H.R. 2781 would designate two segments of the Molalla River in Northwest Oregon, equaling 21.3 miles, as recreational segments of the Wild and Scenic River System.  The segments are currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as the Molalla River Recreation Corridor, without the same use restriction as segments of the Wild and Scenic River System.  As a segment of the Wild and Scenic River System, the river would be subject to new federal restrictions and free water flow protection.  The Wild and Scenic River System is overseen by the Department of Interior and a council including representatives from the BLM, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service.  The Molalla River segments would be directly managed by the BLM.

H.R. 3961 provides for an increase in Medicare physician reimbursements for 2010 equal to the increase in medical inflation, and recalibrates the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) mechanism such that year 2009 physician expenditures shall be used as the new baseline for computing whether total physician payments exceed the SGR targets.  The bill establishes two separate conversion factors-one for evaluation and management services, including primary care and preventive services, and one for all other services provided.  Thus evaluation and management services and all other specialist services would receive different annual payment rates, based on the growth of each service over time; the former would also receive a higher conversion factor under the bill-GDP growth plus two percent for evaluation and management services, as opposed to GDP growth plus one percent for all other services.  Finally, the bill allows accountable care organizations established to opt-out of the national expenditure targets created in the bill and establish their own organization-specific targets.

H.R. 1839 amends the Small Business Act to modify the SCORE program.  SCORE is an SBA non-profit partner which educates entrepreneurs.  SCORE maintains 370 chapters nationwide.  This bill authorizes $7 million in each of Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 for SCORE.  The legislation directs SCORE to establish benchmarks for the success of assisted entrepreneurs which would be reviewed by SBA.  SCORE would also create a mentoring program and a networking program for small businesses. 

H.R. 3791 reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs within FEMA. 

Assistance to Firefighters Grants

The bill reauthorizes the AFG program at $1 billion per year from FY 2010 to FY 2014.  While current authorization levels are $1 billion, $390 million was appropriated for AFG grants in FY 2010.  H.R. 3791 includes a Sense of Congress that addresses this discrepancy, stating:

The House-passed conference report for the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 appropriates $390 million for activities under such section 33, a decrease of over 30 percent below that provided in fiscal year 2009; declining funding reduces the Director's ability to successfully carry out the primary purpose of such section, which is to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel throughout the Nation against fire and fire-related hazards; and halting and reversing the decline in appropriations to ensure a high level of funding for the activities under such section 33 should be a top priority.

According to research, fire grants have proven ineffective, and have not reduced deaths or injuries for either firefighters or civilians.

H.R. 3791 requires that all AFG grants be made on a competitive basis for the following uses:

• To fire departments of a State, in consultation with the chief executive of the State, for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel throughout the nation against fire and fire-related hazards;
• To State fire training academies, in consultation with the chief executive of the State;
• Assistance for fire prevention and firefighter safety research and development programs and fire prevention or fire safety programs and activities; and
• Assistance for volunteer, non-fire service EMS and rescue organizations.

The bill sets aside 10 percent of the funds for AFG grants to be used to make grants to fire departments for fire prevention programs.  This money is to be awarded to national, State, local, or community organizations that are not fire departments.  H.R. 3791 requires that priority be given to organizations that focus on prevention of injuries to high risk groups from fire, and research programs that demonstrate the potential to improve firefighter safety.

The bill lowers the non-federal matching requirement for larger departments from 15 percent to 10 percent, while retaining the five percent match for small departments.  H.R. 3791 provides the Director of FEMA the authority to provide an "economic hardship waiver" that would waive or deduce the matching requirement. 

The bill provides a new framework for fire department grant recipients, requiring that 25 percent of all funds be made available to career fire departments (made up of paid, usually unionized, firefighters); 25 percent made available to volunteer fire departments; and 25 percent to combination fire departments.  Current law does not distinguish between different types of departments.  In the past, volunteer fire departments often received a higher percentage of funding when competitively bid.  This change is likely meant to address concerns of "career" firefighters who were not receiving the same percentage of funds. 

H.R. 3791 increases the maximum allowable grant size depending on the size of population served by a department (ranging from $1 million for smaller jurisdictions to $9 million for larger jurisdictions).  In addition, the bill would allow the Director of FEMA to award grants in excess of these limits if he/she determines that "extraordinary need for assistance by a jurisdiction warrants a waiver."  Among the limitations on the use of the Assistance to Firefighters grants, no more than 25 percent of the funds can be used to purchase vehicles. 

The bill allows funding to be used to provide grants to institutes of higher education, a national fire service organization, or a national fire safety organization to establish and operate a fire safety research center.  It specifies that the Director can establish no more than three fire safety research centers with this funding.  The purpose of this funding would be to reduce the number of fire-related deaths and injuries among firefighters and the general public.

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response

H.R. 3791 expands the SAFER grant program which makes grants to increase staffing levels at fire departments.  The bill authorizes this program at $1.2 billion per year from FY 2010 to FY 2014.  Similar to AFG grants, this authorization level is equal to current authorization levels, but considerably higher than current appropriations ($420 million in FY 2010). 

The bill includes a provision allowing firefighters hired with funds from the grant to be volunteers in other jurisdictions during off-duty hours without discrimination.  Such an employee would be protected from being prohibited from engaging in any other volunteer work. 

H.R. 3791 requires that at least 10 percent of funds be made available to departments with a majority of volunteer personnel.  In addition, the bill requires that 10 percent of the total amount of funds be made to a competitive grant program for the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefights who are involved with or trained in the operations of firefighting and emergency responses. 

The bill provides new authority to the Director of FEMA to waive the requirements under "exceptional circumstances" that federal funds supplement, rather than supplant, local funds. H.R. 3791 also reduces the length of grant period to three years, and reduces the local match requirement to 20 percent from 30 percent.  The bill also eliminates the cap on the maximum allowable grant size per firefighter which was previously $100,000. 

Study and Report

H.R. 3791 would require a study and report on the AFG program to be made within two years to relevant Congressional committees.  The bill authorizes $300,000 for this study and report.

Some Members may be concerned that the bill also provides funding to Native Hawaiians, a racial group which is not a tribe. Such financial assistance on the basis of race would likely be subject to "strict scrutiny" in federal courts and is presumptively unconstitutional.

The bill establishes a new Small Business Administration (SBA) grant program for venture capital funds to invest in early-stage small businesses in targeted industries.  Targeted industries include manufacturing, energy, agriculture, IT, digital media, and defense.  H.R. 3738 authorizes $200 million for the first full fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment.  Grants could not exceed $100 million for any company.  A grant made to a participating investment company may not be in an amount that exceeds the amount of the company's non-federal capital.

H.R. 3014 amends the Small Business Act to establish a new small business health information technology financing program.  The SBA Administrator would be authorized to guarantee up to 90 percent of the amount of a loan made to a medical practitioner for the acquisition of health information technology for use in medical practice and for the costs associated with the installation of the technology.  The maximum amount of loan principal guaranteed could not exceed $350,000 for a single medical professional or $2 million for a group of associated professionals.

The Administrator may impose a guarantee fee on the borrower for the purpose of reducing the cost of the guarantee to zero.  The Administrator may also impose annual servicing fees on lenders not to exceed 0.5 percent of the outstanding balance of the guarantees on lenders' books.  Loans guaranteed would have a deferral period of one to three years.

The bill authorizes such sums as are necessary for the cost of guaranteeing $10 billion in health IT loans.

H.Res. 890 would resolve that the House of Representatives:

•  "Commends the maturating of the relationship between the United States and the Republic of India, exemplified by the current official visit of the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh;

•  "Looks forward to continuing progress in the relationship between the United States and India; and

•  "Welcomes Prime Minister Singh to the United States."

H.Con.Res. 212 would resolve that Congress:

•  "Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the historic events in Central and Eastern Europe that brought about the collapse of the communist regimes and the fall of the Iron Curtain;

•  "Commemorates, with the Slovak and Czech Republics, the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, which underscores the significance and value of reclaimed freedom and the dignity of individual citizens;

•  "Commends the peoples of the Slovak and Czech Republics for their remarkable achievements over the past 20 years in building free, democratic, and prosperous societies;

•  "Appreciates the contribution of the Slovak and Czech Republics as members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union to the promotion and defense of common values of freedom, democracy, and liberty around the world;

•  "Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and close cooperation that have existed between the United States and the Slovak and Czech Republics; and

•  "Extends the warmest congratulations and best wishes to the people of the Slovak Republic and the peoples of the Czech Republic for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful future."

Specifically, the legislation would ban any new application of tributyltin-based anti-fouling system and prohibit the use of organotin anti-fouling systems unless the vessel has an overcoating to prevent the organotin from leaking. The restrictions would apply to U.S. ships, any ship permitted to operate on the outer continental shelf, and any other ship in the U.S. waters. The restriction would not apply to military vessels of the U.S. or a foreign country if they were acting in a non-commercial capacity.

