Summary:
Small Contractors Improve Competition Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that, when used appropriately, with respect to federal agency procurement, an auction between a group of offerors who compete against each other by submitting offers for a contract or task or delivery order with the ability to submit revised offers with lower prices throughout the course of the auction (reverse auction) may improve the federal government's procurement of commercially available commodities by increasing competition, reducing prices, and improving opportunities for small businesses.

The Small Business Act is amended to prohibit the use of reverse auctions for certain Small Business Administration (SBA) federal procurement contracts (covered contracts) for:

 design and construction services; goods purchased to protect federal employees, members of the Armed Forces, or civilians from bodily harm; or goods or services other than these to be awarded based on factors other than price and technical responsibility, or if awarding the contract requires the contracting officer to conduct discussions with the offerors about their offer. This prohibition applies specifically to any covered contract to be made under the procurement programs for women-owned small business concerns and for small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, as well as under the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program. In the case of an award of a non-covered contract, a reverse auction may be used for the award only if specified decisions are made by a contracting officer trained on the appropriate use and supervision of reverse auctions for such contracts.

A federal agency may not award such a contract using a reverse auction if:

 only one offer is received; offerors do not have the ability to submit revised bids with lower prices throughout the course of the auction; or at any time during the procurement process the federal agency misinforms an offeror about the price ranking of the last offer submitted by an offeror. (Sec. 3) If another applicable federal law or regulation permits the acceptance of a bond from a surety not subject to certain federal requirements for surety corporations, and is based on a pledge of assets by the surety, the assets pledged by such surety shall:

 consist of specified eligible obligations; and be submitted to the government official required to approve or accept the bond, who shall deposit the obligations according to specified requirements. The Small Business Investment Act of 1958 is amended with respect to any SBA guarantee or agreement to indemnify a surety under the Small Business Investment Program against loss from a breach of the terms of a bid bond, payment bond, performance bond, or ancillary bonds by a principal on any total work order or contract amount at the time of bond execution that does not exceed $6.5 million, as adjusted for inflation.

Increases from 70% to 90% of the loss incurred and paid by a surety authorized to issue bonds (subject to SBA guarantee) the SBA's maximum obligation to pay the surety under the guarantee or agreement to indemnify.

small contractors improve competition act sec bill expresses sense congress appropriately respect federal agency procurement auction group offerors compete submitting offers contract task delivery order ability submit revised offers lower prices course auction reverse auction improve federal_government procurement commercially available commodities increasing competition reducing prices improving opportunities small businesses small_business_act amended prohibit use reverse auctions certain small_business_administration sba federal procurement contracts covered contracts design construction services goods purchased protect federal employees members armed_forces civilians bodily harm goods services awarded based factors price technical responsibility awarding contract requires contracting officer conduct discussions offerors offer prohibition applies specifically covered contract procurement programs women owned small business concerns small business concerns owned controlled service disabled veterans historically underutilized business zone hubzone program case award non covered contract reverse auction award specified decisions contracting officer trained appropriate use supervision reverse auctions contracts federal agency award contract reverse auction offer received offerors ability submit revised bids lower prices course auction time procurement process federal agency offeror price ranking offer submitted offeror sec applicable federal law regulation permits acceptance bond surety subject certain federal requirements surety corporations based pledge assets surety assets pledged surety shall consist specified eligible obligations submitted government official required approve accept bond shall deposit obligations according specified requirements small_business_investment_act amended respect sba guarantee agreement indemnify surety small business investment program loss breach terms bid bond payment bond performance bond ancillary bonds principal total work order contract time bond execution exceed million adjusted inflation increases loss incurred paid surety authorized issue bonds subject sba guarantee sba maximum obligation pay surety guarantee agreement indemnify


Summary:
Strengthening Technical Assistance, Resources, and Training to Unleash the Potential of Veterans Act of 2015 or the STARTUP Vets Act of 2015

This bill amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make two-year renewable grants to create and operate incubators and accelerators that provide technical assistance and training to covered individuals on how to become successful entrepreneurs and form small business concerns.

Such program shall be considered an SBA management and technical assistance training program.

Program outreach materials shall be made available at local Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.

"Covered individual" means:

 a member of the Armed Forces, without regard to whether he or she participates in the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense; an individual who is participating in the Transition Assistance Program; an individual who served on active duty in any branch of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable; and a spouse or dependent.

strengthening technical assistance resources training potential veterans act startup vets act bill amends small_business_act require small_business_administration sba year renewable grants create operate incubators accelerators provide technical assistance training covered individuals successful entrepreneurs form small business concerns program shall considered sba management technical assistance training program program outreach materials shall available local department_of_veterans_affairs facilities covered individual means member armed_forces regard participates transition_assistance_program_of_the_department_of_defense individual participating transition_assistance_program individual served active duty branch armed_forces including national_guard reserves discharged released conditions dishonorable spouse dependent


Summary:
Flood Insurance Transparency and Accountability Act of 2015

This bill amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA) to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to declare that the final engineering report of an on-site property inspection conducted by an engineer to assess claims for losses covered by a flood insurance policy:

 may not be transmitted to any other person, employer, agency, or entity before it is transmitted to the insured; may not include alterations by anyone other than the person responsible for the report; and shall be transmitted to the insured in a manner giving reasonable assurance that it is transmitted directly to the insured by the responsible person in charge. The bill prescribes the manner in which such reports (including any adjustment and field reports) shall be transmitted to the insured.

 The bill revises the statute of limitations for appealing a disallowed claim for judicial review. The current limit of one year after the mailing date of FEMA's notice of disallowance or partial disallowance is repealed. The statute shall be extended to two years after the occurrence of the losses involved in a claim.

If FEMA, or an insurance company denies any claim for losses that is appealed to FEMA, the claimant may institute an action in U.S. district court not later than the later of: (1) the expiration of the 90-day period beginning the date of a final determination upon appeal denying such claim in whole or in part, or (2) the expiration of the 2-year period after the occurrence of the losses.

The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 is amended to require the Flood Insurance Advocate to provide a direct point of contact for policyholders under the National Flood Insurance Program to discuss the status of their claim appeals and the basis of the initial decision to deny their claims.

The NFIA is further amended to require FEMA to conduct an annual review of each private entity participating in the Program, including any company that has contracted with a Write Your Own insurance company to provide any service related to a policy or claim under the Program, including adjusting, engineering, and legal services, to ensure compliance with FEMA policies and procedures to prevent fraud and protect policyholders.

A Write Your Own means the cooperative undertaking between the insurance industry and the Federal Insurance Administration which allows participating property and casualty insurance companies to write and service standard flood insurance policies. FEMA shall also: (1) create and maintain a publically searchable online database that includes specified information regarding claims filed under the Program, and (2) establish guidelines and standards to require that any engineering or litigation cost billed to the Program by a Write Your Own insurance company is justified on a case-by-case basis.

A claim for damage to or loss of property shall not be denied based on the exclusion of earth movement (earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, sinkhole, mudflow, or shock wave) in the Standard Flood Insurance Policy if the claim is filed as the result of a flood, including a claim for damage to or loss or property caused by earth movement caused by a flood.

 The Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 is amended to require FEMA to ensure that: (1) the appeals process has clear rules, forms, and deadlines; (2) these are given to a claimant at the time a claim is first denied; and (3) the policyholder's legal options are explained upon denial of appeal.

