S.Amdt. 3028Senate110th Congress (2007-2009)2nd degree

To allow additional types of vehicles to be used to meet minimum Federal fleet requirements.

Submitted September 24, 2007

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Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 3028 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

October 1, 2007

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Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 3028 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

October 1, 2007

Floor

Senate amendment proposed (on the floor): Amendment SA 3028 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Carper to Amendment SA 2011.(consideration: CR S12355-12363; text: CR S12355-12356)

October 1, 2007

Floor

Amendment SA 3028 proposed by Senator Levin for Senator Carper to Amendment SA 2011. (consideration: CR S12355-12363; text: CR S12355-12356) To allow additional types of vehicles to be used to meet minimum Federal fleet requirements.

October 1, 2007

Floor

Amendment SA 3028 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

October 1, 2007

Floor

Senate amendment submitted

September 24, 2007

Text

Submitted

TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

______

SA 3023. Mr. KERRY (for himself and Ms. Snowe) 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 title X, add the following:

SEC. 10__. COMMERCIALIZATION PILOT PROGRAM.

Section 9(y) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(y))
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
``The authority to create and administer a Commercialization
Pilot Program under this subsection may not be construed to
eliminate or replace any other SBIR program that enhances the
insertion or transition of SBIR technologies, including any
such program in effect on the date of enactment of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006
(Public Law 109-163; 119 Stat. 3136).'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs
(7) and (8), respectively;
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) Insertion incentives.--For any contract with a value
of not less than $100,000,000, the Secretary of Defense is
authorized to--
``(A) establish goals for transitioning Phase III
technologies in subcontracting plans; and
``(B) require a prime contractor on such a contract to
report the number and dollar amount of contracts entered into
by that prime contractor for Phase III SBIR projects.
``(6) Goal for sbir technology insertion.--The Secretary of
Defense shall--
``(A) set a goal to increase the number of Phase II
contracts awarded by that Secretary that lead to technology
transition into programs of record or fielded systems;
``(B) use incentives in effect on the date of enactment of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008,
or create new incentives, to encourage prime contractors to
meet the goal under subparagraph (A); and

[[Page S12006]]

``(C) submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the
Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee
on Small Business of the House of Representatives an annual
report regarding the percentage of contracts described in
subparagraph (A) awarded by that Secretary.''; and
(4) in paragraph (8), as so redesignated, by striking
``fiscal year 2009'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2012''.
______

SA 3024. Mr. KERRY (for himself, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Hagel, Ms. Landrieu,
Mr. Lieberman, and Ms. Cantwell) 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, add the following:

DIVISION D--VETERAN SMALL BUSINESSES

SEC. 4001. SHORT TITLE.

This division may be cited as the ``Military Reservist and
Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of
2007''.

SEC. 4002. DEFINITIONS.

In this division--
(1) the term ``activated'' means receiving an order placing
a Reservist on active duty;
(2) the term ``active duty'' has the meaning given that
term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code;
(3) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean
the Small Business Administration and the Administrator
thereof, respectively;
(4) the term ``Reservist'' means a member of a reserve
component of the Armed Forces, as described in section 10101
of title 10, United States Code;
(5) the term ``Service Corps of Retired Executives'' means
the Service Corps of Retired Executives authorized by section
8(b)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1));
(6) the terms ``service-disabled veteran'' and ``small
business concern'' have the meaning as in section 3 of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632);
(7) the term ``small business development center'' means a
small business development center described in section 21 of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648); and
(8) the term ``women's business center'' means a women's
business center described in section 29 of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 656).

TITLE XLI--VETERANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 4101. INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE OF VETERANS
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Office of Veterans Business Development of the
Administration, to remain available until expended--
(1) $2,100,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(2) $2,300,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
(3) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2010.
(b) Funding Offset.--Amounts necessary to carry out
subsection (a) shall be offset and made available through the
reduction of the authorization of funding under section
20(e)(1)(B)(iv) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631
note).
(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
any amounts provided pursuant to this section that are in
excess of amounts provided to the Administration for the
Office of Veterans Business Development in fiscal year 2007,
should be used to support Veterans Business Outreach Centers.

SEC. 4102. INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.

Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Interagency Task Force.--
``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the President shall
establish an interagency task force to coordinate the efforts
of Federal agencies necessary to increase capital and
business development opportunities for, and increase the
award of Federal contracting and subcontracting opportunities
to, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-
disabled veterans and small business concerns owned and
controlled by veterans (in this section referred to as the
`task force').
``(2) Membership.--The members of the task force shall
include--
``(A) the Administrator, who shall serve as chairperson of
the task force;
``(B) a representative from--
``(i) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
``(ii) the Department of Defense;
``(iii) the Administration (in addition to the
Administrator);
``(iv) the Department of Labor;
``(v) the Department of the Treasury;
``(vi) the General Services Administration; and
``(vii) the Office of Management and Budget; and
``(C) 4 representatives from a veterans service
organization or military organization or association,
selected by the President.
``(3) Duties.--The task force shall coordinate
administrative and regulatory activities and develop
proposals relating to--
``(A) increasing capital access and capacity of small
business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled
veterans and small business concerns owned and controlled by
veterans through loans, surety bonding, and franchising;
``(B) increasing access to Federal contracting and
subcontracting for small business concerns owned and
controlled by service-disabled veterans and small business
concerns owned and controlled by veterans through expanded
mentor-protege assistance and matching such small business
concerns with contracting opportunities;
``(C) increasing the integrity of certifications of status
as a small business concern owned and controlled by service-
disabled veterans or a small business concern owned and
controlled by veterans;
``(D) reducing paperwork and administrative burdens on
veterans in accessing business development and
entrepreneurship opportunities; and
``(E) making other improvements relating to the support for
veterans business development by the Federal Government.
``(4) Reporting.--The task force shall submit an annual
report regarding its activities and proposals to--
``(A) the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
``(B) the Committee on Small Business and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.''.

SEC. 4103. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF SBA ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
VETERANS BUSINESS AFFAIRS.

(a) Assumption of Duties.--Section 33 of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 657c) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (h); and
(2) by redesignating subsections (i) through (k) as
subsections (h) through (j), respectively.
(b) Permanent Extension of Authority.--Section 203 of the
Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act
of 1999 (15 U.S.C. 657b note) is amended by striking
subsection (h).

TITLE XLII--NATIONAL RESERVIST ENTERPRISE TRANSITION AND SUSTAINABILITY

SEC. 4201. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ``National Reservist
Enterprise Transition and Sustainability Act of 2007''.

SEC. 4202. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this title is to establish a program to--
(1) provide managerial, financial, planning, development,
technical, and regulatory assistance to small business
concerns owned and operated by Reservists;
(2) provide managerial, financial, planning, development,
technical, and regulatory assistance to the temporary heads
of small business concerns owned and operated by Reservists;
(3) create a partnership between the Small Business
Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Department
of Veterans Affairs to assist small business concerns owned
and operated by Reservists;
(4) utilize the service delivery network of small business
development centers, women's business centers, Veterans
Business Outreach Centers, and centers operated by the
National Veterans Business Development Corporation to expand
the access of small business concerns owned and operated by
Reservists to programs providing business management,
development, financial, procurement, technical, regulatory,
and marketing assistance;
(5) utilize the service delivery network of small business
development centers, women's business centers, Veterans
Business Outreach Centers, and centers operated by the
National Veterans Business Development Corporation to quickly
respond to an activation of Reservists that own and operate
small business concerns; and
(6) utilize the service delivery network of small business
development centers, women's business centers, Veterans
Business Outreach Centers, and centers operated by the
National Veterans Business Development Corporation to assist
Reservists that own and operate small business concerns in
preparing for future military activations.

SEC. 4203. NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE BUSINESS ASSISTANCE.

(a) In General.--Section 21(a)(1) of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 648(a)(1)) is amended by inserting ``any small
business development center, women's business center,
Veterans Business Outreach Center, or center operated by the
National Veterans Business Development Corporation providing
enterprise transition and sustainability assistance to
Reservists under section 37,'' after ``any women's business
center operating pursuant to section 29,''.
(b) Program.--The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 37 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) as
section 38; and
(2) by inserting after section 36 the following:

``SEC. 37. RESERVIST ENTERPRISE TRANSITION AND
SUSTAINABILITY.

