SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Clearwater Basin Project Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) Advisory panel.--The term ``advisory panel'' means the
        Clearwater Advisory Panel, established by the Secretary under
        section 3.
            (2) Pilot project.--The term ``pilot project'' means the
        Clearwater Basin Pilot Project authorized by section 4.
            (3) Pilot project area.--The term ``pilot project area''
        means the area described in section 4(a) in which the pilot
        project will be conducted.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Agriculture.
            (5) Stewardship contract.--The term ``stewardship
        contract'' means a contract to achieve land management goals
        for National Forest System lands as described in section 347 of
        the Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations
        Act, 1999 (16 U.S.C. 2104 note).
            (6) Stewardship objectives.--The term ``stewardship
        objectives'' means objectives that enhance forest ecosystems,
        and restore and improve land health water quality such as--
                    (A) road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or
                obliteration;
                    (B) soil productivity improvement;
                    (C) improvements in forest ecosystem health;
                    (D) watershed restoration and maintenance;
                    (E) restoration, maintenance and improvement of
                wildlife and fish habitat;
                    (F) control of noxious weeds; and
                    (G) reestablishment of native species.

SEC. 3. CLEARWATER ADVISORY PANEL.

    (a) Establishment and Purpose.--The Secretary shall establish an
advisory group, to be known as the ``Clearwater Advisory Panel'', for
the purpose of improving collaborative relationships and providing
advice and recommendations to the Forest Service regarding the
Clearwater Basin pilot project and activities under the pilot project,
as authorized by and consistent with this Act.
    (b) Duties.--The advisory panel shall--
            (1) review and make recommendations to the Forest Service
        regarding activities proposed for high priority implementation
        as part of the pilot project;
            (2) provide early and continuous coordination with
        appropriate Forest Service and other agency officials in
        reviewing and recommending activities for high priority
        implementation; and
            (3) provide frequent opportunities for citizens,
        organizations, tribes, agencies, and other interested parties
        to participate in all stages of the activity schedule
        development process.
    (c) Appointment of Members.--
            (1) Appointment and term.--No later than 90 days after the
        date of enactment of this Act, and consistent with subsection
        (d), the Secretary shall appoint the members of the advisory
        panel and each member shall serve without compensation for a
        term of three years beginning on the date of appointment. The
        Secretary may reappoint members to subsequent three-year terms.
            (2) Vacancies.--The Secretary shall make appointments to
        fill vacancies on the advisory panel as soon as practicable
        after the vacancy has occurred.
    (d) Composition of Advisory Panel.--The advisory panel shall
be comprised of 15 members who shall be representative of the interests
of the following categories:
            (1) Category i.--
                    (A) organized labor;
                    (B) developed outdoor recreation, off highway
                vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities;
                    (C) energy and mineral development interests;
                    (D) commercial timber industry; and
                    (E) Federal grazing permit holders, or other land
                use permit holders within the pilot project area.
            (2) Category ii.--
                    (A) national environmental organizations;
                    (B) regional or local environmental organizations;
                    (C) dispersed recreational activities;
                    (D) archaeological and historical interests; and
                    (E) national or regional fish and wildlife interest
                groups.
            (3) Category iii.--
                    (A) State elected officeholders or their designee;
                    (B) county or local elected officeholders;
                    (C) Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the pilot
                project area;
                    (D) school officials or teachers; and
                    (E) the affected public at large.
            (4) Balanced representation.--The Secretary shall provide
        for balanced representation from among the categories described
        in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).
            (5) Geographic distribution.--The members of the advisory
        panel shall reside within the State of Idaho, and to the extent
        practicable, within or adjacent to the pilot project area.
    (e) Approval Procedures.--
            (1) Establishment.--Subject to paragraph (2) and the other
        requirements of this Act, the advisory panel shall establish
        procedures for proposing, developing, and reviewing activities
        and schedules for recommendation to the Forest Service for
        approval and implementation under the pilot project. A majority
        must be present to constitute an official meeting of the
        advisory panel.
            (2) Majority vote.--An activity or schedule may be
        recommended by the advisory panel to the applicable Forest
        Supervisor for approval and implementation under the pilot
        program if it is approved by a majority of the advisory panel
        members from each of the three categories described in
        subsection (d).
    (f) Other Authorities and Requirements.--
            (1) Chairperson.--A majority of the advisory panel shall
        select a chairperson.
            (2) Staff assistance.--The Secretary may provide staff
        assistance to the advisory panel from employees under the
        jurisdiction of the Secretary.
            (3) Meetings.--All meetings of the advisory panel shall be
        announced at least one week in advance in a local newspaper of
        record and shall be open to the public. Records of the meetings
        shall be retained and made available for public inspection.

SEC. 4 CLEARWATER BASIN PILOT PROJECT.

    (a) Pilot Project Authorized.--The Secretary may conduct a pilot
project under this section, to be known as the ``Clearwater Basin pilot
project'', on those National Forest System land encompassed by the
North Fork, Powell, and Lochsa Ranger Districts of the Clearwater
National Forest in the State of Idaho, and the Red River/Elk City,
Moose Creek and Clearwater Ranger Districts of the Nez Perce National
Forest in the State of Idaho.
    (b) Role of Advisory Panel.--The advisory panel shall review and
recommend activities for high priority implementation of stewardship
objectives within the pilot project area, for which funding is
authorized under this Act or other laws.
    (c) Stewardship Contracts.--A total of three stewardship contracts
are authorized for recommendation by the advisory panel and for
approval and implementation in accordance with, and to achieve the
purposes of, the pilot project. These contracts are in addition to any
stewardship contracts authorized under any other law.
    (d) Activity Schedules.--
            (1) Development.--Within two years after the date of the
        enactment of this Act, the advisory panel shall develop and
        submit for Forest Supervisor review schedules of high priority
        activities to be commenced within the pilot project area for
the ensuing five-year period. Separate schedules shall be developed for
the Clearwater National Forest portion of the pilot project area.
Thereafter, the advisory panel shall develop and submit in advance
schedules for subsequent five-year periods.
            (2) Consultation.--The advisory panel shall develop each
        five-year schedule in consultation with, and with technical
        assistance from, the applicable Forest Supervisor and the Nez
        Perce Tribe. The Forest Service shall ensure that the
        activities in the schedules are consistent with treaty and any
        other obligations to the Tribe.
            (3) Content.--Each five-year schedule shall be in
        sufficient detail to describe the high priority activities to
        be conducted in the pilot project area over the five-year
        period and the timing for their implementation, and to allow
        reasonable site-specific, project-level evaluation of their
        environmental effects. The scope of the activities included in
        each schedule shall be reasonably adjusted to the extent that
        the advisory panel and applicable Forest Supervisor determine
        necessary to allow such evaluation to be completed within the
        time periods provided by this Act.
            (4) Consistency with forest plan.--The activities included
        within the five-year schedules shall be consistent with the
        applicable forest land and resource management plan. The
        schedule may include any amendment of the applicable forest
        land and resource management plan that the advisory panel
        recommends or that the applicable Forest Supervisor determines
        is necessary to allow or facilitate implementation of one or
        more activities in the schedule.
    (f) NEPA Requirements and Related Procedures.--
            (1) Process.--The Forest Service shall conduct any
        applicable procedures under the National Environmental Policy
        Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for the approval of the
        activities in each five-year schedule, tiered to the
        environmental impact statement for the applicable forest land
        and resource management plan. The procedures under such Act,
        and any review, consultation, or coordination under other laws,
        including the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning
        Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.), Endangered Species Act of
        1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and National Historic
        Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470), shall be completed within one
        year after the Forest Service, in consultation with the North
        Central Idaho resource advisory committee, issues the public
        scoping notice regarding the proposed schedule.
            (2) Resources.--The Forest Service, and any other Federal
        agencies involved in the process described in paragraph (1),
        shall provide sufficient personnel and other resources,
        directly or through contracting, to complete the review,
        consultation, or coordination within the required one-year
        period, and without substantially delaying implementation of
        other forest management activities in Region 1 of the Forest
        Service. The Forest Service and other involved agencies may
        rely upon or use any analysis, documents, or procedures
        previously performed under the National Environmental Policy
        Act of 1969 or other law for any activity in the schedule.
            (3) Effect of failure to complete process.--If any review,
        consultation, or coordination required under the National
        Environmental Policy Act of 1969 or other law has not been
        completed for a schedule within the required one-year period,
        the lack of completion shall not be a basis for challenging or
        delaying submittal, approval, or implementation of an activity
        in the schedule, if the applicable Forest Supervisor, in
        consultation with the advisory panel, finds that sufficient
        review, consultation, and coordination regarding the activity
        has occurred and a sufficient record exists to make a reasoned
        decision regarding approval of the activity.
    (g) Review by Forest Supervisor.--
            (1) Submission.--The advisory panel shall submit a final
        recommendation regarding each five-year schedule, together with
        the record of the review, consultation, and coordination
        performed under subsection (f) for the schedule, to the
        applicable Forest Supervisor for review. The final
        recommendation and record shall be submitted to the Forest
        Supervisor at least 30 days in advance of the date for
        commencing implementation of activities under the schedule.
            (2) Review.--Within 30 days after receiving the schedule
        and record from the advisory panel, the Forest Supervisor shall
        issue a project or activity decision document regarding review
        of the recommended schedule in accordance with the National
        Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and any other applicable
        procedures. In the decision document, the Forest Supervisor may
        approve the schedule, or disapprove the schedule and return it
        to the advisory panel for further consideration with
        instructions. If the Forest Supervisor has not issued a
decision document upon expiration of the 30-day period, the schedule
shall be deemed approved by the Forest Supervisor and subject to
administrative appeal under Department of Agriculture procedures
applicable to Forest Service project or activity record of decision or
decision notice documents issued pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969.
    (h) Implementation.--Upon approval of the schedule, but subject to
any stay that may be in effect pursuant to Forest Service project or
activity administrative appeal procedures, the Forest Service may issue
any permits, contracts, or other authorizations for activities in the
schedule without further review, consultation, or coordination under
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 or other laws.
    (i) Activities Not Included in a 5-Year Schedule; Amendment of
Schedule.--An activity that the advisory panel determines should
proceed in advance of approval of the first five-year schedule, or an
activity in the pilot project area that is not included in a five-year
schedule, may be approved and implemented on an individual or group
basis, upon completing the process and requirements for review and
approval of a five-year schedule. A five-year schedule may be amended
upon completed the process and requirements for review and approval of
the schedule.
    (j) Relation to Other Schedules, Plans, and Activities.--The five-
year schedules and activities authorized under the pilot project shall
supplement other schedules plans and projects or other activities
authorized and implemented under other law. Upon advisory panel
recommendation and applicable Forest Supervisor approval, an activity
that is included in another schedule or plan or proposed, authorized,
or funded under other law may be authorized and implemented as an
activity under the pilot project, if the activity meets the
requirements of this section for implementation as a high priority
activity.

