The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TEXT OF AMENDMENTS” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Senate section on pages S2822-S2825 on April 9, 2008.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS
SA 4518. Mr. DODD (for himself and Mr. Shelby) proposed an amendment to amendment SA 4387 submitted by Mr. Dodd (for himself and Mr. Shelby) to the bill H.R. 3221, moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, and modernizing our energy infrastructure, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation; as follows:
On page 49, line 6, insert, ``the second place it appears'' after ``in excess of 6 percent''.
At the end, add the following:
TITLE VIII--VETERANS HOUSING MATTERS
SEC. 801. HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS FOR
TOTALLY DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES
BEFORE DISCHARGE OR RELEASE FROM THE ARMED
FORCES.
Section 1717 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d)(1) In the case of a member of the Armed Forces who, as determined by the Secretary, has a disability permanent in nature incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service, the Secretary may furnish improvements and structural alterations for such member for such disability or as otherwise described in subsection (a)(2) while such member is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care, services, or treatment for such disability if the Secretary determines that such member is likely to be discharged or released from the Armed Forces for such disability.
``(2) The furnishing of improvements and alterations under paragraph (1) in connection with the furnishing of medical services described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection
(a)(2) shall be subject to the limitation specified in the applicable subparagraph.''.
SEC. 802. ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING BENEFITS
AND ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES
WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES AND
INDIVIDUALS RESIDING OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
(a) Eligibility.--Chapter 21 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2101 the following new section:
``Sec. 2101A. Eligibility for benefits and assistance: members of the Armed Forces with service-connected disabilities; individuals residing outside the United
States
``(a) Members With Service-Connected Disabilities.--(1) The Secretary may provide assistance under this chapter to a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who is suffering from a disability that meets applicable criteria for benefits under this chapter if the disability is incurred or aggravated in line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service. Such assistance shall be provided to the same extent as assistance is provided under this chapter to veterans eligible for assistance under this chapter and subject to the same requirements as veterans under this chapter.
``(2) For purposes of this chapter, any reference to a veteran or eligible individual shall be treated as a reference to a member of the Armed Forces described in subsection (a) who is similarly situated to the veteran or other eligible individual so referred to.
``(b) Benefits and Assistance for Individuals Residing Outside the United States.--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may, at the Secretary's discretion, provide benefits and assistance under this chapter (other than benefits under section 2106 of this title) to any individual otherwise eligible for such benefits and assistance who resides outside the United States.
``(2) The Secretary may provide benefits and assistance to an individual under paragraph (1) only if--
``(A) the country or political subdivision in which the housing or residence involved is or will be located permits the individual to have or acquire a beneficial property interest (as determined by the Secretary) in such housing or residence; and
``(B) the individual has or will acquire a beneficial property interest (as so determined) in such housing or residence.
``(c) Regulations.--Benefits and assistance under this chapter by reason of this section shall be provided in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Repeal of superseded authority.--Section 2101 of such title is amended--
(A) by striking subsection (c); and
(B) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).
(2) Limitations on assistance.--Section 2102 of such title is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears and inserting ``individual''; and
(ii) in paragraph (3), by striking ``veteran's'' and inserting ``individual's'';
(B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``a veteran'' and inserting ``an individual'';
(C) in subsection (c)--
(i) by striking ``a veteran'' and inserting ``an individual''; and
(ii) by striking ``the veteran'' each place it appears and inserting ``the individual''; and
(D) in subsection (d), by striking ``a veteran'' each place it appears and inserting ``an individual''.
(3) Assistance for individuals temporarily residing in housing of family member.--Section 2102A of such title is amended--
(A) by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears (other than in subsection (b)) and inserting ``individual'';
(B) in subsection (a), by striking ``veteran's'' each place it appears and inserting ``individual's''; and
(C) in subsection (b), by striking ``a veteran'' each place it appears and inserting ``an individual''.
(4) Furnishing of plans and specifications.--Section 2103 of such title is amended by striking ``veterans'' both places it appears and inserting ``individuals''.
(5) Construction of benefits.--Section 2104 of such title is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears and inserting ``individual''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in the first sentence, by striking ``A veteran'' and inserting ``An individual'';
(ii) in the second sentence, by striking ``a veteran'' and inserting ``an individual''; and
(iii) by striking ``such veteran'' each place it appears and inserting ``such individual''.
