[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1170 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1170

           To protect voting rights, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 22, 2001

    Mr. Conyers (for himself, Mr. Bonior, Mr. Frost, Mr. Dooley of 
California, Ms. Waters, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Reyes, 
Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Berman, Mr. Scott, Mr. Watt of North Carolina, Ms. 
Lofgren, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Wexler, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Rangel, 
Mr. Owens, Mr. Towns, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Payne, Ms. Norton, Mr. 
Jefferson, Mrs. Clayton, Mr. Bishop, Ms. Brown of Florida, Mr. Clyburn, 
 Mr. Fattah, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Hilliard, Ms. McKinney, Mrs. 
 Meek of Florida, Mr. Rush, Mr. Wynn, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. 
  Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Millender-McDonald, Ms. Carson of Indiana, 
 Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Ford, Ms. 
  Kilpatrick, Ms. Lee, Mr. Meeks of New York, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, Mr. 
 Clay, Mr. Stark, Mr. LaFalce, Mr. Kleczka, Ms. Slaughter, Ms. Pelosi, 
   Mr. Andrews, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Olver, Mr. Deutsch, Mr. Filner, Ms. 
   Roybal-Allard, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Blagojevich, Mr. Kucinich, Mrs. 
  McCarthy of New York, Mr. McGovern, Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. 
   Brady of Pennsylvania, Ms. Berkley, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Crowley, Mr. 
 Gonzalez, Mr. Hoeffel, Mr. Holt, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Baca, and 
Ms. McCollum) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House 
   Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
           To protect voting rights, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Equal Protection 
of Voting Rights Act of 2001''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
      TITLE I--REQUIREMENTS FOR EQUAL PROTECTION OF VOTING RIGHTS

Sec. 101. Requirements for equal protection of voting rights.
    ``Subpar``chapter a--voting rights in federal electionsg Rights
        ``Sec. 531. Requirements for protection of voting rights.
        ``Sec. 532. Requiring States to meet requirements.
        ``Sec. 533. Reimbursement for costs of meeting requirements.
        ``Sec. 534. Responsibilities of Attorney General.
        ``chapter b--voting rights in state and local elections
        ``Sec. 541. Equal protection of voting rights for State and 
                            local elections.
        ``Sec. 542. Reimbursement for costs of carrying out activities.
        ``Sec. 543. Responsibilities of Attorney General.
        ``Sec. 544. Tech``chapter c--definitions guidelines.
        ``Sec. 551. Definitions.
          TITLE II--EARLY BIRD AND GOOD CITIZEN GRANT PROGRAM

Sec. 201. Early bird and good citizen grant program.
         ``Subpart 5--Early Bird and Good Citizen Grant Program

        ``Sec. 571. Establishment of Early Bird and Good Citizen grant 
                            program.
        ``Sec. 572. Authorized activities.
        ``Sec. 573. General policies and criteria for the approval of 
                            applications of States and localities; 
                            requirements of State plans.
        ``Sec. 574. Submission of applications of States and 
                            localities.
        ``Sec. 575. Approval of applications of States and localities.
        ``Sec. 576. Federal matching funds.
        ``Sec. 577. Audits and examinations of States and localities.
        ``Sec. 578. Reports to Congress and the Attorney General.
        ``Sec. 579. Nondiscrimination.
        ``Sec. 580. Definitions of State and locality.
        ``Sec. 581. Authorization of appropriations.
         TITLE III--COMMISSION ON VOTING RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES

Sec. 301. Establishment.
Sec. 302. Membership of the Commission.
Sec. 303. Duties of the Commission.
Sec. 304. Powers of the Commission.
Sec. 305. Commission personnel matters.
Sec. 306. Termination of the Commission.
Sec. 307. Authorization of appropriations for the Commission.
                     TITLE IV--ANTITRUST EXEMPTION

Sec. 401. Antitrust exemption for cooperative activities relating to 
                            compliance of voting systems with 
                            requirements.
Sec. 402. Antitrust laws defined.
                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 501. Relationship to other laws.
Sec. 502. Severability.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The right to vote is a fundamental and incontrovertible 
        right under the Constitution.
            (2) The United States Supreme Court held in Bush v. Gore 
        that a lack of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards with 
        respect to Presidential elections violates the Equal Protection 
        Clause of the 14th amendment to the Constitution of the United 
        States.
            (3) There is overwhelming evidence that disparate 
        procedures and antiquated machinery are potentially resulting 
        in the disenfranchisement of millions of voters.
            (4) There is overwhelming evidence that disparate 
        procedures and antiquated machinery have a disproportionate 
        racial impact.
            (5) Congress has authority under section 4 of article I of 
        the Constitution of the United States, section 5 of the 14th 
        amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and section 
        2 of the 15th amendment to the Constitution of the United 
        States to enact legislation to address the equal protection and 
        other constitutional violations that may be caused by outdated 
        voting systems.
            (6) Congress should encourage and enable every eligible 
        American to vote by reaffirming that the right to vote is a 
        fundamental right under the Constitution.
            (7) Congress should encourage and enable every eligible 
        American to vote by reaffirming that the United States is a 
        democratic Government ``of the people, by the people, and for 
        the people'' where every vote counts.
            (8) Congress should encourage and enable every eligible 
        American to vote by eliminating procedural, physical, and 
        technological obstacles to voting.
            (9) Congress should counter discrimination in voting by 
        removing barriers to the exercise of the constitutionally 
        protected right to vote.
            (10) There is a concern that persons with disabilities and 
        impairments face difficulties in voting.
            (11) There are practices designed to purge illegal voters 
        from voter rolls which result in the elimination of legal 
        voters as well.
            (12) State governments have already begun to examine ways 
        to improve the administration of elections and to modernize 
        mechanisms and machinery for voting.
            (13) Congress has an obligation to ensure that the 
        necessary resources are available to States and localities to 
        ensure the equal protection of voting rights and to ensure the 
        integrity of and full participation of all Americans in the 
        democratic elections process.

