To provide for a demonstration and certification regarding the use of certain Federal funds.
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Roll call votes on amendments in Senate: Amendment SA 2381 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 93 - 0. Record Vote Number: 274.(text as modified: CR S9797)
July 24, 2007
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Roll call votes on amendments in Senate: Amendment SA 2381 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 93 - 0. Record Vote Number: 274.(text as modified: CR S9797)
July 24, 2007
Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 2381 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 93 - 0. Record Vote Number: 274.(text as modified: CR S9797)
July 24, 2007
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S9797-9807, S9811)
July 24, 2007
Amendment SA 2381 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 93 - 0. Record Vote Number: 274. (text as modified: CR S9797)
July 24, 2007
Senate amendment submitted
July 23, 2007
Senate amendment proposed (on the floor): Amendment SA 2381 proposed by Senator Kennedy to Amendment SA 2369.(consideration: CR S9758-9759, S9767; text: CR S9759)
July 23, 2007
Amendment SA 2381 proposed by Senator Kennedy to Amendment SA 2369. (consideration: CR S9758-9759, S9767; text: CR S9759) To provide for a demonstration and certification regarding the use of certain Federal funds.
July 23, 2007
Votes
1 roll call on this amendment
Text
Submitted
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS SA 2365. Mr. BAYH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: On page 895, between lines 9 and 10, insert the following: PART H--FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS SEC. 498. NO ACCRUAL OF INTEREST FOR ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR SPOUSES. Section 455 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(m) No Accrual of Interest for Active Duty Service Members and Their Spouses.-- ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, and except as provided in paragraph (3), interest on a loan made under this part shall not accrue for an eligible borrower. ``(2) Eligible borrower.--In this subsection, the term `eligible borrower' means an individual-- ``(A) who is-- ``(i) serving on active duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency; or ``(ii) performing qualifying National Guard duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency; or ``(B) who is the spouse of an individual described in subparagraph (A). ``(3) Limitation.--An individual who qualifies as an eligible borrower under this subsection may receive the benefit of this subsection for not more than 60 months.''. [[Page S9783]] ______ SA 2366. Mr. DORGAN proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: At the end of title VIII, add the following: SEC. 802. STUDENT LOAN CLEARINGHOUSE. (a) Development.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall establish 1 or more clearinghouses of information on student loans (including loans under parts B and D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq. and 1087a et seq.) and private loans, for both undergraduate and graduate students) for use by prospective borrowers or any person desiring information regarding available interest rates and other terms from lenders. Such a clearinghouse shall-- (1) have no affiliation with any institution of higher education or any lender; (2) accept nothing of value from any lender, guaranty agency, or any entity affiliated with a lender or guaranty agency, except that the clearinghouse may establish a flat fee to be charged to each listed lender, based on the costs necessary to establish and maintain the clearinghouse; (3) provide information regarding the interest rates, fees, borrower benefits, and any other matter that the Department of Education determines relevant to enable prospective borrowers to select a lender; (4) provide interest rate information that complies with the Federal Trade Commission guidelines for consumer credit term disclosures; and (5) be a nonprofit entity. (b) Publication of List.--The Secretary of Education shall publish a list of clearinghouses described in subsection (a) on the website of the Department of Education and such list shall be updated not less often than every 90 days. (c) Disclosure.--Beginning on the date the first clearinghouse described in subsection (a) is established, each institution of higher education that receives Federal assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) and that designates 1 or more lenders as preferred, suggested, or otherwise recommended shall include a standard disclosure developed by the Secretary of Education on all materials that reference such lenders to inform students that the students might find a more attractive loan, with a lower interest rate, by visiting a clearinghouse described in subsection (a). (d) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress on whether students are using a clearinghouse described in subsection (a) to find and secure a student loan. The report shall assess whether students could have received a more attractive loan, one with a lower interest rate or better benefits, by using a clearinghouse described in subsection (a) instead of a preferred lender list. ______ SA 2367. Mr. DeMINT proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: At the end of title I, add the following: SEC. 114. EMPLOYMENT OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION GRADUATES. (a) Study, Assessments, and Recommendations.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall-- (1) conduct a study of-- (A) the information that States currently have on the employment of students who have completed postsecondary education programs; (B) the feasibility of collecting information on students who complete all types of postsecondary education programs (including 2- and 4-year degree, certificate, and professional and graduate programs) at all types of institutions (including public, private nonprofit, and for- profit schools), regarding-- (i) employment, including-- (I) the type of job obtained not later than 6 months after the completion of the degree, certificate, or program; (II) whether such job was related to the course of study; (III) the starting salary for such job; and (IV) the student's satisfaction with the student's preparation for such job and guidance provided with respect to securing the job; and (ii) for recipients of Federal student aid, the type of assistance received, so that the information can be used to evaluate various education programs; (C) the evaluation systems used by other industries to identify successful programs and challenges, set priorities, monitor performance, and make improvements; (D) the best means of collecting information from or regarding recent postsecondary graduates, including-- (i) whether a national website would be the most effective way to collect information; (ii) whether postsecondary graduates could be encouraged to submit voluntary information by allowing a graduate to access aggregated information about other graduates (such as graduates from the graduate's school, with the graduate's degree, or in the graduate's area) if the graduate completes an online questionnaire; (iii) whether employers could be encouraged to submit information by allowing an employer to access aggregated information about graduates (such as institutions of higher education attended, degrees, or starting pay) if the employer completes an online questionnaire to evaluate the employer's satisfaction with the graduates the employer hires; and (iv) whether postsecondary institutions that receive Federal funds or whose students have received Federal student financial aid could be required to submit aggregated information about the graduates of the institutions; and (E) the best means of displaying employment information; and (2) provide assessments and recommendations regarding-- (A) whether successful State cooperative relationships between higher education system offices and State agencies responsible for employment statistics can be encouraged and replicated in other States; (B) whether there is value in collecting additional information from or about the employment experience of individuals who have recently completed a postsecondary educational program; (C) what are the most promising ways of obtaining and displaying or disseminating such information; (D) if a website is used for such information, whether the website should be run by a governmental agency or contracted out to an independent education or employment organization; (E) whether a voluntary information system would work, both from the graduates' and employers' perspectives; (F) the value of such information to future students, institutions, accrediting agencies or associations, policymakers, and employers, including how the information would be used and the practical applications of the information; (G) whether the request for such information is duplicative of information that is already being collected; and (H) whether the National Postsecondary Student Aid Survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics could be amended to collect such information. (b) Reports.-- (1) Preliminary report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a preliminary report regarding the study, assessments, and recommendations described in subsection (a). (2) Final report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a final report regarding such study, assessments, and recommendations. ______ SA 2368. Mr. KENNEDY (for Mrs. Boxer (for herself, Mr. Levin and Mr. Nelson of Florida)) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: In section 403(c) of the Higher Education Amendments of 2007, add at the end the following: (7) by adding at the end the following: ``(h) Additional Funds.-- ``(1) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated for the upward bound program under this chapter, in addition to any amounts appropriated under section 402A(g), $57,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011 for the Secretary to carry out paragraph (2), except that any amounts that remain unexpended for such purpose for each of such fiscal years may be available for technical assistance and administration costs for the upward bound program under this chapter. ``(2) Use of funds.-- ``(A) In general.--The amounts made available by paragraph (1) for a fiscal year shall be available to provide assistance to applicants for an upward bound project under this chapter for such fiscal year that-- ``(i) did not apply for assistance, or applied but did not receive assistance, under this section in fiscal year 2007; and ``(ii) receive a grant score above 70 on the applicant's application. ``(B) 4-year grants.