additional administrative expenses
incurred by the State by reason of such agreement (as determined by the
Secretary).
(B) TERMS OF PAYMENTS- Sums payable to any State by
reason of such State's having an agreement under this section shall be
payable, either in advance or by way of reimbursement (as determined by
the Secretary), in such amounts as the Secretary estimates the State
will be entitled to receive under this section for each calendar month,
reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the
Secretary finds that his estimates for any prior calendar month were
greater or less than the amounts which should have been paid to the
State. Such estimates may be made on the basis of such statistical,
sampling, or other method as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and
the State agency of the State involved.
(2) CERTIFICATIONS- The Secretary shall from time to
time certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each State
the sums payable to such State under this section.
(3) APPROPRIATION- There are appropriated from the
general fund of the Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, such sums
as may be necessary for purposes of this subsection.
(1) IN GENERAL- An agreement entered into under this section shall apply to weeks of unemployment--
(A) beginning after the date on which such agreement is entered into; and
(B) ending before January 1, 2010.
(2) TRANSITION RULE FOR INDIVIDUALS REMAINING ENTITLED
TO REGULAR COMPENSATION AS OF JANUARY 1, 2010- In the case of any
individual who, as of the date specified in paragraph (1)(B), has not
yet exhausted all rights to regular compensation under the State law of
a State with respect to a benefit year that began before such date,
additional compensation (as described in subsection (b)(1)) shall
continue to be payable to such individual for any week beginning on or
after such date for which the individual is otherwise eligible for
regular compensation with respect to such benefit year.
(3) TERMINATION- Notwithstanding any other provision of
this subsection, no additional compensation (as described in subsection
(b)(1)) shall be payable for any week beginning after June 30, 2010.
(f) Fraud and Overpayments- The provisions of section 4005
of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-252; 122
Stat. 2356) shall apply with respect to additional compensation (as
described in subsection (b)(1)) to the same extent and in the same
manner as in the case of emergency unemployment compensation.
(g) Application to Other Unemployment Benefits-
(1) IN GENERAL- Each agreement under this section shall
include provisions to provide that the purposes of the preceding
provisions of this section shall be applied with respect to
unemployment benefits described in subsection (h)(3) to the same extent
and in the same manner as if those benefits were regular compensation.
(2) ELIGIBILITY AND TERMINATION RULES- Additional compensation (as described in subsection (b)(1))--
(A) shall not be payable, pursuant to this
subsection, with respect to any unemployment benefits described in
subsection (h)(3) for any week beginning on or after the date specified
in subsection (e)(1)(B), except in the case of an individual who was
eligible to receive additional compensation (as so described) in
connection with any regular compensation or any unemployment benefits
described in subsection (h)(3) for any period of unemployment ending
before such date; and
(B) shall in no event be payable for any week beginning after the date specified in subsection (e)(3).
(h) Disregard of Additional Compensation for Purposes of
Medicaid and SCHIP- The monthly equivalent of any additional
compensation paid under this section shall be disregarded in
considering the amount of income of an individual for any purposes
under title XIX and title XXI of the Social Security Act.
(i) Definitions- For purposes of this section--
(1) the terms `compensation', `regular compensation',
`benefit year', `State', `State agency', `State law', and `week' have
the respective meanings given such terms under section 205 of the
Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C.
3304 note);
(2) the term `emergency unemployment compensation'
means emergency unemployment compensation under title IV of the
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-252; 122 Stat.
2353); and
(3) any reference to unemployment benefits described in this paragraph shall be considered to refer to--
(A) extended compensation (as defined by section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970); and
(B) unemployment compensation (as defined by
section 85(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) provided under any
program administered by a State under an agreement with the Secretary.
SEC. 2003. SPECIAL TRANSFERS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION MODERNIZATION.
(a) In General- Section 903 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1103) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`Special Transfers in Fiscal Years 2009, 2010, and 2011 for Modernization
`(f)(1)(A) In addition to any other amounts, the Secretary
of Labor shall provide for the making of unemployment compensation
modernization incentive payments (hereinafter `incentive payments') to
the accounts of the States in the Unemployment Trust Fund, by transfer
from amounts reserved for that purpose in the Federal unemployment
account, in accordance with succeeding provisions of this subsection.
`(B) The maximum incentive payment allowable under this
subsection with respect to any State shall, as determined by the
Secretary of Labor, be equal to the amount obtained by multiplying
$7,000,000,000 by the same ratio as would apply under subsection
(a)(2)(B) for purposes of determining such State's share of any excess
amount (as described in subsection (a)(1)) that would have been subject
to transfer to State accounts, as of October 1, 2008, under the
provisions of subsection (a).
`(C) Of the maximum incentive payment determined under subparagraph (B) with respect to a State--
`(i) one-third shall be transferred to the account of
such State upon a certification under paragraph (4)(B) that the State
law of such State meets the requirements of paragraph (2); and
`(ii) the remainder shall be transferred to the account
of such State upon a certification under paragraph (4)(B) that the
State law of such State meets the requirements of paragraph (3).
`(2) The State law of a State meets the requirements of this paragraph if such State law--
`(A) uses a base period that includes the most recently
completed calendar quarter before the start of the benefit year for
purposes of determining eligibility for unemployment compensation; or
`(B) provides that, in the case of an individual who
would not otherwise be eligible for unemployment compensation under the
State law because of the use of a base period that does not include the
most recently completed calendar quarter before the start of the
benefit year, eligibility shall be determined using a base period that
includes such calendar quarter.
`(3) The State law of a State meets the requirements of
this paragraph if such State law includes provisions to carry out at
least 2 of the following subparagraphs:
`(A) An individual shall not be denied regular
unemployment compensation under any State law provisions relating to
availability for work, active search for work, or refusal to accept
work, solely because such individual is seeking only part-time work (as
defined by the Secretary of Labor), except that the State law
provisions carrying out this subparagraph may exclude an individual if
a majority of the weeks of work in such individual's base period do not
include part-time work (as so defined).
`(B) An individual shall not be disqualified from
regular unemployment compensation for separating from employment if
that separation is for any compelling family reason. For purposes of
this subparagraph, the term `compelling family reason' means the
following:
`(i) Domestic violence, verified by such reasonable
and confidential documentation as the State law may require, which
causes the individual reasonably to believe that such individual's
continued employment would jeopardize the safety of the individual or
of any member of the individual's immediate family (as defined by the
Secretary of Labor).
`(ii) The illness or disability of a member of the
individual's immediate family (as those terms are defined by the
Secretary of Labor).
`(iii) The need for the individual to accompany such individual's spouse--
`(I) to a place from which it is impractical for such individual to commute; and
`(II) due to a change in location of the spouse's employment.
`(C) Weekly unemployment compensation is payable under
this subparagraph to any individual who is unemployed (as determined
under the State unemployment compensation law), has exhausted all
rights to regular unemployment compensation under the State law, and is
enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a State-approved training
program or in a job training program authorized under the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998. Such programs shall prepare individuals who
have been separated from a declining occupation, or who have been
involuntarily and indefinitely separated from employment as a result of
a permanent reduction of operations at the individual's place of
employment, for entry into a high-demand occupation. The amount of
unemployment compensation payable under this subparagraph to an
individual for a week of unemployment shall be equal to the
individual's average weekly benefit amount (including dependents'
allowances) for the most recent benefit year, and the total amount of
unemployment compensation payable under this subparagraph to any
individual shall be equal to at least 26 times the individual's average
weekly benefit amount (including dependents' allowances) for the most
recent benefit year.
`(D) Dependents' allowances are provided, in the case
of any individual who is entitled to receive regular unemployment
compensation and who has any dependents (as defined by State law), in
an amount equal to at least $15 per dependent per week, subject to any
aggregate limitation on such allowances which the State law may
establish (but which aggregate limitation on the total allowance for
dependents paid to an individual may not be less than $50 for each week
of unemployment or 50 percent of the individual's weekly benefit amount
for the benefit year, whichever is less).
`(4)(A) Any State seeking an incentive payment under this
subsection shall submit an application therefor at such time, in such
manner, and complete with such information as the Secretary of Labor
may within 60 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection
prescribe (whether by regulation or otherwise), including information
relating to compliance with the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3),
as well as how the State intends to use the incentive payment to
improve or strengthen the State's unemployment compensation program.
The Secretary of Labor shall, within 30 days after receiving a complete
application, notify the State agency of the State of the Secretary's
findings with respect to the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3) (or
both).
`(B)(i) If the Secretary of Labor finds that the State law
provisions (disregarding any State law provisions which are not then
currently in effect as permanent law or which are subject to
discontinuation) meet the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3), as the
case may be, the Secretary of Labor shall thereupon make a
certification to that effect to the Secretary of the Treasury, together
with a certification as to the amount of the incentive payment to be
transferred to the State account pursuant to that finding. The
Secretary of the Treasury shall make the appropriate transfer within 7
days after receiving such certification.
`(ii) For purposes of clause (i), State law provisions
which are to take effect within 12 months after the date of their
certification under this subparagraph shall be considered to be in
effect as of the date of such certification.
`(C)(i) No certification of compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (2) or (3) may be made with respect to any
State whose State law is not otherwise eligible for certification under
section 303 or approvable under section 3304 of the Federal
Unemployment Tax Act.
`(ii) No certification of compliance with the requirements
of paragraph (3) may be made with respect to any State whose State law
is not in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (2).
`(iii) No application under subparagraph (A) may be
considered if submitted before the date of the enactment of this
subsection or after the latest date necessary (as specified by the
Secretary of Labor) to ensure that all incentive payments under this
subsection are made before October 1, 2011.
`(5)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any amount
transferred to the account of a State under this subsection may be used
by such State only in the payment of cash benefits to individuals with
respect to their unemployment (including for dependents' allowances and
for unemployment compensation under paragraph (3)(C)), exclusive of
expenses of administration.
`(B) A State may, subject to the same conditions as set
forth in subsection (c)(2) (excluding subparagraph (B) thereof, and
deeming the reference to `subsections (a) and (b)' in subparagraph (D)
thereof to include this subsection), use any amount transferred to the
account of such State under this subsection for the administration of
its unemployment compensation law and public employment offices.
`(6) Out of any money in the Federal unemployment account
not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall reserve
$7,000,000,000 for incentive payments under this subsection. Any amount
so reserved shall not be taken into account for purposes of any
determination under section 902, 910, or 1203 of the amount in the
Federal unemployment account as of any given time. Any amount so
reserved for which the Secretary of the Treasury has not received a
certification under paragraph (4)(B) by the deadline described in
paragraph (4)(C)(iii) shall, upon the close of fiscal year 2011, become
unrestricted as to use as part of the Federal unemployment account.
`(7) For purposes of this subsection, the terms `benefit
year', `base period', and `week' have the respective meanings given
such terms under section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment
Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).
`Special Transfer in Fiscal Year 2009 for Administration
`(g)(1) In addition to any other amounts, the Secretary of
the Treasury shall transfer from the employment security administration
account to the account of each State in the Unemployment Trust Fund,
within 30 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the
amount determined with respect to such State under paragraph (2).
`(2) The amount to be transferred under this subsection to
a State account shall (as determined by the Secretary of Labor and
certified by such Secretary to the Secretary of the Treasury) be equal
to the amount obtained by multiplying $500,000,000 by the same ratio as
determined under subsection (f)(1)(B) with respect to such State.
`(3) Any amount transferred to the account of a State as a
result of the enactment of this subsection may be used by the State
agency of such State only in the payment of expenses incurred by it
for--
`(A) the administration of the provisions of its State
law carrying out the purposes of subsection (f)(2) or any subparagraph
of subsection (f)(3);
`(B) improved outreach to individuals who might be
eligible for regular unemployment compensation by virtue of any
provisions of the State law which are described in subparagraph (A);
`(C) the improvement of unemployment benefit and
unemployment tax operations, including responding to increased demand
for unemployment compensation; and
`(D) staff-assisted reemployment services for unemployment compensation claimants.'.
(b) Regulations- The Secretary of Labor may prescribe any
regulations, operating instructions, or other guidance necessary to
carry out the amendment made by subsection (a).
Subtitle B--Assistance for Vulnerable Individuals
SEC. 2101. EMERGENCY FUND FOR TANF PROGRAM.
(a) In General- Section 403 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established in the
Treasury of the United States a fund which shall be known as the
`Emergency Contingency Fund for State Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families Programs' (in this subsection referred to as the `Emergency
Fund').
`(2) DEPOSITS INTO FUND- Out of any money in the
Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are
appropriated such sums as are necessary for payment to the Emergency
Fund.
`(A) GRANT RELATED TO CASELOAD INCREASES-
`(i) IN GENERAL- For each calendar quarter in
fiscal year 2009 or 2010, the Secretary shall make a grant from the
Emergency Fund to each State that--
`(I) requests a grant under this subparagraph for the quarter; and
`(II) meets the requirement of clause (ii) for the quarter.
`(ii) CASELOAD INCREASE REQUIREMENT- A State
meets the requirement of this clause for a quarter if the average
monthly assistance caseload of the State for the quarter exceeds the
average monthly assistance caseload of the State for the corresponding
quarter in the emergency fund base year of the State.
`(iii) AMOUNT OF GRANT- Subject to paragraph
(5), the amount of the grant to be made to a State under this
subparagraph for a quarter shall be 80 percent of the amount (if any)
by which the total expenditures of the State for basic assistance (as
defined by the Secretary) in the quarter, whether under the State
program funded under this part or as qualified State expenditures,
exceeds the total expenditures of the State for such assistance for the
corresponding quarter in the emergency fund base year of the State.
`(B) GRANT RELATED TO INCREASED EXPENDITURES FOR NON-RECURRENT SHORT TERM BENEFITS-
`(i) IN GENERAL- For each calendar quarter in
fiscal year 2009 or 2010, the Secretary shall make a grant from the
Emergency Fund to each State that--
`(I) requests a grant under this subparagraph for the quarter; and
`(II) meets the requirement of clause (ii) for the quarter.
`(ii) NON-RECURRENT SHORT TERM EXPENDITURE
REQUIREMENT- A State meets the requirement of this clause for a quarter
if the total expenditures of the State for non-recurrent short term
benefits in the quarter, whether under the State program funded under
this part or as qualified State expenditures, exceeds the total such
expenditures of the State for non-recurrent short term benefits in the
corresponding quarter in the emergency fund base year of the State.
`(iii) AMOUNT OF GRANT- Subject to paragraph
(5), the amount of the grant to be made to a State under this
subparagraph for a quarter shall be an amount equal to 80 percent of
the excess described in clause (ii).
`(C) GRANT RELATED TO INCREASED EXPENDITURES FOR SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT-
`(i) IN GENERAL- For each calendar quarter in
fiscal year 2009 or 2010, the Secretary shall make a grant from the
Emergency Fund to each State that--
`(I) requests a grant under this subparagraph for the quarter; and
`(II) meets the requirement of clause (ii) for the quarter.
`(ii) SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT EXPENDITURE
REQUIREMENT- A State meets the requirement of this clause for a quarter
if the total expenditures of the State for subsidized employment in the
quarter, whether under the State program funded under this part or as
qualified State expenditures, exceeds the total of such expenditures of
the State in the corresponding quarter in the emergency fund base year
of the State.
`(iii) AMOUNT OF GRANT- Subject to paragraph
(5), the amount of the grant to be made to a State under this
subparagraph for a quarter shall be an amount equal to 80 percent of
the excess described in clause (ii).
`(4) AUTHORITY TO MAKE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO DATA
AND COLLECT NEEDED DATA- In determining the size of the caseload of a
State and the expenditures of a State for basic assistance,
non-recurrent short-term benefits, and subsidized employment, during
any period for which the State requests funds under this subsection,
and during the emergency fund base year of the State, the Secretary may
make appropriate adjustments to the data to ensure that the data
reflect expenditures under the State program funded under this part and
qualified State expenditures. The Secretary may develop a mechanism for
collecting expenditure data, including procedures which allow States to
make reasonable estimates, and may set deadlines for making revisions
to the data.
`(5) LIMITATION- The total amount payable to a single
State under subsection (b) and this subsection for a fiscal year shall
not exceed 25 percent of the State family assistance grant.
`(6) LIMITATIONS ON USE OF FUNDS- A State to which an
amount is paid under this subsection may use the amount only as
authorized by section 404.
`(7) TIMING OF IMPLEMENTATION- The Secretary shall
implement this subsection as quickly as reasonably possible, pursuant
to appropriate guidance to States.
`(8) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection:
`(A) AVERAGE MONTHLY ASSISTANCE CASELOAD- The term
`average monthly assistance caseload' means, with respect to a State
and a quarter, the number of families receiving assistance during the
quarter under the State program funded under this part or as qualified
State expenditures, subject to adjustment under paragraph (4).
`(B) EMERGENCY FUND BASE YEAR-
`(i) IN GENERAL- The term `emergency fund base
year' means, with respect to a State and a category described in clause
(ii), whichever of fiscal year 2007 or 2008 is the fiscal year in which
the amount described by the category with respect to the State is the
lesser.
`(ii) CATEGORIES DESCRIBED- The categories described in this clause are the following:
`(I) The average monthly assistance caseload of the State.
`(II) The total expenditures of the State
for non-recurrent short term benefits, whether under the State program
funded under this part or as qualified State expenditures.
`(III) The total expenditures of the State
for subsidized employment, whether under the State program funded under
this part or as qualified State expenditures.
`(C) QUALIFIED STATE EXPENDITURES- The term
`qualified State expenditures' has the meaning given the term in
section 409(a)(7).'.
(b) Temporary Modification of Caseload Reduction Credit-
Section 407(b)(3)(A)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 607(b)(3)(A)(i)) is
amended by inserting `(or if the immediately preceding fiscal year is
fiscal year 2009 or 2010, then, at State option, during the emergency
fund base year of the State with respect to the average monthly
assistance caseload of the State (within the meaning of section
403(c)(8)(B)))' before `under the State'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 2102. ONE-TIME EMERGENCY PAYMENT TO SSI RECIPIENTS.
(1) IN GENERAL- At the earliest practicable date in
calendar year 2009 but not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Commissioner of Social Security shall
make a one-time payment to each individual who is determined by the
Commissioner in calendar year 2009 to be an individual who--
(A) is entitled to a cash benefit under the
supplemental security income program under title XVI of the Social
Security Act (other than pursuant to section 1611(e)(1)(B) of such Act)
for at least 1 day in the calendar month in which the first payment
under this section is to be made; or
(B)(i) was entitled to such a cash benefit (other
than pursuant to section 1611(e)(1)(B) of such Act) for at least 1 day
in the 2-month period preceding that calendar month; and
(ii) whose entitlement to that benefit ceased in
that 2-month period solely because the income of the individual (and
the income of the spouse, if any, of the individual) exceeded the
applicable income limit described in paragraph (1)(A) or (2)(A) of
section 1611(a) of such Act.
(2) AMOUNT OF PAYMENT- Subject to subsection (b)(1) of this section, the amount of the payment shall be--
(A) in the case of an individual eligible for a
payment under this section who does not have a spouse eligible for such
a payment, an amount equal to the average of the cash benefits payable
in the aggregate under section 1611 or 1619(a) of the Social Security
Act to eligible individuals who do not have an eligible spouse, for the
most recent month for which data on payment of the benefits are
available, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security; or
(B) in the case of an individual eligible for a
payment under this section who has a spouse eligible for such a
payment, an amount equal to the average of the cash benefits payable in
the aggregate under section 1611 or 1619(a) of the Social Security Act
to eligible individuals who have an eligible spouse, for the most
recent month for which data on payment of the benefits are available,
as so determined.
(b) Administrative Provisions-
(1) AUTHORITY TO WITHHOLD PAYMENT TO RECOVER PRIOR
OVERPAYMENT OF SSI BENEFITS- The Commissioner of Social Security may
withhold part or all of a payment otherwise required to be made under
subsection (a) of this section to an individual, in order to recover a
prior overpayment of benefits to the individual under the supplemental
security income program under title XVI of the Social Security Act,
subject to the limitations of section 1631(b) of such Act.
(2) PAYMENT TO BE DISREGARDED IN DETERMINING
UNDERPAYMENTS UNDER THE SSI PROGRAM- A payment under subsection (a)
shall be disregarded in determining whether there has been an
underpayment of benefits under the supplemental security income program
under title XVI of the Social Security Act.
(3) NONASSIGNMENT- The provisions of section 1631(d) of
the Social Security Act shall apply with respect to payments under this
section to the same extent as they apply in the case of title XVI of
such Act.
(c) Payments To Be Disregarded for Purposes of All Federal
and Federally Assisted Programs- A payment under subsection (a) shall
not be regarded as income to the recipient, and shall not be regarded
as a resource of the recipient for the month of receipt and the
following 6 months, for purposes of determining the eligibility of any
individual for benefits or assistance, or the amount or extent of
benefits or assistance, under any Federal program or under any State or
local program financed in whole or in part with Federal funds.
(d) Appropriation- Out of any sums in the Treasury of the
United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated such
sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 2103. TEMPORARY RESUMPTION OF PRIOR CHILD SUPPORT LAW.
During the period that begins with October 1, 2008, and
ends with September 30, 2010, section 455(a)(1) of the Social Security
Act shall be applied and administered as if the phrase `from amounts
paid to the State under section 458 or' did not appear in such section.
TITLE III--HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
SEC. 3001. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS OF TITLE.
(a) Short Title of Title- This title may be cited as the `Health Insurance Assistance for the Unemployed Act of 2009'.
(b) Table of Contents of Title- The table of contents of this title is as follows:
Sec. 3001. Short title and table of contents of title.
Sec. 3002. Premium assistance for COBRA benefits and extension of COBRA benefits for older or long-term employees.
Sec. 3003. Temporary optional Medicaid coverage for the unemployed.
SEC. 3002. PREMIUM ASSISTANCE FOR COBRA BENEFITS AND EXTENSION OF COBRA BENEFITS FOR OLDER OR LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES.
(a) Premium Assistance for COBRA Continuation Coverage for Individuals and Their Families-
(1) PROVISION OF PREMIUM ASSISTANCE-
(A) REDUCTION OF PREMIUMS PAYABLE- In the case of
any premium for a period of coverage beginning on or after the date of
the enactment of this Act for COBRA continuation coverage with respect
to any assistance eligible individual, such individual shall be treated
for purposes of any COBRA continuation provision as having paid the
amount of such premium if such individual pays 35 percent of the amount
of such premium (as determined without regard to this subsection).
(B) PREMIUM REIMBURSEMENT- For provisions providing
the balance of such premium, see section 6431 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as added by paragraph (12).
(2) LIMITATION OF PERIOD OF PREMIUM ASSISTANCE-
(A) IN GENERAL- Paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply
with respect to any assistance eligible individual for months of
coverage beginning on or after the earlier of--
(i) the first date that such individual is
eligible for coverage under any other group health plan (other than
coverage consisting of only dental, vision, counseling, or referral
services (or a combination thereof), coverage under a health
reimbursement arrangement or a health flexible spending arrangement, or
coverage of treatment that is furnished in an on-site medical facility
maintained by the employer and that consists primarily of first-aid
services, prevention and wellness care, or similar care (or a
combination thereof)) or is eligible for benefits under title XVIII of
the Social Security Act, or
(I) the date which is 12 months after the
first day of the first month that paragraph (1)(A) applies with respect
to such individual,
(II) the date following the expiration of
the maximum period of continuation coverage required under the
applicable COBRA continuation coverage provision, or
(III) the date following the expiration of the period of continuation coverage allowed under paragraph (4)(B)(ii).
(B) TIMING OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ADDITIONAL COVERAGE-
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), an individual shall not be treated
as eligible for coverage under a group health plan before the first
date on which such individual could be covered under such plan.
(C) NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT- An assistance
eligible individual shall notify in writing the group health plan with
respect to which paragraph (1)(A) applies if such paragraph ceases to
apply by reason of subparagraph (A)(i). Such notice shall be provided
to the group health plan in such time and manner as may be specified by
the Secretary of Labor.
(3) ASSISTANCE ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL- For purposes of
this section, the term `assistance eligible individual' means any
qualified beneficiary if--
(A) at any time during the period that begins with
September 1, 2008, and ends with December 31, 2009, such qualified
beneficiary is eligible for COBRA continuation coverage,
(B) such qualified beneficiary elects such coverage, and
(C) the qualifying event with respect to the COBRA
continuation coverage consists of the involuntary termination of the
covered employee's employment and occurred during such period.
(4) EXTENSION OF ELECTION PERIOD AND EFFECT ON COVERAGE-
(A) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding section 605(a) of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, section
4980B(f)(5)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, section 2205(a) of
the Public Health Service Act, and section 8905a(c)(2) of title 5,
United States Code, in the case of an individual who is a qualified
beneficiary described in paragraph (3)(A) as of the date of the
enactment of this Act and has not made the election referred to in
paragraph (3)(B) as of such date, such individual may elect the COBRA
continuation coverage under the COBRA continuation coverage provisions
containing such sections during the 60-day period commencing with the
date on which the notification required under paragraph (7)(C) is
provided to such individual.
(B) COMMENCEMENT OF COVERAGE; NO REACH-BACK- Any
COBRA continuation coverage elected by a qualified beneficiary during
an extended election period under subparagraph (A)--
(i) shall commence on the date of the enactment of this Act, and
(ii) shall not extend beyond the period of
COBRA continuation coverage that would have been required under the
applicable COBRA continuation coverage provision if the coverage had
been elected as required under such provision.
(C) PREEXISTING CONDITIONS- With respect to a
qualified beneficiary who elects COBRA continuation coverage pursuant
to subparagraph (A), the period--
(i) beginning on the date of the qualifying event, and
(ii) ending with the day before the date of the enactment of this Act,
shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the
63-day periods referred to in section 701)(2) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, section 9801(c)(2) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and section 2701(c)(2) of the Public
Health Service Act.
(5) EXPEDITED REVIEW OF DENIALS OF PREMIUM ASSISTANCE-
In any case in which an individual requests treatment as an assistance
eligible individual and is denied such treatment by the group health
plan by reason of such individual's ineligibility for COBRA
continuation coverage, the Secretary of Labor (or the Secretary of
Health and Human services in connection with COBRA continuation
coverage which is provided other than pursuant to part 6 of subtitle B
of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), in
consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall provide for
expedited review of such denial. An individual shall be entitled to
such review upon application to such Secretary in such form and manner
as shall be provided by such Secretary. Such Secretary shall make a
determination regarding such individual's eligibility within 10
business days after receipt of such individual's application for review
under this paragraph.
(6) DISREGARD OF SUBSIDIES FOR PURPOSES OF FEDERAL AND
STATE PROGRAMS- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any premium
reduction with respect to an assistance eligible individual under this
subsection shall not be considered income or resources in determining
eligibility for, or the amount of assistance or benefits provided
under, any other public benefit provided under Federal law or the law
of any State or political subdivision thereof.
(7) NOTICES TO INDIVIDUALS-
(i) IN GENERAL- In the case of notices provided
under section 606(4) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974 (29 U.S.C. 1166(4)), section 4980B(f)(6)(D) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, section 2206(4) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 300bb-6(4)), or section 8905a(f)(2)(A) of title 5, United
States Code, with respect to individuals who, during the period
described in paragraph (3)(A), become entitled to elect COBRA
continuation coverage, such notices shall include an additional
notification to the recipient of the availability of premium reduction
with respect to such coverage under this subsection.
(ii) ALTERNATIVE NOTICE- In the case of COBRA
continuation coverage to which the notice provision under such sections
does not apply, the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the
Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, shall, in coordination with administrators of the group
health plans (or other entities) that provide or administer the COBRA
continuation coverage involved, provide rules requiring the provision
of such notice.
(iii) FORM- The requirement of the additional
notification under this subparagraph may be met by amendment of
existing notice forms or by inclusion of a separate document with the
notice otherwise required.
(B) SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS- Each additional notification under subparagraph (A) shall include--
(i) the forms necessary for establishing eligibility for premium reduction under this subsection,
(ii) the name, address, and telephone number
necessary to contact the plan administrator and any other person
maintaining relevant information in connection with such premium
reduction,
(iii) a description of the extended election period provided for in paragraph (4)(A),
(iv) a description of the obligation of the
qualified beneficiary under paragraph (2)(C) to notify the plan
providing continuation coverage of eligibility for subsequent coverage
under another group health plan or eligibility for benefits under title
XVIII of the Social Security Act and the penalty provided for failure
to so notify the plan, and
(v) a description, displayed in a prominent
manner, of the qualified beneficiary's right to a reduced premium and
any conditions on entitlement to the reduced premium.
(C) NOTICE RELATING TO RETROACTIVE COVERAGE- In the
case of an individual described in paragraph (3)(A) who has elected
COBRA continuation coverage as of the date of enactment of this Act or
an individual described in paragraph (4)(A), the administrator of the
group health plan (or other entity) involved shall provide (within 60
days after the date of enactment of this Act) for the additional
notification required to be provided under subparagraph (A).
(D) MODEL NOTICES- Not later than 30 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Labor, in
consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of
Health and Human Services, shall prescribe models for the additional
notification required under this paragraph.
(8) SAFEGUARDS- The Secretary of the Treasury shall
provide such rules, procedures, regulations, and other guidance as may
be necessary and appropriate to prevent fraud and abuse under this
subsection.
(9) OUTREACH- The Secretary of Labor, in consultation
with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, shall provide outreach consisting of public education
and enrollment assistance relating to premium reduction provided under
this subsection. Such outreach shall target employers, group health
plan administrators, public assistance programs, States, insurers, and
other entities as determined appropriate by such Secretaries. Such
outreach shall include an initial focus on those individuals electing
continuation coverage who are referred to in paragraph (7)(C).
Information on such premium reduction, including enrollment, shall also
be made available on website of the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and
Health and Human Services.
(10) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of this subsection--
(A) ADMINISTRATOR- The term `administrator' has the
meaning given such term in section 3(16) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974.