(6) Veterans' mortgage life insurance.--Section 2106 of such title is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking ``any eligible veteran'' and inserting
``any eligible individual''; and
(ii) by striking ``the veterans' '' and inserting ``the individual's'';
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ``an eligible veteran'' and inserting ``an eligible individual'';
(C) in subsection (e), by striking ``an eligible veteran'' and inserting ``an individual'';
(D) in subsection (h), by striking ``each veteran'' and inserting ``each individual'';
(E) in subsection (i), by striking ``the veteran's'' each place it appears and inserting ``the individual's'';
(F) by striking ``the veteran'' each place it appears and inserting ``the individual''; and
(G) by striking ``a veteran'' each place it appears and inserting ``an individual''.
(7) Heading amendments.--(A) The heading of section 2101 of such title is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 2101. Acquisition and adaptation of housing: eligible veterans''.
(B) The heading of section 2102A of such title is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 2102A. Assistance for individuals residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member''.
(8) Clerical amendments.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 21 of such title is amended--
(A) by striking the item relating to section 2101 and inserting the following new item:
``2101. Acquisition and adaptation of housing: eligible veterans.'';
(B) by inserting after the item relating to section 2101, as so amended, the following new item:
``2101A. Eligibility for benefits and assistance: members of the Armed
Forces with service-connected disabilities; individuals residing outside the United States.'';
and
(C) by striking the item relating to section 2102A and inserting the following new item:
``2102A. Assistance for individuals residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member.''.
SEC. 803. SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE BURN INJURIES.
Section 2101 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(E) The disability is due to a severe burn injury (as determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary).''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by striking ``either'' and inserting ``any''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) The disability is due to a severe burn injury (as so determined).''.
SEC. 804. EXTENSION OF ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS RESIDING
TEMPORARILY IN HOUSING OWNED BY A FAMILY
MEMBER.
Section 2102A(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``after the end of the five-year period that begins on the date of the enactment of the Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006'' and inserting ``after December 31, 2011''.
SEC. 805. INCREASE IN SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING BENEFITS FOR
DISABLED VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Section 2102 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``$10,000'' and inserting ``$12,000'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$50,000'' and inserting
``$60,000''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$10,000'' and inserting
``$12,000''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e)(1) Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 2009), the Secretary shall increase the amounts described in subsection (b)(2) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection
(d) in accordance with this subsection.
``(2) The increase in amounts under paragraph (1) to take effect on October 1 of a year shall be by an amount of such amounts equal to the percentage by which--
``(A) the residential home cost-of-construction index for the preceding calendar year, exceeds
``(B) the residential home cost-of-construction index for the year preceding the year described in subparagraph (A).
``(3) The Secretary shall establish a residential home cost-of-construction index for the purposes of this subsection. The index shall reflect a uniform, national average change in the cost of residential home construction, determined on a calendar year basis. The Secretary may use an index developed in the private sector that the Secretary determines is appropriate for purposes of this subsection.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take effect on July 1, 2008, and shall apply with respect to payments made in accordance with section 2102 of title 38, United States Code, on or after that date.
SEC. 806. REPORT ON SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING FOR DISABLED
INDIVIDUALS.
(a) In General.--Not later than December 31, 2008, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report that contains an assessment of the adequacy of the authorities available to the Secretary under law to assist eligible disabled individuals in acquiring--
(1) suitable housing units with special fixtures or movable facilities required for their disabilities, and necessary land therefor;
(2) such adaptations to their residences as are reasonably necessary because of their disabilities; and
(3) residences already adapted with special features determined by the Secretary to be reasonably necessary as a result of their disabilities.
(b) Focus on Particular Disabilities.--The report required by subsection (a) shall set forth a specific assessment of the needs of--
(1) veterans who have disabilities that are not described in subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2) of section 2101 of title 38, United States Code; and
(2) other disabled individuals eligible for specially adapted housing under chapter 21 of such title by reason of section 2101A of such title (as added by section 802(a) of this Act) who have disabilities that are not described in such subsections.
SEC. 807. REPORT ON SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR
INDIVIDUALS WHO RESIDE IN HOUSING OWNED BY A
FAMILY MEMBER ON PERMANENT BASIS.
Not later than December 31, 2008, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the advisability of providing assistance under section 2102A of title 38, United States Code, to veterans described in subsection (a) of such section, and to members of the Armed Forces covered by such section 2102A by reason of section 2101A of title 38, United States Code (as added by section 802(a) of this Act), who reside with family members on a permanent basis.
SEC. 809. DEFINITION OF ANNUAL INCOME FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION
8 AND OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMS.
Section 3(b)(4) of the United States Housing Act of 1937
(42 U.S.C. 1437a(3)(b)(4)) is amended by inserting ``or any deferred Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits that are received in a lump sum amount or in prospective monthly amounts'' before ``may not be considered''.
SEC. 810. PAYMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OF BAGGAGE AND HOUSEHOLD
EFFECTS FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO
RELOCATE DUE TO FORECLOSURE OF LEASED HOUSING.