The Department of Homeland Security shall report to Congress on specific actions it will take to:

 identify individuals and private entities that have engaged in activities to defraud policyholders under the Program following Superstorm Sandy, and prevent those individuals and private entities from continuing to receive federal funding. FEMA shall report to Congress regarding National Flood Insurance Program Transformation Task Force recommendations for reforming the Program, and a timeline for implementing them.

flood insurance transparency accountability_act bill amends national_flood_insurance_act direct federal_emergency_management_agency fema declare final engineering report site property inspection conducted engineer assess claims losses covered flood insurance policy transmitted person employer agency entity transmitted insured include alterations person responsible report shall transmitted insured manner giving reasonable assurance transmitted directly insured responsible person charge bill prescribes manner reports including adjustment field reports shall transmitted insured bill revises statute limitations appealing disallowed claim judicial review current limit year mailing date fema notice disallowance partial disallowance repealed statute shall extended years occurrence losses involved claim fema insurance company denies claim losses appealed fema claimant institute action district_court later later expiration day period beginning date final determination appeal denying claim expiration year period occurrence losses homeowner flood insurance affordability act amended require flood insurance advocate provide direct point contact policyholders national_flood_insurance_program discuss status claim appeals basis initial decision deny claims amended require fema conduct annual review private entity participating program including company contracted write insurance company provide service related policy claim program including adjusting engineering legal services ensure compliance fema policies procedures prevent fraud protect policyholders write means cooperative undertaking insurance industry federal insurance administration allows participating property casualty insurance companies write service standard flood insurance policies fema shall create maintain searchable online database includes specified information claims filed program establish guidelines standards require engineering litigation cost billed program write insurance company justified case case basis claim damage loss property shall denied based exclusion earth movement earthquake volcanic wave standard flood insurance policy claim filed result flood including claim damage loss property caused earth movement caused flood bereuter flood insurance reform_act amended require fema ensure appeals process clear rules forms deadlines given claimant time claim denied policyholder legal options denial appeal department_of_homeland_security shall report congress specific actions identify individuals private entities engaged activities defraud policyholders program following sandy prevent individuals private entities continuing receive federal funding fema shall report congress national_flood_insurance_program transformation task_force recommendations reforming program timeline implementing


Summary:
Community Partnership Act of 2015

This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) an Office for Community Partnerships, headed by an Assistant Secretary for Community Partnerships.

The Assistant Secretary shall be responsible for:

 leading strategic and supportive efforts by DHS components and offices to counter violent extremism; developing a digital engagement strategy that expands the outreach efforts of DHS to counter violent extremist messaging; serving as the primary DHS representative in coordinating countering violent extremism efforts with other federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations and in coordinating with the Department of State on international countering violent extremism issues; providing guidance, in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), regarding the use of grants made to state, local, and tribal governments under the Urban Area Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Grant Program under the allowable uses guidelines related to countering violent extremism; developing a plan to expand philanthropic support for domestic efforts related to countering violent extremism; and administering grants to counter extremism, as authorized below. DHS may award grants or cooperative agreements directly, based on need, to states, local governments, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, or institutions of higher education to support the efforts of local communities in the United States to prevent and counter violent extremism.

community partnership act bill amends homeland_security act establish department_of_homeland_security dhs office community partnerships headed assistant secretary community partnerships assistant secretary shall responsible leading strategic supportive efforts dhs components offices counter violent extremism developing digital engagement strategy expands outreach efforts dhs counter violent extremist messaging serving primary dhs representative coordinating countering violent extremism efforts federal agencies nongovernmental organizations coordinating department_of_state international countering violent extremism issues providing guidance coordination federal_emergency_management_agency fema use grants state local tribal governments urban_area_security_initiative state_homeland_security_grant_program allowable uses guidelines related countering violent extremism developing plan expand philanthropic support domestic efforts related countering violent extremism administering grants counter extremism authorized dhs award grants cooperative agreements directly based need states local governments tribal governments nonprofit organizations institutions higher education support efforts local communities united_states prevent counter violent extremism


Summary:
Help Small Businesses Access Affordable Credit Act

This bill amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA), if demand for commitments for authorized general business loans exceeds the limit on the total amount of commitments the SBA may make for such loans, to make such commitments up to 110% of that limit.

The SBA may not exercise this authority until specified congressional committees have approved.

help small businesses access affordable credit act bill amends small_business_act authorize small_business_administration sba demand commitments authorized general business loans exceeds limit total commitments sba loans commitments limit sba exercise authority specified congressional committees approved


Summary:
California Long-Term Provisions for Water Supply and Short-Term Provisions for Emergency Drought Relief Act

TITLE I--LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENTS FOR WESTERN STATES SUBJECT TO DROUGHT

This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior, within California and other states served by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), and also within Alaska and Hawaii, to provide: (1) cost-shared financial assistance and other long-term agreements to nonfederal participants to advance the planning, design, and construction of nonfederal permanent water storage and conveyance facilities, projects for the reclamation and reuse of municipal, industrial, domestic, and agricultural wastewater, naturally impaired ground and surface waters, groundwater recharge, and other water management improvement projects; and (2) grants for projects in disadvantaged communities that are unable to meet primary water quality standards or whose local private or public water supply has been lost or severely diminished due to drought conditions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for five years after enactment of this Act, must require California to prioritize state revolving funds allocated under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or the Safe Drinking Water Act to projects that will: (1) provide additional water supplies to areas at risk of having inadequate supplies for public health and safety purposes, or (2) improve resiliency to drought. At California's request, the EPA must authorize 40-year financing for assistance in the case of state loan funds used to buy or refinance the debt obligation of municipalities and intermunicipal and interstate agencies at or below market rates.

In Reclamation-served states, Interior may participate in up to: (1) 50% of the total cost of a federally owned surface water storage project upon the request of a state or public agency, or (2) 25% of the total cost of a state-led project involving a groundwater or surface water storage facility upon a governor's request.

The Department of the Army must carry out up to 15 pilot projects, including at least 6 nonfederal projects, to implement revisions of reservoir water operations manuals and flood control rule curves in states under a gubernatorial drought declaration during water year 2015.

Interior must award funding on a competitive basis to water recycling and desalination projects sponsored by certain cities, districts, regional commissions, and facilities.

The Water Desalination Act of 1996 is amended to reauthorize through FY2020 water desalination research grants and demonstration programs.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy must develop a strategic plan for future federal investments in desalination.

The Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act is amended to establish a process for Interior to award grants to nonfederal sponsors for projects that reclaim and reuse: (1) municipal, industrial, domestic, or agricultural wastewater; or (2) impaired ground or surface waters.

The EPA may continue the WaterSense Program for the voluntary labeling of products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services that meet EPA water efficiency criteria.

Interior may provide secured loans or loan guarantees to private entities, state or local governments, irrigation districts, water users' associations, or other entities that contract with the United States under federal reclamation law to carry out water projects within the 17 western states served by Reclamation, other states where Reclamation is authorized to provide project assistance, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Interior may enter a memorandum of understanding with California and up to four additional states to establish a pilot program that designates a state as lead agency for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

TITLE II--LISTED SPECIES AND WILDLIFE

This title authorizes appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for: (1) gravel and rearing area additions and habitat restoration to the Sacramento River to benefit Chinook salmon and steelhead trout; (2) real-time operations of Shasta and related Central Valley facilities, temperature modeling, and forecasting to predict impacts to salmon and salmon habitat as a result of water management at Shasta; and (3) salvage systems for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Suisun Marsh (the Delta). It also authorizes appropriations for Interior to conduct a Delta smelt distribution study.

The Department of Commerce must implement a pilot program to test an experimental trap and barge program to improve survival of juvenile salmonids emigrating from the San Joaquin watershed though the Delta.

Interior and Commerce must expand conservation hatchery programs to enhance, supplement, and rebuild Delta smelt and Endangered Species Act-listed fish species under the smelt biological opinion dated December 15, 2008, and the salmonid biological opinion dated June 4, 2009, for California's Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP).

A federal cost share of up to 50% is authorized for the acceleration and completion of water infrastructure and conveyance facilities necessary to achieve full water deliveries to Central Valley wildlife refuges and habitat areas.

 The National Marine Fisheries Service and California's Oakdale and South San Joaquin irrigation districts must conduct a nonnative predator research and pilot fish removal program to study the effects of removing certain nonnative bass and predator fish from the Stanislaus River. Interior must establish pilot projects to implement the Calfed Bay-Delta invasive species control program.