The bill would require any vessel over 400 tons that engages in international voyages to carry an International Antifouling System Certificate to prove that they were not using a tributyltin-based anti-fouling system. The certificate would be issued by the Secretary of the agency under which the Coast Guard is operating. Under the bill, a certificate issued by a country participating in the Convention would have the same effect as a U.S. certificate. The bill would allow the Secretary to determine a means to assess compliance through similar documentation for a vessel from any county that does not participate in the Convention.

H.R. 3618 would require ships 24 meters or longer, but less than 400 tons, to carry a declaration signed by the owner that the ship's anti-fouling system complies with the Convention. The bill would allow the Secretary to require vessels to hold other documentation if it is deemed necessary.

The bill authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to participate in a technical group convened under the Convention to consider additional controls on anti-fouling systems and to assess the effect of new restrictions. In addition, the Secretary of State would be required to convene a meeting of the Shipping Coordinating Committee to receive and record comments regarding anti-fouling system controls. The bill also requires the Secretary, the Administrator of the EPA, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to undertake research on the scientific and technical activities undertaken pursuant to the Convention.

H.R. 3618 would prohibit the sale or distribution of any new anti-fouling system that uses organotin. The bill would prohibit any vessel from having any anti-fouling system that contains organotin unless the vessel has an overcoating to prevent the organotin from leaking. The bill gives the Secretary and the Administrator the authority to investigate and inspect vessels to certify their compliance with the legislation and the Convention.

The legislation establishes criminal and civil penalties for any person that knowingly violates the Convention of up to six years imprisonment and up to $37,500 for each violation and $50,000 each time an individual provides false information regarding anti-fouling systems. The fine would be limited to $5,000 for recreational boats in violation.

The bill requires that each passenger room and crew cabin be equipped with entry doors that include peep holes, security latches, and time-sensitive key technology. The bill also requires cruise vessel owners to maintain video surveillance systems and make the recordings available if they are requested during the investigation of a crime. Owners would also be required to ensure that each room contained safety information and the location of the U.S. embassy and consulate in each country the vessel visits.

H.R. 3360 requires all cruise vessels to maintain a supply of onboard anti-retroviral medications to prevent sexually transmitted disease after sexual assault, have equipment for performing a medical examination in the case of a sexual assault, and have at least one medical staff worker certified in emergency medicine, family practice medicine, or internal medicine on the vessel at all times. In the case of sexual assault, the owner would have to provide free access to private communications and the contact information of the applicable law enforcement agency.

In addition, the legislation would require cruise vessel owners to establish procedures regarding which crew members have access to passenger staterooms and record all reports of crime in a log book. The bill also requires the Secretary of Transportation to maintain a compilation of all the incidents on an Internet site that provides an account of all alleged crimes recorded. Any cruise line taking on or discharging passengers in the U.S. would include a link on its Web site to the Transportation Department.

The owner would also be required to contact the nearest Federal Bureau of Investigation Field Office as soon as possible after the occurrence of a homicide, suspicious death, missing person, kidnapping, assault with serious bodily injury, tampering with the ship, or theft in excess of $10,000.

The legislation would provide for a civil penalty of up to $25,000 per day for any person who violates the regulations in the bill and a maximum penalty of $50,000 for continuing violations. Any person that willfully violates a regulation would be subject to a criminal penalty of not more than $250,000 or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

Finally, the bill requires the Secretary, in consultation with the FBI, to develop training standards to allow for the certification of cruise security personnel, crew members, and law enforcement officials on the appropriate methods for prevention, detection, evidence preservation, and reporting of criminal activities in the international maritime environment. Cruise lines would be required to have at least one crewmember trained in crime scene investigation onboard while the vessel is in service.

S. 1599 revises the federal charter of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States to include the president elect of the Association on the national executive committee as a non-voting member.  The bill makes the president elect of the Association an officer and eliminates the specific exclusion against the officers of a surgeon, a chaplain, a historian, and a public relations officer. 

The bill declares that the officers take office at the national convention and requires the judge advocate to be appointed by the national executive committee.  The bill allows for appointment by the national executive committee of any other national officers specified in the Association's constitution.

H.Res. 851 resolves that "the House of Representatives recognizes and honors SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics, on the occasion of its 40th anniversary for accomplishments to promote information sharing and identification solutions for first responders and law enforcement officers, and for the protection of privacy and citizens' rights."

S. 1825 extends the GSA relocation expenses test program for federal employees at the request of the agency administering the program. The bill requires that each agency submit an annual report on the results of the program to the Administrator.

The bill increases to 12 the number of test programs that may be conducted simultaneously, and limits approval for any test program to an initial four-year period, with four-year extensions authorized.

The bill repeals a provision disclaiming any intent to limit agency authority to conduct such test programs.

The legislation requires the Secretary to: (1) compare the data in such database with any other data for any activities that are inconsistent with EESA purposes; and (2) collect from all federal agencies any regulatory filings, internal models, financial models, and analytics associated with the financial assistance on at least a daily basis in order to help the Secretary to determine the effectiveness of TARP in stimulating prudent lending and strengthening bank capital. H.R 1242 also directs the Secretary, if TARP goals are not being met, to work with the federal agencies supplying the information to have them provide the recipients with recommendations for better meeting such goals. Lastly, the bill requires the Secretary to adjust the future uses of TARP assistance if such goals are not met even following such recommendations.

Buried within the contents of the 1,990 page bill-as well as a separate 13-page bill (H.R. 3961) that would increase the deficit by more than $200 billion-are details that will see a massive federal involvement in the health care of every American, including the following:

• Creation of a government-run health plan that experts say would result in up to 114 million Americans losing their current coverage-a clear violation of any pledge to allow individuals to keep their current health plan;
• Nearly half a trillion dollars in tax increases on certain income filers, a majority of whom are small businesses-and $729.5 billion in tax increases overall;
• Insurance regulations that would raise costs for nearly all Americans, particularly young Americans, and confine choice of plans to those approved by a board of bureaucrats;
• New price controls on health insurance companies that provide perverse incentives to keep individuals sick rather than managing chronic disease, while impeding patient access to important services just because those services do not provide a direct clinical benefit;
• Additional federal mandates that would significantly erode the flexibility currently provided to employers-and could result in firms dropping coverage;
• Massive expansion of Medicaid to all individuals with incomes below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($33,075 for a family of four), replacing the existing private health coverage of millions with taxpayer-funded health care-and imposing tens of billions of dollars in new unfunded mandates on States;
• Denial of health plan choice to 15 million Americans, consigning them instead to a Medicaid program riddled with bureaucratic obstacles and poor access to care, such that its own beneficiaries do not consider it "real insurance;"
• Language opening employers operating group health plans to State law remedies and private causes of action-subjecting employers to review by 50 different State court rulings, thereby raising costs and encouraging more employers to drop their current health plans;
• Liability "reforms" intended to ensure trial lawyers do not have their compensation reduced, rather than meaningful changes that would reduce the cost of health care by eliminating wasteful defensive medicine practices;
• Establishment of a bureaucrat-run health Exchange that would abolish the private market for individual insurance outside the Exchange-and could evolve into a single-payer approach due to the Exchange's ability to cannibalize existing employer plans;
• Creation of a new government board, the "Health Benefits Advisory Committee," that would empower federal bureaucrats to impose new mandates on individuals and insurance carriers;
• Taxation of individuals who do not purchase a level of health coverage that meets the diktats of a board of bureaucrats-including those who cannot afford the coverage options provided;
• New, job-killing taxes-$135 billion worth-on employers who cannot afford to provide their workers health insurance, resulting in up to 5.5 million lost jobs, according to a model developed by President Obama's chief economic advisor;
• Penalties as high as $500,000 on employers who make honest mistakes when filing paperwork with the government health board-which would likely dissuade businesses from continuing to provide coverage, increasing enrollment in the bureaucrat-run Exchange;
• "Low-income" health insurance subsidies to a family of four making up to $88,200;
• Arbitrary and harmful cuts to popular Medicare Advantage plans that would result in millions of seniors losing their current health coverage; and
• Expanded price controls on pharmaceutical products that would discourage companies from producing life-saving breakthrough treatments.

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The bill authorizes a total of $900 million over three years for chemical security, including $325 million in Fiscal Year 2011, of which $100 million would be available for methods to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack, $300 million in Fiscal Year 2012, of which $75 million would be available for methods to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack, and $275 million in Fiscal Year 2013, of which $50 million would be available for methods to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack.  

Risk-Based Designation and Ranking of Chemical Facilities:  H.R. 2868 authorizes DHS to designate any chemical substance as a "substance of concern" and establish threshold quantities for each such chemical that is used, stored, manufactured, processed, or distributed by a chemical facility.  Considerations would include the potential for death, serious adverse effects to human health, the environment, critical infrastructure, national security, or the national economy from a terrorist incident.

The bill requires DHS to maintain a list of facilities that have more than a threshold quantity of a "substance of concern" and pose a security risk based on criteria such as the potential threat or likelihood of a terrorist attack at the facility, the potential harm from a terrorist incident, and the proximity of the facility to large population centers.  DHS could require a facility to submit information regarding the facility's substances of concern to determine whether it would be covered under the list. 

