Defence

American-Made Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2013

American-Made Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to implement a leasing program that includes at least 50% of the available unleased acreage within each outer Continental Shelf (OCS) planning area considered to have the largest undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources, with an emphasis on offering the most geologically prospective parts of the planning area. Instructs the Secretary, in developing a five-year oil and gas leasing program, to determine a specified domestic strategic production goal for the development of oil and natural gas as a result of that program. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop and submit a new five-year oil and gas leasing program, (2) conduct offshore oil and gas Lease Sale 220 within one year after enactment of this Act, and (3) make replacement lease blocks available in the Virginia lease sale planning area that are acceptable for oil and gas exploration and production if the Secretary of Defense (DOD) proposes deferral from a lease offering due to defense-related activities irreconcilable with mineral exploration and development. Instructs the Secretary to conduct a lease sale within two years after enactment of this Act for areas off the coast of South Carolina that have the most geologically promising hydrocarbon resources and constituting at least 25% of the leasable area within the South Carolina offshore administrative boundaries. Directs the Secretary to: (1) offer for sale by December 31, 2014, leases of tracts in the Santa Maria and Santa Barbara/Ventura Basins of the Southern California OCS Planning Area; and (2) prepare for all lease sales required under this Act a multisale environmental impact statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Allocates 37.5% of the amount of new federal leasing revenues to coastal states that are: (1) impacted by the leases under which those revenues are received by the United States, and (2) within 200 miles of the leased tract. Amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 to revise revenue allocations among Gulf producing states and coastal political subdivisions for FY2007-FY2014 (currently FY2007-FY2016) and for FY2015 (currently FY2017) and thereafter. Increases by $250 million the $500 million limitation placed upon the amount of distributed qualified outer Continental Shelf revenues made available for each of FY2016-FY2055, upon the issuance of each five-year OCS oil and gas leasing program. Establishes in the Department of the Interior: (1) an Under Secretary for Energy, Lands, and Minerals; (2) an Assistant Secretary of Ocean Energy and Safety; (3) an Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management; (4) a Bureau of Ocean Energy; (5) an Ocean Energy Safety Service; and (6) an Office of Natural Resources Revenue. Prohibits an individual that conducts permitting or inspections under this Act from either participating in a strike, or asserting the right to strike. Instructs the Secretary to establish: (1) a National Offshore Energy Safety Academy, and (2) an Outer Continental Shelf Energy Safety Advisory Board. Requires the Secretary to: (1) certify annually that all Interior Department personnel having either regular, direct official contact with government contractors, or conducting investigations, issuing permits, or overseeing energy programs, comply fully with federal employee ethics laws and regulations; and (3) conduct a random drug testing program of such personnel. Abolishes the Minerals Management Service. Directs the Secretary to collect non-refundable fees from the operators of facilities subject to inspection under this Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Ocean Energy Enforcement Fund as depository for such fees. Redefines the OCS to include all submerged lands lying within the U.S. exclusive economic zone and the Continental Shelf adjacent to any U.S. territory. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, with the President's approval, to: (1) borrow for highway and transportation project expenditures and for water infrastructure expenditures, and (2) issue interest-bearing infrastructure revenue bonds for the amounts borrowed. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to appropriate to the Highway Trust Fund 95% of any proceeds from the issuance of such infrastructure revenue bonds. Makes available to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for making capitalization grants to eligible states: (1) 2.5% of infrastructure revenue bond proceeds for grants under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and (2) 2.5% of such proceeds for grants under Safe Drinking Water Act.

Military Reserve Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2013

Military Reserve Jobs Act - Grants hiring preferences for federal employment to members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who: (1) have successfully completed officer candidate training or entry level and skill training and have incurred, or are performing, a 6-year commitment with a reserve component (3 point preference); (2) have completed at least 10 years of service with a reserve component and have earned at least 50 retirement points per year (4 point preference); or (3) are retired from service in a reserve component and are eligible for, but have not yet begun receiving, retired pay for non-regular service (5 point preference). Extends the appeals process for veterans employed by the Veterans Health Administration for violations of preference rights.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2397) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2610) making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2013

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2397) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2610) making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014.

Presidential Appointment of FISA Court Judges Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2013

Presidential Appointment of FISA Court Judges Act - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to require the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to publicly designate: (1) the 11 district court judges constituting the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court with jurisdiction over applications for electronic surveillance, (2) the 3 judges of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, and (3) the presiding judges of such Courts. (Currently, such judges are designated by the Chief Justice.) Permits existing FISA judges to complete their terms.

Veterans Education Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2013

Veterans Education Transparency Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide to any veteran or person who receives educational assistance under the laws administered by the Secretary the option of making such person's relevant records maintained by the Secretary, including information about the amount of educational assistance to which the person is entitled, available through an Internet website to the educational institution that provides the course of education in which the person is enrolled. Directs the Secretary to take steps to ensure that: (1) such educational institution agrees that such records will be made available only for the purpose of counseling the person in making decisions related to his or her education, and (2) no unauthorized person is given access to any such record.

Jessica Garfola Wright, of Pennsylvania, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, vice Erin C. Conaton, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 18 July 2013

Military Reserve Jobs Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2013

Military Reserve Jobs Act of 2013 - Grants hiring preferences for federal employment to members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who: (1) have successfully completed officer candidate training or entry level and skill training and have incurred, or are performing, a 6-year commitment with a reserve component (3 point preference); (2) have completed at least 10 years of service with a reserve component and has earned at least 50 retirement points per year (4 point preference); or (3) are retired from service in a reserve component and are eligible for, but have not yet begun receiving, retired pay for non-regular service (5 point preference).

Government Surveillance Transparency Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2013

Government Surveillance Transparency Act of 2013 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to authorize an entity that is required to comply with an order or directive issued by a FISA court under such Act to make publicly available every 90 days with respect to the preceding 90-day period: (1) the aggregate number of orders or directives with which such entity was required to comply; (2) a general description of the types of assistance, information, or tangible things such entity was required to provide pursuant to such orders or directives; (3) the aggregate number of each type of assistance, information, or tangible things such entity was required to provide pursuant to such orders or directives; and (4) the aggregate number of user accounts with respect to which such entity was required to provide assistance, information, or tangible things pursuant to such orders or directives.

Efficient Use of Government Spectrum Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2013

Efficient Use of Government Spectrum Act of 2013 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), within three years after enactment of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, to: (1) reallocate electromagnetic spectrum between the frequencies from 1755 to 1780 megahertz (currently, such frequencies are occupied by the Department of Defense [DOD] and other federal agencies); and (2) as part of the competitive bidding auctions required by such Act, grant new initial licenses, subject to flexible-use service rules, for the use of such spectrum, paired with the spectrum between frequencies from 2155 to 2180 megahertz already designated for auction. Directs the proceeds attributable to the competitive bidding of the 1755 to 1780 megahertz range to be allocated in the same manner as other specified frequencies pursuant to such Act for uses including reimbursements to agencies for relocation and sharing costs, the building of the nationwide public safety broadband network, and deposits or reimbursements to the U.S. Treasury. Requires such spectrum to be relocated in a manner to ensure cooperation between federal and commercial entities under procedures in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act, except for DOD-operated spectrum, which shall be relocated under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000. Directs federal entities operating a federal government station, within a specified period before commencement of competitive bidding, to identify stations that cannot be relocated without jeopardizing essential military capability. Requires the transition plans of federal entities identifying such essential spectrum to: (1) provide for non-federal users to share such stations, and (2) limit any necessary exclusion zones to the smallest possible zones. Directs the President to withdraw assignments upon relocation or to modify assignments to permit federal and non-federal use.

Alexis Agin Identity Theft Protection Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2013

Alexis Agin Identity Theft Protection Act of 2013 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to revise the treatment of death information furnished to or maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Authorizes the Commissioner of Social Security to use or provide such information to federal and state agencies for statistical and research activities or to any federal agency for law enforcement or tax administration purposes. Authorizes disclosure of such information by: (1) federal and state agencies to contractors to assist with similar activities, (2) the Commissioner to entities concerning certain individuals who died more than three years earlier as well as to entities certified by the Commissioner, and (3) the Commissioner to the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to assist in the identification of remains.

Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2013

Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to transfer a veteran for whom the Secretary is required to provide nursing home care to a medical foster home that meets VA standards pursuant to a contract or agreement with the VA, at such veteran's request. Requires such veteran to agree, as a transfer condition, to accept VA home health services.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014

United States · United States Senate · 17 July 2013

A resolution recommending the posthumous award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Thomas M. Conway of Waterbury, Connecticut.

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2013

Recommends the posthumous award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Thomas M. Conway.

United States-Israel Missile Defense Cooperation Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2013

United States-Israel Missile Defense Cooperation Act of 2013 - Authorizes the President, acting through the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of State, to provide assistance, upon request of the Israeli government, for the procurement of the Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system, as well as authorization for cooperation on the development, maintenance, enhancement, and sustainment of the David's Sling, Arrow, and Arrow 3 anti-missile defense systems, for the purposes of intercepting rockets, missiles, and projectiles launched against Israel.

Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2013

Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit annually to Congress a future-years veterans program (program) reflecting estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations included in the budget for that fiscal year. Requires each program to set forth a five-year VA plan to address the U.S. commitment to veterans and the resources necessary to meet that commitment. Requires the Secretary, in 2017 and quadrennially thereafter, to conduct a review of the strategy for meeting such commitment and resources requirement (quadrennial veterans review). Requires each review to be coordinated with the above program. Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional veterans committees on each review. Directs the Secretary to provide annually to the appropriate VA officials written policy guidance for the preparation and review of the planning and program recommendations and budget proposals of the VA elements of such officials. Requires the Secretary to designate a Chief Strategy Officer to advise the Secretary on long-range VA strategy and implications. Directs the Secretary to study (through an independent contractor) and report to the veterans committees on the functions and organizational structure of the Office of the Secretary and the VA, including the most efficient and economical allocation and structure for assisting the Secretary in carrying out duties and responsibilities.

OVERSIGHT OF THE DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT: ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REAUTHOR- IZATION

United States · United States Senate · 16 July 2013

Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2013

Withdraws from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws public lands and interests with respect to: (1) the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in Inyo, Kern, and San Bernardino Counties, California; (2) the Limestone Hills Training Area in Broadwater County, Montana; (3) the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range in Imperial and Riverside Counties, California; and (4) the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in San Bernardino County, California. Reserves the withdrawn lands for specified military and/or non-military uses. Requires the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Navy to maintain a program of decontamination of contamination caused by defense-related uses on the reserved and withdrawn lands.

Buy Smarter and Save Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2013

Buy Smarter and Save Act of 2013 - Directs the President to establish: (1) an annual government-wide goal to procure goods and services using strategic sourcing, and (2) an annual government-wide goal for savings from the use of strategic sourcing. Defines "strategic sourcing" as a structured and collaborative process of critically analyzing an organization's spending patterns to better leverage its purchasing power, reduce costs, and improve overall value and performance. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) issue guidance to executive agencies for implementing the strategic sourcing goals established by this Act, and (2) report on spending for goods and services that was strategically sourced and the extent of the savings realized. Directs the Departments of Defense (DOD), Homeland Security (DHS), Energy (DOE), Veterans Affairs (VA), and Health and Human Services (HHS), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to take certain actions to support strategic sourcing, including establishing department wide-goals and savings targets for strategic sourcing efforts and a strategic sourcing accountability official. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to: (1) conduct studies on contract utilization fees and on establishing strategic sourcing initiative contract vehicles, and (2) assess and report on the performance of executive agencies in implementing the strategic sourcing goals required by this Act and the amounts saved through the use of strategic sourcing.

A bill to amend certain appropriations Acts to repeal the requirement directing the Administrator of General Services to sell Federal property and assets that support the operations of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2013

Repeals provisions of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009, and the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012, authorizing the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to direct the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to sell all real and personal property and transportation assets of the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility at Plum Island, New York.

Save Dignity Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2013

Screening Amputees and Veterans with Efficiency and Dignity Act or Save Dignity Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to Congress on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening of Armed Forces veterans and other airline passengers with amputations, with or without prosthesis.

To amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal the requirement directing the Administrator of General Services to sell Federal property and assets that support the operations of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2013

Repeals provisions of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009, and the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012, authorizing the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to direct the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to sell all real and personal property and transportation assets of the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility at Plum Island, New York.

United States-Israel Missile Defense Cooperation Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2013

United States-Israel Missile Defense Cooperation Act of 2013 - Authorizes the President, acting through the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of State, to provide assistance, upon request of the Israeli government, for the procurement of the Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system, as well as authorization for cooperation on the development, maintenance, enhancement, and sustainment of the David's Sling, Arrow, and Arrow 3 anti-missile defense systems, for the purposes of intercepting rockets, missiles, and projectiles launched against Israel.

Buy Smarter and Save Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2013

Buy Smarter and Save Act of 2013 - Directs the President to establish: (1) an annual government-wide goal to procure goods and services using strategic sourcing, and (2) an annual government-wide goal for savings from the use of strategic sourcing. Defines "strategic sourcing" as a structured and collaborative process of critically analyzing an organization's spending patterns to better leverage its purchasing power, reduce costs, and improve overall value and performance. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) issue guidance to executive agencies for implementing the strategic sourcing goals established by this Act, and (2) report on spending for goods and services that was strategically sourced and the extent of the savings realized. Directs the Departments of Defense (DOD), Homeland Security (DHS), Energy (DOE), Veterans Affairs (VA), and Health and Human Services (HHS), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to take certain actions to support strategic sourcing, including establishing department wide-goals and savings targets for strategic sourcing efforts and a strategic sourcing accountability official. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to: (1) conduct studies on contract utilization fees and on establishing strategic sourcing initiative contract vehicles, and (2) assess and report on the performance of executive agencies in implementing the strategic sourcing goals required by this Act and the amounts saved through the use of strategic sourcing.

Servicemember's Electronic Health Records Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2013

Servicemember's Electronic Health Records Act of 2013 - Amends the Wounded Warrior Act to require the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs, in implementing electronic health record systems that provide for the full interoperability of personal health care information between the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to ensure that: (1) a health data authoritative source that can be accessed by multiple providers and that standardizes the input of new medical information is created by the Departments within 180 days, (2) the ability of patients of both Departments to download their medical records is achieved within 180 days, (3) full interoperability of personal health care information between the Departments is achieved within one year, (4) acceleration of the exchange of real-time data between the Departments is achieved within one year, (5) the upgrade of the graphical user interface to display a joint common graphical user interface is achieved within one year, and (6) current members of the Armed Forces and their dependents may elect to receive an electronic copy of their health care records beginning not later than June 30, 2015. Requires the Secretaries to assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing a secure, remote, network-accessible computer storage system (commonly referred to as cloud storage) to: (1) provide members of the Armed Forces and veterans the ability to upload their health care records, and (2) allow DOD and VA medical providers of the Departments to access such records.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans with notice, when veterans electronically file claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, that relevant services may be available from veterans service organizations, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2013

Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, during and as part of any electronic process for the filing of applications for benefits provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to: (1) notify each claimant or claimant representative that application services may be available from veterans service organizations (VSOs), and (2) provide such claimant or representative with a list of such VSOs.

