[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 28, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3831-S3833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Heller, Mr. Bennet, and Mr.
Gardner):
S. 1464. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand
the exclusion for energy conservation subsidies provided by public
utilities to include subsidies provided by public utilities and State
and local governments for water conservation and storm water
management; to the Committee on Finance.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, today Senators Heller, Bennet,
Gardner, and I are introducing the Water Conservation Tax Parity Act.
This bill would exempt the value of residential water conservation and
storm water runoff management rebates from gross income calculations.
California and the western States have been facing a severe drought.
Some public utilities, state and local governments, and water
management providers offer programs to promote water conservation and
storm water management by providing subsidies. These programs help
stimulate responsible water use; however, residential participation is
essential to their success.
For example, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
has offered a rebate program to encourage residents to replace turf
with more water-responsible landscapes. More than 23,000 households
have benefited from the turf removal rebates, and the average rebate
per household covers 1,500 square feet or about $3,000, which covers
about half of the cost to the resident.
Section 136 of the Internal Revenue Code already exempts energy
conservation rebates from inclusion in gross income. However, there is
no Federal exemption for water conservation or storm water management
measures, which may undermine incentives for participation in these
programs. These programs are just as valuable as energy conservation
programs and should be treated equally in the tax code. This bill would
simply exempt water conservation and storm water management rebates
from being included in gross income and would be retroactive to 2015.
This would maintain the important incentives for resident participation
in critical water conservation measures.
This bill is supported by a coalition of organizations and public
utilities, including the Western Urban Water Coalition, Alliance for
Water Efficiency, American Water Works Association, National
Association of Water Companies, U.S. Water Alliance, Association of
Water Agencies, WaterNow Alliance, Western Coalition of Arid States,
and National Water Resources Association. This bill is crucial to
ensuring residents continue participating in water conservation and
storm water management programs.
Mr. President, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this
legislation and am hopeful that this Congress will move it forward.
Thank you. I yield the floor.
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Murphy):
S. 1466. A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to award grants
to
[[Page S3832]]
fund research on orthotics and prosthetics, and for other purposes; to
the Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the 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. 1466
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 ``Wounded Warrior Research
Enhancement Act''.
SEC. 2. ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of the grants described in this
section is to advance orthotic and prosthetic clinical care
for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and civilians who
have undergone amputation, traumatic brain injury, and other
serious physical injury as a result of combat or military
experience.
(b) Grants for Research on Patient Outcomes.--The Secretary
of Defense shall award grants to persons to carry out
research on the following:
(1) The actions that can be taken to prevent amputation of
limbs.
(2) The point in the course of patient treatment during
which orthotic and prosthetic intervention is most effective.
(3) The orthotic interventions that are most effective in
treating the physical effects of traumatic brain injury.
(4) The patients that benefit most from particular orthotic
and prosthetic technologies.
(5) The orthotic and prosthetic services that best
facilitate the return to active duty of members of the Armed
Forces.
(6) The effect of the aging process on the use of
prosthetics, including--
(A) increased skin breakdown;
(B) loss of balance;
(C) falls; and
(D) other issues that arise during the aging process.
(c) Grants on Materials Research.--The Secretary shall
award grants to persons to carry out research on the
following:
(1) The improvement of existing materials used in orthotics
and prosthetics for the purpose of improving quality of life
and health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
(2) The development of new materials used in orthotics and
prosthetics for the purpose of improving quality of life and
health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
(d) Grants on Technology Research.--The Secretary shall
award grants to persons to carry out research on the
following:
(1) The improvement of existing orthotic and prosthetic
technology and devices for the purpose of improving quality
of life and health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
(2) The development of new orthotic and prosthetic
technology and devices for the purpose of improving quality
of life and health outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
(e) Request for Proposals.--A person seeking the award of a
grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an
application therefor in the form and accompanied by such
information as the Secretary shall require.
(f) Award Requirements.--
(1) Peer-reviewed proposals.--Grants under this section may
be awarded only for research that is peer-reviewed.
(2) Competitive procedures.--Grants under this section
shall be awarded through competitive procedures.
(g) Grant Use.--A person awarded a grant under subsection
(b), (c), or (d) shall use the grant amount to carry out the
research described in the applicable subsection.
(h) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than annually
thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, veterans, community-
based clinicians, and expert researchers in the field of
orthotics and prosthetics, submit to Congress a report
setting forth the following:
(1) An agenda for orthotic and prosthetic research that
identifies and prioritizes the most significant unanswered
orthotic and prosthetic research questions pertinent to the
provision of evidence-based clinical care to members of the
Armed Forces, veterans, and civilians.
(2) For each report after the initial report under this
subsection--
(A) a summary of how the grants awarded under subsection
(b) are addressing the most significant orthotic and
prosthetic needs; and
(B) the progress made towards resolving orthotic and
prosthetic challenges facing members of the Armed Forces and
veterans.
(i) Veteran Defined.--In this section, the term ``veteran''
has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38,
United States Code.
(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated for fiscal year 2018 for the Department of
Defense for the Defense Health Program, $30,000,000 to carry
out this section.
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By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms.
Klobuchar, Mr. Coons, Mr. Franken, Mr. Nelson, Mrs. Feinstein,
Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Peters):
S. 1467. A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award
grants to establish, or expand upon, master's degree programs in
orthotics and prosthetics, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the 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. 1467
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 ``Wounded Warrior Workforce
Enhancement Act''.
SEC. 2. ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT.