H.R. 2868 also requires DHS to assign each covered facility to one of at least four risk-based tiers, with Tier 1 being the highest-risk.  DHS would periodically review the list of substances of concern and the threshold quantities, and could at any time add, remove, or change the tier assignment for each facility.  DHS would be responsible for providing covered facilities with relevant information about probable threats.

Security Vulnerability Assessments & Site Security Plans:  H.R. 2868 requires DHS to establish risk-based, performance-based standards, and procedures for mandatory security vulnerability assessments and site security plans, and to set deadlines by tier for completion.  DHS would approve or disapprove the assessments and security plans within 180 days of receipt.  The bill directs facilities to review and resubmit their security vulnerability assessments and site security plans every five years.  Facilities would have to notify DHS if they change their use or storage of a substance of concern or modify operations.

Site Inspections:   The bill allows DHS a right of entry at reasonable times to chemical facilities to conduct security verifications and inspections.  For Tier 1 and Tier 2 facilities, DHS would also conduct unannounced inspections to evaluate compliance with requirements of the bill.  H.R. 2868 requires DHS to increase its number of chemical facility inspectors by at least 100 in Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012.  During inspections, DHS would be required to offer employees the opportunity to share information about the facility's compliance or non-compliance. 

Records:  The bill allows DHS to require the submission of, or access to, a chemical facility's records in order to review its security vulnerability assessment or site security plan.

Information Sharing:  H.R. 2868 requires DHS to provide information concerning a threat that is relevant to a specific chemical facility in a timely manner.  Likewise, facilities would be required to report any threat, significant security incident, or penetration of the facility's cyber or physical security to DHS.

Enforcement:  For owners or operators of facilities deemed to be in violation of the bill, H.R. 2868 allows the Secretary to issue a fine of $25,000 per day.  The Secretary may also issue an order to cease operations at the facility until compliance is achieved to the satisfaction of DHS.

Whistleblower Protections:  The bill directs DHS to establish a process for any person to report deficiencies or vulnerabilities at a chemical facility.  The identity of the person would be kept confidential and retaliation against whistleblowers would be prohibited.  Any employee who alleges retaliation occurred could seek review in district court.

Lack of Federal Preemption:  The bill allows any State or local government to issue a regulation, requirement, or standard or performance for chemical facility security that is more stringent than the federal statute.

Information Protection:  H.R. 2868 gives DHS authority to promulgate regulations and issue orders to prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of protected information.  DHS would provide standards for the appropriate sharing of protected information with federal, State, local, and tribal governments, law enforcement and first responders, and designated chemical facility personnel.  Any person who discloses protected information in knowing violation would be subject to criminal penalties and removal from federal office or employment.  The legislation defines protected information to include vulnerability assessments and site security plans and portions of other security-related documents, and records that would be detrimental to the security of covered chemical facilities if disclosed.  The bill does not prohibit the sharing of information with Members of Congress.

Methods to Reduce Consequences of an Attack:  The bill requires the owner or operator of a covered chemical facility to include in its site security plan an assessment of methods to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack (more commonly referred to as "Inherently Safer Technologies."  The Director of a new Office of Chemical Facility Security could require a facility to implement methods to reduce consequences of a terrorist attack, if the director determines that certain conditions are met.  An owner or operator of a facility could provide a written appeal to DHS, within 120 days, explaining why it cannot comply with the determination.

Background Checks:  The bill requires DHS to issue regulations requiring chemical facilities to establish personnel background checks for individuals with access to restricted areas of the facility's critical assets.  The regulations would describe the appropriate scope and applications for security background checks.  If, as the result of a background check, a chemical facility finds that an individual is not legally authorized to work in the U.S., or meets certain criminal history disqualifiers, the owner or operator shall cease to employ the individual, subject to redress processes available to the individual.

Citizen "Enforcement" and Petitions:  The bill allows any person to bring a civil action in district court against any governmental entity allegedly in violation of the Act or against the Secretary for an alleged failure to perform any act or duty under the bill.

The bill also requires DHS to establish a petition process to receive, investigate, and respond to allegations of violations at covered facilities.  DHS would establish the parameters of the petition process and the procedures for the Inspector General's review of DHS' response to a petition.  DHS would be required to accept all petitions, investigate all allegations, determine whether an enforcement action is required, and respond to all accepted petitions in writing.

Drinking Water Security:  H.R. 2868 authorizes the EPA to regulate the security of community water systems serving more than 3,300 people, as well as other public water systems that EPA determines present a security risk.  The bill authorizes $315 million in Fiscal Year 2011 for grants to States and nonprofits to help develop security plans for covered public water systems.  $30 million of this total could be used for administrative costs incurred by the EPA or States, and $125 million could be used to implement methods to reduce the consequences of a chemical release from an intentional act at water systems.  The measure authorizes such sums that may be necessary in Fiscal Years 2012 through 2015.

The bill requires water systems to conduct a vulnerability assessment, develop and implement a site security plan, and develop an emergency response plan.  EPA would establish deadlines for these plans and for providing training to employees of water systems, and requires the EPA to consult with States exercising primary enforcement responsibility for public water systems and with DHS.  H.R. 2868 requires EPA to assign each water system to one of four risk-based tiers, with Tier 1 being highest-risk.  It requires the EPA to develop regulations to establish risk-based, performance-based standards and procedures for mandatory security vulnerability assessments and site security plans.  The bill allows each water system to select layered security measures that address the security risks identified in the vulnerability assessment and meet the risk-based performance standards.  

Under this bill, EPA would provide guidance, computer software, and other tools to water systems in Tier 3 and Tier 4 to streamline the process for other systems.  For a water system that is assigned to Tiers 1 and 2 that possesses a substance of concern, the State exercising primary enforcement for the system would be required to make determinations on methods to reduce consequences of a chemical release.  In States without primacy, the EPA would make such a determination.

The State with primacy could require a water system to implement methods to reduce consequences of a chemical release if it determines that certain conditions are met.  Such conditions include whether consequence-reduction methods would significantly reduce the consequences of a release of a substance, not increase the interim storage of a substance of concern by the water system, not put the water system out of compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, and remain feasible for the water system.

A water system that violates any requirement of this section would be liable for a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each day after the violation occurs.

H.R. 2868 allows EPA to make grants to States, non-profit organizations, and water systems to assist them in implementing this section.  The bill also creates a new worker training grants program for training and education of employees with roles or responsibilities under the bill. 

Wastewater Treatment Works Security:  The bill establishes EPA as the lead agency for wastewater security.  It authorizes $1 billion over five years for EPA to make grants to States, municipalities, and other entities to conduct vulnerability assessments, providing security-related training to treatment works employees and emergency response providers, and install security improvements at publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities.

The bill also requires treatment works with a capacity of at least 2.5 million gallons per day, or any facility deemed by the EPA to present a security risk, to conduct a vulnerability assessment, develop and implement a site security plan, and develop an emergency response plan for the treatment works.  H.R. 2868 requires EPA to assign each covered treatment works to one of at least four risk-based tiers, with Tier 1 being highest-risk.  It requires the EPA to develop regulations to establish risk-based, performance-based standards and procedures for mandatory security vulnerability assessments and site security plans.

The bill directs EPA to require the owner or operator of a covered treatment works that possesses a substance of concern to include in its site security plan an assessment of methods to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack, including the elimination or reduction of such substances.  The assessment would include the potential impact of the method on the responsibilities of the treatment works under the Clean Water Act.  It would also provide for the mandatory implementation of a method to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack for a treatment works that is assigned to the highest two risk-based tiers and possesses a substance of concern.

The bill requires the owner or operator of a treatment works to develop an emergency response plan that incorporates the results of the current vulnerability assessment and site security plan, and certify to the EPA when the plan has been completed.  

The bill further allows SBA to issue grants of up to $100,000 for small businesses affected by a disaster. Such sums as may be necessary are authorized for $100 million in such grants in each of Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011. H.R. 3743 authorizes $50 million in loan applicant assistance grants for each of Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011. These grants would go to women's business centers, small business development centers, Veteran Business Outreach Centers, and chambers of commerce in an area affected by a disaster.

The bill authorizes $2.5 million in each of the Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 for a new grant program for SBDCs to develop programs which help local small firms in securing capital and repairing damaged credit. These grants would be for $300,000 each.

The bill authorizes $2.5 million in each of the Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 to establish a procurement training program by which SBDCs work with local agencies to find contracts for local small businesses. The bill also authorizes $2.5 million in each of the Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 for a new "green entrepreneurial development program" to educate businesses on energy efficiency, green technology, and clean technology.

Finally, H.R. 1845 authorizes $2.5 million in each of the Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 for a statewide small business helpline in every State and territory to provide information to small business and dislocated workers interested in starting a business.

The bill authorizes a total of $900 million over three years for chemical security, including $325 million in Fiscal Year 2011, of which $100 million would be available for methods to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack, $300 million in Fiscal Year 2012, of which $75 million would be available for methods to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack, and $275 million in Fiscal Year 2013, of which $50 million would be available for methods to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack.  