``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall establish a
program to provide business planning assistance to small
business concerns owned and operated by Reservists.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section--

[[Page S12007]]

``(1) the terms `activated' and `activation' mean having
received an order placing a Reservists on active duty, as
defined by section 101(1) of title 10, United States Code;
``(2) the term `Administrator' means the Administrator of
the Small Business Administration, acting through the
Associate Administrator for Small Business Development
Centers;
``(3) the term `Association' means the association
established under section 21(a)(3)(A);
``(4) the term `eligible applicant' means--
``(A) a small business development center that is
accredited under section 21(k);
``(B) a women's business center;
``(C) a Veterans Business Outreach Center that receives
funds from the Office of Veterans Business Development; or
``(D) an information and assistance center operated by the
National Veterans Business Development Corporation under
section 33;
``(5) the term `enterprise transition and sustainability
assistance' means assistance provided by an eligible
applicant to a small business concern owned and operated by a
Reservist, who has been activated or is likely to be
activated in the next 12 months, to develop and implement a
business strategy for the period while the owner is on active
duty and 6 months after the date of the return of the owner;
``(6) the term `Reservist' means any person who is--
``(A) a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces,
as defined by section 10101 of title 10, United States Code;
and
``(B) on active status, as defined by section 101(d)(4) of
title 10, United States Code;
``(7) the term `small business development center' means a
small business development center as described in section 21
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648);
``(8) the term `State' means each of the several States of
the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam;
and
``(9) the term `women's business center' means a women's
business center described in section 29 of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 656).
``(c) Authority.--The Administrator may award grants, in
accordance with the regulations developed under subsection
(d), to eligible applicants to assist small business concerns
owned and operated by Reservists by--
``(1) providing management, development, financing,
procurement, technical, regulatory, and marketing assistance;
``(2) providing access to information and resources,
including Federal and State business assistance programs;
``(3) distributing contact information provided by the
Department of Defense regarding activated Reservists to
corresponding State directors;
``(4) offering free, one-on-one, in-depth counseling
regarding management, development, financing, procurement,
regulations, and marketing;
``(5) assisting in developing a long-term plan for possible
future activation; and
``(6) providing enterprise transition and sustainability
assistance.
``(d) Rulemaking.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with
the Association and after notice and an opportunity for
comment, shall promulgate regulations to carry out this
section.
``(2) Deadline.--The Administrator shall promulgate final
regulations not later than 180 days of the date of enactment
of the Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business
Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2007.
``(3) Contents.--The regulations developed by the
Administrator under this subsection shall establish--
``(A) procedures for identifying, in consultation with the
Secretary of Defense, States that have had a recent
activation of Reservists;
``(B) priorities for the types of assistance to be provided
under the program authorized by this section;
``(C) standards relating to educational, technical, and
support services to be provided by a grantee;
``(D) standards relating to any national service delivery
and support function to be provided by a grantee;
``(E) standards relating to any work plan that the
Administrator may require a grantee to develop; and
``(F) standards relating to the educational, technical, and
professional competency of any expert or other assistance
provider to whom a small business concern may be referred for
assistance by a grantee.
``(e) Application.--
``(1) In general.--Each eligible applicant desiring a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the
Administrator at such time, in such manner, and accompanied
by such information as the Administrator may reasonably
require.
``(2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph
(1) shall describe--
``(A) the activities for which the applicant seeks
assistance under this section; and
``(B) how the applicant plans to allocate funds within its
network.
``(f) Award of Grants.--
``(1) Deadline.--The Administrator shall award grants not
later than 60 days after the promulgation of final rules and
regulations under subsection (d).
``(2) Amount.--Each eligible applicant awarded a grant
under this section shall receive a grant in an amount not
greater than $300,000 per fiscal year.
``(g) Report.--
``(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall--
``(A) initiate an evaluation of the program not later than
30 months after the disbursement of the first grant under
this section; and
``(B) submit a report not later than 6 months after the
initiation of the evaluation under paragraph (1) to--
``(i) the Administrator;
``(ii) the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
of the Senate; and
``(iii) the Committee on Small Business of the House of
Representatives.
``(2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall--
``(A) address the results of the evaluation conducted under
paragraph (1); and
``(B) recommend changes to law, if any, that it believes
would be necessary or advisable to achieve the goals of this
section.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this section--
``(A) $5,000,000 for the first fiscal year beginning after
the date of enactment of the Military Reservist and Veteran
Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2007;
and
``(B) $5,000,000 for each of the 3 fiscal years following
the fiscal year described in subparagraph (A).
``(2) Funding offset.--Amounts necessary to carry out this
section shall be offset and made available through the
reduction of the authorization of funding under section
20(e)(1)(B)(iv) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631
note).''.