      TITLE I--REQUIREMENTS FOR EQUAL PROTECTION OF VOTING RIGHTS

SEC. 101. REQUIREMENTS FOR EQUAL PROTECTION OF VOTING RIGHTS.

    Part E of title I of Public Law 90-351 (42 U.S.C. 3750 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subpart:

    ``Subpart 4--Requirements For Equal Protection of Voting Rights

            ``CHAPTER A--VOTING RIGHTS IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS

``SEC. 531. REQUIREMENTS FOR PROTECTION OF VOTING RIGHTS.

    ``(a) Voting Systems.--To carry out section 5 of the fourteenth 
amendment to the Constitution of the  United States, each voting system 
used in an election for Federal office shall meet the following 
requirements:
            ``(1) The system shall permit the voter to verify the votes 
        selected by the voter on a ballot before the ballot is cast and 
        tabulated, and shall provide the voter with the opportunity to 
        correct any error before the ballot is cast and tabulated.
            ``(2) If the voter selects votes for more than one 
        candidate for a single office, the system shall notify the 
        voter before the ballot is cast and tabulated of the effect of 
        casting multiple votes for the office, and shall provide the 
        voter with the opportunity to correct the ballot before the 
        ballot is cast and tabulated.
            ``(3) If the voter selects votes for fewer than the number 
        of candidates for which votes may be cast, the system shall 
        notify the voter before the ballot is cast and tabulated of the 
        effect of undervoting, and shall provide the voter with the 
        opportunity to correct the ballot before the ballot is cast and 
        tabulated.
            ``(4) The system shall produce an auditable record for each 
        ballot cast.
            ``(5) The system shall be accessible for individuals with 
        disabilities and other individuals with special needs, 
        including providing nonvisual accessibility for the blind and 
        visually impaired which provides the same opportunity for 
        access and participation (including privacy and independence) 
        as for other voters, and shall provide alternative language 
        accessibility for individuals with limited proficiency in the 
        English language.
            ``(6) The voting system's error rate shall be as close to 
        zero as practicable when the system is properly used.
    ``(b) Provisional Voting.--To carry out section 5 of the fourteenth 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, if the name of an 
individual who claims to be a registrant eligible to vote at a polling 
place in an election for Federal office does not appear on the official 
list of registrants eligible to vote at the polling place, or it is 
otherwise asserted by an election official that the individual is not 
eligible to vote at the polling place--
            ``(1) an election official at the polling place shall 
        notify the individual that the individual may cast a 
        provisional ballot in the election;
            ``(2) the individual shall be permitted to cast a vote at 
        that polling place upon written affirmation by the individual 
        before an election official at that polling place that the 
        individual is so eligible;
            ``(3) an election official at the polling place shall 
        transfer the ballot cast by the individual to an appropriate 
        State or local election official for prompt verification of the 
        claim made by the individual in the affirmation required under 
        paragraph (2);
            ``(4) if the appropriate State or local election official 
        verifies the claim made by the individual in the affirmation, 
        the individual's vote shall be tabulated; and
            ``(5) the appropriate State or local election official 
        shall notify the individual in writing of the disposition of 
        the individual's claim and the treatment of the individual's 
        vote.
    ``(c) Sample Ballot.--
            ``(1) Mailings to voters.--To carry out section 5 of the 
        fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States, 
        not later than 10 days prior to the date of an election for 
        Federal office, each individual who is registered to vote in 
        such election shall be mailed a sample version of the ballot 
        which will be used for the election by the appropriate election 
        official, together with--
                    ``(A) information regarding the date of the 
                election and the hours during which polling places will 
                be open;
                    ``(B) instructions on how to cast a vote on the 
                ballot; and
                    ``(C) general information on voting rights under 
                Federal and applicable State laws and instructions on 
                how to contact the appropriate officials if these 
                rights are alleged to be violated.
            ``(2) Publication and posting.--The sample version of the 
        ballot which will be used for an election for Federal office 
        and which is mailed under paragraph (1) shall be published in a 
        newspaper of general circulation in the applicable geographic 
        area not later than 10 days prior to the date of the election, 
        and shall be posted publicly at each polling place on the date 
        of the election.

``SEC. 532. REQUIRING STATES TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.

    ``To carry out section 5 of the fourteenth amendment to the 
Constitution of the United States, each State shall meet the 
requirements of section 531 with respect to elections for Federal 
office held in the State beginning not later than the regularly 
scheduled general election for Federal office held in the State in 
2004.

``SEC. 533. REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS OF MEETING REQUIREMENTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Attorney General shall make payments to each 
State to reimburse the State for the costs incurred by the State in 
meeting the requirements of section 531.
    ``(b) Regulations.--The Attorney General shall make the payments 
required under this section in accordance with such requirements as the 
Attorney General may by regulation establish, including requirements 
relating to the timing of payments, the submission of claims by States, 
and the review of such claims by the Attorney General.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Attorney General such sums as may be necessary for 
making payments under this section.

``SEC. 534. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ATTORNEY GENERAL.