SEC. 5. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Report on Applicable Rules and Regulations.--The advisory panel
may submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of
Representatives a compilation of regulations applicable to the pilot
project that the advisory panel determines are inappropriate for the
pilot project, incompatible with the pilot project, or unduly
burdensome in conducting the pilot project.
    (b) Monitoring; Annual Report on the Project.--The Secretary shall
monitor the activities and achievement in the pilot project area under
the pilot project. Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter during the pilot
project, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of
the House of Representatives on the results of such monitoring,
including detailed information on the sources and uses of funds and the
status, outputs, and other results accomplished for each activity
recommended for priority implementation by the advisory panel under the
pilot project.
    (c) State of Idaho Report.--The Secretary shall request the State
of Idaho, through the University of Idaho College of Natural Resource
or other source, to prepare a report reviewing the activities and
achievements of the pilot project in the pilot project area. The
Secretary shall request the State to prepare and submit the report at
five-year intervals to the Secretary, the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on Resources of the
House of Representatives. The requested report should include an
assessment of whether, and to what extent, the activities conducted
under the pilot project are meeting or enhancing the accomplishment of
stewardship objectives.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary, through fiscal year 2012, such sums as
may be necessary for the following purposes:
            (1) Developing, submitting, reviewing, and implementing
        five-year schedules and priority activities under the pilot
        project, including the stewardship contracts authorized by this
        Act.
            (2) Other advisory panel activities and technical
        assistance to the advisory panel for the purposes of the pilot
        project.
            (3) Monitoring and reporting requirements under section 5.
            (4) Such other actions as are necessary to implement this
        Act.
    (b) Availability.--Amount appropriated for the purposes specified
in subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.
    (c) Treatment of Receipts.--Notwithstanding the Secure Rural
Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-
393; 16 U.S.C. 500 note), any moneys received by the Forest Service
from activities approved and implemented under the pilot project shall
be distributed in accordance with the sixth paragraph under the heading
``Forest Service'' in the Act of May 23, 1908 (16 U.S.C. 500).

SEC. 7. SEVERABILITY.

    If any provisions of this Act or the application of this Act to any
person or circumstances is held to be invalid, the validity of the
remainder of this Act and of the application of such provision to other
persons and circumstances shall not be affected.

Clearwater Basin Project Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and maintain the Clearwater Advisory Panel (CAP), which shall provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service regarding the Clearwater Basin pilot project (the Project) within the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests, Idaho. States that the CAP shall: (1) make recommendations regarding activities for high priority implementation; (2) provide early and continuous coordination with Federal officials; and (3) provide for public input into its proceedings.Authorizes the Secretary to conduct the Project. Directs the CAP, in consultation with and receiving technical assistance from the applicable Forest Supervisor, to develop and submit for approval from the Forest Supervisor five-year schedules of high priority activities for the Project (with separate schedules for each Forest). Requires that the activities included in such schedules be consistent with the applicable forest land and resource management plan. Directs the Forest Service to complete any applicable National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures for the approval of the activities at the site-specific, project level. Directs the CAP to consult with the Nez Perce Tribe in developing and recommending each schedule.Directs the Forest Supervisor to issue a project or activity decision document regarding approval of the recommended schedule in accordance with NEPA and other applicable procedures.Provides for the schedules and activities authorized under this section to supplement certain other schedules, plans, and projects or other activities authorized and implemented under other law.

A bill to provide for enhanced collaborative forest stewardship management within the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests in Idaho, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Programs
Improvement Act of 2003''.
    (b) References.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever
in this Act an amendment is expressed in terms of an amendment to a
section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be
made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY AND
              INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

    (a) Rate Adjustment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall,
effective on December 1, 2003, increase the dollar amounts in effect
for the payment of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity
compensation by the Secretary, as specified in subsection (b).
    (b) Amounts To Be Increased.--The dollar amounts to be increased
pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:
            (1) Compensation.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect
        under section 1114.
            (2) Additional compensation for dependents.--Each of the
        dollar amounts in effect under section 1115(1).
            (3) Clothing allowance.--The dollar amount in effect under
        section 1162.
            (4) New dic rates.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect
        under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1311(a).
            (5) Old dic rates.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect
        under section 1311(a)(3).
            (6) Additional dic for surviving spouses with minor
        children.--The dollar amount in effect under section 1311(b);
            (7) Additional dic for disability.--Each of the dollar
        amounts in effect under subsections (c) and (d) of section
        1311.
            (8) DIC for dependent children.--Each of the dollar amounts
        in effect under sections 1313(a) and 1314.
    (c) Determination of Increase.--
            (1) The increase under subsection (a) shall be made in the
        dollar amounts specified in subsection (b) as in effect on
        November 30, 2003.
            (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), each such amount
        shall be increased by the same percentage as the percentage by
        which benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) are increased effective
        December 1, 2003, as a result of a determination under section
        215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).
            (3) Each dollar amount increased pursuant to paragraph (2)
        shall, if not a whole dollar amount, be rounded down to the
        next lower whole dollar amount.
    (d) Special Rule.--The Secretary may adjust administratively,
consistent with the increases made under subsection (a), the rates of
disability compensation payable to persons within the purview of
section 10 of Public Law No. 85-857 (72 Stat. 1263) who are not in
receipt of compensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38,
United States Code.
    (e) Publication of Adjusted Rates.--At the same time as the matters
specified in section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be published by reason of a determination
made under section 215(i) of such Act during fiscal year 2004, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register the
amounts specified in subsection (b) as increased pursuant to subsection
(a).

SEC. 3. REPEAL OF 45-DAY RULE FOR EFFECTIVE DATE OF AWARD OF DEATH
              PENSION.

    Subsection (d) of section 5110 is amended--
            (1) by striking the designation ``(1)'';
            (2) by striking ``death compensation or dependency and
        indemnity compensation'' and inserting ``death compensation,
        dependency and indemnity compensation, or death pension''; and
            (3) by striking paragraph (2).

SEC. 4. EXCLUSION OF LUMP-SUM LIFE INSURANCE PROCEEDS FROM
              DETERMINATIONS OF ANNUAL INCOME FOR PENSION PURPOSES.

    Subsection (a) of section 1503 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (9);
            (2) by striking ``materials.'' at the end of paragraph
        (10)(B) and inserting ``materials; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(11) lump-sum proceeds of any life insurance policy or
        policies on a veteran, for purposes of pension under subchapter
        III of this chapter.''.