Risk-Based Designation and Ranking of Chemical Facilities:  H.R. 2868 authorizes DHS to designate any chemical substance as a "substance of concern" and establish threshold quantities for each such chemical that is used, stored, manufactured, processed, or distributed by a chemical facility.  Considerations would include the potential for death, serious adverse effects to human health, the environment, critical infrastructure, national security, or the national economy from a terrorist incident.

The bill requires DHS to maintain a list of facilities that have more than a threshold quantity of a "substance of concern" and pose a security risk based on criteria such as the potential threat or likelihood of a terrorist attack at the facility, the potential harm from a terrorist incident, and the proximity of the facility to large population centers.  DHS could require a facility to submit information regarding the facility's substances of concern to determine whether it would be covered under the list. 

H.R. 2868 also requires DHS to assign each covered facility to one of at least four risk-based tiers, with Tier 1 being the highest-risk.  DHS would periodically review the list of substances of concern and the threshold quantities, and could at any time add, remove, or change the tier assignment for each facility.  DHS would be responsible for providing covered facilities with relevant information about probable threats.

Security Vulnerability Assessments & Site Security Plans:  H.R. 2868 requires DHS to establish risk-based, performance-based standards, and procedures for mandatory security vulnerability assessments and site security plans, and to set deadlines by tier for completion.  DHS would approve or disapprove the assessments and security plans within 180 days of receipt.  The bill directs facilities to review and resubmit their security vulnerability assessments and site security plans every five years.  Facilities would have to notify DHS if they change their use or storage of a substance of concern or modify operations.

Site Inspections:   The bill allows DHS a right of entry at reasonable times to chemical facilities to conduct security verifications and inspections.  For Tier 1 and Tier 2 facilities, DHS would also conduct unannounced inspections to evaluate compliance with requirements of the bill.  H.R. 2868 requires DHS to increase its number of chemical facility inspectors by at least 100 in Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012.  During inspections, DHS would be required to offer employees the opportunity to share information about the facility's compliance or non-compliance. 

Records:  The bill allows DHS to require the submission of, or access to, a chemical facility's records in order to review its security vulnerability assessment or site security plan.

Information Sharing:  H.R. 2868 requires DHS to provide information concerning a threat that is relevant to a specific chemical facility in a timely manner.  Likewise, facilities would be required to report any threat, significant security incident, or penetration of the facility's cyber or physical security to DHS.

Enforcement:  For owners or operators of facilities deemed to be in violation of the bill, H.R. 2868 allows the Secretary to issue a fine of $25,000 per day.  The Secretary may also issue an order to cease operations at the facility until compliance is achieved to the satisfaction of DHS.

Whistleblower Protections:  The bill directs DHS to establish a process for any person to report deficiencies or vulnerabilities at a chemical facility.  The identity of the person would be kept confidential and retaliation against whistleblowers would be prohibited.  Any employee who alleges retaliation occurred could seek review in district court.

Lack of Federal Preemption:  The bill allows any State or local government to issue a regulation, requirement, or standard or performance for chemical facility security that is more stringent than the federal statute.

Information Protection:  H.R. 2868 gives DHS authority to promulgate regulations and issue orders to prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of protected information.  DHS would provide standards for the appropriate sharing of protected information with federal, State, local, and tribal governments, law enforcement and first responders, and designated chemical facility personnel.  Any person who discloses protected information in knowing violation would be subject to criminal penalties and removal from federal office or employment.  The legislation defines protected information to include vulnerability assessments and site security plans and portions of other security-related documents, and records that would be detrimental to the security of covered chemical facilities if disclosed.  The bill does not prohibit the sharing of information with Members of Congress.

Methods to Reduce Consequences of an Attack:  The bill requires the owner or operator of a covered chemical facility to include in its site security plan an assessment of methods to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack (more commonly referred to as "Inherently Safer Technologies."  The Director of a new Office of Chemical Facility Security could require a facility to implement methods to reduce consequences of a terrorist attack, if the director determines that certain conditions are met.  An owner or operator of a facility could provide a written appeal to DHS, within 120 days, explaining why it cannot comply with the determination.

Background Checks:  The bill requires DHS to issue regulations requiring chemical facilities to establish personnel background checks for individuals with access to restricted areas of the facility's critical assets.  The regulations would describe the appropriate scope and applications for security background checks.  If, as the result of a background check, a chemical facility finds that an individual is not legally authorized to work in the U.S., or meets certain criminal history disqualifiers, the owner or operator shall cease to employ the individual, subject to redress processes available to the individual.

Citizen "Enforcement" and Petitions:  The bill allows any person to bring a civil action in district court against any governmental entity allegedly in violation of the Act or against the Secretary for an alleged failure to perform any act or duty under the bill.

The bill also requires DHS to establish a petition process to receive, investigate, and respond to allegations of violations at covered facilities.  DHS would establish the parameters of the petition process and the procedures for the Inspector General's review of DHS' response to a petition.  DHS would be required to accept all petitions, investigate all allegations, determine whether an enforcement action is required, and respond to all accepted petitions in writing.

Drinking Water Security:  H.R. 2868 authorizes the EPA to regulate the security of community water systems serving more than 3,300 people, as well as other public water systems that EPA determines present a security risk.  The bill authorizes $315 million in Fiscal Year 2011 for grants to States and nonprofits to help develop security plans for covered public water systems.  $30 million of this total could be used for administrative costs incurred by the EPA or States, and $125 million could be used to implement methods to reduce the consequences of a chemical release from an intentional act at water systems.  The measure authorizes such sums that may be necessary in Fiscal Years 2012 through 2015.

The bill requires water systems to conduct a vulnerability assessment, develop and implement a site security plan, and develop an emergency response plan.  EPA would establish deadlines for these plans and for providing training to employees of water systems, and requires the EPA to consult with States exercising primary enforcement responsibility for public water systems and with DHS.  H.R. 2868 requires EPA to assign each water system to one of four risk-based tiers, with Tier 1 being highest-risk.  It requires the EPA to develop regulations to establish risk-based, performance-based standards and procedures for mandatory security vulnerability assessments and site security plans.  The bill allows each water system to select layered security measures that address the security risks identified in the vulnerability assessment and meet the risk-based performance standards.  

Under this bill, EPA would provide guidance, computer software, and other tools to water systems in Tier 3 and Tier 4 to streamline the process for other systems.  For a water system that is assigned to Tiers 1 and 2 that possesses a substance of concern, the State exercising primary enforcement for the system would be required to make determinations on methods to reduce consequences of a chemical release.  In States without primacy, the EPA would make such a determination.

The State with primacy could require a water system to implement methods to reduce consequences of a chemical release if it determines that certain conditions are met.  Such conditions include whether consequence-reduction methods would significantly reduce the consequences of a release of a substance, not increase the interim storage of a substance of concern by the water system, not put the water system out of compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, and remain feasible for the water system.

A water system that violates any requirement of this section would be liable for a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each day after the violation occurs.

H.R. 2868 allows EPA to make grants to States, non-profit organizations, and water systems to assist them in implementing this section.  The bill also creates a new worker training grants program for training and education of employees with roles or responsibilities under the bill. 

Wastewater Treatment Works Security:  The bill establishes EPA as the lead agency for wastewater security.  It authorizes $1 billion over five years for EPA to make grants to States, municipalities, and other entities to conduct vulnerability assessments, providing security-related training to treatment works employees and emergency response providers, and install security improvements at publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities.

The bill also requires treatment works with a capacity of at least 2.5 million gallons per day, or any facility deemed by the EPA to present a security risk, to conduct a vulnerability assessment, develop and implement a site security plan, and develop an emergency response plan for the treatment works.  H.R. 2868 requires EPA to assign each covered treatment works to one of at least four risk-based tiers, with Tier 1 being highest-risk.  It requires the EPA to develop regulations to establish risk-based, performance-based standards and procedures for mandatory security vulnerability assessments and site security plans.

The bill directs EPA to require the owner or operator of a covered treatment works that possesses a substance of concern to include in its site security plan an assessment of methods to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack, including the elimination or reduction of such substances.  The assessment would include the potential impact of the method on the responsibilities of the treatment works under the Clean Water Act.  It would also provide for the mandatory implementation of a method to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack for a treatment works that is assigned to the highest two risk-based tiers and possesses a substance of concern.

The bill requires the owner or operator of a treatment works to develop an emergency response plan that incorporates the results of the current vulnerability assessment and site security plan, and certify to the EPA when the plan has been completed.  