(B) COBRA CONTINUATION COVERAGE- The term `COBRA
continuation coverage' means continuation coverage provided pursuant to
part 6 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (other than under section 609), title XXII of the
Public Health Service Act, section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (other than subsection (f)(1) of such section insofar as it
relates to pediatric vaccines), or section 8905a of title 5, United
States Code, or under a State program that provides continuation
coverage comparable to such continuation coverage. Such term does not
include coverage under a health flexible spending arrangement.
(C) COBRA CONTINUATION PROVISION- The term `COBRA
continuation provision' means the provisions of law described in
subparagraph (B).
(D) COVERED EMPLOYEE- The term `covered employee'
has the meaning given such term in section 607(2) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
(E) QUALIFIED BENEFICIARY- The term `qualified
beneficiary' has the meaning given such term in section 607(3) of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
(F) GROUP HEALTH PLAN- The term `group health plan'
has the meaning given such term in section 607(1) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
(G) STATE- The term `State' includes the District
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam,
American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(A) INTERIM REPORT- The Secretary of the Treasury
shall submit an interim report to the Committee on Education and Labor,
the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Finance of the
Senate regarding the premium reduction provided under this subsection
that includes--
(i) the number of individuals provided such assistance as of the date of the report; and
(ii) the total amount of expenditures incurred
(with administrative expenditures noted separately) in connection with
such assistance as of the date of the report.
(B) FINAL REPORT- As soon as practicable after the
last period of COBRA continuation coverage for which premium reduction
is provided under this section, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
submit a final report to each Committee referred to in subparagraph (A)
that includes--
(i) the number of individuals provided premium reduction under this section;
(ii) the average dollar amount (monthly and annually) of premium reductions provided to such individuals; and
(iii) the total amount of expenditures incurred
(with administrative expenditures noted separately) in connection with
premium reduction under this section.
(12) COBRA PREMIUM ASSISTANCE-
(A) IN GENERAL- Subchapter B of chapter 65 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
`SEC. 6431. COBRA PREMIUM ASSISTANCE.
`(a) In General- The entity to whom premiums are payable
under COBRA continuation coverage shall be reimbursed for the amount of
premiums not paid by plan beneficiaries by reason of section 3002(a) of
the Health Insurance Assistance for the Unemployed Act of 2009. Such
amount shall be treated as a credit against the requirement of such
entity to make deposits of payroll taxes and the liability of such
entity for payroll taxes. To the extent that such amount exceeds the
amount of such taxes, the Secretary shall pay to such entity the amount
of such excess. No payment may be made under this subsection to an
entity with respect to any assistance eligible individual until after
such entity has received the reduced premium from such individual
required under section 3002(a)(1)(A) of such Act.
`(b) Payroll Taxes- For purposes of this section, the term `payroll taxes' means--
`(1) amounts required to be deducted and withheld for the payroll period under section 3401 (relating to wage withholding),
`(2) amounts required to be deducted for the payroll period under section 3102 (relating to FICA employee taxes), and
`(3) amounts of the taxes imposed for the payroll period under section 3111 (relating to FICA employer taxes).
`(c) Treatment of Credit- Except as otherwise provided by
the Secretary, the credit described in subsection (a) shall be applied
as though the employer had paid to the Secretary, on the day that the
qualified beneficiary's premium payment is received, an amount equal to
such credit.
`(d) Treatment of Payment- For purposes of section
1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, any payment under this
section shall be treated in the same manner as a refund of the credit
under section 35.
`(1) IN GENERAL- Each entity entitled to reimbursement
under subsection (a) for any period shall submit such reports as the
Secretary may require, including--
`(A) an attestation of involuntary termination of
employment for each covered employee on the basis of whose termination
entitlement to reimbursement is claimed under subsection (a), and
`(B) a report of the amount of payroll taxes offset
under subsection (a) for the reporting period and the estimated offsets
of such taxes for the subsequent reporting period in connection with
reimbursements under subsection (a).
`(2) TIMING OF REPORTS RELATING TO AMOUNT OF PAYROLL
TAXES- Reports required under paragraph (1)(B) shall be submitted at
the same time as deposits of taxes imposed by chapters 21, 22, and 24
or at such time as is specified by the Secretary.
`(f) Regulations- The Secretary may issue such regulations
or other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out this
section, including the requirement to report information or the
establishment of other methods for verifying the correct amounts of
payments and credits under this section. The Secretary shall issue such
regulations or guidance with respect to the application of this section
to group health plans that are multiemployer plans (as defined in
section 3(37) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974).'.
(B) SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS HELD HARMLESS- In
determining any amount transferred or appropriated to any fund under
the Social Security Act, section 6431 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 shall not be taken into account.
(C) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of sections for
subchapter B of chapter 65 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by adding at the end the following new item:
`Sec. 6431. COBRA premium assistance.'.
(D) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this paragraph shall apply to premiums to which subsection (a)(1)(A) applies.
(13) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO NOTIFY HEALTH PLAN OF CESSATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PREMIUM ASSISTANCE-
(A) IN GENERAL- Part I of subchapter B of chapter
68 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end
the following new section:
`SEC. 6720C. PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO NOTIFY HEALTH PLAN OF CESSATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR COBRA PREMIUM ASSISTANCE.
`(a) In General- Any person required to notify a group
health plan under section 3002(a)(2)(C)) of the Health Insurance
Assistance for the Unemployed Act of 2009 who fails to make such a
notification at such time and in such manner as the Secretary of Labor
may require shall pay a penalty of 110 percent of the premium reduction
provided under such section after termination of eligibility under such
subsection.
`(b) Reasonable Cause Exception- No penalty shall be
imposed under subsection (a) with respect to any failure if it is shown
that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful
neglect.'.
(B) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of sections of
part I of subchapter B of chapter 68 of such Code is amended by adding
at the end the following new item:
`Sec. 6720C. Penalty for failure to notify health plan of cessation of eligibility for COBRA premium assistance.'.
(C) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this
paragraph shall apply to failures occurring after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(14) COORDINATION WITH HCTC-
(A) IN GENERAL- Subsection (g) of section 35 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating paragraph (9)
as paragraph (10) and inserting after paragraph (8) the following new
paragraph:
`(9) COBRA PREMIUM ASSISTANCE- In the case of an
assistance eligible individual who receives premium reduction for COBRA
continuation coverage under section 3002(a) of the Health Insurance
Assistance for the Unemployed Act of 2009 for any month during the
taxable year, such individual shall not be treated as an eligible
individual, a certified individual, or a qualifying family member for
purposes of this section or section 7527 with respect to such month.'.
(B) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by
subparagraph (A) shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(15) EXCLUSION OF COBRA PREMIUM ASSISTANCE FROM GROSS INCOME-
(A) IN GENERAL- Part III of subchapter B of chapter
1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after
section 139B the following new section:
`SEC. 139C. COBRA PREMIUM ASSISTANCE.
`In the case of an assistance eligible individual (as
defined in section 3002 of the Health Insurance Assistance for the
Unemployed Act of 2009), gross income does not include any premium
reduction provided under subsection (a) of such section.'.
(B) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of sections for
part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 139B the following new
item:
`Sec. 139C. COBRA premium assistance.'.
(C) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this
paragraph shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(b) Extension of COBRA Benefits for Older or Long-Term Employees-
(1) ERISA AMENDMENT- Section 602(2)(A) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the end
the following new clauses:
`(x) SPECIAL RULE FOR OLDER OR LONG-TERM
EMPLOYEES GENERALLY- In the case of a qualifying event described in
section 603(2) with respect to a covered employee who (as of such
qualifying event) has attained age 55 or has completed 10 or more years
of service with the entity that is the employer at the time of the
qualifying event, clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply. For purposes of
this clause, in the case of a group health plan that is a multiemployer
plan, service by the covered employee performed for 2 or more employers
during periods for which such employers contributed to such plan shall
be treated as service performed for the entity referred to in the
preceding sentence.
`(xi) YEAR OF SERVICE- For purposes of this
subparagraph, the term `year of service' shall have the meaning
provided in section 202(a)(3).'.
(2) IRC AMENDMENT- Clause (i) of section 4980B(f)(2)(B)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end
the following new subclauses:
`(X) SPECIAL RULE FOR OLDER OR LONG-TERM
EMPLOYEES GENERALLY- In the case of a qualifying event described in
paragraph (3)(B) with respect to a covered employee who (as of such
qualifying event) has attained age 55 or has completed 10 or more years
of service with the entity that is the employer at the time of the
qualifying event, subclauses (I) and (II) shall not apply. For purposes
of this subclause, in the case of a group health plan that is a
multiemployer plan (as defined in section 3(37) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), service by the covered
employee performed for 2 or more employers during periods for which
such employers contributed to such plan shall be treated as service
performed for the entity referred to in the preceding sentence.
`(XI) YEAR OF SERVICE- For purposes of this
clause, the term `year of service' shall have the meaning provided in
section 202(a)(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974.'.
(3) PHSA AMENDMENT- Section 2202(2)(A) of the Public
Health Service Act is amended by adding at the end the following new
clauses:
`(viii) SPECIAL RULE FOR OLDER OR LONG-TERM
EMPLOYEES GENERALLY- In the case of a qualifying event described in
section 2203(2) with respect to a covered employee who (as of such
qualifying event) has attained age 55 or has completed 10 or more years
of service with the entity that is the employer at the time of the
qualifying event, clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply. For purposes of
this clause, in the case of a group health plan that is a multiemployer
plan (as defined in section 3(37) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974), service by the covered employee performed for 2
or more employers during periods for which such employers contributed
to such plan shall be treated as service performed for the entity
referred to in the preceding sentence.
`(ix) YEAR OF SERVICE- For purposes of this
subparagraph, the term `year of service' shall have the meaning
provided in section 202(a)(3) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974.'.
(4) EFFECTIVE DATE OF AMENDMENTS- The amendments made
by this subsection shall apply to periods of coverage which would
(without regard to the amendments made by this section) end on or after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3003. TEMPORARY OPTIONAL MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
(a) In General- Section 1902 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)--
(A) by striking `or' at the end of subclause (XVIII);
(B) by adding `or' at the end of subclause (XIX); and
(C) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
`(XX) who are described in subsection (dd)(1) (relating to certain unemployed individuals and their families);'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(dd)(1) Individuals described in this paragraph are--
`(i) are within one or more of the categories described in paragraph (2), as elected under the State plan; and
`(ii) meet the applicable requirements of paragraph (3); and
`(i) are the spouse, or dependent child under 19 years of age, of an individual described in subparagraph (A); and
`(ii) meet the requirement of paragraph (3)(B).
`(2) The categories of individuals described in this paragraph are each of the following:
`(A)(i) Individuals who are receiving unemployment compensation benefits; and
`(ii) individuals who were receiving, but have exhausted, unemployment compensation benefits on or after July 1, 2008.
`(B) Individuals who are involuntarily unemployed and
were involuntarily separated from employment on or after September 1,
2008, and before January 1, 2011, whose family gross income does not
exceed a percentage specified by the State (not to exceed 200 percent)
of the income official poverty line (as defined by the Office of
Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance with section
673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981) applicable to
a family of the size involved, and who, but for subsection
(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX), are not eligible for medical assistance under this
title or health assistance under title XXI.
`(C) Individuals who are involuntarily unemployed and
were involuntarily separated from employment on or after September 1,
2008, and before January 1, 2011, who are members of households
participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program
established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.), and who, but for subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX), are not eligible
for medical assistance under this title or health assistance under
title XXI.
`(3) The requirements of this paragraph with respect to an individual are the following:
`(A) In the case of individuals within a category
described in subparagraph (A)(i) of paragraph (2), the individual was
involuntarily separated from employment on or after September 1, 2008,
and before January 1, 2011, or meets such comparable requirement as the
Secretary specifies through rule, guidance, or otherwise in the case of
an individual who was an independent contractor.
`(B) The individual is not otherwise covered under
creditable coverage, as defined in section 2701(c) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg(c)), but applied without regard to
paragraph (1)(F) of such section and without regard to coverage
provided by reason of the application of subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX).
`(4)(A) No income or resources test shall be applied with
respect to any category of individuals described in subparagraph (A) or
(C) of paragraph (2) who are eligible for medical assistance only by
reason of the application of subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX).
`(B) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
prevent a State from imposing a resource test for the category of
individuals described in paragraph (2)(B)).
`(C) In the case of individuals described in paragraph
(2)(A) or (2)(C), the requirements of subsections (i)(22) and (x) in
section 1903 shall not apply.'.
(b) 100 Percent Federal Matching Rate-
(1) FMAP FOR TIME-LIMITED PERIOD- The third sentence of
section 1905(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(b)) is amended by
inserting before the period at the end the following: `and for items
and services furnished on or after the date of enactment of this Act
and before January 1, 2011, to individuals who are eligible for medical
assistance only by reason of the application of section
1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX)'.
(2) CERTAIN ENROLLMENT-RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS-
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of applying
section 1903(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)), with
respect to expenditures incurred on or after the date of the enactment
of this Act and before January 1, 2011, for costs of administration
(including outreach and the modification and operation of eligibility
information systems) attributable to eligibility determination and
enrollment of individuals who are eligible for medical assistance only
by reason of the application of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX) of such
Act, as added by subsection (a)(1), the Federal matching percentage
shall be 100 percent instead of the matching percentage otherwise
applicable.
(c) Conforming Amendments- (1) Section 1903(f)(4) of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396c(f)(4)) is amended by inserting
`1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX), or' after `1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XIX),'.
(2) Section 1905(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking `or' at the end of clause (xii);
(B) by adding `or' at the end of clause (xiii); and
(C) by inserting after clause (xiii) the following new clause:
`(xiv) individuals described in section 1902(dd)(1),'.
TITLE IV--HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SEC. 4001. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS OF TITLE.
(a) Short Title- This title may be cited as the `Health
Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act' or the
`HITECH Act'.
(b) Table of Contents of Title- The table of contents of this title is as follows:
Sec. 4001. Short title; table of contents of title.
Subtitle A--Promotion of Health Information Technology
Part I--Improving Health Care Quality, Safety, and Efficiency
Sec. 4101. ONCHIT; standards development and adoption.
`TITLE XXX--HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY
`Sec. 3000. Definitions.
`Subtitle A--Promotion of Health Information Technology
`Sec. 3001. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
`Sec. 3002. HIT Policy Committee.
`Sec. 3003. HIT Standards Committee.
`Sec. 3004. Process for adoption of endorsed
recommendations; adoption of initial set of standards, implementation
specifications, and certification criteria.
`Sec. 3005. Application and use of adopted standards and implementation specifications by Federal agencies.
`Sec. 3006. Voluntary application and use of adopted standards and implementation specifications by private entities.
`Sec. 3007. Federal health information technology.
`Sec. 3008. Transitions.
`Sec. 3009. Relation to HIPAA privacy and security law.
`Sec. 3010. Authorization for appropriations.
Sec. 4102. Technical amendment.
Part II--Application and Use of Adopted Health Information Technology Standards; Reports
Sec. 4111. Coordination of Federal activities with adopted standards and implementation specifications.
Sec. 4112. Application to private entities.
Sec. 4113. Study and reports.
Subtitle B--Testing of Health Information Technology
Sec. 4201. National Institute for Standards and Technology testing.
Sec. 4202. Research and development programs.
Subtitle C--Incentives for the Use of Health Information Technology
Part I--Grants and Loans Funding
Sec. 4301. Grant, loan, and demonstration programs.
`Subtitle B--Incentives for the Use of Health Information Technology
`Sec. 3011. Immediate funding to strengthen the health information technology infrastructure.
`Sec. 3012. Health information technology implementation assistance.
`Sec. 3013. State grants to promote health information technology.
`Sec. 3014. Competitive grants to States and Indian
tribes for the development of loan programs to facilitate the
widespread adoption of certified EHR technology.
`Sec. 3015. Demonstration program to integrate information technology into clinical education.
`Sec. 3016. Information technology professionals on health care.
`Sec. 3017. General grant and loan provisions.
`Sec. 3018. Authorization for appropriations.
Part II--Medicare Program
Sec. 4311. Incentives for eligible professionals.
Sec. 4312. Incentives for hospitals.
Sec. 4313. Treatment of payments and savings; implementation funding.
Sec. 4314. Study on application of EHR payment incentives for providers not receiving other incentive payments.
Part III--Medicaid Funding
Sec. 4321. Medicaid provider HIT adoption and operation payments; implementation funding.
Sec. 4322. Medicaid nursing home grant program.
Subtitle D--Privacy
Part I--Improved Privacy Provisions and Security Provisions
Sec. 4401. Application of security provisions and
penalties to business associates of covered entities; annual guidance
on security provisions.
Sec. 4402. Notification in the case of breach.
Sec. 4403. Education on Health Information Privacy.
Sec. 4404. Application of privacy provisions and penalties to business associates of covered entities.
Sec. 4405. Restrictions on certain disclosures and sales
of health information; accounting of certain protected health
information disclosures; access to certain information in electronic
format.
Sec. 4406. Conditions on certain contacts as part of health care operations.
Sec. 4407. Temporary breach notification requirement for
vendors of personal health records and other non-HIPAA covered entities.
Sec. 4408. Business associate contracts required for certain entities.
Sec. 4409. Clarification of application of wrongful disclosures criminal penalties.
Sec. 4410. Improved enforcement.
Sec. 4412. Special rule for information to reduce medication errors and improve patient safety.
Part II--Relationship to Other Laws; Regulatory References; Effective Date; Reports
Sec. 4421. Relationship to other laws.
Sec. 4422. Regulatory references.
Sec. 4423. Effective date.
Sec. 4424. Studies, reports, guidance.
Subtitle E--Miscellaneous Medicare Provisions
Sec. 4501. Moratoria on certain Medicare regulations.
Sec. 4502. Long-term care hospital technical corrections.
Subtitle A--Promotion of Health Information Technology
PART I--IMPROVING HEALTH CARE QUALITY, SAFETY, AND EFFICIENCY
SEC. 4101. ONCHIT; STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION.
The Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`TITLE XXX--HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY
`SEC. 3000. DEFINITIONS.
`(1) CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY- The term `certified EHR
technology' means a qualified electronic health record that is
certified pursuant to section 3001(c)(5) as meeting standards adopted
under section 3004 that are applicable to the type of record involved
(as determined by the Secretary, such as an ambulatory electronic
health record for office-based physicians or an inpatient hospital
electronic health record for hospitals).
`(2) ENTERPRISE INTEGRATION- The term `enterprise
integration' means the electronic linkage of health care providers,
health plans, the government, and other interested parties, to enable
the electronic exchange and use of health information among all the
components in the health care infrastructure in accordance with
applicable law, and such term includes related application protocols
and other related standards.
`(3) HEALTH CARE PROVIDER- The term `health care
provider' means a hospital, skilled nursing facility, nursing facility,
home health entity or other long term care facility, health care
clinic, Federally qualified health center, group practice (as defined
in section 1877(h)(4) of the Social Security Act), a pharmacist, a
pharmacy, a laboratory, a physician (as defined in section 1861(r) of
the Social Security Act), a practitioner (as described in section
1842(b)(18)(C) of the Social Security Act), a provider operated by, or
under contract with, the Indian Health Service or by an Indian tribe
(as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act), tribal organization, or urban Indian organization (as defined in
section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act), a rural health
clinic, a covered entity under section 340B, an ambulatory surgical
center described in section 1833(i) of the Social Security Act, and any
other category of facility or clinician determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
`(4) HEALTH INFORMATION- The term `health information'
has the meaning given such term in section 1171(4) of the Social
Security Act.
`(5) HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY- The term `health
information technology' means hardware, software, integrated
technologies and related licenses, intellectual property, upgrades, and
packaged solutions sold as services that are specifically designed for
use by health care entities for the electronic creation, maintenance,
or exchange of health information.
`(6) HEALTH PLAN- The term `health plan' has the meaning given such term in section 1171(5) of the Social Security Act.
`(7) HIT POLICY COMMITTEE- The term `HIT Policy Committee' means such Committee established under section 3002(a).
`(8) HIT STANDARDS COMMITTEE- The term `HIT Standards Committee' means such Committee established under section 3003(a).
`(9) INDIVIDUALLY IDENTIFIABLE HEALTH INFORMATION- The
term `individually identifiable health information' has the meaning
given such term in section 1171(6) of the Social Security Act.
`(10) LABORATORY- The term `laboratory' has the meaning given such term in section 353(a).
`(11) NATIONAL COORDINATOR- The term `National
Coordinator' means the head of the Office of the National Coordinator
for Health Information Technology established under section 3001(a).
`(12) PHARMACIST- The term `pharmacist' has the meaning
given such term in section 804(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act.
`(13) QUALIFIED ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD- The term
`qualified electronic health record' means an electronic record of
health-related information on an individual that--
`(A) includes patient demographic and clinical health information, such as medical history and problem lists; and
`(i) to provide clinical decision support;
`(ii) to support physician order entry;
`(iii) to capture and query information relevant to health care quality; and
`(iv) to exchange electronic health information with, and integrate such information from other sources.
`(14) STATE- The term `State' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
`Subtitle A--Promotion of Health Information Technology
`SEC. 3001. OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
`(a) Establishment- There is established within the
Department of Health and Human Services an Office of the National
Coordinator for Health Information Technology (referred to in this
section as the `Office'). The Office shall be headed by a National
Coordinator who shall be appointed by the Secretary and shall report
directly to the Secretary.
`(b) Purpose- The National Coordinator shall perform the
duties under subsection (c) in a manner consistent with the development
of a nationwide health information technology infrastructure that
allows for the electronic use and exchange of information and that--
`(1) ensures that each patient's health information is secure and protected, in accordance with applicable law;
`(2) improves health care quality, reduces medical
errors, reduces health disparities, and advances the delivery of
patient-centered medical care;
`(3) reduces health care costs resulting from
inefficiency, medical errors, inappropriate care, duplicative care, and
incomplete information;
`(4) provides appropriate information to help guide medical decisions at the time and place of care;
`(5) ensures the inclusion of meaningful public input in such development of such infrastructure;
`(6) improves the coordination of care and information
among hospitals, laboratories, physician offices, and other entities
through an effective infrastructure for the secure and authorized
exchange of health care information;
`(7) improves public health activities and facilitates
the early identification and rapid response to public health threats
and emergencies, including bioterror events and infectious disease
outbreaks;
`(8) facilitates health and clinical research and health care quality;
`(9) promotes prevention of chronic diseases;
`(10) promotes a more effective marketplace, greater
competition, greater systems analysis, increased consumer choice, and
improved outcomes in health care services; and
`(11) improves efforts to reduce health disparities.
`(c) Duties of the National Coordinator-
`(1) STANDARDS- The National Coordinator shall review
and determine whether to endorse each standard, implementation
specification, and certification criterion for the electronic exchange
and use of health information that is recommended by the HIT Standards
Committee under section 3003 for purposes of adoption under section
3004. The Coordinator shall make such determination, and report to the
Secretary such determination, not later than 45 days after the date the
recommendation is received by the Coordinator.
`(2) HIT POLICY COORDINATION-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The National Coordinator shall
coordinate health information technology policy and programs of the
Department with those of other relevant executive branch agencies with
a goal of avoiding duplication of efforts and of helping to ensure that
each agency undertakes health information technology activities
primarily within the areas of its greatest expertise and technical
capability and in a manner towards a coordinated national goal.
`(B) HIT POLICY AND STANDARDS COMMITTEES- The
National Coordinator shall be a leading member in the establishment and
operations of the HIT Policy Committee and the HIT Standards Committee
and shall serve as a liaison among those two Committees and the Federal
Government.
`(A) IN GENERAL- The National Coordinator shall, in
consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies (including the
National Institute of Standards and Technology), update the Federal
Health IT Strategic Plan (developed as of June 3, 2008) to include
specific objectives, milestones, and metrics with respect to the
following:
`(i) The electronic exchange and use of health information and the enterprise integration of such information.
`(ii) The utilization of an electronic health record for each person in the United States by 2014.
`(iii) The incorporation of privacy and
security protections for the electronic exchange of an individual's
individually identifiable health information.
`(iv) Ensuring security methods to ensure
appropriate authorization and electronic authentication of health
information and specifying technologies or methodologies for rendering
health information unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable.
`(v) Specifying a framework for coordination
and flow of recommendations and policies under this subtitle among the
Secretary, the National Coordinator, the HIT Policy Committee, the HIT
Standards Committee, and other health information exchanges and other
relevant entities.
`(vi) Methods to foster the public understanding of health information technology.
`(vii) Strategies to enhance the use of health
information technology in improving the quality of health care,
reducing medical errors, reducing health disparities, improving public
health, and improving the continuity of care among health care settings.
`(B) COLLABORATION- The strategic plan shall be updated through collaboration of public and private entities.
`(C) MEASURABLE OUTCOME GOALS- The strategic plan update shall include measurable outcome goals.
`(D) PUBLICATION- The National Coordinator shall republish the strategic plan, including all updates.
`(4) WEBSITE- The National Coordinator shall maintain
and frequently update an Internet website on which there is posted
information on the work, schedules, reports, recommendations, and other
information to ensure transparency in promotion of a nationwide health
information technology infrastructure.
`(A) IN GENERAL- The National Coordinator, in
consultation with the Director of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, shall develop a program (either directly or by
contract) for the voluntary certification of health information
technology as being in compliance with applicable certification
criteria adopted under this subtitle. Such program shall include
testing of the technology in accordance with section 4201(b) of the
HITECH Act.
`(B) CERTIFICATION CRITERIA DESCRIBED- In this
title, the term `certification criteria' means, with respect to
standards and implementation specifications for health information
technology, criteria to establish that the technology meets such
standards and implementation specifications.
`(6) REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS-
`(A) REPORT ON ADDITIONAL FUNDING OR AUTHORITY
NEEDED- Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of
this title, the National Coordinator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of jurisdiction of the House of Representatives and the
Senate a report on any additional funding or authority the Coordinator
or the HIT Policy Committee or HIT Standards Committee requires to
evaluate and develop standards, implementation specifications, and
certification criteria, or to achieve full participation of
stakeholders in the adoption of a nationwide health information
technology infrastructure that allows for the electronic use and
exchange of health information.
`(B) IMPLEMENTATION REPORT- The National
Coordinator shall prepare a report that identifies lessons learned from
major public and private health care systems in their implementation of
health information technology, including information on whether the
technologies and practices developed by such systems may be applicable
to and usable in whole or in part by other health care providers.
`(C) ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF HIT ON COMMUNITIES
WITH HEALTH DISPARITIES AND UNINSURED, UNDERINSURED, AND MEDICALLY
UNDERSERVED AREAS- The National Coordinator shall assess and publish
the impact of health information technology in communities with health
disparities and in areas with a high proportion of individuals who are
uninsured, underinsured, and medically underserved individuals
(including urban and rural areas) and identify practices to increase
the adoption of such technology by health care providers in such
communities.
`(D) EVALUATION OF BENEFITS AND COSTS OF THE
ELECTRONIC USE AND EXCHANGE OF HEALTH INFORMATION- The National
Coordinator shall evaluate and publish evidence on the benefits and
costs of the electronic use and exchange of health information and
assess to whom these benefits and costs accrue.
`(E) RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS- The National
Coordinator shall estimate and publish resources required annually to
reach the goal of utilization of an electronic health record for each
person in the United States by 2014, including the required level of
Federal funding, expectations for regional, State, and private
investment, and the expected contributions by volunteers to activities
for the utilization of such records.
`(7) ASSISTANCE- The National Coordinator may provide
financial assistance to consumer advocacy groups and not-for-profit
entities that work in the public interest for purposes of defraying the
cost to such groups and entities to participate under, whether in whole
or in part, the National Technology Transfer Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272
note).
`(8) GOVERNANCE FOR NATIONWIDE HEALTH INFORMATION
NETWORK- The National Coordinator shall establish a governance
mechanism for the nationwide health information network.
`(d) Detail of Federal Employees-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Upon the request of the National
Coordinator, the head of any Federal agency is authorized to detail,
with or without reimbursement from the Office, any of the personnel of
such agency to the Office to assist it in carrying out its duties under
this section.
`(2) EFFECT OF DETAIL- Any detail of personnel under paragraph (1) shall--
`(A) not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the Federal employee; and
`(B) be in addition to any other staff of the Department employed by the National Coordinator.
`(3) ACCEPTANCE OF DETAILEES- Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the Office may accept detailed personnel from other
Federal agencies without regard to whether the agency described under
paragraph (1) is reimbursed.
`(e) Chief Privacy Officer of the Office of the National
Coordinator- Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment
of this title, the Secretary shall appoint a Chief Privacy Officer of
the Office of the National Coordinator, whose duty it shall be to
advise the National Coordinator on privacy, security, and data
stewardship of electronic health information and to coordinate with
other Federal agencies (and similar privacy officers in such agencies),
with State and regional efforts, and with foreign countries with regard
to the privacy, security, and data stewardship of electronic
individually identifiable health information.
`SEC. 3002. HIT POLICY COMMITTEE.
`(a) Establishment- There is established a HIT Policy
Committee to make policy recommendations to the National Coordinator
relating to the implementation of a nationwide health information
technology infrastructure, including implementation of the strategic
plan described in section 3001(c)(3).
`(1) RECOMMENDATIONS ON HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
INFRASTRUCTURE- The HIT Policy Committee shall recommend a policy
framework for the development and adoption of a nationwide health
information technology infrastructure that permits the electronic
exchange and use of health information as is consistent with the
strategic plan under section 3001(c)(3) and that includes the
recommendations under paragraph (2). The Committee shall update such
recommendations and make new recommendations as appropriate.