SEC. 5. CLARIFICATION OF PROHIBITION ON PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION FOR
              ALCOHOL OR DRUG-RELATED DISABILITY.

    (a) Clarification.--Chapter 11 is amended--
            (1) in section 1110, by striking ``drugs.'' and inserting
        ``drugs, even if the abuse is secondary to a service-connected
        disability.''; and
            (2) in section 1131, by striking ``drugs.'' and inserting
        ``drugs, even if the abuse is secondary to a service-connected
        disability.''.
    (b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply to any claim--
            (1) filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act; or
            (2) filed before the date of enactment of this Act and not
        finally decided as of that date.

SEC. 6. ALTERNATIVE BENEFICIARIES FOR NATIONAL SERVICE LIFE INSURANCE
              AND UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE.

    (a) National Service Life Insurance.--
            (1) Section 1917 is amended by adding at the end the
        following new subsection:
    ``(f)(1) Following the death of the insured and in a case not
covered by subsection (d)--
            ``(A) if the first beneficiary otherwise entitled to
        payment of the insurance does not make a claim for such payment
        within two years after the death of the insured, payment may be
        made to another beneficiary designated by the insured, in the
        order of precedence as designated by the insured, as if the
        first beneficiary had predeceased the insured; and
            ``(B) if, within four years after the death of the insured,
        no claim has been filed by a person designated by the insured
        as a beneficiary and the Secretary has not received any notice
        in writing that any such claim will be made, payment may
        (notwithstanding any other provision of law) be made to such
        person as may in the judgment of the Secretary be equitably
        entitled thereto.
    ``(2) Payment of insurance under paragraph (1) shall be a bar to
recovery by any other person.''.
    (b) United States Government Life Insurance.--Section 1952 is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c)(1) Following the death of the insured and in a case not
covered by section 1950 of this title--
            ``(A) if the first beneficiary otherwise entitled to
        payment of the insurance does not make a claim for such payment
        within two years after the death of the insured, payment may be
        made to another beneficiary designated by the insured, in the
        order of precedence as designated by the insured, as if the
        first beneficiary had predeceased the insured; and
            ``(B) if, within four years after the death of the insured,
        no claim has been filed by a person designated by the insured
        as a beneficiary and the Secretary has not received any notice
        in writing that any such claim will be made, payment may
        (notwithstanding any other provision of law) be made to such
        person as may in the judgment of the Secretary be equitably
        entitled thereto.
    ``(2) Payment of insurance under paragraph (1) shall be a bar to
recovery by any other person.''.
    (c) Transition Provision.--In the case of a person insured under
subchapter I or II of chapter 19, title 38, United States Code, who
dies before the date of the enactment of this Act, the two-year and
four-year periods specified in subsection (f)(1) of section 1917 of
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and
subsection (c)(1) of section 1952 of such title, as added by subsection
(b), as applicable, shall for purposes of the applicable subsection be
treated as being the two-year and four-year periods, respectively,
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 7. TIME LIMITATION ON RECEIPT OF CLAIM INFORMATION PURSUANT TO
              REQUEST BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 5102 is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
    ``(c) Time Limitation.--
            ``(1) If information that a claimant and the claimant's
        representative, if any, are notified under subsection (b) is
        necessary to complete an application is not received by the
        Secretary within one year from the date of such notification,
        no benefit may be paid or furnished by reason of the claimant's
        application.
            ``(2) This subsection shall not apply to any application or
        claim for Government life insurance benefits.''.
    (b) Repeal of Superseded Provisions.--Section 5103 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(a) Required Information and Evidence.--
        ''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b).
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect as if enacted on November 9, 2000, immediately after the
enactment of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (Public Law
106-475; 114 Stat. 2096).

SEC. 8. BURIAL PLOT ALLOWANCE.

    (a) Subsection (b) of section 2303 is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``a
        burial allowance under such section 2302, or under such
        subsection, who was discharged from the active military, naval,
        or air service for a disability incurred or aggravated in line
        of duty, or who is a veteran of any war'' and inserting
        ``burial in a national cemetery under section 2402 of this
        title''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(other than a veteran
        whose eligibility for benefits under this subsection is based
        on being a veteran of any war)'' and inserting ``is eligible
        for a burial allowance under section 2302 of this title or
        under subsection (a) of this section, or was discharged from
        the active military, naval, or air service for a disability
        incurred or aggravated in line of duty, and such veteran''.
    (b) Section 2307 is amended in the last sentence by striking ``and
(b)'' and inserting ``and (b)(2)''.

SEC. 9. PROVISION OF MARKERS FOR PRIVATELY MARKED GRAVES.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (d) of section 502 of the Veterans
Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-103; 115
Stat. 995), as amended by section 203 of the Veterans Benefits Act of
2002 (Public Law 107-330; 116 Stat. 2824), is further amended by
striking ``September 11, 2001'' and inserting ``November 1, 1990''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect as if included in the enactment of section 502 of Public
Law 107-103.

SEC. 10. EXPANSION OF BURIAL ELIGIBILITY FOR REMARRIED SPOUSES.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (5) of section 2042 is amended by
striking ``(which for purposes of this chapter includes an unremarried
surviving spouse who had a subsequent remarriage which was terminated
by death or divorce)'' and inserting ``(which for purposes of this
chapter includes a surviving spouse who remarries following the
veteran's death)''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply to deaths occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this
Act.

SEC. 11. MAKE PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR STATE CEMETERY GRANTS PROGRAM.

    (a) Permanent Authorization.--Paragraph (2) of section 2408(a) is
amended--
            (1) by striking ``for fiscal year 1999 and for each
        succeeding fiscal year through fiscal year 2004''; and
            (2) by adding at the end ``Funds appropriated under the
        preceding sentence shall remain available until expended.''.
    (b) Technical Amendment.--Subsection (e) of section 2408 is amended
by striking ``Sums appropriated under subsection (a) of this section
shall remain available until expended.''.

SEC. 12. FORFEITURE OF BENEFITS FOR SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Addition of Certain Offenses.--Paragraph (2) of section 6105(b)
is amended by striking ``sections 792, 793, 794, 798, 2381, 2382, 2383,
2384, 2385, 2837, 2388, 2389, 2390, and chapter 105 of title 18'' and
inserting ``sections 175, 229, 792, 793, 794, 798, 831, 1091, 2332a,
2332b, 2381, 2382, 2383, 2384, 2385, 2387, 2388, 2389, 2390, and
chapter 105 of title 18''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to claims filed after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 13. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

    Section 3692 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``as far as
        practicable'' after ``include'';
            (2) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ``chapter 106''
        and inserting ``chapter 1606'' both places it appears; and
            (3) in subsection (c), by striking ``2003'' and inserting
        ``2013''.

SEC. 14. REPEAL OF EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM.

    (a) Termination of Program.--No loans shall be made under
subchapter III of chapter 36 after the date of the enactment of this
Act, and such subchapter shall be repealed 90 days after such date of
enactment.
    (b) Closing of Loan Fund.--All monies in the revolving fund
established in the Treasury of the United States of America known as
the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Education Loan Fund'' (the
``Fund'') on the day before the date of repeal of such subchapter III
shall be transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment
Benefits Account, and the Fund shall be closed.
    (c) Discharge of Liability.--The liability on any education loan
debt outstanding under such subchapter III shall be discharged, and any
overpayments declared under section 3698(e)(1) of that subchapter shall
be waived without further process on the date funds are transferred as
referred to in subsection (b) of this section.
    (d) Technical Amendment.--On the date of repeal of such subchapter
III, as provided herein, the table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 36 shall be amended by striking the items relating to
subchapter III.
    (e) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Chapter 34 is amended--
                    (A) by repealing paragraph (2) of section 3462(a);
                and
                    (B) in paragraph (1) of section 3485(e), by
                striking ``(other than an education loan under
                subchapter III)''.
            (2) Section 3512 is amended by repealing subsection (f).
            (3) The amendments made by paragraphs (1)(B) and (2) shall
        take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
        Act.

SEC. 15. RESTORATION OF CHAPTER 35 EDUCATION BENEFITS OF CERTAIN
              INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) Restoration.--Subsection (h) of section 3512 is amended by
inserting ``or is involuntarily ordered to full-time National Guard
duty under section 502(f) of title 32'' following ``title 10''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect as of September 11, 2001.

SEC. 16. EXPANSION OF MONTGOMERY GI BILL EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN
              SELF-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING.