Section 406 of title 37, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (k) and (l) as subsections
(l) and (m), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following new subsection (k):
``(k) A member of the armed forces who relocates from leased or rental housing by reason of the foreclosure of such housing is entitled to transportation of baggage and household effects under subsection (b)(1) in the same manner, and subject to the same conditions and limitations, as similarly circumstanced members entitled to transportation of baggage and household effects under that subsection.''.
SEC. 811.
Strike section 502 and insert the following:
SEC. 502. ENHANCED MORTGAGE LOAN DISCLOSURES.
(a) Truth in Lending Act Disclosures.--Section 128(b)(2) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1638(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``In the'';
(2) by striking ``a residential mortgage transaction, as defined in section 103(w)'' and inserting ``any extension of credit that is secured by the dwelling of a consumer'';
(3) by striking ``before the credit is extended, or'';
(4) by inserting ``, which shall be at least 7 business days before consummation of the transaction'' after ``written application'';
(5) by striking ``, whichever is earlier''; and
(6) by striking ``If the'' and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting the following:
``(B) In the case of an extension of credit that is secured by the dwelling of a consumer, the disclosures provided under subparagraph (A), shall be in addition to the other disclosures required by subsection (a), and shall--
``(i) state in conspicuous type size and format, the following: `You are not required to complete this agreement merely because you have received these disclosures or signed a loan application.'; and
``(ii) be provided in the form of final disclosures at the time of consummation of the transaction, in the form and manner prescribed by this section.
``(C) In the case of an extension of credit that is secured by the dwelling of a consumer, under which the annual rate of interest is variable, or with respect to which the regular payments may otherwise be variable, in addition to the other disclosures required by subsection (a), the disclosures provided under this subsection shall do the following:
``(i) Label the payment schedule as follows: `Payment Schedule: Payments Will Vary Based on Interest Rate Changes'.
``(ii) State in conspicuous type size and format examples of adjustments to the regular required payment on the extension of credit based on the change in the interest rates specified by the contract for such extension of credit. Among the examples required to be provided under this clause is an example that reflects the maximum payment amount of the regular required payments on the extension of credit, based on the maximum interest rate allowed under the contract, in accordance with the rules of the Board. Prior to issuing any rules pursuant to this clause, the Board shall conduct consumer testing to determine the appropriate format for providing the disclosures required under this subparagraph to consumers so that such disclosures can be easily understood.
``(D) In any case in which the disclosure statement under subparagraph (A) contains an annual percentage rate of interest that is no longer accurate, as determined under section 107(c), the creditor shall furnish an additional, corrected statement to the borrower, not later than 3 business days before the date of consummation of the transaction.
``(E) The consumer shall receive the disclosures required under this paragraph before paying any fee to the creditor or other person in connection with the consumer's application for an extension of credit that is secured by the dwelling of a consumer. If the disclosures are mailed to the consumer, the consumer is considered to have received them 3 business days after they are mailed. A creditor or other person may impose a fee for obtaining the consumer's credit report before the consumer has received the disclosures under this paragraph, provided the fee is bona fide and reasonable in amount.
``(F) Waiver of timeliness of disclosures.--To expedite consummation of a transaction, if the consumer determines that the extension of credit is needed to meet a bona fide personal financial emergency, the consumer may waive or modify the timing requirements for disclosures under subparagraph (A), provided that--
``(i) the term `bona fide personal emergency' may be further defined in regulations issued by the Board;
``(ii) the consumer provides to the creditor a dated, written statement describing the emergency and specifically waiving or modifying those timing requirements, which statement shall bear the signature of all consumers entitled to receive the disclosures required by this paragraph; and
``(iii) the creditor provides to the consumers at or before the time of such waiver or modification, the final disclosures required by paragraph (1).
``(G) The requirements of subparagraphs (B), (C), (D) and
(E) shall not apply to extensions of credit relating to plans described in section 101(53D) of title 11, United States Code.''.
(b) Civil Liability.--Section 130(a) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1640(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(A)(iii), by striking ``not less than
$200 or greater than $2,000'' and inserting ``not less than
$400 or greater than $4,000''; and
(2) in the penultimate sentence of the undesignated matter following paragraph (4)--
(A) by inserting ``or section 128(b)(2)(C)(ii),''after
``128(a),''; and
(B) by inserting ``or section 128(b)(2)(C)(ii)'' before the period.
(c) Effective Dates.--
(1) General disclosures.--Except as provided in paragraph
(2), the amendments made by subsection (a) shall become effective 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Variable interest rates.--Subparagraph (C) of section 128(b)(2) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1638(b)(2)(C)), as added by subsection (a) of this section, shall become effective on the earlier of--
(A) the compliance date established by the Board for such purpose, by regulation; or
(B) 30 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
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SA 4519. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2739, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end, add the following:
TITLE IX--DISPOSITION OF CERTAIN FUNDS
SEC. 901 CANDIDATE ASSET DISPOSITION LIST.