    ``(a) In General.--The Attorney General shall be responsible for 
carrying out this chapter, in accordance with such regulations as the 
Attorney General may issue.
    ``(b) Enforcement.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Attorney General may bring a civil 
        action in an appropriate district court for such relief 
        (including declaratory or injunctive relief) as may be 
        necessary to carry out this chapter.
            ``(2) Relation to other laws.--The remedies established by 
        this subsection are in addition to all other rights and 
        remedies provided by law.
    ``(c) Action Through Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.--
The Attorney General shall issue regulations pursuant to this section, 
and shall otherwise carry out this chapter, through the Assistant 
Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.

``SEC. 535. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND GUIDELINES.

    ``(a) In General.--To carry out section 5 of the fourteenth 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, in accordance with 
the requirements of this chapter, and in consultation with the Office 
of Election Administration of the Federal Election Commission, the 
Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Justice shall develop--
            ``(1) technical specifications with respect to the voting 
        system requirements provided under section 531(a);
            ``(2) guidelines with respect to the provisional voting 
        requirements provided under section 531(b); and
            ``(3) guidelines with respect to the sample ballot 
        requirements provided under section 531(c).
    ``(b) Deadline for Initial Specifications and Guidelines.--The 
Office of Civil Rights shall develop the initial set of technical 
specifications and guidelines under subsection (a) not later than 1 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    ``(c) Provision of Continuing Information.--After preparing the 
initial set of technical specifications and guidelines under subsection 
(a), the Office of Civil Rights shall continue to provide information 
to assist the Attorney General in carrying out this chapter, including 
preparing revised technical specifications and guidelines at such times 
as the Attorney General considers appropriate.

        ``CHAPTER B--VOTING RIGHTS IN STATE AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

``SEC. 541. EQUAL PROTECTION OF VOTING RIGHTS FOR STATE AND LOCAL 
              ELECTIONS.

    ``(a) Voting Systems.--To carry out section 5 of the fourteenth 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the Attorney 
General shall provide reimbursement to each State (in accordance with 
section 542) which protects voting rights by ensuring that each voting 
system used for elections for State and local office meets the 
following requirements:
            ``(1) The system shall permit the voter to verify the votes 
        selected by the voter on a ballot before the ballot is cast and 
        tabulated, and shall provide the voter with the opportunity to 
        correct any error before the ballot is cast and tabulated.
            ``(2) If the voter selects votes for more than one 
        candidate for a single office, the system shall notify the 
        voter before the ballot is cast and tabulated of the effect of 
        casting multiple votes for the office, and shall provide the 
        voter with the opportunity to correct the ballot before the 
        ballot is cast and tabulated.
            ``(3) If the voter selects votes for fewer than the number 
        of candidates for which votes may be cast, the system shall 
        notify the voter before the ballot is cast and tabulated of the 
        effect of undervoting, and shall provide the voter with the 
        opportunity to correct the ballot before the ballot is cast and 
        tabulated.
            ``(4) The system shall produce an auditable record for each 
        ballot cast.
            ``(5) The system shall be accessible for individuals with 
        disabilities and other individuals with special needs, 
        including providing nonvisual accessibility for the blind and 
        visually impaired which provides the same opportunity for 
        access and participation (including privacy and independence) 
        as for other voters, and shall provide alternative language 
        accessibility for individuals with limited proficiency in the 
        English language.
            ``(6) The voting system's error rate shall be as close to 
        zero as practicable when the system is properly used.
    ``(b) Provisional Voting.--To carry out section 5 of the fourteenth 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the Attorney 
General shall provide reimbursement to each State (in accordance with 
section 542) which protects voting rights by ensuring that if the name 
of an individual who claims to be a registrant eligible to vote at a 
polling place in an election for State or local office does not appear 
on the official list of registrants eligible to vote at the polling 
place, or it is otherwise asserted by an election official that the 
individual is not eligible to vote at the polling place--
            ``(1) an election official at the polling place shall 
        notify the individual that the individual may cast a 
        provisional ballot in the election;
            ``(2) the individual shall be permitted to cast a vote at 
        that polling place upon written affirmation by the individual 
        before an election official at that polling place that the 
        individual is so eligible;
            ``(3) an election official at the polling place shall 
        transfer the ballot cast by the individual to an appropriate 
        State or local election official for prompt verification of the 
        claim made by the individual in the affirmation required under 
        paragraph (2);
            ``(4) if the appropriate State or local election official 
        verifies the claim made by the individual in the affirmation, 
        the individual's vote shall be tabulated; and
            ``(5) the appropriate State or local election official 
        shall notify the individual in writing of the disposition of 
        the individual's claim and the treatment of the individual's 
        vote.
    ``(c) Sample Ballot.--
            ``(1) Mailings to voters.--To carry out section 5 of the 
        fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States, 
        the Attorney General shall provide reimbursement to each State 
        (in accordance with section 542) which protects voting rights 
        by ensuring that each individual who is registered to vote in 
        an election for State or local office is mailed a sample 
        version of the ballot which will be used for the election by 
        the appropriate election official (not later than 10 days prior 
        to the date of the election), together with--
                    ``(A) information regarding the date of the 
                election and the hours during which polling places will 
                be open;
                    ``(B) instructions on how to cast a vote on the 
                ballot; and
                    ``(C) general information on voting rights under 
                Federal and applicable State laws and instructions on 
                how to contact the appropriate officials if these 
                rights are alleged to be violated.
            ``(2) Publication and posting.--To carry out section 5 of 
        the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United 
        States, the Attorney General shall provide reimbursement to 
        each State (in accordance with section 542) which protects 
        voting rights by ensuring that the sample version of the ballot 
        which will be used for an election for State or local office 
        and which is mailed under paragraph (1) is published in a 
        newspaper of general circulation in the applicable geographic 
        area not later than 10 days prior to the date of the election, 
        and is posted publicly at each polling place on the date of the 
        election.