    (a) Self-Employment Training.--Subparagraph (B) of section 3002(3)
is amended--
            (1) in clause (i) by striking ``and'';
            (2) by adding at the end the following clause:
                            ``(iii) a program of self-employment on-job
                        training approved as provided in section
                        3677(d) of this title; and''.
    (b) Program Approval.--Section 3677 is amended--
            (1) in subsections (a) and (c), by inserting ``self-
        employment on-job training or'' after ``(other than'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``described in
        subsection (a)'' after ``offering training''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d)(1) Any State approving agency may approve a program of self-
employment on-job training for purposes of chapter 30 of this title
only when it finds that the training is generally recognized as needed
or accepted for purposes of obtaining licensure to engage in the self-
employment occupation or is required for ownership and operation of a
franchise that is the objective of the training.
    ``(2) The training entity offering the training for which approval
is sought under this chapter must submit to the State approving agency
a written application for approval, in the form and with the content as
prescribed by the Secretary, which shall include such information as is
required by the State approving agency.
    ``(3) As a condition for approving a program of self-employment on-
job training, the State approving agency must find upon investigation
that the following criteria are met:
            ``(A) The training content is adequate to qualify the
        eligible individual for the self-employment occupation that is
        the objective of the training.
            ``(B) The training consists of full-time training for a
        period of less than six months.
            ``(C) The length of the training period is not longer than
        that customarily required to obtain the knowledge, skills, and
        experience needed to successfully engage in the particular
        self-employment occupation that is the objective of the
        training.
            ``(D) The training entity has adequate instructional space,
        equipment, materials, and personnel to provide satisfactory
        training on the job.
            ``(E) The training entity keeps adequate records of each
        trainee's progress toward the self-employment objective and, at
        the end of the training period, issues a license, certificate,
        or other document recording the individual's successful
        completion of the training program.
            ``(F) The training entity and the self-employment on-job
        training program meet such other criteria as the Secretary may
        prescribe and as the State approving agency, with the
        Secretary's approval, may establish.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (2) of section 3687(a) is
amended by inserting ``subsections (a), (b), and (c) of'' before
``section 3677''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on the date six months after the enactment of this Act and shall
apply to self-employment on-job training approved and pursued on or
after that date.

Veterans Programs Improvement Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2003, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

Makes the effective date for the award of death pension the same as that for the award of death compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation.

Excludes lump-sum insurance proceeds from income for purposes of eligibility for veterans' pensions.

Prohibits the payment of veterans' disability compensation for an alcohol- or drug-abuse related disability even if the the alcohol or drug abuse is secondary to a service-connected disability.

Provides alternative beneficiaries for National Service Life Insurance and United States Government Life Insurance proceeds when the first beneficiary does not make a claim.

Provides burial benefit eligibility for a veteran's surviving spouse who remarries following the veteran's death.

Makes permanent the authority for the State cemetery grants program.

Repeals the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Loan program.

Includes self-employment training under the Montgomery GI Bill.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the authorities of the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, pension, education benefits, life insurance benefits, and memorial benefits, to improve the administration of benefits for veterans, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Nonproliferation Amendments Act
of 2005''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
        (1) The Director of Central Intelligence's most recent
    Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology
    Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional
    Munitions, 1 July Through 31 December 2003, states ``Russian
    entities during the reporting period continued to supply a variety
    of ballistic missile-related goods and technical know-how to
    countries such as Iran, India, and China. Iran's earlier success in
    gaining technology and materials from Russian entities helped
    accelerate Iranian development of the Shahab-3 MRBM, and continuing
    Russian entity assistance has supported Iranian efforts to develop
    new missiles and increase Tehran's self-sufficiency in missile
    production.''
        (2) Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby, the Director of the Defense
    Intelligence Agency, stated in testimony before the Select
    Committee on Intelligence of the Senate on February 16, 2005, that
    ``Tehran probably will have the ability to produce nuclear weapons
    early in the next decade''.
        (3) Iran has--
            (A) failed to act in accordance with the Agreement Between
        Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the
        Application of Safeguards in Connection with the Treaty on the
        Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, done at Vienna June 19,
        1973 (commonly referred to as the ``Safeguards Agreement'');
            (B) acted in a manner inconsistent with the Protocol
        Additional to the Agreement Between Iran and the International
        Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards, signed
        at Vienna December 18, 2003 (commonly referred to as the
        ``Additional Protocol'');
            (C) acted in a manner inconsistent with its obligations
        under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,
        done at Washington, London, and Moscow July 1, 1968, and
        entered into force March 5, 1970 (commonly referred to as the
        ``Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty''); and
            (D) resumed uranium conversion activities, thus ending the
        confidence building measures it adopted in its November 2003
        agreement with the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom,
        France, and Germany.
        (4) On September 24, 2005, the Board of Governors of the
    International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) formally declared that
    Iranian actions constituted noncompliance with its nuclear
    safeguards obligations, and that Iran's history of concealment of
    its nuclear activities has given rise to questions that are within
    the purview of the United Nations Security Council.
        (5) The executive branch has on multiple occasions used the
    authority provided under section 3 of the Iran Nonproliferation Act
    of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) to impose
    sanctions on entities that have engaged in activities in violation
    of restrictions in the Act relating to--
            (A) the export of equipment and technology controlled under
        multilateral export control lists, including under the
        Australia Group, Chemical Weapons Convention, Missile
        Technology Control Regime, Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the
        Wassenaar Arrangement or otherwise having the potential to make
        a material contribution to the development of weapons of mass
        destruction or cruise or ballistic missile systems to Iran; and
            (B) the export of other items to Iran with the potential of
        making a material contribution to Iran's weapons of mass
        destruction programs or on United States national control lists
        for reasons related to the proliferation of weapons of mass
        destruction or missiles.
        (6) The executive branch has never made a determination
    pursuant to section 6(b) of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000
    that--
            (A) it is the policy of the Government of the Russian
        Federation to oppose the proliferation to Iran of weapons of
        mass destruction and missile systems capable of delivering such
        weapons;
            (B) the Government of the Russian Federation (including the
        law enforcement, export promotion, export control, and
        intelligence agencies of such government) has demonstrated and
        continues to demonstrate a sustained commitment to seek out and
        prevent the transfer to Iran of goods, services, and technology
        that could make a material contribution to the development of
        nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, or of ballistic or
        cruise missile systems; and
            (C) no entity under the jurisdiction or control of the
        Government of the Russian Federation, has, during the 1-year
        period prior to the date of the determination pursuant to
        section 6(b) of such Act, made transfers to Iran reportable
        under section 2(a) of the Act.
        (7) On June 29, 2005, President George W. Bush issued Executive
    Order 13382 blocking property of weapons of mass destruction
    proliferators and their supporters, and used the authority of such
    order against 4 Iranian entities, Aerospace Industries
    Organization, Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group, Shahid Bakeri
    Industrial Group, and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, that
    have engaged, or attempted to engage, in activities or transactions
    that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially
    contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
    or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of
    delivering such weapons), including efforts to manufacture,
    acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or use such items.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO IRAN NONPROLIFERATION ACT OF 2000 RELATED TO
              INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION PAYMENTS.

    (a) Treatment of Certain Payments.--Section 7(1)(B) of the Iran
Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note)
is amended--
        (1) by striking the period at the end and inserting a comma;
    and
        (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``except that such term does not mean payments in cash or in kind
    made or to be made by the United States Government prior to January
    1, 2012, for work to be performed or services to be rendered prior
    to that date necessary to meet United States obligations under the
    Agreement Concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space
    Station, with annex, signed at Washington January 29, 1998, and
    entered into force March 27, 2001, or any protocol, agreement,
    memorandum of understanding, or contract related thereto.''.
    (b) Exception.--Section 6(h) of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of
2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by inserting
after ``extraordinary payments in connection with the International
Space Station'' the following: ``, or any other payments in connection
with the International Space Station,''.
    (c) Reporting Requirements.--Section 6 of the Iran Nonproliferation
Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(i) Report on Certain Payments Related to International Space
Station.--
        ``(1) In general.--The President shall, together with each
    report submitted under section 2(a), submit to the Committee on
    Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International
    Relations of the House of Representatives a report that identifies
    each Russian entity or person to whom the United States Government
    has, since the date of the enactment of the Iran Nonproliferation
    Amendments Act of 2005, made a payment in cash or in kind for work
    to be performed or services to be rendered under the Agreement
    Concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space Station,
    with annex, signed at Washington January 29, 1998, and entered into
    force March 27, 2001, or any protocol, agreement, memorandum of
    understanding, or contract related thereto.
        ``(2) Content.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall
    include--
            ``(A) the specific purpose of each payment made to each
        entity or person identified in the report; and
            ``(B) with respect to each such payment, the assessment of
        the President that the payment was not prejudicial to the
        achievement of the objectives of the United States Government
        to prevent the proliferation of ballistic or cruise missile
        systems in Iran and other countries that have repeatedly
        provided support for acts of international terrorism, as
        determined by the Secretary of State under section 620A(a) of
        the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371(a)), section
        6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App.
        2405(j)), or section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22
        U.S.C. 2780(d)).''.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO THE IRAN NONPROLIFERATION ACT OF 2000 TO MAKE
              SUCH ACT APPLICABLE TO IRAN AND SYRIA.