Veterans and Servicemembers Employment Rights and Housing Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2013

Veterans and Servicemembers Employment Rights and Housing Act of 2013 - Prohibits employment practices that discriminate based on an individual's military service and amends the Fair Housing Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to prohibit housing discrimination against members of the uniformed services. Declares that it shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer to fail to hire, to discharge, or to otherwise discriminate against individuals because of their military service. Prohibits employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and job training programs from engaging in specified practices that adversely affect an applicant or employee because of such service. Exempts certain hiring and employment practices from being considered unlawful if the occupancy of the position is subject to national security requirements that an individual does not fulfill. Permits an employer to apply different standards of compensation or terms of employement pursuant to a bona fide seniority or merit system, a system which measures earnings by quantity or quality of production or to employees who work in different locations, or a professionally developed ability test. Declares that an unlawful employment practice based on disparate impact is established only if: (1) the complaining party demonstrates that a respondent uses a particular employment practice that causes a disparate impact on the basis of military service and the respondent fails to demonstrate that the challenged practice is job-related and consistent with business necessity, or (2) the complaining party makes a demonstration with respect to an alternative employment practice and the respondent refuses to adopt such practice. Prohibits business necessity from being used as a defense against a claim of intentional discrimination. Declares that an unlawful employment practice is established when the complaining party demonstrates that military service was a motivating factor for any employment practice, even though other factors also motivated such practice. Grants enforcement powers, remedies, and procedures under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Attorney General (DOJ), and persons alleging such discrimination. Amends the Fair Housing Act to prohibit housing discrimination against a member of the uniformed services with respect to: (1) the sale or rental of housing, (2) residential real estate-related transactions, and (3) the provision of brokerage services. Prohibits religious organizations engaging in housing transactions from giving preferences to persons of the same religion in cases where membership in such religion is restricted to persons who are not members of the uniformed services. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to impose a fine, imprisonment, or both on persons who violate prohibitions on housing discrimination under such Act against members of the uniformed services.

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2013

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013 - Amends the sanctions provisions in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require the court to impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that has violated, or is responsible for the violation of, the rule with regard to representations to the court. Requires any sanction to compensate parties injured by the conduct in question. Removes a provision that prohibits filing a motion for sanctions if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets. Authorizes the court to impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.

Egyptian Military Coup Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2013

Egyptian Military Coup Act of 2013 - Prohibits U.S. government assistance from being provided to Egypt pursuant to the coup d'etat restriction under the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Act, 2012. Suspends the provision of specified defense articles and services, and the processing of letters of offer and acceptance for future arms sales, until the President certifies to Congress that democratic national elections have taken place in Egypt followed by a peaceful transfer of power.

A joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2013

Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits total outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Excludes receipts (including attributable interest) and outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, or either of their successor funds, from consideration as receipts or outlays for purposes of this Amendment. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict. Prohibits Congress from passing any bill that provides a net reduction in individual income taxes for those with incomes over $1 million (as may be adjusted by Congress to account for inflation) if, after enactment, total outlays would exceed total receipts in any fiscal year affected by the bill. Prohibits a federal or state court from ordering any reduction in the Social Security benefits authorized by law, including any benefits provided from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, or either of their successor funds.

Veterans Access to Timely Medical Appointments Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2013

Veterans Access to Timely Medical Appointments Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a standardized policy to ensure that veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system are able to schedule: (1) primary care medical appointments within 7 days of the date requested, and (2) specialty care medical appointments within 14 days of the date requested. Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that such policy will provide reliable data regarding the length of time that veterans are waiting for such appointments, (2) issue detailed guidance to the directors of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks to ensure the consistent implementation of such policy, (3) ensure that only VA employees who have completed required training are allowed to schedule medical appointments, and (4) assess the resources of each Network every 180 days to determine the Network's ability to meet such scheduling requirements. Requires the Secretary to direct each VA medical center to provide oversight of telephone access and implement the best practices outlined in the VA telephone systems improvement guide, including practices to ensure that: (1) calls are answered in a timely manner and patient messages will have a return call within 24 hours, and (2) a call center at each such center is properly staffed to meet the needs of the veteran population served. Directs the Inspector General of the VA to submit an annual report on the Secretary's progress in implementing this Act.

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2013

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013 - Amends the sanctions provisions in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require the court to impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that has violated, or is responsible for the violation of, the rule with regard to representations to the court. Requires any sanction to compensate parties injured by the conduct in question. Removes a provision that prohibits filing a motion for sanctions if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets. Authorizes the court to impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.

Veterans and Servicemembers Employment Rights and Housing Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2013

Veterans and Servicemembers Employment Rights and Housing Act of 2013 - Prohibits employment practices that discriminate based on an individual's military service and amends the Fair Housing Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to prohibit housing discrimination against members of the uniformed services. Declares that it shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer to fail to hire, to discharge, or to otherwise discriminate against individuals because of their military service. Prohibits employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and job training programs from engaging in specified practices that adversely affect an applicant or employee because of such service. Exempts certain hiring and employment practices from being considered unlawful if the occupancy of the position is subject to national security requirements that an individual does not fulfill. Permits an employer to apply different standards of compensation or terms of employement pursuant to a bona fide seniority or merit system, a system which measures earnings by quantity or quality of production or to employees who work in different locations, or a professionally developed ability test. Declares that an unlawful employment practice based on disparate impact is established only if: (1) the complaining party demonstrates that a respondent uses a particular employment practice that causes a disparate impact on the basis of military service and the respondent fails to demonstrate that the challenged practice is job-related and consistent with business necessity, or (2) the complaining party makes a demonstration with respect to an alternative employment practice and the respondent refuses to adopt such practice. Prohibits business necessity from being used as a defense against a claim of intentional discrimination. Declares that an unlawful employment practice is established when the complaining party demonstrates that military service was a motivating factor for any employment practice, even though other factors also motivated such practice. Grants enforcement powers, remedies, and procedures under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Attorney General (DOJ), and persons alleging such discrimination. Amends the Fair Housing Act to prohibit housing discrimination against a member of the uniformed services with respect to: (1) the sale or rental of housing, (2) residential real estate-related transactions, and (3) the provision of brokerage services. Prohibits religious organizations engaging in housing transactions from giving preferences to persons of the same religion in cases where membership in such religion is restricted to persons who are not members of the uniformed services. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to impose a fine, imprisonment, or both on persons who violate prohibitions on housing discrimination under such Act against members of the uniformed services.

Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2013

Federal Agriculture Reform and and Risk Management Act of 2013 - Title I: Commodities - Subtitle A: Repeals and Reforms - Repeals, but continues for crop year 2013: (1) direct payments, (2) countercyclical payments, and (3) the average crop revenue election (ACRE) program. Provides for crop years beginning with crop year 2014 either: (1) price loss coverage if a covered commodity's effective price is less than its reference price; or (2) alternative revenue loss coverage, as a permanent one-time election, if a covered commodity's county revenue is less than the county revenue loss coverage trigger. Subtitle B: Marketing Loans - Authorizes: (1) nonrecourse marketing assistance loans beginning with crop year 2014, (2) loan deficiency payments beginning with crop year 2014, (3) payments in lieu of loan deficiency payments for grazed acreage beginning with crop year 2014, (4) programs for upland cotton and extra long staple cotton, (5) assistance for peanuts, and (6) recourse loans for high moisture feed grains and seed cotton beginning with crop year 2014. Subtitle C: Sugar - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make nonrecourse loans to processors of domestically grown sugarcane and domestically grown sugar beets. Directs the Secretary to make sugarcane and sugar beet quantity estimates for: (1) human consumption, (2) carryover stocks, (3) carry-in stocks, (4) domestic processing, and (5) imports. Subtitle D: Dairy - Establishes a dairy production margin insurance program under which participating dairy operations are paid: (1) basic production margin protection program payments when production margins are less than threshold levels, and (2) supplemental production margin protection program payments if purchased by a participating dairy operation. Provides for program retroactivity. Repeals: (1) the dairy products price support program, (2) the milk income loss contract program, and (3) the dairy export incentive program. Extends: (1) the dairy indemnity program, (2) the dairy forward pricing program, and (3) the dairy promotion and research program. Subtitle E: Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs - Provides livestock indemnity payments to eligible producers on farms that have incurred excess livestock death losses due to: (1) attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, or (2) adverse weather. Provides compensation to eligible livestock producers for grazing losses caused by drought or fire. Provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish to aid in the reduction of losses due to disease or adverse weather. Provides assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers that planted trees for commercial purposes but lost the trees as a result of a natural disaster, and to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers that have a production history for commercial purposes on planted or existing trees but lost the trees as a result of a natural disaster. Establishes in the Office of the Secretary the National Drought Council. Subtitle F: Administration - Directs the Secretary to use Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds, facilities, and authorities to carry out this title. Repeals specified permanent price support authority provisions under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 and the Agricultural Act of 1949. Revises specified payment limitation provisions beginning with crop year 2014. Prohibits a person or legal entity from receiving specified agricultural benefits during a crop, fiscal, or program year if the average adjusted gross income of such person or entity exceeds $950,000. Makes permanent specified direct reimbursement payments for geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Directs the Secretary to preclude issuance of agricultural payments to, and on behalf of, deceased individuals that were not eligible for payments. Makes $100 million available to the Farm Service Agency to carry out this title. Provides for the protection of producer information. Repeals authority to convert highly erodible cropland under the conservation reserve program (CRP) to other specified conservation uses. Title II: Conservation - Subtitle A: Conservation Reserve Program - Extends CRP and the farmable wetland program through FY2018. Sets forth maximum CRP acreage enrollments for FY2014-FY2018. Subtitle B: Conservation Stewardship Program - Revises, and extends through FY2018, the conservation stewardship program. Limits aggregate payments to a person or entity to $200,000 during FY2014-FY2018, excluding funding arrangements with Indian tribes. Subtitle C: Environmental Quality Incentives Program - Extends the environmental quality incentives program through FY2018. Requires that 60% of FY2014-FY2018 program funds be used for livestock production practices, and that 7.5% of such funds be used for wildlife habitat practices. Provides payments for wildlife habitat development. Applies program limitations to the period FY2014-FY2018. Subtitle D: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Establishes the agricultural conservation easement program for the conservation of eligible land and natural resources through easements or other interests in land. (Combines the purposes and absorbs the functions of the wetlands reserve program, the grassland reserve program, and the farmland protection program.) Sets forth agricultural land and wetland easement provisions. Subtitle E: Regional Conservation Partnership Program - Establishes a regional conservation partnership program to: (1) accomplish purposes similar to the agricultural water enhancement program, the Chesapeake Bay watershed program, the cooperative conservation partnership initiative, and the Great Lakes basin program; (2) further the conservation use of natural resources on a regional or watershed scale; and (3) encourage partners to cooperate with producers in meeting or avoiding the need for regulatory requirements related to production on eligible land and implementing projects that affect multiple agricultural or nonindustrial private forest operations on a local, state, or regional basis. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a partnership agreement for up to 5 years, with a one-time extension for up to 12 months. Provides program funding for FY2014-FY2018. Subtitle F: Other Conservation Programs - Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for: (1) the conservation of private grazing land program, (2) the grass roots source water protection program, (3) the voluntary public access and habitat incentive program, and (4) the small watershed rehabilitation program. Subtitle G: Funding and Administration - Authorizes the use of CCC funds through FY2018 for: (1) the conservation reserve program, including specified amounts for transferring contract land from retiring owners and operators to beginning and disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; (2) the agricultural conservation easement program; (3) the conservation security program; (4) the conservation stewardship program; and (5) the environmental quality incentives program. Subtitle H: Repeal of Superseded Program Authorities and Transitional Provisions; Technical Amendments - Repeals: (1) the conservation enhancement program, (2) the emergency forestry conservation reserve program, (3) the wetlands reserve program, (4) the farmland protection program, (5) the grassland reserve program, (6) the agricultural water enhancement program, (7) the wildlife habitat incentive program, (8) the Great Lakes Basin program, (9) the Chesapeake Bay watershed program, (10) the cooperative conservation partnership initiative, and (11) the environmental easement program. Title III: Trade - Subtitle A: Food for Peace Act - Extends specified programs and authorizations of appropriations under the Food for Peace Act through FY2018. Subtitle B: Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 - Extends through FY2018: (1) export credit guarantee programs, (2) the market access program, and (3) the foreign market cooperator program. Subtitle C: Other Agricultural Trade Laws - Extends through FY2018: (1) the food for progress program, (2) the Bill Emerson humanitarian trust, (3) the McGovern-Dole international food for education and child nutrition program, (4) technical assistance for specialty crops, and (5) the Global Crop Diversity Trust. Authorizes the Secretary to establish the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Foreign Agricultural Services. Title IV: Credit - Subtitle A: Farm Ownership Loans - Allows: (1) additional legal entities to qualify for farm ownership loans, and (2) other acceptable experiences to qualify for the three-year farming eligibility requirement for direct loans. Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for the conservation loan and loan guarantee program. Increases maximum down payment loan program amounts. Subtitle B: Operating Loans - Allows additional legal entities to qualify for farm operating loans. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the personal liability of a youth borrower if a loan default was due to circumstances beyond the borrower's control. Authorizes a micro loan program for direct or guaranteed loans (maximum micro loan of $35,000 with a total micro loan indebtedness of $70,000 per borrower). Subtitle C: Emergency Loans - Allows additional legal entities to qualify for emergency loans. Subtitle D: Administrative Provisions - Extends the beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts pilot program through FY2018. Subtitle E: State Agricultural Mediation Programs - Extends state agricultural mediation programs through FY2018. Subtitle F: Loans to Purchasers of Highly Fractionated Land - Amends the loan and loan guarantee program for Indian tribes and tribal corporations to purchase highly fractioned land within the reservation to permit loans to intermediaries to establish revolving loan funds for such purchases. Title V: Rural Development - Subtitle A: Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act - Extends through FY2018: (1) water, waste disposal, and wastewater facility grants; (2) rural business opportunity grants; (3) funding for the federal share of developing tribal college or university essential community facilities; (4) emergency and imminent community water assistance grants; (5) grants to nonprofit organizations for water well system servicing for low- and moderate income households; (6) rural cooperative development grants; (7) loans to enterprises that process, store, and market locally or regionally produced agricultural food products; (8) the intermediary relending program to finance rural business facilities and community development projects; (9) grants for the federal share of acquiring radio transmitters to increase rural coverage by the weather radio broadcast system of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); (10) the rural micro enterprise assistance program; (11) the Delta Regional Authority; (12) the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority; and (13) the rural business investment program. Authorizes appropriations for the rural water and wastewater circuit rider program. Directs the Secretary to develop a rural college strategy. Subtitle B: Rural Electrification Act of 1936 - Extends through FY2018: (1) guarantee authority for rural electrification or telephone bonds and notes, (2) expansion of 911 access, and (3) loan guarantees for rural broadband telecommunications infrastructure. Gives loan priority to applicants that offer to provide broadband service to the greatest proportion of households that had no incumbent service provider. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous - Extends through FY2018 : (1) the distance learning and telemedicine program, (2) value-added agricultural producer grants, and (3) the agriculture innovation center demonstration program. Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for the: (1) Northern Border Regional Commission, (2) Southwest Border Regional Commission, and (3) Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. Title VI: Research, Extension, and Related Matters - Subtitle A: National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 - Extends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board until September 30, 2018. Establishes a veterinary services grant program. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for agricultural and food policy research centers. Repeals: (1) the human nutrition intervention and health promotion research program, (2) appropriations for research on national or regional problems, (3) the pilot research program to combine medical and agricultural research, (4) research equipment grants, and (5) the national and regional animal health and disease research program. Extends through FY2018: (1) grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences education, (2) the nutrition education program, (3) animal health and disease research programs, (4) grants to upgrade agricultural and food sciences facilities at 1890 land-grant colleges and at land grant colleges in insular areas, (5) grants for Hispanic-serving institutions, (6) grants for international agricultural science and education, (7) assistance for extension programs, (8) assistance for university agricultural research, (9) assistance for supplemental and alternative crops, (10) aquaculture assistance programs, (11) rangeland research programs, and (12) biosecurity planning. Establishes a grant program for training Hispanic agricultural workers and youth in the food and agricultural sciences. Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for distance education and resident instruction at insular-area institutions of higher education. Requires the recipient of a competitive grant that involves applied research or extension and that is commodity- or state-specific to provide matching funds or in-kind contributions. Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 to carry out this subtitle. Subtitle B: Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 - Extends through FY2018 programs and assistance under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. Repeals: (1) the national agricultural weather information system, (2) the agricultural genome initiative, (3) the electronic commerce extension program, (4) the nutrient management research and extension initiative, and (5) the agricultural bioenergy feedstock and energy efficiency research and extension initiative. Extends through FY2018: (1) integrated management systems, (2) Extension Service agent training, (3) sustainable agriculture technology, (4) organic agriculture research, (5) farm business management, (6) assistive technology for farmers with disabilities, (7) the national rural information center clearinghouse, (8) high-priority research and extension initiatives, and (9) the genetics resources program. Subtitle C: Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 - Extends through FY2018: (1) integrated management systems programs; (2) research regarding diseases of wheat, triticale, and barley caused by Fusarium graminearum or by Tilletia indica; (3) grants for youth organizations; (4) the specialty crop research initiative; (5) the food animal residue avoidance database program; and (6) the Office of Pest Management Policy. Repeals: (1) the program to improve the viability of small and medium dairy, livestock, and poultry operations; (2) Johne's (livestock) disease control program; and (3) the national swine research center. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding expansion of the land grant program to include increased funding and additional institutions. Subtitle D: Other Laws - Extends through FY2018 programs and assistance under: (1) the Critical Agricultural Materials Act, (2) the Research Facilities Act, (3) the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978, and (4) the National Aquaculture Act of 1980. Revises "1994 Institutions" (Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994) provisions. Extends the beginning farmer and rancher development program through FY2018. Makes beginning farmers and ranchers who are veterans eligible for program set-asides. Extends coverage under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Subtitle E: Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Extends through FY2018: (1) the Agricultural Biosecurity Communication Center, (2) research and development of agricultural countermeasures, (3) training for agricultural biosecurity planning and response for food science professionals and veterinarians, and (4) the agricultural biosecurity grant program. Extends the period prohibiting federal land and facilities at El Reno, Oklahoma, from being declared to be surplus federal property or otherwise be conveyed. Revises budget submission and funding provisions. Authorizes appropriations through FY2018 for research and education grants for the study of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Extends through FY2018: (1) the natural products research program, and (2) the sun grant program. Repeals: (1) the farm and ranch stress assistance network, (2) the seed distribution program, and (3) the rural transportation research program. Subtitle F: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to negotiate concession agreements at the National Arboretum with nonprofit organizations that support the Arboretum. Authorizes a non-federal entity to construct, at no cost to the government, a facility for use by the Agricultural Research Service on land owned by the Agricultural Research Service and managed by the Secretary. (Prohibits the Secretary from accepting the completed facility as a gift if its fair market value exceeds $5 million.) Title VII: Forestry - Subtitle A: Repeal of Certain Forestry Programs - Repeals: (1) the forest land enhancement program, (2) the watershed forestry assistance program, (3) the Hispanic-serving institution agricultural land leadership program, and (4) the tribal watershed forestry assistance program. Subtitle B: Reauthorization of Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 Programs - Extends the forest legacy program and the community forest and open space conservation program through FY2018. Subtitle C: Reauthorization of Other Forestry-Related Laws - Extends the rural revitalization technologies program and the Office of International Forestry through FY2018. Subtitle D: National Forest Critical Area Response - Directs the Secretary to designate critical areas within the National Forest System to address: (1) deteriorating forest health conditions due to insect infestation, drought, disease, or storm damage; and (2) the future risk of insect infestations or disease outbreaks through preventative treatments. Allows the use of expedited environmental, administrative, and judicial procedures to be used for such areas. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to revise the forest inventory strategic plan. Authorizes a state to provide reimbursement through the Secretary for wildfire suppression costs expended on its behalf by another state. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Forest Service, to establish a large air tanker and aerial asset lease program. Directs the Secretary to convey for consideration a parcel of National Forest System land in the Jefferson National Forest in Wise County, Virginia, to the Mullins and Sturgill Cemetery Association of Pound, Virginia. Title VIII: Energy - Extends through FY2018: (1) the biobased marketing program, (2) biorefinery assistance, (3) the bioenergy program for advanced biofuels, (4) the biodiesel fuel education program, (5) the repowering assistance program to reduce or eliminate biorefinery fossil fuel use, (6) the rural energy for America program, (7) biomass research and development, (8) the feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers, (9) the biomass crop assistance program, and (10) the community wood energy program. Title IX: Horticulture - Extends through FY2018: (1) the specialty crop market news program, (2) the farmers market and local food promotion program, (3) organic production and market initiatives, (4) food safety initiatives, and (5) specialty crop block grants. Repeals the specialty crop movement-to-market program. Sets forth investigatory and enforcement provisions under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Labor regarding the restraining or confiscation of agricultural commodity shipments for actual or suspected labor law violations in order to consider: (1) the perishable nature of such commodities, (2) the impact of such actions on the economic viability of farming operations, and (3) the competitiveness of specialty crops. Exempts the bulk bin shipment of apples to Canada from specified Apple Export Act requirements. Repeals the coordinated plant management program and establishes the national clean plant network for diagnostic and pathogen elimination services to: (1) produce clean propagative plant material, and (2) maintain blocks of pathogen-tested plant material in sites throughout the United States. Makes funding available through FY2018. Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2013 - Prohibits, with specified exceptions, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a state from requiring a permit under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) for a discharge from a point source into navigable waters of a pesticide authorized for sale, distribution, or use under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. States that, for purposes of notifications of arrival upon importation, seed, including treated seed, shall not be considered a pesticide or device. Title X: Crop Insurance - Makes available to crop producers a supplemental coverage option (based on area yield and loss) to cover part of a crop insurance policy deductible. Triggers such option only if area losses exceed 10% of normal levels. Provides for: (1) 65% premium coverage by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), and (2) coverage to begin no later than crop year 2014. Makes permanent the pilot program under which FCIC pays a portion of the premiums for insurance plans or policies for which the insurable unit is defined as a whole farm or enterprise unit. Makes separate enterprise units available for irrigated and non-irrigated acreages of crops beginning with crop year 2014. Revises the adjustment in actual production history used to establish insurable yields. Requires FCIC to: (1) review any policy or pilot program to carry out research and development for new crop insurance policies, and submit it to the Board of Directors if it will likely result in a marketable policy and improved coverage; and (2) make an additional annual reimbursement through reinsurance year 2015 to insurance companies selling specialty crop policies. Provides crop insurance premiums at 50 percentage points less than the otherwise applicable subsidy for the first four crop years of planting on native sod acreage in the Prairie Pothole National Priority Area. Defines "beginning farmer or rancher" as a farmer or rancher who has not actively operated and managed a farm or ranch with a bona fide insurable interest in a crop or livestock as an owner-operator, landlord, tenant, or sharecropper for more than five crop years. Requires FCIC, beginning not later than the 2014 upland cotton crop, to make available to producers of maximum eligible acres of upland cotton an additional policy (the Stacked Income Protection Plan). States that Plan coverage shall be in addition to all other coverages available to upland cotton producers. Requires FCIC and the Risk Management Agency, beginning with the 2014 crop, to make available a revenue crop insurance program for peanuts based on a price equal to the Rotterdam price index for peanuts, as adjusted to reflect the farmer stock price of peanuts in the United States. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain and upgrade FCIC information management systems used in the administration and enforcement of this title, (2) implement an acreage reporting streamlining initiative to permit producers to report acreage and other information directly to USDA, and (3) provide advance public notice of crop insurance policy and plan changes. Requires FCIC to: (1) contract for research and development for insuring producers of freshwater-reared catfish against reduction in the margin between market value and selected production costs; (2) contract to determine the feasibility of insuring commercial poultry production against business disruptions caused by integrator bankruptcy, and for a study to determine the feasibility of insuring poultry producers for a catastrophic event; (3) contract for research and development of insuring biomass and sweet sorghum grown to produce feedstocks for renewable biofuel, renewable electricity, or biobased products; (4) contract for a feasibility study of insuring swine producers for a catastrophic event; (5) develop a whole farm risk management insurance plan (with liability of up to $1.25 million); and (6) contract for a study of food safety insurance. Title XI: Miscellaneous - Subtitle A: Livestock - Extends the national aquatic animal health plan and the trichinae certification program through FY2018. Repeals authority for the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center. Directs the Secretary, through the Office of the Chief Economist, to conduct an economic analysis of the USDA's proposed rule "Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Pork, Lamb, Chicken, Goat Meat, Wild and Farm-raised Fish and Shellfish, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, Peanuts, Pecans, Ginseng and Macadamia Nuts." Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with eligible laboratories to: (1) enhance USDA's capability to detect and respond to animal health threats and to support the protection of public health, the environment, and the agricultural economy; (2) coordinate enhancement of national veterinary diagnostic laboratory capabilities; and (3) provide for standardized laboratory biosafety and biosecurity levels. Authorizes appropriations through FY2018. Requires USDA to continue to administer the diagnostic surveillance program for H5/H7 low pathogenic avian influenza with respect to commercial poultry without amending specified federal regulations. Subtitle B: Socially Disadvantaged Producers and Limited Resource Producers - Provides funding through FY2018 for: (1) outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (including veteran farmers and ranchers in the program), and (2) the Office of Advocacy and Outreach. Directs the Secretary to award a grant to an 1890 land grant college or university, including Tuskegee University, to establish the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research Center. Subtitle C: Other Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides funding through FY2018 for grants to improve the supply, stability, safety, and training of the agricultural labor force. Establishes: (1) an Office of Tribal Relations within the Office of the Secretary; and (2) a USDA position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison to provide information to returning military veterans on beginning farmer training, agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs. Provides coverages based on individual yields (other than for value-loss crops) under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program equivalent to: (1) catastrophic risk protection, or (2) specified additional coverage. Reduces the premium for additional coverage by 50% for limited resource, beginning, and socially disadvantaged farmers. Begins such coverage in crop year 2015. Requires each federal agency to have guidelines in effect for ensuring the quality of scientific information by January 1, 2014. Prohibits USDA from closing or relocating a Farm Service Agency county or field office that has a high workload compared with other offices in the state. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to states, tribal governments, and research institutions to promote the domestic maple syrup industry. Directs the Secretary to review publications that may give notice that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing any guidance, policy, or regulation that may significantly impact a substantial number of agricultural entities. Prohibits any person from knowingly attending an animal fighting venture or causing a minor to attend such a venture. Prohibits any state or local government from imposing standards or conditions on the production or manufacture of agricultural products sold in interstate commerce if: (1) the production or manufacture occurs in another state, and (2) the standard or condition is in addition to the standards and conditions applicable pursuant to federal law and the laws of the state and locality in which such production or manufacture occurs. Directs the Secretary to act to: (1) increase flood protection for farmers, producers, and other agricultural interests in the Missouri River Basin, and around the Wallkill River and the Black Dirt region of New York/New Jersey; (2) protect honey bees and other pollinators; and (3) coordinate urban agriculture. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from enforcing any regulations promulgated under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act until the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register an analysis of the scientific information used in the final rule to implement such Act. States that the EPA shall not require a permit or otherwise require any state to require a permit for a discharge of storm water runoff resulting from specified silviculture activities. Prohibits the EPA, except in certain circumstances, from making public the information of any owner, operator, or employee of an agricultural operation provided to EPA by a farmer, rancher, livestock producer, or a state agency that has been obtained in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or any other law. Requires a report to Congress on national ocean policy by the USDA Inspector General. States that in each fiscal year the Secretary may not carry out any program: (1) for which an authorization of appropriations is established or extended under this Act, and (2) that is funded by discretionary appropriations. Subtitle D: Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery - Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2013 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit to Congress a financial report containing: (1) an interagency budget for restoration activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed; (2) an accounting of funds received and obligated by all federal agencies for restoration activities; (3) an accounting from each state of all funds received and obligated from a federal agency for restoration activities; and (4) a description of each of the proposed federal and state restoration activities.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that before the United States ends its commitment in Afghanistan and United States involvement in the conflict draws to a close, the Nation needs to ensure no one is left behind and all members of the United States Armed Forces are accounted for.