--The assistance described in subparagraph (A) shall be made available in the form of 4- year grants.''. ______ SA 2369. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: At the end of title I of the bill, insert the following: SEC. 114. DEMONSTRATION AND CERTIFICATION REGARDING THE ABSENCE OF PAYMENTS FOR INFLUENCE. Each institution of higher education or other postsecondary educational institution receiving Federal funding, as a condition for receiving such funding, shall annually demonstrate and certify to the Secretary of Education that no student tuition amounts or funds from a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement received by the institution were used to hire a registered lobbyist or to pay any person or entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency of the Federal Government, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any Federal action. [[Page S9784]] ______ SA 2370. Mr. SESSIONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of title I, add the following: SEC. 114. FOREIGN MEDICAL SCHOOLS. (a) Percentage Pass Rate.-- (1) In general.--Section 102(a)(2)(A)(i)(I)(bb) (20 U.S.C. 1002(a)(2)(A)(i)(I)(bb)) is amended by striking ``60'' and inserting ``75''. (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on July 1, 2010. (b) Study.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall-- (A) complete a study that shall examine American students receiving Federal financial aid to attend graduate medical schools located outside of the United States; and (B) submit to Congress a report setting forth the conclusions of the study. (2) Contents.--The study conducted under this subsection shall include the following: (A) The amount of Federal student financial aid dollars that are being spent on graduate medical schools located outside of the United States every year, and the percentage of overall student aid such amount represents. (B) The percentage of students of such medical schools who pass the examinations administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates the first time. (C) The percentage of students of such medical schools who pass the examinations administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates after taking such examinations multiple times, disaggregated by how many times the students had to take the examinations to pass. (D) The percentage of recent graduates of such medical schools practicing medicine in the United States, and a description of where the students are practicing and what types of medicine the students are practicing. (E) Recommendations regarding the percentage passing rate of the examinations administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates that the United States should require of graduate medical schools located outside of the United States for Federal financial aid purposes. ______ SA 2371. Mr. WARNER (for himself, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Webb) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: At the end of title VIII of the bill, insert the following: SEC. 802. MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION. At the end of title VIII (as added by section 801), add the following: ``PART N--MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION ``SEC. 876. PURPOSES. ``The purposes of the program under this part are to-- ``(1) strengthen the ability of eligible institutions to provide capacity for instruction in digital and wireless network technologies; and ``(2) strengthen the national digital and wireless infrastructure by increasing national investment in telecommunications and technology infrastructure at eligible institutions. ``SEC. 877. DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION. ``In this part, the term `eligible institution' means an institution that is-- ``(1) a historically Black college or university that is a part B institution, as defined in section 322; ``(2) a Hispanic-serving institution, as defined in section 502(a); ``(3) a Tribal College or University, as defined in section 316(b); ``(4) an Alaska Native-serving institution, as defined in section 317(b); ``(5) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution, as defined in section 317(b); or ``(6) an institution determined by the Secretary to have enrolled a substantial number of minority, low-income students during the previous academic year who received a Federal Pell Grant for that year. ``SEC. 878. MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION. ``(a) Grants Authorized.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to enable the eligible institutions to carry out the activities described in subsection (d). ``(2) Grant period.--The Secretary may award a grant to an eligible institution under this part for a period of not more than 5 years. ``(b) Application and Review Procedure.-- ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this part, an eligible institution shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. The application shall include-- ``(A) a program of activities for carrying out 1 or more of the purposes described in section 876; and ``(B) such other policies, procedures, and assurances as the Secretary may require by regulation. ``(2) Regulations.--After consultation with appropriate individuals with expertise in technology and education, the Secretary shall establish a procedure by which to accept and review such applications and publish an announcement of such procedure, including a statement regarding the availability of funds, in the Federal Register. ``(3) Application review criteria.--The application review criteria used by the Secretary for grants under this part shall include consideration of-- ``(A) demonstrated need for assistance under this part; and ``(B) diversity among the types of eligible institutions receiving assistance under this part. ``(c) Matching Requirement.-- ``(1) In general.--An eligible institution that receives a grant under this part shall agree that, with respect to the costs to be incurred by the institution in carrying out the program for which the grant is awarded, such institution will make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of the amount of the grant awarded by the Secretary, or $500,000, whichever is the lesser amount. ``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary shall waive the matching requirement for any eligible institution with no endowment, or an endowment that has a current dollar value as of the time of the application of less than $50,000,000. ``(d) Uses of Funds.--An eligible institution shall use a grant awarded under this part-- ``(1) to acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware and software, digital network technology, wireless technology, and infrastructure; ``(2) to develop and provide educational services, including faculty development, related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; ``(3) to provide teacher preparation and professional development, library and media specialist training, and early childhood educator and teacher aide certification or licensure to individuals who seek to acquire or enhance technology skills in order to use technology in the classroom or instructional process to improve student achievement; ``(4) to form consortia or collaborative projects with a State, State educational agency, local educational agency, community-based organization, national nonprofit organization, or business, including a minority business, to provide education regarding technology in the classroom; ``(5) to provide professional development in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics to administrators and faculty of eligible institutions with institutional responsibility for technology education; ``(6) to provide capacity-building technical assistance to eligible institutions through remote technical support, technical assistance workshops, distance learning, new technologies, and other technological applications; and ``(7) to foster the use of information communications technology to increase scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical instruction and research. ``(e) Data Collection.--An eligible institution that receives a grant under this part shall provide the Secretary with any relevant institutional statistical or demographic data requested by the Secretary. ``(f) Information Dissemination.--The Secretary shall convene an annual meeting of eligible institutions receiving grants under this part for the purposes of-- ``(1) fostering collaboration and capacity-building activities among eligible institutions; and ``(2) disseminating information and ideas generated by such meetings. ``(g) Limitation.--An eligible institution that receives a grant under this part that exceeds $2,500,000 shall not be eligible to receive another grant under this part until every other eligible institution that has applied for a grant under this part has received such a grant. ``SEC. 879. ANNUAL REPORT AND EVALUATION. ``(a) Annual Report Required From Recipients.--Each eligible institution that receives a grant under this part shall provide an annual report to the Secretary on the eligible institution's use of the grant. ``(b) Evaluation by Secretary.--The Secretary shall-- ``(1) review the reports provided under subsection (a) each year; and ``(2) evaluate the program authorized under this part on the basis of those reports every 2 years. ``(c) Contents of Evaluation.--The Secretary, in the evaluation under subsection (b), shall-- ``(1) describe the activities undertaken by the eligible institutions that receive grants under this part; and ``(2) assess the short-range and long-range impact of activities carried out under the grant on the students, faculty, and staff of the institutions. [[Page S9785]] ``(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the Higher Education Amendments of 2007, the Secretary shall submit a report on the program supported under this part to the authorizing committees that shall include such recommendations, including recommendations concerning the continuing need for Federal support of the program, as may be appropriate. ``SEC. 880. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.''. ______ SA 2372. Mr. AKAKA proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: At the end of section 403, add the following: (i) Additional Amendment to Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.