    (a) Reports on Proliferation Relating to Iran or Syria.--Section 2
of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C.
1701 note) is amended--
        (1) in the heading, by striking ``TO IRAN'' and inserting
    ``RELATING TO IRAN AND SYRIA''; and
        (2) in subsection (a)--
            (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                (i) by inserting ``or acquired from'' after
            ``transferred to''; and
                (ii) by inserting after ``Iran'' the following: ``, or
            on or after January 1, 2005, transferred to or acquired
            from Syria''; and
            (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ``Iran'' the
        following: ``or Syria, as the case may be,''.
    (b) Determination Exempting Foreign Persons From Certain
Measures.--Section 5(a) of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000
(Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``transfer to Iran'' and
    inserting ``transfer to or acquire from Iran or Syria, as the case
    may be,''; and
        (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Iran's efforts'' and
    inserting ``the efforts of Iran or Syria, as the case may be,''.
    (c) Restriction on Extraordinary Payments in Connection With the
International Space Station.--Section 6(b) of the Iran Nonproliferation
Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
        (1) in the heading, by striking ``to Iran'' and inserting
    ``Relating to Iran and Syria'';
        (2) in paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking ``to Iran'' each
    place it appears and inserting ``to or from Iran and Syria''; and
        (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``to Iran'' and inserting
    ``to or from Iran or Syria''.
    (d) Definitions.--Section 7(2) of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of
2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
        (1) in subparagraph (C) to read as follows:
            ``(C) any foreign government, including any foreign
        governmental entity; and''; and
        (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``subparagraph (B) or
    (C)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), including any
    entity in which any entity described in any such subparagraph owns
    a controlling interest''.
    (e) Short Title.--
        (1) Amendment.--Section 1 of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of
    2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by
    striking ``Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000'' and inserting ``Iran
    and Syria Nonproliferation Act''.
        (2) References.--Any reference in a law, regulation, document,
    or other record of the United States to the Iran Nonproliferation
    Act of 2000 shall be deemed to be a reference to the Iran and Syria
    Nonproliferation Act.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and
                                               President of the Senate.

Iran Nonproliferation Amendments Act of 2005 - Amends the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 to state that the definition of "extraordinary payments in connection with the International Space Station" does not mean payments in cash or in kind made or to be made by the U.S. government prior to January 1, 2012, for work to be performed or services to be rendered prior to that date necessary to meet U.S. obligations under the Agreement Concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space Station, with annex, signed at Washington January 29, 1998, and entered into force March 27, 2001, or any protocol, agreement, memorandum of understanding, or contract related thereto. (Under such Act the United States is prohibited from making such payments to the Russian Aviation and Space Agency unless specified determinations are made with respect to Russian cooperation in preventing proliferation to Iran, or to a foreign person identified as contributing to proliferation to Iran.)

Prohibits any U.S. agency from making extraordinary payments and any other payments (currently, such prohibition is limited to extraordinary payments) in connection with the International Space Station to a foreign person subject to specified measures under such Act or Executive Order No. 12938.

 Directs the President to submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives a report that identifies each Russian entity or person to whom the United States has, since the date of enactment of this Act, made a cash or in-kind payment under the Agreement.

Requires such report to include: (1) the purpose of each payment; and (2) with respect to each such payment, an assessment that the payment was not prejudicial to preventing the proliferation of ballistic or cruise missile systems in Iran and other countries that have supported acts of international terrorism.

 Applies the provisions of such Act to: (1) Syria with respect to transfers on or after January 1, 2005; and (2) transfers to or from such countries (currently, limited to transfers to Iran).

Redefines "foreign person" or "person" to include any foreign government or government entity (currently, any governmental entity operating as a business enterprise).

Retitles the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2002 as the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act.

An act to make amendments to the Iran Nonproliferation Act to 2000 related to International Space Station payments, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Park Service
Entrepreneurial Management Reform Act of 1994''.

SEC. 2. FEES.

    (a) Admission Fees.--Section 4(a) of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-4 and following) is
amended as follows:
            (1) In the first sentence of paragraph (1)(A)(i), by
        striking ``$25'' and inserting ``$40''.
            (2) By amending the second sentence of paragraph (1)(A)(i)
        to read as follows: ``The permittee and the accompanying
        spouse, children, and parents of the permittee shall be
        entitled to general admission into any area designated pursuant
        to this section.''.
            (3) By modifying the margin of clause (ii) of paragraph
        (1)(A) to align with the margin of clause (i).
            (4) By inserting at the end of clause (ii) of paragraph
        (1)(A) the following: ``Such receipts shall be made available,
        subject to appropriation, for authorized resource protection,
        rehabilitation, and conservation projects as provided for by
        subsection (i), including projects to be carried out by the
        Public Land Corps or any other conservation corps pursuant to
        the Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1970 (16 U.S.C. 1701 and
        following), or other related programs or authorities, on lands
        administered by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary
        of Agriculture.''.
            (5) In paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``$15'' and inserting
        ``$25'' and by adding at the end the following new sentence:
        ``Any amount by which the fee for such an annual permit exceeds
        $15 shall be credited to the appropriation account of the unit
        of the National Park System that collected the fee, shall be
        available to the unit without further appropriation, and shall
        remain available until expended.''.
            (6) In paragraph (2), by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(2)'',
        by striking the fifth and sixth sentences, by amending the
        fourth sentence to read as follows: ``The fee for a single-
        visit permit at any designated area shall be not more than $6
        per person for persons entering by any means, except that the
        fee shall not exceed $20 for all persons entering a designated
        area in a single noncommercial vehicle.'', and by adding at the
        end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(B) The Secretary shall establish a pilot project at
        Yosemite National Park that utilizes incentives, including
        waiving or reducing admission fees, to encourage use of public
        transit which serves the purpose of reducing vehicular traffic
        within Yosemite National Park.''.
            (7) In paragraph (3), by striking the last sentence.
            (8) In paragraph (4), by striking ``No other free permits
        shall be issued to any person'' and inserting ``No other free
        permits shall be issued to any person, except as otherwise
        provided by this subsection''.
            (9) In paragraph (4), by amending the second sentence to
        read as follows: ``Such permit shall be nontransferable, shall
        be issued for a one-time charge of $10, and shall entitle the
        permittee and the accompanying spouse of the permitee to
        general admission into any area designated pursuant to this
        subsection.''.
            (10) In paragraph (6) by striking ``on Interior and Insular
        Affairs'' and inserting ``on Natural Resources''.
            (11) In paragraph (9), by striking ``San Juan National
        Historic Site, and Canaveral National Seashore'' and inserting
        ``and San Juan National Historic Site'' and by adding the
        following at the end thereof: ``The Secretary of the Interior
        shall submit a report to the Congress within 6 months after the
        enactment of this sentence respecting the areas at which the
        Secretary determines admission fees would be appropriate but at
        which such fees are prohibited by law and respecting each area
        at which such fees are authorized but not being collected
        (including an explanation of the reasons that such fees are not
        being collected).''.
            (12) By amending paragraph (11) to read as follows:
            ``(11) In the case of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National
        Parks, a single-visit fee collected at one unit shall also
        admit the person who paid such fee for a single visit to the
        other unit.''.
    (b) Penalty.--Section 4(e) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-4 and following) is amended by striking
``$100'' and inserting ``$1,000''.
    (c) Technical Amendments.--(1) Section 4(h) of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-4 and following) is
amended by striking ``on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United
States House of Representatives and United States Senate'' and
inserting ``on Natural Resources of the United States House of
Representatives and on Energy and Natural Resources of the United
States Senate'', by striking ``Bureau of Outdoor Recreation'' and
inserting ``National Park Service'', and by striking ``Bureau'' and
inserting ``National Park Service''.
    (2) Section 4(g) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of
1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-4 and following) is amended by striking ``or
charges for commercial or other activities not related to recreation''.
    (d) Use of Fees.--Section 4(i) of the Land and Water Conservation
Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-4 and following) is amended as
follows:
            (1) By inserting ``Use of Fees.--'' after ``(i)''.
            (2) In the first sentence of paragraph (1)(B), by striking
        ``fee collection costs for that fiscal year'' and inserting
        ``fee collection costs for the immediately preceding fiscal
        year'' and by striking ``section in that fiscal year'' and
        inserting ``section in such immediately preceding fiscal
        year''.
            (3) In the second sentence of paragraph (1)(B), by striking
        ``in that fiscal year''.
            (4) In paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following
        new subparagraph:
    ``(C) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) and notwithstanding any
other provision of law, for fiscal years after fiscal year 1995, the
amount by which the receipts collected pursuant to this section by the
National Park Service (except for the portion of fee receipts withheld
as provided in subparagraph (B) for fee collection costs) exceeds the
receipts collected pursuant to this section by the National Park
Service in fiscal year 1993 shall be covered into a special fund
established in the Treasury of the United States to be known as the
`National Park Renewal Fund'. Amounts in such fund shall be available
to the Secretary of the Interior, without further appropriation, for
resource protection, research, interpretation, and maintenance
activities related to resource protection and visitor enjoyment in
areas managed by the National Park Service and shall be allocated among
national park system units in accordance with subsection (j). Such
amounts shall remain available until expended. The Secretary shall
develop procedures for the use of amounts in the fund that ensure
accountability and demonstrated results consistent with the purposes of
this Act. Beginning after the first full fiscal year following
enactment of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall submit an annual
report to Congress, on a unit-by-unit basis, detailing the fees
receipts collected pursuant to this section and the expenditures of
such receipts.''.
    (e) Time of Reimbursement.--Section 4(k) of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-4 and following) is
amended by striking the last sentence.
    (f) Fees for Special Uses.--Section 4 of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-4 and following) is
amended by adding the following new subsection at the end:
    ``(o) Fees for Special Uses.--The Secretary of the Interior shall
establish reasonable fees for nonrecreational uses of national park
system units that require special arrangements, including permits. The
fees shall be set at such level as the Secretary deems necessary to
insure that the United States will receive fair market value for the
use of the area concerned and shall, at a minimum, cover all costs of
providing necessary services associated with such special uses, except
that the Secretary may, in his discretion, waive or reduce such fees in
the case of any nonprofit organization or any organization using an
area within the national park system for educational or park-related
purposes. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
shall retain so much of the revenue from such fees as is equal to fee
collection costs and the costs of providing the necessary services
associated with such special uses. Such retained amounts shall be
credited to the appropriation account for the national park system unit
concerned and shall remain available until expended, beginning in the
fiscal year in which the amounts are so credited.''.
    (g) Admission or Recreation Use Fees.--Section 4 of the Land and
Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-4 and following) is
amended by adding the following new subsection at the end:
    ``(p) Admission or Recreation Use Fees.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, no admission or recreation use fee of any kind shall
be charged or imposed for entrance into, or use of, any federally owned
area operated and maintained by a Federal agency and used for outdoor
recreation purposes, except as provided for by this Act.''.