``SEC. 542. REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS OF CARRYING OUT ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Attorney General shall make payments to each 
State to reimburse the State for the costs incurred by the State in 
carrying out the activities described in section 541.
    ``(b) Regulations.--The Attorney General shall make the payments 
required under this section in accordance with such requirements as the 
Attorney General may by regulation establish, including requirements 
relating to the timing of payments, the submission of claims by States, 
and the review of such claims by the Attorney General.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Attorney General such sums as may be necessary for 
making payments under this section.

``SEC. 543. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ATTORNEY GENERAL.

    ``(a) In General.--The Attorney General shall be responsible for 
carrying out this chapter, in accordance with such regulations as the 
Attorney General may issue.
    ``(b) Enforcement.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Attorney General may bring a civil 
        action in an appropriate district court for such relief 
        (including declaratory or injunctive relief) as may be 
        necessary to carry out this chapter.
            ``(2) Relation to other laws.--The remedies established by 
        this subsection are in addition to all other rights and 
        remedies provided by law.
    ``(c) Action Through Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.--
The Attorney General shall issue regulations pursuant to this section, 
and shall otherwise carry out this chapter, through the Assistant 
Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.

``SEC. 544. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND GUIDELINES.

    ``(a) In General.--To carry out section 5 of the fourteenth 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, in accordance with 
the requirements of this chapter, and in consultation with the Office 
of Election Administration of the Federal Election Commission, the 
Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Justice shall develop--
            ``(1) technical specifications with respect to the voting 
        system activities described in section 541(a);
            ``(2) guidelines with respect to the provisional voting 
        activities described in section 541(b); and
            ``(3) guidelines with respect to the sample ballot 
        activities described in section 541(c).
    ``(b) Deadline for Initial Specifications and Guidelines.--The 
Office of Civil Rights shall develop the initial set of technical 
specifications and guidelines under subsection (a) not later than 1 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    ``(c) Provision of Continuing Information.--After preparing the 
initial set of technical specifications and guidelines under subsection 
(a), the Office of Civil Rights shall continue to provide information 
to assist the Attorney General in carrying out this chapter, including 
preparing revised technical specifications and guidelines at such times 
as the Attorney General considers appropriate.

                        ``CHAPTER C--DEFINITIONS

``SEC. 551. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this subpart, the following definitions shall apply:
            ``(1) The term `election' means a general, special, 
        primary, or runoff election, or a convention or caucus of a 
        political party which has authority to nominate a candidate for 
        elected office.
            ``(2) The term `State' means each of the several States, 
        the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
        American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands.''.

          TITLE II--EARLY BIRD AND GOOD CITIZEN GRANT PROGRAM

SEC. 201. EARLY BIRD AND GOOD CITIZEN GRANT PROGRAM.

    Part E of title I of Public Law 90-351 (42 U.S.C. 3750 et seq.), as 
amended by section 101, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subpart:

         ``Subpart 5--Early Bird and Good Citizen Grant Program

``SEC. 571. ESTABLISHMENT OF EARLY BIRD AND GOOD CITIZEN GRANT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--Pursuant to section 5 of the fourteenth 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, there is 
established a grant program to provide equal protection of voting 
rights, under which the Attorney General, subject to the general 
policies and criteria for the approval of applications established 
under section 573 and in consultation with the Assistant Attorney 
General for the Civil Rights Division, is authorized to make grants to 
States and localities to pay the Federal share of the costs of the 
activities described in section 572.
    ``(b) Action Through Office of Justice Programs and Assistant 
Attorney General for Civil Rights.--In carrying out this subpart, the 
Attorney General shall act through the Assistant Attorney General for 
the Office of Justice Programs and the Assistant Attorney General for 
the Civil Rights Division.

``SEC. 572. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.

    ``A State or locality may use grant payments received under this 
subpart--
            ``(1) to improve, acquire, or replace voting equipment or 
        technology and improve the accessibility of polling places, 
        including providing physical access for persons with 
disabilities and to other individuals with special needs and nonvisual 
access for voters with visual impairments, and assistance to voters 
with limited proficiency in the English language;
            ``(2) to implement new election administration procedures 
        to increase voter participation and reduce disenfranchisement, 
        such as `same-day' voter registration procedures;
            ``(3) to educate voters concerning voting procedures, 
        voting rights or voting technology, and to train election 
        personnel; or
            ``(4) upon completion of the final report under section 
        303(c)(2) of the Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001, 
        to implement recommendations contained in such report under 
        section 303(c)(2)(B)(ii) of such Act.

``SEC. 573. GENERAL POLICIES AND CRITERIA FOR THE APPROVAL OF 
              APPLICATIONS OF STATES AND LOCALITIES; REQUIREMENTS OF 
              STATE PLANS.