--Section 402E(d)(2) (as redesignated by subsection (e)(2)) (20 U.S.C. 1070a-15(d)(2)) is further amended by inserting ``, including Native Hawaiians, as defined in section 7207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and Pacific Islanders'' after ``graduate education''. ______ SA 2373. Mr. ENZI (for Mr. Burr) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: Strike lines 14 through 23 on page 814 and insert the following: ``(1) Formation of study group.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Higher Education Amendments of 2007, the Comptroller General of the United States and the Secretary of Education shall convene a study group whose membership shall include the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, representatives of institutions of higher education with expertise in Federal and State financial aid assistance, State chief executive officers of higher education with a demonstrated commitment to simplifying the FAFSA, and such other individuals as the Comptroller General and the Secretary of Education may designate. Strike line 22 on page 821 and all that follows through line 2 on page 822 and insert the following: ``(7) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Higher Education Amendments of 2007, the Comptroller General and the Secretary shall prepare and submit a report on the results of the study required under this subsection to the authorizing committees.''. ______ SA 2374. Mr. SESSIONS proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: At the end of title I, add the following: SEC. 114. FOREIGN MEDICAL SCHOOLS. (a) Percentage Pass Rate.-- (1) In general.--Section 102(a)(2)(A)(i)(I)(bb) (20 U.S.C. 1002(a)(2)(A)(i)(I)(bb)) is amended by striking ``60'' and inserting ``75''. (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on July 1, 2010. (b) Study.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall-- (A) complete a study that shall examine American students receiving Federal financial aid to attend graduate medical schools located outside of the United States; and (B) submit to Congress a report setting forth the conclusions of the study. (2) Contents.--The study conducted under this subsection shall include the following: (A) The amount of Federal student financial aid dollars that are being spent on graduate medical schools located outside of the United States every year, and the percentage of overall student aid such amount represents. (B) The percentage of students of such medical schools who pass the examinations administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates the first time. (C) The percentage of students of such medical schools who pass the examinations administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates after taking such examinations multiple times, disaggregated by how many times the students had to take the examinations to pass. (D) The percentage of recent graduates of such medical schools practicing medicine in the United States, and a description of where the students are practicing and what types of medicine the students are practicing. (E) The rate of graduates of such medical schools who lose malpractice lawsuits or have the graduates' medical licenses revoked, as compared to graduates of graduate medical schools located in the United States. (F) Recommendations regarding the percentage passing rate of the examinations administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates that the United States should require of graduate medical schools located outside of the United States for Federal financial aid purposes. ______ SA 2375. Mr. ENZI (for Mr. Burr) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: After section 205 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended by section 201 of the Higher Education Amendments of 2007), insert the following: ``SEC. 205A. TEACHER DEVELOPMENT. ``(a) Annual Goals.--As a condition of receiving assistance under title IV, each institution of higher education that conducts a traditional teacher preparation program or alternative routes to State certification or licensure program and that enrolls students receiving Federal assistance under this Act shall set annual quantifiable goals for-- ``(1) increasing the number of prospective teachers trained in teacher shortage areas designated by the Secretary, including mathematics, science, special education, and instruction of limited English proficient students; and ``(2) more closely linking the training provided by the institution with the needs of schools and the instructional decisions new teachers face in the classroom. ``(b) Assurance.--As a condition of receiving assistance under title IV, each institution described in subsection (a) shall provide an assurance to the Secretary that-- ``(1) training provided to prospective teachers responds to the identified needs of the local educational agencies or States where the institution's graduates are likely to teach, based on past hiring and recruitment trends; ``(2) prospective special education teachers receive coursework in core academic subjects and receive training in providing instruction in core academic subjects; ``(3) regular education teachers receive training in providing instruction to diverse populations, including children with disabilities, limited English proficient students, and children from low-income families; and ``(4) prospective teachers receive training on how to effectively teach in urban and rural schools. ``(c) Public Reporting.--As part of the annual report card required under section 205(a)(1), an institution of higher education described in subsection (a) shall publicly report whether the goals established under such subsection have been met. ______ SA 2376. Mr. BROWN proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: At the end of title IV of the bill, add the following: PART H--FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL LOAN PROGRAM SEC. 499. FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL LOAN PROGRAM. Title IV (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 499B. FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL LOAN PROGRAM. ``(a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary shall carry out a Federal Supplemental Loan Program in accordance with this section. ``(b) Eligible Individuals.--An individual shall be eligible to receive a loan under this section if such individual attends an institution of higher education on a full-time basis as an undergraduate or graduate student. ``(c) Fixed Interest Rate Loans and Variable Interest Rate Loans.-- ``(1) In general.--Beginning with academic year 2008-2009, the Secretary shall make fixed interest rate loans and variable interest rate loans to eligible individuals under this section to enable such individuals to pursue their courses of study at institutions of higher education on a full-time basis. ``(2) Fixed interest rate loans.--With respect to a fixed interest rate loan made under this section, the applicable rate of interest on the principal balance of the loan shall be set by the Secretary at the lowest rate for the borrower that will result in no net cost to the Federal Government over the life of the loan. ``(3) Variable interest rate loans.--With respect to a variable interest rate loan made under this section, the applicable rate of interest shall, during any 12-month period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30, be determined on the preceding June 1 and be equal to-- ``(A) the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such June 1; plus ``(B) a margin determined on an annual basis by the Secretary to result in the lowest rate for the borrower that will result in no net cost to the Federal Government over the life of the loan. ``(d) Maximum Loan Amount.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make a loan under this section in any amount up to the maximum amount described in paragraph (2). ``(2) Maximum amount.--For an eligible individual, the maximum amount shall be calculated by subtracting from the estimated cost of attendance for such individual to attend the institution of higher education, any [[Page S9786]] amount of financial aid awarded to the eligible individual and any loan amount for which the individual is eligible, but does not receive such amount, pursuant to the subsidized loan program established under section 428 and the unsubsidized loan program established under section 428H. For the purposes of this section, an institution of higher education may reduce its cost of attendance. ``(e) Cosigners.--The Secretary shall offer to eligible individuals both fixed interest rate loans and variable interest rate loans under this section with the option of having a cosigner or not having a cosigner. ``(f) Repayment.--The Secretary shall offer a borrower of a loan made under this section the same repayment plans the Secretary offers under section 455(d) for Federal Direct Loans. ``(g) Consolidation.--A borrower of a loan made under this section may consolidate such loan with Federal Direct Loans made under part D. ``(h) Disclosures and Cooling Off Period.-- ``(1) Disclosures.--The Secretary shall provide disclosures to each borrower of a loan made under this section that are not less than as protective as the disclosures required under the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), including providing a description of the terms, fees, and annual percentage rate with respect to the loan before signing the promissory note. ``(2) Cooling off period.--With respect to loans made under this section, the Secretary shall provide a cooling off period for the borrower of not less than 10 business days during which an individual may rescind consent to borrow funds pursuant to this section. ``(i) Discretion to Alter.--The Secretary may design or alter the loan program under this section with features similar to those offered by private lenders as part of loans financing postsecondary education.''. ______ SA 2377. Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Levin, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Boxer, and Mrs. Clinton) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: At the end of title IX, add the following: PART E--OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT OF 1968 SEC. 951. SHORT TITLE. This part may be cited as the ``John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act of 2007''. SEC. 952. LOAN REPAYMENT FOR PROSECUTORS AND DEFENDERS. Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3711 et seq.) is amended by inserting after part II (42 U.S.C. 3797cc et seq.) the following: ``PART JJ--LOAN REPAYMENT FOR PROSECUTORS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS ``SEC. 3001. GRANT AUTHORIZATION. ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to encourage qualified individuals to enter and continue employment as prosecutors and public defenders. ``(b) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Prosecutor.--The term `prosecutor' means a full-time employee of a State or local agency who-- ``(A) is continually licensed to practice law; and ``(B) prosecutes criminal or juvenile delinquency cases at the State or local level (including supervision, education, or training of other persons prosecuting such cases). ``(2) Public defender.--The term `public defender' means an attorney who-- ``(A) is continually licensed to practice law; and ``(B) is-- ``(i) a full-time employee of a State or local agency who provides legal representation to indigent persons in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases (including supervision, education, or training of other persons providing such representation); ``(ii) a full-time employee of a nonprofit organization operating under a contract with a State or unit of local government, who devotes substantially all of his or her full- time employment to providing legal representation to indigent persons in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases, (including supervision, education, or training of other persons providing such representation); or ``(iii) employed as a full-time Federal defender attorney in a defender organization established pursuant to subsection (g) of section 3006A of title 18, United States Code, that provides legal representation to indigent persons in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases. ``(3) Student loan.--The term `student loan' means-- ``(A) a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.); ``(B) a loan made under part D or E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq. and 1087aa et seq.); and ``(C) a loan made under section 428C or 455(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-3 and 1087e(g)) to the extent that such loan was used to repay a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or a loan made under section 428 or 428H of such Act. ``(c) Program Authorized.--The Attorney General shall establish a program by which the Department of Justice shall assume the obligation to repay a student loan, by direct payments on behalf of a borrower to the holder of such loan, in accordance with subsection (d), for any borrower who-- ``(1) is employed as a prosecutor or public defender; and ``(2) is not in default on a loan for which the borrower seeks forgiveness. ``(d) Terms of Agreement.-- ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive repayment benefits under subsection (c), a borrower shall enter into a written agreement that specifies that-- ``(A) the borrower will remain employed as a prosecutor or public defender for a required period of service of not less than 3 years, unless involuntarily separated from that employment; ``(B) if the borrower is involuntarily separated from employment on account of misconduct, or voluntarily separates from employment, before the end of the period specified in the agreement, the borrower will repay the Attorney General the amount of any benefits received by such employee under this section; ``(C) if the borrower is required to repay an amount to the Attorney General under subparagraph (B) and fails to repay such amount, a sum equal to that amount shall be recoverable by the Federal Government from the employee (or such employee's estate, if applicable) by such methods as are provided by law for the recovery of amounts owed to the Federal Government; ``(D) the Attorney General may waive, in whole or in part, a right of recovery under this subsection if it is shown that recovery would be against equity and good conscience or against the public interest; and ``(E) the Attorney General shall make student loan payments under this section for the period of the agreement, subject to the availability of appropriations. ``(2) Repayments.-- ``(A) In general.--Any amount repaid by, or recovered from, an individual or the estate of an individual under this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation account from which the amount involved was originally paid. ``(B) Merger.--Any amount credited under subparagraph (A) shall be merged with other sums in such account and shall be available for the same purposes and period, and subject to the same limitations, if any, as the sums with which the amount was merged. ``(3) Limitations.-- ``(A) Student loan payment amount.--Student loan repayments made by the Attorney General under this section shall be made subject to such terms, limitations, or conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by the borrower and the Attorney General in an agreement under paragraph (1), except that the amount paid by the Attorney General under this section shall not exceed-- ``(i) $10,000 for any borrower in any calendar year; or ``(ii) an aggregate total of $60,000 in the case of any borrower. ``(B) Beginning of payments.--Nothing in this section shall authorize the Attorney General to pay any amount to reimburse a borrower for any repayments made by such borrower prior to the date on which the Attorney General entered into an agreement with the borrower under this subsection. ``(e) Additional Agreements.-- ``(1) In general.--On completion of the required period of service under an agreement under subsection (d), the borrower and the Attorney General may, subject to paragraph (2), enter into an additional agreement in accordance with subsection (d). ``(2) Term.--An agreement entered into under paragraph (1) may require the borrower to remain employed as a prosecutor or public defender for less than 3 years. ``(f) Award Basis; Priority.-- ``(1) Award basis.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Attorney General shall provide repayment benefits under this section-- ``(A) giving priority to borrowers who have the least ability to repay their loans, except that the Attorney General shall determine a fair allocation of repayment benefits among prosecutors and public defenders, and among employing entities nationwide; and ``(B) subject to the availability of appropriations. ``(2) Priority.--The Attorney General shall give priority in providing repayment benefits under this section in any fiscal year to a borrower who-- ``(A) received repayment benefits under this section during the preceding fiscal year; and ``(B) has completed less than 3 years of the first required period of service specified for the borrower in an agreement entered into under subsection (d). ``(g) Regulations.--The Attorney General is authorized to issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. ``(h) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Government Accountability Office shall study and report to Congress on the impact of law school accreditation requirements and other factors on law school costs and access, including the impact of such requirements on racial and ethnic minorities. ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.''. ______ SA 2378. Mr. COLEMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1642, to extend the [[Page S9787]] authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: On page 678, strike line 23 and all that follows through page 679, line 2, and insert the following: (III) in clause (i)-- (aa) in subclause (I), by striking ``or'' after the semicolon; (bb) by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following: ``(II) a critical foreign language; or ``(III) science, technology, engineering, or mathematics education, if such major requires students to take the same science, technology, engineering, or mathematics courses, respectively, as students majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, respectively; and''; and ______ SA 2379. Mr. THUNE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of subtitle B of title VIII, add the following: SEC. 827. MULTIYEAR PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FOR THE PURCHASE OF SYNTHETIC FUELS. (a) Multiyear Procurement Authorized.-- (1) In general.--Chapter 141of title 10, United States Code, as amended by section 826cc of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 2410r Multiyear procurement authority: purchase of synthetic fuels ``(a) Multiyear Contracts Authorized.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the head of an agency may enter into contracts for a period not to exceed 10 years for the purchase of synthetic fuels. ``(b) Limitations on Contracts for Periods in Excess of Five Years.--The head of an agency may exercise the authority in subsection (a) to enter a contract for a period in excess of five years only if the head of the agency determines, on the basis of a business case prepared by the agency, that-- ``(1) the proposed purchase of fuels under such contract is cost effective for the agency; and ``(2) it would not be possible to purchase fuels from the source in an economical manner without the use of a contract for a period in excess of five years. ``(c) Limitation on Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions.-- The head of an agency may not purchase synthetic fuels under the authority in subsection (a) unless the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from such fuels are not greater than the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from conventional petroleum-based fuels that are used in the same application. ``(d) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) The term `head of an agency' has the meaning given that term in section 2302(1) of this title. ``(2) The term `synthetic fuel' means any liquid, gas, or combination thereof that-- ``(A) can be used as a substitute for petroleum or natural gas (or any derivative thereof, including chemical feedstocks); and ``(B) is produced by chemical or physical transformation of domestic sources of energy.''. (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 141 of such title, as so amended, is further amended by adding at the end the following new item: ``2410r. Multiyear procurement authority: purchase of synthetic fuels.''. (b) Regulations.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations requiring the head of an agency initiating a multiyear contract as authorized by section 2410r of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), to find that-- (A) there is a reasonable expectation that throughout the contemplated contract period the head of the agency will request funding for the contract at the level required to avoid contract cancellation; (B) there is a stable design for all related technologies to the purchase of synthetic fuels as so authorized; and (C) the technical risks associated with such technologies are not excessive. (2) Minimum anticipated savings.