SEC. 3. CHALLENGE COST-SHARE AGREEMENTS.

    (a) Agreements.--The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to
negotiate and enter into challenge cost-share agreements with
cooperators. For purposes of this section--
            (1) The term ``challenge cost-share agreement'' means any
        agreement entered into between the Secretary and any cooperator
        for the purpose of sharing costs or services in carrying out
        any authorized functions and responsibilities of the Secretary
        with respect to any unit of the national park system (as
        defined in section 2(a) of the Act of August 8, 1953 (16 U.S.C.
        1b-1c)), any affiliated area, or any designated national scenic
        or historic trail.
            (2) The term ``cooperator'' means any State or local
        government, public or private agency, organization,
        institution, corporation, individual, or other entity.
    (b) Use of Federal Funds.--In carrying out challenge cost-share
agreements, the Secretary is authorized, subject to appropriation, to
provide the Federal funding share from any funds available to the
National Park  Service.

SEC. 4. COST RECOVERY FOR DAMAGE TO NATIONAL PARK RESOURCES.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any funds payable to
United States as restitution on account of damage to national park
resources or property shall be paid to the Secretary of the Interior.
Any such funds, and any other funds received as a result of forfeiture,
compromise, or settlement on account of damage to national park
resources or property shall be credited to the appropriation account
for the national park system unit concerned and shall be available,
without further appropriation, for expenditure by the Secretary,
without regard to fiscal year limitation, to improve, protect, or
rehabilitate any park resources or property which have been damaged by
the action of a permittee or any unauthorized person.

National Park Service Entrepreneurial Management Reform Act of 1994 - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to increase fees for admission to units of the National Park System (NPS) and other specified areas. Makes receipts from admission available, subject to appropriation, for authorized resource protection, rehabilitation, and conservation projects.
(Sec. 2) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a pilot project at Yosemite National Park that utilizes incentives, including waiving or reducing admission fees, to encourage use of public transit which serves the purpose of reducing vehicular traffic within such park.
Revises provisions regarding the issuance of lifetime admission permits, including a limitation that such a permit entitles only the permittee and the accompanying spouse to free admission.
Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress respecting areas where the Secretary determines that admission fees would be appropriate but where such fees are prohibited by law, and areas where such fees are authorized but not being collected.
Increases the penalty for violations of rules and regulations regarding admission and special recreation use fees.
Modifies provisions regarding the use of fees collected.  Requires that specified receipts be covered into a special National Park Renewal Fund.  Makes such funds available for resource protection, research, interpretation, and maintenance activities related to resource protection and visitor enjoyment in areas managed by the National Park Service.
Repeals a requirement that qualified public or private entities selling annual admission permits reimburse the United States for the full amount to be received from the sale of such permits when or before the agency delivers the permits to such entity for sale.
Directs the Secretary to establish reasonable fees for nonrecreational uses of NPS units that require special arrangements.
Prohibits charging an admission or recreation use fee for entrance into, or use of, any federally owned area operated and maintained by a Federal agency which is used for outdoor recreation purposes, except as provided for by such Act.
(Sec. 3) Authorizes the Secretary to:  (1) negotiate and enter into agreements with State or local governments, individuals, or other entities for the purpose of sharing costs or services in carrying out authorized functions and responsibilities of the Secretary with respect to NPS units; and (2) provide, subject to appropriation, the Federal funding share from any funds available to the National Park Service in carrying out such agreements.
(Sec. 4) Requires any funds payable to the United States as restitution for damages to national park resources or property to be paid to the Secretary and made available for improvement, protection, or rehabilitation of damaged resources or property.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act
of 1996''.

SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR RECEIPT OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

    Section 102 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting
Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-1) is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
            (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (3)
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) permit absentee ballots to be received at least until
        the close of polls on election day.''.

SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT PROVISIONS TO
              SPECIAL, PRIMARY, AND RUNOFF ELECTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 103(a) of the Uniformed and Overseas
Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-2(a)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting after ``general'' the following: ``,
        special, primary, and runoff''; and
            (2) by striking out ``States,'' and inserting in lieu
        thereof ``State''.
    (b) Special Rules.--Section 103(c) of the Uniformed and Overseas
Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-2(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ``candidate or''
        the following: ``, with respect to a general or special
        election,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ``candidate or''
        the following: ``with respect to a general election''.
    (c) Use of Approved State Absentee Ballot in Place of Federal
Write-in Absentee Ballot.--Section 103(e) of the Uniformed and Overseas
Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-2(e)) is amended by
striking out ``a general'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``an''.
    (d) Certain States Exempted.--Section 103(f) of the Uniformed and
Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-2(f)) is
amended by striking out ``general'' each place it appears.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to elections taking place after December 31, 1996.

SEC. 4. USE OF ELECTRONIC RETURN OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 104 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-3) is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (8);
            (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (9)
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(10) in consultation with the Presidential designee,
        consider means for providing for expeditious methods for the
        return of absentee ballots, including return by electronic
        transmittal, with maximum regard for ballot secrecy, audit
        procedures, and other considerations relating to the integrity
        of the election process.''.
    (b) Secrecy and Verification of Electronically Transmitted
Ballots.--Section 104 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-3) is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``To afford'' and inserting in lieu
        thereof ``(a) In General.--To afford''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Secrecy and Verification of Electronically Transmitted
Ballots.--No electronic transmittal or related procedure under
subsection (a)(10) that is paid for, in whole or in part, with Federal
funds may be carried out in any manner that (1) permits any person
other than the voter to view a completed ballot, or (2) otherwise
compromises ballot secrecy. At the earliest possible opportunity, the
original of each completed ballot that is transmitted electronically
shall be submitted in a secrecy envelope to the applicable location in
the State involved.''

SEC. 5. ELECTRONIC TRANSMITTAL OF BALLOTING MATERIALS.