TITLE XLIII--RESERVIST PROGRAMS

SEC. 4301. RESERVIST PROGRAMS.

(a) Application Period.--Section 7(b)(3)(C) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(3)(C)) is amended by striking
``90 days'' and inserting ``1 year''.
(b) Pre-Consideration Process.--
(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``eligible
Reservist'' means a Reservist who--
(A) has not been ordered to active duty;
(B) expects to be ordered to active duty during a period of
military conflict; and
(C) can reasonably demonstrate that the small business
concern for which that Reservist is a key employee will
suffer economic injury in the absence of that Reservist.
(2) Establishment.--Not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a
pre-consideration process, under which the Administrator--
(A) may collect all relevant materials necessary for
processing a loan to a small business concern under section
7(b)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(3))
before an eligible Reservist employed by that small business
concern is activated; and
(B) shall distribute funds for any loan approved under
subparagraph (A) if that eligible Reservist is activated.
(c) Outreach and Technical Assistance Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of
Defense, shall develop a comprehensive outreach and technical
assistance program (in this subsection referred to as the
``program'') to--
(A) market the loans available under section 7(b)(3) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(3)) to Reservists, and
family members of Reservists, that are on active duty and
that are not on active duty; and
(B) provide technical assistance to a small business
concern applying for a loan under that section.
(2) Components.--The program shall--
(A) incorporate appropriate websites maintained by the
Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the
Department of Defense; and
(B) require that information on the program is made
available to small business concerns directly through--
(i) the district offices and resource partners of the
Administration, including small business development centers,
women's business centers, and the Service Corps of Retired
Executives; and
(ii) other Federal agencies, including the Department of
Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
(3) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every 6 months thereafter until
the date that is 30 months after such date of enactment, the
Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the status
of the program.
(B) Contents.--Each report submitted under subparagraph (A)
shall include--
(i) for the 6-month period ending on the date of that
report--

(I) the number of loans approved under section 7(b)(3) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(3));
(II) the number of loans disbursed under that section; and
(III) the total amount disbursed under that section; and

(ii) recommendations, if any, to make the program more
effective in serving small business concerns that employ
Reservists.

SEC. 4302. RESERVIST LOANS.

(a) In General.--Section 7(b)(3)(E) of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(3)(E)) is amended by striking
``$1,500,000'' each place such term appears and inserting
``$2,000,000''.
(b) Loan Information.--

[[Page S12008]]

(1) In general.--The Administrator and the Secretary of
Defense shall develop a joint website and printed materials
providing information regarding any program for small
business concerns that is available to veterans or
Reservists.
(2) Marketing.--The Administrator is authorized--
(A) to advertise and promote the program under section
7(b)(3) of the Small Business Act jointly with the Secretary
of Defense and veterans' service organizations; and
(B) to advertise and promote participation by lenders in
such program jointly with trade associations for banks or
other lending institutions.

SEC. 4303. NONCOLLATERALIZED LOANS.

Section 7(b)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
636(b)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(G)(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Administrator may make a loan under this paragraph of not
more than $50,000 without collateral.
``(ii) The Administrator may defer payment of principal and
interest on a loan described in clause (i) during the longer
of--
``(I) the 1-year period beginning on the date of the
initial disbursement of the loan; and
``(II) the period during which the relevant essential
employee is on active duty.''.

SEC. 4304. LOAN PRIORITY.

Section 7(b)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
636(b)(3)), as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(H) The Administrator shall give priority to any
application for a loan under this paragraph and shall process
and make a determination regarding such applications prior to
processing or making a determination on other loan
applications under this subsection, on a rolling basis.''.

SEC. 4305. RELIEF FROM TIME LIMITATIONS FOR VETERAN-OWNED
SMALL BUSINESSES.