--The regulations required by paragraph (1) shall provide that, in any case in which the estimated total expenditure under a multiyear contract (or several multiyear contracts with the same prime contractor) under section 2410r of title 10, United States Code (as so added), are anticipated to be more than (or, in the case of several contracts, the aggregate of which is anticipated to be more than) $540,000,000 (in fiscal year 1990 constant dollars), the head of an agency may initiate such contract under such section only upon a finding that use of such contract will result in savings exceeding 10 percent of the total anticipated costs of procuring the synthetic fuel concerned through annual contracts. If such estimated savings will exceed 5 percent of the total anticipated costs of procuring the synthetic fuel concerned through annual contracts, but not exceed 10 percent of such costs, the head of the agency may initiate such contract under such section only upon a finding in writing that an exceptionally strong case has been made with regard to findings required in paragraph (1). (3) Limitation on use of authority.--No contract may be entered into under the authority in section 2410r of title 10, United States Code (as so added), until the regulations required by paragraph (1) are prescribed. ______ SA 2380. Mr. HARKIN proposed an amendment to amendment SA 2377 proposed by Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Levin, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Boxer, and Mrs. Clinton) to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: In part B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Higher Education Amendments of 2007, insert after section 428K the following: ``SEC. 428L. LOAN REPAYMENT FOR CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE ATTORNEYS. ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to encourage qualified individuals to enter and continue employment as civil legal assistance attorneys. ``(b) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Civil legal assistance attorney.--The term `civil legal assistance attorney' means an attorney who-- ``(A) is a full-time employee of a nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance with respect to civil matters to low-income individuals without a fee; ``(B) as such employee, provides civil legal assistance as described in subparagraph (A) on a full-time basis; and ``(C) is continually licensed to practice law. ``(2) Student loan.--The term `student loan' means-- ``(A) subject to subparagraph (B), a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B, D, or E of this title; and ``(B) a loan made under section 428C or 455(g), to the extent that such loan was used to repay-- ``(i) a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or a Federal Direct PLUS Loan; ``(ii) a loan made under section 428, 428B, or 428H; or ``(iii) a loan made under part E. ``(c) Program Authorized.--The Secretary shall carry out a program of assuming the obligation to repay a student loan, by direct payments on behalf of a borrower to the holder of such loan, in accordance with subsection (d), for any borrower who-- ``(1) is employed as a civil legal assistance attorney; and ``(2) is not in default on a loan for which the borrower seeks repayment. ``(d) Terms of Agreement.-- ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive repayment benefits under subsection (c), a borrower shall enter into a written agreement with the Secretary that specifies that-- ``(A) the borrower will remain employed as a civil legal assistance attorney for a required period of service of not less than 3 years, unless involuntarily separated from that employment; ``(B) if the borrower is involuntarily separated from employment on account of misconduct, or voluntarily separates from employment, before the end of the period specified in the agreement, the borrower will repay the Secretary the amount of any benefits received by such employee under this agreement; ``(C) if the borrower is required to repay an amount to the Secretary under subparagraph (B) and fails to repay such amount, a sum equal to that amount shall be recoverable by the Federal Government from the employee by such methods as are provided by law for the recovery of amounts owed to the Federal Government; ``(D) the Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, a right of recovery under this subsection if it is shown that recovery would be against equity and good conscience or against the public interest; and ``(E) the Secretary shall make student loan payments under this section for the period of the agreement, subject to the availability of appropriations. ``(2) Repayments.-- ``(A) In general.--Any amount repaid by, or recovered from, an individual under this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation account from which the amount involved was originally paid. ``(B) Merger.--Any amount credited under subparagraph (A) shall be merged with other sums in such account and shall be available for the same purposes and period, and subject to the same limitations, if any, as the sums with which the amount was merged. ``(3) Limitations.-- ``(A) Student loan payment amount.--Student loan repayments made by the Secretary under this section shall be made subject to such terms, limitations, or conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by the borrower and the Secretary in an agreement under paragraph (1), except that the amount paid by the Secretary under this section shall not exceed-- ``(i) $6,000 for any borrower in any calendar year; or ``(ii) an aggregate total of $40,000 in the case of any borrower. [[Page S9788]] ``(B) Beginning of payments.--Nothing in this section shall authorize the Secretary to pay any amount to reimburse a borrower for any repayments made by such borrower prior to the date on which the Secretary entered into an agreement with the borrower under this subsection. ``(e) Additional Agreements.-- ``(1) In general.--On completion of the required period of service under an agreement under subsection (d), the borrower and the Secretary may, subject to paragraph (2), enter into an additional agreement in accordance with subsection (d). ``(2) Term.--An agreement entered into under paragraph (1) may require the borrower to remain employed as a civil legal assistance attorney for less than 3 years. ``(f) Award Basis; Priority.-- ``(1) Award basis.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide repayment benefits under this section on a first-come, first-served basis, and subject to the availability of appropriations. ``(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in providing repayment benefits under this section in any fiscal year to a borrower who-- ``(A) has practiced law for 5 years or less and, for at least 90 percent of the time in such practice, has served as a civil legal assistance attorney; ``(B) received repayment benefits under this section during the preceding fiscal year; and ``(C) has completed less than 3 years of the first required period of service specified for the borrower in an agreement entered into under subsection (d). ``(g) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.''. ______ SA 2381. Mr. KENNEDY proposed an amendment to amendment SA 2369 submitted by Mr. Coburn to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: Strike all after the first word and insert the following: 114. RESTRICTION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS (1) No federal funds received by an institution of higher education may be used to pay any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any Federal action described in paragraph (2) of this section. (2) The prohibition in paragraph (1) of this section applies with respect to the following Federal actions: (a) the awarding of any Federal contract; (b) the making of an Federal grant; (c) the making of any Federal loan; (d) the entering into of any cooperative agreement; (e) the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement. (3) No Federal student aid funding may be used to hire a registered lobbyist or pay any person or entity for securing an earmark. (4) Any person who makes an expenditure prohibited by section (1) or section (3) shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $100,000 and not more than $1,000,000. (5) The Secretary of Education shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure that the provisions of this section are vigorously implemented and enforced in such agency. ______ SA 2382. Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr. Enzi) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows: On page 561, line 12, strike ``90'' and insert ``30''. On page 577, strike lines 20 through 22, and insert the following: ``(b) Exception.--The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to a system (or a successor system) that is necessary for the operation of programs authorized by title II, IV, or VII that were in use by the Secretary, directly or through a contractor, as of the day before the date of enactment of the Higher Education Amendments of 2007. On page 601, strike lines 5 through 12 and insert the following: ``(10) High-need early childhood education program.--The term `high-need early childhood education program' means an early childhood education program serving children from low- income families that is located within the geographic area served by a high-need local educational agency. On page 611, line 9, after ``learning'' insert ``, which may include the use of formative assessments, performance- based assessments, project-based assessments, or portfolio assessments, that measure higher-order thinking skills, including application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation''. On page 611, strike lines 14 through 16 and insert the following: ``(G) use, in the case of an early childhood educator, age- and developmentally-appropriate strategies and practices for children in early education programs. On page 614, strike lines 18 through 21 and insert the following: ``(i) State early learning standards for early childhood education programs, as appropriate, and with the relevant domains of early childhood development; and On page 631, between lines 4 and 5, insert the following: ``(f) Allowable Use of Grant Funds.