    ``(a) General Policies.--The Attorney General shall establish 
general policies with respect to the approval of applications of States 
and localities, the awarding of grants, and the use of assistance made 
available under this subpart.
    ``(b) Criteria.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall establish 
        criteria with respect to the approval of applications of States 
        and localities submitted under section 574, including the 
        requirements for State plans under paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Requirements of state plans.--Attorney General shall 
        not approve an application of a State unless the State plan of 
        that State provides for each of the following:
                    ``(A) Uniform and nondiscriminatory standards 
                within the State for the equal protection of voting 
                rights which meet the requirements for voting systems, 
                provisional voting, and sample ballots described in 
                section 531.
                    ``(B) Accuracy of the records of eligible voters in 
                the State to ensure that legally registered voters 
                appear in such records and prevent any purging of such 
                records to remove illegal voters that results in the 
                elimination of legal voters as well.
                    ``(C) Uniform and nondiscriminatory voting 
                standards that ensure--
                            ``(i) ease and convenience of voting for 
                        all voters, including accuracy, non-
                        intimidation, and nondiscrimination;
                            ``(ii) conditions for nonvisual access and 
                        other access for voters with special needs that 
                        provide the same opportunity for access and 
                        participation, including privacy and 
                        independence;
                            ``(iii) compliance with the Voting 
                        Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped 
                        Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee et seq.);
                            ``(iv) compliance with the Voting Rights 
                        Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973aa et seq.), 
                        including sections 203 and 4(f)(4);
                            ``(v) compliance with the National Voter 
                        Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg et 
                        seq.); and
                            ``(vi) overseas voters and absent uniformed 
                        service voters (as such terms are defined in 
                        section 107 of the Uniformed and Overseas 
                        Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-
                        6)) have a meaningful opportunity to exercise 
                        their voting rights as citizens of the United 
                        States.
                    ``(D) Voter education programs regarding the right 
                to vote and methodology and procedures for 
                participating in elections and training programs for 
                election personnel and volunteers, including procedures 
                to carry out subparagraph (E).
                    ``(E) An effective method of notifying voters at 
                polling places on the day of election of basic voting 
                procedures to effectuate their vote as provided for in 
                State and Federal law.
                    ``(F) A timetable for meeting the elements of the 
                plan.
            ``(3) Consistency with requirements for equal protection of 
        voting rights.--The criteria established by the Attorney 
        General under this subsection and the State plans required 
        under this subsection shall be consistent with the requirements 
        for the equal protection of voting rights under section 531.
    ``(c) Consultation.--In establishing the general policies and 
criteria under this section, the Attorney General shall consult with 
the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.

``SEC. 574. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS OF STATES AND LOCALITIES.

    ``(a) Submission of Applications by States.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), the chief 
        executive officer of each State desiring to receive a grant 
        under this subpart shall submit an application to the Attorney 
        General at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
        additional information as the Attorney General, in consultation 
        with the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights 
        Division, may reasonably require.
            ``(2) Contents of applications.--Each application submitted 
        under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
                    ``(A) State plan.--A State plan that--
                            ``(i) is developed in consultation with 
                        State and local election officials;
                            ``(ii) describes the activities authorized 
                        under section 572 for which assistance under 
                        this subpart is sought; and
                            ``(iii) contains a detailed explanation of 
                        how the State will comply with the requirements 
                        described in section 573(b).
                    ``(B) Compliance with federal matching 
                requirements.--An assurance that the State will pay the 
                non-Federal share of the  costs of the activities for 
which assistance is sought from non-Federal sources that may be 
accompanied by a request for a waiver of the matching requirements 
under section 576(b)(2).
                    ``(C) Additional assurances.--Such additional 
                assurances as the Attorney General, in consultation 
                with the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil 
                Rights Division, determines to be essential to ensure 
                compliance with the requirements of this subpart.
            ``(3) Availability of state plans for review and comment.--
        A State submitting an application under this section shall make 
        the State plan proposed to be included in that application 
        available to the public for review and comment prior to the 
        submission of the application.
    ``(b) Submission of Applications by Localities.--
            ``(1) In general.--If a State has submitted an application 
        under subsection (a), a locality of that State may submit an 
        application for assistance to the Attorney General at such 
        time, in such manner, and accompanied by such additional 
        information as the Attorney General, in consultation with the 
        Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, may 
        reasonably require.
            ``(2) Contents of applications.--Each application submitted 
        by a locality under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
                    ``(A) Consistency with state plan.--Information 
                similar to the information required to be submitted 
                under the State plan under subsection (a)(2)(A) that is 
                not inconsistent with that plan.
                    ``(B) Nonduplication of effort.--Assurances that 
                any assistance directly provided to the locality under 
                this subpart is not available to that locality through 
                the State.
                    ``(C) Compliance with federal matching 
                requirements.--A description of how the locality will 
                pay the non-Federal share from non-Federal sources that 
                may be accompanied by a request for a waiver of the 
                matching requirements under section 576(b)(2).
                    ``(D) Additional assurances.--Such additional 
                assurances as the Attorney General, in consultation 
                with the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil 
                Rights Division, determines to be essential to ensure 
                compliance with the requirements of this subpart.

``SEC. 575. APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS OF STATES AND LOCALITIES.

    ``(a) Approval of State Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Attorney General, in consultation 
        with the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights 
        Division, shall approve applications in accordance with the 
        general policies and criteria for the approval of applications 
        established under section 573.
            ``(2) Publication of state plans and solicitation of 
        comments.--After receiving an application of a State submitted 
        under section 574(a)(1), the Attorney General shall publish the 
        State plan contained in that application in the Federal 
        Register and solicit comments on the plan from the public. The 
        publication of and the solicitation of comments on such a plan 
        pursuant to this subsection shall not be treated as an exercise 
        of rulemaking authority by the Attorney General for purposes of 
        subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code.
            ``(3) Approval.--At any time after the expiration of the 
        30-day period which begins on the date the State plan is 
        published in the Federal Register under subsection (a), and 
        taking into consideration any comments received under such 
        subsection, the Attorney General, in consultation with the 
        Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, shall 
        approve or disapprove the application that contains the State 
        plan published under paragraph (2) in accordance with the 
        general policies and criteria established under section 573.
    ``(b) Approval of Applications of Localities.--If the Attorney 
General has approved the application of a State under subsection (a), 
the Attorney General, in consultation with the Assistant Attorney 
General for the Civil Rights Division, may approve an application 
submitted by a locality of that State under section 574(b) in 
accordance with the general policies and criteria established under 
section 573.