Section 3(q) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(q))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Relief from time limitations.--
``(A) In general.--Any time limitation on any
qualification, certification, or period of participation
imposed under this Act on any program available to small
business concerns shall be extended for a small business
concern that--
``(i) is owned and controlled by--

``(I) a veteran who was called or ordered to active duty
under a provision of law specified in section 101(a)(13)(B)
of title 10, United States Code, on or after September 11,
2001; or
``(II) a service-disabled veteran who became such a veteran
due to an injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the
active military, naval, or air service during a period of
active duty pursuant to a call or order to active duty under
a provision of law referred to in subclause (I) on or after
September 11, 2001; and

``(ii) was subject to the time limitation during such
period of active duty.
``(B) Duration.--Upon submission of proper documentation to
the Administrator, the extension of a time limitation under
subparagraph (A) shall be equal to the period of time that
such veteran who owned or controlled such a concern was on
active duty as described in that subparagraph.''.

SEC. 4306. SERVICE-DISABLED VETERANS.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
submit to the Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small
Business of the House of Representatives a report
describing--
(1) the types of assistance needed by service-disabled
veterans who wish to become entrepreneurs; and
(2) any resources that would assist such service-disabled
veterans.

SEC. 4307. STUDY ON OPTIONS FOR PROMOTING POSITIVE WORKING
RELATIONS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND THEIR RESERVE
COMPONENT EMPLOYEES.

(a) Study Required.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall conduct a study on options for promoting
positive working relations between employers and Reserve
component employees of such employers, including assessing
options for improving the time in which employers of
Reservists are notified of the call or order of such members
to active duty other than for training.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress
a report on the study conducted under subsection (a).
(2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall--
(A) provide a quantitative and qualitative assessment of--
(i) what measures, if any, are being taken to inform
Reservists of the obligations and responsibilities of such
members to their employers;
(ii) how effective such measures have been; and
(iii) whether there are additional measures that could be
taken to promote positive working relations between
Reservists and their employers, including any steps that
could be taken to ensure that employers are timely notified
of a call to active duty; and
(B) assess whether there has been a reduction in the hiring
of Reservists by business concerns because of--
(i) any increase in the use of Reservists after September
11, 2001; or
(ii) any change in any policy of the Department of Defense
relating to Reservists after September 11, 2001.
(c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Small Business of the House of Representatives.
______

SA 3025. Mrs. CLINTON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by her 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 A of title VI, add the following:

SEC. 604. EXTENSION AND ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITY FOR
TEMPORARY LODGING EXPENSES FOR MEMBERS OF THE
ARMED FORCES IN AREAS SUBJECT TO MAJOR DISASTER
DECLARATION OR FOR INSTALLATIONS EXPERIENCING
SUDDEN INCREASE IN PERSONNEL LEVELS.

(a) Maximum Period of Receipt of Expenses.--Section
404a(c)(3) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``20 days'' and inserting ``60 days''.
(b) Extension of Authority for Increase in Certain BAH.--
Section 403(b)(7)(E) of such title is amended by striking
``December 31, 2008'' and inserting ``December 31, 2009''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on October 1, 2007.
______

SA 3026. Mr. OBAMA (for himself and Mr. Whitehouse) 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 E of title VIII, add the following:

SEC. 876. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN MILITARY AND
SECURITY CONTRACTING.

(a) Reports on Iraq and Afghanistan Contracts.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, the Secretary
of the Interior, the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, and the Director of
National Intelligence shall each submit to Congress a report
that contains the information, current as of the date of the
enactment of this Act, as follows:
(1) The number of persons performing work in Iraq and
Afghanistan under contracts (and subcontracts at any tier)
entered into by departments and agencies of the United States
Government, including the Department of Defense, the
Department of State, the Department of the Interior, and the
United States Agency for International Development,
respectively.
(2) The companies awarded such contracts and subcontracts.
(3) The total cost of such contracts.
(4) The total number of persons who have been killed or
wounded in performing work under such contracts.
(b) Department of Defense Report on Strategy for and
Appropriateness of Activities of Contractors Under Department
of Defense Contracts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Global War
on Terror.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit
to Congress a report setting forth the strategy of the
Department of Defense for the use of, and a description of
the activities being carried out by, contractors and
subcontractors working in Iraq and Afghanistan in support of
Department missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Global War
on Terror, including its strategy for ensuring that such
contracts do not--
(1) have private companies and their employees performing
inherently governmental functions;
(2) place contractors in supervisory roles over United
States Government personnel; or
(3) threaten the safety of contractor personnel or United
States Government personnel.
______

SA 3027. Mrs. HUTCHISON submitted an amendment intended to be
proposed by her 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:

[[Page S12009]]

At the end of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1070. REPORT ON FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A DOMESTIC
MILITARY AVIATION NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER.