`(2) SPECIFIC AREAS OF STANDARD DEVELOPMENT-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The HIT Policy Committee shall
recommend the areas in which standards, implementation specifications,
and certification criteria are needed for the electronic exchange and
use of health information for purposes of adoption under section 3004
and shall recommend an order of priority for the development,
harmonization, and recognition of such standards, specifications, and
certification criteria among the areas so recommended. Such standards
and implementation specifications shall include named standards,
architectures, and software schemes for the authentication and security
of individually identifiable health information and other information
as needed to ensure the reproducible development of common solutions
across disparate entities.
`(B) AREAS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION- For purposes
of subparagraph (A), the HIT Policy Committee shall make
recommendations for at least the following areas:
`(i) Technologies that protect the privacy of
health information and promote security in a qualified electronic
health record, including for the segmentation and protection from
disclosure of specific and sensitive individually identifiable health
information with the goal of minimizing the reluctance of patients to
seek care (or disclose information about a condition) because of
privacy concerns, in accordance with applicable law, and for the use
and disclosure of limited data sets of such information.
`(ii) A nationwide health information
technology infrastructure that allows for the electronic use and
accurate exchange of health information.
`(iii) The utilization of a certified electronic health record for each person in the United States by 2014.
`(iv) Technologies that as a part of a
qualified electronic health record allow for an accounting of
disclosures made by a covered entity (as defined for purposes of
regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) for purposes of treatment,
payment, and health care operations (as such terms are defined for
purposes of such regulations).
`(v) The use of certified electronic health
records to improve the quality of health care, such as by promoting the
coordination of health care and improving continuity of health care
among health care providers, by reducing medical errors, by improving
population health, by reducing health disparities, and by advancing
research and education.
`(vi) Technologies that allow individually
identifiable health information to be rendered unusable, unreadable, or
indecipherable to unauthorized individuals when such information is
transmitted in the nationwide health information network or physically
transported outside of the secured, physical perimeter of a health care
provider, health plan, or health care clearinghouse.
`(C) OTHER AREAS FOR CONSIDERATION- In making
recommendations under subparagraph (A), the HIT Policy Committee may
consider the following additional areas:
`(i) The appropriate uses of a nationwide health information infrastructure, including for purposes of--
`(I) the collection of quality data and public reporting;
`(II) biosurveillance and public health;
`(III) medical and clinical research; and
`(ii) Self-service technologies that facilitate the use and exchange of patient information and reduce wait times.
`(iii) Telemedicine technologies, in order to reduce travel requirements for patients in remote areas.
`(iv) Technologies that facilitate home health care and the monitoring of patients recuperating at home.
`(v) Technologies that help reduce medical errors.
`(vi) Technologies that facilitate the continuity of care among health settings.
`(vii) Technologies that meet the needs of diverse populations.
`(viii) Any other technology that the HIT
Policy Committee finds to be among the technologies with the greatest
potential to improve the quality and efficiency of health care.
`(3) FORUM- The HIT Policy Committee shall serve as a
forum for broad stakeholder input with specific expertise in policies
relating to the matters described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
`(c) Membership and Operations-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The National Coordinator shall provide
leadership in the establishment and operations of the HIT Policy
Committee.
`(2) MEMBERSHIP- The membership of the HIT Policy
Committee shall at least reflect providers, ancillary healthcare
workers, consumers, purchasers, health plans, technology vendors,
researchers, relevant Federal agencies, and individuals with technical
expertise on health care quality, privacy and security, and on the
electronic exchange and use of health information.
`(3) CONSIDERATION- The National Coordinator shall
ensure that the relevant recommendations and comments from the National
Committee on Vital and Health Statistics are considered in the
development of policies.
`(d) Application of FACA- The Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.), other than section 14 of such Act, shall apply to
the HIT Policy Committee.
`(e) Publication- The Secretary shall provide for
publication in the Federal Register and the posting on the Internet
website of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health
Information Technology of all policy recommendations made by the HIT
Policy Committee under this section.
`SEC. 3003. HIT STANDARDS COMMITTEE.
`(a) Establishment- There is established a committee to be
known as the HIT Standards Committee to recommend to the National
Coordinator standards, implementation specifications, and certification
criteria for the electronic exchange and use of health information for
purposes of adoption under section 3004, consistent with the
implementation of the strategic plan described in section 3001(c)(3)
and beginning with the areas listed in section 3002(b)(2)(B) in
accordance with policies developed by the HIT Policy Committee.
`(1) STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The HIT Standards Committee shall
recommend to the National Coordinator standards, implementation
specifications, and certification criteria described in subsection (a)
that have been developed, harmonized, or recognized by the HIT
Standards Committee. The HIT Standards Committee shall update such
recommendations and make new recommendations as appropriate, including
in response to a notification sent under section 3004(a)(2)(B). Such
recommendations shall be consistent with the latest recommendations
made by the HIT Policy Committee.
`(B) PILOT TESTING OF STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTATION
SPECIFICATIONS- In the development, harmonization, or recognition of
standards and implementation specifications, the HIT Standards
Committee shall, as appropriate, provide for the testing of such
standards and specifications by the National Institute for Standards
and Technology under section 4201(a) of the HITECH Act.
`(C) CONSISTENCY- The standards, implementation
specifications, and certification criteria recommended under this
subsection shall be consistent with the standards for information
transactions and data elements adopted pursuant to section 1173 of the
Social Security Act.
`(2) FORUM- The HIT Standards Committee shall serve as
a forum for the participation of a broad range of stakeholders to
provide input on the development, harmonization, and recognition of
standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria
necessary for the development and adoption of a nationwide health
information technology infrastructure that allows for the electronic
use and exchange of health information.
`(3) SCHEDULE- Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this title, the HIT Standards Committee shall develop
a schedule for the assessment of policy recommendations developed by
the HIT Policy Committee under section 3002. The HIT Standards
Committee shall update such schedule annually. The Secretary shall
publish such schedule in the Federal Register.
`(4) PUBLIC INPUT- The HIT Standards Committee shall
conduct open public meetings and develop a process to allow for public
comment on the schedule described in paragraph (3) and recommendations
described in this subsection. Under such process comments shall be
submitted in a timely manner after the date of publication of a
recommendation under this subsection.
`(c) Membership and Operations-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The National Coordinator shall provide
leadership in the establishment and operations of the HIT Standards
Committee.
`(2) MEMBERSHIP- The membership of the HIT Standards
Committee shall at least reflect providers, ancillary healthcare
workers, consumers, purchasers, health plans, technology vendors,
researchers, relevant Federal agencies, and individuals with technical
expertise on health care quality, privacy and security, and on the
electronic exchange and use of health information.
`(3) CONSIDERATION- The National Coordinator shall
ensure that the relevant recommendations and comments from the National
Committee on Vital and Health Statistics are considered in the
development of standards.
`(4) ASSISTANCE- For the purposes of carrying out this
section, the Secretary may provide or ensure that financial assistance
is provided by the HIT Standards Committee to defray in whole or in
part any membership fees or dues charged by such Committee to those
consumer advocacy groups and not for profit entities that work in the
public interest as a part of their mission.
`(d) Application of FACA- The Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.), other than section 14, shall apply to the HIT
Standards Committee.
`(e) Publication- The Secretary shall provide for
publication in the Federal Register and the posting on the Internet
website of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health
Information Technology of all recommendations made by the HIT Standards
Committee under this section.
`SEC. 3004. PROCESS FOR ADOPTION OF ENDORSED
RECOMMENDATIONS; ADOPTION OF INITIAL SET OF STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION
SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA.
`(a) Process for Adoption of Endorsed Recommendations-
`(1) REVIEW OF ENDORSED STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION
SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA- Not later than 90 days
after the date of receipt of standards, implementation specifications,
or certification criteria endorsed under section 3001(c), the
Secretary, in consultation with representatives of other relevant
Federal agencies, shall jointly review such standards, implementation
specifications, or certification criteria and shall determine whether
or not to propose adoption of such standards, implementation
specifications, or certification criteria.
`(2) DETERMINATION TO ADOPT STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION
SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA- If the Secretary
determines--
`(A) to propose adoption of any grouping of such
standards, implementation specifications, or certification criteria,
the Secretary shall, by regulation, determine whether or not to adopt
such grouping of standards, implementation specifications, or
certification criteria; or
`(B) not to propose adoption of any grouping of
standards, implementation specifications, or certification criteria,
the Secretary shall notify the National Coordinator and the HIT
Standards Committee in writing of such determination and the reasons
for not proposing the adoption of such recommendation.
`(3) PUBLICATION- The Secretary shall provide for
publication in the Federal Register of all determinations made by the
Secretary under paragraph (1).
`(b) Adoption of Initial Set of Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than December 31, 2009, the
Secretary shall, through the rulemaking process described in section
3004(a), adopt an initial set of standards, implementation
specifications, and certification criteria for the areas required for
consideration under section 3002(b)(2)(B).
`(2) APPLICATION OF CURRENT STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION
SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA- The standards,
implementation specifications, and certification criteria adopted
before the date of the enactment of this title through the process
existing through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health
Information Technology may be applied towards meeting the requirement
of paragraph (1).
`SEC. 3005. APPLICATION AND USE OF ADOPTED STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS BY FEDERAL AGENCIES.
`For requirements relating to the application and use by
Federal agencies of the standards and implementation specifications
adopted under section 3004, see section 4111 of the HITECH Act.
`SEC. 3006. VOLUNTARY APPLICATION AND USE OF ADOPTED STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS BY PRIVATE ENTITIES.
`(a) In General- Except as provided under section 4112 of
the HITECH Act, any standard or implementation specification adopted
under section 3004 shall be voluntary with respect to private entities.
`(b) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this subtitle shall
be construed to require that a private entity that enters into a
contract with the Federal Government apply or use the standards and
implementation specifications adopted under section 3004 with respect
to activities not related to the contract.
`SEC. 3007. FEDERAL HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
`(a) In General- The National Coordinator shall support the
development, routine updating, and provision of qualified EHR
technology (as defined in section 3000) consistent with subsections (b)
and (c) unless the Secretary determines that the needs and demands of
providers are being substantially and adequately met through the
marketplace.
`(b) Certification- In making such EHR technology publicly
available, the National Coordinator shall ensure that the qualified EHR
technology described in subsection (a) is certified under the program
developed under section 3001(c)(3) to be in compliance with applicable
standards adopted under section 3003(a).
`(c) Authorization To Charge a Nominal Fee- The National
Coordinator may impose a nominal fee for the adoption by a health care
provider of the health information technology system developed or
approved under subsection (a) and (b). Such fee shall take into account
the financial circumstances of smaller providers, low income providers,
and providers located in rural or other medically underserved areas.
`(d) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be
construed to require that a private or government entity adopt or use
the technology provided under this section.
`SEC. 3008. TRANSITIONS.
`(a) ONCHIT- To the extent consistent with section 3001,
all functions, personnel, assets, liabilities, and administrative
actions applicable to the National Coordinator for Health Information
Technology appointed under Executive Order No. 13335 or the Office of
such National Coordinator on the date before the date of the enactment
of this title shall be transferred to the National Coordinator
appointed under section 3001(a) and the Office of such National
Coordinator as of the date of the enactment of this title.
`(1) To the extent consistent with sections 3002 and
3003, all functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities applicable to
the AHIC Successor, Inc. doing business as the National eHealth
Collaborative as of the day before the date of the enactment of this
title shall be transferred to the HIT Policy Committee or the HIT
Standards Committee, established under section 3002(a) or 3003(a), as
appropriate, as of the date of the enactment of this title.
`(2) In carrying out section 3003(b)(1)(A), until
recommendations are made by the HIT Policy Committee, recommendations
of the HIT Standards Committee shall be consistent with the most recent
recommendations made by such AHIC Successor, Inc.
`(c) Rules of Construction-
`(1) ONCHIT- Nothing in section 3001 or subsection (a)
shall be construed as requiring the creation of a new entity to the
extent that the Office of the National Coordinator for Health
Information Technology established pursuant to Executive Order No.
13335 is consistent with the provisions of section 3001.
`(2) AHIC- Nothing in sections 3002 or 3003 or
subsection (b) shall be construed as prohibiting the AHIC Successor,
Inc. doing business as the National eHealth Collaborative from
modifying its charter, duties, membership, and any other structure or
function required to be consistent with section 3002 and 3003 in a
manner that would permit the Secretary to choose to recognize such AHIC
Successor, Inc. as the HIT Policy Committee or the HIT Standards
Committee.
`SEC. 3009. RELATION TO HIPAA PRIVACY AND SECURITY LAW.
`(a) In General- With respect to the relation of this title to HIPAA privacy and security law:
`(1) This title may not be construed as having any
effect on the authorities of the Secretary under HIPAA privacy and
security law.
`(2) The purposes of this title include ensuring that
the health information technology standards and implementation
specifications adopted under section 3004 take into account the
requirements of HIPAA privacy and security law.
`(b) Definition- For purposes of this section, the term `HIPAA privacy and security law' means--
`(1) the provisions of part C of title XI of the Social
Security Act, section 264 of the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996, and subtitle D of title IV of the HITECH
Act; and
`(2) regulations under such provisions.
`SEC. 3010. AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS.
`There is authorized to be appropriated to the Office of
the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to carry out
this subtitle $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.'.
SEC. 4102. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.
Section 1171(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d) is amended by striking `or C' and inserting `C, or D'.
PART II--APPLICATION AND USE OF ADOPTED HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS; REPORTS
SEC. 4111. COORDINATION OF FEDERAL ACTIVITIES WITH ADOPTED STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS.
(a) Spending on Health Information Technology Systems- As
each agency (as defined in the Executive order issued on August 22,
2006, relating to promoting quality and efficient health care in
Federal government administered or sponsored health care programs)
implements, acquires, or upgrades health information technology systems
used for the direct exchange of individually identifiable health
information between agencies and with non-Federal entities, it shall
utilize, where available, health information technology systems and
products that meet standards and implementation specifications adopted
under section 3004 of the Public Health Service Act, as added by
section 4101.
(b) Federal Information Collection Activities- With respect
to a standard or implementation specification adopted under section
3004 of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 4101, the
President shall take measures to ensure that Federal activities
involving the broad collection and submission of health information are
consistent with such standard or implementation specification,
respectively, within three years after the date of such adoption.
(c) Application of Definitions- The definitions contained
in section 3000 of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section
4101, shall apply for purposes of this part.
SEC. 4112. APPLICATION TO PRIVATE ENTITIES.
Each agency (as defined in such Executive Order issued on
August 22, 2006, relating to promoting quality and efficient health
care in Federal government administered or sponsored health care
programs) shall require in contracts or agreements with health care
providers, health plans, or health insurance issuers that as each
provider, plan, or issuer implements, acquires, or upgrades health
information technology systems, it shall utilize, where available,
health information technology systems and products that meet standards
and implementation specifications adopted under section 3004 of the
Public Health Service Act, as added by section 4101.
SEC. 4113. STUDY AND REPORTS.
(a) Report on Adoption of Nationwide System- Not later than
2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually
thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to
the appropriate committees of jurisdiction of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a report that--
(1) describes the specific actions that have been taken
by the Federal Government and private entities to facilitate the
adoption of a nationwide system for the electronic use and exchange of
health information;
(2) describes barriers to the adoption of such a nationwide system; and
(3) contains recommendations to achieve full implementation of such a nationwide system.
(b) Reimbursement Incentive Study and Report-
(1) STUDY- The Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall carry out, or contract with a private entity to carry out, a
study that examines methods to create efficient reimbursement
incentives for improving health care quality in Federally qualified
health centers, rural health clinics, and free clinics.
(2) REPORT- Not later than 2 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall submit to the appropriate committees of jurisdiction of the House
of Representatives and the Senate a report on the study carried out
under paragraph (1).
(c) Aging Services Technology Study and Report-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall carry out, or contract with a private entity to carry
out, a study of matters relating to the potential use of new aging
services technology to assist seniors, individuals with disabilities,
and their caregivers throughout the aging process.
(2) MATTERS TO BE STUDIED- The study under paragraph (1) shall include--
(i) methods for identifying current, emerging,
and future health technology that can be used to meet the needs of
seniors and individuals with disabilities and their caregivers across
all aging services settings, as specified by the Secretary;
(ii) methods for fostering scientific
innovation with respect to aging services technology within the
business and academic communities; and
(iii) developments in aging services technology in other countries that may be applied in the United States; and
(i) barriers to innovation in aging services technology and devising strategies for removing such barriers; and
(ii) barriers to the adoption of aging services
technology by health care providers and consumers and devising
strategies to removing such barriers.
(3) REPORT- Not later than 24 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of jurisdiction of the House of Representatives
and of the Senate a report on the study carried out under paragraph (1).
(4) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of this subsection:
(A) AGING SERVICES TECHNOLOGY- The term `aging
services technology' means health technology that meets the health care
needs of seniors, individuals with disabilities, and the caregivers of
such seniors and individuals.
(B) SENIOR- The term `senior' has such meaning as specified by the Secretary.
Subtitle B--Testing of Health Information Technology
SEC. 4201. NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY TESTING.
(a) Pilot Testing of Standards and Implementation
Specifications- In coordination with the HIT Standards Committee
established under section 3003 of the Public Health Service Act, as
added by section 4101, with respect to the development of standards and
implementation specifications under such section, the Director of the
National Institute for Standards and Technology shall test such
standards and implementation specifications, as appropriate, in order
to assure the efficient implementation and use of such standards and
implementation specifications.
(b) Voluntary Testing Program- In coordination with the HIT
Standards Committee established under section 3003 of the Public Health
Service Act, as added by section 4101, with respect to the development
of standards and implementation specifications under such section, the
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall
support the establishment of a conformance testing infrastructure,
including the development of technical test beds. The development of
this conformance testing infrastructure may include a program to
accredit independent, non-Federal laboratories to perform testing.
SEC. 4202. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
(a) Health Care Information Enterprise Integration Research Centers-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Director of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology, in consultation with the Director of the
National Science Foundation and other appropriate Federal agencies,
shall establish a program of assistance to institutions of higher
education (or consortia thereof which may include nonprofit entities
and Federal Government laboratories) to establish multidisciplinary
Centers for Health Care Information Enterprise Integration.
(2) REVIEW; COMPETITION- Grants shall be awarded under this subsection on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis.
(3) PURPOSE- The purposes of the Centers described in paragraph (1) shall be--
(A) to generate innovative approaches to health
care information enterprise integration by conducting cutting-edge,
multidisciplinary research on the systems challenges to health care
delivery; and
(B) the development and use of health information technologies and other complementary fields.
(4) RESEARCH AREAS- Research areas may include--
(A) interfaces between human information and communications technology systems;
(B) voice-recognition systems;
(C) software that improves interoperability and connectivity among health information systems;
(D) software dependability in systems critical to health care delivery;
(E) measurement of the impact of information technologies on the quality and productivity of health care;
(F) health information enterprise management;
(G) health information technology security and integrity; and
(H) relevant health information technology to reduce medical errors.
(5) APPLICATIONS- An institution of higher education
(or a consortium thereof) seeking funding under this subsection shall
submit an application to the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Director may require. The application shall
include, at a minimum, a description of--
(A) the research projects that will be undertaken
by the Center established pursuant to assistance under paragraph (1)
and the respective contributions of the participating entities;
(B) how the Center will promote active
collaboration among scientists and engineers from different
disciplines, such as information technology, biologic sciences,
management, social sciences, and other appropriate disciplines;
(C) technology transfer activities to demonstrate and diffuse the research results, technologies, and knowledge; and
(D) how the Center will contribute to the education
and training of researchers and other professionals in fields relevant
to health information enterprise integration.
(b) National Information Technology Research and
Development Program- The National High-Performance Computing Program
established by section 101 of the High-Performance Computing Act of
1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511) shall coordinate Federal research and development
programs related to the development and deployment of health
information technology, including activities related to--
(1) computer infrastructure;
(3) development of large-scale, distributed, reliable computing systems;
(4) wired, wireless, and hybrid high-speed networking;
(5) development of software and software-intensive systems;
(6) human-computer interaction and information management technologies; and
(7) the social and economic implications of information technology.
Subtitle C--Incentives for the Use of Health Information Technology
PART I--GRANTS AND LOANS FUNDING
SEC. 4301. GRANT, LOAN, AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS.
Title XXX of the Public Health Service Act, as added by
section 4101, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subtitle:
`Subtitle B--Incentives for the Use of Health Information Technology
`SEC. 3011. IMMEDIATE FUNDING TO STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE.
`(a) In General- The Secretary shall, using amounts
appropriated under section 3018, invest in the infrastructure necessary
to allow for and promote the electronic exchange and use of health
information for each individual in the United States consistent with
the goals outlined in the strategic plan developed by the National
Coordinator (and as available) under section 3001. To the greatest
extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that any funds so
appropriated shall be used for the acquisition of health information
technology that meets standards and certification criteria adopted
before the date of the enactment of this title until such date as the
standards are adopted under section 3004. The Secretary shall invest
funds through the different agencies with expertise in such goals, such
as the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information
Technology, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers of Medicare
& Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, and the Indian Health Service to support the following:
`(1) Health information technology architecture that
will support the nationwide electronic exchange and use of health
information in a secure, private, and accurate manner, including
connecting health information exchanges, and which may include updating
and implementing the infrastructure necessary within different agencies
of the Department of Health and Human Services to support the
electronic use and exchange of health information.
`(2) Development and adoption of appropriate certified
electronic health records for categories of providers, as defined in
section 3000, not eligible for support under title XVIII or XIX of the
Social Security Act for the adoption of such records.
`(3) Training on and dissemination of information on
best practices to integrate health information technology, including
electronic health records, into a provider's delivery of care,
consistent with best practices learned from the Health Information
Technology Research Center developed under section 3012(b), including
community health centers receiving assistance under section 330,
covered entities under section 340B, and providers participating in one
or more of the programs under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social
Security Act (relating to Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's
Health Insurance Program).
`(4) Infrastructure and tools for the promotion of
telemedicine, including coordination among Federal agencies in the
promotion of telemedicine.
`(5) Promotion of the interoperability of clinical data repositories or registries.
`(6) Promotion of technologies and best practices that
enhance the protection of health information by all holders of
individually identifiable health information.
`(7) Improvement and expansion of the use of health information technology by public health departments.
`(8) Provision of $300 million to support regional or sub-national efforts towards health information exchange.
`(b) Coordination- The Secretary shall ensure funds under
this section are used in a coordinated manner with other health
information promotion activities.
`(c) Additional Use of Funds- In addition to using funds as
provided in subsection (a), the Secretary may use amounts appropriated
under section 3018 to carry out health information technology
activities that are provided for under laws in effect on the date of
the enactment of this title.
`SEC. 3012. HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION ASSISTANCE.
`(a) Health Information Technology Extension Program- To
assist health care providers to adopt, implement, and effectively use
certified EHR technology that allows for the electronic exchange and
use of health information, the Secretary, acting through the Office of
the National Coordinator, shall establish a health information
technology extension program to provide health information technology
assistance services to be carried out through the Department of Health
and Human Services. The National Coordinator shall consult with other
Federal agencies with demonstrated experience and expertise in
information technology services, such as the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, in developing and implementing this program.
`(b) Health Information Technology Research Center-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall create a Health
Information Technology Research Center (in this section referred to as
the `Center') to provide technical assistance and develop or recognize
best practices to support and accelerate efforts to adopt, implement,
and effectively utilize health information technology that allows for
the electronic exchange and use of information in compliance with
standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria
adopted under section 3004.
`(2) INPUT- The Center shall incorporate input from--
`(A) other Federal agencies with demonstrated
experience and expertise in information technology services such as the
National Institute of Standards and Technology;
`(B) users of health information technology, such
as providers and their support and clerical staff and others involved
in the care and care coordination of patients, from the health care and
health information technology industry; and
`(C) others as appropriate.
`(3) PURPOSES- The purposes of the Center are to--
`(A) provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience;
`(B) accelerate the transfer of lessons learned
from existing public and private sector initiatives, including those
currently receiving Federal financial support;
`(C) assemble, analyze, and widely disseminate
evidence and experience related to the adoption, implementation, and
effective use of health information technology that allows for the
electronic exchange and use of information including through the
regional centers described in subsection (c);
`(D) provide technical assistance for the
establishment and evaluation of regional and local health information
networks to facilitate the electronic exchange of information across
health care settings and improve the quality of health care;
`(E) provide technical assistance for the
development and dissemination of solutions to barriers to the exchange
of electronic health information; and
`(F) learn about effective strategies to adopt and utilize health information technology in medically underserved communities.
`(c) Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall provide assistance
for the creation and support of regional centers (in this subsection
referred to as `regional centers') to provide technical assistance and
disseminate best practices and other information learned from the
Center to support and accelerate efforts to adopt, implement, and
effectively utilize health information technology that allows for the
electronic exchange and use of information in compliance with
standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria
adopted under section 3004. Activities conducted under this subsection
shall be consistent with the strategic plan developed by the National
Coordinator, (and, as available) under section 3001.
`(2) AFFILIATION- Regional centers shall be affiliated
with any United States-based nonprofit institution or organization, or
group thereof, that applies and is awarded financial assistance under
this section. Individual awards shall be decided on the basis of merit.
`(3) OBJECTIVE- The objective of the regional centers
is to enhance and promote the adoption of health information technology
through--
`(A) assistance with the implementation, effective
use, upgrading, and ongoing maintenance of health information
technology, including electronic health records, to healthcare
providers nationwide;
`(B) broad participation of individuals from industry, universities, and State governments;
`(C) active dissemination of best practices and
research on the implementation, effective use, upgrading, and ongoing
maintenance of health information technology, including electronic
health records, to health care providers in order to improve the
quality of healthcare and protect the privacy and security of health
information;
`(D) participation, to the extent practicable, in health information exchanges;
`(E) utilization, when appropriate, of the
expertise and capability that exists in Federal agencies other than the
Department; and
`(F) integration of health information technology,
including electronic health records, into the initial and ongoing
training of health professionals and others in the healthcare industry
that would be instrumental to improving the quality of healthcare
through the smooth and accurate electronic use and exchange of health
information.
`(4) REGIONAL ASSISTANCE- Each regional center shall
aim to provide assistance and education to all providers in a region,
but shall prioritize any direct assistance first to the following:
`(A) Public or not-for-profit hospitals or critical access hospitals.
`(B) Federally qualified health centers (as defined in section 1861(aa)(4) of the Social Security Act).
`(C) Entities that are located in rural and other
areas that serve uninsured, underinsured, and medically underserved
individuals (regardless of whether such area is urban or rural).
`(D) Individual or small group practices (or a consortium thereof) that are primarily focused on primary care.
`(5) FINANCIAL SUPPORT- The Secretary may provide
financial support to any regional center created under this subsection
for a period not to exceed four years. The Secretary may not provide
more than 50 percent of the capital and annual operating and
maintenance funds required to create and maintain such a center, except
in an instance of national economic conditions which would render this
cost-share requirement detrimental to the program and upon notification
to Congress as to the justification to waive the cost-share requirement.
`(6) NOTICE OF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND AVAILABILITY OF
FUNDS- The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register, not later
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this title, a draft
description of the program for establishing regional centers under this
subsection. Such description shall include the following:
`(A) A detailed explanation of the program and the programs goals.
`(B) Procedures to be followed by the applicants.
`(C) Criteria for determining qualified applicants.
`(D) Maximum support levels expected to be available to centers under the program.
`(7) APPLICATION REVIEW- The Secretary shall subject
each application under this subsection to merit review. In making a
decision whether to approve such application and provide financial
support, the Secretary shall consider at a minimum the merits of the
application, including those portions of the application regarding--
`(A) the ability of the applicant to provide
assistance under this subsection and utilization of health information
technology appropriate to the needs of particular categories of health
care providers;
`(B) the types of service to be provided to health care providers;
`(C) geographical diversity and extent of service area; and
`(D) the percentage of funding and amount of in-kind commitment from other sources.
`(8) BIENNIAL EVALUATION- Each regional center which
receives financial assistance under this subsection shall be evaluated
biennially by an evaluation panel appointed by the Secretary. Each
evaluation panel shall be composed of private experts, none of whom
shall be connected with the center involved, and of Federal officials.
Each evaluation panel shall measure the involved center's performance
against the objective specified in paragraph (3). The Secretary shall
not continue to provide funding to a regional center unless its
evaluation is overall positive.
`(9) CONTINUING SUPPORT- After the second year of
assistance under this subsection, a regional center may receive
additional support under this subsection if it has received positive
evaluations and a finding by the Secretary that continuation of Federal
funding to the center was in the best interest of provision of health
information technology extension services.
`SEC. 3013. STATE GRANTS TO PROMOTE HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
`(a) In General- The Secretary, acting through the National
Coordinator, shall establish a program in accordance with this section
to facilitate and expand the electronic movement and use of health
information among organizations according to nationally recognized
standards.
`(b) Planning Grants- The Secretary may award a grant to a
State or qualified State-designated entity (as described in subsection
(f)) that submits an application to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may specify,
for the purpose of planning activities described in subsection (d).
`(c) Implementation Grants- The Secretary may award a grant to a State or qualified State designated entity that--
`(1) has submitted, and the Secretary has approved, a
plan described in subsection (e) (regardless of whether such plan was
prepared using amounts awarded under subsection (b); and
`(2) submits an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may specify.
`(d) Use of Funds- Amounts received under a grant under
subsection (c) shall be used to conduct activities to facilitate and
expand the electronic movement and use of health information among
organizations according to nationally recognized standards through
activities that include--
`(1) enhancing broad and varied participation in the
authorized and secure nationwide electronic use and exchange of health
information;
`(2) identifying State or local resources available towards a nationwide effort to promote health information technology;
`(3) complementing other Federal grants, programs, and efforts towards the promotion of health information technology;
`(4) providing technical assistance for the development
and dissemination of solutions to barriers to the exchange of
electronic health information;
`(5) promoting effective strategies to adopt and utilize health information technology in medically underserved communities;
`(6) assisting patients in utilizing health information technology;
`(7) encouraging clinicians to work with Health
Information Technology Regional Extension Centers as described in
section 3012, to the extent they are available and valuable;
`(8) supporting public health agencies' authorized use of and access to electronic health information;
`(9) promoting the use of electronic health records for quality improvement including through quality measures reporting; and
`(10) such other activities as the Secretary may specify.