``SEC. 576. FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS.

    ``(a) Payments.--Subject to subsection (d), the Attorney General 
shall pay to each State or locality having an application approved 
under section 575 the Federal share of the cost of the activities 
described in that application.
    ``(b) Federal Share.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), for 
        purposes of subsection (a), the Federal share shall be 80 
        percent.
            ``(2) Waiver.--The Attorney General may specify a Federal 
        share greater than 80 percent under terms and conditions 
        consistent with this subpart.
            ``(3) Incentive for early action.--For any recipient of a 
        grant whose application was received prior to March 1, 2002, 
        the Federal share shall be 90 percent.
    ``(c) Non-Federal Share.--The non-Federal share of payments under 
this subpart may be in cash or in kind fairly evaluated, including 
planned equipment or services.
    ``(d) Coordination With Equal Protection of Voting Rights 
Requirements.--
            ``(1) Prohibiting payments under grant program for 
        activities subject to reimbursement under subpart 4.--
        Notwithstanding any other provision of this subpart, the 
        Attorney General may not make any payment under this subpart 
        for any portion of the cost of any activity which is subject to 
        reimbursement under subpart 4.
            ``(2) Prohibiting payments for related activities 
        inconsistent with requirements.--In addition to the restriction 
        described in paragraph (1), the Attorney General may not make 
        any payment under this subpart for the cost of any other 
        activity relating to voting systems, provisional voting, or 
        sample ballots which is not consistent with the requirements 
        for the equal protection of voting rights under section 531.

``SEC. 577. AUDITS AND EXAMINATIONS OF STATES AND LOCALITIES.

    ``(a) Recordkeeping Requirement.--Each recipient of a grant under 
this subpart shall keep such records as the Attorney General, in 
consultation with the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights 
Division, shall prescribe.
    ``(b) Audit and Examination.--The Attorney General and the 
Comptroller General, or any authorized representative of the Attorney 
General or the Comptroller General, shall audit any recipient of a 
grant under this subpart and shall have access to any record of a 
recipient of a grant under this subpart that the Attorney General or 
the Comptroller General determines may be related to a grant received 
under this subpart for the purpose of conducting an audit or 
examination.

``SEC. 578. REPORTS TO CONGRESS AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

    ``(a) Reports to Congress.--Not later than January 31, 2003, and 
each year thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit to the 
President and Congress a report on the program under this subpart for 
the preceding year. Each report shall contain the following:
            ``(1) A description and analysis of any activities funded 
        by a grant awarded under this subpart.
            ``(2) Any recommendation for legislative or administrative 
        action that the Attorney General considers appropriate.
    ``(b) Reports to the Attorney General.--The Attorney General shall 
require each recipient of a grant under this subpart to submit reports 
to the Attorney General, at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Attorney General considers appropriate.

``SEC. 579. NONDISCRIMINATION.

    ``For the purpose of applying the prohibitions against 
discrimination on the basis of age under the Age Discrimination Act of 
1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.), on the basis of handicap under section 
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, on the basis of sex under title 
IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), or on 
the basis of race, color, or national origin under title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), programs and 
activities funded or otherwise financially assisted in whole or in part 
under this subpart are considered to be programs and activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance.

``SEC. 580. DEFINITIONS OF STATE AND LOCALITY.

    ``In this subpart:
            ``(1) State.--The term `State' means each of the several 
        States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin 
        Islands.
            ``(2) Locality.--The term `locality' means a political 
        subdivision of a State.

``SEC. 581. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) Authorization.--
            ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        to the Department of Justice--
                    ``(A) $700,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
                    ``(B) such amounts as necessary for each of fiscal 
                years 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.
            ``(2) Use of amounts.--Amounts appropriated under paragraph 
        (1) shall be for the purpose of--
                    ``(A) awarding grants under this subpart; and
                    ``(B) paying for the costs of administering the 
                program to award such grants.
    ``(b) Limitation.--Not more than 1 percent of any sums appropriated 
under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) may be used to pay for the 
administrative costs described in paragraph (2)(B) of such subsection.
    ``(c) Supplemental Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated as supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2001 such 
sums as the Department of Justice considers necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this subpart.''.

         TITLE III--COMMISSION ON VOTING RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES

SEC. 301. ESTABLISHMENT.

    Pursuant to section 5 of the fourteenth amendment to the 
Constitution of the United States, there is established the Commission 
on Voting Rights and Procedures (in this title referred to as the 
``Commission'').

SEC. 302. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 12 
members of whom--
            (1) 6 members shall be appointed by the President;
            (2) 3 members shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of 
        the Senate (or, if the Minority Leader is a member of the same 
        political party as the President, by the Majority Leader of the 
        Senate); and
            (3) 3 members shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of 
        the House of Representatives (or, if the Minority Leader is a 
        member of the same political party as the President, by the 
        Majority Leader of the House of Representatives).
    (b) Qualifications.--Each member appointed under subsection (a) 
shall be chosen on the basis of--
            (1) experience with, and knowledge of--
                    (A) election law;
                    (B) election technology;
                    (C) Federal, State, or local election 
                administration;
                    (D) the Constitution; or
                    (E) the history of the United States; and
            (2) integrity, impartiality, and good judgment.
    (c) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.--
            (1) Period of appointment.--Each member shall be appointed 
        for the life of the Commission.
            (2) Localities.--
                    (A) In general.--A vacancy in the Commission shall 
                not affect its powers.
                    (B) Manner of replacement.--Not later than 60 days 
                after the date of the vacancy, a vacancy on the 
                Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the 
                original appointment was made and shall be subject to 
                any conditions which applied with respect to the 
                original appointment.
    (d) Chairperson; Vice Chairperson.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall elect a chairperson 
        and vice chairperson from among its members.
            (2) Political affiliation.--The chairperson and vice 
        chairperson may not be affiliated with the same political 
        party.
    (e) Date of Appointment.--The appointments of the members of the 
Commission shall be made not later than 45 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act.
    (f) Meetings.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall meet at the call of 
        the chairperson.
            (2) Initial meeting.--Not later than 20 days after the date 
        on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the 
        Commission shall hold its first meeting.
            (3) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
        shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may 
        hold hearings.
    (g) Voting.--Each action of the Commission shall be approved by a 
majority vote of the entire Commission. Each member shall have 1 vote.