(a) In General.--Not later than March 31, 2008, the
Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional
defense committees a report on the feasibility of
establishing a Domestic Military Aviation National Training
Center (DMA-NTC) for current and future operational
reconnaissance and surveillance missions of the National
Guard that support local, State, and Federal law enforcement
agencies.
(b) Content.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall--
(1) examine the current and past requirements of RC-26
aircraft in support of local, State, and Federal law
enforcement and determine the number of aircraft required to
provide such support for each State that borders Canada,
Mexico, or the Gulf of Mexico;
(2) determine the number of military and civilian personnel
required to run a RC-26 domestic training center meeting the
requirements identified under paragraph (1); and
(3) determine the requirements and cost of locating such a
training center at a military installation for the purpose of
preempting and responding to security threats and responding
to crises.
(c) Consultation.--In preparing the report required under
subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall consult with
the Adjutant General of each State that borders Canada,
Mexico, or the Gulf of Mexico.
______

SA 3028. Mr. CARPER 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 E of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1070. DEFINITION OF ALTERNATIVE FUELED VEHICLE.

Section 301(3) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C.
13211(3)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(3) the term'' and inserting the
following:
``(3) Alternative fueled vehicle.--
``(A) In general.--The term''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Inclusions.--The term `alternative fueled vehicle'
includes--
``(i) a new qualified fuel cell motor vehicle (as defined
in section 30B(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986);
``(ii) a new advanced lean burn technology motor vehicle
(as defined in section 30B(c)(3) of that Code);
``(iii) a new qualified hybrid motor vehicle (as defined in
section 30B(d)(3) of that Code); and
``(iv) any other type of vehicle that the agency
demonstrates to the Secretary would achieve a significant
reduction in petroleum consumption.''.
______

SA 3029. Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself and Mr. Menendez) 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 title III, add the following:

SEC. 358. REPORTS ON SAFETY MEASURES AND ENCROACHMENT ISSUES
AT WARREN GROVE GUNNERY RANGE, NEW JERSEY.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States Air Force has 32 training sites in
the United States for aerial bombing and gunner training, of
which Warren Grove Gunnery Range functions in the densely
populated Northeast.
(2) A number of dangerous safety incidents caused by the
Air National Guard have repeatedly impacted the residents of
New Jersey, including the following:
(A) On May 15, 2007, a fire ignited during an Air National
Guard practice mission at Warren Grove Gunnery Range,
scorching 17,250 acres of New Jersey's Pinelands, destroying
5 houses, significantly damaging 13 others, and temporarily
displacing approximately 6,000 people from their homes in
sections of Ocean and Burlington Counties.
(B) In November 2004, an F-16 Vulcan cannon piloted by the
District of Columbia Air National Guard was more than 3 miles
off target when it blasted 1.5-inch steel training rounds
into the roof of the Little Egg Harbor Township Intermediate
School.
(C) In 2002, a pilot ejected from an F-16 aircraft just
before it crashed into the woods near the Garden State
Parkway, sending large pieces of debris onto the busy
highway.
(D) In 1999, a dummy bomb was dumped a mile off target from
the Warren Grove target range in the Pine Barrens, igniting a
fire that burned 12,000 acres of the Pinelands forest.
(E) In 1997, the pilots of F-16 aircraft uplifting from the
Warren Grove Gunnery Range escaped injury by ejecting from
their aircraft just before the planes collided over the ocean
near the north end of Brigantine. Pilot error was found to be
the cause of the collision.
(F) In 1986, a New Jersey Air National Guard jet fighter
crashed in a remote section of the Pine Barrens in Burlington
County, starting a fire that scorched at least 90 acres of
woodland.
(b) Annual Report on Safety Measures.--Not later than 90
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and
annually thereafter for two years, the Secretary of the Air
Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a
report on efforts made to provide the highest level of safety
by all of the military departments utilizing the Warren Grove
Gunnery Range.
(c) Study on Encroachment at Warren Grove Gunnery Range.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force
shall submit to the congressional defense committees a study
on encroachment issues at Warren Grove Gunnery Range.
(2) Content.--The study required under paragraph (1) shall
include a master plan for the Warren Grove Gunnery Range and
the surrounding community, taking into consideration military
mission, land use plans, urban encroachment, the economy of
the region, and protection of the environment and public
health, safety, and welfare.
(3) Required input.--The study required under paragraph (1)
shall include input from all affected parties and relevant
stakeholders at the Federal, State, and local level.
______