TITLE III--CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY DROUGHT RELIEF AND OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must use the best scientific and commercial data available to implement, continuously evaluate, and make appropriate amendments to the reasonable and prudent alternative described in the smelt biological opinion. Interior must collaborate with stakeholders to conduct annual surveys on the science of the Delta to enhance real-time decisionmaking.

By not later than March 15, 2021, Interior must complete studies to determine the abundance and distribution of Delta smelt. Interior must: (1) determine potential methods to minimize the effects of CVP and SWP operations on Delta smelt, (2) implement new targeted sampling and monitoring of Delta smelt or provide an explanation if such new sampling and monitoring is not warranted, and (3) use new tracking technologies.

 Until the California governor declares an end to its drought emergency or September 30, 2017, whichever is later, Interior and Commerce must conduct real-time monitoring of fish species relative to Delta conditions to identify: (1) opportunities to increase water pumping without violating environmental or endangered species laws or biological opinions; and (2) circumstances where it is necessary to decrease water pumping to protect natural origin steelhead, natural origin genetic spring run Chinook, genetic winter run Chinook salmon, or Delta smelt.

Temporary procedures are set forth for management of:

 the Old and Middle River (OMR) to maximize water supplies for the CVP and the SWP, OMR reverse flow rates, and the C.W. "Bill" Jones and the Harvey O. Banks pumping plants. To address emergency drought conditions, Interior and Commerce must approve operations or temporary projects to provide the maximum quantity of water supplies to CVP agricultural, municipal, and industrial contractors, water service or repayment contractors, water rights settlement contractors, exchange and refuge contractors, and SWP contractors. Consistent with biological opinions and subject to environmental law restrictions, Interior and Commerce must:

 implement a pilot project to test the ability to open the Delta cross-channel gates to the maximum extent practicable; install a deflection barrier at Georgiana Slough and the Delta cross-channel gate; implement turbidity control strategies; adopt inflow-to-export ratios for the increment of increased flow in April and May; issue permits for temporary barriers, operable gates, and water transfer requests; enter an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to study saltcedar biological control efforts to increase water supplies and improve riparian habitats of the Colorado River; and vary averaging periods for Delta export-inflow ratios. During the period when emergency procedures are in effect, federal agencies must: (1) expedite final decisions for newly proposed federal water projects or operations upon the California governor's request, and (2) develop alternative arrangements to comply with NEPA. Interior and Commerce may, during that temporary period, authorize CVP and SWP operations at levels that capture peak flows during storm-related events.

TITLE IV--WATER RIGHTS

This title sets forth temporary procedures for Interior to confer with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) regarding the implementation of this Act and any changes to the smelt or salmonid biological opinions. If the CDFW determines that SWP operations are inconsistent with California law, or requires take authorization in a manner that reduces water supply to the SWP as compared to the supply available under the biological opinions, and as a result the CVP yield is greater than it otherwise would have been, then that additional yield must be made available to SWP contractors to offset the reduced water supply. In cases where it is necessary to reduce CVP water supplies to make additional yield available to the SWP, such reductions must be applied proportionately to uses or contractors benefiting from that increased yield.

For existing CVP agricultural water service contractors within the Sacramento River Watershed, this title sets forth temporary water allocation percentages for irrigation purposes in wet, dry, and above or below normal water years.

TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

The CVP's service area is expanded to include the Kettleman City Community Services District. Interior shall enter a contract to deliver CVP water to that Kettleman City district for municipal and industrial uses if local supplies or SWP allocations are insufficient.

Reclamation must coordinate implementation of projects for additional water storage at the New Melones Reservoir.

The U.S. Geological Survey must establish an open water data system to promote voluntary sharing of water data among state, local, and tribal governments, communities, educational institutions, and the private sector.

TITLE VI--OFFSETS

This title establishes a process for Interior to identify, solicit public comment on, and submit to Congress a list of Reclamation projects to be deauthorized because they are no longer feasible. Reclamation projects that would yield an average of more than 200,000 acre-feet of water per year are exempt from this process.

Accelerated Revenue, Repayment, and Surface Water Storage Enhancement Act

This Act requires Interior, upon request from a water users association, to convert certain water service contracts between the United States and the water users association to allow for prepayment of repayment contracts. A percentage of the receipts generated from such prepayments is to be deposited in a Reclamation Surface Storage Account established to fund the construction of surface water storage.

TITLE VII--DURATION AND EFFECT ON EXISTING OBLIGATIONS

This title identifies the temporary provisions of titles III and IV that will expire when the California governor declares an end to its drought emergency or on September 30, 2017, whichever is later.

california long term provisions water supply short term provisions emergency drought relief_act title long term improvements western states subject drought bill authorizes department_of_the_interior california states served bureau_of_reclamation reclamation alaska hawaii provide cost shared financial assistance long term agreements nonfederal participants advance planning design construction nonfederal permanent water storage conveyance facilities projects reclamation reuse municipal industrial domestic agricultural wastewater naturally impaired ground surface waters groundwater recharge water management improvement projects grants projects disadvantaged communities unable meet primary water quality standards local private public water supply lost severely diminished drought conditions environmental_protection_agency epa years enactment act require california prioritize state revolving funds allocated federal_water_pollution_control_act safe_drinking_water_act projects provide additional water supplies areas risk having inadequate supplies public health safety purposes improve resiliency drought california request epa authorize year financing assistance case state loan funds buy refinance debt obligation municipalities interstate agencies market rates reclamation served states interior participate total cost federally owned surface water storage project request state public agency total cost state led project involving groundwater surface water storage facility governor request department_of_the_army carry pilot projects including nonfederal projects implement revisions reservoir water operations manuals flood control rule curves states drought declaration water year interior award funding competitive basis water recycling desalination projects sponsored certain cities districts regional commissions facilities water desalination act amended reauthorize fy2020 water desalination research grants demonstration programs white_house office_of_science_and_technology_policy develop strategic plan future federal investments desalination reclamation_wastewater groundwater_study facilities act amended establish process interior award grants nonfederal sponsors projects reclaim reuse municipal industrial domestic agricultural wastewater impaired ground surface waters epa continue watersense program voluntary labeling products buildings landscapes facilities processes services meet epa water efficiency criteria interior provide secured loans loan guarantees private entities state local governments irrigation districts water users associations entities contract united_states federal reclamation law carry water projects western states served reclamation states reclamation authorized provide project assistance alaska hawaii interior enter memorandum understanding california additional states establish pilot program designates state lead agency purposes national_environmental_policy_act nepa title listed species wildlife title authorizes appropriations national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration gravel area additions habitat restoration sacramento_river benefit chinook salmon steelhead trout real time operations shasta related central valley facilities temperature modeling forecasting predict impacts salmon salmon habitat result water management shasta salvage systems sacramento san_joaquin delta delta authorizes appropriations interior conduct delta smelt distribution study department_of_commerce implement pilot program test experimental trap barge program improve survival juvenile san_joaquin watershed delta interior_and_commerce expand conservation hatchery programs enhance supplement rebuild delta smelt endangered species act listed fish species smelt biological opinion dated december salmonid biological opinion dated june california central_valley_project cvp state_water_project swp federal cost share authorized acceleration completion water infrastructure conveyance facilities necessary achieve water deliveries central valley wildlife refuges habitat areas national_marine_fisheries_service california south san_joaquin irrigation districts conduct nonnative predator research pilot fish removal program study effects removing certain nonnative bass predator fish stanislaus_river interior establish pilot projects implement calfed bay delta invasive species control program title iii california emergency drought relief operational flexibility fish_and_wildlife_service use best scientific commercial data available implement continuously evaluate appropriate amendments reasonable prudent alternative described smelt biological opinion interior collaborate stakeholders conduct annual surveys science delta enhance real time decisionmaking later march interior complete studies determine abundance distribution delta smelt interior determine potential methods minimize effects cvp swp operations delta smelt implement new targeted sampling monitoring delta smelt provide explanation new sampling monitoring warranted use new tracking technologies california governor declares end drought emergency september whichever later interior_and_commerce conduct real time monitoring fish species relative delta conditions identify opportunities increase water pumping violating environmental endangered species laws biological opinions circumstances necessary decrease water pumping protect natural origin steelhead natural origin genetic spring run chinook genetic winter run chinook salmon delta smelt temporary procedures set forth management old middle river maximize water supplies cvp swp reverse flow rates bill jones banks pumping plants address emergency drought conditions interior_and_commerce approve operations temporary projects provide maximum quantity water supplies cvp agricultural municipal industrial contractors water service repayment contractors water rights settlement contractors exchange refuge contractors swp contractors consistent biological opinions subject environmental law restrictions interior_and_commerce implement pilot project test ability open delta cross channel gates maximum extent practicable install barrier delta cross channel gate implement control strategies adopt inflow export ratios increment increased flow april issue permits temporary barriers operable gates water transfer requests enter agreement national_academy_of_sciences study biological control efforts increase water supplies improve riparian habitats colorado_river vary averaging periods delta export inflow ratios period emergency procedures effect federal agencies expedite final decisions newly proposed federal water projects operations california governor request develop alternative arrangements comply nepa interior_and_commerce temporary period authorize cvp swp operations levels capture peak flows storm related events title water rights title sets forth temporary procedures interior confer california department fish wildlife implementation act changes smelt salmonid biological opinions determines swp operations inconsistent california law requires authorization manner reduces water supply swp compared supply available biological opinions result cvp yield greater additional yield available swp contractors offset reduced water supply cases necessary reduce cvp water supplies additional yield available swp reductions applied proportionately uses contractors benefiting increased yield existing cvp agricultural water service contractors sacramento_river watershed title sets forth temporary water allocation percentages irrigation purposes wet dry normal water years title miscellaneous provisions cvp service area expanded include city community services district interior shall enter contract deliver cvp water city district municipal industrial uses local supplies swp allocations insufficient reclamation coordinate implementation projects additional water storage new reservoir geological survey establish open water data system promote voluntary sharing water data state local tribal governments communities educational institutions private sector title offsets title establishes process interior identify solicit public comment submit congress list reclamation projects deauthorized longer feasible reclamation projects yield average acre feet water year exempt process accelerated revenue repayment surface water storage enhancement_act act requires interior request water users association convert certain water service contracts united_states water users association allow prepayment repayment contracts percentage receipts generated prepayments deposited reclamation surface storage account established fund construction surface water storage title vii duration effect existing obligations title identifies temporary provisions titles iii expire california governor declares end drought emergency september whichever later