H.R. 3548 extends Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits for an additional 14 weeks for all States and provides an additional six week extension for States with total unemployment rates above 8.5 percent, giving those States a total of 20 additional weeks.  The bill would also extend an existing 0.2 percent Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) surtax through the first six months of calendar year 2011 to fund the UI extension.  H.R. 3548 would also extend and modify the first-time homebuyer tax credit at a cost of $10.8 billion over ten years and increase the carryback period of net operating losses (NOL) for all businesses at a cost of $10.4 billion, paid for mainly by a $20.1 billion delay in implementation of worldwide interest allocation.  A full summary of the legislation can be found below:

Unemployment Extension:  The bill provides an additional 14 weeks of UI benefits for all States and an additional 6 weeks of UI for states over 8.5 percent unemployment. This means that in high unemployment states, individuals could receive up to roughly 86 weeks of federal unemployment benefits.  A summary of the details of the extension follows below: 

•  Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("stimulus") to clarify that the additional $25 per week in UI benefits should not affect eligibility for the purposes of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) benefits.

•  Amends the "stimulus" to add domestic violence and sexual assault to the list of compelling family reasons which cause an individual to believe continued employment would jeopardize their safety.

•  Extends the 0.2 percent federal unemployment surtax for 18 additional months.  The surtax currently expires at the end of December, 2009.

•  Extends the eligibility window to qualify for extended benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act for up to one additional year, to December 31, 2010. 

•  Provides $175 million for the extended benefits and $807,000 for administrative costs for the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.  

Homebuyer Tax Credit:   H.R. 3548 extends the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers for five months, from November 30, 2009 to May 1, 2010.  In addition, the bill provides a $6,500 tax credit for homebuyers that are not first time buyers, but have owned a primary residence at least five consecutive years in the last eight years.  According to the Joint Committee on Taxation (JTC), the provision will reduce revenus by $10.8 billion over ten years.

The bill would cap the eligibility for the credit on homes that cost $800,000 or more and raises the current income limit from $75,000, or $150,000 in the case of a joint return, to $125,000 or $225,000.  H.R. 3548 waives provisions to recapture the credit for military, intelligence, and Foreign Service personnel who are on qualified official duty and extends the tax credit for an additional year for those on qualified extended duty overseas for 90 days or more since 2008.

Five-Year Carryback of Net Operating Losses:  H.R. 3548 extends the net operating loss (NOL) carryback period from two years to five years for 2008 or 2009 for all firms.  A NOL is defined as the amount by which a company or taxpayer's business deductions are greater than its gross income in a given year.   Under the legislation, NOLs that are carried back by businesses  to the fifth taxable year would be limited to 50 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income and TARP recipients would excluded from the provision.  According to JCT, the provision would reduce revenues by $10.4 billion over ten years.   The "stimulus" provided a five year NOL carry back provision for businesses with receipts less than $15 million.  H.R. 3548 would provide the same carry back for all firms.

Delay of Worldwide Interest Allocation:  The bill delays the application of worldwide interest allocation provisions, first enacted into law but never implemented in 2004, through 2018.  The change, if not delayed, would allow certain U.S.-based multinational firms with interest expenses to change the way such expenses were apportioned between domestic and foreign source income for purposes of computing their foreign tax credit to more accurately reflect how firms account for interest expenses.  Delaying the change would require theses firms to continue to pay higher U.S. taxes.  Some Members may be concerned that, in addition to increasing taxes on businesses during a recession, further extension of these provisions would create undue uncertainty for many firms in an uncertain enough economic climate.  This implementation date was already delayed by two years in 2008.  According to the JCT, this provision, which is being used as an offset, would raise revenues by $20.1 billion over ten years.

Exclusion of Income for Base Realignment and Closure:  Expands the amount that military personnel who lose home value because of a military base closure are allowed to exclude from gross income for tax purposes at a cost of $243 million over ten years.

Failure to File Partnership Return:  Increases the penalty for failure to file a partnership or S corporation return by $106, from $89 to $195.  According to the JCT, this provision increases revenues by $642 million over ten years.

Electronic Filing Requirement:  Requires tax return preparers who file ten or more returns for others in a year to electronically file clients' tax returns.  According to the JCT, this provision has a "negligible revenue effect."

Corporate Estimated Payments:  Raises the estimated quarterly tax payments for certain corporations by 33 percentage points, from 0.25 percent to 33.25 percent, in 2014 and reduces the tax by the same amount in 2015.   This would impose a prepayment burden on certain corporations by requiring payments to be made in 2014 and relieved in 2015.  This provision, which raises $18.3 billion in the first five years and costs the same in the second five years, is included to satisfy Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) requirements.  According to the JCT, the provision is revenue neutral over ten years.  However, since the bill is being considered under a suspension of the rules, PAYGO compliance is not required. 

The bill determines that the purpose of the Commission is to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I that promotes the values of honor, courage, patriotism, and sacrifice, in keeping with the representation of these values through the four Guardian Spirits sculpted on the Liberty Memorial Monument at America's National World War I Museum.

Specifically, the bill authorizes $163 million in Fiscal Years 2011 through 2014 for the Department of Energy to establish a program to evaluate and support projects for production in the U.S., without the use of highly enriched uranium, of significant quantities of molybdenum-99 for medical uses. The legislation also directs the Department to make low enriched uranium (LEU) available through lease contracts to producers of molybdenum-99. The contracts would allow the Department to retain financial responsibility for radioactive waste generated by the irradiation, processing, or purification of LEU.

H.Res. 752 would express the sense that the House of Representatives:

•  "Honors the 259 miners lost in the tragedy known as the Great Cherry Mine Disaster on its 100th anniversary;

•  "Supports the important safety measures that were enacted as a resulted of this terrible incident and others around the country like it; and

•  "Recognizes the important role organized labor has played in protecting the physical and economic security of workers in the United States."

H.Res. 878 would express the sense that House of Representatives:

•  "Supports the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day; and

•  "Recognizes the benefits of parental involvement in a child's education."

The Secretary must report to Congress within one year of enactment on the grant program. The bill authorizes such sums as necessary for fiscal years 2010-2012.

This legislation states that applications or negative determinations under this Act may not be admissible as evidence in the proceeding of any court.

H.Res. 752 would express the sense that the House of Representatives:

•  "Honors the 259 miners lost in the tragedy known as the Great Cherry Mine Disaster on its 100th anniversary;

•  "Supports the important safety measures that were enacted as a resulted of this terrible incident and others around the country like it; and

•  "Recognizes the important role organized labor has played in protecting the physical and economic security of workers in the United States."

H.Res. 878 would express the sense that House of Representatives:

•  "Supports the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day; and

•  "Recognizes the benefits of parental involvement in a child's education."

Specifically, the bill authorizes $163 million in Fiscal Years 2011 through 2014 for the Department of Energy to establish a program to evaluate and support projects for production in the U.S., without the use of highly enriched uranium, of significant quantities of molybdenum-99 for medical uses. The legislation also directs the Department to make low enriched uranium (LEU) available through lease contracts to producers of molybdenum-99. The contracts would allow the Department to retain financial responsibility for radioactive waste generated by the irradiation, processing, or purification of LEU.

H.Res. 839 resolves that the House of Representatives:

•  "Calls on people of Madagascar to immediately undertake a democratic, consensual process to restore constitutional governance, culminating in free, fair and peaceful elections;

•  "Strongly condemns the illegal extraction of Madagascar's natural resources and its impact on biodiversity and livelihoods of rural communities, including illegal logging, smuggling of wild species, and illegal mining;

•  "Supports action by competent authorities and the people of Madagascar to stop this illegal devastation and bring those perpetrating these crimes to justice;

•  "Calls upon importing countries to intensify their inspection and monitoring processes to ensure that they do not contribute to the demand for illegally sourced precious woods from Madagascar; and

•  "Calls upon consumers of rosewood and ebony products to check their origin, and boycott those made of Malagasy wood, until constitutional order is restored."

H.Res. 711 would express the sense that the House of Representatives:

•  "Urges the Sri Lankan Government to guarantee the safety and speedy release of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps and to ensure the rights and privileges of these refugees in the reestablishment of their homes and properties;

•  "Calls on the Sri Lankan Government to turn the operation of the camps over to civilian authorities and allow the day to day presence of international government agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and independent nongovernmental organizations to assist in the care of the IDPs;

•  "Calls on the Sri Lankan Government to allow an independent group to assess the accuracy of the allegations of large numbers of deaths, diseases, and sicknesses due to poor sanitation and inappropriate healthcare in the camps containing the IDPs and to prepare a plan of action to resolve the problems;

•  "Request the Sri Lankan Government to establish reasonable conditions to allow foreign agencies access to the IDPs and to ensure the rebuilding process of war torn areas in Sri Lanka; and

•  "Urges the Tamil people to continue to be patient while the government reestablishes normalcy and urges the Sri Lankan Government to move forward in creating political reforms that will resolve the political concerns of the Tamil people."

H.Res. 641 would express the sense that the House of Representatives:

•  "Recognizes the 60th anniversary of the founding of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and honors its contribution to promoting freedom and liberty around the world; and

•  "Commends the employees and reporters of RFE/RL for their commitment to provide fair and unbiased news to people living under oppressive regimes."