(a) Grants Required.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
award grants to eligible institutions to enable the eligible
institutions--
(A) to establish a master's degree program in orthotics and
prosthetics; or
(B) to expand upon an existing master's degree program in
orthotics and prosthetics, including by admitting more
students, further training faculty, expanding facilities, or
increasing cooperation with the Department of Veterans
Affairs and the Department of Defense.
(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in the
award of grants under this section to eligible institutions
that have entered into a partnership with a medical center or
clinic administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs or
a facility administered by the Department of Defense,
including by providing clinical rotations at such medical
center, clinic, or facility.
(3) Grant amounts.--Grants awarded under this section shall
be in amounts of not less than $1,000,000 and not more than
$1,500,000.
(b) Requests for Proposals.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than
annually thereafter for two years, the Secretary shall issue
a request for proposals from eligible institutions for grants
under this section.
(2) Proposals.--An eligible institution that seeks the
award of a grant under this section shall submit an
application therefor to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary
may require, including--
(A) demonstration of a willingness and ability to
participate in a partnership described in subsection (a)(2);
and
(B) a commitment, and demonstration of an ability, to
maintain an accredited orthotics and prosthetics education
program after the end of the grant period.
(c) Grant Uses.--
(1) In general.--An eligible institution awarded a grant
under this section shall use grant amounts to carry out any
of the following:
(A) Building new or expanding existing orthotics and
prosthetics master's degree programs.
(B) Training doctoral candidates in fields related to
orthotics and prosthetics to prepare them to instruct in
orthotics and prosthetics programs.
(C) Training faculty in orthotics and prosthetics education
or related fields for the purpose of instruction in orthotics
and prosthetics programs.
(D) Salary supplementation for faculty in orthotics and
prosthetics education.
(E) Financial aid that allows eligible institutions to
admit additional students to study orthotics and prosthetics.
(F) Funding faculty research projects or faculty time to
undertake research in the areas of orthotics and prosthetics
for the purpose of furthering their teaching abilities.
(G) Renovation of buildings or minor construction to house
orthotics and prosthetics education programs.
(H) Purchasing equipment for orthotics and prosthetics
education.
(2) Limitation on construction.--An eligible institution
awarded a grant under this section may use not more than 50
percent of the grant amount to carry out paragraph (1)(G).
(3) Admissions preference.--An eligible institution awarded
a grant under this section shall give preference in admission
to the orthotics and prosthetics master's degree programs to
veterans, to the extent practicable.
(4) Period of use of funds.--An eligible institution
awarded a grant under this section may use the grant amount
for a period of three years after the award of the grant.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``eligible institution'' means an educational
institution that offers an orthotics and prosthetics
education program that--
(A) is accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic
and Prosthetic Education in cooperation with the Commission
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; or
(B) demonstrates an ability to meet the accreditation
requirements for orthotic and prosthetic education from the
National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education in
cooperation with the Commission
[[Page S3833]]
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs if the
institution receives a grant under this section.
(2) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in
section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated for
fiscal year 2018 for the Department of Veterans Affairs,
$15,000,000 to carry out this section. The amount so
authorized to be appropriated shall remain available for
obligation until September 30, 2020.
(2) Unobligated amounts to be returned to the treasury.--
Any amounts authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1)
that are not obligated by the Secretary as of September 30,
2020, shall be returned to the Treasury of the United States.
SEC. 3. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC
EDUCATION.
(a) Grant for Establishment of Center.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
award a grant to an eligible institution to enable the
eligible institution--
(A) to establish the Center of Excellence in Orthotic and
Prosthetic Education (in this section referred to as the
``Center''); and
(B) to enable the eligible institution to improve orthotic
and prosthetic outcomes for veterans, members of the Armed
Forces, and civilians by conducting evidence-based research
on--
(i) the knowledge, skills, and training most needed by
clinical professionals in the field of orthotics and
prosthetics; and
(ii) how to most effectively prepare clinical professionals
to provide effective, high-quality orthotic and prosthetic
care.
(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in the
award of a grant under this section to an eligible
institution that has in force, or demonstrates the
willingness and ability to enter into, a memoranda of
understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the
Department of Defense, or other appropriate Federal agency,
or a cooperative agreement with an appropriate private sector
entity, which memorandum of understanding or cooperative
agreement provides for either, or both, of the following:
(A) The provision of resources, whether in cash or in kind,
to the Center.
(B) Assistance to the Center in conducting research and
disseminating the results of such research.
(3) Grant amount.--The grant awarded under this section
shall be in the amount of $5,000,000.
(b) Requests for Proposals.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a
request for proposals from eligible institutions for the
grant under this section.
(2) Proposals.--An eligible institution that seeks the
award of the grant under this section shall submit an
application therefor to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary
may require.
(c) Grant Uses.--
(1) In general.--The eligible institution awarded the grant
under this section shall use the grant amount as follows:
(A) To develop an agenda for orthotics and prosthetics
education research.
(B) To fund research in the area of orthotics and
prosthetics education.
(C) To publish or otherwise disseminate research findings
relating to orthotics and prosthetics education.
(2) Period of use of funds.--The eligible institution
awarded the grant under this section may use the grant amount
for a period of five years after the award of the grant.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``eligible institution'' means an educational
institution that--
(A) has a robust research program;
(B) offers an orthotics and prosthetics education program
that is accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and
Prosthetic Education in cooperation with the Commission on
Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs;
(C) is well recognized in the field of orthotics and
prosthetics education; and
(D) has an established association with--
(i) a medical center or clinic of the Department of
Veterans Affairs; and
(ii) a local rehabilitation hospital.
(2) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in
section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated for fiscal year 2018 for the Department of
Veterans Affairs, $5,000,000 to carry out this section.
____________________