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2013

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that before the United States ends its commitment in Afghanistan and U.S. involvement in the conflict draws to a close, the nation needs to ensure that no one is left behind and all members of the U.S. Armed Forces are accounted for.

To modify the boundary of Petersburg National Battlefield in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2013

Modifies the boundary of Petersburg National Battlefield in Virginia to include the land and interests in land identified on the map titled "Petersburg National Battlefield Boundary Expansion" and dated June 2007. Transfers from the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) to the Secretary of the Army administrative jurisdiction over approximately 1.170 acres of land for the Fort Lee Military Reservation. Transfers from the Secretary of the Army to the Secretary administrative jurisdiction over approximately 1.171 acres of land for the Battlefield. Requires inclusion of the conveyed land within the boundary of the Petersburg National Battlefield.

Expressing support for designation of August 2013 as "Blue Star Mothers of America Month".

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2013

Expresses support for the designation of Blue Star Mothers of America Month.

Recognizing the centennial of Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in the State of Michigan.

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2013

Congratulates Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in Michigan for 100 years of service. Thanks the civilians and members of the National Guard who have staffed and maintained the Center.

To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to provide the President with the authority to exempt civilian Department of Defense personnel accounts from sequestration.

United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2013

Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to authorize the President to exempt civilian employees of the Department of Defense (DOD) who served in the Armed Forces on or after August 2, 2011, from sequestration or provide for a lower uniform percentage reduction in their compensation than would otherwise apply.

To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to provide the President with the authority to exempt civilian Department of Defense personnel accounts from sequestration.

United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2013

Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to authorize the President to exempt Department of Defense (DOD) civilian personnel accounts from sequestration (automatic across-the-board budget cuts).

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014

United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2013

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014 - Makes appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for FY2014. Appropriates funds to the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers-Civil, for: (1) civil functions pertaining to river and harbor, flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, and aquatic ecosystem restoration (including the Mississippi River alluvial valley below Cape Girardeau, Missouri); (2) the regulatory program pertaining to navigable waters and wetlands; (3) the formerly utilized sites remedial action program for clean-up of early atomic energy program contamination; (4) flood control and coastal emergencies, including hurricanes and other natural disasters; and (5) the Office of Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). Makes appropriations for FY2014 to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Central Utah Project Completion Account; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation, including for water and related natural resources; (3) the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund; (4) California Bay-Delta Restoration; (5) administrative expenses in the Office of the Commissioner (the Denver office); and (6) offices in the five regions of the Bureau of Reclamation. Makes appropriations for FY2014 to the Department of Energy (DOE) for energy and science programs, including: (1) energy efficiency and renewable energy, (2) electricity delivery and energy reliability, (3) nuclear energy, (4) fossil energy research and development, (5) naval petroleum and oil shale reserves, (6) the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, (7) the Energy Information Administration, (8) non-defense environmental cleanup, (9) the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund, (10) science activities, (11) the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), (12) the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Loan Program, (13) the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, (14) departmental administration, (15) the Office of the Inspector General, (16) the National Nuclear Security Administration and atomic energy defense weapons activities, (17) defense nuclear nonproliferation activities, (18) naval reactors activities, (19) Office of the Administrator in the National Nuclear Security Administration, (20) defense environmental cleanup, and (21) other defense activities. Approves expenditures from the Bonneville Power Administration Fund for specified construction activities. Makes FY2014 appropriations for operation and maintenance of: (1) the Southeastern Power Administration, (2) the Southwestern Power Administration, (3) the Western Area Power Administration, including construction and rehabilitation, (4) the Falcon and Amistad Operating and Maintenance Fund, (5) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and (6) specified DOE activities. Makes FY2014 appropriations to: (1) the Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; (3) the Delta Regional Authority; (4) the Denali Commission; (5) the Northern Border Regional Commission; (6) the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission; (7) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), including the Office of Inspector General; (8) the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board; and (9) the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. Prohibits the use of funds: (1) to conduct closure of adjudicatory functions, technical review, or support activities associated with the Yucca Mountain (Nevada) geologic repository license application; or (2) for actions that irrevocably remove the possibility that Yucca Mountain may be a repository option in the future. Sets $0.00 as the amount by which the applicable allocation of new budget authority made by the House Committee on Appropriations exceeds the amount of proposed new budget authority under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

21st Century Health Care for Heroes Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2013

21st Century Health Care for Heroes Act - Amends the Wounded Warrior Act to direct the Secretaries of Defenseand Veterans Affairs, in implementing electronic health record systems that provide for the full interoperability of personal health care information between the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to ensure that: (1) a health data authoritative source is created within 180 days, (2) the ability of patients of both Departments to download their medical records is achieved within 365 days, (3) seamless integration of personal health care information between the Departments is achieved within 365 days, (4) standardization of health care data of the Departments is achieved within 365 days, (5) acceleration of the exchange of real-time data between the Departments is achieved within 365 days, (6) the upgrade of the graphical user interface to display the new standardized health care data of the Departments is achieved within 365 days, (7) incoming members of the Armed Forces and their dependents may elect to receive an electronic copy of their health care records beginning not later than October 1, 2014, and (8) current members of the Armed Forces and their dependents may elect to receive an electronic copy of their health care records beginning not later than October 1, 2015. Requires such Secretaries to study the feasibility of establishing a secure, remote, and network-accessible computer storage system (commonly referred to as cloud storage) to: (1) provide members of the Armed Forces and veterans the ability to upload their health care records, and (2) allow DOD and VA medical providers to access such records.