--An eligible partnership that receives a grant under this part may use grant funds provided to carry out the activities described in subsections (d) and (e) to partner with a television public broadcast station, as defined in section 397(6) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 397(6)), for the purpose of improving the quality of pre-baccalaureate teacher preparation programs. The partnership may use such funds to enhance the quality of pre-service training for prospective teachers, including through the use of digital educational content and related services. On page 631, line 5, strike ``(f)'' and insert ``(g)''. On page 631, line 23, strike ``(g)'' and insert ``(h)''. On page 632, line 6, strike ``(h)'' and insert ``(i)''. On page 667, line 8, strike ``and''. On page 667, strike line 10, and insert ``fied graduate program;''. On page 667, between lines 10 and 11, insert the following: ``(Z) Kentucky State University qualified graduate program; and ``(AA) Grambling State University qualified graduate program.''; On page 667, line 20, strike ``and''. On page 667, line 20, after ``(Y)'' insert ``, (Z), and (AA)''. On page 668, line 3, strike ``and (Y)'' and insert ``(Y), (Z), and (AA)''. On page 668, line 7, strike ``(Y)'' and insert ``(AA)''. On page 679, strike lines 12 through 23 and insert the following: ``(i) offers a single liberal arts curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree, under which students are not permitted by the institution to declare a major in a particular subject area, and those students-- ``(I) study, in such years, a subject described in subparagraph (C)(i) that is at least equal to the requirements for an academic major at an institution of higher education that offers a baccalaureate degree in such subject, as certified by an appropriate official from the institution; or ``(II) are required, as part of their degree program, to undertake a rigorous course of study in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics, which consists of at least-- ``(aa) 4 years of study in mathematics; and ``(bb) 3 years of study in the sciences, with a laboratory component in each of those years; and On page 712, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following: (3) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following: ``(3) Carry over.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this chapter may carry over any unspent grant funds from the final year of the grant period into the following year.''; On page 716, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following: (4) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``paid to students from State, local, institutional, or private funds under this chapter'' and inserting ``obligated to students from State, local, institutional, or private funds under this chapter, including pre-existing non-Federal financial assistance programs,''; On page 716, between lines 16 and 17, insert the following: (5) in subsection (c)-- (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) other resources recognized by the Secretary, including equipment and supplies, cash contributions from non-Federal sources, transportation expenses, in-kind or discounted program services, indirect costs, and facility usage.''. On page 720, between lines 11 and 12, insert the following: ``(12) Fostering and improving parent and family involvement in elementary and secondary education by promoting the advantages of a college education, and emphasizing academic admission requirements and the need to take college preparation courses, through parent engagement and leadership activities. ``(13) Disseminating information that promotes the importance of higher education, explains college preparation and admissions requirements, and raises awareness of the resources and services provided by the eligible entities to eligible students, their families, and communities. On page 767, strike lines 20 through 22 and insert the following: SEC. 423. DEFAULT REDUCTION PROGRAM. Section 428F (20 U.S.C. 1078-6) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by adding at the end the following: ``Upon the sale of the loan to an eligible lender, the guaranty agency, and any prior holder of the loan, shall request any consumer reporting agency to which the guaranty agency or holder, as applicable, reported the default of the loan, to remove the record of default from the borrower's credit history.''; and [[Page S9789]] (B) by adding at the end the following: ``(5) Limitation.--A borrower may obtain the benefits available under this subsection with respect to rehabilitating a loan only one time per loan.''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: On page 784, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following: SEC. 451A. ALLOWANCE FOR BOOKS AND SUPPLIES. Section 462(c)(4)(D) (20 U.S.C. 1087bb(c)(4)(D)) is amended by striking ``$450'' and inserting ``$600''. SEC. 451B. PERKINS LOAN FORBEARANCE. Section 464 (20 U.S.C. 1087dd) is amended-- (1) in subsection (e)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``, upon written request,'' and inserting ``, as documented in accordance with paragraph (2),''; (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively; (C) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``Forbearance.--''; and (D) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) For the purpose of paragraph (1), the terms of forbearance agreed to by the parties shall be documented by-- ``(A) confirming the agreement of the borrower by notice to the borrower from the institution of higher education; and ``(B) recording the terms in the borrower's file.''; and (2) in subsection (j), by striking ``(e)(3)'' and inserting ``(e)(1)(C)''. On page 824, strike lines 13 through 16 and insert ``who has completed secondary school; or''. On page 828, strike lines 6 through 12 and insert the following: ``(P) institutional policies and sanctions related to copyright infringement, including-- ``(i) an annual disclosure that explicitly informs students that unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject the students to civil and criminal liabilities; ``(ii) a summary of the penalties for violation of Federal copyright laws; ``(iii) a description of the institution's policies with respect to unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, including disciplinary actions that are taken against students who engage in unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials using the institution's information technology system; and ``(iv) a description of actions that the institution takes to prevent and detect unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material on the institution's information technology system; On page 838, line 4, strike ``institution's''. On page 838, line 5, insert ``established by the institution'' after ``policies''. On page 838, strike lines 8 through 11, and insert the following: ``(A) any established criteria the institution uses regarding the transfer of credit earned at another institution of higher education; and On page 887, strike lines 21 through 23, and insert the following: ``(B) that include a statement of the criteria established by the institution regarding the transfer of credit earned at another institution of higher education.''; On page 827, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following: (i) in subparagraph (G)-- (I) by striking ``program, and'' and inserting ``program,''; and (II) by inserting ``, and (iv) any plans by the institution for improving the academic program of the institution'' after ``instructional personnel''; and On page 829, line 11, strike ``and'' after the semicolon. On page 829, strike line 13 and insert the following: institution pursuant to subsection (i). ``(U) the retention rate of certificate- or degree-seeking, full-time, undergraduate students entering such institution.''; On page 883, strike line 1 and all that follows through page 884, line 9 and insert the following: ``(A) success with respect to student achievement in relation to the institution's mission, which may include different standards for different institutions or programs, as established by the institution, including, as appropriate, consideration of State licensing examinations and job placement rates;''; On page 887, line 24, strike ``and''. On page 888, line 7, strike the second period and insert ``; and''. On page 888, between lines 7 and 8, insert the following: (4) in subsection (o), by adding at the end the following: ``Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not promulgate any regulation with respect to subsection (a)(5).''. Strike line 24 on page 939 and all that follows through line 2 on page 940 and insert the following: ``(5) Amounts for scholarships.--All of the amounts appropriated to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used for scholarships awarded under this subsection, except that a nonprofit organization receiving a contract under this subsection may use not more than 1 percent of such amounts for the administrative costs of the contract.''. After line 24 on page 1032, insert the following: SEC. 802. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS. Title VIII (as added by section 801) is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``PART N--SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM ``SEC. 876. SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM. ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the `Secretary') shall award competitive grants to eligible entities for the purpose of improving public health preparedness through increasing the number of veterinarians in the workforce. ``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall-- ``(1) be-- ``(A) a public or other nonprofit school of veterinary medicine that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education pursuant to part H of title IV; ``(B) a public or nonprofit, department of comparative medicine, department of veterinary science, school of public health, or school of medicine that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education pursuant to part H of title IV and that offers graduate training for veterinarians in a public health practice area as determined by the Secretary; or ``(C) a public or nonprofit entity that-- ``(i) conducts recognized residency training programs for veterinarians that are approved by a veterinary specialty organization that is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association; and ``(ii) offers postgraduate training for veterinarians in a public health practice area as determined by the Secretary; and ``(2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. ``(c) Consideration of Applications.