[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 1 (Thursday, January 4, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REID (for Mr. Inouye):
  S. 109. A bill to recognize the organization known as the National 
Academics of Practice; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation that 
would provide a Federal charter for the National Academies of Practice. 
This organization represents outstanding health care professionals who 
have made significant contributions to the practice of applied 
psychology, medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, osteopathic 
medicine, pharmacy, podiatry, social work, and veterinary medicine. 
When fully established, each of the ten academies will possess 150 
distinguished practitioners selected by their peers. This umbrella 
organization will be able to provide the Congress of the United States 
and the executive branch with considerable health policy expertise, 
especially from the perspective of those individuals who are in the 
forefront of actually providing health care.
  As we continue to grapple with the many complex issues surrounding 
the delivery of health care services, it is clearly in our best 
interest to ensure that the Congress has direct and immediate access to 
the recommendations of an interdisciplinary body of health care 
practitioners.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 109

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``National Academies of 
     Practice Recognition Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 2. CHARTER.

       The National Academies of Practice organized and 
     incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia, is 
     hereby recognized as such and is granted a Federal charter.

     SEC. 3. CORPORATE POWERS.

       The National Academies of Practice (referred to in this Act 
     as the ``corporation'') shall have only those powers granted 
     to it through its bylaws and articles of incorporation filed 
     in the State in which it is incorporated and subject to the 
     laws of such State.

     SEC. 4. OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION.

       The objectives and purposes for which the corporation is 
     organized shall be provided for in the articles of 
     incorporation and shall include the following:
       (1) Honoring persons who have made significant 
     contributions to the practice of applied dentistry, medicine, 
     nursing, optometry, osteopathy, pharmacy, podiatry, 
     psychology, social work, veterinary medicine, and other 
     health care professions.
       (2) Improving the effectiveness of such professions by 
     disseminating information about new techniques and 
     procedures, promoting interdisciplinary practices, and 
     stimulating multidisciplinary exchange of scientific and 
     professional information.
       (3) Upon request, advising the President, the members of 
     the President's Cabinet, Congress, Federal agencies, and 
     other relevant groups about practitioner issues in health 
     care and health care policy, from a multidisciplinary 
     perspective.

     SEC. 5. SERVICE OF PROCESS.

       With respect to service of process, the corporation shall 
     comply with the laws of the State in which it is incorporated 
     and those States in which it carries on its activities in 
     furtherance of its corporate purposes.

     SEC. 6. MEMBERSHIP.

       Eligibility for membership in the corporation and the 
     rights and privileges of members shall be as provided in the 
     bylaws of the corporation.

     SEC. 7. BOARD OF DIRECTORS; COMPOSITION; RESPONSIBILITIES.

       The composition and the responsibilities of the board of 
     directors of the corporation shall be as provided in the 
     articles of incorporation of the corporation and in 
     conformity with the laws of the State in which it is 
     incorporated.

     SEC. 8. OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION.

       The officers of the corporation and the election of such 
     officers shall be as provided in the articles of 
     incorporation of the corporation and in conformity with the 
     laws of the State in which it is incorporated.

     SEC. 9. RESTRICTIONS.

       (a) Use of Income and Assets.--No part of the income or 
     assets of the corporation shall inure to any member, officer, 
     or director of the corporation or be distributed to any such 
     person during the life of the charter under this Act. Nothing 
     in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the payment 
     of reasonable compensation to the officers of the corporation 
     or reimbursement for actual necessary expenses in amounts 
     approved by the board of directors.
       (b) Loans.--The corporation shall not make any loan to any 
     officer, director, or employee of the corporation.
       (c) Political Activity.--The corporation, any officer, or 
     any director of the corporation, acting as such officer or 
     director, shall not contribute to, support, or otherwise 
     participate in any political activity or in any manner 
     attempt to influence legislation.
       (d) Issuance of Stock and Payment of Dividends.--The 
     corporation shall have no power to issue any shares of stock 
     nor to declare or pay any dividends.
       (e) Claims of Federal Approval.--The corporation shall not 
     claim congressional approval or Federal Government authority 
     for any of its activities.
       (f) Federal Advisory Activities.--While providing advice to 
     Federal agencies, the corporation shall be subject to the 
     Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Appendix; 86 stat. 
     700).

     SEC. 10. LIABILITY.

       The corporation shall be liable for the acts of its 
     officers and agents when acting within the scope of their 
     authority.

     SEC. 11. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS.

       (a) Books and Records of Account.--The corporation shall 
     keep correct and complete books and records of account and 
     shall keep minutes of any proceeding of the corporation 
     involving any of its members, the board of directors, or any 
     committee having authority under the board of directors.
       (b) Names and Addresses of Members.--The corporation shall 
     keep at its principal office a record of the names and 
     addresses of all members having the right to vote in any 
     proceeding of the corporation.
       (c) Right to Inspect Books and Records.--All books and 
     records of the corporation may be inspected by any member 
     having the right to vote, or by any agent or attorney of such 
     member, for any proper purpose, at any reasonable time.
       (d) Application of State Law.--Nothing in this section 
     shall be construed to contravene any applicable State law.

     SEC. 12. ANNUAL REPORT.

       The corporation shall report annually to the Congress 
     concerning the activities of the corporation during the 
     preceding fiscal year. The report shall not be printed as a 
     public document.

     SEC. 13. RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND OR REPEAL CHARTER.

       The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly 
     reserved to Congress.

     SEC. 14. DEFINITION.

       In this Act, the term ``State'' includes the District of 
     Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the 
     territories and possessions of the United States.

     SEC. 15. TAX-EXEMPT STATUS.

       The corporation shall maintain its status as an 
     organization exempt from taxation as provided in the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 or any corresponding similar provision.

     SEC. 16. TERMINATION.

       If the corporation fails to comply with any of the 
     restrictions or provisions of this Act the charter granted by 
     this Act shall terminate.
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