H.Res. 867 resolves that the House of Representatives:

•  "Considers the ‘Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict' to be irredeemably biased and unworthy of further consideration or legitimacy;

•  "Supports the Administration's efforts to combat anti-Israel bias at the United Nations, its characterization of the ‘Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict' as ‘unbalanced, one-sided and basically unacceptable', and its opposition to the resolution on the report;

•  "Calls on the President and the Secretary of State to continue to strongly and unequivocally oppose any endorsement of the ‘Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict' in multilateral fora;

•  "Calls on the President and the Secretary of State to strongly and unequivocally oppose any further consideration of the ‘Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict' and any other measures stemming from this report in multilateral fora; and

•  "Reaffirms its support for the democratic, Jewish State of Israel, for Israel's security and right to self-defense, and, specifically, for Israel's right to defend its citizens from violent militant groups and their state sponsors."

The bill determines that the purpose of the Commission is to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I that promotes the values of honor, courage, patriotism, and sacrifice, in keeping with the representation of these values through the four Guardian Spirits sculpted on the Liberty Memorial Monument at America's National World War I Museum.

The bill would prohibit a servicemember's spouse from either losing or acquiring residence for purposes of taxation because of being absent or present in any U.S. tax jurisdiction solely to be with the servicemember in compliance with the servicemember's military orders if the residence is the same for the servicemember and the spouse. The bill would prohibit a spouse's income from being considered income earned in a tax jurisdiction if the spouse is not a resident of such jurisdiction when the spouse is in that jurisdiction solely to be with a servicemember serving under military orders.

Finally, the bill suspends land rights residency requirements for spouses accompanying servicemembers serving under military orders.

The bill would also require the Secretary to pay an allowance of no more than $5,000 to each covered veteran for transportation expenses related to the veteran's receipt of training for which an allowance is paid under the bill.

The bill authorizes $100 million for each fiscal year to carry out these payments. At the authorization level noted in the bill, CBO estimates that approximately 13,000 veterans would participate in this program each year and that they would receive assistance averaging around $7,500 per person.

The bill would prohibit a small business from being included in the VA's database until the Secretary confirms that the small business is owned and controlled by a veteran or service disabled veteran. The bill would require the Secretary to notify small businesses currently listed in the database no later than 60 days after enactment that the Secretary is required to verify veteran status. Each application for inclusion will grant the Secretary the authority to access personal information maintained by the Secretary to verify the information in the application.

The bill reauthorizes the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education through 2015.

H.R. 3949 allows a servicemember to terminate certain service contracts if they received military orders to deploy for a period of no less than 90 days, or change of duty station that does not support such service.

With regard to certain household contracts, the bill allows the servicemember to keep a cell phone number to the extent practicable with applicable law for up to 90 days after deployment or change of duty station. The bill covers contracts that include cellular telephone service (including family plans with the servicemember), telephone service, multi-channel video programming service, internet service, and home water-electricity, home heating oil, and natural gas services. The bill requires the servicemember to deliver a written notice of termination of service contract and military order to the service provider, and terminate the service contract on the date that such notice is delivered. The bill would prevent the service provider from imposing an early termination charge but allows for the service provider to collect appropriate tax, obligation or liability under the contract. The bill would allow the servicemember to re-subscribe, without reinstatement charges within 90-days after deployment or change of duty station has concluded. The bill also requires the service provider to return any advance payment fees within 60-days after the termination date.

H.R. 3949 prohibits a lessor from charging an early termination charge with respect to a residential, professional, business, or agricultural rental lease or a motor vehicle lease entered into by a person who subsequently enters military service, or for a servicemember who has received orders for permanent change of station or for deployment in support of a military operation. The bill requires the lease amounts for a period preceding the lease termination to be paid on a pro-rated basis and other unpaid lease charges shall be paid by the lessee.

The bill authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in U.S. district court including: restraining orders and injunctions, damages, and penalties. The bill authorizes a private cause of action for such enforcement by a servicemember, dependent, or other protected person under the Act.

H.R. 3949 requires the Secretary to establish, and annually review, a plan to coordinate outreach activities within the Department; specifically among the Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, and National Cemetery Administration. The bill would also establish a program for the Secretary to provide assistance to States for outreach to veterans and their families in order to inform them about benefits and programs for which they are eligible, and to assist them in applying for these benefits and programs.

The bill would require the Secretary to direct assistance to areas with a large and growing veteran population. The bill would authorize the Secretary to enter into cooperative relationships with State veterans agencies to improve outreach to veterans.

H.R. 3949 would establish a grant program for the Secretary to provide resources to States for outreach activities, cooperative relationships and to develop benefit claims. The bill would allow State veterans agencies to award a portion of grants to local governments for outreach purposes, and prohibits any portion of the grant to be used by the State for administrative purposes. The bill would limit the use of the grants to States to less than 50 percent of the cost of State and local government outreach activities, and prohibit grant funds from supplanting existing State and local funds for such activities. H.R. 3949 would require the Secretary to allocate grants based on veteran populations; allow for grants to be used to establish a local government veterans service program; allow State veterans agencies to perform outreach activities in a local government's jurisdiction if that local veterans service agency elects not to participate in this grant program; allow for funding from grants to be used for education and training for State and local government employees for accreditation to provide outreach services; and allow the Secretary to develop and provide the grant recipient written guidance on annual outcome measures, Department policies, and procedures for applying for grants.

The bill would establish a separate account in the Department's budget for this outreach program and authorizes $25,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2008 through 2010.

H.R. 3949 direct the VA Secretary to establish a scholarship program for students seeking a degree or certificate in vision impairment rehabilitation under the "Health Professional Education Assistance Program." The bill requires students to work for three years in a VA health care facility, and mandates that the Secretary shall provide financial assistance to students enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certificate in a U.S. state, provided that they agree with applicable requirements. The bill also requires that individuals who do not satisfy the requirements of the agreement repay the unearned portion of the assistance to the Secretary.

The bill would allow the interment of certain parents of eligible deceased servicemembers. H.R. 3949 would require the VA Secretary to determine that there is available space in a gravesite cemetery for the interment of the biological or adoptive parent(s) of the servicemember; that the servicemember died while engaged in combat, hostile action, or training related injuries; and, at the time of their death, there were no other eligible dependents, such as a spouse or dependent child. Finally, the bill would require the VA Secretary in consultation with the DoD Secretary to develop guidance by which the parent may be designated eligible for interment in a national cemetery.

Division A-Conference Report to H.R. 2996, the Department of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2010

H.R. 2996 contains a total of $32.24 billion, which is $4.6 billion or 17 percent above FY 2009 discretionary spending levels.  In addition to the huge funding increase, agencies funded through the bill also received $11.2 billion in supplemental appropriations, primarily from the "stimulus" bill.  In total, the bill received $38.8 billion in FY 2009.

Much of the spending increase in the conference report is a result of a large funding boost for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The bill provides $10.3 billion for the EPA, which is an increase of $2.65 billion or 35 percent above the FY 2009 appropriation.  In addition, the EPA received $7.2 billion in supplemental appropriations from the "stimulus" bill.   Specific funding levels and provisions of note follow below:

TITLE I--DEPARTMENT of INTERIOR

The conference report provides $11 billion for the Department of Interior (DOI), an increase of $882 million or 9 percent above FY 2009.

Bureau of Land Management:  Provides $1.1 billion for the BLM, $100 million or 10 percent above FY 2009.  BLM oversees approximately 258 million acres of federal land and an additional 700 million acres of subsurface mineral rights.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife:  Provides $1.6 billion for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), $206 million or 14 percent above FY 2009.  FWS manages approximately 150 million acres of restricted federal land in the National Wildlife Refuge System tasked with conserving fish and wildlife.  The bill includes $20 million for FWS to serve in a new climate change adaptive science capacity and $67 million for the acquisition of new land.

National Park Service:  Provides $2.74 billion for the National Park Service (NPS), $218 million or 8.6 percent above FY 2009.   The bill provides $2.3 billion for the operation of the National Park System and the remainder for capital improvements and maintenance.  According to CRS, NPS faces an estimated $9 billion maintenance backlog on the property the agency currently controls.  The bill also provides $36 million for new land acquisition.

U.S. Geological Survey:  Provides $1.1 billion for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), $68 million or 6 percent above FY 2009.  USGS gathers information to provide scientific classifications of public lands and mineral resources.

Bureau of Indian Affairs:  Provides $2.62 billion for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), $243 million or 10 percent above FY 2009.   The BIA provides services directly or through contracts, grants, or compacts to 562 federally recognized tribes with a service population of about 1.9 million American Indians.

TITLE II-ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

The bill provides $10.3 billion for the EPA, an increase of $2.65 billion or 35 percent above the FY 2009 appropriation.  In addition, the EPA received $7.2 billion in supplemental appropriations from the "stimulus" bill.

Science and Technology:  Provides $846 million for EPA science and technology programs, an increase of $56 million or 7 percent over FY 2009.  Funding for science and technology includes $19 million for the clime protection program.

Environmental Programs and Management:  Provides $2.99 billion for the EPA's Environmental Programs and Management account, an increase of $602 million or 25 percent over FY 2009.  The funding for environmental programs and management is $81 million above the President's request. 