SA 3030. Mr. BENNETT (for himself and Mr. Hatch) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2011 proposed by Mr.
Nelson of Nebraska (for Mr. Levin) 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 C of title XXVIII, add the
following:

SEC. 2836. MODIFICATION OF LAND MANAGEMENT RESTRICTIONS
APPLICABLE TO UTAH NATIONAL DEFENSE LANDS.

Section 2815 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2000 (Public Law 106-65; 113 Stat. 852) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``that are adjacent to
or near the Utah Test and Training Range and Dugway Proving
Ground or beneath'' and inserting ``that are beneath''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e) Sunset Date.--This section shall expire on October 1,
2013.''.
______

SA 3031. Mr. BOND submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to
amendment SA 2011 proposed by Mr. Nelson of Nebraska (for Mr. Levin) 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:

After section 1064, insert the following:

SEC. 1065. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF
SECURITY CLEARANCES.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The process for issuing security clearances is an
antiquated, paper-driven effort that costs thousands of
dollars and requires hundreds of days to process one request
for a security clearance.
(2) Years of promises to improve the process have resulted
in no reduction in the amount of time and money required to
process a request for a security clearance and such process
is hopelessly backlogged.
(3) The inability of civilians, intelligence officers,
military personnel, and contractors to perform their jobs due
to delays in receiving a security clearance results in
substantial costs every year and poses a significant threat
to the national security of the United States.
(4) The Secretary of Defense and the Director of National
Intelligence have begun to work together to improve the
process for issuing security clearances and have established
a team known as the ``Tiger Team'' to address problems in
that process.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National
Intelligence should continue to work together to rapidly
update the antiquated security clearance process using
existing commercial technology and innovative new approaches
to transform the process to the maximum extent possible; and
(2) funding for processing of requests for security
clearances should be made available directly through
appropriations of funds for

[[Page S12010]]

that purpose and not through a fee-for-service arrangement
with the Office of Management and Budget or the Office of
Personnel Management.
(c) Demonstration Projects.--
(1) Requirement for demonstration projects.--Not later than
6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Defense and the Director of National
Intelligence shall implement multiple demonstration projects
that apply new and innovative approaches to improve the
processing of requests for security clearances. Each such
project shall utilize proven commercial technologies and
methods to the maximum extent possible.
(2) Exemption from executive orders.--No executive order
that delegates responsibility for the issuance of security
clearances to the personnel of the Office of Management and
Budget shall apply to a demonstration project carried out
under paragraph (1).
(3) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the
Director of National Intelligence shall submit to Congress a
report on the status and progress of the demonstration
projects carried out under paragraph (1).
(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of Defense and the
Director of National Intelligence such sums as may be
necessary to carry out this subsection.
(d) Evaluation and Report.--
(1) Requirement for evaluation.--The Secretary of Defense
and the Director of National Intelligence shall carry out an
evaluation of the process for issuing security clearances and
develop a specific plan and schedule for replacing such
process with an improved process.
(2) Requirement for report.--Not later than 30 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Defense and the Director of National Intelligence shall
submit to Congress a report on the evaluation carried out
under paragraph (1) together with the plan developed under
such paragraph.
______

SA 3032. Mr. SESSIONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
to amendment SA 2011 proposed by Mr. Nelson of Nebraska (for Mr. Levin)
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:

Strike section 531 and insert the following:

SEC. 531. SENSE OF SENATE ON FORGOING REVISIONS TO THE
STRUCTURE OF THE RESERVE FORCES POLICY BOARD.

It is the sense of the Senate that, in light of the wide
range of views on the optimal structure of the Reserve Forces
Policy Board among the Commission on the National Guard and
Reserves, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the
Department of Defense, and the Reserve community, and in
light of the absence of full and complete hearings in
Congress on that structure, the Act authorizing
appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities
of the Department of Defense should not include revisions to
the structure of the Reserve Forces Policy Board.

____________________