    (a) In General.--The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following new sections:

``SEC. 108. ELECTRONIC TRANSMITTAL OF BALLOTING MATERIALS.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State, in cooperation with the Presidential
designee, shall establish a system for electronic transmittal of
balloting materials for overseas voters. The system shall provide for--
            ``(1) electronic transmittal as an alternative method for
        transmittal of balloting materials to overseas voters;
            ``(2) use of the format of the official post card form
        prescribed under section 101 (or the format of any other
        registration form provided for under State law) for purposes of
        absentee voter registration application and absentee ballot
        application, with the condition that a State may require
        receipt of a form with an original signature before the ballot
        of the voter is counted;
            ``(3) furnishing of absentee ballots by electronic
        transmittal, from locations within the State, as selected by
        the chief State election official, to overseas voters who
        request such transmittal; and
            ``(4) special alternative methods of transmittal of
        balloting materials for use only when required by an emergency
        declared by the President or the Congress.
    ``(b) Funding Requirement.--The requirements of subsection (a)
shall apply to a State with respect to an election--
            ``(1) if there is full payment by the Federal Government of
        any additional cost incurred by the State after the date of the
        enactment of this Act for the implementation of such subsection
        (a), with such costs to be determined by the Presidential
        designee and the chief State election official, acting jointly;
        or
            ``(2) in any case of less than full payment, as described
        in paragraph (1), if the State, in the manner provided for
        under the law of the State, agrees to the application of such
        requirements.

``SEC. 109. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR APPROVAL OF ELECTRONIC
              TRANSMITTAL METHOD.

    ``The Presidential designee may not approve use of any method of
electronic transmittal for purposes of this Act, unless, not later than
90 days before the effective date of the approval, the Presidential
designee submits to the Congress a detailed report describing the
method.''.
    (b) Definition Amendment.--Section 107 of the Uniformed and
Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6) is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (7);
            (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (8)
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(9) the term `electronic transmittal' means, with respect
        to balloting materials, transmittal by facsimile machine or
        other electronic method approved by the Presidential
        designee.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to elections taking place after December 31, 1996.

SEC. 6. REPORT PROVISION.

    Section 101(b)(6) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff(b)(6)) is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``participation and'' and inserting in
        lieu thereof ``participation,''; and
            (2) by inserting before the period at the end the
        following: ``, and a separate analysis of electronic
        transmittal of balloting materials''.

            Passed the House of Representatives May 14, 1996.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.

Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1996 - Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to require each State to allow absentee ballots to be received at least until the closing of polls on election day.
(Sec. 3) Extends the Federal write-in ballot provisions to include special, primary, and run-off elections.
(Sec. 4) Recommends that the States consider, with respect to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters, means to provide for the expeditious return of absentee ballots, including return by electronic transmittal.
(Sec. 5) Requires each State to establish a system for electronic transmittal of balloting materials for overseas voters.  Sets forth provisions concerning system requirements, including funding and notification requirements.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may cited as the ``District of Columbia Full Self-
Government Act''.

              TITLE I--STATUS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

SEC. 101. STATUS OF THE DISTRICT.

    (a) In General.--All of the territory constituting the permanent
seat of the Government of the United States shall continue to be
designated as the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia shall
remain and continue a body corporate, as provided in section 2 of the
Revised Statutes relating to the District (sec. 1-102, D.C. Official
Code).
    (b) No Effect on Existing Laws.--No law or regulation which is in
force on the effective date of this Act shall be deemed amended or
repealed by this Act except to the extent specifically provided herein
or to the extent that such law or regulation is inconsistent with this
Act, but any such law or regulation may be amended or repealed by act
or resolution as authorized in this Act, or by Act of Congress.
    (c) No Effect on Boundary Line.--Nothing contained in this section
shall affect the boundary line between the District of Columbia and the
Commonwealth of Virginia as the same was established or may be
subsequently established under the provisions of title I of the Act of
October 31, 1945 (59 Stat. 552).

SEC. 102. LEGISLATIVE POWER OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

    Except as provided in section 202, the legislative power of the
District of Columbia shall extend to all rightful subjects of
legislation within the District consistent with the Constitution of the
United States and the provisions of this Act subject to all the
restrictions and limitations imposed upon the States by the tenth
section of the first article of the Constitution of the United States.

                      TITLE II--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a Council of the District
of Columbia (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Council''), and
the members of the Council shall be elected by the registered qualified
electors of the District.
    (b) Powers, Organization, and Procedure.--The powers, organization,
and procedure of the Council shall be set forth under such laws as may
be enacted by the District of Columbia consistent with the provisions
of this Act.

SEC. 202. LIMITATIONS ON AUTHORITY.

    The Council shall have no authority to pass any act contrary to the
provisions of this Act except as specifically provided in this Act, or
to--
            (1) impose any tax on property of the United States or any
        of the several States;
            (2) lend the public credit for support of any private
        undertaking;
            (3) enact any act, or enact any act to amend or repeal any
        Act of Congress, which concerns the functions or property of
        the United States or which is not restricted in its application
        exclusively in or to the District of Columbia;
            (4) enact any act, resolution, or rule with respect to any
        provision of title 11 of the District of Columbia Official Code
        (relating to organization and jurisdiction of the District of
        Columbia courts);
            (5) impose any tax on the whole or any portion of the
        personal income, either directly or at the source thereof, of
        any individual not a resident of the District (the terms
        ``individual'' and ``resident'' in this paragraph to have the
        meaning given such terms in section 47-1801.04, D.C. Official
        Code);
            (6) enact any act, resolution, or rule which permits the
        building of any structure within the District of Columbia in
        excess of the height limitations contained in section 5 of the
        Act of June 1, 1910 (sec. 5-405, D.C. Official Code), and in
        effect on the effective date of this Act;
            (7) enact any act, resolution, or regulation with respect
        to the Commission of Mental Health;
            (8) enact any act or regulation relating to the United
        States District Court for the District of Columbia or any other
        court of the United States in the District other than the
        District courts, or relating to the duties or powers of the
        United States attorney or the United States Marshal for the
        District of Columbia; or
            (9) enact any act, resolution, or rule with respect to the
        District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management
        Assistance Authority established under section 101(a) of the
        District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management
        Assistance Act of 1995.

                      TITLE III--EXECUTIVE BRANCH

SEC. 301. OFFICE OF THE MAYOR.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established the Office of the Mayor of
the District of Columbia, and the Mayor shall be elected by the
registered qualified electors of the District.
    (b) Powers and Duties.--The powers and duties of the Mayor of the
District of Columbia, and the organization of the Office of the Mayor
of the District of Columbia, shall be set forth under such laws as may
be enacted by the District of Columbia consistent with the provisions
of this Act.

SEC. 302. TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEES FORMERLY COVERED BY FEDERAL CIVIL
              SERVICE SYSTEM.

    In the case of persons employed by the District government
immediately preceding the effective date of the personnel system
established by the District government pursuant to section 422(3) of
the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, the personnel system of the
District government may provide for continued participation in all or
part of the Federal Civil Service System and shall provide for
benefits, including but not limited to pay, tenure, leave, residence,
retirement, health and life insurance, and employee disability and
death benefits, all at least equal to those provided by legislation
enacted by Congress, or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, and
applicable to such officers and employees immediately prior to such
date, except that nothing in this Act shall prohibit the District from
separating an officer or employee subject to such system in the
implementation of a financial plan and budget for the District
government approved under subtitle A of title II of the District of
Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of
1995.

SEC. 303. RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN MUNICIPAL PLANNING ACTIVITIES.

    The Mayor's planning responsibility shall not extend to Federal and
international projects and developments in the District, as determined
by the National Capital Planning Commission, or to the United States
Capitol buildings and grounds as defined in chapter 51 of title 40,
United States Code, or to any extension thereof or addition thereto, or
to buildings and grounds under the care of the Architect of the
Capitol.

SEC. 304. EMERGENCY CONTROL OF METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

    (a) Authority of President To Exercise Control in Emergencies.--
            (1) Authority.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
        whenever the President of the United States determines that
        special conditions of an emergency nature exist which require
        the use of the Metropolitan Police force for Federal purposes,
        he may direct the Mayor to provide him, and the Mayor shall
        provide, such services of the Metropolitan Police force as the
        President may deem necessary and appropriate.
            (2) Limitation of duration of authority.--In no case shall
        services made available pursuant to any direction of the
        President under this subsection extend--
                    (A) for a period in excess of 48 hours unless the
                President has, prior to the expiration of such period,
                notified the chairman and ranking minority member of
                the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the
                House of Representatives and the chairman and ranking
                minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security
                and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, in writing, as
                to the reason for such direction and the period of time
                during which the need for such services is likely to
                continue; or
                    (B) for any period in excess of 30 days, unless the
                Senate and the House of Representatives enact into law
                a joint resolution authorizing such an extension.
    (b) Termination.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the services
        made available in accordance with subsection (a) shall
        terminate upon the end of such emergency, the expiration of a
        period of 30 days following the date on which such services are
        first made available, or the enactment into law of a joint
        resolution by the Congress providing for such termination,
        whichever first occurs.
            (2) Special rule in case of adjournment of congress sine
        die.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in any case in which
        services are made available in accordance with subsection (a)
        during any period of an adjournment of the Congress sine die,
        such services shall terminate upon the end of the emergency,
        the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which
        Congress first convenes following such adjournment, or the
        enactment into law of a joint resolution by the Congress
        providing for such termination, whichever first occurs.