Hazardous Substance Superfund:  Provides $1.3 billion for the Hazardous Substance Superfund, an increase of $21 million 1.6 percent over FY 2009.

State and Tribal Grant Assistance:  Provides $4.97 billion for EPA's State and Tribal grant program, an increase of $2 billion or 67 percent.  The funding includes $2.2 billion for grants for the Clean Water State Revolving Funds, an increase of $1.4 billion.

TITLE III-RELATED AGENCIES

U.S. Forest Service:  Provides $5.29 billion for the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Forest Service, $552 million or 11 percent above FY 2009.  The Forest Service oversees the management of nearly 500 million acres of non-federal forests in the U.S.  Funding for the U.S. Forest Service provides $2.178 billion for Wildland Fire Management (in addition to Wildland Fire funds for the DOI).  In addition, the funding for the Forest Service includes $1.572 billion for the National Forest Service, $55 million above FY 2009.  The bill also provides $30 million for the Urban Forestry program and $36 million for land acquisition.

Indian Health Service:  Provides $4.2 billion for Indian Health Services, an increase of $473 million or 13 percent over FY 2009.  The program provides health and dental services to American Indians including $194 million for the Alcohol and Substance Abuse program.

Smithsonian:  Provides $761 million for the Smithsonian Institute, $30 million or 4 percent above FY 2009.  The bill also provides $167 million for the National Gallery of Art, $44 million or 36 percent above FY 2009.

National Endowment for the Arts:  Provides $167 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for Humanities.  The funding represents an increase of $12 million or 8 percent over FY 2009 for both organizations.   The programs distribute taxpayer subsidies for private, for-profit arts programs and funds grants to support research, education, and public programs in arts and the humanities.

OTHER PROVISIONS OF NOTE

ACORN:  The conference report prohibits funds from the bill from being distributed to Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) or its affiliates in FY 2010.

Guantanamo Bay Detainees:  States that none of the funds in the bill may be used to release a Guantanamo Bay detainee in the U.S.   The bill also states that none of the funds may be used to transfer a Guantanamo Bay detainee into the U.S. until 45 days after the President submits a plan to Congress which includes:

•  Any risk to national security posed by transferring the detainee to the U.S.

•  The cost of not transferring the detainee.

•  The legal rational for the transfer.

•  A certification by the President that any risk has been mitigated.

•  A certification by the President that the Governor or Legislature in the State where the detainee is being transferred was notified at least two weeks days prior to the transfer.

While the provision does prohibit the release of detainees in the U.S., it still provides an avenue for the President to transfer them into the country.

Great Lakes EPA Rule:  Exempts existing steamships on the Great Lakes from an impending EPA air quality ruling.  According to the conference report, "While these standards can achieve significant health and welfare benefits, they can also impose significant costs on the industry and on a region whose economy is already reeling."

OCS:  The legislation does not reinstate a ban on offshore oil and gas drilling that expired in 2006.

Manure Management Systems:  Includes a prohibition against using funding to require mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management facilities.

Climate Change:  Provides $382 million in cross-agency climate change funding, an increase of $150 million above FY 2009, including $17 million for the expansion of the Greenhouse Gas Registry.

FLAME Act of 2009:  Includes the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act (FLAME) of 2009.  The legislation establishes a Federal Land Assistance, Management, and Enhancement (FLAME) Fund within the U.S. Treasury at an estimated cost of $100 million over five years.    

"Air Drops":  The conference report contains a number of provisions that were not included in either the House or Senate versions of the bill, but were added during the Conference Committee.  Notable "air drops" include the Great Lakes EPA ruling and an appropriation of $2 million for a grant program known as "Potomac Highlands."

Earmarks:  The conference report contains 71 pages of earmarks totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.

Davis-Bacon:   Applies Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.

Overall Interior and Environment Spending in MIllions

Division B-Continuing Resolution

The conference report extends the continuing resolution (CR) that was originally passed on September 25, 2009, by a vote of 217-190, from October 31, 2009, to December 18, 2009.  The CR extends funding for the government through December 18, 2009, at current FY 2009 levels, including all supplemental appropriation levels for defense in 2009, and includes provisions contained in the original CR.

ACORN:  The CR would prohibit funds from this or any prior law from being provided to Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) or its affiliates.  This provision would expire on December 18, 2009.

Fannie and Freddie Loan Limits:  Extends temporary higher limits on the size of mortgages the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) may insure, which were increased from $625,500 to $730,000 in the "stimulus" bill.

Guantanamo Bay Detainees:  The CR contains a prohibition on funds from this or any previous Act from being used to release a detainee from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility into the U.S.  In addition, the provision prohibits funds from being used to transfer a detainee until at least two months after the President releases a plan including an analysis of the national security risk of transferring the detainee, the cost of not transferring the detainee, the legal rational for the transfer, a certification by the President that the transfer risks have been mitigated, and a certification that the President has contacted the Governor of the State where the detainee would be transferred.

Extensions:  The CR extends the authority to continue a number of programs that are set to expire, through the duration of the CR, as follows:

•  Extends Child Nutrition Programs under the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004.

•  Extends retroactive stop-loss pay for military services members whose enlistments were involuntarily extended since September 11, 2001.

•  Extends the Commanders' Emergency Response Program for commanders to obtain funds for emergency situations.

•  Extends authority for the DoD to continue counterdrug activities and provide equipment for illegal drug monitoring.

•  Extends authority for the D.C. government to collect taxes.

•  Extends the E-verify program.

•  Extends the National Flood Insurance Program.

•  Extends the EB-5 visa program, Special Immigrant Status to Religious Workers Other than Ministers, and Preferential Treatment for Certain Religious Refugees.

•  Extends the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program.

•  Extends the U.S. Forest Service's authority to accept fees for certain botanical sales.

•  Extends the authority to issue grazing permits.

•  Extends the authority to provide funds for schooling in Puerto Rico.

•  Extends the authority to fund the Ryan White Care Act, which provides medical services to individuals with HIV/AIDS.

•  Extends the Republic of Palau's eligibility to participate in certain education programs.

•  Extends provisions from the FY 2009 Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 2346) requiring Iraq to match certain U.S. assistance and permit funding for governments that participate in presidential-approved power sharing arrangements with Hamas.

•  Extends Overseas Comparability Pay Adjustments for those in the Foreign Service.

•  Extends authority to provide grants for Radio Free Asia.

•  Extends the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.

•  Extends the authority of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance, the Government National Mortgage Association, FHA's Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, and the HOPE VI housing program.

•  Extends authority for the National Transportation Safety Board to pay its training facility lease.

•  Extends the FAA's authority to spend money from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF), and its authority to charge taxes.

•  Extends federal highway and surface transportation programs and authorizes the appropriation of funding from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF).

H.R. 3854 is an omnibus small business package, comprised of eight individual bills dealing with small business loan programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA).  The legislation also establishes two new small business programs.

SBA 7(a) Loans:  SBA 7(a) loans are long-term loans for business startups or expansions delivered through commercial lending institutions and guaranteed by the SBA.  The "stimulus" bill passed earlier this year created two new pilot loan programs.

H.R. 3854 authorizes such sums as necessary to guarantee $20 billion in 7(a) loans in each of the Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011.  The bill also extends a business stabilization loan program to provide up to $50,000 to small businesses to make payments on existing loans through September 30, 2011.  This program was created by the "stimulus" and its authorization expired on September 30, 2009.

The bill would codify an existing rural lending outreach program to provide 7(a) loans of up to $250,000 to rural businesses.  The loans would be provided by rural lenders and guaranteed by the SBA.

H.R. 3854 provides permanent authorization for the Community Express program and the increased veteran participation program.  These are currently pilot programs.  Community Express is a program under which approved SBA lenders are authorized to adopt SBA's most streamlined and expedited loan procedures to provide a unique combination of financial and technical assistance to borrowers located in the nation's underserved communities.  The veterans participation program eliminates borrower and lender fees and guarantees 90 percent of loans to veteran-owned small businesses.

The legislation would establish a lender training program to educate new and existing lenders about the SBA's lending system, policies, and procedures.  SBA would charge a fee to offset the program's cost.

Finally, the bill would create a capital backstop program at SBA to operate during a recession or when SBA lending falls by 30 percent compared to the previous fiscal year.  Under this program, the SBA would accept applications from businesses if they are unable to find a lender in their area.  The SBA would attempt to find a bank nationally to make the loan.  If the SBA cannot find a lender, the SBA would be authorized to make the loan.  Members may be concerned that the SBA has not done direct lending in the 7(a) program since the enactment of the Federal Credit Reform Act.  Small Business Committee Republicans have raised concerns over SBA providing direct loans, especially if no U.S. bank is willing to make it, and the degree to which taxpayers would be exposed to losses.

CDC Economic Development Loans:  The bill authorizes SBA to guarantee $9 billion in Community Development Company (CDC) loans in Fiscal Year 2010 and $10 billion in 2011 and doubles the debenture sizes that CDCs can issue.  CDCs are private nonprofit corporations which contribute to the economic development of a community, working with the SBA and private lenders to finance small businesses which will create or retain jobs.  The bill also improves the capacity of CDCs to liquidate their own loan portfolios by authorizing SBA to delegate to certain CDCs the ability to foreclose and liquidate defaulted loans that are guaranteed by the agency.