`(1) IN GENERAL- A plan described in this subsection is
a plan that describes the activities to be carried out by a State or by
the qualified State-designated entity within such State to facilitate
and expand the electronic movement and use of health information among
organizations according to nationally recognized standards and
implementation specifications.
`(2) REQUIRED ELEMENTS- A plan described in paragraph (1) shall--
`(A) be pursued in the public interest;
`(B) be consistent with the strategic plan developed by the National Coordinator, (and, as available) under section 3001;
`(C) include a description of the ways the State or
qualified State-designated entity will carry out the activities
described in subsection (b); and
`(D) contain such elements as the Secretary may require.
`(f) Qualified State-Designated Entity- For purposes of
this section, to be a qualified State-designated entity, with respect
to a State, an entity shall--
`(1) be designated by the State as eligible to receive awards under this section;
`(2) be a not-for-profit entity with broad stakeholder representation on its governing board;
`(3) demonstrate that one of its principal goals is to
use information technology to improve health care quality and
efficiency through the authorized and secure electronic exchange and
use of health information;
`(4) adopt nondiscrimination and conflict of interest
policies that demonstrate a commitment to open, fair, and
nondiscriminatory participation by stakeholders; and
`(5) conform to such other requirements as the Secretary may establish.
`(g) Required Consultation- In carrying out activities
described in subsections (b) and (c), a State or qualified
State-designated entity shall consult with and consider the
recommendations of--
`(1) health care providers (including providers that provide services to low income and underserved populations);
`(3) patient or consumer organizations that represent the population to be served;
`(4) health information technology vendors;
`(5) health care purchasers and employers;
`(6) public health agencies;
`(7) health professions schools, universities and colleges;
`(8) clinical researchers;
`(9) other users of health information technology such
as the support and clerical staff of providers and others involved in
the care and care coordination of patients; and
`(10) such other entities, as may be determined appropriate by the Secretary.
`(h) Continuous Improvement- The Secretary shall annually
evaluate the activities conducted under this section and shall, in
awarding grants under this section, implement the lessons learned from
such evaluation in a manner so that awards made subsequent to each such
evaluation are made in a manner that, in the determination of the
Secretary, will lead towards the greatest improvement in quality of
care, decrease in costs, and the most effective authorized and secure
electronic exchange of health information.
`(1) IN GENERAL- For a fiscal year (beginning with
fiscal year 2011), the Secretary may not make a grant under this
section to a State unless the State agrees to make available
non-Federal contributions (which may include in-kind contributions)
toward the costs of a grant awarded under subsection (c) in an amount
equal to--
`(A) for fiscal year 2011, not less than $1 for each $10 of Federal funds provided under the grant;
`(B) for fiscal year 2012, not less than $1 for each $7 of Federal funds provided under the grant; and
`(C) for fiscal year 2013 and each subsequent
fiscal year, not less than $1 for each $3 of Federal funds provided
under the grant.
`(2) AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE STATE MATCH FOR FISCAL YEARS
BEFORE FISCAL YEAR 2011- For any fiscal year during the grant program
under this section before fiscal year 2011, the Secretary may determine
the extent to which there shall be required a non-Federal contribution
from a State receiving a grant under this section.
`SEC. 3014. COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO STATES AND INDIAN TRIBES
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOAN PROGRAMS TO FACILITATE THE WIDESPREAD
ADOPTION OF CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY.
`(a) In General- The National Coordinator may award
competitive grants to eligible entities for the establishment of
programs for loans to health care providers to conduct the activities
described in subsection (e).
`(b) Eligible Entity Defined- For purposes of this
subsection, the term `eligible entity' means a State or Indian tribe
(as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act) that--
`(1) submits to the National Coordinator an application
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
National Coordinator may require;
`(2) submits to the National Coordinator a strategic
plan in accordance with subsection (d) and provides to the National
Coordinator assurances that the entity will update such plan annually
in accordance with such subsection;
`(3) provides assurances to the National Coordinator
that the entity will establish a Loan Fund in accordance with
subsection (c);
`(4) provides assurances to the National Coordinator
that the entity will not provide a loan from the Loan Fund to a health
care provider unless the provider agrees to--
`(A) submit reports on quality measures adopted by
the Federal Government (by not later than 90 days after the date on
which such measures are adopted), to--
`(i) the Administrator of the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (or his or her designee), in the case
of an entity participating in the Medicare program under title XVIII of
the Social Security Act or the Medicaid program under title XIX of such
Act; or
`(ii) the Secretary in the case of other entities;
`(B) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the
Secretary (through criteria established by the Secretary) that any
certified EHR technology purchased, improved, or otherwise financially
supported under a loan under this section is used to exchange health
information in a manner that, in accordance with law and standards (as
adopted under section 3004) applicable to the exchange of information,
improves the quality of health care, such as promoting care
coordination; and
`(C) comply with such other requirements as the entity or the Secretary may require;
`(D) include a plan on how health care providers
involved intend to maintain and support the certified EHR technology
over time;
`(E) include a plan on how the health care
providers involved intend to maintain and support the certified EHR
technology that would be purchased with such loan, including the type
of resources expected to be involved and any such other information as
the State or Indian Tribe, respectively, may require; and
`(5) agrees to provide matching funds in accordance with subsection (h).
`(c) Establishment of Fund- For purposes of subsection
(b)(3), an eligible entity shall establish a certified EHR technology
loan fund (referred to in this subsection as a `Loan Fund') and comply
with the other requirements contained in this section. A grant to an
eligible entity under this section shall be deposited in the Loan Fund
established by the eligible entity. No funds authorized by other
provisions of this title to be used for other purposes specified in
this title shall be deposited in any Loan Fund.
`(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of subsection (b)(2), a
strategic plan of an eligible entity under this subsection shall
identify the intended uses of amounts available to the Loan Fund of
such entity.
`(2) CONTENTS- A strategic plan under paragraph (1),
with respect to a Loan Fund of an eligible entity, shall include for a
year the following:
`(A) A list of the projects to be assisted through the Loan Fund during such year.
`(B) A description of the criteria and methods established for the distribution of funds from the Loan Fund during the year.
`(C) A description of the financial status of the Loan Fund as of the date of submission of the plan.
`(D) The short-term and long-term goals of the Loan Fund.
`(e) Use of Funds- Amounts deposited in a Loan Fund,
including loan repayments and interest earned on such amounts, shall be
used only for awarding loans or loan guarantees, making reimbursements
described in subsection (g)(4)(A), or as a source of reserve and
security for leveraged loans, the proceeds of which are deposited in
the Loan Fund established under subsection (c). Loans under this
section may be used by a health care provider to--
`(1) facilitate the purchase of certified EHR technology;
`(2) enhance the utilization of certified EHR technology;
`(3) train personnel in the use of such technology; or
`(4) improve the secure electronic exchange of health information.
`(f) Types of Assistance- Except as otherwise limited by
applicable State law, amounts deposited into a Loan Fund under this
section may only be used for the following:
`(1) To award loans that comply with the following:
`(A) The interest rate for each loan shall not exceed the market interest rate.
`(B) The principal and interest payments on each
loan shall commence not later than 1 year after the date the loan was
awarded, and each loan shall be fully amortized not later than 10 years
after the date of the loan.
`(C) The Loan Fund shall be credited with all payments of principal and interest on each loan awarded from the Loan Fund.
`(2) To guarantee, or purchase insurance for, a local
obligation (all of the proceeds of which finance a project eligible for
assistance under this subsection) if the guarantee or purchase would
improve credit market access or reduce the interest rate applicable to
the obligation involved.
`(3) As a source of revenue or security for the payment
of principal and interest on revenue or general obligation bonds issued
by the eligible entity if the proceeds of the sale of the bonds will be
deposited into the Loan Fund.
`(4) To earn interest on the amounts deposited into the Loan Fund.
`(5) To make reimbursements described in subsection (g)(4)(A).
`(g) Administration of Loan Funds-
`(1) COMBINED FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION- An eligible
entity may (as a convenience and to avoid unnecessary administrative
costs) combine, in accordance with applicable State law, the financial
administration of a Loan Fund established under this subsection with
the financial administration of any other revolving fund established by
the entity if otherwise not prohibited by the law under which the Loan
Fund was established.
`(2) COST OF ADMINISTERING FUND- Each eligible entity
may annually use not to exceed 4 percent of the funds provided to the
entity under a grant under this section to pay the reasonable costs of
the administration of the programs under this section, including the
recovery of reasonable costs expended to establish a Loan Fund which
are incurred after the date of the enactment of this title.
`(3) GUIDANCE AND REGULATIONS- The National Coordinator
shall publish guidance and promulgate regulations as may be necessary
to carry out the provisions of this section, including--
`(A) provisions to ensure that each eligible entity
commits and expends funds allotted to the entity under this section as
efficiently as possible in accordance with this title and applicable
State laws; and
`(B) guidance to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.
`(4) PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRIBUTIONS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- A Loan Fund established under this
section may accept contributions from private sector entities, except
that such entities may not specify the recipient or recipients of any
loan issued under this subsection. An eligible entity may agree to
reimburse a private sector entity for any contribution made under this
subparagraph, except that the amount of such reimbursement may not be
greater than the principal amount of the contribution made.
`(B) AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION- An eligible
entity shall make publicly available the identity of, and amount
contributed by, any private sector entity under subparagraph (A) and
may issue letters of commendation or make other awards (that have no
financial value) to any such entity.
`(h) Matching Requirements-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The National Coordinator may not make
a grant under subsection (a) to an eligible entity unless the entity
agrees to make available (directly or through donations from public or
private entities) non-Federal contributions in cash to the costs of
carrying out the activities for which the grant is awarded in an amount
equal to not less than $1 for each $5 of Federal funds provided under
the grant.
`(2) DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF NON-FEDERAL
CONTRIBUTION- In determining the amount of non-Federal contributions
that an eligible entity has provided pursuant to subparagraph (A), the
National Coordinator may not include any amounts provided to the entity
by the Federal Government.
`(i) Effective Date- The Secretary may not make an award under this section prior to January 1, 2010.
`SEC. 3015. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM TO INTEGRATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTO CLINICAL EDUCATION.
`(a) In General- The Secretary may award grants under this
section to carry out demonstration projects to develop academic
curricula integrating certified EHR technology in the clinical
education of health professionals. Such awards shall be made on a
competitive basis and pursuant to peer review.
`(b) Eligibility- To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall--
`(1) submit to the Secretary an application at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require;
`(2) submit to the Secretary a strategic plan for
integrating certified EHR technology in the clinical education of
health professionals to reduce medical errors and enhance health care
quality;
`(A) a school of medicine, osteopathic medicine,
dentistry, or pharmacy, a graduate program in behavioral or mental
health, or any other graduate health professions school;
`(B) a graduate school of nursing or physician assistant studies;
`(C) a consortium of two or more schools described in subparagraph (A) or (B); or
`(D) an institution with a graduate medical
education program in medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry,
pharmacy, nursing, or physician assistance studies;
`(4) provide for the collection of data regarding the
effectiveness of the demonstration project to be funded under the grant
in improving the safety of patients, the efficiency of health care
delivery, and in increasing the likelihood that graduates of the
grantee will adopt and incorporate certified EHR technology, in the
delivery of health care services; and
`(5) provide matching funds in accordance with subsection (d).
`(1) IN GENERAL- With respect to a grant under subsection (a), an eligible entity shall--
`(A) use grant funds in collaboration with 2 or more disciplines; and
`(B) use grant funds to integrate certified EHR technology into community-based clinical education.
`(2) LIMITATION- An eligible entity shall not use
amounts received under a grant under subsection (a) to purchase
hardware, software, or services.
`(d) Financial Support- The Secretary may not provide more
than 50 percent of the costs of any activity for which assistance is
provided under subsection (a), except in an instance of national
economic conditions which would render the cost-share requirement under
this subsection detrimental to the program and upon notification to
Congress as to the justification to waive the cost-share requirement.
`(e) Evaluation- The Secretary shall take such action as
may be necessary to evaluate the projects funded under this section and
publish, make available, and disseminate the results of such
evaluations on as wide a basis as is practicable.
`(f) Reports- Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this title, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and
the Committee on Finance of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that--
`(1) describes the specific projects established under this section; and
`(2) contains recommendations for Congress based on the evaluation conducted under subsection (e).
`SEC. 3016. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS ON HEALTH CARE.
`(a) In General- The Secretary, in consultation with the
Director of the National Science Foundation, shall provide assistance
to institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) to establish
or expand medical health informatics education programs, including
certification, undergraduate, and masters degree programs, for both
health care and information technology students to ensure the rapid and
effective utilization and development of health information
technologies (in the United States health care infrastructure).
`(b) Activities- Activities for which assistance may be provided under subsection (a) may include the following:
`(1) Developing and revising curricula in medical health informatics and related disciplines.
`(2) Recruiting and retaining students to the program involved.
`(3) Acquiring equipment necessary for student
instruction in these programs, including the installation of testbed
networks for student use.
`(4) Establishing or enhancing bridge programs in the health informatics fields between community colleges and universities.
`(c) Priority- In providing assistance under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give preference to the following:
`(1) Existing education and training programs.
`(2) Programs designed to be completed in less than six months.
`(d) Financial Support- The Secretary may not provide more
than 50 percent of the costs of any activity for which assistance is
provided under subsection (a), except in an instance of national
economic conditions which would render the cost-share requirement under
this subsection detrimental to the program and upon notification to
Congress as to the justification to waive the cost-share requirement.
`SEC. 3017. GENERAL GRANT AND LOAN PROVISIONS.
`(a) Reports- The Secretary may require that an entity
receiving assistance under this subtitle shall submit to the Secretary,
not later than the date that is 1 year after the date of receipt of
such assistance, a report that includes--
`(1) an analysis of the effectiveness of the activities
for which the entity receives such assistance, as compared to the goals
for such activities; and
`(2) an analysis of the impact of the project on health care quality and safety.
`(b) Requirement to Improve Quality of Care and Decrease in
Costs- The National Coordinator shall annually evaluate the activities
conducted under this subtitle and shall, in awarding grants, implement
the lessons learned from such evaluation in a manner so that awards
made subsequent to each such evaluation are made in a manner that, in
the determination of the National Coordinator, will result in the
greatest improvement in the quality and efficiency of health care.
`SEC. 3018. AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS.
`For the purposes of carrying out this subtitle, there is
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of
the fiscal years 2009 through 2013. Amounts so appropriated shall
remain available until expended.'.
PART II--MEDICARE PROGRAM
SEC. 4311. INCENTIVES FOR ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONALS.
(a) Incentive Payments- Section 1848 of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4) is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
`(o) Incentives for Adoption and Meaningful Use of Certified EHR Technology-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Subject to the succeeding
subparagraphs of this paragraph, with respect to covered professional
services furnished by an eligible professional during a payment year
(as defined in subparagraph (E)), if the eligible professional is a
meaningful EHR user (as determined under paragraph (2)) for the
reporting period with respect to such year, in addition to the amount
otherwise paid under this part, there also shall be paid to the
eligible professional (or to an employer or facility in the cases
described in clause (A) of section 1842(b)(6)), from the Federal
Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established under section
1841 an amount equal to 75 percent of the Secretary's estimate (based
on claims submitted not later than 2 months after the end of the
payment year) of the allowed charges under this part for all such
covered professional services furnished by the eligible professional
during such year.
`(B) LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNTS OF INCENTIVE PAYMENTS-
`(i) IN GENERAL- In no case shall the amount of
the incentive payment provided under this paragraph for an eligible
professional for a payment year exceed the applicable amount specified
under this subparagraph with respect to such eligible professional and
such year.
`(ii) AMOUNT- Subject to clause (iii), the
applicable amount specified in this subparagraph for an eligible
professional is as follows:
`(I) For the first payment year for such professional, $15,000.
`(II) For the second payment year for such professional, $12,000.
`(III) For the third payment year for such professional, $8,000.
`(IV) For the fourth payment year for such professional, $4,000.
`(V) For the fifth payment year for such professional, $2,000.
`(VI) For any succeeding payment year for such professional, $0.
`(iii) PHASE DOWN FOR ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONALS
FIRST ADOPTING EHR AFTER 2013- If the first payment year for an
eligible professional is after 2013, then the amount specified in this
subparagraph for a payment year for such professional is the same as
the amount specified in clause (ii) for such payment year for an
eligible professional whose first payment year is 2013. If the first
payment year for an eligible professional is after 2015 then the
applicable amount specified in this subparagraph for such professional
for such year and any subsequent year shall be $0.
`(C) NON-APPLICATION TO HOSPITAL-BASED ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONALS-
`(i) IN GENERAL- No incentive payment may be made under this paragraph in the case of a hospital-based eligible professional.
`(ii) HOSPITAL-BASED ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONAL- For
purposes of clause (i), the term `hospital-based eligible professional'
means, with respect to covered professional services furnished by an
eligible professional during the reporting period for a payment year,
an eligible professional, such as a pathologist, anesthesiologist, or
emergency physician, who furnishes substantially all of such services
in a hospital setting (whether inpatient or outpatient) and through the
use of the facilities and equipment, including computer equipment, of
the hospital.
`(i) FORM OF PAYMENT- The payment under this
paragraph may be in the form of a single consolidated payment or in the
form of such periodic installments as the Secretary may specify.
`(ii) COORDINATION OF APPLICATION OF LIMITATION
FOR PROFESSIONALS IN DIFFERENT PRACTICES- In the case of an eligible
professional furnishing covered professional services in more than one
practice (as specified by the Secretary), the Secretary shall establish
rules to coordinate the incentive payments, including the application
of the limitation on amounts of such incentive payments under this
paragraph, among such practices.
`(iii) COORDINATION WITH MEDICAID- The
Secretary shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to avoid
duplicative requirements from Federal and State Governments to
demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology under this title
and title XIX. The Secretary may also adjust the reporting periods
under such title and such subsections in order to carry out this clause.
`(E) PAYMENT YEAR DEFINED-
`(i) IN GENERAL- For purposes of this subsection, the term `payment year' means a year beginning with 2011.
`(ii) FIRST, SECOND, ETC. PAYMENT YEAR- The
term `first payment year' means, with respect to covered professional
services furnished by an eligible professional, the first year for
which an incentive payment is made for such services under this
subsection. The terms `second payment year', `third payment year',
`fourth payment year', and `fifth payment year' mean, with respect to
covered professional services furnished by such eligible professional,
each successive year immediately following the first payment year for
such professional.
`(2) MEANINGFUL EHR USER-
`(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of paragraph (1), an
eligible professional shall be treated as a meaningful EHR user for a
reporting period for a payment year (or, for purposes of subsection
(a)(7), for a reporting period under such subsection for a year) if
each of the following requirements is met:
`(i) MEANINGFUL USE OF CERTIFIED EHR
TECHNOLOGY- The eligible professional demonstrates to the satisfaction
of the Secretary, in accordance with subparagraph (C)(i), that during
such period the professional is using certified EHR technology in a
meaningful manner, which shall include the use of electronic
prescribing as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
`(ii) INFORMATION EXCHANGE- The eligible
professional demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary, in
accordance with subparagraph (C)(i), that during such period such
certified EHR technology is connected in a manner that provides, in
accordance with law and standards applicable to the exchange of
information, for the electronic exchange of health information to
improve the quality of health care, such as promoting care coordination.
`(iii) REPORTING ON MEASURES USING EHR- Subject
to subparagraph (B)(ii) and using such certified EHR technology, the
eligible professional submits information for such period, in a form
and manner specified by the Secretary, on such clinical quality
measures and such other measures as selected by the Secretary under
subparagraph (B)(i).
The Secretary may provide for the use of alternative
means for meeting the requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) in
the case of an eligible professional furnishing covered professional
services in a group practice (as defined by the Secretary). The
Secretary shall seek to improve the use of electronic health records
and health care quality over time by requiring more stringent measures
of meaningful use selected under this paragraph.
`(B) REPORTING ON MEASURES-
`(i) SELECTION- The Secretary shall select
measures for purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii) but only consistent with
the following:
`(I) The Secretary shall provide preference
to clinical quality measures that have been endorsed by the entity with
a contract with the Secretary under section 1890(a).
`(II) Prior to any measure being selected
under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal
Register such measure and provide for a period of public comment on
such measure.
`(ii) LIMITATION- The Secretary may not require
the electronic reporting of information on clinical quality measures
under subparagraph (A)(iii) unless the Secretary has the capacity to
accept the information electronically, which may be on a pilot basis.
`(iii) COORDINATION OF REPORTING OF
INFORMATION- In selecting such measures, and in establishing the form
and manner for reporting measures under subparagraph (A)(iii), the
Secretary shall seek to avoid redundant or duplicative reporting
otherwise required, including reporting under subsection (k)(2)(C).
`(C) DEMONSTRATION OF MEANINGFUL USE OF CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE-
`(i) IN GENERAL- A professional may satisfy the
demonstration requirement of clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A)
through means specified by the Secretary, which may include--
`(II) the submission of claims with
appropriate coding (such as a code indicating that a patient encounter
was documented using certified EHR technology);
`(III) a survey response;
`(IV) reporting under subparagraph (A)(iii); and
`(V) other means specified by the Secretary.
`(ii) USE OF PART D DATA- Notwithstanding
sections 1860D-15(d)(2)(B) and 1860D-15(f)(2), the Secretary may use
data regarding drug claims submitted for purposes of section 1860D-15
that are necessary for purposes of subparagraph (A).
`(A) PHYSICIAN REPORTING SYSTEM RULES- Paragraphs
(5), (6), and (8) of subsection (k) shall apply for purposes of this
subsection in the same manner as they apply for purposes of such
subsection.
`(B) COORDINATION WITH OTHER PAYMENTS- The
provisions of this subsection shall not be taken into account in
applying the provisions of subsection (m) of this section and of
section 1833(m) and any payment under such provisions shall not be
taken into account in computing allowable charges under this subsection.
`(C) LIMITATIONS ON REVIEW- There shall be no
administrative or judicial review under section 1869, section 1878, or
otherwise of the determination of any incentive payment under this
subsection and the payment adjustment under subsection (a)(7),
including the determination of a meaningful EHR user under paragraph
(2), a limitation under paragraph (1)(B), and the exception under
subsection (a)(7)(B).
`(D) POSTING ON WEBSITE- The Secretary shall post
on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, in an easily understandable format, a list of the names,
business addresses, and business phone numbers of the eligible
professionals who are meaningful EHR users and, as determined
appropriate by the Secretary, of group practices receiving incentive
payments under paragraph (1).
`(4) CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY DEFINED- For purposes of
this section, the term `certified EHR technology' means a qualified
electronic health record (as defined in 3000(13) of the Public Health
Service Act) that is certified pursuant to section 3001(c)(5) of such
Act as meeting standards adopted under section 3004 of such Act that
are applicable to the type of record involved (as determined by the
Secretary, such as an ambulatory electronic health record for
office-based physicians or an inpatient hospital electronic health
record for hospitals).
`(5) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of this subsection:
`(A) COVERED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES- The term
`covered professional services' has the meaning given such term in
subsection (k)(3).
`(B) ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONAL- The term `eligible professional' means a physician, as defined in section 1861(r).
`(C) REPORTING PERIOD- The term `reporting period'
means any period (or periods), with respect to a payment year, as
specified by the Secretary.'.
(b) Incentive Payment Adjustment- Section 1848(a) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(a)) is amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
`(7) INCENTIVES FOR MEANINGFUL USE OF CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY-
`(i) IN GENERAL- Subject to subparagraphs (B)
and (D), with respect to covered professional services furnished by an
eligible professional during 2016 or any subsequent payment year, if
the eligible professional is not a meaningful EHR user (as determined
under subsection (o)(2)) for a reporting period for the year, the fee
schedule amount for such services furnished by such professional during
the year (including the fee schedule amount for purposes of determining
a payment based on such amount) shall be equal to the applicable
percent of the fee schedule amount that would otherwise apply to such
services under this subsection (determined after application of
paragraph (3) but without regard to this paragraph).
`(ii) APPLICABLE PERCENT- Subject to clause (iii), for purposes of clause (i), the term `applicable percent' means--
`(I) for 2016, 99 percent;
`(II) for 2017, 98 percent; and
`(III) for 2018 and each subsequent year, 97 percent.
`(iii) AUTHORITY TO DECREASE APPLICABLE
PERCENTAGE FOR 2019 AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS- For 2019 and each subsequent
year, if the Secretary finds that the proportion of eligible
professionals who are meaningful EHR users (as determined under
subsection (o)(2)) is less than 75 percent, the applicable percent
shall be decreased by 1 percentage point from the applicable percent in
the preceding year, but in no case shall the applicable percent be less
than 95 percent.
`(B) SIGNIFICANT HARDSHIP EXCEPTION- The Secretary
may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt an eligible professional from the
application of the payment adjustment under subparagraph (A) if the
Secretary determines, subject to annual renewal, that compliance with
the requirement for being a meaningful EHR user would result in a
significant hardship, such as in the case of an eligible professional
who practices in a rural area without sufficient Internet access. In no
case may an eligible professional be granted an exemption under this
subparagraph for more than 5 years.
`(C) APPLICATION OF PHYSICIAN REPORTING SYSTEM
RULES- Paragraphs (5), (6), and (8) of subsection (k) shall apply for
purposes of this paragraph in the same manner as they apply for
purposes of such subsection.
`(D) NON-APPLICATION TO HOSPITAL-BASED ELIGIBLE
PROFESSIONALS- No payment adjustment may be made under subparagraph (A)
in the case of hospital-based eligible professionals (as defined in
subsection (o)(1)(C)(ii)).
`(E) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of this paragraph:
`(i) COVERED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES- The term
`covered professional services' has the meaning given such term in
subsection (k)(3).
`(ii) ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONAL- The term `eligible professional' means a physician, as defined in section 1861(r).
`(iii) REPORTING PERIOD- The term `reporting period' means, with respect to a year, a period specified by the Secretary.'.
(c) Application to Certain HMO-Affiliated Eligible
Professionals- Section 1853 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395w-23) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(l) Application of Eligible Professional Incentives for
Certain MA Organizations for Adoption and Meaningful Use of Certified
EHR Technology-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), in
the case of a qualifying MA organization, the provisions of sections
1848(o) and 1848(a)(7) shall apply with respect to eligible
professionals described in paragraph (2) of the organization who the
organization attests under paragraph (6) to be meaningful EHR users in
a similar manner as they apply to eligible professionals under such
sections. Incentive payments under paragraph (3) shall be made to and
payment adjustments under paragraph (4) shall apply to such qualifying
organizations.
`(2) ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONAL DESCRIBED- With respect to a
qualifying MA organization, an eligible professional described in this
paragraph is an eligible professional (as defined for purposes of
section 1848(o)) who--
`(A)(i) is employed by the organization; or
`(ii)(I) is employed by, or is a partner of, an
entity that through contract with the organization furnishes at least
80 percent of the entity's patient care services to enrollees of such
organization; and
`(II) furnishes at least 80 percent of the
professional services of the eligible professional to enrollees of the
organization; and
`(B) furnishes, on average, at least 20 hours per week of patient care services.
`(3) ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONAL INCENTIVE PAYMENTS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In applying section 1848(o) under
paragraph (1), instead of the additional payment amount under section
1848(o)(1)(A) and subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may
substitute an amount determined by the Secretary to the extent feasible
and practical to be similar to the estimated amount in the aggregate
that would be payable if payment for services furnished by such
professionals was payable under part B instead of this part.
`(B) AVOIDING DUPLICATION OF PAYMENTS-
`(i) IN GENERAL- If an eligible professional
described in paragraph (2) is eligible for the maximum incentive
payment under section 1848(o)(1)(A) for the same payment period, the
payment incentive shall be made only under such section and not under
this subsection.
`(ii) METHODS- In the case of an eligible
professional described in paragraph (2) who is eligible for an
incentive payment under section 1848(o)(1)(A) but is not described in
clause (i) for the same payment period, the Secretary shall develop a
process--
`(I) to ensure that duplicate payments are
not made with respect to an eligible professional both under this
subsection and under section 1848(o)(1)(A); and
`(II) to collect data from Medicare Advantage organizations to ensure against such duplicate payments.
`(C) FIXED SCHEDULE FOR APPLICATION OF LIMITATION
ON INCENTIVE PAYMENTS FOR ALL ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONALS- In applying
section 1848(o)(1)(B)(ii) under subparagraph (A), in accordance with
rules specified by the Secretary, a qualifying MA organization shall
specify a year (not earlier than 2011) that shall be treated as the
first payment year for all eligible professionals with respect to such
organization.
`(A) IN GENERAL- In applying section 1848(a)(7)
under paragraph (1), instead of the payment adjustment being an
applicable percent of the fee schedule amount for a year under such
section, subject to subparagraph (D), the payment adjustment under
paragraph (1) shall be equal to the percent specified in subparagraph
(B) for such year of the payment amount otherwise provided under this
section for such year.
`(B) SPECIFIED PERCENT- The percent specified under
this subparagraph for a year is 100 percent minus a number of
percentage points equal to the product of--
`(i) the number of percentage points by which
the applicable percent (under section 1848(a)(7)(A)(ii)) for the year
is less than 100 percent; and
`(ii) the Medicare physician expenditure proportion specified in subparagraph (C) for the year.
`(C) MEDICARE PHYSICIAN EXPENDITURE PROPORTION- The
Medicare physician expenditure proportion under this subparagraph for a
year is the Secretary's estimate of the proportion, of the expenditures
under parts A and B that are not attributable to this part, that are
attributable to expenditures for physicians' services.