Stabilization and Reconstruction Integration Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2013

Stabilization and Reconstruction Integration Act of 2013 - Establishes as an independent entity the United States Office for Contingency Operations (Office), which shall report to the Department of Defense (DOD) and the State Department. Requires the Director of such Office, among other duties, to: (1) monitor political and economic instability worldwide in order to anticipate the need for mobilizing U.S. and international assistance for the stabilization and reconstruction of a foreign country or region that is at risk of, in, or in transition from, conflict or civil strife; (2) develop contingency plans and procedures to mobilize and deploy civilian and military personnel to conduct appropriate foreign stabilization and reconstruction operations (operations); (3) aid the President in preparing rules and regulations relating to the planning, coordination, and execution of such operations; and (4) evaluate, and report to Congress on, the impact of such operations. Authorizes the President: (1) upon finding that circumstances and U.S. security interests so require, to declare that a stabilization and reconstruction emergency exists and to determine the geographic extent and the date of commencement of such emergency; and (2) to terminate such declaration upon determining that such emergency no longer exists. Gives the Director sole control over such operations conducted during a stabilization and reconstruction emergency. Requires the Director to: (1) coordinate with the Secretary of Defense and commanders of unified and specified combatant commands regarding Office plans or activities for operations, and (2) prescribe a Stabilization Federal Acquisition Regulation. Establishes the Stabilization and Reconstruction Fund. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Director and Office staff should partner with the country in which an operation is taking place, other foreign government partners, international organizations, and local nongovernmental organizations throughout the planning, implementation, and the transition stages of such operations in order to facilitate long term capacity building and sustainability of initiatives. Sets forth the duties of the Inspector General of the Office, including special audit and investigative authority and reporting requirements. Provides information coordination responsibilities of other federal agencies with respect to Office monitoring and evaluation requirements.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should leave no member of the Armed Forces unaccounted for during the drawdown of forces in Afghanistan.

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2013

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) it supports the U.S. Soldier's Creed and the Warrior Ethos, which state that "I will never leave a fallen comrade"; (2) it believes it is unacceptable to abandon the search efforts for members of the Armed Forces who are missing or captured in the line of duty; and (3) the United States, while continuing to transition leadership roles in combat operations in Afghanistan, has a responsibility to continue fulfilling the promises made to members in a missing status or captured as a result of service in Afghanistan now or in the future.

Omnibus Territories Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2013

Omnibus Territories Act of 2013 - Conveys to the government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) submerged lands surrounding such Islands and extending three geographical miles outward from their coastlines. Includes the CNMI among the islands where the President may establish naval defensive sea areas and airspace reservations when necessary for national defense. Amends the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 to add 2013 and 2015 as years in which there shall be no increase in the minimum wage applicable to the CNMI. Revises the treatment of supplemental fees imposed for employment of nonimmigrant workers paid into the Treasury of the CNMI government for the purpose of funding ongoing vocational educational curricula and program development by CNMI educational entities to: (1) require such government to provide to the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) a plan for the expenditure of funds, a projection of the effectiveness of the expenditures in job placement of U.S. workers, and a report on changes in employment of U.S. workers attributable to prior year expenditures; and (2) require a biennial report by the Secretary on the effectiveness of meeting the goals set out in the CNMI's annual plan for the expenditure of funds. Revises the procedure for classification of aliens in the CNMI as long-term investors. Extends through December 31, 2019, a system for allocating and determining the number, terms, and conditions of permits issued to prospective employers for nonimmigrant workers performing work during the transition period (the period for administration of a transition program to regulate immigration to the CNMI) who would not otherwise be eligible for admission under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a team of technical, policy, and financial experts to: (1) develop an energy action plan addressing the energy needs of each of the insular areas (American Samoa, the CNMI, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands) and Freely Associated States (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau); and (2) assist each of the insular areas and Freely Associated States in implementing such plan. Requires such plan to include: (1) recommendations to reduce reliance and expenditures on imported fossil fuels, to develop indigenous, nonfossil fuel energy sources, and to improve performance of energy infrastructure and overall energy efficiency; (2) a schedule for implementation of such recommendations and identification and prioritization of specific projects; (3) a financial and engineering plan for implementing and sustaining projects; and (4) benchmarks for measuring progress toward implementation. Requires the Board of Elections of the Virgin Islands, as part of the next regularly scheduled, islands-wide election, to hold a referendum to seek the approval of the people of the Virgin Islands regarding whether the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Government of the Virgin Islands shall be established as a part of the executive branch of such government. Requires the governor of the Virgin Islands to appoint a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), with the advice and consent of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, from a list required by this Act. Provides a process for appointment of an Acting CFO. Sets forth the CFO's duties. Establishes the Virgin Islands Chief Financial Officer Search Commission to recommend at least three candidates for the CFO position. Terminates the Commission upon the nomination and confirmation of the CFO. Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to Congress an evaluation of whether the annual estimates or forecasts of revenue and expenditure of American Samoa, the CNMI, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands are reasonable and make recommendations for improving the process for developing estimates or forecasts. Makes households located in the Virgin Islands with household income up to 300% of the poverty level eligible for assistance under the low-income home energy assistance program. Establishes the Castle Nugent National Historic Site on the island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, as a unit of the National Park System in order to preserve, protect, and interpret a Caribbean cultural landscape spanning over 300 years of agricultural use, significant archaeological resources, an extensive barrier coral reef system, and other outstanding natural features. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands within the boundary of the Historic Site to the University of the Virgin Islands for the purpose of continuing the University's operations for breeding Senepol cattle. Establishes the St. Croix National Heritage Area in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Designates St. Croix United for Community, Culture, Environment, and Economic Development (SUCCEED) Inc., as the local coordinating entity for the Area. Requires SUCCEED Inc. to submit a management plan that provides for the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the natural, cultural, historic, scenic, and recreational resources of the Area. Recognizes the suffering and the loyalty of the residents of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a Fund for the payment of claims submitted by compensable Guam victims and survivors of compensable Guam decedents. Directs the Secretary to make specified payments to: (1) living Guam residents who were raped, injured, interned, or subjected to forced labor or marches, or internment resulting from, or incident to, such occupation and subsequent liberation; and (2) survivors of compensable residents who died in war (such payments to be made after payments have been made to surviving Guam residents). Directs the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to specify injuries that would constitute a severe personal injury or a personal injury and adjudicate claims and determine payment eligibility. Requires claims to be filed within one year after the Commission publishes notice of the filing period in the Federal Register and in the Guam media. Allows local matching required of an affected jurisdiction (i.e., American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI, or the state of Hawaii) for federal programs to be paid in cash or in-kind services provided by the jurisdiction pursuant to the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (concerning the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands) and the Palau Compact of Free Association Act. Excepts programs of competitive grants. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, with respect to housing assistance for the benefit of an alien lawfully resident in the United States, to provide that within Guam a citizen or national of the United States shall be entitled to a preference or priority in receiving financial assistance before any such alien who is otherwise eligible for such assistance. Requires the Comptroller General to study the use of benefit-to-cost ratio formulas by departments and agencies for purposes of evaluating projects in American Samoa, assessing in particular its remote locations, transportation costs, airport traffic control towers, and water resources development projects. Requires departments and agencies, in the case of grants to American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the CNMI, to waive any requirement for local matching funds (including in-kind contributions) that the area would otherwise be required to provide, including waiver of an entire matching requirement for a grant requiring matching funds of $500,000 or less. Exempts vessels from the fishery endorsement requirement that they be rebuilt in the United States if they off load in American Samoa and were rebuilt outside of the United States before January 1, 2011. Amends the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 to require GAO to include in reports assessing the impact of minimum wage increases applicable to American Samoa and the CNMI an analysis of the economic effects on employees and employers of the differentials in minimum wage rates among industries and classifications in American Samoa, including the potential effects of eliminating such differentials prior to the time when such rates are scheduled to equal the minimum wage set forth in the Fair Labor Standards Act. American Samoa Citizenship Plebiscite Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to direct the American Samoa Election Office to conduct a plebiscite on the issue of whether persons born in American Samoa desire U.S. citizenship. Expands marine turtle conservation assistance under the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 to include the United States and its territories.