Summary:
Startup Entrepreneur Empowerment Delivery Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Commerce to carry out a one-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of awarding financial assistance of up to $120,000, on a competitive basis, to up to 10 local governments to support the development of startup businesses.

Such a local government must represent a population of 200,000 or less and be eligible to participate in the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research ("EPSCoR") of the National Science Foundation.

An eligible startup business must be under the local government's jurisdiction, have fewer than five full-time employees, and intend to produce a technology or product that may result in intellectual property vesting in an entity of the United States that can commercialize the technology in a timely manner.

Each local government receiving a grant shall ensure that the financial assistance it gives to a startup is used to assist with direct costs related to successfully growing a business.

startup entrepreneur empowerment delivery act bill directs department_of_commerce carry year pilot program assess feasibility advisability awarding financial assistance competitive basis local governments support development startup businesses local government represent population eligible participate experimental_program stimulate competitive research epscor national_science_foundation eligible startup business local government jurisdiction fewer time employees intend produce technology product result intellectual property vesting entity united_states technology timely manner local government receiving grant shall ensure financial assistance gives startup assist direct costs related successfully growing business


Summary:
Protect Small Business Jobs Act of 2016

This bill requires a federal agency, before any enforcement action is taken on any sanction on a small business for any violation of a rule or pursuant to an adjudication, to: (1) notify the small business that it may be subject to a sanction at the end of a six-month grace period following such notification; (2) delay further action for 15 days after such notification; (3) defer further action for the six-month period (allowing an additional three-month period upon application by the small business demonstrating reasonable good-faith efforts to remedy the violation or other conduct giving rise to the sanction); (4) make a further determination at the end of the applicable grace period as to whether the small business would still be subject to the sanction; and (5) upon a negative determination, waive the sanction. The grace period shall be inapplicable with respect to a violation that puts anyone in imminent danger, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Any sanction imposed in violation of the requirements of this Act shall have no force or effect.

The bill requires: (1) agencies to report annually to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman on the implementation of the requirements of this Act, and (2) the Ombudsman to include such information in a currently-required annual report to Congress.

protect small_business_jobs_act bill requires federal agency enforcement action taken sanction small business violation rule pursuant adjudication notify small business subject sanction end month grace period following notification delay action days notification defer action month period allowing additional month period application small business demonstrating reasonable good faith efforts remedy violation conduct giving rise sanction determination end applicable grace period small business subject sanction negative determination waive sanction grace period shall inapplicable respect violation puts imminent danger defined occupational_safety_and_health_act sanction imposed violation requirements act shall force effect bill requires agencies report annually small business agriculture regulatory enforcement ombudsman implementation requirements act ombudsman include information currently required annual report congress


Summary:
Disaster Management Act of 2016

This bill requires the National Advisory Council of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to commence a comprehensive study relating to disaster losses and federal disaster assistance. The council shall consider: (1) an assessment of trends in disaster costs and losses and federal disaster assistance and factors contributing to such trends; and (2) fundamental principles that drive national disaster assistance decision-making.

The council shall: (1) develop recommendations to reduce disaster costs and losses in the United States and to more efficiently and effectively deliver federal disaster assistance; and (2) report to FEMA and Congress on its data, analysis, and recommendations.

FEMA shall submit a report that includes an action plan to improve field operations after a major disaster or emergency declaration by the President.

FEMA shall establish: (1) a pilot program that increases the amount threshold for use of the simplified procedure for providing assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for the purpose of determining whether such increase can facilitate a more efficient and effective delivery of assistance, without sacrificing oversight capabilities, for a major disaster or emergency declaration by the President; and (2) a pilot program that modifies the management cost rates used to determine contributions under such Act for management costs for the purpose of determining whether such modifications can facilitate a more efficient and effective administration of disaster assistance grants for a major disaster or emergency.

disaster management act bill requires national_advisory_council federal_emergency_management_agency fema commence comprehensive study relating disaster losses federal disaster assistance council shall consider assessment trends disaster costs losses federal disaster assistance factors contributing trends fundamental principles drive national disaster assistance decision making council shall develop recommendations reduce disaster costs losses united_states efficiently effectively deliver federal disaster assistance report fema congress data analysis recommendations fema shall submit report includes action plan improve field operations major disaster emergency declaration president fema shall establish pilot program increases threshold use simplified procedure providing assistance robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act purpose determining increase facilitate efficient effective delivery assistance oversight capabilities major disaster emergency declaration president pilot program modifies management cost rates determine contributions act management costs purpose determining modifications facilitate efficient effective administration disaster assistance grants major disaster emergency


Summary:
American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review: (1) the internal governance of the American National Red Cross (the corporation), and (2) any program or activity carried out by the corporation that is connected to national preparedness.

The bill grants the GAO: (1) access to, and the right to examine and copy, all records of the corporation that the GAO determines are relevant to such review; and (2) access to, and the right to interview, any employee, volunteer, agent, or member of the board of governors of the corporation whom the GAO believes has knowledge relevant to such review. The GAO may issue a subpoena and bring a civil action in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to enforce such access.