                       TITLE IV--JUDICIAL BRANCH

SEC. 401. JUDICIAL BRANCH.

    The judicial powers of the District of Columbia, and the provisions
of the charter of the District of Columbia government which are
applicable to the judges and courts of the District of Columbia, shall
be those set forth in part C of title IV of the District of Columbia
Home Rule Act (sec. 1-204.31 et seq., D.C. Official Code), as in effect
on the effective date of this Act.

                TITLE V--BUDGET AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

SEC. 501. APPLICATION OF LAWS ESTABLISHED BY DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

    (a) Budget and Financial Management.--Subject to this Act, the
process by which the District of Columbia develops and enacts the
budget for the District government for a fiscal year, and the
activities carried out with respect to the financial management of the
District government for a fiscal year, shall be established under such
laws as may be enacted by the District.
    (b) Borrowing.--Subject to this Act, the process and rules by which
the District of Columbia issues bonds or otherwise borrows money shall
be established under such laws as may be enacted by the District.

SEC. 502. FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF UNITED STATES NOT PLEDGED.

    The full faith and credit of the United States is not pledged for
the payment of any principal of or interest on any bond, note, or other
obligation issued by the District of Columbia, and the United States is
not responsible or liable for the payment of any principal of or
interest on any bond, note, or other obligation issued by the District.

SEC. 503. FEDERAL TAX EXEMPTION.

    Bonds and notes issued by the District of Columbia and the interest
thereon shall be exempt from all Federal taxation except estate,
inheritance, and gift taxes.

SEC. 504. LEGAL INVESTMENT IN BONDS AND NOTES ISSUED BY DISTRICT OF
              COLUMBIA.

    Notwithstanding any restriction on the investment of funds by
fiduciaries contained in any other law, all domestic insurance
companies, domestic insurance associations, executors, administrators,
guardians, trustees, and other fiduciaries within the District of
Columbia may legally invest any sinking funds, moneys, trust funds, or
other funds belonging to them or under or within their control in any
bonds issued by the District of Columbia. National banking associations
are authorized to deal in, underwrite, purchase and sell, for their own
accounts or for the accounts of customers, bonds and notes issued by
the District to the same extent as national banking associations are
authorized by paragraph seven of section 5136 of the Revised Statutes
(12 U.S.C. 24), to deal in, underwrite, purchase and sell obligations
of the United States, States, or political subdivision thereof. All
Federal building and loan associations and Federal savings and loan
associations, and banks, trust companies, building and loan
associations, and savings and loan associations, domiciled in the
District may purchase, sell, underwrite, and deal in, for their own
account or for the account of others, all bonds or notes issued by the
District of Columbia. Nothing contained in this section shall be
construed as relieving any person, firm, association, or corporation
from any duty of exercising due and reasonable care in selecting
securities for purchase or investment.

               TITLE VI--RETENTION OF FEDERAL AUTHORITIES

SEC. 601. RETENTION OF CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, Congress reserves
the right, at any time, to exercise its constitutional authority as
legislature for the District of Columbia, by enacting legislation for
the District on any subject, whether within or without the scope of
legislative power granted to the Council by this Act, including
legislation to amend or repeal any law in force in the District prior
to or after the effective date of this Act and any act passed by the
Council.

SEC. 602. LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY OF DISTRICT OVER CERTAIN AGENCIES.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed as vesting in the District
of Columbia government any greater authority over the National
Zoological Park, the National Guard of the District of Columbia, the
Washington Aqueduct, the National Capital Planning Commission, or over
any Federal agency, than was vested in the Commissioner of the District
of Columbia established under Reorganization Plan Numbered 3 of 1967
prior to January 2, 1975.

         TITLE VII--TERMINATION OF EXISTING CHARTER; TRANSITION

SEC. 701. TERMINATION OF EXISTING CHARTER.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in section 401 and subsection
(b), the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (sec. 1-201.01 et seq.,
D.C. Official Code) is repealed.
    (b) No Effect on Amendatory Provisions.--Nothing in subsection (a)
shall be construed to affect any provision of law which is amended or
repealed by the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.

SEC. 702. NO EFFECT ON EXISTING OBLIGATIONS.

    (a) Budgets.--Nothing in this Act or in the amendment made by
section 701 may be construed to relieve the District of Columbia of any
contractual or other financial obligations incurred by the District
under a budget enacted for a fiscal year prior to the effective date of
this Act.
    (b) Borrowing.--Nothing in this Act or in the amendment made by
section 701 may be construed--
            (1) to relieve the District of Columbia of any obligation
        incurred with respect to bonds or other forms of borrowing
        issued prior to the effective date of this Act; or
            (2) to waive the application to the District of Columbia of
        any other Federal law governing the borrowing of funds by
        States or units of local government, including the Internal
        Revenue Code of 1986.

SEC. 703. NO EFFECT ON INDIVIDUALS HOLDING POSITIONS WITHIN DISTRICT
              GOVERNMENT.

    Nothing in this Act or in the amendment made by section 701 may be
construed to affect the status of any individual who holds elective or
appointed office in, or is an officer or employee of, the government of
the District of Columbia as of the effective date of this Act.

SEC. 704. NO EFFECT ON PENDING ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS.

    No suit, action, or other judicial proceeding lawfully commenced by
or against any officer or agency in his or its official capacity or in
relation to the exercise of his or its official functions, and no
administrative action or proceeding lawfully commenced, shall abate by
reason of this Act or the amendment made by section 701.

                       TITLE VIII--EFFECTIVE DATE

SEC. 801. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on
the effective date of legislation enacted by the District of Columbia
after the date of the enactment of this Act which establishes--
            (1) the powers, organization, and procedure of the Council
        of the District of Columbia; and
            (2) the powers and duties of the Mayor of the District of
        Columbia, and the organization of the Office of the Mayor of
        the District of Columbia.

District of Columbia Full Self-Government Act - Declares that: (1) this Act shall have no effect on existing law or regulation unless otherwise repealed or amended by this Act or an Act of Congress; and (2) the legislative power of the District shall extend to all rightful subjects of legislation within the District consistent with the U.S. Constitution and the provisions of this Act, subject to all the restrictions and limitations imposed upon the states by the Constitution.

Establishes a Council of the District of Columbia and the Office of the Mayor.

Prescribes requirements for treatment of District employees formerly covered by the Federal Civil Service System.

Prohibits the Mayor's planning responsibility from extending to federal and District international projects and developments.

Prescribes requirements granting the President emergency control of the Metropolitan Police Department.

Declares that the District's judicial powers and the provisions of the District charter applicable to District judges and courts shall be those set forth in the District of Columbia Home Rule Act as in effect on the enactment of this Act.

Subjects the process by which the District develops and enacts its fiscal year budget and related financial management activities to such laws as the District may enact.

Declares that the full faith and credit of the United States is not pledged for any District obligations, nor is the United States responsible or liable for them.

Exempts all District bonds and notes (and interest) from federal taxation, except estate, inheritance, and gift taxes. Authorizes certain entities to invest in District bonds and notes.

Reserves Congress the right to exercise constitutional authority as legislature for the District.

Repeals the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (establishing the existing District charter), but not any provision of law amended or repealed by such Act.

To establish the charter for the government of the District of Columbia.


sudden onset of extreme weakness and fatigue. i got up one morning and could barely walk across the room. i stopped taking the drug and the symptoms disappeared.


dizzy. lowered the cholesterol.


intense and constant pain in my legs and arms. legs were also very painful to the touch. pain relievers didn't help. i was tired all the time, couldn't sleep, loss of sexual desire. my dr sent me to a rheumatologist as he suspected that i had lupus. within 2 days of stopping the lipitor, my symptoms began to subside. the leg pain is gone, i have lots of energy and i can sleep again. what a concept!!. it did significantly and quickly lower my cholesterol numbers, but they would immediately go back up as soon as i went off of it. i eat steel-cut oats every day and using natural products like red yeast rice, lecithin granules & garlic.


Twelve-twenty-one p.m. CNN's Wolf Blitzer reports according to an eyewitness, a bomb has hit central Baghdad only a few hundred meters from the Palestine Hotel.


Israeli troops shot and killed a 16-year-old Palestinian boy and critically injured two children, ages 7 and 9, during conflicts in the West Bank that erupted Tuesday as Israeli and Palestinian leaders moved toward talks on a new Mideast peace plan.


"I did get a good bunch of the wedding photos, but my ex refused to give them all to me saying it was ""his life too"" even though I really resent them being under the same roof with his child-bride."