SBA Microloans:  H.R. 3854 authorizes such sums as necessary to make $80 million in technical assistance grants and $110 million in direct loans in Fiscal Year 2010 and 2011 under the SBA Microloan program.  This program provides short-term loans of up to $35,000 for working capital and the purchase of supplies, inventory, and equipment.  The bill also increases loan limits for intermediary lenders to $1 million for the first year of participation and $7 million in the remaining years.  Finally, the bill expands the eligibility for intermediary lenders so that lenders with no experience making microloans would be eligible to participate if one of its employees has at least three years of experience.

Small Business Investment Company (SBIC):  H.R. 3854 authorizes $5 billion in loans for Fiscal Year 2010 and $5.5 billion in 2011 for the SBA's SBIC program.  The bill would additionally increase the maximum leverage and ratio of loans to money on hand for SBICs.  H.R. 3854 provides for a streamlined process for successful operators of SBICs to get new licenses.

The mission of the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program is to improve and stimulate small businesses by supplementing the flow of private equity capital and long term loan funds for the sound financing, growth, expansion and modernization of small business operations.  SBICs are privately owned and managed investment funds, licensed and regulated by SBA, that use their own capital plus funds borrowed with an SBA guarantee to make equity and debt investments in qualifying small businesses.

New Market Venture Capital and Renewable Energy Capital Investment Programs:  The New Markets Venture Capital Program is a developmental venture capital program designed to promote economic development and the creation of jobs in low-income geographic areas.  H.R. 3854 authorizes $100 million in Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 for the New Markets Venture Capital program.  50 percent of this amount would used for loan guarantees for venture capital companies developing and investing in small business concerns in low-income or manufacturing areas.  The bill further authorizes $20 million in Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 for grants, of which 50 percent would be for such companies.  Companies receiving such assistance would have to raise at least $3 million in private capital, as opposed to $5 million under current law.  The bill expands the number of areas in which these companies can operate to coincide with all the areas designated as eligible for New Market tax credits. 

H.R. 3854 authorizes $30 million in operational assistance grants and $1 billion in loan guarantees for each of Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 for the Renewable Energy Capital Investment Program.  This program would be made permanent under the bill; it is currently a pilot program created by the 2007 energy bill that allows Small Business Investment Companies to invest in small businesses involved in renewable fuel production.

Small Business Health IT Financing Program:   H.R. 3854 amends the Small Business Act to establish a new small business health information technology financing program.  The SBA Administrator would be authorized to guarantee up to 90 percent of the amount of a loan made to a medical practitioner for the acquisition of health information technology for use in medical practice and for the costs associated with the installation of the technology.  The maximum amount of loan principal guaranteed could not exceed $350,000 for a single medical professional or $2 million for a group of associated professionals.

The Administrator may impose a guarantee fee on the borrower for the purpose of reducing the cost of the guarantee to zero.  The Administrator may also impose annual servicing fees on lenders not to exceed 0.5 percent of the outstanding balance of the guarantees on lenders' books.  Loans guaranteed would have a deferral period of one to three years.

The bill authorizes such sums as are necessary for the cost of guaranteeing $10 billion in health IT loans.

Small Business Early-Stage Investment:  The bill also establishes a new grant program for venture capital funds to invest in early-stage small businesses in targeted industries.  Targeted industries include manufacturing, energy, agriculture, IT, digital media, and defense.  H.R. 3854 authorizes $200 million for the first full fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment.  Grants could not exceed $100 million for any company.  A grant made to a participating investment company may not be in an amount that exceeds the amount of the company's non-federal capital.

Disaster Loans:  H.R. 3854 amends the SBA disaster loan program to enable SBA to better respond to major disasters.  Specifically, the bill authorizes such sums as necessary in Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 to administer the program and increases the limit for disaster loans to $3 million (from $1.5 million) and increases the aggregate loan limit amount for a borrower to $3 million (from $2 million). 

The bill further allows SBA to issue grants of up to $100,000 for small businesses affected by a disaster.  Such sums as may be necessary are authorized for $100 million in such grants in each of Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011.  H.R. 3854 authorizes $50 million in loan applicant assistance grants for each of Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011.  These grants would go to women's business centers, small business development centers, Veteran Business Outreach Centers, and chambers of commerce in an area affected by a disaster.

Regulations:  The bill requires SBA to promulgate regulations to carry out its provisions within 180 days of enactment.

Additionally, the bill specifies that funding for an interoperable emergency communications grant program under current law could remain available until expended, but no later than the end of Fiscal Year 2012. Currently, funding for the program must be spent by the end of Fiscal Year 2010. The bill would give recipients an additional year to spend grant funds.

The bill permits the NTIA to provide additional one-year extensions on a case-by-case basis, but even in those cases, funds would have to be spent by the end of Fiscal Year 2012. H.R. 3633 requires the NTIA, when considering such an extension, to consider the circumstances that gave rise to the need for the extension, the likelihood of completion of performance within the deadline for completion, and such other factors deemed necessary.

• Removes the power of certain active or retired federal judges to appoint U.S. magistrate judges;
• Revises the statutory description of the District of North Dakota to eliminate the current four divisions and make one judicial district (will not affect pending cases or juries);
• Revises requirements for the disability retirement and cost-of-living adjustments of annuities for territorial judges;
• Subjects judicial branch senior executives to federal civil service annual leave requirements and limitation;
• Revises requirements for the compensation of Federal Judicial Center personnel, including reemployed annuitants;
• Requires court use of separate judgment and statement of reasons forms in the imposition of a criminal sentence;
• Requires appropriate adaptation of pretrial services functions for juveniles;
• Modifies the reporting schedule for criminal wiretap orders; and

Increases the compensation thresholds triggering administration review of compensation for non-counsel investigative, expert, or other services necessary for adequate representation of a personal financially unable to obtain them. 

H.Res. 838 resolves that the House of Representatives:

•  "Welcomes to the United States and to Washington, DC, His All Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch, and recognizes the importance to the United States and the world of the Ecumenical Patriarch's recent environmental seminar conducted on the Mississippi River with some of the world's leading environment experts;

•  "Recognizes the importance to the United States and to the world of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's leadership on matters of environment, peace, and religion, and encourages United States foreign policy makers to continue to urge Turkey to grant religious freedom and property rights to the Ecumenical Patriarchate as well as to reopen the theological school at Halki; and

•  "Offers whatever support the United States can give to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's noble efforts for the betterment of human kind."

S.Con.Res. 45 resolves that Congress:

•  "Encourages the Government of Iran to allow Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd to communicate by telephone with their families in the United States; and

•  "Encourages the Government of Iran to allow Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd to reunite with their families in the United States as soon as possible."

H.R. 2489 would authorize $100 million over the FY 2010 through 2019 for the Department of Interior to establish a new national land remote sensing outreach program within the U.S. Geological Survey.  According to the legislation, the program's mission would be to "advance the availability, timely distribution, and widespread use of geospatial imagery for education, research, assessment, and monitoring purposes in each State and the lands of an Indian tribe."

H.R. 2489 would require the Secretary of Interior to:

•  Support geospatial imagery sharing, and educational programs of each participating State and Indian tribe.

•  Identify new geospatial imagery needs and infrastructure.

•  Share and cooperate in the development of geospatial imagery applications in each participating State and Indian tribe.

•  Cooperate with participating States and Indian tribes to encourage the expansion of geospatial imagery mapping courses at educational institutions.

•  Encourage expansion of the knowledge and use of geospatial imagery products in the workforce. 

•  Encourage participating States and Indian tribes to build partnerships with local governments to identify unique research and development needs and geospatial imagery application pilot programs.

•  Promote cooperation and sharing of expertise regarding geospatial imagery applications among participating States and Indian tribes.

•  Provide a mechanism to enable the States and Indian tribes to transfer geospatial imagery and applications to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The bill authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to educational institutions, or to State, local, and tribal governments to carry out these requirements.  The legislation would require grant recipients to provide matching funds and prohibits the federal share of any program from exceeding 75 percent.   However, the Secretary would be authorized to waive the matching funds requirement if "the Secretary determines that the grantee has made a good faith effort to obtain the non-Federal contribution at the local level but is unable to do so."  The program would sunset 10 years after enactment. 

H.Res. 824 resolves that the House of Representatives:

•  "Congratulates Northwestern University and its athletes, coaches, faculty, students, administration, and alumni on the winning of the 2009 NCAA women's lacrosse championship;

•  "Recognizes and commends Northwestern University for its pursuit of athletic as well as academic excellence; and

•  "Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make available enrolled copies of this resolution to Northwestern University President Henry S. Bienen, Athletic Director James Phillips, and Head Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller for appropriate display."

H.Res. 817 resolves that the House of Representatives:

•  "Supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and

•  "Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should continue to raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating effects on families and communities, and support programs designed to end domestic violence."