The bill establishes an Office of Investigations, Compliance, and Ethics as a subcommittee of the corporation's Audit and Risk Management Committee. The office shall: (1) conduct formal investigations regarding fraud, waste, abuse, corporation policy violations, illegal or unethical conduct, or other wrongdoing relating to the corporation; and (2) report annually on trends and systemic matters confronting the corporation and on pending and completed investigations.

american red cross transparency_act bill authorizes government_accountability_office gao review internal governance american national red cross corporation program activity carried corporation connected national preparedness bill grants gao access right examine copy records corporation gao determines relevant review access right interview employee volunteer agent member board_of_governors corporation gao believes knowledge relevant review gao issue subpoena bring civil action district_court district_of_columbia enforce access bill establishes office investigations compliance ethics subcommittee corporation audit risk management committee office shall conduct formal investigations fraud waste abuse corporation policy violations illegal unethical conduct wrongdoing relating corporation report annually trends systemic matters corporation pending completed investigations


Summary:
Wildfire Mitigation Assistance Act

This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President, whether or not a major disaster is declared, to provide hazard mitigation assistance in any area or related area affected by a fire for which fire management assistance was provided under such Act. The President may establish a minimum amount of hazard mitigation assistance to be provided for a wildfire or fire complex.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall submit an annual report on projects carried out, and funding provided, pursuant to this bill.

wildfire mitigation assistance_act bill amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act authorize president major disaster declared provide hazard mitigation assistance area related area affected fire fire management assistance provided act president establish minimum hazard mitigation assistance provided wildfire fire complex federal_emergency_management_agency fema shall submit annual report projects carried funding provided pursuant bill


Summary:
Flood Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2016 (FLETRA)

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit individuals impacted by flooding in the Mississippi Delta to make penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts.

The bill waives the 10% additional tax on early distributions from retirement plans for up to $100,000 in distributions made on or after August 11, 2016, and before January 1, 2018. The distributions must be made to an individual: (1) whose principal place of abode on August 11, 2016, is located in the Mississippi River Delta disaster area, and (2) who has sustained an economic loss by reason of the severe storms and flooding giving rise to the Presidential declaration of a major disaster area in Louisiana on or after August 11, 2016, and before September 1, 2016.

A taxpayer who has received such a distribution may: (1) repay the distribution by making additional contributions to a retirement account within three years, and (2) include the distribution in gross income by dividing the amount over a three-year period.

flood emergency tax relief_act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code permit individuals impacted flooding mississippi delta penalty free withdrawals retirement accounts bill waives additional tax early distributions retirement plans distributions august january distributions individual principal place abode august located mississippi_river delta disaster area sustained economic loss reason severe storms flooding giving rise presidential declaration major disaster area louisiana august september taxpayer received distribution repay distribution making additional contributions retirement account years include distribution gross income dividing year period


Summary:
Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to prohibit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from taking administrative action to recover any payment made to a state or local government for disaster or emergency assistance initiated in any forum (with exceptions for fraud) after three years following the transmission of the final expenditure report for project completion, as certified by the grantee (currently, after three years following the transmission of the final expenditure report for the disaster or emergency).

The bill makes the same change with respect to the deadline: (1) for any dispute arising under such Act for which there shall be a presumption that accounting records were maintained that adequately identify the source and application of funds provided for financially assisted activities, and (2) by which the inability of the government to produce source documentation supporting expenditure reports shall not constitute evidence to rebut such presumption.

With respect to a payment for disaster or emergency assistance provided to a state or local government on or after January 1, 2004, FEMA may not take administrative action to recover such payment after the date of enactment of this bill if the action is prohibited under such Act as amended by this bill.

disaster assistance improvement act bill amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act prohibit federal_emergency_management_agency fema taking administrative action recover payment state local government disaster emergency assistance initiated forum exceptions fraud years following transmission final expenditure report project completion certified grantee currently years following transmission final expenditure report disaster emergency bill makes change respect deadline dispute arising act shall presumption accounting records maintained adequately identify source application funds provided financially assisted activities inability government produce source documentation supporting expenditure reports shall constitute evidence rebut presumption respect payment disaster emergency assistance provided state local government january fema administrative action recover payment date enactment bill action prohibited act amended bill


Summary: Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act - Makes the standard for access to care for a veteran seeking primary care from the Department of Veterans Affairs 30 days from the date the veteran contacts the Department. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe an appropriate standard for waiting times at Department health-care facilities as measured from the time a visit is scheduled until the time the veteran is seen. Directs the Secretary to periodically review the performance of Department health-care facilities in meeting such standards. Authorizes the Secretary to contract for health care services in non-Department facilities in a case in which the Secretary is unable to meet access standards. Prohibits such contracting-out with respect to a Department geographic service area that has a compliance rate in meeting such standards of 90 percent or more. Requires quarterly reports from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on the Department's experience with respect to waiting times.

veterans timely access health_care act makes standard access care veteran seeking primary care department_of_veterans_affairs days date veteran contacts department directs secretary veterans_affairs prescribe appropriate standard waiting times department health care facilities measured time visit scheduled time veteran seen directs secretary periodically review performance department health care facilities meeting standards authorizes secretary contract health_care services non department facilities case secretary unable meet access standards prohibits contracting respect department geographic service area compliance rate meeting standards percent requires quarterly reports secretary congressional veterans committees department experience respect waiting times


Summary: Help Establish Access to Local Timely Healthcare for Your Vets (HEALTHY Vets) Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in the case of a veteran for whom Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities are geographically inaccessible, to use current authority for contracting out veterans' medical care to non-Department facilities in order to provide the following care to such veterans: (1) primary care; (2) acute or chronic symptom management; (3) nontherapeutic medical services; and (4) other medical services determined appropriate by the director of that geographic service region, after consultation with the Department physician responsible for the veteran's primary care. Outlines conditions under which Department facilities shall be deemed geographically inaccessible. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the requirement of geographic inaccessibility, on a case-by-case basis, if the costs to the Department of providing such care significantly outweigh the benefits of localized health care for the veteran.

help establish access local timely healthcare vets healthy vets act directs secretary veterans_affairs case veteran department_of_veterans_affairs medical facilities geographically inaccessible use current authority contracting veterans medical care non department facilities order provide following care veterans primary care acute chronic symptom management nontherapeutic medical services medical services determined appropriate director geographic service region consultation department physician responsible veteran primary care outlines conditions department facilities shall deemed geographically inaccessible authorizes secretary waive requirement geographic inaccessibility case case basis costs department providing care significantly outweigh benefits health_care veteran


Summary: Medicaid County Protection Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require each state medical assistance plan to provide that the state's financial participation is 100% (currently 40%) of the nonfederal share of expenditures under the plan.

medicaid county protection act amends title xix medicaid social_security_act require state medical assistance plan provide state financial participation currently nonfederal share expenditures plan


Summary: Health Partnership Through Creative Federalism Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a State Health Coverage Innovation Commission to: (1) request states to submit proposals for state health care expansion and improvement programs, which may include reform options such as tax credit approaches, expansions of public programs, or other appropriate alternatives; (2) review state applications and submit to Congress a list of state applications that the Commission recommends for approval; (3) report to the public concerning progress made by states; and (4) make recommendations to the Secretary and Congress for minimizing the negative effect of state programs on national employer groups, provider organizations, and insurers because of differing state requirements under the programs. Requires states to prepare and submit to the Commission a healthcare plan that has as its goal increased coverage and such additional goals as improvements in quality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and the appropriate use of information technology. Sets forth rules for congressional consideration of state proposals. Requires the Secretary to provide a grant to a state that has an application approved to enable such state to carry out an innovative state health program. Requires the Commission to direct the Secretary to: (1) fund a balanced diversity of approaches; and (2) link allocations to the state to the meeting of goals and performance measures related to health care coverage and health care costs. Prohibits states from: (1) changing eligibility criteria for state medical assistance programs; or (2) permitting the imposition of any preexisting condition exclusion for covered benefits, with exceptions.