--The Secretary shall establish procedures to ensure that applications under subsection (b)(2) are rigorously reviewed and that grants are competitively awarded based on-- ``(1) the ability of the applicant to increase the number of veterinarians who are trained in specified public health practice areas as determined by the Secretary; ``(2) the ability of the applicant to increase capacity in research on high priority disease agents; or ``(3) any other consideration the Secretary determines necessary. ``(d) Preference.--In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give preference to applicants that demonstrate a comprehensive approach by involving more than one school of veterinary medicine, department of comparative medicine, department of veterinary science, school of public health, school of medicine, or residency training program that offers postgraduate training for veterinarians in a public health practice area as determined by the Secretary. ``(e) Use of Funds.--Amounts received under a grant under this section shall be used by a grantee to increase the number of veterinarians in the workforce through paying costs associated with the expansion of academic programs at schools of veterinary medicine, departments of comparative medicine, departments of veterinary science, or entities offering residency training programs, or academic programs that offer postgraduate training for veterinarians or concurrent training for veterinary students in specific areas of specialization, which costs may include minor renovation and improvement in classrooms, libraries, and laboratories. ``(f) Definition of Public Health Practice.--In this section, the term `public health practice' includes bioterrorism and emergency preparedness, environmental health, food safety and food security, regulatory medicine, diagnostic laboratory medicine, and biomedical research. ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years. Amounts appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until expended. ``PART O--EARLY FEDERAL PELL GRANT COMMITMENT DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ``SEC. 881. EARLY FEDERAL PELL GRANT COMMITMENT DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM. ``(a) Demonstration Program Authority.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to carry out an Early Federal Pell Grant Commitment Demonstration Program under which-- ``(A) the Secretary awards grants to 4 State educational agencies, in accordance with paragraph (2), to pay the administrative expenses incurred in participating in the demonstration program under this section; and ``(B) the Secretary awards Federal Pell Grants to participating students in accordance with this section. ``(2) Grants.-- ``(A) In general.--From amounts appropriated under subsection (h) for a fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized to award grants to 4 State educational agencies to enable the State educational agencies to pay the administrative expenses incurred in participating in a demonstration program under which 8th grade students who are eligible for [[Page S9790]] a free or reduced price meal described in subsection (b)(1)(B) receive a commitment to receive a Federal Pell Grant early in their academic careers. ``(B) Equal amounts.--The Secretary shall award grants under this section in equal amounts to each of the 4 participating State educational agencies. ``(b) Demonstration Project Requirements.--Each of the 4 demonstration projects assisted under this section shall meet the following requirements: ``(1) Participants.-- ``(A) In general.--The State educational agency shall make participation in the demonstration project available to 2 cohorts of students, which shall consist of-- ``(i) 1 cohort of 8th grade students who begin the participation in academic year 2008-2009; and ``(ii) 1 cohort of 8th grade students who begin the participation in academic year 2009-2010. ``(B) Students in each cohort.--Each cohort of students shall consist of not more than 10,000 8th grade students who qualify for a free or reduced price meal under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. ``(2) Student data.--The State educational agency shall ensure that student data from local educational agencies serving students who participate in the demonstration project, as well as student data from local educational agencies serving a comparable group of students who do not participate in the demonstration project, are available for evaluation of the demonstration project, except that in no case shall such data be provided in a manner that would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student. ``(3) Federal pell grant commitment.--Each student who participates in the demonstration project receives a commitment from the Secretary to receive a Federal Pell Grant during the first academic year that the student is in attendance at an institution of higher education as an undergraduate, if the student applies for Federal financial aid (via the FAFSA or EZ FAFSA) during the student's senior year of secondary school and during succeeding years. ``(4) Application process.--The Secretary shall establish an application process to select State educational agencies to participate in the demonstration program and State educational agencies shall establish an application process to select local educational agencies within the State to participate in the demonstration project. ``(5) Local educational agency participation.--Subject to the 10,000 statewide student limitation described in paragraph (1), a local educational agency serving students, not less than 50 percent of whom are eligible for a free or reduced price meal under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, shall be eligible to participate in the demonstration project. ``(c) State Educational Agency Applications.-- ``(1) In general.--Each State educational agency desiring to participate in the demonstration program under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. ``(2) Contents.--Each application shall include-- ``(A) a description of the proposed targeted information campaign for the demonstration project and a copy of the plan described in subsection (f)(2); ``(B) a description of the student population that will receive an early commitment to receive a Federal Pell Grant under this section; ``(C) an assurance that the State educational agency will fully cooperate with the ongoing evaluation of the demonstration project; and ``(D) such other information as the Secretary may require. ``(d) Selection Considerations.-- ``(1) Selection of state educational agencies.--In selecting State educational agencies to participate in the demonstration program under this section, the Secretary shall consider-- ``(A) the number and quality of State educational agency applications received; ``(B) the Department's capacity to oversee and monitor each State educational agency's participation in the demonstration program; ``(C) a State educational agency's-- ``(i) financial responsibility; ``(ii) administrative capability; ``(iii) commitment to focusing State resources, in addition to any resources provided under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, on students who receive assistance under such part A; ``(iv) ability and plans to run an effective and thorough targeted information campaign for students served by local educational agencies eligible to participate in the demonstration project; and ``(v) ability to ensure the participation in the demonstration program of a diverse group of students, including with respect to ethnicity and gender. ``(2) Local educational agency.--In selecting local educational agencies to participate in a demonstration project under this section, the State educational agency shall consider-- ``(A) the number and quality of local educational agency applications received; ``(B) the State educational agency's capacity to oversee and monitor each local educational agency's participation in the demonstration project; ``(C) a local educational agency's-- ``(i) financial responsibility; ``(ii) administrative capability; ``(iii) commitment to focusing local resources, in addition to any resources provided under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, on students who receive assistance under such part A; ``(iv) ability and plans to run an effective and thorough targeted information campaign for students served by the local educational agency; and ``(v) ability to ensure the participation in the demonstration project of a diverse group of students with respect to ethnicity and gender. ``(e) Evaluation.-- ``(1) In general.--From amounts appropriated under subsection (h) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not more than $1,000,000 to award a grant or contract to an organization outside the Department for an independent evaluation of the impact of the demonstration program assisted under this section. ``(2) Competitive basis.--The grant or contract shall be awarded on a competitive basis. ``(3) Matters evaluated.--The evaluation described in this subsection shall-- ``(A) determine the number of individuals who were encouraged by the demonstration program to pursue higher education; ``(B) identify the barriers to the effectiveness of the demonstration program; ``(C) assess the cost-effectiveness of the demonstration program in improving access to higher education; ``(D) identify the reasons why participants in the demonstration program either received or did not receive a Federal Pell Grant; ``(E) identify intermediate outcomes related to postsecondary education attendance, such as whether participants-- ``(i) were more likely to take a college-prep curriculum while in secondary school; ``(ii) submitted any college applications; and ``(iii) took the PSAT, SAT, or ACT; ``(F) identify the number of individuals participating in the demonstration program who pursued an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree, or other postsecondary education; ``(G) compare the findings of the demonstration program with respect to participants to comparison groups (of similar size and demographics) that did not participate in the demonstration program; and ``(H) identify the impact on the parents of students eligible to participate in the demonstration program. ``(4) Dissemination.--The findings of the evaluation shall be reported to the Secretary, who shall widely disseminate the findings to the public. ``(f) Targeted Information Campaign.-- ``(1) In general.