`(D) APPLICATION OF PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT- In the case
that a qualifying MA organization attests that not all eligible
professionals are meaningful EHR users with respect to a year, the
Secretary shall apply the payment adjustment under this paragraph based
on the proportion of such eligible professionals that are not
meaningful EHR users for such year.
`(5) QUALIFYING MA ORGANIZATION DEFINED- In this
subsection and subsection (m), the term `qualifying MA organization'
means a Medicare Advantage organization that is organized as a health
maintenance organization (as defined in section 2791(b)(3) of the
Public Health Service Act).
`(6) MEANINGFUL EHR USER ATTESTATION- For purposes of
this subsection and subsection (m), a qualifying MA organization shall
submit an attestation, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary
which may include the submission of such attestation as part of
submission of the initial bid under section 1854(a)(1)(A)(iv),
identifying--
`(A) whether each eligible professional described
in paragraph (2), with respect to such organization is a meaningful EHR
user (as defined in section 1848(o)(2)) for a year specified by the
Secretary; and
`(B) whether each eligible hospital described in
subsection (m)(1), with respect to such organization, is a meaningful
EHR user (as defined in section 1886(n)(3)) for an applicable period
specified by the Secretary.'.
(d) Conforming Amendments- Section 1853 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(A), by striking `and (i)' and inserting `(i), and (l)';
(A) in paragraph (1)(D)(i), by striking `section 1886(h)' and inserting `sections 1848(o) and 1886(h)'; and
(B) in paragraph (6)(A), by inserting after `under
part B,' the following: `excluding expenditures attributable to
subsections (a)(7) and (o) of section 1848,'; and
(3) in subsection (f), by inserting `and for payments under subsection (l)' after `with the organization'.
(e) Conforming Amendments to e-Prescribing-
(1) Section 1848(a)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(a)(5)(A)) is amended--
(A) in clause (i), by striking `or any subsequent year' and inserting `, 2013, 2014, or 2015'; and
(B) in clause (ii), by striking `and each subsequent year' and inserting `and 2015'.
(2) Section 1848(m)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(m)(2)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking `For 2009' and inserting `Subject to subparagraph (D), for 2009'; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(D) LIMITATION WITH RESPECT TO EHR INCENTIVE
PAYMENTS- The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to an
eligible professional (or, in the case of a group practice under
paragraph (3)(C), to the group practice) if, for the reporting period
the eligible professional (or group practice) receives an incentive
payment under subsection (o)(1)(A) with respect to a certified EHR
technology (as defined in subsection (o)(4)) that has the capability of
electronic prescribing.'.
SEC. 4312. INCENTIVES FOR HOSPITALS.
(a) Incentive Payment- Section 1886 of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww) is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
`(n) Incentives for Adoption and Meaningful Use of Certified EHR Technology-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to the succeeding provisions
of this subsection, with respect to inpatient hospital services
furnished by an eligible hospital during a payment year (as defined in
paragraph (2)(G)), if the eligible hospital is a meaningful EHR user
(as determined under paragraph (3)) for the reporting period with
respect to such year, in addition to the amount otherwise paid under
this section, there also shall be paid to the eligible hospital, from
the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established under section
1817, an amount equal to the applicable amount specified in paragraph
(2)(A) for the hospital for such payment year.
`(A) IN GENERAL- Subject to the succeeding
subparagraphs of this paragraph, the applicable amount specified in
this subparagraph for an eligible hospital for a payment year is equal
to the product of the following:
`(i) INITIAL AMOUNT- The sum of--
`(I) the base amount specified in subparagraph (B); plus
`(II) the discharge related amount
specified in subparagraph (C) for a 12-month period selected by the
Secretary with respect to such payment year.
`(ii) MEDICARE SHARE- The Medicare share as
specified in subparagraph (D) for the hospital for a period selected by
the Secretary with respect to such payment year.
`(iii) TRANSITION FACTOR- The transition factor specified in subparagraph (E) for the hospital for the payment year.
`(B) BASE AMOUNT- The base amount specified in this subparagraph is $2,000,000.
`(C) DISCHARGE RELATED AMOUNT- The discharge
related amount specified in this subparagraph for a 12-month period
selected by the Secretary shall be determined as the sum of the amount,
based upon total discharges (regardless of any source of payment) for
the period, for each discharge up to the 23,000th discharge as follows:
`(i) For the 1,150th through the 23,000th discharge, $200.
`(ii) For any discharge greater than the 23,000th, $0.
`(D) MEDICARE SHARE- The Medicare share specified
under this subparagraph for a hospital for a period selected by the
Secretary for a payment year is equal to the fraction--
`(i) the numerator of which is the sum (for such period and with respect to the hospital) of--
`(I) the number of inpatient-bed-days (as
established by the Secretary) which are attributable to individuals
with respect to whom payment may be made under part A; and
`(II) the number of inpatient-bed-days (as
so established) which are attributable to individuals who are enrolled
with a Medicare Advantage organization under part C; and
`(ii) the denominator of which is the product of--
`(I) the total number of inpatient-bed-days with respect to the hospital during such period; and
`(II) the total amount of the hospital's
charges during such period, not including any charges that are
attributable to charity care (as such term is used for purposes of
hospital cost reporting under this title), divided by the total amount
of the hospital's charges during such period.
Insofar as the Secretary determines that data are
not available on charity care necessary to calculate the portion of the
formula specified in clause (ii)(II), the Secretary shall use data on
uncompensated care and may adjust such data so as to be an appropriate
proxy for charity care including a downward adjustment to eliminate bad
debt data from uncompensated care data. In the absence of the data
necessary, with respect to a hospital, for the Secretary to compute the
amount described in clause (ii)(II), the amount under such clause shall
be deemed to be 1. In the absence of data, with respect to a hospital,
necessary to compute the amount described in clause (i)(II), the amount
under such clause shall be deemed to be 0.
`(E) TRANSITION FACTOR SPECIFIED-
`(i) IN GENERAL- Subject to clause (ii), the
transition factor specified in this subparagraph for an eligible
hospital for a payment year is as follows:
`(I) For the first payment year for such hospital, 1.
`(II) For the second payment year for such hospital, 3/4 .
`(III) For the third payment year for such hospital, 1/2 .
`(IV) For the fourth payment year for such hospital, 1/4 .
`(V) For any succeeding payment year for such hospital, 0.
`(ii) PHASE DOWN FOR ELIGIBLE HOSPITALS FIRST
ADOPTING EHR AFTER 2013- If the first payment year for an eligible
hospital is after 2013, then the transition factor specified in this
subparagraph for a payment year for such hospital is the same as the
amount specified in clause (i) for such payment year for an eligible
hospital for which the first payment year is 2013. If the first payment
year for an eligible hospital is after 2015 then the transition factor
specified in this subparagraph for such hospital and for such year and
any subsequent year shall be 0.
`(F) FORM OF PAYMENT- The payment under this
subsection for a payment year may be in the form of a single
consolidated payment or in the form of such periodic installments as
the Secretary may specify.
`(G) PAYMENT YEAR DEFINED-
`(i) IN GENERAL- For purposes of this subsection, the term `payment year' means a fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2011.
`(ii) FIRST, SECOND, ETC. PAYMENT YEAR- The
term `first payment year' means, with respect to inpatient hospital
services furnished by an eligible hospital, the first fiscal year for
which an incentive payment is made for such services under this
subsection. The terms `second payment year', `third payment year', and
`fourth payment year' mean, with respect to an eligible hospital, each
successive year immediately following the first payment year for that
hospital.
`(3) MEANINGFUL EHR USER-
`(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of paragraph (1), an
eligible hospital shall be treated as a meaningful EHR user for a
reporting period for a payment year (or, for purposes of subsection
(b)(3)(B)(ix), for a reporting period under such subsection for a
fiscal year) if each of the following requirements are met:
`(i) MEANINGFUL USE OF CERTIFIED EHR
TECHNOLOGY- The eligible hospital demonstrates to the satisfaction of
the Secretary, in accordance with subparagraph (C)(i), that during such
period the hospital is using certified EHR technology in a meaningful
manner.
`(ii) INFORMATION EXCHANGE- The eligible
hospital demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary, in
accordance with subparagraph (C)(i), that during such period such
certified EHR technology is connected in a manner that provides, in
accordance with law and standards applicable to the exchange of
information, for the electronic exchange of health information to
improve the quality of health care, such as promoting care coordination.
`(iii) REPORTING ON MEASURES USING EHR- Subject
to subparagraph (B)(ii) and using such certified EHR technology, the
eligible hospital submits information for such period, in a form and
manner specified by the Secretary, on such clinical quality measures
and such other measures as selected by the Secretary under subparagraph
(B)(i).
The Secretary shall seek to improve the use of
electronic health records and health care quality over time by
requiring more stringent measures of meaningful use selected under this
paragraph.
`(B) REPORTING ON MEASURES-
`(i) SELECTION- The Secretary shall select
measures for purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii) but only consistent with
the following:
`(I) The Secretary shall provide preference
to clinical quality measures that have been selected for purposes of
applying subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii) or that have been endorsed by the
entity with a contract with the Secretary under section 1890(a).
`(II) Prior to any measure (other than a
clinical quality measure that has been selected for purposes of
applying subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii)) being selected under this
subparagraph, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register such
measure and provide for a period of public comment on such measure.
`(ii) LIMITATIONS- The Secretary may not
require the electronic reporting of information on clinical quality
measures under subparagraph (A)(iii) unless the Secretary has the
capacity to accept the information electronically, which may be on a
pilot basis.
`(iii) COORDINATION OF REPORTING OF
INFORMATION- In selecting such measures, and in establishing the form
and manner for reporting measures under subparagraph (A)(iii), the
Secretary shall seek to avoid redundant or duplicative reporting with
reporting otherwise required, including reporting under subsection
(b)(3)(B)(viii).
`(C) DEMONSTRATION OF MEANINGFUL USE OF CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE-
`(i) IN GENERAL- A hospital may satisfy the
demonstration requirement of clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A)
through means specified by the Secretary, which may include--
`(II) the submission of claims with
appropriate coding (such as a code indicating that inpatient care was
documented using certified EHR technology);
`(III) a survey response;
`(IV) reporting under subparagraph (A)(iii); and
`(V) other means specified by the Secretary.
`(ii) USE OF PART D DATA- Notwithstanding
sections 1860D-15(d)(2)(B) and 1860D-15(f)(2), the Secretary may use
data regarding drug claims submitted for purposes of section 1860D-15
that are necessary for purposes of subparagraph (A).
`(A) LIMITATIONS ON REVIEW- There shall be no
administrative or judicial review under section 1869, section 1878, or
otherwise of the determination of any incentive payment under this
subsection and the payment adjustment under subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix),
including the determination of a meaningful EHR user under paragraph
(3), determination of measures applicable to services furnished by
eligible hospitals under this subsection, and the exception under
subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix)(II).
`(B) POSTING ON WEBSITE- The Secretary shall post
on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, in an easily understandable format, a list of the names of
the eligible hospitals that are meaningful EHR users under this
subsection or subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix) and other relevant data as
determined appropriate by the Secretary. The Secretary shall ensure
that a hospital has the opportunity to review the other relevant data
that are to be made public with respect to the hospital prior to such
data being made public.
`(5) CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY DEFINED- The term
`certified EHR technology' has the meaning given such term in section
1848(o)(4).
`(6) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of this subsection:
`(A) ELIGIBLE HOSPITAL- The term `eligible hospital' means a subsection (d) hospital.
`(B) REPORTING PERIOD- The term `reporting period'
means any period (or periods), with respect to a payment year, as
specified by the Secretary.'.
(b) Incentive Market Basket Adjustment- Section
1886(b)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(b)(3)(B)) is
amended--
(1) in clause (viii)(I), by inserting `(or, beginning
with fiscal year 2016, by one-quarter)' after `2.0 percentage points';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new clause:
`(ix)(I) For purposes of clause (i) for fiscal year 2016
and each subsequent fiscal year, in the case of an eligible hospital
(as defined in subsection (n)(6)(A)) that is not a meaningful EHR user
(as defined in subsection (n)(3)) for the reporting period for such
fiscal year, three-quarters of the applicable percentage increase
otherwise applicable under clause (i) for such fiscal year shall be
reduced by 33 1/3 percent for fiscal year 2016, 66 2/3 percent for
fiscal year 2017, and 100 percent for fiscal year 2018 and each
subsequent fiscal year. Such reduction shall apply only with respect to
the fiscal year involved and the Secretary shall not take into account
such reduction in computing the applicable percentage increase under
clause (i) for a subsequent fiscal year.
`(II) The Secretary may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt a
subsection (d) hospital from the application of subclause (I) with
respect to a fiscal year if the Secretary determines, subject to annual
renewal, that requiring such hospital to be a meaningful EHR user
during such fiscal year would result in a significant hardship, such as
in the case of a hospital in a rural area without sufficient Internet
access. In no case may a hospital be granted an exemption under this
subclause for more than 5 years.
`(III) For fiscal year 2016 and each subsequent fiscal
year, a State in which hospitals are paid for services under section
1814(b)(3) shall adjust the payments to each subsection (d) hospital in
the State that is not a meaningful EHR user (as defined in subsection
(n)(3)) in a manner that is designed to result in an aggregate
reduction in payments to hospitals in the State that is equivalent to
the aggregate reduction that would have occurred if payments had been
reduced to each subsection (d) hospital in the State in a manner
comparable to the reduction under the previous provisions of this
clause. The State shall report to the Secretary the methodology it will
use to make the payment adjustment under the previous sentence.
`(IV) For purposes of this clause, the term `reporting
period' means, with respect to a fiscal year, any period (or periods),
with respect to the fiscal year, as specified by the Secretary.'.
(c) Application to Certain HMO-Affiliated Eligible
Hospitals- Section 1853 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395w-23), as amended by section 4311(c), is further amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
`(m) Application of Eligible Hospital Incentives for
Certain MA Organizations for Adoption and Meaningful Use of Certified
EHR Technology-
`(1) APPLICATION- Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), in
the case of a qualifying MA organization, the provisions of sections
1886(n) and 1886(b)(3)(B)(ix) shall apply with respect to eligible
hospitals described in paragraph (2) of the organization which the
organization attests under subsection (l)(6) to be meaningful EHR users
in a similar manner as they apply to eligible hospitals under such
sections. Incentive payments under paragraph (3) shall be made to and
payment adjustments under paragraph (4) shall apply to such qualifying
organizations.
`(2) ELIGIBLE HOSPITAL DESCRIBED- With respect to a
qualifying MA organization, an eligible hospital described in this
paragraph is an eligible hospital that is under common corporate
governance with such organization and serves individuals enrolled under
an MA plan offered by such organization.
`(3) ELIGIBLE HOSPITAL INCENTIVE PAYMENTS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In applying section 1886(n)(2)
under paragraph (1), instead of the additional payment amount under
section 1886(n)(2), there shall be substituted an amount determined by
the Secretary to be similar to the estimated amount in the aggregate
that would be payable if payment for services furnished by such
hospitals was payable under part A instead of this part. In
implementing the previous sentence, the Secretary--
`(i) shall, insofar as data to determine the
discharge related amount under section 1886(n)(2)(C) for an eligible
hospital are not available to the Secretary, use such alternative data
and methodology to estimate such discharge related amount as the
Secretary determines appropriate; and
`(ii) shall, insofar as data to determine the
medicare share described in section 1886(n)(2)(D) for an eligible
hospital are not available to the Secretary, use such alternative data
and methodology to estimate such share, which data and methodology may
include use of the inpatient bed days (or discharges) with respect to
an eligible hospital during the appropriate period which are
attributable to both individuals for whom payment may be made under
part A or individuals enrolled in an MA plan under a Medicare Advantage
organization under this part as a proportion of the total number of
patient-bed-days (or discharges) with respect to such hospital during
such period.
`(B) AVOIDING DUPLICATION OF PAYMENTS-
`(i) IN GENERAL- In the case of a hospital that
for a payment year is an eligible hospital described in paragraph (2),
is an eligible hospital under section 1886(n), and for which at least
one-third of their discharges (or bed-days) of Medicare patients for
the year are covered under part A, payment for the payment year shall
be made only under section 1886(n) and not under this subsection.
`(ii) METHODS- In the case of a hospital that
is an eligible hospital described in paragraph (2) and also is eligible
for an incentive payment under section 1886(n) but is not described in
clause (i) for the same payment period, the Secretary shall develop a
process--
`(I) to ensure that duplicate payments are
not made with respect to an eligible hospital both under this
subsection and under section 1886(n); and
`(II) to collect data from Medicare Advantage organizations to ensure against such duplicate payments.
`(A) Subject to paragraph (3), in the case of a
qualifying MA organization (as defined in section 1853(l)(5)), if,
according to the attestation of the organization submitted under
subsection (l)(6) for an applicable period, one or more eligible
hospitals (as defined in section 1886(n)(6)(A)) that are under common
corporate governance with such organization and that serve individuals
enrolled under a plan offered by such organization are not meaningful
EHR users (as defined in section 1886(n)(3)) with respect to a period,
the payment amount payable under this section for such organization for
such period shall be the percent specified in subparagraph (B) for such
period of the payment amount otherwise provided under this section for
such period.
`(B) SPECIFIED PERCENT- The percent specified under
this subparagraph for a year is 100 percent minus a number of
percentage points equal to the product of--
`(i) the number of the percentage point reduction effected under section 1886(b)(3)(B)(ix)(I) for the period; and
`(ii) the Medicare hospital expenditure proportion specified in subparagraph (C) for the year.
`(C) MEDICARE HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE PROPORTION- The
Medicare hospital expenditure proportion under this subparagraph for a
year is the Secretary's estimate of the proportion, of the expenditures
under parts A and B that are not attributable to this part, that are
attributable to expenditures for inpatient hospital services.
`(D) APPLICATION OF PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT- In the case
that a qualifying MA organization attests that not all eligible
hospitals are meaningful EHR users with respect to an applicable
period, the Secretary shall apply the payment adjustment under this
paragraph based on a methodology specified by the Secretary, taking
into account the proportion of such eligible hospitals, or discharges
from such hospitals, that are not meaningful EHR users for such
period.'.
(d) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Section 1814(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by inserting `, subject to section
1886(d)(3)(B)(ix)(III),' after `then'; and
(B) by adding at the end the following: `For
purposes of applying paragraph (3), there shall be taken into account
incentive payments, and payment adjustments under subsection
(b)(3)(B)(ix) or (n) of section 1886.'.
(2) Section 1851(i)(1) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395w-21(i)(1)) is amended by striking `and 1886(h)(3)(D)' and
inserting `1886(h)(3)(D), and 1853(m)'.
(3) Section 1853 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23), as amended by section 4311(d)(1), is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1)(D)(i), by striking `1848(o)' and inserting `, 1848(o), and 1886(n)'; and
(ii) in paragraph (6)(A), by inserting `and subsections (b)(3)(B)(ix) and (n) of section 1886' after `section 1848'; and
(B) in subsection (f), by inserting `and subsection (m)' after `under subsection (l)'.
SEC. 4313. TREATMENT OF PAYMENTS AND SAVINGS; IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING.
(a) Premium Hold Harmless-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 1839(a)(1) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r(a)(1)) is amended by adding at the end
the following: `In applying this paragraph there shall not be taken
into account additional payments under section 1848(o) and section
1853(l)(3) and the Government contribution under section 1844(a)(3).'.
(2) PAYMENT- Section 1844(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w(a)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; plus'; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(3) a Government contribution equal to the amount of payment incentives payable under sections 1848(o) and 1853(l)(3).'.
(b) Medicare Improvement Fund- Section 1898 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395iii), as added by section 7002(a) of the
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-252) and as
amended by section 188(a)(2) of the Medicare Improvements for Patients
and Providers Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-275; 122 Stat. 2589) and by
section 6 of the QI Program Supplemental Funding Act of 2008, is
amended--
(A) by inserting `medicare' before `fee-for-service'; and
(B) by inserting before the period at the end the
following: `including, but not limited to, an increase in the
conversion factor under section 1848(d) to address, in whole or in
part, any projected shortfall in the conversion factor for 2014
relative to the conversion factor for 2008 and adjustments to payments
for items and services furnished by providers of services and suppliers
under such original medicare fee-for-service program'; and
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking `during fiscal year 2014,' and all that follows and inserting the following: `during--
`(A) fiscal year 2014, $22,290,000,000; and
`(B) fiscal year 2020 and each subsequent fiscal
year, the Secretary's estimate, as of July 1 of the fiscal year, of the
aggregate reduction in expenditures under this title during the
preceding fiscal year directly resulting from the reduction in payment
amounts under sections 1848(a)(7), 1853(l)(4), 1853(m)(4), and
1886(b)(3)(B)(ix).'; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(4) NO EFFECT ON PAYMENTS IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS- In the
case that expenditures from the Fund are applied to, or otherwise
affect, a payment rate for an item or service under this title for a
year, the payment rate for such item or service shall be computed for a
subsequent year as if such application or effect had never occurred.'.
(c) Implementation Funding- In addition to funds otherwise
available, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
there are appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services
for the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management
Account, $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2015 and
$30,000,000 for each succeeding fiscal year through fiscal year 2019,
which shall be available for purposes of carrying out the provisions of
(and amendments made by) this part. Amounts appropriated under this
subsection for a fiscal year shall be available until expended.
SEC. 4314. STUDY ON APPLICATION OF EHR PAYMENT INCENTIVES FOR PROVIDERS NOT RECEIVING OTHER INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall conduct a study to determine the extent to which and
manner in which payment incentives (such as under title XVIII or XIX of
the Social Security Act) and other funding for purposes of implementing
and using certified EHR technology (as defined in section 3000 of the
Public Health Service Act) should be made available to health care
providers who are receiving minimal or no payment incentives or other
funding under this Act, under title XVIII or XIX of the Social Security
Act, or otherwise, for such purposes.
(2) DETAILS OF STUDY- Such study shall include an examination of--
(A) the adoption rates of certified EHR technology by such health care providers;
(B) the clinical utility of such technology by such health care providers;
(C) whether the services furnished by such health
care providers are appropriate for or would benefit from the use of
such technology;
(D) the extent to which such health care providers
work in settings that might otherwise receive an incentive payment or
other funding under this Act, title XVIII or XIX of the Social Security
Act, or otherwise;
(E) the potential costs and the potential benefits
of making payment incentives and other funding available to such health
care providers; and
(F) any other issues the Secretary deems to be appropriate.
(b) Report- Not later than June 30, 2010, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the findings and conclusions of
the study conducted under subsection (a).
PART III--MEDICAID FUNDING
SEC. 4321. MEDICAID PROVIDER HIT ADOPTION AND OPERATION PAYMENTS; IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING.
(a) In General- Section 1903 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3)--
(A) by striking `and' at the end of subparagraph (D);
(B) by striking `plus' at the end of subparagraph (E) and inserting `and'; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(F)(i) 100 percent of so much of the sums expended
during such quarter as are attributable to payments for certified EHR
technology (and support services including maintenance and training
that is for, or is necessary for the adoption and operation of, such
technology) by Medicaid providers described in subsection (t)(1); and
`(ii) 90 percent of so much of the sums expended
during such quarter as are attributable to payments for reasonable
administrative expenses related to the administration of payments
described in clause (i) if the State meets the condition described in
subsection (t)(9); plus'; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (s) the following new subsection:
`(t)(1)(A) For purposes of subsection (a)(3)(F), the
payments for certified EHR technology (and support services including
maintenance that is for, or is necessary for the operation of, such
technology) by Medicaid providers described in this paragraph are
payments made by the State in accordance with this subsection of the
applicable percent (as specified in subparagraph (B)) of the net
allowable costs of Medicaid providers (as defined in paragraph (2)) for
such technology (and support services).
`(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable percent is--
`(i) in the case of a Medicaid provider described in paragraph (2)(A), 85 percent; and
`(ii) in the case of a Medicaid provider described in paragraph (2)(B), 100 percent.
`(2) In this subsection and subsection (a)(3)(F), the term `Medicaid provider' means--
`(A) an eligible professional (as defined in paragraph
(3)(B)) who is not hospital-based and has at least 30 percent of the
professional's patient volume (as estimated in accordance with
standards established by the Secretary) attributable to individuals who
are receiving medical assistance under this title; and
`(B)(i) a children's hospital, (ii) an acute-care
hospital that is not described in clause (i) and that has at least 10
percent of the hospital's patient volume (as estimated in accordance
with standards established by the Secretary) attributable to
individuals who are receiving medical assistance under this title, or
(iii) a Federally-qualified health center or rural health clinic that
has at least 30 percent of the center's or clinic's patient volume (as
estimated in accordance with standards established by the Secretary)
attributable to individuals who are receiving medical assistance under
this title.
An eligible professional shall not qualify as a Medicaid
provider under this subsection unless the eligible professional has
waived, in a manner specified by the Secretary, any right to payment
under section 1848(o) with respect to the adoption or support of
certified EHR technology by the professional. In applying clauses (ii)
and (iii) of subparagraph (B), the standards established by the
Secretary for patient volume shall include individuals enrolled in a
Medicaid managed care plan (under section 1903(m) or section 1932).
`(3) In this subsection and subsection (a)(3)(F):
`(A) The term `certified EHR technology' means a
qualified electronic health record (as defined in 3000(13) of the
Public Health Service Act) that is certified pursuant to section
3001(c)(5) of such Act as meeting standards adopted under section 3004
of such Act that are applicable to the type of record involved (as
determined by the Secretary, such as an ambulatory electronic health
record for office-based physicians or an inpatient hospital electronic
health record for hospitals).
`(B) The term `eligible professional' means a physician
as defined in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1861(r), and includes a
certified nurse mid-wife and a nurse practitioner.
`(C) The term `hospital-based' means, with respect to
an eligible professional, a professional (such as a pathologist,
anesthesiologist, or emergency physician) who furnishes substantially
all of the individual's professional services in a hospital setting
(whether inpatient or outpatient) and through the use of the facilities
and equipment, including computer equipment, of the hospital.
`(4)(A) The term `allowable costs' means, with respect to
certified EHR technology of a Medicaid provider, costs of such
technology (and support services including maintenance and training
that is for, or is necessary for the adoption and operation of, such
technology) as determined by the Secretary to be reasonable.
`(B) The term `net allowable costs' means allowable costs
reduced by any payment that is made to the Medicaid provider involved
from any other source that is directly attributable to payment for
certified EHR technology or services described in subparagraph (A).
`(i) the aggregate allowable costs under this
subsection (covering one or more years) with respect to a Medicaid
provider described in paragraph (2)(A) for purchase and initial
implementation of certified EHR technology (and services described in
subparagraph (A)) exceed $25,000 or include costs over a period of
longer than 5 years;
`(ii) for costs not described in clause (i) relating to
the operation, maintenance, or use of certified EHR technology, the
annual allowable costs under this subsection with respect to such a
Medicaid provider for costs not described in clause (i) for any year
exceed $10,000;
`(iii) payment described in paragraph (1) for costs
described in clause (ii) be made with respect to such a Medicaid
provider over a period of more than 5 years;
`(iv) the aggregate allowable costs under this
subsection with respect to such a Medicaid provider for all costs
exceed $75,000; or
`(v) the allowable costs, whether for purchase and
initial implementation, maintenance, or otherwise, for a Medicaid
provider described in paragraph (2)(B)(iii) exceed such aggregate or
annual limitation as the Secretary shall establish, based on an amount
determined by the Secretary as being adequate to adopt and maintain
certified EHR technology, consistent with paragraph (6).
`(5) Payments described in paragraph (1) are not in accordance with this subsection unless the following requirements are met:
`(A) The State provides assurances satisfactory to the
Secretary that amounts received under subsection (a)(3)(F) with respect
to costs of a Medicaid provider are paid directly to such provider
without any deduction or rebate.
`(B) Such Medicaid provider is responsible for payment
of the costs described in such paragraph that are not provided under
this title.
`(C) With respect to payments to such Medicaid provider
for costs other than costs related to the initial adoption of certified
EHR technology, the Medicaid provider demonstrates meaningful use of
certified EHR technology through a means that is approved by the State
and acceptable to the Secretary, and that may be based upon the
methodologies applied under section 1848(o) or 1886(n).
`(D) To the extent specified by the Secretary, the
certified EHR technology is compatible with State or Federal
administrative management systems.
`(6)(A) In no case shall the payments described in
paragraph (1), with respect to a hospital, exceed in the aggregate the
product of--
`(i) the overall hospital EHR amount for the hospital computed under subparagraph (B); and
`(ii) the Medicaid share for such hospital computed under subparagraph (C).
`(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the overall hospital
EHR amount, with respect to a hospital, is the sum of the applicable
amounts specified in section 1886(n)(2)(A) for such hospital for the
first 4 payment years (as estimated by the Secretary) determined as if
the Medicare share specified in clause (ii) of such section were 1. The
Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the overall hospital
EHR amount for each hospital eligible for payments under this
subsection. In computing amounts under paragraph 1886(n)(2)(C) for
payment years after the first payment year, the Secretary shall assume
that in subsequent payment years discharges increase at the average
annual rate of growth of the most recent 3 years for which discharge
data are available per year.
`(C) The Medicaid share computed under this subparagraph,
for a hospital for a period specified by the Secretary, shall be
calculated in the same manner as the Medicare share under section
1886(n)(2)(D) for such a hospital and period, except that there shall
be substituted for the numerator under clause (i) of such section the
amount that is equal to the number of inpatient-bed-days (as
established by the Secretary) which are attributable to individuals who
are receiving medical assistance under this title and who are not
described in section 1886(n)(2)(D)(i). In computing inpatient-bed-days
under the previous sentence, the Secretary shall take into account
inpatient-bed-days attributable to inpatient-bed-days that are paid for
individuals enrolled in a Medicaid managed care plan (under section
1903(m) or section 1932).