Veterans Conservation Corps Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2013

Veterans Conservation Corps Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a veterans conservation corps to assist veterans in the transition from service in the Armed Forces to civilian life and to employ veterans: (1) in conservation, resource management, and historic preservation projects on public lands; (2) in maintenance and improvement projects for cemeteries under the jurisdiction of the National Cemetery Administration; and (3) as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and disaster relief personnel. Requires priority to be given to the employment of veterans who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Requires, as part of the veterans conservation corps: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to award grants under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to hire veterans as firefighters; (2) the Attorney General to award grants under the public safety and community policing grant program (COPS ON THE BEAT grant program) under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to hire veterans as law enforcement officers; and (3) the DHS Secretary to provide funds to increase participation by veterans in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Corps program. Authorizes the VA Secretary to transfer amounts to carry out the corps to the Attorney General, the Chief of Engineers, and the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, DHS, and Interior. Directs the VA Secretary to establish a steering committee to establish selection criteria for, and provide advice to the VA Secretary on, the awarding of assistance under this Act.

Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2013

Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2013 - Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch: (1) the Nuclear Waste Administration (NWA) to provide for the permanent disposal of nuclear waste, including the siting, construction, and operation of additional repositories, a test and evaluation facility, and additional storage facilities; and (2) the Nuclear Waste Oversight Board. Transfers to the NWA Administrator specified functions of the Secretary of Energy (Secretary). Prescribes guidelines for nuclear waste facilities and for the identification and suitability of candidate sites. Directs the Administrator to (1) establish a Storage Facility Program to provide interim storage for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, and (2) request proposals for cooperative agreements for a pilot program for the storage of priority waste. Requires the Administrator, prior to selecting a storage facility site, to enter into a consent agreement to host the facility with: (1) an authorized official of the state in which the site is proposed to be located; (2) each affected unit of general local government or Indian tribe; and (3) submit to Congress a program plan, a list of proposed storage facility sites, and cost estimates for licensing, constructing, and operating each storage facility. Requires the Secretary to issue guidelines, evaluate potential sites, as well as select sites for repositories. Subjects construction and operation of a storage facility or repository to: (1) applicable standards for the protection of the general environment from offsite releases of radioactive material, and (2) the licensing and regulatory jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Requires the Secretary to arrange for the Administrator to dispose of defense wastes in a repository developed under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to arrange for the Administrator to store defense wastes in storage facilities developed under this Act pending disposal in a repository. Confers upon the Administrator responsibility for transporting nuclear waste under this Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Nuclear Waste Administration Working Capital Fund. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to reflect the amendments made by this Act. Terminates those authorities of the Secretary regarding siting, construction, and operation of repositories, storage facilities, or test and evaluation facilities which were not transferred to the Administrator under this Act.

A bill to authorize and request the President to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing for acts of valor during the Civil War.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2013

Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing for acts of valor during the Civil War.

American Jobs Matter Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2013

American Jobs Matter Act of 2013 - Requires an executive agency to include the effects on employment within the United States (a jobs impact statement) in the evaluation factors that must be considered in each solicitation for competitive proposals for covered contracts. Defines a "covered contract" as a contract in excess of $1 million for the procurement of manufactured goods, goods or services listed in a required report of industrial base capabilities, or any item procured as part of a major defense acquisition program. Allows an offeror's jobs impact statement to include a guarantee that jobs created or retained in the United States will not be moved outside the United States after award of the contract unless doing so is required to provide the goods or services stipulated in the contract or is in the best interest of the federal government. Requires each agency to: (1) assess, annually, the accuracy of such a statement submitted by an offeror awarded a contract; and (2) track the number of jobs created or retained during the performance of such contract. Allows the agency, if the number of jobs created or retained falls short of agency estimates, to consider this as a factor that affects a contractor's past performance in the award of future contracts. Requires: (1) the Secretary of Defense to report annually on the frequency of use within the Department of Defense (DOD) of jobs impact statements in the evaluation of competitive proposals, and (2) revision of the Department of Defense Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement this Act.

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2013

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014 - Makes appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for FY2014. Makes FY2014 appropriations to the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers-Civil, for FY2014 for: (1) civil functions pertaining to rivers and harbors, flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, and aquatic ecosystem restoration (including the Mississippi River alluvial valley below Cape Girardeau, Missouri); (2) the regulatory program pertaining to navigable waters and wetlands; (3) the formerly utilized sites remedial action program for clean-up of early atomic energy program contamination; (4) flood control and coastal emergencies, including hurricanes and other natural disasters; and (5) the Office of Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). Makes FY2014 appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Central Utah Project; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation, including water and related natural resources; (3) the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund; (4) California Bay-Delta Restoration, and (5) administrative expenses in the Office of the Commissioner. Makes appropriations for FY2014 to the Department of Energy (DOE) for energy and science programs, including: (1) energy efficiency and renewable energy, (2) electricity delivery and energy reliability, (3) nuclear energy, (4) fossil energy research and development, (5) naval petroleum and oil shale reserves, (6) the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, (7) the Energy Information Administration, (8) non-defense environmental cleanup, (9) the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund, (10) science activities, (11) the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), (12) the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Loan Program, (14) the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, (15) departmental administration, (16) the Office of the Inspector General, (17) the National Nuclear Security Administration and atomic energy defense weapons activities, (18) defense nuclear nonproliferation activities, (19) naval reactors activities, (20) Office of the Administrator in the National Nuclear Security Administration, (21) atomic energy defense environmental cleanup, and (22) other defense activities. Approves expenditures from the Bonneville Power Administration Fund. Makes FY2014 appropriations for operation and maintenance of: (1) the Southeastern Power Administration; (2) the Southwestern Power Administration; (3) the Western Area Power Administration, including construction and rehabilitation; (4) the Falcon and Amistad Operating and Maintenance Fund; and (5) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Makes FY2014 appropriations to: (1) the Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; (3) the Delta Regional Authority; (4) the Denali Commission; (5) Northern Border Regional Commission; (6) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), including the Office of Inspector General; (7) the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board; and (8) the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects.

Child Handgun Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2013

Child Handgun Safety Act - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to promulgate a consumer product safety standard for handguns that requires that: (1) any handgun manufactured in the United States must be child-resistant and include a mechanism that effectively precludes an average five-year old child from operating it when it is ready to fire (effective one year after this Act's enactment date); and (2) any handgun sold, offered for sale, traded, transferred, shipped, leased, or distributed in the United States must be child-resistant as manufactured or retrofitted to be child-resistant (effective two years after such date). Includes as such a mechanism: (1) raising trigger resistance to at least a 10-pound pull, (2) altering the firing mechanism so that an average 5-year old child's hands are too small to operate the handgun, or (3) requiring a series of multiple motions in order to fire the handgun. Exempts antique firearms and firearms owned by the Department of Defense (DOD). Requires the cost of retrofitting a firearm to meet such requirement to be borne by the manufacturer if the manufacturer is operational at the time the retrofit is required, but permits the use of the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund for payments to reimburse handgun manufacturers for the costs of retrofitting required by this Act.