SEC. 303. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall conduct a thorough 
        study of the following issues with respect to elections for 
        Federal, State, and local office:
                    (A) Access to ballots and polling places, including 
                timely notice of voting locations and matters relating 
                to access for--
                            (i) voters with disabilities;
                            (ii) voters with visual impairments;
                            (iii) voters with limited English language 
                        proficiency;
                            (iv) voters who need assistance in order to 
                        understand the voting process or how to cast a 
                        ballot; and
                            (v) other voters with special needs.
                    (B) Voter registration and maintenance of voter 
                rolls, including the use of provisional voting and 
                standards for reenfranchisement of voters.
                    (C) Alternative voting methods.
                    (D) Voter intimidation, both real and perceived.
                    (E) Accuracy of voting, election procedures, and 
                election technology.
                    (F) Voter education.
                    (G) Election personnel and volunteer training.
                    (H) Election technology and systems.
                    (I) Designs of ballots and the uniformity of 
                ballots.
                    (J) The effect of the capacity of voting machines 
                on the efficiency of election administration, including 
                how the number of ballots which may be processed by a 
                single machine over a period of time affects the number 
                of machines needed to carry out an election at a 
                particular polling place and the number of polling 
                places and other facilities necessary to serve the 
                voters.
                    (K)(i) The implementation of title I of the 
                Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.) and the amendments made by title 
                II of that Act by--
                            (I) the Secretary of Defense, acting as the 
                        Presidential designee under section 101 of that 
                        Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff);
                            (II) each other Federal Government official 
                        having responsibilities under that Act; and
                            (III) each State; and
                    (ii) whether any legislative or administrative 
                action is necessary to provide a meaningful opportunity 
                for each absent uniformed services voter (as defined in 
                section 107(1) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6(1))) and 
                each overseas voter (as defined in section 107(5) of 
                that Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6(5))) to register to vote 
                and vote in elections for Federal office.
                    (L) The feasibility and advisability of 
                establishing the date on which elections are held as a 
                Federal or State holiday.
                    (M) The feasibility and advisability of 
                establishing modified polling place hours, and the 
                effects thereof.
                    (N) How the Federal Government can, on a permanent 
                basis, best provide ongoing assistance to State and 
                local authorities to improve the administration of 
                elections, and whether an existing or a new Federal 
                agency should provide such assistance.
            (2) Website.--In addition to any other publication 
        activities the Commission may be required to carry out, for 
        purposes of conducting the study under this subsection the 
        Commission shall establish an Internet website to facilitate 
        public comment and participation.
    (b) Recommendations.--
            (1) Recommendations of best practices in voting and 
        election administration.--The Commission shall develop specific 
        recommendations with respect to the matters studied under 
        subsection (a) that identify those methods of voting and 
        administering elections studied by the Commission that would--
                    (A) be convenient, accessible, nondiscriminatory, 
                and easy to use for all voters, including voters with 
                disabilities, absent uniformed services voters, 
                overseas voters, and other voters with special needs, 
                including voters with limited English language 
                proficiency or who otherwise need assistance in order 
                to understand the voting process or to cast a ballot;
                    (B) yield the broadest participation; and
                    (C) produce accurate results.
            (2) Recommendations for providing federal assistance.--The 
        Commission shall develop specific recommendations with respect 
        to the matters studied under subsection (a)(1)(N) on how the 
        Federal Government can, on a permanent basis, best provide 
        ongoing assistance to State and local authorities to improve 
        the administration of elections, and identify whether an 
        existing or a new Federal agency should provide such 
        assistance.
            (3) Recommendations for voter participation in elections.--
        The Commission shall develop specific recommendations with 
        respect to the matters studied under subsection (a) on 
        methods--
                    (A) to increase voter registration;
                    (B) to increase the accuracy of voter rolls and 
                participation and inclusion of legal voters;
                    (C) to improve voter education; and
                    (D) to improve the training of election personnel 
                and volunteers.
            (4) Consistency with requirements for equal protection of 
        voting rights.--The Commission shall ensure that the specific 
        recommendations developed under this subsection are consistent 
        with the equal protection of voting rights requirements under 
        section 531 of Public Law 90-351 (as added by section 101).
    (c) Reports.--
            (1) Interim reports.--Not later than the date on which the 
        Commission submits the final report under paragraph (2), the 
        Commission may submit to the President and Congress such 
        interim reports as a majority of the members of the Commission 
        determine appropriate.
            (2) Final report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall 
                submit to the President and Congress a final report 
                that has received the approval of a majority of the 
                members of the Commission.
                    (B) Content.--The final report shall contain--
                            (i) a detailed statement of the findings 
                        and conclusions of the Commission on the 
                        matters studied under subsection (a);
                            (ii) a detailed statement of the 
                        recommendations developed under subsection (b) 
                        which received a majority vote of the members 
                        of the Commission; and
                            (iii) any dissenting or minority opinions 
                        of the members of the Commission.