`(7) With respect to health care providers other than
hospitals, the Secretary shall ensure coordination of the different
programs for payment of such health care providers for adoption or use
of health information technology (including certified EHR technology),
as well as payments for such health care providers provided under this
title or title XVIII, to assure no duplication of funding.
`(8) In carrying out paragraph (5)(C), the State and
Secretary shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to avoid
duplicative requirements from Federal and State Governments to
demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology under this title
and title XVIII. In doing so, the Secretary may deem satisfaction of
requirements for such meaningful use for a payment year under title
XVIII to be sufficient to qualify as meaningful use under this
subsection. The Secretary may also specify the reporting periods under
this subsection in order to carry out this paragraph.
`(9) In order to be provided Federal financial
participation under subsection (a)(3)(F)(ii), a State must demonstrate
to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that the State--
`(A) is using the funds provided for the purposes of
administering payments under this subsection, including tracking of
meaningful use by Medicaid providers;
`(B) is conducting adequate oversight of the program
under this subsection, including routine tracking of meaningful use
attestations and reporting mechanisms; and
`(C) is pursuing initiatives to encourage the adoption
of certified EHR technology to promote health care quality and the
exchange of health care information under this title, subject to
applicable laws and regulations governing such exchange.
`(10) The Secretary shall periodically submit reports to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Finance of the Senate on status, progress, and
oversight of payments under paragraph (1).'.
(b) Implementation Funding- In addition to funds otherwise
available, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
there are appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services
for the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management
Account, $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2015 and
$20,000,000 for each succeeding fiscal year through fiscal year 2019,
which shall be available for purposes of carrying out the provisions of
(and the amendments made by) this part. Amounts appropriated under this
subsection for a fiscal year shall be available until expended.
SEC. 4322. MEDICAID NURSING FACILITY GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General- The Secretary shall establish a grant
program to enhance the meaningful use of certified electronic health
records in nursing facilities. In establishing such program, the
Secretary shall use payment incentives for meaningful use of certified
EHR technology, similar to those specified in sections 4311, 4312, and
4321, as appropriate. For the purpose of such incentives, the Secretary
shall define meaningful use in a manner so as to be consistent with
such sections to the extent practicable. The Secretary shall award
funds to not more than 10 States to carry out activities under this
section.
(b) Activities- The Secretary shall require a State participating in the grant program to--
(1) provide payment incentives to nursing facilities
contingent on the demonstration of meaningful use of certified
electronic health records;
(2) require participating nursing facilities to engage
in programs to improve the quality and coordination of care through the
use of certified EHR technology, including for persons who are
repeatedly admitted to acute care hospitals from the nursing facility
and persons who receive services across multiple medical and social
services providers (including facility and community-based providers);
and
(3) provide for training of appropriate personnel in the use of certified electronic health records.
(c) Targeting- The Secretary shall require a State
participating in the grant program to target nursing facilities with a
significant percentage (but not less than the average in the State) of
the facility's patient volume (as estimated in accordance with
standards established by the Secretary) attributable to individuals who
are receiving medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security
Act.
(d) Priority- In making grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to States with a high proportion of total
national nursing facility days paid under title XIX of the Social
Security Act.
(e) Limitations on Use of Funds- A State may not make
payments to a nursing facility in excess of 90 percent of the costs of
such nursing facility for the adoption and operation of certified EHR
technology.
(f) Application- No grant may be made to a State under this
section unless the State submits an application to the Secretary in a
form and manner specified by the Secretary.
(g) Report- Not later than the end of the 3-year period
beginning on the date that grants under this section are first awarded,
the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the activities under
this grant program and the effect of this program on quality and
coordination of care under title XIX of the Social Security Act.
(h) Appropriation- Out of any money in the Treasury not
otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Secretary of
Health and Human Services to carry out this section $600,000,000, to
remain available until expended.
Subtitle D--Privacy
SEC. 4400. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle, except as specified otherwise:
(1) BREACH- The term `breach' means the unauthorized
acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of protected health information
which compromises the security, privacy, or integrity of protected
health information maintained by or on behalf of a person. Such term
does not include any unintentional acquisition, access, use, or
disclosure of such information by an employee or agent of the covered
entity or business associate involved if such acquisition, access, use,
or disclosure, respectively, was made in good faith and within the
course and scope of the employment or other contractual relationship of
such employee or agent, respectively, with the covered entity or
business associate and if such information is not further acquired,
accessed, used, or disclosed by such employee or agent.
(2) BUSINESS ASSOCIATE- The term `business associate'
has the meaning given such term in section 160.103 of title 45, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(3) COVERED ENTITY- The term `covered entity' has the
meaning given such term in section 160.103 of title 45, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(4) DISCLOSE- The terms `disclose' and `disclosure'
have the meaning given the term `disclosure' in section 160.103 of
title 45, Code of Federal Regulations.
(5) ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD- The term `electronic
health record' means an electronic record of health-related information
on an individual that is created, gathered, managed, and consulted by
authorized health care clinicians and staff.
(6) HEALTH CARE OPERATIONS- The term `health care
operation' has the meaning given such term in section 164.501 of title
45, Code of Federal Regulations.
(7) HEALTH CARE PROVIDER- The term `health care
provider' has the meaning given such term in section 160.103 of title
45, Code of Federal Regulations.
(8) HEALTH PLAN- The term `health plan' has the meaning given such term in section 1171(5) of the Social Security Act.
(9) NATIONAL COORDINATOR- The term `National
Coordinator' means the head of the Office of the National Coordinator
for Health Information Technology established under section 3001(a) of
the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 4101.
(10) PAYMENT- The term `payment' has the meaning given such term in section 164.501 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations.
(11) PERSONAL HEALTH RECORD- The term `personal health
record' means an electronic record of individually identifiable health
information on an individual that can be drawn from multiple sources
and that is managed, shared, and controlled by or for the individual.
(12) PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION- The term `protected
health information' has the meaning given such term in section 160.103
of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations.
(13) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(14) SECURITY- The term `security' has the meaning
given such term in section 164.304 of title 45, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(15) STATE- The term `State' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
(16) TREATMENT- The term `treatment' has the meaning
given such term in section 164.501 of title 45, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(17) USE- The term `use' has the meaning given such term in section 160.103 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations.
(18) VENDOR OF PERSONAL HEALTH RECORDS- The term
`vendor of personal health records' means an entity, other than a
covered entity (as defined in paragraph (3)), that offers or maintains
a personal health record.
PART I--IMPROVED PRIVACY PROVISIONS AND SECURITY PROVISIONS
SEC. 4401. APPLICATION OF SECURITY PROVISIONS AND PENALTIES
TO BUSINESS ASSOCIATES OF COVERED ENTITIES; ANNUAL GUIDANCE ON SECURITY
PROVISIONS.
(a) Application of Security Provisions- Sections 164.308,
164.310, 164.312, and 164.316 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations,
shall apply to a business associate of a covered entity in the same
manner that such sections apply to the covered entity. The additional
requirements of this title that relate to security and that are made
applicable with respect to covered entities shall also be applicable to
such a business associate and shall be incorporated into the business
associate agreement between the business associate and the covered
entity.
(b) Application of Civil and Criminal Penalties- In the
case of a business associate that violates any security provision
specified in subsection (a), sections 1176 and 1177 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-5, 1320d-6) shall apply to the business
associate with respect to such violation in the same manner such
sections apply to a covered entity that violates such security
provision.
(c) Annual Guidance- For the first year beginning after the
date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, in consultation with
industry stakeholders, annually issue guidance on the most effective
and appropriate technical safeguards for use in carrying out the
sections referred to in subsection (a) and the security standards in
subpart C of part 164 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations,
including the use of standards developed under section
3002(b)(2)(B)(vi) of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section
4101, as such provisions are in effect as of the date before the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4402. NOTIFICATION IN THE CASE OF BREACH.
(a) In General- A covered entity that accesses, maintains,
retains, modifies, records, stores, destroys, or otherwise holds, uses,
or discloses unsecured protected health information (as defined in
subsection (h)(1)) shall, in the case of a breach of such information
that is discovered by the covered entity, notify each individual whose
unsecured protected health information has been, or is reasonably
believed by the covered entity to have been, accessed, acquired, or
disclosed as a result of such breach.
(b) Notification of Covered Entity by Business Associate- A
business associate of a covered entity that accesses, maintains,
retains, modifies, records, stores, destroys, or otherwise holds, uses,
or discloses unsecured protected health information shall, following
the discovery of a breach of such information, notify the covered
entity of such breach. Such notice shall include the identification of
each individual whose unsecured protected health information has been,
or is reasonably believed by the business associate to have been,
accessed, acquired, or disclosed during such breach.
(c) Breaches Treated as Discovered- For purposes of this
section, a breach shall be treated as discovered by a covered entity or
by a business associate as of the first day on which such breach is
known to such entity or associate, respectively, (including any person,
other than the individual committing the breach, that is an employee,
officer, or other agent of such entity or associate, respectively) or
should reasonably have been known to such entity or associate (or
person) to have occurred.
(d) Timeliness of Notification-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to subsection (g), all
notifications required under this section shall be made without
unreasonable delay and in no case later than 60 calendar days after the
discovery of a breach by the covered entity involved (or business
associate involved in the case of a notification required under
subsection (b)).
(2) BURDEN OF PROOF- The covered entity involved (or
business associate involved in the case of a notification required
under subsection (b)), shall have the burden of demonstrating that all
notifications were made as required under this part, including evidence
demonstrating the necessity of any delay.
(1) INDIVIDUAL NOTICE- Notice required under this
section to be provided to an individual, with respect to a breach,
shall be provided promptly and in the following form:
(A) Written notification by first-class mail to the
individual (or the next of kin of the individual if the individual is
deceased) at the last known address of the individual or the next of
kin, respectively, or, if specified as a preference by the individual,
by electronic mail. The notification may be provided in one or more
mailings as information is available.
(B) In the case in which there is insufficient, or
out-of-date contact information (including a phone number, email
address, or any other form of appropriate communication) that precludes
direct written (or, if specified by the individual under subparagraph
(A), electronic) notification to the individual, a substitute form of
notice shall be provided, including, in the case that there are 10 or
more individuals for which there is insufficient or out-of-date contact
information, a conspicuous posting for a period determined by the
Secretary on the home page of the Web site of the covered entity
involved or notice in major print or broadcast media, including major
media in geographic areas where the individuals affected by the breach
likely reside. Such a notice in media or web posting will include a
toll-free phone number where an individual can learn whether or not the
individual's unsecured protected health information is possibly
included in the breach.
(C) In any case deemed by the covered entity
involved to require urgency because of possible imminent misuse of
unsecured protected health information, the covered entity, in addition
to notice provided under subparagraph (A), may provide information to
individuals by telephone or other means, as appropriate.
(2) MEDIA NOTICE- Notice shall be provided to prominent
media outlets serving a State or jurisdiction, following the discovery
of a breach described in subsection (a), if the unsecured protected
health information of more than 500 residents of such State or
jurisdiction is, or is reasonably believed to have been, accessed,
acquired, or disclosed during such breach.
(3) NOTICE TO SECRETARY- Notice shall be provided to
the Secretary by covered entities of unsecured protected health
information that has been acquired or disclosed in a breach. If the
breach was with respect to 500 or more individuals than such notice
must be provided immediately. If the breach was with respect to less
than 500 individuals, the covered entity involved may maintain a log of
any such breach occurring and annually submit such a log to the
Secretary documenting such breaches occurring during the year involved.
(4) POSTING ON HHS PUBLIC WEBSITE- The Secretary shall
make available to the public on the Internet website of the Department
of Health and Human Services a list that identifies each covered entity
involved in a breach described in subsection (a) in which the unsecured
protected health information of more than 500 individuals is acquired
or disclosed.
(f) Content of Notification- Regardless of the method by
which notice is provided to individuals under this section, notice of a
breach shall include, to the extent possible, the following:
(1) A brief description of what happened, including the
date of the breach and the date of the discovery of the breach, if
known.
(2) A description of the types of unsecured protected
health information that were involved in the breach (such as full name,
Social Security number, date of birth, home address, account number, or
disability code).
(3) The steps individuals should take to protect themselves from potential harm resulting from the breach.
(4) A brief description of what the covered entity
involved is doing to investigate the breach, to mitigate losses, and to
protect against any further breaches.
(5) Contact procedures for individuals to ask questions
or learn additional information, which shall include a toll-free
telephone number, an e-mail address, Web site, or postal address.
(g) Delay of Notification Authorized for Law Enforcement
Purposes- If a law enforcement official determines that a notification,
notice, or posting required under this section would impede a criminal
investigation or cause damage to national security, such notification,
notice, or posting shall be delayed in the same manner as provided
under section 164.528(a)(2) of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations,
in the case of a disclosure covered under such section.
(h) Unsecured Protected Health Information-
(A) IN GENERAL- Subject to subparagraph (B), for
purposes of this section, the term `unsecured protected health
information' means protected health information that is not secured
through the use of a technology or methodology specified by the
Secretary in the guidance issued under paragraph (2).
(B) EXCEPTION IN CASE TIMELY GUIDANCE NOT ISSUED-
In the case that the Secretary does not issue guidance under paragraph
(2) by the date specified in such paragraph, for purposes of this
section, the term `unsecured protected health information' shall mean
protected health information that is not secured by a technology
standard that renders protected health information unusable,
unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized individuals and is
developed or endorsed by a standards developing organization that is
accredited by the American National Standards Institute.
(2) GUIDANCE- For purposes of paragraph (1) and section
407(f)(3), not later than the date that is 60 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, after consultation with
stakeholders, issue (and annually update) guidance specifying the
technologies and methodologies that render protected health information
unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized individuals,
including use of standards developed under section 3002(b)(2)(B)(vi) of
the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 4101.
(i) Report to Congress on Breaches-
(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 12 months after the date
of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary
shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Finance and the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the
Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of
the House of Representatives a report containing the information
described in paragraph (2) regarding breaches for which notice was
provided to the Secretary under subsection (e)(3).
(2) INFORMATION- The information described in this paragraph regarding breaches specified in paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) the number and nature of such breaches; and
(B) actions taken in response to such breaches.
(j) Regulations; Effective Date- To carry out this section,
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall promulgate interim
final regulations by not later than the date that is 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this title. The provisions of this section
shall apply to breaches that are discovered on or after the date that
is 30 days after the date of publication of such interim final
regulations.
SEC. 4403. EDUCATION ON HEALTH INFORMATION PRIVACY.
(a) Regional Office Privacy Advisors- Not later than 6
months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
designate an individual in each regional office of the Department of
Health and Human Services to offer guidance and education to covered
entities, business associates, and individuals on their rights and
responsibilities related to Federal privacy and security requirements
for protected health information.
(b) Education Initiative on Uses of Health Information- Not
later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Office for Civil Rights within the Department of Health and Human
Services shall develop and maintain a multi-faceted national education
initiative to enhance public transparency regarding the uses of
protected health information, including programs to educate individuals
about the potential uses of their protected health information, the
effects of such uses, and the rights of individuals with respect to
such uses. Such programs shall be conducted in a variety of languages
and present information in a clear and understandable manner.
SEC. 4404. APPLICATION OF PRIVACY PROVISIONS AND PENALTIES TO BUSINESS ASSOCIATES OF COVERED ENTITIES.
(a) Application of Contract Requirements- In the case of a
business associate of a covered entity that obtains or creates
protected health information pursuant to a written contract (or other
written arrangement) described in section 164.502(e)(2) of title 45,
Code of Federal Regulations, with such covered entity, the business
associate may use and disclose such protected health information only
if such use or disclosure, respectively, is in compliance with each
applicable requirement of section 164.504(e) of such title. The
additional requirements of this subtitle that relate to privacy and
that are made applicable with respect to covered entities shall also be
applicable to such a business associate and shall be incorporated into
the business associate agreement between the business associate and the
covered entity.
(b) Application of Knowledge Elements Associated With
Contracts- Section 164.504(e)(1)(ii) of title 45, Code of Federal
Regulations, shall apply to a business associate described in
subsection (a), with respect to compliance with such subsection, in the
same manner that such section applies to a covered entity, with respect
to compliance with the standards in sections 164.502(e) and 164.504(e)
of such title, except that in applying such section 164.504(e)(1)(ii)
each reference to the business associate, with respect to a contract,
shall be treated as a reference to the covered entity involved in such
contract.
(c) Application of Civil and Criminal Penalties- In the
case of a business associate that violates any provision of subsection
(a) or (b), the provisions of sections 1176 and 1177 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-5, 1320d-6) shall apply to the business
associate with respect to such violation in the same manner as such
provisions apply to a person who violates a provision of part C of
title XI of such Act.
SEC. 4405. RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN DISCLOSURES AND SALES OF
HEALTH INFORMATION; ACCOUNTING OF CERTAIN PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION
DISCLOSURES; ACCESS TO CERTAIN INFORMATION IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT.
(a) Requested Restrictions on Certain Disclosures of Health
Information- In the case that an individual requests under paragraph
(a)(1)(i)(A) of section 164.522 of title 45, Code of Federal
Regulations, that a covered entity restrict the disclosure of the
protected health information of the individual, notwithstanding
paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of such section, the covered entity must comply
with the requested restriction if--
(1) except as otherwise required by law, the disclosure
is to a health plan for purposes of carrying out payment or health care
operations (and is not for purposes of carrying out treatment); and
(2) the protected health information pertains solely to
a health care item or service for which the health care provider
involved has been paid out of pocket in full.
(b) Disclosures Required To Be Limited to the Limited Data Set or the Minimum Necessary-
(A) IN GENERAL- Subject to subparagraph (B), a
covered entity shall be treated as being in compliance with section
164.502(b)(1) of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, with respect to
the use, disclosure, or request of protected health information
described in such section, only if the covered entity limits such
protected health information, to the extent practicable, to the limited
data set (as defined in section 164.514(e)(2) of such title) or, if
needed by such entity, to the minimum necessary to accomplish the
intended purpose of such use, disclosure, or request, respectively.
(B) GUIDANCE- Not later than 18 months after the
date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue
guidance on what constitutes `minimum necessary' for purposes of
subpart E of part 164 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulation. In
issuing such guidance the Secretary shall take into consideration the
guidance under section 4424(c).
(C) SUNSET- Subparagraph (A) shall not apply on and
after the effective date on which the Secretary issues the guidance
under subparagraph (B).
(2) DETERMINATION OF MINIMUM NECESSARY- For purposes of
paragraph (1), in the case of the disclosure of protected health
information, the covered entity or business associate disclosing such
information shall determine what constitutes the minimum necessary to
accomplish the intended purpose of such disclosure.
(3) APPLICATION OF EXCEPTIONS- The exceptions described
in section 164.502(b)(2) of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations,
shall apply to the requirement under paragraph (1) as of the effective
date described in section 4423 in the same manner that such exceptions
apply to section 164.502(b)(1) of such title before such date.
(4) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this subsection
shall be construed as affecting the use, disclosure, or request of
protected health information that has been de-identified.
(c) Accounting of Certain Protected Health Information Disclosures Required if Covered Entity Uses Electronic Health Record-
(1) IN GENERAL- In applying section 164.528 of title
45, Code of Federal Regulations, in the case that a covered entity uses
or maintains an electronic health record with respect to protected
health information--
(A) the exception under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of such
section shall not apply to disclosures through an electronic health
record made by such entity of such information; and
(B) an individual shall have a right to receive an
accounting of disclosures described in such paragraph of such
information made by such covered entity during only the three years
prior to the date on which the accounting is requested.
(2) REGULATIONS- The Secretary shall promulgate
regulations on what information shall be collected about each
disclosure referred to in paragraph (1)(A) not later than 18 months
after the date on which the Secretary adopts standards on accounting
for disclosure described in the section 3002(b)(2)(B)(iv) of the Public
Health Service Act, as added by section 4101. Such regulations shall
only require such information to be collected through an electronic
health record in a manner that takes into account the interests of
individuals in learning the circumstances under which their protected
health information is being disclosed and takes into account the
administrative burden of accounting for such disclosures.
(3) CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed as requiring a covered entity to account for disclosures of
protected health information that are not made by such covered entity
or by a business associate acting on behalf of the covered entity.
(A) CURRENT USERS OF ELECTRONIC RECORDS- In the
case of a covered entity insofar as it acquired an electronic health
record as of January 1, 2009, paragraph (1) shall apply to disclosures,
with respect to protected health information, made by the covered
entity from such a record on and after January 1, 2014.
(B) OTHERS- In the case of a covered entity insofar
as it acquires an electronic health record after January 1, 2009,
paragraph (1) shall apply to disclosures, with respect to protected
health information, made by the covered entity from such record on and
after the later of the following:
(ii) the date that it acquires an electronic health record.
(d) Review of Health Care Operations- Not later than 18
months after the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary
shall promulgate regulations to eliminate from the definition of health
care operations under section 164.501 of title 45, Code of Federal
Regulations, those activities that can reasonably and efficiently be
conducted through the use of information that is de-identified (in
accordance with the requirements of section 164.514(b) of such title)
or that should require a valid authorization for use or disclosure. In
promulgating such regulations, the Secretary may choose to narrow or
clarify activities that the Secretary chooses to retain in the
definition of health care operations and the Secretary shall take into
account the report under section 424(d). In such regulations the
Secretary shall specify the date on which such regulations shall apply
to disclosures made by a covered entity, but in no case would such date
be sooner than the date that is 24 months after the date of the
enactment of this section.
(e) Prohibition on Sale of Electronic Health Records or Protected Health Information-
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), a
covered entity or business associate shall not directly or indirectly
receive remuneration in exchange for any protected health information
of an individual unless the covered entity obtained from the
individual, in accordance with section 164.508 of title 45, Code of
Federal Regulations, a valid authorization that includes, in accordance
with such section, a specification of whether the protected health
information can be further exchanged for remuneration by the entity
receiving protected health information of that individual.
(2) EXCEPTIONS- Paragraph (1) shall not apply in the following cases:
(A) The purpose of the exchange is for research or
public health activities (as described in sections 164.501, 164.512(i),
and 164.512(b) of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations) and the price
charged reflects the costs of preparation and transmittal of the data
for such purpose.
(B) The purpose of the exchange is for the
treatment of the individual and the price charges reflects not more
than the costs of preparation and transmittal of the data for such
purpose.
(C) The purpose of the exchange is the health care
operation specifically described in subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (6)
of the definition of health care operations in section 164.501 of title
45, Code of Federal Regulations.
(D) The purpose of the exchange is for remuneration
that is provided by a covered entity to a business associate for
activities involving the exchange of protected health information that
the business associate undertakes on behalf of and at the specific
request of the covered entity pursuant to a business associate
agreement.
(E) The purpose of the exchange is to provide an
individual with a copy of the individual's protected health information
pursuant to section 164.524 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations.
(F) The purpose of the exchange is otherwise
determined by the Secretary in regulations to be similarly necessary
and appropriate as the exceptions provided in subparagraphs (A) through
(E).
(3) REGULATIONS- The Secretary shall promulgate
regulations to carry out paragraph (this subsection, including
exceptions described in paragraph (2), not later than 18 months after
the date of the enactment of this title.
(4) EFFECTIVE DATE- Paragraph (1) shall apply to
exchanges occurring on or after the date that is 6 months after the
date of the promulgation of final regulations implementing this
subsection.
(f) Access to Certain Information in Electronic Format- In
applying section 164.524 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, in
the case that a covered entity uses or maintains an electronic health
record with respect to protected health information of an individual--
(1) the individual shall have a right to obtain from
such covered entity a copy of such information in an electronic format;
and
(2) notwithstanding paragraph (c)(4) of such section,
any fee that the covered entity may impose for providing such
individual with a copy of such information (or a summary or explanation
of such information) if such copy (or summary or explanation) is in an
electronic form shall not be greater than the entity's labor costs in
responding to the request for the copy (or summary or explanation).
(g) Clarification- Nothing in this subtitle shall
constitute a waiver of any privilege otherwise applicable to an
individual with respect to the protected health information of such
individual.
SEC. 4406. CONDITIONS ON CERTAIN CONTACTS AS PART OF HEALTH CARE OPERATIONS.
(1) IN GENERAL- A communication by a covered entity or
business associate that is about a product or service and that
encourages recipients of the communication to purchase or use the
product or service shall not be considered a health care operation for
purposes of subpart E of part 164 of title 45, Code of Federal
Regulations, unless the communication is made as described in
subparagraph (i), (ii), or (iii) of paragraph (1) of the definition of
marketing in section 164.501 of such title.
(2) PAYMENT FOR CERTAIN COMMUNICATIONS- A covered
entity or business associate may not receive direct or indirect payment
in exchange for making any communication described in subparagraph (i),
(ii), or (iii) of paragraph (1) of the definition of marketing in
section 164.501 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, except--
(A) a business associate of a covered entity may
receive payment from the covered entity for making any such
communication on behalf of the covered entity that is consistent with
the written contract (or other written arrangement) described in
section 164.502(e)(2) of such title between such business associate and
covered entity; or
(B) a covered entity may receive payment in
exchange for making any such communication if the entity obtains from
the recipient of the communication, in accordance with section 164.508
of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, a valid authorization (as
described in paragraph (b) of such section) with respect to such
communication.
(b) Fundraising- Fundraising for the benefit of a covered
entity shall not be considered a health care operation for purposes of
section 164.501 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations.
(c) Effective Date- This section shall apply to contracting
occurring on or after the effective date specified under section 4423.
SEC. 4407. TEMPORARY BREACH NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR
VENDORS OF PERSONAL HEALTH RECORDS AND OTHER NON-HIPAA COVERED ENTITIES.
(a) In General- In accordance with subsection (c), each
vendor of personal health records, following the discovery of a breach
of security of unsecured PHR identifiable health information that is in
a personal health record maintained or offered by such vendor, and each
entity described in clause (ii) or (iii) of section 4424(b)(1)(A),
following the discovery of a breach of security of such information
that is obtained through a product or service provided by such entity,
shall--
(1) notify each individual who is a citizen or resident
of the United States whose unsecured PHR identifiable health
information was acquired by an unauthorized person as a result of such
a breach of security; and
(2) notify the Federal Trade Commission.
(b) Notification by Third Party Service Providers- A third
party service provider that provides services to a vendor of personal
health records or to an entity described in clause (ii) or (iii) of
section 4424(b)(1)(A) in connection with the offering or maintenance of
a personal health record or a related product or service and that
accesses, maintains, retains, modifies, records, stores, destroys, or
otherwise holds, uses, or discloses unsecured PHR identifiable health
information in such a record as a result of such services shall,
following the discovery of a breach of security of such information,
notify such vendor or entity, respectively, of such breach. Such notice
shall include the identification of each individual whose unsecured PHR
identifiable health information has been, or is reasonably believed to
have been, accessed, acquired, or disclosed during such breach.
(c) Application of Requirements for Timeliness, Method, and
Content of Notifications- Subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) of section
402 shall apply to a notification required under subsection (a) and a
vendor of personal health records, an entity described in subsection
(a) and a third party service provider described in subsection (b),
with respect to a breach of security under subsection (a) of unsecured
PHR identifiable health information in such records maintained or
offered by such vendor, in a manner specified by the Federal Trade
Commission.
(d) Notification of the Secretary- Upon receipt of a
notification of a breach of security under subsection (a)(2), the
Federal Trade Commission shall notify the Secretary of such breach.
(e) Enforcement- A violation of subsection (a) or (b) shall
be treated as an unfair and deceptive act or practice in violation of a
regulation under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission
Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)) regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
(f) Definitions- For purposes of this section:
(1) BREACH OF SECURITY- The term `breach of security'
means, with respect to unsecured PHR identifiable health information of
an individual in a personal health record, acquisition of such
information without the authorization of the individual.
(2) PHR IDENTIFIABLE HEALTH INFORMATION- The term `PHR
identifiable health information' means individually identifiable health
information, as defined in section 1171(6) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1320d(6)), and includes, with respect to an individual,
information--
(A) that is provided by or on behalf of the individual; and
(B) that identifies the individual or with respect
to which there is a reasonable basis to believe that the information
can be used to identify the individual.
(3) UNSECURED PHR IDENTIFIABLE HEALTH INFORMATION-
(A) IN GENERAL- Subject to subparagraph (B), the
term `unsecured PHR identifiable health information' means PHR
identifiable health information that is not protected through the use
of a technology or methodology specified by the Secretary in the
guidance issued under section 4402(h)(2).
(B) EXCEPTION IN CASE TIMELY GUIDANCE NOT ISSUED-
In the case that the Secretary does not issue guidance under section
4402(h)(2) by the date specified in such section, for purposes of this
section, the term `unsecured PHR identifiable health information' shall
mean PHR identifiable health information that is not secured by a
technology standard that renders protected health information unusable,
unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized individuals and that is
developed or endorsed by a standards developing organization that is
accredited by the American National Standards Institute.
(g) Regulations; Effective Date; Sunset-
(1) REGULATIONS; EFFECTIVE DATE- To carry out this
section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall promulgate
interim final regulations by not later than the date that is 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this section. The provisions of this
section shall apply to breaches of security that are discovered on or
after the date that is 30 days after the date of publication of such
interim final regulations.
(2) SUNSET- The provisions of this section shall not
apply to breaches of security occurring on or after the earlier of the
following the dates:
(A) The date on which a standard relating to
requirements for entities that are not covered entities that includes
requirements relating to breach notification has been promulgated by
the Secretary.
(B) The date on which a standard relating to
requirements for entities that are not covered entities that includes
requirements relating to breach notification has been promulgated by
the Federal Trade Commission and has taken effect.
SEC. 4408. BUSINESS ASSOCIATE CONTRACTS REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN ENTITIES.