For fiscal year 2008, and each fiscal year thereafter, amounts made available to be used by the Director of the National Park Service to dispose of assets described in the candidate asset disposition list of the National Park Service shall be equal to 1 percent of, and derived by transfer from, all amounts made available to the Secretary of the Interior carry out this Act for each such fiscal year.
______
SA 4520. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2739, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 203, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following:
Subtitle G--Notification and Consent Requirements Relating to National
Heritage Areas
SEC. 491 NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.
The Secretary of the Interior shall not approve a management plan for a National Heritage Area designated by this title unless the local coordinating entity of the proposed National Heritage Area provides written notification through the United States mail of the designation to each individual who resides, or owns property that is located, in the proposed National Heritage Area.
SEC. 492. WRITTEN CONSENT REQUIREMENT.
With respect to each National Heritage Area designated by this title, no employee of the National Park Service or member of the local coordinating entity of the National Heritage Area (including any designee of the National Park Service or the local coordinating entity) may enter a parcel of private property located in the proposed National Heritage Area without the written consent of the owner of the parcel of property.
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SA 4521. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2739, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end, add the following:
TITLE IX--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 901. REQUIREMENT OF APPROVAL OF CERTAIN CITIZENS.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, and the Forest Service, acting individually or in coordination, shall not assume control of any parcel of land located in a State unless the citizens of each political subdivision of the State in which a portion of the parcel of land is located approve the assumption of control by a referendum.
(b) National Emergencies.--The requirement described in subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a national emergency, as determined by the President.
(c) Private Landowners.--The requirement described in subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a voluntary exchange between a private landowner and the Federal Government of a parcel of land.
(d) Duration of Approval.--
(1) In general.--With respect to a parcel of land described in subsection (a), the approval of the citizens of each political subdivision in which a portion of the parcel of land is located terminates on the date that is 10 years after the date on which the citizens of each political subdivision approve the control of the parcel of land by the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, or the Forest Service under that subsection.
(2) Renewal of approval.--With respect to a parcel of land described in subsection (a), the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, or the Forest Service, as applicable, may renew, by referendum, the approval of the citizens of each political subdivision in which a portion of the parcel of land is located.
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SA 4522. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2739, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end, add the following:
TITLE IX--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 901. ANNUAL REPORT RELATING TO LAND OWNED BY FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
(a) Annual Report.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), not later than May 15, 2009, and annually thereafter, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (referred to in this section as the ``Director'') shall ensure that a report that contains the information described in subsection (b) is posted on a publicly available website.
(2) Extension relating to certain segment of report.--With respect to the date on which the first annual report is required to be posted under paragraph (1), if the Director determines that an additional period of time is required to gather the information required under subsection (b)(3)(B), the Director may--
(A) as of the date described in paragraph (1), post each segment of information required under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3)(A) of subsection (b); and
(B) as of May 15, 2010, post the segment of information required under subsection (b)(3)(B).
(b) Required Information.--An annual report described in subsection (a) shall contain, for the period covered by the report--
(1) a description of the total quantity of--
(A) land located within the jurisdiction of the United States, to be expressed in acres;
(B) the land described in subparagraph (A) that is owned by the Federal Government, to be expressed--
(i) in acres; and
(ii) as a percentage of the quantity described in subparagraph (A); and
(C) the land described in subparagraph (B) that is located in each State, to be expressed, with respect to each State--
(i) in acres; and
(ii) as a percentage of the quantity described in subparagraph (B);
(2) a description of the total annual cost to the Federal Government for maintaining all parcels of administrative land and all administrative buildings or structures under the jurisdiction of each Federal agency; and
(3) a list and detailed summary of--
(A) with respect to each Federal agency--
(i) the number of unused or vacant assets;
(ii) the replacement value for each unused or vacant asset;
(iii) the total operating costs for each unused or vacant asset; and
(iv) the length of time that each type of asset described in clause (i) has been unused or vacant, organized in categories comprised of periods of--
(I) not more than 1 year;
(II) not less than 1, but not more than 2, years; and
(III) not less than 2 years; and
(B) the estimated costs to the Federal Government of the maintenance backlog of each Federal agency, to be--
(i) organized in categories comprised of buildings and structures; and
(ii) expressed as an aggregate cost.
(c) Use of Existing Annual Reports.--An annual report required under subsection (a) may be comprised of any annual report relating to the management of Federal real property that is published by a Federal agency.
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