[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 167 (Thursday, November 3, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S7142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC 21 COOPERATION BUSINESS TRAVEL CARDS ACT OF 2011
Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed
to S. 1487, Calendar No. 216.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 1487) to authorize the Secretary of Homeland
Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to
establish a program to issue Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation Business Travel Cards, and for other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill,
which had been reported by the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs, with an amendment to strike out all after the
enacting clause and insert the following:
S. 1487
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2011''.
SEC. 2. ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION BUSINESS TRAVEL
CARDS.
(a) In General.--During the 7-year period ending on
September 30, 2018, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in
coordination with the Secretary of State, is authorized to
issue Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards
(referred to in this section as ``ABT Cards'') to any
eligible person, including business leaders and United States
Government officials who are actively engaged in Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation business. An individual may not receive
an ABT Card under this section unless the individual has been
approved and is in good standing in an international trusted
traveler program of the Department of Homeland Security.
(b) Integration With Existing Travel Programs.--The
Secretary of Homeland Security may integrate application
procedures for, and issuance, suspension, and revocation of,
ABT Cards with other appropriate international trusted
traveler programs of the Department of Homeland Security.
(c) Cooperation With Private Entities.--In carrying out
this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security may consult
with appropriate private sector entities.
(d) Rulemaking.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, in
coordination with the Secretary of State, may prescribe such
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section,
including regulations regarding conditions of or limitations
on eligibility for an ABT Card.
(e) Fee.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security may--
(A) prescribe and collect a fee for the issuance of ABT
Cards; and
(B) adjust such fee to the extent the Secretary determines
to be necessary to comply with paragraph (2).
(2) Limitation.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall
ensure that the total amount of the fees collected under
paragraph (1) during any fiscal year is sufficient to offset
the direct and indirect costs associated with carrying out
this section during such fiscal year, including the costs
associated with establishing the program.
(3) Account for collections.--There is established in the
Treasury of the United States an ``APEC Business Travel Card
Account'' into which the fees collected under paragraph (1)
shall be deposited as offsetting receipts.
(4) Use of funds.--Amounts deposited into the APEC Business
Travel Card Account--
(A) shall be credited to the appropriate account of the
Department of Homeland Security for expenses incurred in
carrying out this section; and
(B) shall remain available until expended.
(f) Termination of Program.--The Secretary of Homeland
Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, may
terminate activities under this section if the Secretary of
Homeland Security determines such action to be in the
interest of the United States.
Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent the committee-reported substitute
be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time, passed, the
motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action
or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
The bill (S. 1487), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a
third reading, was read the third time, and passed.
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