SEC. 304. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings.--The Commission or, at its direction, any 
subcommittee or member of the Commission, may, for the purpose of 
carrying out this title--
            (1) hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and 
        places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and 
        administer such oaths; and
            (2) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and 
        testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, 
        records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, documents, tapes, 
        and materials as the Commission or such subcommittee or member 
        considers advisable.
    (b) Issuance and Enforcement of Subpoenas.--
            (1) Issuance.--Any subpoena issued under subsection (a) 
        shall be issued by the chairperson and vice chairperson of the 
        Commission acting jointly. Each subpoena shall bear the 
        signature of the chairperson of the Commission and shall be 
        served by any person or class of persons designated by the 
        chairperson for that purpose.
            (2) Enforcement.--In the case of contumacy or failure to 
        obey a subpoena issued under subsection (a), the United States 
        district court for the judicial district in which the 
        subpoenaed person resides, is served, or may be found may issue 
        an order requiring such person to appear at any designated 
        place to testify or to produce documentary or other evidence. 
        Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by 
        the court as a contempt of that court.
    (c) Witness Allowances and Fees.--Section 1821 of title 28, United 
States Code, shall apply to witnesses requested or subpoenaed to appear 
at any hearing of the Commission. The per diem and mileage allowances 
for witnesses shall be paid from funds available to pay the expenses of 
the Commission.
    (d) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure 
directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the 
Commission considers necessary to carry out this title. Upon request of 
the chairperson and vice chairperson of the Commission acting jointly, 
the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to 
the Commission.
    (e) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States 
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
    (f) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the 
chairperson and vice chairperson of the Commission acting jointly, the 
Administrator of the General Services Administration shall provide to 
the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support 
services that are necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its 
duties under this title.
    (g) Gifts and Donations.--The Commission may accept, use, and 
dispose of gifts or donations of services or property to carry out this 
title.
    (h) Application of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Except as 
otherwise provided in this Act, the Commission shall be subject to the 
requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).

SEC. 305. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

    (a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Commission who is 
not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be 
compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate 
of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under 
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including 
travel time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of 
the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are 
officers or employees of the United States shall serve without 
compensation in addition to that received for their services as 
officers or employees of the United States.
    (b) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall be 
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at 
rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of 
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes 
or regular places of business in the performance of services for the 
Commission.
    (c) Staff.--
            (1) In general.--The chairperson and vice chairperson of 
        the Commission, acting jointly, may, without regard to the 
        civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an 
        executive director and such other additional personnel as may 
        be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties. 
        The employment of an executive director shall be subject to 
        confirmation by the Commission.
            (2) Compensation.--The chairperson and vice chairperson of 
        the Commission, acting jointly, may fix the compensation of the 
        executive director and other personnel without regard to 
        chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United 
        States Code, relating to classification of positions and 
        General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the 
        executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate 
        payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 
        5316 of such title.
    (d) Detail of Government Employees.--Any Federal Government 
employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and 
such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service 
status or privilege.
    (e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The 
chairperson and vice chairperson of the Commission, acting jointly, may 
procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of 
title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not 
exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed 
for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.

SEC. 306. TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION.

    The Commission shall terminate 45 days after the date on which the 
Commission submits its final report and recommendations under section 
303(c)(2).

SEC. 307. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title.
    (b) Availability.--Any sums appropriated under the authorization 
contained in this section shall remain available, without fiscal year 
limitation, until expended.

                     TITLE IV--ANTITRUST EXEMPTION

SEC. 401. ANTITRUST EXEMPTION FOR COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES RELATING TO 
              COMPLIANCE OF VOTING SYSTEMS WITH REQUIREMENTS

    (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the antitrust laws 
shall not apply to the sharing of any information, research, or data 
relating to the development or sale of voting systems and related 
products which is carried out to promote the compliance of voting 
systems with the requirements described in chapter A of subpart 4 of  
part E of title I of Public Law 90-351 (as added by section 201).
    (b) Limitation.--The exemption provided in subsection (a) shall not 
apply to any activity which results in price fixing or the boycott of 
any person.

SEC. 402. ANTITRUST LAWS DEFINED.

    In this title, the term ``antitrust laws'' has the meaning given 
such term in subsection (a) of the first section of the Clayton Act (15 
U.S.C. 12(a)), except that such term includes section 5 of the Federal 
Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such section 
applies to unfair methods of competition.

                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 501. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.

    (a) In General.--Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize 
or require conduct prohibited under the following laws, or supersede, 
restrict, or limit such laws:
            (1) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 
        1973gg et seq.).
            (2) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973aa et 
        seq.).
            (3) The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and 
        Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee et seq.).
            (4) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.).
            (5) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
        1994 et seq.).
    (b) No Effect on Preclearance or Other Requirements Under Voting 
Rights Act.--The approval by the Attorney General of a State's 
application for a grant under subpart 5 of part E of title I of Public 
Law 90-351 (as added by section 201), or any other action taken by the 
Attorney General or a State under such subpart, shall not be considered 
to have any effect on requirements for preclearance under section 5 of 
the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or any other requirements of such Act.

SEC. 502. SEVERABILITY.

    If any provision of this Act or any amendment made by this Act, or 
the application of a provision or amendment to any person or 
circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act 
and the amendments made by this Act, and the application of the 
provisions and amendment to any other person or circumstance, shall not 
be affected by the holding.
                                 <all>