health partnership creative act_-_requires secretary health_and_human_services establish state health coverage innovation commission request states submit proposals state health_care expansion improvement programs include reform options tax credit approaches expansions public programs appropriate alternatives review state applications submit congress list state applications commission recommends approval report public concerning progress states recommendations secretary congress minimizing negative effect state programs national employer groups provider organizations insurers state requirements programs requires states prepare submit commission healthcare plan goal increased coverage additional goals improvements quality efficiency cost effectiveness appropriate use information technology sets forth rules congressional consideration state proposals requires secretary provide grant state application approved enable state carry innovative state health program requires commission direct secretary fund balanced diversity approaches link allocations state meeting goals performance measures related health_care coverage health_care costs prohibits states changing eligibility criteria state medical assistance programs permitting imposition preexisting condition exclusion covered benefits exceptions


Summary: Commission on Catastrophic Disaster Risk and Insurance Act of 2007 - Establishes the bipartisan Commission on Catastrophic Disaster Risk and Insurance to assess: (1) the condition of the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance markets in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005, and the four major hurricanes that struck the United States in 2004; (2) the ongoing exposure of the United States to windstorms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and floods; and (3) recommend and report legislative and regulatory changes that will improve the domestic and international financial health and competitiveness of such markets.

commission catastrophic disaster risk insurance act establishes bipartisan commission catastrophic disaster risk insurance assess condition property casualty insurance reinsurance markets hurricanes katrina rita wilma major hurricanes united_states ongoing exposure united_states earthquakes volcanic floods recommend report legislative regulatory changes improve domestic international financial health competitiveness markets


Summary: Veterans Health Care Full Funding Act - Requires: (1) that in the President's budget for each fiscal year, amounts shall be requested for veterans health care programs for each two-year period; and (2) the Veterans Health Care Funding Review Board (established in this Act) to determine the level of funding needed for each period. Outlines the health care needs required to be included under the Board's determination. Establishes the Board. Provides standards for access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care for veterans seeking: (1) primary care; and: (2) specialized care.

veterans health_care funding act_-_requires president budget fiscal year amounts shall requested veterans health_care programs year period veterans health_care funding review board established act determine level funding needed period outlines health_care needs required included board determination establishes board provides standards access department_of_veterans_affairs care veterans seeking primary care specialized care


Summary: Women's Health Office Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office on Women's Health within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office, to establish: (1) a Department of Health and Human Services Coordinating Committee on Women's Health; and (2) a National Women's Health Information Center. Transfers the functions of the Office on Women's Health of the Public of Health Service to the Office on Women's Health within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Social Security Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish separate Offices of Women's Health within the Office of the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Office of the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Office of the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and an Office of Women's Health and Gender-Based Research within the Office of the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Directs the lead officers of each Office of Women's Health to establish goals, provide information on women's health activities, and establish a Coordinating Committee on Women's Health within their respective agencies.Prohibits termination, reorganization, or transfers of powers and duties of any federal office of women's health or appointive position with primary responsibility over women's health issues without congressional approval.

women health office act amends public_health_service_act establish office women health office_of_the_secretary health_and_human_services requires secretary acting director office establish department_of_health_and_human_services coordinating committee women health national women health information center transfers functions office women health public health service office women health department_of_health_and_human_services hhs amends public_health_service_act social_security_act federal food drug cosmetic act establish separate offices women health office_of_the_director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc office administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa office_of_the_commissioner food_and_drug_administration fda office women health gender based research office_of_the_director agency healthcare_research_and_quality ahrq directs lead officers office women health establish goals provide information women health activities establish coordinating committee women health respective agencies prohibits termination reorganization transfers powers duties federal office women health position primary responsibility women health issues congressional approval


Summary: American Health Security Act of 2007 - Establishes the State-Based American Health Security Program to provide every U.S. resident who is a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful resident alien with health care services. Requires each participating state to establish a state health security program. Eliminates benefits under: (1) titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act; (2) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program; and (3) the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Requires each state health security program to prohibit the sale of health insurance in that state that duplicates benefits provided under the program. Establishes the American Health Security Standards Board to: (1) develop policies, procedures, guidelines and requirements to carry out this Act; (2) establish uniform reporting requirements; (3) provide for an American Health Security Advisory Council and an Advisory Committee on Health Professional Education; and (4) establish a national health security budget specifying the total Federal and State expenditures to be made for covered health care services. Establishes the American Health Security Quality Council to: (1) review and evaluate practice guidelines, standards of quality, performance measures, and medical review criteria; and (2) develop minimum competence criteria. Establishes the Office of Primary Care and Prevention Research within the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create the American Health Security Trust Fund and appropriates to the Fund specified tax liabilities and current health program receipts.

american health security act establishes state based american health security program provide resident citizen national lawful resident alien health_care services requires participating state establish state health security program eliminates benefits titles xviii medicare xix medicaid xxi state children health insurance schip social_security_act federal_employees_health_benefits_program civilian health medical program uniformed_services requires state health security program prohibit sale health insurance state duplicates benefits provided program establishes american health security standards board develop policies procedures guidelines requirements carry act establish uniform reporting requirements provide american health security advisory_council advisory_committee health professional education establish national health security budget specifying total federal state expenditures covered health_care services establishes american health security quality council review evaluate practice guidelines standards quality performance measures medical review criteria develop minimum competence criteria establishes office primary care prevention research office_of_the_director national_institutes_of_health nih amends_the_internal_revenue_code create american health security trust_fund appropriates fund specified tax liabilities current health program receipts


Summary: Imposes a two-year moratorium on implementation of a proposed rule ("Medicaid Program; Cost Limit for Providers Operated by Units of Government and Provisions To Ensure the Integrity of Federal-State Financial Partnership") relating to the federal-state financial partnerships under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act.

imposes year moratorium implementation proposed rule medicaid program cost limit providers operated units government provisions ensure integrity federal state financial partnership relating federal state financial partnerships medicaid state children health insurance program schip titles xix xxi social_security_act


Summary: Rural Veterans Access to Care Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a three-year pilot program under which a highly rural veteran who is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and who resides within a designated area of the Veterans Integrated Service Network may elect to receive covered health services through a non-VA health care provider. Defines a "highly rural veteran" as one who: (1) resides more than 60 miles from the nearest VA facility providing primary care services, more than 120 miles from a VA facility providing acute hospital care, or more than 240 miles from a VA facility providing tertiary care (depending on which services the veteran needs); or (2) otherwise experiences such hardships or other difficulties in travel to the nearest appropriate VA facility that such travel is not in the best interest of the veteran. Requires an annual program assessment report, during the three-year period, from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees, which shall include recommendations for continuing the program.

rural veterans access care act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs conduct year pilot program highly rural veteran enrolled system patient enrollment department_of_veterans_affairs resides designated area veterans_integrated_service_network elect receive covered health services non-va health_care provider defines highly rural veteran resides miles nearest facility providing primary care services miles facility providing acute hospital care miles facility providing tertiary care depending services veteran needs experiences hardships difficulties travel nearest appropriate facility travel best interest veteran requires annual program assessment report year period secretary congressional veterans committees shall include recommendations continuing program


Summary: Rural Health Quality Advisory Commission Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Rural Health Quality Advisory Commission to develop, coordinate, and facilitate implementation of a national plan for rural health quality improvements. Requires that such plan: (1) identify objectives for rural health quality improvement; (2) identify strategies to eliminate known gaps in rural health system capacity and improve rural health quality; and (3) provide for federal programs to identify opportunities for strengthening and aligning policies and programs to improve rural health quality. Directs the Commission to: (1) design demonstration projects to test alternative models for rural health quality improvement, including with respect to both personal and population health; and (2) monitor progress towards identified objectives. Requires the Secretary to make grants for demonstration projects to implement and evaluate methods for improving the quality of health care in rural communities that include: (1) alternative community models; (2) innovative approaches to the financing and delivery of health services; and (3) the development of quality improvement support structures to assist rural health systems and professionals. Directs the Secretary to: (1) expedite Medicaid and Medicare waivers as necessary to carry out such demonstration projects; and (2) provide for an independent evaluation of such projects.