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall, in cooperation with the participating local educational agencies within the State and the Secretary, develop a targeted information campaign for the demonstration program assisted under this section. ``(2) Plan.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall include in the application submitted under subsection (c) a written plan for their proposed targeted information campaign. The plan shall include the following: ``(A) Outreach.--A description of the outreach to students and their families at the beginning and end of each academic year of the demonstration project, at a minimum. ``(B) Distribution.--How the State educational agency plans to provide the outreach described in subparagraph (A) and to provide the information described in subparagraph (C). ``(C) Information.--The annual provision by the State educational agency to all students and families participating in the demonstration program of information regarding-- ``(i) the estimated statewide average cost of attendance for an institution of higher education for each academic year, which cost data shall be disaggregated by-- ``(I) type of institution, including-- ``(aa) 2-year public degree-granting institutions of higher education; ``(bb) 4-year public degree-granting institutions of higher education; and ``(cc) 4-year private degree-granting institutions of higher education; ``(II) component, including-- ``(aa) tuition and fees; and ``(bb) room and board; ``(ii) Federal Pell Grants, including-- ``(I) the maximum Federal Pell Grant for each award year; ``(II) when and how to apply for a Federal Pell Grant; and ``(III) what the application process for a Federal Pell Grant requires; ``(iii) State-specific college savings programs; ``(iv) State merit-based financial aid; ``(v) State need-based financial aid; and ``(vi) Federal financial aid available to students, including eligibility criteria for such aid and an explanation of the Federal financial aid programs, such as the Student Guide published by the Department of Education (or any successor to such document). [[Page S9791]] ``(3) Cohorts.--The information described in paragraph (2)(C) shall be provided to 2 cohorts of students annually for the duration of the students' participation in the demonstration program. The 2 cohorts shall consist of-- ``(A) 1 cohort of 8th grade students who begin the participation in academic year 2008-2009; and ``(B) 1 cohort of 8th grade students who begin the participation in academic year 2009-2010. ``(4) Reservation.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall reserve not more than 15 percent of the grant funds received each fiscal year to carry out the targeted information campaign described in this subsection. ``(g) Supplement, Not Supplant.--A State educational agency shall use grant funds received under this section only to supplement the funds that would, in the absence of such funds, be made available from non-Federal sources for students participating in the demonstration program under this section, and not to supplant such funds. ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years. ``PART P--HENRY KUUALOHA GIUGNI KUPUNA MEMORIAL ARCHIVES ``SEC. 886. HENRY KUUALOHA GIUGNI KUPUNA MEMORIAL ARCHIVES. ``(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to award a grant to the University of Hawaii Academy for Creative Media for the establishment, maintenance, and periodic modernization of the Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna Memorial Archives at the University of Hawaii. ``(b) Use of Funds.--The Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna Memorial Archives shall use the grant funds received under this section-- ``(1) to facilitate the acquisition of a secure web accessible repository of Native Hawaiian historical data rich in ethnic and cultural significance to the United States for preservation and access by future generations; ``(2) to award scholarships to facilitate access to a postsecondary education for students who cannot afford such education; ``(3) to support programmatic efforts associated with the web-based media projects of the archives; ``(4) to create educational materials, from the contents of the archives, that are applicable to a broad range of indigenous students, such as Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and Native American Indians; ``(5) to develop outreach initiatives that introduce the archival collections to elementary schools and secondary schools; ``(6) to develop supplemental web-based resources that define terms and cultural practices innate to Native Hawaiians; ``(7) to rent, lease, purchase, maintain, or repair educational facilities to house the archival collections; ``(8) to rent, lease, purchase, maintain, or repair computer equipment for use by elementary schools and secondary schools in accessing the archival collections; ``(9) to provide pre-service and in-service teacher training to develop a core group of kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who are able to provide instruction in a way that is relevant to the unique background of indigenous students, such as Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and Native American Indians, in order to-- ``(A) facilitate greater understanding by teachers of the unique background of indigenous students; and ``(B) improve student achievement; and ``(10) to increase the economic and financial literacy of postsecondary education students through the dissemination of best practices used at other institutions of higher education regarding debt and credit management and economic decision- making. ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.''. On page 1036, strike lines 8 through 15 and insert the following: ``(2) If, pursuant to the agreement established under paragraph (1), either the Secretary or the Rochester Institute of Technology terminates the agreement, the Secretary shall consider proposals from other institutions of higher education and enter into an agreement with one of those institutions for the establishment and operation of a National Technical Institution for the Deaf.''; and On page 1038, line 15, strike ``2007'' and insert ``2008''. On page 900, line 1, strike ``(a) Authorizations.--'' and insert ``(a) Authorizations.--There are''. On page 674, lines 20 and 21, strike ``paragraph (4) (as redesignated by subparagraph (C))'' and insert ``paragraph (5)''. On page 675, lines 6 and 7, strike ``paragraph (5) (as redesignated by subparagraph (C))'' and insert ``paragraph (6)''. On page 675, line 9, strike ``(5)'' and insert ``(6)''. On page 579, between lines 11 and 12, insert the following: SEC. 110A. STATE HIGHER EDUCATION INFORMATION SYSTEM PILOT PROGRAM. Part C of title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended by this title) is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 135. STATE HIGHER EDUCATION INFORMATION SYSTEM PILOT PROGRAM. ``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to carry out a pilot program to assist not more than 5 States to develop State-level postsecondary student data systems to-- ``(1) improve the capacity of States and institutions of higher education to generate more comprehensive and comparable data, in order to develop better-informed educational policy at the State level and to evaluate the effectiveness of institutional performance while protecting the confidentiality of students' personally identifiable information; and ``(2) identify how to best minimize the data-reporting burden placed on institutions of higher education, particularly smaller institutions, and to maximize and improve the information institutions receive from the data systems, in order to assist institutions in improving educational practice and postsecondary outcomes. ``(b) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term `eligible entity' means-- ``(1) a State higher education system; or ``(2) a consortium of State higher education systems, or a consortium of individual institutions of higher education, that is broadly representative of institutions in different sectors and geographic locations. ``(c) Competitive Grants.-- ``(1) Grants authorized.--The Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to not more than 5 eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to-- ``(A) design, test, and implement systems of postsecondary student data that provide the maximum benefits to States, institutions of higher education, and State policymakers; and ``(B) examine the costs and burdens involved in implementing a State-level postsecondary student data system. ``(2) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of not more than 3 years. ``(d) Application Requirements.--An eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines is necessary, including a description of-- ``(1) how the eligible entity will ensure that student privacy is protected and that individually identifiable information about students, the students' achievements, and the students' families remains confidential in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 1232g); and ``(2) how the activities funded by the grant will be supported after the 3-year grant period. ``(e) Use of Funds.--A grant awarded under this section shall be used to-- ``(1) design, develop, and implement the components of a comprehensive postsecondary student data system with the capacity to transmit student information within States; ``(2) improve the capacity of institutions of higher education to analyze and use student data; ``(3) select and define common data elements, data quality, and other elements that will enable the data system to-- ``(A) serve the needs of institutions of higher education for institutional research and improvement; ``(B) provide students and the students' families with useful information for decision-making about postsecondary education; ``(C) provide State policymakers with improved information to monitor and guide efforts to improve student outcomes and success in higher education; ``(4) estimate costs and burdens at the institutional level for the reporting system for different types of institutions; and ``(5) test the feasibility of protocols and standards for maintaining data privacy and data access. ``(f) Evaluation; Reports.--Not later than 6 months after the end of the projects funded by grants awarded under this section, the Secretary shall-- ``(1) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot program authorized by this section; and ``(2) report the Secretary's findings, as well as recommendations regarding the implementation of State-level postsecondary student data systems to the authorizing committees. ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.''. ____________________