Each organization, with respect to a covered entity, that
provides data transmission of protected health information to such
entity (or its business associate) and that requires access on a
routine basis to such protected health information, such as a Health
Information Exchange Organization, Regional Health Information
Organization, E-prescribing Gateway, or each vendor that contracts with
a covered entity to allow that covered entity to offer a personal
health record to patients as part of its electronic health record, is
required to enter into a written contract (or other written
arrangement) described in section 164.502(e)(2) of title 45, Code of
Federal Regulations and a written contract (or other arrangement)
described in section 164.308(b) of such title, with such entity and
shall be treated as a business associate of the covered entity for
purposes of the provisions of this subtitle and subparts C and E of
part 164 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, as such provisions
are in effect as of the date of enactment of this title.
SEC. 4409. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICATION OF WRONGFUL DISCLOSURES CRIMINAL PENALTIES.
Section 1177(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1320d-6(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
`For purposes of the previous sentence, a person (including an employee
or other individual) shall be considered to have obtained or disclosed
individually identifiable health information in violation of this part
if the information is maintained by a covered entity (as defined in the
HIPAA privacy regulation described in section 1180(b)(3)) and the
individual obtained or disclosed such information without
authorization.'.
SEC. 4410. IMPROVED ENFORCEMENT.
(a) In General- Section 1176 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-5) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking `the act
constitutes an offense punishable under section 1177' and inserting `a
penalty has been imposed under section 1177 with respect to such act';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(c) Noncompliance Due to Willful Neglect-
`(1) IN GENERAL- A violation of a provision of this
part due to willful neglect is a violation for which the Secretary is
required to impose a penalty under subsection (a)(1).
`(2) REQUIRED INVESTIGATION- For purposes of paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall formally investigate any complaint of a
violation of a provision of this part if a preliminary investigation of
the facts of the complaint indicate such a possible violation due to
willful neglect.'.
(b) Effective Date; Regulations-
(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply
to penalties imposed on or after the date that is 24 months after the
date of the enactment of this title.
(2) Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this title, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall promulgate regulations to implement such amendments.
(c) Distribution of Certain Civil Monetary Penalties Collected-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to the regulation promulgated
pursuant to paragraph (3), any civil monetary penalty or monetary
settlement collected with respect to an offense punishable under this
subtitle or section 1176 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-5)
insofar as such section relates to privacy or security shall be
transferred to the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health
and Human Services to be used for purposes of enforcing the provisions
of this subtitle and subparts C and E of part 164 of title 45, Code of
Federal Regulations, as such provisions are in effect as of the date of
enactment of this Act.
(2) GAO REPORT- Not later than 18 months after the date
of the enactment of this title, the Comptroller General shall submit to
the Secretary a report including recommendations for a methodology
under which an individual who is harmed by an act that constitutes an
offense referred to in paragraph (1) may receive a percentage of any
civil monetary penalty or monetary settlement collected with respect to
such offense.
(3) ESTABLISHMENT OF METHODOLOGY TO DISTRIBUTE
PERCENTAGE OF CMPS COLLECTED TO HARMED INDIVIDUALS- Not later than 3
years after the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary
shall establish by regulation and based on the recommendations
submitted under paragraph (2), a methodology under which an individual
who is harmed by an act that constitutes an offense referred to in
paragraph (1) may receive a percentage of any civil monetary penalty or
monetary settlement collected with respect to such offense.
(4) APPLICATION OF METHODOLOGY- The methodology under
paragraph (3) shall be applied with respect to civil monetary penalties
or monetary settlements imposed on or after the effective date of the
regulation.
(d) Tiered Increase in Amount of Civil Monetary Penalties-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 1176(a)(1) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-5(a)(1)) is amended by striking `who
violates a provision of this part a penalty of not more than' and all
that follows and inserting the following: `who violates a provision of
this part--
`(A) in the case of a violation of such provision
in which it is established that the person did not know (and by
exercising reasonable diligence would not have known) that such person
violated such provision, a penalty for each such violation of an amount
that is at least the amount described in paragraph (3)(A) but not to
exceed the amount described in paragraph (3)(D);
`(B) in the case of a violation of such provision
in which it is established that the violation was due to reasonable
cause and not to willful neglect, a penalty for each such violation of
an amount that is at least the amount described in paragraph (3)(B) but
not to exceed the amount described in paragraph (3)(D); and
`(C) in the case of a violation of such provision in which it is established that the violation was due to willful neglect--
`(i) if the violation is corrected as described
in subsection (b)(3)(A), a penalty in an amount that is at least the
amount described in paragraph (3)(C) but not to exceed the amount
described in paragraph (3)(D); and
`(ii) if the violation is not corrected as
described in such subsection, a penalty in an amount that is at least
the amount described in paragraph (3)(D).
In determining the amount of a penalty under this
section for a violation, the Secretary shall base such determination on
the nature and extent of the violation and the nature and extent of the
harm resulting from such violation.'.
(2) TIERS OF PENALTIES DESCRIBED- Section 1176(a) of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-5(a)) is further amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
`(3) TIERS OF PENALTIES DESCRIBED- For purposes of
paragraph (1), with respect to a violation by a person of a provision
of this part--
`(A) the amount described in this subparagraph is
$100 for each such violation, except that the total amount imposed on
the person for all such violations of an identical requirement or
prohibition during a calendar year may not exceed $25,000;
`(B) the amount described in this subparagraph is
$1,000 for each such violation, except that the total amount imposed on
the person for all such violations of an identical requirement or
prohibition during a calendar year may not exceed $100,000;
`(C) the amount described in this subparagraph is
$10,000 for each such violation, except that the total amount imposed
on the person for all such violations of an identical requirement or
prohibition during a calendar year may not exceed $250,000; and
`(D) the amount described in this subparagraph is
$50,000 for each such violation, except that the total amount imposed
on the person for all such violations of an identical requirement or
prohibition during a calendar year may not exceed $1,500,000.'.
(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- Section 1176(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-5(b)) is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
(B) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking `in
subparagraph (B), a penalty may not be imposed under subsection (a) if'
and all that follows through `the failure to comply is corrected' and
inserting `in subparagraph (B) or subsection (a)(1)(C), a penalty may
not be imposed under subsection (a) if the failure to comply is
corrected'; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking `(A)(ii)' and inserting `(A)' each place it appears.
(4) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this
subsection shall apply to violations occurring after the date of the
enactment of this title.
(e) Enforcement Through State Attorneys General-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 1176 of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1320d-5) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
`(c) Enforcement by State Attorneys General-
`(1) CIVIL ACTION- Except as provided in subsection
(b), in any case in which the attorney general of a State has reason to
believe that an interest of one or more of the residents of that State
has been or is threatened or adversely affected by any person who
violates a provision of this part, the attorney general of the State,
as parens patriae, may bring a civil action on behalf of such residents
of the State in a district court of the United States of appropriate
jurisdiction--
`(A) to enjoin further such violation by the defendant; or
`(B) to obtain damages on behalf of such residents
of the State, in an amount equal to the amount determined under
paragraph (2).
`(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of paragraph (1)(B),
the amount determined under this paragraph is the amount calculated by
multiplying the number of violations by up to $100. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, in the case of a continuing violation, the number
of violations shall be determined consistent with the HIPAA privacy
regulations (as defined in section 1180(b)(3)) for violations of
subsection (a).
`(B) LIMITATION- The total amount of damages
imposed on the person for all violations of an identical requirement or
prohibition during a calendar year may not exceed $25,000.
`(C) REDUCTION OF DAMAGES- In assessing damages
under subparagraph (A), the court may consider the factors the
Secretary may consider in determining the amount of a civil money
penalty under subsection (a) under the HIPAA privacy regulations.
`(3) ATTORNEY FEES- In the case of any successful
action under paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may award the
costs of the action and reasonable attorney fees to the State.
`(4) NOTICE TO SECRETARY- The State shall serve prior
written notice of any action under paragraph (1) upon the Secretary and
provide the Secretary with a copy of its complaint, except in any case
in which such prior notice is not feasible, in which case the State
shall serve such notice immediately upon instituting such action. The
Secretary shall have the right--
`(A) to intervene in the action;
`(B) upon so intervening, to be heard on all matters arising therein; and
`(C) to file petitions for appeal.
`(5) CONSTRUCTION- For purposes of bringing any civil
action under paragraph (1), nothing in this section shall be construed
to prevent an attorney general of a State from exercising the powers
conferred on the attorney general by the laws of that State.
`(6) VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS-
`(A) VENUE- Any action brought under paragraph (1)
may be brought in the district court of the United States that meets
applicable requirements relating to venue under section 1391 of title
28, United States Code.
`(B) SERVICE OF PROCESS- In an action brought under
paragraph (1), process may be served in any district in which the
defendant--
`(i) is an inhabitant; or
`(ii) maintains a physical place of business.
`(7) LIMITATION ON STATE ACTION WHILE FEDERAL ACTION IS
PENDING- If the Secretary has instituted an action against a person
under subsection (a) with respect to a specific violation of this part,
no State attorney general may bring an action under this subsection
against the person with respect to such violation during the pendency
of that action.
`(8) APPLICATION OF CMP STATUTE OF LIMITATION- A civil
action may not be instituted with respect to a violation of this part
unless an action to impose a civil money penalty may be instituted
under subsection (a) with respect to such violation consistent with the
second sentence of section 1128A(c)(1).'.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- Subsection (b) of such section, as amended by subsection (d)(3), is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking `A penalty may
not be imposed under subsection (a)' and inserting `No penalty may be
imposed under subsection (a) and no damages obtained under subsection
(c)';
(B) in paragraph (2)(A)--
(i) in the matter before clause (i), by
striking `a penalty may not be imposed under subsection (a)' and
inserting `no penalty may be imposed under subsection (a) and no
damages obtained under subsection (c)'; and
(ii) in clause (ii), by inserting `or damages' after `the penalty';
(C) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking `The
period' and inserting `With respect to the imposition of a penalty by
the Secretary under subsection (a), the period'; and
(D) in paragraph (3), by inserting `and any damages under subsection (c)' after `any penalty under subsection (a)'.
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this
subsection shall apply to violations occurring after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(f) Allowing Continued Use of Corrective Action- Such
section is further amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
`(d) Allowing Continued Use of Corrective Action- Nothing
in this section shall be construed as preventing the Office of Civil
Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services from continuing,
in its discretion, to use corrective action without a penalty in cases
where the person did not know (and by exercising reasonable diligence
would not have known) of the violation involved.'.
SEC. 4411. AUDITS.
The Secretary shall provide for periodic audits to ensure
that covered entities and business associates that are subject to the
requirements of this subtitle and subparts C and E of part 164 of title
45, Code of Federal Regulations, as such provisions are in effect as of
the date of enactment of this Act, comply with such requirements.
SEC. 4412. SPECIAL RULE FOR INFORMATION TO REDUCE MEDICATION ERRORS AND IMPROVE PATIENT SAFETY.
Nothing under this subtitle shall prevent a pharmacist from
communicating with patients in order to reduce medication errors and
improve patient safety provided there is no remuneration other than for
the treatment of the individual and payment for such treatment of the
individual as defined in 45 CFR 164.501. The Secretary may by
regulation authorize a pharmacy to receive remuneration that does not
exceed their reasonable out-of-pocket costs for such communications if
the Secretary determines that allowing this remuneration improves
patient care and protects protected health information.
PART II--RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS; REGULATORY REFERENCES; EFFECTIVE DATE; REPORTS
SEC. 4421. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.
(a) Application of HIPAA State Preemption- Section 1178 of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d-7) shall apply to a provision
or requirement under this subtitle in the same manner that such section
applies to a provision or requirement under part C of title XI of such
Act or a standard or implementation specification adopted or
established under sections 1172 through 1174 of such Act.
(b) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-
The standards governing the privacy and security of individually
identifiable health information promulgated by the Secretary under
sections 262(a) and 264 of the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 shall remain in effect to the extent that
they are consistent with this subtitle. The Secretary shall by rule
amend such Federal regulations as required to make such regulations
consistent with this subtitle.
SEC. 4422. REGULATORY REFERENCES.
Each reference in this subtitle to a provision of the Code
of Federal Regulations refers to such provision as in effect on the
date of the enactment of this title (or to the most recent update of
such provision).
SEC. 4423. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as otherwise specifically provided, the provisions
of part I shall take effect on the date that is 12 months after the
date of the enactment of this title.
SEC. 4424. STUDIES, REPORTS, GUIDANCE.
(a) Report on Compliance-
(1) IN GENERAL- For the first year beginning after the
date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the
Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Ways
and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives a report concerning complaints of alleged violations of
law, including the provisions of this subtitle as well as the
provisions of subparts C and E of part 164 of title 45, Code of Federal
Regulations, (as such provisions are in effect as of the date of
enactment of this Act) relating to privacy and security of health
information that are received by the Secretary during the year for
which the report is being prepared. Each such report shall include,
with respect to such complaints received during the year--
(A) the number of such complaints;
(B) the number of such complaints resolved
informally, a summary of the types of such complaints so resolved, and
the number of covered entities that received technical assistance from
the Secretary during such year in order to achieve compliance with such
provisions and the types of such technical assistance provided;
(C) the number of such complaints that have
resulted in the imposition of civil monetary penalties or have been
resolved through monetary settlements, including the nature of the
complaints involved and the amount paid in each penalty or settlement;
(D) the number of compliance reviews conducted and the outcome of each such review;
(E) the number of subpoenas or inquiries issued;
(F) the Secretary's plan for improving compliance with and enforcement of such provisions for the following year; and
(G) the number of audits performed and a summary of audit findings pursuant to section 4411.
(2) AVAILABILITY TO PUBLIC- Each report under paragraph
(1) shall be made available to the public on the Internet website of
the Department of Health and Human Services.
(b) Study and Report on Application of Privacy and Security Requirements to Non-HIPAA Covered Entities-
(1) STUDY- Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this title, the Secretary, in consultation with the
Federal Trade Commission, shall conduct a study, and submit a report
under paragraph (2), on privacy and security requirements for entities
that are not covered entities or business associates as of the date of
the enactment of this title, including--
(A) requirements relating to security, privacy, and
notification in the case of a breach of security or privacy (including
the applicability of an exemption to notification in the case of
individually identifiable health information that has been rendered
unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable through technologies or
methodologies recognized by appropriate professional organization or
standard setting bodies to provide effective security for the
information) that should be applied to--
(i) vendors of personal health records;
(ii) entities that offer products or services through the website of a vendor of personal health records;
(iii) entities that are not covered entities
and that offer products or services through the websites of covered
entities that offer individuals personal health records;
(iv) entities that are not covered entities and
that access information in a personal health record or send information
to a personal health record; and
(v) third party service providers used by a
vendor or entity described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) to
assist in providing personal health record products or services;
(B) a determination of which Federal government
agency is best equipped to enforce such requirements recommended to be
applied to such vendors, entities, and service providers under
subparagraph (A); and
(C) a timeframe for implementing regulations based on such findings.
(2) REPORT- The Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Finance, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions,
and the Committee on Commerce of the Senate and the Committee on Ways
and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives a report on the findings of the study under paragraph
(1) and shall include in such report recommendations on the privacy and
security requirements described in such paragraph.
(c) Guidance on Implementation Specification To De-Identify
Protected Health Information- Not later than 12 months after the date
of the enactment of this title, the Secretary shall, in consultation
with stakeholders, issue guidance on how best to implement the
requirements for the de-identification of protected health information
under section 164.514(b) of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations.
(d) GAO Report on Treatment Disclosures- Not later than one
year after the date of the enactment of this title, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Ways
and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives a report on the best practices related to the
disclosure among health care providers of protected health information
of an individual for purposes of treatment of such individual. Such
report shall include an examination of the best practices implemented
by States and by other entities, such as health information exchanges
and regional health information organizations, an examination of the
extent to which such best practices are successful with respect to the
quality of the resulting health care provided to the individual and
with respect to the ability of the health care provider to manage such
best practices, and an examination of the use of electronic informed
consent for disclosing protected health information for treatment,
payment, and health care operations.
Subtitle E--Miscellaneous Medicare Provisions
SEC. 4501. MORATORIA ON CERTAIN MEDICARE REGULATIONS.
(a) Delay in Phase Out of Medicare Hospice Budget
Neutrality Adjustment Factor During Fiscal Year 2009- Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, including the final rule published on
August 8, 2008, 73 Federal Register 46464 et seq., relating to Medicare
Program; Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2009, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall not phase out or eliminate the budget
neutrality adjustment factor in the Medicare hospice wage index before
October 1, 2009, and the Secretary shall recompute and apply the final
Medicare hospice wage index for fiscal year 2009 as if there had been
no reduction in the budget neutrality adjustment factor.
(b) Non-Application of Phased-Out Indirect Medical Education (IME) Adjustment Factor for Fiscal Year 2009-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 412.322 of title 42, Code of
Federal Regulations, shall be applied without regard to paragraph (c)
of such section, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
recompute payments for discharges occurring on or after October 1,
2008, as if such paragraph had never been in effect.
(2) NO EFFECT ON SUBSEQUENT YEARS- Nothing in paragraph
(1) shall be construed as having any effect on the application of
paragraph (d) of section 412.322 of title 42, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(c) Funding for Implementation- In addition to funds
otherwise available, for purposes of implementing the provisions of
subsections (a) and (b), including costs incurred in reprocessing
claims in carrying out such provisions, the Secretary of Health and
Human Services shall provide for the transfer from the Federal Hospital
Insurance Trust Fund established under section 1817 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i) to the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services Program Management Account of $2,000,000 for fiscal
year 2009.
SEC. 4502. LONG-TERM CARE HOSPITAL TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
(a) Payment- Subsection (c) of section 114 of the Medicare,
Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-173) is
amended--
(A) by amending the heading to read as follows: `DELAY IN APPLICATION OF 25 PERCENT PATIENT THRESHOLD PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT';
(B) by striking `the date of the enactment of this Act' and inserting `July 1, 2007,'; and
(C) in subparagraph (A), by inserting `or to a
long-term care hospital, or satellite facility, that as of December 29,
2007, was co-located with an entity that is a provider-based,
off-campus location of a subsection (d) hospital which did not provide
services payable under section 1886(d) of the Social Security Act at
the off-campus location' after `freestanding long-term care hospitals';
and
(A) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by inserting `or that
is described in section 412.22(h)(3)(i) of such title' before the
period; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking `the date of
the enactment of this Act' and inserting `October 1, 2007 (or July 1,
2007, in the case of a satellite facility described in section
412.22(h)(3)(i) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations)'.
(b) Moratorium- Subsection (d)(3)(A) of such section is
amended by striking `if the hospital or facility' and inserting `if the
hospital or facility obtained a certificate of need for an increase in
beds that is in a State for which such certificate of need is required
and that was issued on or after April 1, 2005, and before December 29,
2007, or if the hospital or facility'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section
shall be effective and apply as if included in the enactment of the
Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (Public Law
110-173).
TITLE V--MEDICAID PROVISIONS
SEC. 5000. TABLE OF CONTENTS OF TITLE.
The table of contents of this title is as follows:
Sec. 5000. Table of contents of title.
Sec. 5001. Temporary increase of Medicaid FMAP.
Sec. 5002. Moratoria on certain regulations.
Sec. 5003. Transitional Medicaid assistance (TMA).
Sec. 5004. Protections for Indians under Medicaid and CHIP.
Sec. 5005. Consultation on Medicaid and CHIP.
Sec. 5006. Temporary increase in DSH allotments during recession.
SEC. 5001. TEMPORARY INCREASE OF MEDICAID FMAP.
(a) Permitting Maintenance of FMAP- Subject to subsections
(e), (f), and (g), if the FMAP determined without regard to this
section for a State for--
(1) fiscal year 2009 is less than the FMAP as so
determined for fiscal year 2008, the FMAP for the State for fiscal year
2008 shall be substituted for the State's FMAP for fiscal year 2009,
before the application of this section;
(2) fiscal year 2010 is less than the FMAP as so
determined for fiscal year 2008 or fiscal year 2009 (after the
application of paragraph (1)), the greater of such FMAP for the State
for fiscal year 2008 or fiscal year 2009 shall be substituted for the
State's FMAP for fiscal year 2010, before the application of this
section; and
(3) fiscal year 2011 is less than the FMAP as so
determined for fiscal year 2008, fiscal year 2009 (after the
application of paragraph (1)), or fiscal year 2010 (after the
application of paragraph (2)), the greatest of such FMAP for the State
for fiscal year 2008, fiscal year 2009, or fiscal year 2010 shall be
substituted for the State's FMAP for fiscal year 2011, before the
application of this section, but only for the first calendar quarter in
fiscal year 2011.
(b) General 4.9 Percentage Point Increase-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to subsections (e), (f), and
(g) and paragraph (2), for each State for calendar quarters during the
recession adjustment period (as defined in subsection (h)(2)), the FMAP
(after the application of subsection (a)) shall be increased (without
regard to any limitation otherwise specified in section 1905(b) of the
Social Security Act) by 4.9 percentage points.
(2) SPECIAL ELECTION FOR TERRITORIES- In the case of a
State that is not one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia,
paragraph (1) shall only apply if the State makes a one-time election,
in a form and manner specified by the Secretary and for the entire
recession adjustment period, to apply the increase in FMAP under
paragraph (1) and a 10 percent increase under subsection (d) instead of
applying a 20 percent increase under subsection (d).
(c) Additional Adjustment To Reflect Increase in Unemployment-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to subsections (e), (f), and
(g), in the case of a State that is a high unemployment State (as
defined in paragraph (2)) for a calendar quarter during the recession
adjustment period, the FMAP (taking into account the application of
subsections (a) and (b)) for such quarter shall be further increased by
the high unemployment percentage point adjustment specified in
paragraph (3) for the State for the quarter.
(2) HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT STATE-
(A) IN GENERAL- In this subsection, subject to
subparagraph (B), the term `high unemployment State' means, with
respect to a calendar quarter in the recession adjustment period, a
State that is 1 of the 50 States or the District of Columbia and for
which the State unemployment increase percentage (as computed under
paragraph (5)) for the quarter is not less than 1.5 percentage points.
(B) MAINTENANCE OF STATUS- If a State is a high
unemployment State for a calendar quarter, it shall remain a high
unemployment State for each subsequent calendar quarter ending before
July 1, 2010.
(3) HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT PERCENTAGE POINT ADJUSTMENT-
(A) IN GENERAL- The high unemployment percentage
point adjustment specified in this paragraph for a high unemployment
State for a quarter is equal to the product of--
(i) the SMAP for such State and quarter
(determined after the application of subsection (a) and before the
application of subsection (b)); and
(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), the State
unemployment reduction factor specified in paragraph (4) for the State
and quarter.
(B) MAINTENANCE OF ADJUSTMENT LEVEL FOR CERTAIN
QUARTERS- In no case shall the State unemployment reduction factor
applied under subparagraph (A)(ii) for a State for a quarter (beginning
on or after January 1, 2009, and ending before July 1, 2010) be less
than the State unemployment reduction factor applied to the State for
the previous quarter (taking into account the application of this
subparagraph).
(4) STATE UNEMPLOYMENT REDUCTION FACTOR- In the case of
a high unemployment State for which the State unemployment increase
percentage (as computed under paragraph (5)) with respect to a calendar
quarter is--
(A) not less than 1.5, but is less than 2.5,
percentage points, the State unemployment reduction factor for the
State and quarter is 6 percent;
(B) not less than 2.5, but is less than 3.5,
percentage points, the State unemployment reduction factor for the
State and quarter is 12 percent; or
(C) not less than 3.5 percentage points, the State unemployment reduction factor for the State and quarter is 14 percent.
(5) COMPUTATION OF STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INCREASE PERCENTAGE-
(A) IN GENERAL- In this subsection, the `State
unemployment increase percentage' for a State for a calendar quarter is
equal to the number of percentage points (if any) by which--
(i) the average monthly unemployment rate for
the State for months in the most recent previous 3-consecutive-month
period for which data are available, subject to subparagraph (C);
exceeds
(ii) the lowest average monthly unemployment
rate for the State for any 3-consecutive-month period preceding the
period described in clause (i) and beginning on or after January 1,
2006.
(B) AVERAGE MONTHLY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DEFINED- In
this paragraph, the term `average monthly unemployment rate' means the
average of the monthly number unemployed, divided by the average of the
monthly civilian labor force, seasonally adjusted, as determined based
on the most recent monthly publications of the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the Department of Labor.
(C) SPECIAL RULE- With respect to--
(i) the first 2 calendar quarters of the
recession adjustment period, the most recent previous
3-consecutive-month period described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be
the 3-consecutive-month period beginning with October 2008; and
(ii) the last 2 calendar quarters of the
recession adjustment period, the most recent previous
3-consecutive-month period described in such subparagraph shall be the
3-consecutive-month period beginning with December 2009.
(d) Increase in Cap on Medicaid Payments to Territories-
Subject to subsections (f) and (g) , with respect to entire fiscal
years occurring during the recession adjustment period and with respect
to fiscal years only a portion of which occurs during such period (and
in proportion to the portion of the fiscal year that occurs during such
period), the amounts otherwise determined for Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa under
subsections (f) and (g) of section 1108 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1308) shall each be increased by 20 percent (or, in the case of
an election under subsection (b)(2), 10 percent).
(e) Scope of Application- The increases in the FMAP for a
State under this section shall apply for purposes of title XIX of the
Social Security Act and--
(1) the increases applied under subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply with respect--
(A) to payments under parts A, B, and D of title IV or title XXI of such Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq. and 1397aa et seq.);
(B) to payments under title XIX of such Act that
are based on the enhanced FMAP described in section 2105(b) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1397ee(b)); and
(C) to payments for disproportionate share hospital
(DSH) payment adjustments under section 1923 of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1396r-4); and
(2) the increase provided under subsection (c) shall not apply with respect to payments under part E of title IV of such Act.
(f) State Ineligibility and Limitation-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a
State is not eligible for an increase in its FMAP under subsection (a),
(b), or (c), or an increase in a cap amount under subsection (d), if
eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures under its State
plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (including any waiver
under such title or under section 1115 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1315))
are more restrictive than the eligibility standards, methodologies, or
procedures, respectively, under such plan (or waiver) as in effect on
July 1, 2008.
(2) STATE REINSTATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY PERMITTED-
Subject to paragraph (3), a State that has restricted eligibility
standards, methodologies, or procedures under its State plan under
title XIX of the Social Security Act (including any waiver under such
title or under section 1115 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1315)) after July 1,
2008, is no longer ineligible under paragraph (1) beginning with the
first calendar quarter in which the State has reinstated eligibility
standards, methodologies, or procedures that are no more restrictive
than the eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures,
respectively, under such plan (or waiver) as in effect on July 1, 2008.
(3) SPECIAL RULES- A State shall not be ineligible under paragraph (1)--
(A) for the calendar quarters before July 1, 2009,
on the basis of a restriction that was applied after July 1, 2008, and
before the date of the enactment of this Act, if the State, prior to
July 1, 2009, reinstated eligibility standards, methodologies, or
procedures that are no more restrictive than the eligibility standards,
methodologies, or procedures, respectively, under such plan (or waiver)
as in effect on July 1, 2008; or
(B) on the basis of a restriction that was
effective under State law as of July 1, 2008, and would have been in
effect as of such date, but for a delay (of not longer than 1 calendar
quarter) in the approval of a request for a new waiver under section
1115 of such Act with respect to such restriction.
(4) State'S APPLICATION TOWARD RAINY DAY FUND- A State
is not eligible for an increase in its FMAP under subsection (b) or
(c), or an increase in a cap amount under subsection (d), if any
amounts attributable (directly or indirectly) to such increase are
deposited or credited into any reserve or rainy day fund of the State.
(5) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in paragraph (1) or
(2) shall be construed as affecting a State's flexibility with respect
to benefits offered under the State Medicaid program under title XIX of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) (including any waiver
under such title or under section 1115 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1315)).
(6) NO WAIVER AUTHORITY- The Secretary may not waive
the application of this subsection or subsection (g) under section 1115
of the Social Security Act or otherwise.
(g) Requirement for Certain States- In the case of a State
that requires political subdivisions within the State to contribute
toward the non-Federal share of expenditures under the State Medicaid
plan required under section 1902(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1396a(a)(2)), the State is not eligible for an increase in its
FMAP under subsection (a), (b), or (c), or an increase in a cap amount
under subsection (d), if it requires that such political subdivisions
pay a greater percentage of the non-Federal share of such expenditures
for quarters during the recession adjustment period, than the
percentage that would have been required by the State under such plan
on September 30, 2008, prior to application of this section.
(h) Definitions- In this section, except as otherwise provided:
(1) FMAP- The term `FMAP' means the Federal medical
assistance percentage, as defined in section 1905(b) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(b)), as determined without regard to this
section except as otherwise specified.
(2) RECESSION ADJUSTMENT PERIOD- The term `recession
adjustment period' means the period beginning on October 1, 2008, and
ending on December 31, 2010.
(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(4) SMAP- The term `SMAP' means, for a State, 100 percent minus the Federal medical assistance percentage.
(5) STATE- The term `State' has the meaning given such
term in section 1101(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1301(a)(1)) for purposes of title XIX of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
(i) Sunset- This section shall not apply to items and services furnished after the end of the recession adjustment period.
SEC. 5002. MORATORIA ON CERTAIN REGULATIONS.
(a) Extension of Moratoria on Certain Medicaid Regulations-
The following sections are each amended by striking `April 1, 2009' and
inserting `July 1, 2009':
(1) Section 7002(a)(1) of the U.S. Troop Readiness,
Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability
Appropriations Act, 2007 (Public Law 110-28), as amended by section
7001(a)(1) of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law
110-252).
(2) Section 206 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP
Extension Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-173), as amended by section
7001(a)(2) of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law
110-252).
(3) Section 7001(a)(3)(A) of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-252).
(b) Additional Medicaid Moratorium- Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, with respect to expenditures for services
furnished during the period beginning on December 8, 2008 and ending on
June 30, 2009, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not
take any action (through promulgation of regulation, issuance of
regulatory guidance, use of Federal payment audit procedures, or other
administrative action, policy, or practice, including a Medical
Assistance Manual transmittal or letter to State Medicaid directors) to
implement the final regulation relating to clarification of the
definition of outpatient hospital facility services under the Medicaid
program published on November 7, 2008 (73 Federal Register 66187).