rural health quality advisory commission act directs secretary health_and_human_services establish rural health quality advisory commission develop coordinate facilitate implementation national plan rural health quality improvements requires plan identify objectives rural health quality improvement identify strategies eliminate known gaps rural health system capacity improve rural health quality provide federal programs identify opportunities strengthening aligning policies programs improve rural health quality directs commission design demonstration projects test alternative models rural health quality improvement including respect personal population health monitor progress identified objectives requires secretary grants demonstration projects implement evaluate methods improving quality health_care rural communities include alternative community models innovative approaches financing delivery health services development quality improvement support structures assist rural health systems professionals directs secretary expedite medicaid medicare waivers necessary carry demonstration projects provide independent evaluation projects


Summary: Imposes a two-year moratorium on implementation of a proposed rule ("Medicaid Program; Cost Limit for Providers Operated by Units of Government and Provisions To Ensure the Integrity of Federal-State Financial Partnership") relating to the federal-state financial partnerships under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, at any time before the end of such two-year period, from taking any action to: (1) finalize (or otherwise implement) provisions contained in the proposed rule; or (2) restrict Medicaid payments for graduate medical education (GME).

imposes year moratorium implementation proposed rule medicaid program cost limit providers operated units government provisions ensure integrity federal state financial partnership relating federal state financial partnerships medicaid state children health insurance program schip titles xix xxi social_security_act prohibits secretary health_and_human_services time end year period taking action finalize implement provisions contained proposed rule restrict medicaid payments graduate medical education gme


Summary: National Health Information Incentive Act of 2007 - Establishes within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services an Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to add a new part D (Building the National Health Information Infrastructure). Directs the Secretary to make additional Medicare payment incentives to assure that small medical care providers have the capability to move toward a national health care information infrastructure by acquiring electronic health record systems and other health information technologies. Provides for optional financial incentives to small health care providers and entities to implement such an infrastructure. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants to small medical care providers for the purpose of assisting them to acquire and adopt patient registries, evidence-based clinical decision support tools at the point of care, electronic health records, secure e-mail, and other health information technologies defined by the Secretary as a key component of a national health care information infrastructure; and (2) make and guarantee loans to assist small medical care providers to acquire and adopt such things. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat qualified health care information technology as a depreciable asset for which a deduction from taxable income is allowable for the taxable year in which it is placed in service.

national health information incentive act establishes office_of_the_secretary health_and_human_services office national coordinator health information technology amends title social_security_act add new building national health information infrastructure directs secretary additional medicare payment incentives assure small medical care providers capability national health_care information infrastructure acquiring electronic health record systems health information technologies provides optional financial incentives small health_care providers entities implement infrastructure authorizes secretary grants small medical care providers purpose assisting acquire adopt patient registries evidence based clinical decision support tools point care electronic health records secure mail health information technologies defined secretary key component national health_care information infrastructure guarantee loans assist small medical care providers acquire adopt things amends_the_internal_revenue_code treat qualified health_care information technology depreciable asset deduction taxable income allowable taxable year placed service


Summary: Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay travel expenses for veterans receiving treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities at the rate provided to federal employees in connection with the performance of official duties. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and operate at least one and up to five centers of excellence for rural health research, education, and clinical activities; (2) establish a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in remote rural areas; (3) carry out demonstration projects to examine alternatives for expanding care for veterans in rural areas; and (4) report annually to Congress on matters related to VA care for veterans residing in rural areas.

rural veterans health_care improvement act authorizes secretary veterans_affairs pay travel expenses veterans receiving treatment department_of_veterans_affairs facilities rate provided federal employees connection performance official duties directs secretary establish operate centers_of_excellence rural health research education clinical activities establish grant program provide innovative transportation options veterans remote_rural areas carry demonstration projects examine alternatives expanding care veterans rural areas report annually congress matters related care veterans residing rural areas


Summary: Medicare for All Act - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII (Medicare for All) under which: (1) each eligible individual is entitled to benefits which include the full range and scope of benefits available under the original fee-for-service program under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare), with parity in coverage of mental health benefits, subject to appropriate cost sharing; (2) each enrollee is free to choose his or her own doctor and private health plan; and (3) benefits are similar to or no less than the health benefits coverage under FEHBP (Federal Employees Health Benefits Program). Establishes the Medicare for All Trust Fund. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose: (1) on the income of every enrolled individual a tax equal to 1.7% of wages received in excess of $25,000; (2) on every employer an excise tax equal to 7% of the wages paid to each enrolled employee; and (3) on the self-employment income of every enrolled individual, a tax equal to the applicable percentage of the self-employment income for such taxable year in excess of $25,000. Sets forth provisions governing application of this Act to collective bargaining agreements.

medicare act_-_amends social_security_act add new title xxii medicare eligible individual entitled benefits include range scope benefits available original fee service program parts hospital insurance supplementary_medical_insurance title xviii medicare parity coverage mental health benefits subject appropriate cost sharing enrollee free choose doctor private health plan benefits similar health benefits coverage fehbp federal_employees_health_benefits_program establishes medicare trust_fund amends_the_internal_revenue_code impose income enrolled individual tax equal wages received excess employer excise tax equal wages paid enrolled employee self employment income enrolled individual tax equal applicable percentage self employment income taxable year excess sets forth provisions governing application act collective bargaining agreements


Summary: Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) conduct, coordinate, and support research and other activities with respect to pre-diabetes and diabetes in minority populations; and (2) conduct and support programs to treat diabetes in minority populations. Requires the Director of NIH, through the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, to provide for: (1) health care professionals' mentoring; and (2) minority health professionals' participation in diabetes-focused research programs. Directs the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee to develop and implement a federal plan to address diabetes mellitus within communities of color. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) conduct and support research and other activities with respect to diabetes in minority populations; (2) direct the Division of Diabetes Translation to conduct and support programs to educate the public on diabetes in minority populations; and (3) carry out diabetes health promotion and prevention programs for minority populations. Directs the Secretary to carry out: (1) education and awareness programs designed to increase participation of minority populations in clinical trials; and (2) mentorship programs for minority researchers who are conducting research on diabetes in minority populations. Provides for studies on the shortage of adult and pediatric endocrinologists specializing in diabetes and on outcomes of minority children with diabetes compared to non-minority children.

diabetes prevention access care act amends public_health_service_act require director national_institutes_of_health nih conduct coordinate support research activities respect pre diabetes diabetes minority populations conduct support programs treat diabetes minority populations requires director nih national_center_on_minority_health_and_health_disparities provide health_care professionals mentoring minority health professionals participation diabetes focused research programs directs diabetes interagency_coordinating_committee develop implement federal plan address diabetes communities color requires secretary health_and_human_services acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc conduct support research activities respect diabetes minority populations direct division diabetes translation conduct support programs educate public diabetes minority populations carry diabetes health promotion prevention programs minority populations directs secretary carry education awareness programs designed increase participation minority populations clinical trials mentorship programs minority researchers conducting research diabetes minority populations provides studies shortage adult pediatric specializing diabetes outcomes minority children diabetes compared non minority children


Summary: WISEWOMAN Expansion Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) remove the limit on the number of states that may receive preventive heath services grants; (2) require a competitive review process; and (3) include among the uses for such grants health education, counseling, and interventions for behavioral risk factors and diseases. Authorizes appropriations.

expansion act amends public_health_service_act remove limit number states receive preventive heath services grants require competitive review process include uses grants health education counseling interventions behavioral risk factors diseases authorizes appropriations