SEC. 5003. TRANSITIONAL MEDICAID ASSISTANCE (TMA).
(1) IN GENERAL- Sections 1902(e)(1)(B) and 1925(f) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(1)(B), 1396r-6(f)) are each
amended by striking `September 30, 2003' and inserting `December 31,
2010'.
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on July 1, 2009.
(b) State Option of Initial 12-Month Eligibility- Section 1925 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-6) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting `but subject to
paragraph (5)' after `Notwithstanding any other provision of this
title';
(2) by adding at the end of subsection (a) the following:
`(5) OPTION OF 12-MONTH INITIAL ELIGIBILITY PERIOD- A
State may elect to treat any reference in this subsection to a 6-month
period (or 6 months) as a reference to a 12-month period (or 12
months). In the case of such an election, subsection (b) shall not
apply.'; and
(3) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting `but subject to
subsection (a)(5)' after `Notwithstanding any other provision of this
title'.
(c) Removal of Requirement for Previous Receipt of Medical
Assistance- Section 1925(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-6(a)(1)),
as amended by subsection (b)(1), is further amended--
(1) by inserting `subparagraph (B) and' before `paragraph (5)';
(2) by redesignating the matter after `REQUIREMENT- '
as a subparagraph (A) with the heading `IN GENERAL- ' and with the same
indentation as subparagraph (B) (as added by paragraph (3)); and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(B) STATE OPTION TO WAIVE REQUIREMENT FOR 3 MONTHS
BEFORE RECEIPT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE- A State may, at its option, elect
also to apply subparagraph (A) in the case of a family that was
receiving such aid for fewer than three months or that had applied for
and was eligible for such aid for fewer than 3 months during the 6
immediately preceding months described in such subparagraph.'.
(d) CMS Report on Enrollment and Participation Rates Under
TMA- Section 1925 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-6), as amended by this
section, is further amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
`(g) Collection and Reporting of Participation Information-
`(1) COLLECTION OF INFORMATION FROM STATES- Each State
shall collect and submit to the Secretary (and make publicly
available), in a format specified by the Secretary, information on
average monthly enrollment and average monthly participation rates for
adults and children under this section and of the number and percentage
of children who become ineligible for medical assistance under this
section whose medical assistance is continued under another eligibility
category or who are enrolled under the State's child health plan under
title XXI. Such information shall be submitted at the same time and
frequency in which other enrollment information under this title is
submitted to the Secretary.
`(2) ANNUAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS- Using the information
submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress
annual reports concerning enrollment and participation rates described
in such paragraph.'.
(e) Effective Date- The amendments made by subsections (b) through (d) shall take effect on July 1, 2009.
SEC. 5004. PROTECTIONS FOR INDIANS UNDER MEDICAID AND CHIP.
(a) Premiums and Cost Sharing Protection Under Medicaid-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 1916 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396o) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking `and (i)' and inserting `, (i), and (j)'; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(j) No Premiums or Cost Sharing for Indians Furnished
Items or Services Directly by Indian Health Programs or Through
Referral Under Contract Health Services-
`(1) NO COST SHARING FOR ITEMS OR SERVICES FURNISHED TO INDIANS THROUGH INDIAN HEALTH PROGRAMS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- No enrollment fee, premium, or
similar charge, and no deduction, copayment, cost sharing, or similar
charge shall be imposed against an Indian who is furnished an item or
service directly by the Indian Health Service, an Indian Tribe, Tribal
Organization, or Urban Indian Organization or through referral under
contract health services for which payment may be made under this title.
`(B) NO REDUCTION IN AMOUNT OF PAYMENT TO INDIAN
HEALTH PROVIDERS- Payment due under this title to the Indian Health
Service, an Indian Tribe, Tribal Organization, or Urban Indian
Organization, or a health care provider through referral under contract
health services for the furnishing of an item or service to an Indian
who is eligible for assistance under such title, may not be reduced by
the amount of any enrollment fee, premium, or similar charge, or any
deduction, copayment, cost sharing, or similar charge that would be due
from the Indian but for the operation of subparagraph (A).
`(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this subsection
shall be construed as restricting the application of any other
limitations on the imposition of premiums or cost sharing that may
apply to an individual receiving medical assistance under this title
who is an Indian.'.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 1916A(b)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396o-1(b)(3)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by adding at the end the following new clause:
`(vi) An Indian who is furnished an item or
service directly by the Indian Health Service, an Indian Tribe, Tribal
Organization or Urban Indian Organization or through referral under
contract health services.'; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by adding at the end the following new clause:
`(ix) Items and services furnished to an Indian
directly by the Indian Health Service, an Indian Tribe, Tribal
Organization or Urban Indian Organization or through referral under
contract health services.'.
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on October 1, 2009.
(b) Treatment of Certain Property From Resources for Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility-
(1) MEDICAID- Section 1902 of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1396a), as amended by section 3003(a) of the Health
Insurance Assistance for the Unemployed Act of 2009, is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(ee) Notwithstanding any other requirement of this title
or any other provision of Federal or State law, a State shall disregard
the following property from resources for purposes of determining the
eligibility of an individual who is an Indian for medical assistance
under this title:
`(1) Property, including real property and
improvements, that is held in trust, subject to Federal restrictions,
or otherwise under the supervision of the Secretary of the Interior,
located on a reservation, including any federally recognized Indian
Tribe's reservation, pueblo, or colony, including former reservations
in Oklahoma, Alaska Native regions established by the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act, and Indian allotments on or near a reservation
as designated and approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the
Department of the Interior.
`(2) For any federally recognized Tribe not described
in paragraph (1), property located within the most recent boundaries of
a prior Federal reservation.
`(3) Ownership interests in rents, leases, royalties,
or usage rights related to natural resources (including extraction of
natural resources or harvesting of timber, other plants and plant
products, animals, fish, and shellfish) resulting from the exercise of
federally protected rights.
`(4) Ownership interests in or usage rights to items
not covered by paragraphs (1) through (3) that have unique religious,
spiritual, traditional, or cultural significance or rights that support
subsistence or a traditional lifestyle according to applicable tribal
law or custom.'.
(2) APPLICATION TO CHIP- Section 2107(e)(1) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1397gg(e)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following
new subparagraph:
`(E) Section 1902(ff) (relating to disregard of certain property for purposes of making eligibility determinations).'.
(c) Continuation of Current Law Protections of Certain
Indian Property From Medicaid Estate Recovery- Section 1917(b)(3) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396p(b)(3)) is amended--
(1) by inserting `(A)' after `(3)'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(B) The standards specified by the Secretary under
subparagraph (A) shall require that the procedures established by the
State agency under subparagraph (A) exempt income, resources, and
property that are exempt from the application of this subsection as of
April 1, 2003, under manual instructions issued to carry out this
subsection (as in effect on such date) because of the Federal
responsibility for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Nothing in
this subparagraph shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from
providing additional estate recovery exemptions under this title for
Indians.'.
SEC. 5005. CONSULTATION ON MEDICAID AND CHIP.
(a) In General- Section 1139 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b-9) is amended to read as follows:
`CONSULTATION WITH TRIBAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP (TTAG)
`Sec. 1139. The Secretary shall maintain within the Centers
for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) a Tribal Technical Advisory
Group, which was first established in accordance with requirements of
the charter dated September 30, 2003, and the Secretary shall include
in such Group a representative of the Urban Indian Organizations and
the Service. The representative of the Urban Indian Organization shall
be deemed to be an elected officer of a tribal government for purposes
of applying section 204(b) of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(2 U.S.C. 1534(b)).'.
(b) Solicitation of Advice Under Medicaid and CHIP-
(1) MEDICAID STATE PLAN AMENDMENT- Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (70), by striking `and' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (71), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; and'; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (71), the following new paragraph:
`(72) in the case of any State in which 1 or more
Indian Health Programs or Urban Indian Organizations furnishes health
care services, provide for a process under which the State seeks advice
on a regular, ongoing basis from designees of such Indian Health
Programs and Urban Indian Organizations on matters relating to the
application of this title that are likely to have a direct effect on
such Indian Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations and that--
`(A) shall include solicitation of advice prior to
submission of any plan amendments, waiver requests, and proposals for
demonstration projects likely to have a direct effect on Indians,
Indian Health Programs, or Urban Indian Organizations; and
`(B) may include appointment of an advisory
committee and of a designee of such Indian Health Programs and Urban
Indian Organizations to the medical care advisory committee advising
the State on its State plan under this title.'.
(2) APPLICATION TO CHIP- Section 2107(e)(1) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1397gg(e)(1)), as amended by section 5004(b), is amended by
adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(F) Section 1902(a)(72) (relating to requiring
certain States to seek advice from designees of Indian Health Programs
and Urban Indian Organizations).'.
(c) Rule of Construction- Nothing in the amendments made by
this section shall be construed as superseding existing advisory
committees, working groups, guidance, or other advisory procedures
established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services or by any
State with respect to the provision of health care to Indians.
SEC. 5006. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN DSH ALLOTMENTS DURING RECESSION.
Section 1923(f)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-4(f)(3)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking `paragraph (6)' and inserting `paragraph (6) and subparagraph (E)'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(E) TEMPORARY INCREASE IN ALLOTMENTS DURING RECESSION-
`(i) IN GENERAL- Subject to clause (ii), the DSH allotment for any State--
`(I) for fiscal year 2009 is equal to 102.5
percent of the DSH allotment that would be determined under this
paragraph for the State for fiscal year 2009 without application of
this subparagraph, notwithstanding subparagraph (B);
`(II) for fiscal year 2010 is equal to
102.5 percent of the DSH allotment for the State for fiscal year 2009,
as determined under subclause (I); and
`(III) for each succeeding fiscal year is
equal to the DSH allotment for the State under this paragraph
determined without applying subclauses (I) and (II).
`(ii) APPLICATION- Clause (i) shall not apply
to a State for a year in the case that the DSH allotment for such State
for such year under this paragraph determined without applying clause
(i) would grow higher than the DSH allotment specified under clause (i)
for the State for such year.'.
TITLE VI--BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS
SEC. 6001. INVENTORY OF BROADBAND SERVICE CAPABILITY AND AVAILABILITY.
(a) Establishment- To provide a comprehensive nationwide
inventory of existing broadband service capability and availability,
the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (`NTIA')
shall develop and maintain a broadband inventory map of the United
States that identifies and depicts the geographic extent to which
broadband service capability is deployed and available from a
commercial provider or public provider throughout each State.
(b) Public Availability and Interactivity- Not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the NTIA shall make the
broadband inventory map developed and maintained pursuant to this
section accessible by the public on a World Wide Web site of the NTIA
in a form that is interactive and searchable.
SEC. 6002. WIRELESS AND BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT GRANT PROGRAMS.
(1) IN GENERAL- The National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (`NTIA') is authorized to carry out a
program to award grants to eligible entities for the non-recurring
costs associated with the deployment of broadband infrastructure in
rural, suburban, and urban areas, in accordance with the requirements
of this section.
(2) PROGRAM WEBSITE- The NTIA shall develop and
maintain a website to make publicly available information about the
program described in paragraph (1), including--
(A) each prioritization report submitted by a State under subsection (b);
(B) a list of eligible entities that have applied
for a grant under this section, and the area or areas the entity
proposes to serve; and
(C) the status of each such application, whether approved, denied, or pending.
(1) PRIORITIES REPORT SUBMISSION- Not later than 75
days after the date of enactment of this section, each State intending
to participate in the program under this section shall submit to the
NTIA a report indicating the geographic areas of the State which--
(A) for the purposes of determining the need for
Wireless Deployment Grants under subsection (c), the State considers to
have the greatest priority for--
(i) wireless voice service in unserved areas; and
(ii) advanced wireless broadband service in underserved areas; and
(B) for the purposes of determining the need for
Broadband Deployment Grants under subsection (d), the State considers
to have the greatest priority for--
(i) basic broadband service in unserved areas; and
(ii) advanced broadband service in underserved areas.
(2) LIMITATION- The unserved and underserved areas
identified by a State in the report required by this subsection shall
not represent, in the aggregate, more than 20 percent of the population
of such State.
(c) Wireless Deployment Grants-
(1) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITY- The NTIA shall award Wireless
Deployment Grants in accordance with this subsection from amounts
authorized for Wireless Deployment Grants by this subtitle to eligible
entities to deploy necessary infrastructure for the provision of
wireless voice service or advanced wireless broadband service to end
users in designated areas.
(2) GRANT DISTRIBUTION- The NTIA shall seek to
distribute grants, to the extent possible, so that 25 percent of the
grants awarded under this subsection shall be awarded to eligible
entities for providing wireless voice service to unserved areas and 75
percent of grants awarded under this subsection shall be awarded to
eligible entities for providing advanced wireless broadband service to
underserved areas.
(d) Broadband Deployment Grants-
(1) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITY- The NTIA shall award Broadband
Deployment Grants in accordance with this subsection from amounts
authorized for Broadband Deployment Grants by this subtitle to eligible
entities to deploy necessary infrastructure for the provision of basic
broadband service or advanced broadband service to end users in
designated areas.
(2) GRANT DISTRIBUTION- The NTIA shall seek to
distribute grants, to the extent possible, so that 25 percent of the
grants awarded under this subsection shall be awarded to eligible
entities for providing basic broadband service to unserved areas and 75
percent of grants awarded under this subsection shall be awarded to
eligible entities for providing advanced broadband service to
underserved areas.
(e) Grant Requirements- The NTIA shall--
(1) adopt rules to protect against unjust enrichment; and
(2) ensure that grant recipients--
(A) meet buildout requirements;
(B) maximize use of the supported infrastructure by the public;
(C) operate basic and advanced broadband service networks on an open access basis;
(D) operate advanced wireless broadband service on a wireless open access basis; and
(E) adhere to the principles contained in the
Federal Communications Commission's broadband policy statement (FCC
05-151, adopted August 5, 2005).
(1) SUBMISSION- To be considered for a grant awarded
under subsection (c) or (d), an eligible entity shall submit to the
NTIA an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information and assurances as the NTIA may require. Such an application
shall include--
(A) a cost-study estimate for serving the particular geographic area to be served by the entity;
(B) a proposed build-out schedule to residential households and small businesses in the area;
(C) for applicants for Wireless Deployment Grants
under subsection (c), a build-out schedule for geographic coverage of
such areas; and
(D) any other requirements the NTIA deems necessary.
(A) NOTIFICATION- The NTIA shall notify each
eligible entity that has submitted a complete application whether the
entity has been approved or denied for a grant under this section in a
timely fashion.
(B) GRANT DISTRIBUTION CONSIDERATIONS- In awarding grants under this section, the NTIA shall, to the extent practical--
(i) award not less than one grant in each State;
(ii) give substantial weight to whether an
application is from an eligible entity to deploy infrastructure in an
area that is an area--
(I) identified by a State in a report submitted under subsection (b); or
(II) in which the NTIA determines there
will be a significant amount of public safety or emergency response use
of the infrastructure;
(iii) consider whether an application from an eligible entity to deploy infrastructure in an area--
(I) will, if approved, increase the
affordability of, or subscribership to, service to the greatest
population of underserved users in the area;
(II) will, if approved, enhance service for
health care delivery, education, or children to the greatest population
of underserved users in the area;
(III) contains concrete plans for enhancing computer ownership or computer literacy in the area;
(IV) is from a recipient of more than 20
percent matching grants from State, local, or private entities for
service in the area and the extent of such commitment;
(V) will, if approved, result in unjust
enrichment because the eligible entity has applied for, or intends to
apply for, support for the non-recurring costs through another Federal
program for service in the area; and
(VI) will, if approved, significantly
improve interoperable broadband communications systems available for
use by public safety and emergency response; and
(iv) consider whether the eligible entity is a
socially and economically disadvantaged small business concern, as
defined under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637).
(g) Coordination and Consultation- The NTIA shall
coordinate with the Federal Communications Commission and shall consult
with other appropriate Federal agencies in implementing this section.
(h) Report Required- The NTIA shall submit an annual report
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate for 5 years assessing the impact of the grants funded under this
section on the basis of the objectives and criteria described in
subsection (f)(2)(B)(iii).
(i) Rulemaking Authority- The NTIA shall have the authority
to prescribe such rules as necessary to carry out the purposes of this
section.
(j) Definitions- For the purpose of this section--
(1) the term `advanced broadband service' means a
service delivering data to the end user transmitted at a speed of at
least 45 megabits per second downstream and at least 15 megabits per
second upstream;
(2) the term `advanced wireless broadband service'
means a wireless service delivering to the end user data transmitted at
a speed of at least 3 megabits per second downstream and at least 1
megabit per second upstream over an end-to-end internet protocol
wireless network;
(3) the term `basic broadband service' means a service
delivering data to the end user transmitted at a speed of at least 5
megabits per second downstream and at least 1 megabit per second
upstream;
(4) the term `eligible entity' means--
(A) a provider of wireless voice service, advanced
wireless broadband service, basic broadband service, or advanced
broadband service, including a satellite carrier that provides any such
service;
(B) a State or unit of local government, or agency
or instrumentality thereof, that is or intends to be a provider of any
such service; and
(C) any other entity, including construction
companies, tower companies, backhaul companies, or other service
providers, that the NTIA authorizes by rule to participate in the
programs under this section, if such other entity is required to
provide access to the supported infrastructure on a neutral, reasonable
basis to maximize use;
(5) the term `interoperable broadband communications
systems' means communications systems which enable public safety
agencies to share information among local, State, Federal, and tribal
public safety agencies in the same area using voice or data signals via
advanced wireless broadband service;
(6) the term `open access' shall be defined by the
Federal Communications Commission not later than 45 days after the date
of enactment of this section;
(7) the term `State' includes the District of Columbia and the territories and possessions;
(8) the term `underserved area' shall be defined by the
Federal Communications Commission not later than 45 days after the date
of enactment of this section;
(9) the term `unserved area' shall be defined by the
Federal Communications Commission not later than 45 days after the date
of enactment of this section;
(10) the term `wireless open access' shall be defined
by the Federal Communications Commission not later than 45 days after
the date of enactment of this section; and
(11) the term `wireless voice service' means the provision of two-way, real-time, voice communications using a mobile service.
(k) Review of Definitions- Not later than 3 months after
the date the NTIA makes a broadband inventory map of the United States
accessible to the public pursuant to section 6001(b), the Federal
Communications Commission shall review the definitions of `underserved
area' and `unserved area', as defined by the Commission within 45 days
after the date of enactment of this Act (as required by paragraphs (8)
and (9) of subsection (j)), and shall revise such definitions based on
the data used by the NTIA to develop and maintain such map.
SEC. 6003. NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN.
(a) Report Required- Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section, the Federal Communications Commission
shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, a report containing a national broadband
plan.
(b) Contents of Plan- The national broadband plan required
by this section shall seek to ensure that all people of the United
States have access to broadband capability and shall establish
benchmarks for meeting that goal. The plan shall also include--
(1) an analysis of the most effective and efficient
mechanisms for ensuring broadband access by all people of the United
States;
(2) a detailed strategy for achieving affordability of
such service and maximum utilization of broadband infrastructure and
service by the public; and
(3) a plan for use of broadband infrastructure and
services in advancing consumer welfare, civic participation, public
safety and homeland security, community development, health care
delivery, energy independence and efficiency, education, worker
training, private sector investment, entrepreneurial activity, job
creation and economic growth, and other national purposes.
TITLE VII--ENERGY
SEC. 7001. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT OF 2007.
(a) Section 543(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17153(a)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and
(2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
`(1) 34 percent to eligible units of local government-alternative 1, in accordance with subsection (b);
`(2) 34 percent to eligible units of local government-alternative 2, in accordance with subsection (b);'.
(b) Section 543(b) of the Energy Independence and Security
Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17153(b)) is amended by striking `subsection
(a)(1)' and inserting `subsection (a)(1) or (2)'.
(c) Section 548(a)(1) of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17158(a)(1)) is amending by striking `;
provided' and all that follows through `541(3)(B)'.
SEC. 7002. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE XIII OF THE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT OF 2007.
Title XIII of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17381 and following) is amended as follows:
(1) By amending subparagraph (A) of section 1304(b)(3) to read as follows:
`(A) IN GENERAL- In carrying out the initiative,
the Secretary shall provide financial support to smart grid
demonstration projects in urban, suburban, and rural areas, including
areas where electric system assets are controlled by tax-exempt
entities and areas where electric system assets are controlled by
investor-owned utilities.'.
(2) By amending subparagraph (C) of section 1304(b)(3) to read as follows:
`(C) FEDERAL SHARE OF COST OF TECHNOLOGY
INVESTMENTS- The Secretary shall provide to an electric utility
described in subparagraph (B) or to other parties financial assistance
for use in paying an amount equal to not more than 50 percent of the
cost of qualifying advanced grid technology investments made by the
electric utility or other party to carry out a demonstration project.'.
(3) By inserting after section 1304(b)(3)(D) the following new subparagraphs:
`(E) AVAILABILITY OF DATA- The Secretary shall
establish and maintain a smart grid information clearinghouse in a
timely manner which will make data from smart grid demonstration
projects and other sources available to the public. As a condition of
receiving financial assistance under this subsection, a utility or
other participant in a smart grid demonstration project shall provide
such information as the Secretary may require to become available
through the smart grid information clearinghouse in the form and within
the timeframes as directed by the Secretary. The Secretary shall assure
that business proprietary information and individual customer
information is not included in the information made available through
the clearinghouse.
`(F) OPEN PROTOCOLS AND STANDARDS- The Secretary
shall require as a condition of receiving funding under this subsection
that demonstration projects utilize Internet-based or other open
protocols and standards if available and appropriate.'.
(4) By amending paragraph (2) of section 1304(c) to read as follows:
`(2) to carry out subsection (b), such sums as may be necessary.'.
(5) By amending subsection (a) of section 1306 by
striking `reimbursement of one-fifth (20 percent)' and inserting
`grants of up to one-half (50 percent)'.
(6) By striking the last sentence of subsection (b)(9) of section 1306.
(7) By striking `are eligible for' in subsection (c)(1) of section 1306 and inserting `utilize'.
(8) By amending subsection (e) of section 1306 to read as follows:
`(e) Procedures and Rules- The Secretary shall--
`(1) establish within 60 days after the enactment of
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 procedures by which
applicants can obtain grants of not more than one-half of their
documented costs;
`(2) require as a condition of receiving a grant under
this section that grant recipients utilize Internet-based or other open
protocols and standards if available and appropriate;
`(3) establish procedures to ensure that there is no
duplication or multiple payment or recovery for the same investment or
costs, that the grant goes to the party making the actual expenditures
for qualifying smart grid investments, and that the grants made have
significant effect in encouraging and facilitating the development of a
smart grid;
`(4) maintain public records of grants made, recipients, and qualifying smart grid investments which have received grants;
`(5) establish procedures to provide advance payment of moneys up to the full amount of the grant award; and
`(6) have and exercise the discretion to deny grants
for investments that do not qualify in the reasonable judgment of the
Secretary.'.
SEC. 7003. RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.
(a) Amendment- Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(42 U.S.C. 16511 et seq.) is amended by adding the following at the end:
`SEC. 1705. TEMPORARY PROGRAM FOR RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION PROJECTS.
`(a) In General- Notwithstanding section 1703, the
Secretary may make guarantees under this section only for commercial
technology projects under subsection (b) that will commence
construction not later than September 30, 2011.
`(b) Categories- Projects from only the following categories shall be eligible for support under this section:
`(1) Renewable energy systems, including incremental hydropower, that generate electricity.
`(2) Electric power transmission systems, including upgrading and reconductoring projects.
`(3) Leading edge biofuel projects that will use
technologies performing at the pilot or demonstration scale that the
Secretary determines are likely to become commercial technologies and
will produce transportation fuels that substantially reduce life-cycle
greenhouse gas emissions compared to other transportation fuels.
`(c) Factors Relating to Electric Power Transmission
Systems- In determining to make guarantees to projects described in
subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall consider the following factors:
`(1) The viability of the project without guarantees.
`(2) The availability of other Federal and State incentives.
`(3) The importance of the project in meeting reliability needs.
`(4) The effect of the project in meeting a State or region's environment (including climate change) and energy goals.
`(d) Wage Rate Requirements- The Secretary shall require
that each recipient of support under this section provide reasonable
assurance that all laborers and mechanics employed in the performance
of the project for which the assistance is provided, including those
employed by contractors or subcontractors, will be paid wages at rates
not less than those prevailing on similar work in the locality as
determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV
of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 40, United States Code
(commonly referred to as the `Davis-Bacon Act').
`(e) Limitation- Funding under this section for projects described in subsection (b)(3) shall not exceed $500,000,000.
`(f) Sunset- The authority to enter into guarantees under this section shall expire on September 30, 2011.'.
(b) Table of Contents Amendment- The table of contents for
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 1704 the following new item:
`Sec. 1705. Temporary program for rapid deployment of renewable energy and electric power transmission projects.'.
SEC. 7004. WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AMENDMENTS.
(a) Income Level- Section 412(7) of the Energy Conservation
and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6862(7)) is amended by striking `150
percent' both places it appears and inserting `200 percent'.
(b) Assistance Level Per Dwelling Unit- Section 415(c)(1)
of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(1)) is
amended by striking `$2,500' and inserting `$5,000'.
(c) Effective Use of Funds- In providing funds made
available by this Act for the Weatherization Assistance Program, the
Secretary may encourage States to give priority to using such funds for
the most cost-effective efficiency activities, which may include
insulation of attics, if, in the Secretary's view, such use of funds
would increase the effectiveness of the program.
SEC. 7005. RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION STUDY.
In completing the 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study, the Secretary of Energy shall include--
(1) an analysis of the significant potential sources of
renewable energy that are constrained in accessing appropriate market
areas by lack of adequate transmission capacity;
(2) an analysis of the reasons for failure to develop the adequate transmission capacity;
(3) recommendations for achieving adequate transmission capacity;
(4) an analysis of the extent to which legal challenges
filed at the State and Federal level are delaying the construction of
transmission necessary to access renewable energy; and
(5) an explanation of assumptions and projections made in the Study, including--
(A) assumptions and projections relating to energy efficiency improvements in each load center;
(B) assumptions and projections regarding the location and type of projected new generation capacity; and
(C) assumptions and projections regarding projected deployment of distributed generation infrastructure.
SEC. 7006. ADDITIONAL STATE ENERGY GRANTS.
(a) In General- Amounts appropriated in paragraph (6) under
the heading `Department of Energy--Energy Programs--Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy' in title V of division A of this Act shall be
available to the Secretary of Energy for making additional grants under
part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42
U.S.C. 6321 et seq.). The Secretary shall make grants under this
section in excess of the base allocation established for a State under
regulations issued pursuant to the authorization provided in section
365(f) of such Act only if the governor of the recipient State notifies
the Secretary of Energy that the governor will seek, to the extent of
his or her authority, to ensure that each of the following will occur:
(1) The applicable State regulatory authority will
implement the following regulatory policies for each electric and gas
utility with respect to which the State regulatory authority has
ratemaking authority:
(A) Policies that ensure that a utility's recovery
of prudent fixed costs of service is timely and independent of its
retail sales, without in the process shifting prudent costs from
variable to fixed charges. This cost shifting constraint shall not
apply to rate designs adopted prior to the date of enactment of this
Act.
(B) Cost recovery for prudent investments by utilities in energy efficiency.
(C) An earnings opportunity for utilities associated with cost-effective energy efficiency savings.
(2) The State, or the applicable units of local
government that have authority to adopt building codes, will implement
the following:
(A) A building energy code (or codes) for
residential buildings that meets or exceeds the most recently published
International Energy Conservation Code, or achieves equivalent or
greater energy savings.
(B) A building energy code (or codes) for
commercial buildings throughout the State that meets or exceeds the
ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007, or achieves equivalent or greater
energy savings.
(C) A plan for the jurisdiction achieving
compliance with the building energy code or codes described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) within 8 years of the date of enactment of
this Act in at least 90 percent of new and renovated residential and
commercial building space. Such plan shall include active training and
enforcement programs and measurement of the rate of compliance each
year.
(3) The State will to the extent practicable prioritize
the grants toward funding energy efficiency and renewable energy
programs, including--
(A) the expansion of existing energy efficiency
programs approved by the State or the appropriate regulatory authority,
including energy efficiency retrofits of buildings and industrial
facilities, that are funded--
(ii) through rates under the oversight of the applicable regulatory authority, to the extent applicable;
(B) the expansion of existing programs, approved by
the State or the appropriate regulatory authority, to support renewable
energy projects and deployment activities, including programs operated
by entities which have the authority and capability to manage and
distribute grants, loans, performance incentives, and other forms of
financial assistance; and
(C) cooperation and joint activities between States
to advance more efficient and effective use of this funding to support
the priorities described in this paragraph.
(b) State Match- The State cost share requirement under the
item relating to `DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY; energy conservation' in title
II of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1985 (42 U.S.C. 6323a; 98 Stat. 1861) shall not
apply to assistance provided under this section.
(c) Equipment and Materials for Energy Efficiency Measures-
No limitation on the percentage of funding that may be used for the
purchase and installation of equipment and materials for energy
efficiency measures under grants provided under part D of title III of
the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.) shall
apply to assistance provided under this section.
SEC. 7007. INAPPLICABILITY OF LIMITATION.
The limitations in section 399A(f)(2), (3), and (4) of the
Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6371h-1(f)(2), (3), and
(4)) shall not apply to grants funded with appropriations provided by
this Act, except that such grant funds shall be available for not more
than an amount equal to 80 percent of the costs of the project for
which the grant is provided.
Passed the House of Representatives January 28, 2009.
Attest:
Clerk.
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1
AN ACT
Making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and
creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science,
assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization,
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.
END