Summary: Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2007 - Sets conditions for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Sets a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions. Provides that nothing in this Act limits recovery of the full amount of available economic damages. Limits noneconomic damages to $250,000. Makes each party liable only for the amount of damages directly proportional to such party's percentage of responsibility. Allows the court to restrict the payment of attorney contingency fees. Limits the fees to a decreasing percentage based on the increasing value of the amount awarded. Allows the introduction of collateral source benefits and the amount paid to secure such benefits as evidence. Prohibits a provider of such benefits from recovering any amount from an award in a health care lawsuit involving injury or wrongful death. Authorizes the award of punitive damages only where: (1) it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that a person acted with malicious intent to injure the claimant or deliberately failed to avoid unnecessary injury the claimant was substantially certain to suffer; and (2) compensatory damages are awarded. Limits punitive damages to the greater of two times the amount of economic damages or $250,000. Denies punitive damages in the case of products approved, cleared, or licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or otherwise considered in compliance with FDA standards. Provides for periodic payments of future damages.

help efficient accessible low cost timely healthcare health act sets conditions lawsuits arising health_care liability claims health_care goods services medical product affecting interstate commerce sets statute limitations years date manifestation injury year claimant discovers injury certain exceptions provides act limits recovery available economic damages limits noneconomic damages makes party liable damages directly proportional party percentage responsibility allows court restrict payment attorney contingency fees limits fees decreasing percentage based increasing value awarded allows introduction collateral source benefits paid secure benefits evidence prohibits provider benefits recovering award health_care lawsuit involving injury wrongful death authorizes award punitive damages proven clear convincing evidence person acted malicious intent injure claimant deliberately failed avoid unnecessary injury claimant substantially certain suffer compensatory damages awarded limits punitive damages greater times economic damages denies punitive damages case products approved cleared licensed food_and_drug_administration fda considered compliance fda standards provides periodic payments future damages


Summary: Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention America Act or the HeLP America Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene a task force on childhood obesity.Provides for: (1) healthy school nutrition environment incentive grants; (2) the establishment of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative to certify a hospital as a baby friendly hospital/center for breastfeeding excellence; and (3) programs to prevent youth problem behaviors.Healthy Workforce Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a wellness program credit for employers; and (2) exclude from an employee's income the fees paid by an employer to an athletic or fitness facility on the employee's behalf.Requires the Secretary to establish a National Advisory Committee on Community Sports Programs for Individuals with Disabilities. Provides incentives for states to ensure the safety and convenience of all users of a transportation system, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to require employers to provide lactation periods and lactation facilities to permit employees to breastfeed eligible children. Promoting Lifelong Active Communities Every Day Act or the PLAY Every Day Act - Provides for the development of a tool to measure community barriers to participating in physical activity and provides for grants to plan model communities of play.Requires certain restaurants and vending machines to provide nutritional information about each food offered, including the number of calories.Directs the Secretary to: (1) impose penalties on the tobacco industry for failure to achieve specified goals to reduce youth cigarette use; and (2) encourage a state program to recognize school-based health centers as a model of delivery for primary care for children eligible for federal medical assistance. Establishes the HeLP (Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention) America Trust Fund to fund smoking cessation drugs and other programs required by this Act.Provides for research on obesity, physical activity in schools, and dietary sodium intake.

healthy lifestyles prevention america act help america act_-_amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services convene task_force childhood obesity provides healthy school nutrition environment incentive grants establishment baby friendly hospital initiative certify hospital baby friendly hospital center breastfeeding excellence programs prevent youth problem behaviors healthy workforce act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow wellness program credit employers exclude employee income fees paid employer athletic fitness facility employee behalf requires secretary establish national advisory_committee community sports programs individuals disabilities provides incentives states ensure safety convenience users transportation system including pedestrians amends family_and_medical_leave_act require employers provide lactation periods lactation facilities permit employees eligible children promoting lifelong active communities day act play day act provides development tool measure community barriers participating physical activity provides grants plan model communities play requires certain restaurants vending machines provide nutritional information food offered including number calories directs secretary impose penalties tobacco industry failure achieve specified goals reduce youth cigarette use encourage state program recognize school based health centers model delivery primary care children eligible federal medical assistance establishes help healthy lifestyles prevention america trust_fund fund smoking cessation drugs programs required act provides research obesity physical activity schools dietary sodium intake


Summary: Children's Health Care Quality Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to: (1) identify quality and performance measures for pediatric service providers; and (2) award grants or contracts for the development, validation, and testing of new and emerging measures. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to establish demonstration projects to award grants to states to improve the delivery of health care services to children under Medicaid and SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP). Requires demonstration projects in the categories of: (1) health information technology systems; (2) disease management for children with chronic conditions; (3) evidence-based quality improvement; and (4) quality and performance measures for providers of children's health care services. Requires the Comptroller General to make recommendations to Congress for the design and implementation of a demonstration project to evaluate the suitability of existing quality and performance measures for children's inpatient hospital services for public reporting, differentiating quality, identifying best practices, and providing a basis for payment rewards.

children health_care quality act_-_amends title xix medicaid social_security_act ssa direct secretary health_and_human_services establish program identify quality performance measures pediatric service providers award grants contracts development validation testing new emerging measures directs secretary acting administrator centers medicare medicaid_services establish demonstration projects award grants states improve delivery health_care services children medicaid ssa title xxi state children health insurance program schip requires demonstration projects categories health information technology systems disease management children chronic conditions evidence based quality improvement quality performance measures providers children health_care services requires comptroller_general recommendations congress design implementation demonstration project evaluate suitability existing quality performance measures children inpatient hospital services public reporting quality identifying best practices providing basis payment rewards


Summary: Health Care Access and Rural Equity (H-CARE) Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment for rural hospitals; (2) payment for clinical laboratory tests furnished by critical access hospitals; (3) rebasing for sole community hospitals; (4) establishment of a rural community hospital program; (5) hold harmless provisions for small rural hospitals and sole community hospitals under the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department services; (6) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); (7) permanent treatment of certain physician pathology services; (8) extension of the Medicare incentive payment program for a physician scarcity area; (9) proportional representation of rural area interests on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC); and (10) additional payments for providers furnishing ambulance services in rural areas and prompt payment of clean claims by Medicare prescription drug plans and MedicareAdvantage-Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plans under the Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program). Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to extend: (1) certain Medicare hospital wage index reclassifications and the disregarding of certain hospital reclassifications for purposes of group reclassifications; (2) Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to hospital patients in certain rural areas; and (3) the temporary Medicare payment increase for home health services furnished in a rural area. Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants to eligible entities in rural areas for qualified health information technology systems; (2) direct the Secretary to establish a Rural Health Quality Advisory Commission; (3) provide for Delta Region rural disparities and health systems development, as well as small rural health care provider quality improvement grants; and (4) provide for expanded application of the 340B program of limited drug prices to drugs provided in rural hospitals, including hospital provision to states of Medicaid credits on certain inpatient drugs. Directs the Secretary to encourage and facilitate the adoption of telehealth provisions allowing for multistate practitioner access across state lines.

health_care access rural equity care act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect medicare disproportionate share hospital dsh adjustment rural hospitals payment clinical laboratory tests furnished critical access hospitals rebasing sole community hospitals establishment rural community hospital program hold harmless provisions small rural hospitals sole community hospitals medicare prospective payment system pps hospital outpatient department services coverage marriage family therapist services mental health counselor services medicare supplementary_medical_insurance permanent treatment certain physician_pathology_services extension medicare incentive payment program physician scarcity area proportional representation rural area interests medicare_payment_advisory_commission medpac additional payments providers furnishing ambulance services rural areas prompt payment clean claims medicare_prescription_drug plans medicareadvantage prescription drug ma-pd plans medicare voluntary prescription drug benefit program amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act extend certain medicare hospital wage index reclassifications disregarding certain hospital reclassifications purposes group reclassifications medicare reasonable costs payments certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished hospital patients certain rural areas temporary medicare payment increase home health services furnished rural area amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services award competitive grants eligible entities rural areas qualified health information technology systems direct secretary establish rural health quality advisory commission provide delta region rural disparities health systems development small rural health_care provider quality improvement grants provide expanded application 340b program limited drug prices drugs provided rural hospitals including hospital provision states medicaid credits certain inpatient drugs directs secretary encourage facilitate adoption telehealth provisions allowing multistate practitioner access state lines