[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 27 (Friday, February 12, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S707-S710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION

      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Cassidy):
  S. 308. A bill to establish a pilot program to address shortages of 
testing equipment and personal protective equipment through enhanced 
domestic production, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  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. 308

       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 ``Protecting Providers 
     Everywhere in America Act'' or the ``PPE in America Act''.

     SEC. 2. DOMESTIC PPE PROCUREMENT PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 319F-2(a) of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(a)) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(6) Domestic procurement pilot program.--
       ``(A) In general.--
       ``(i) Requirement to purchase domestic end products.--For 
     the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, subject to 
     clause (ii), the Secretary shall ensure--

       ``(I) that not less than 40 percent of amounts made 
     available under this section for purposes of procuring 
     covered testing equipment and personal protective equipment 
     for the stockpile under paragraph (1) are allocated to 
     procurement of such equipment that is a domestic end product 
     (as defined in part 25.003 of the Federal Acquisition 
     Regulations maintained under section 1303(a)(1) of title 41, 
     United States Code (or any successor regulations)) 
     manufactured by an entity or entities that enter into a 
     contract with the Secretary to sell such equipment to the 
     Secretary for such purpose; and
       ``(II) that additional amounts made available under this 
     section for the purposes described in subclause (I), up to 
     100 percent of such amounts, are allocated to procurement of 
     domestic end products as described in subclause (I), provided 
     that, with respect to any such procurement of domestic end 
     products in excess of the amount required under subclause 
     (I), domestic supply exists and the costs of procuring 
     equipment that is a domestic end product are not unreasonably 
     high compared to other equipment that is not a domestic end 
     product.

       ``(ii) Exception.--In the event that there is insufficient 
     domestic end product available for procurement to meet the 
     needs for certain covered testing equipment and personal 
     protective equipment for the stockpile under paragraph (1) 
     while satisfying the requirement of clause (i)(I), or that 
     the cost of procuring equipment that is a domestic end 
     product in quantities required under clause (i)(I) would be 
     unreasonably high compared to other equipment that is not a 
     domestic end product, clause (i)(I) shall apply with respect 
     to the applicable equipment only to the extent that such 
     equipment that is a domestic end product is available and to 
     the extent that the cost is not unreasonable, as applicable.
       ``(B) Sale or transfer of ppe.--
       ``(i) In general.--With respect to any covered testing 
     equipment and personal protective equipment in the stockpile 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary--

       ``(I) shall assess the stock of such equipment on a regular 
     basis, and not less frequently than--

       ``(aa) twice per year, other than during periods described 
     in item (bb); or
       ``(bb) monthly, during any period in which the Secretary 
     determines it likely that such equipment will be deployed, 
     such as during a public health emergency;

       ``(II) shall communicate to manufacturers and suppliers of 
     such equipment to the stockpile under paragraph (1) if an 
     assessment under subclause (I) indicates that there will be 
     an increased need for such equipment;
       ``(III) may, at appropriate intervals and with respect to 
     any such equipment in such stockpile--

       ``(aa) transfer such equipment to other agencies or 
     operating divisions within the Department of Health and Human 
     Services, or to the Department of Defense, the Department of 
     Homeland Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any 
     other Federal agency or department, in accordance with the 
     needs of such agencies, divisions, or departments; or
       ``(bb) sell such equipment to health care facilities at a 
     competitive price, as determined by the Secretary, taking 
     into account the current market pricing for the applicable 
     equipment and the operational budget for the stockpile; and

       ``(IV) may enter into a contract or cooperative agreement 
     with an entity that has expertise in supply chain logistics 
     and management to carry out the activities described in this 
     subparagraph.

       ``(ii) Group purchasing organizations and medical product 
     distributors.--In making sales under clause (i)(II)(bb), the 
     Secretary may transact with group purchasing organizations 
     and medical product distributors to facilitate timeliness, 
     logistical assistance, and appropriate pricing, and to 
     determine appropriate amounts of covered testing equipment 
     and personal protective equipment for applicable health care 
     facilities.
       ``(iii) Compensation to hhs.--

[[Page S708]]

       ``(I) Transfers from other agencies.--A Federal agency 
     receiving equipment as described in clause (i)(II)(aa) shall 
     transfer to the Secretary such amounts as the Secretary and 
     head of the applicable agency determine to be fair 
     compensation for such equipment.
       ``(II) Sales of ppe.--There shall be transferred from the 
     Treasury to the Secretary each fiscal year, for purposes of 
     procuring covered testing equipment and personal protective 
     equipment for the stockpile under paragraph (1), an amount 
     equal to the sum of the amount received in the previous 
     fiscal year from sales described in clause (i)(II)(bb).

       ``(C) Vendor-managed inventory.--For purposes of meeting 
     the goals under subparagraph (A), and to promote efficient 
     and predictable operations of the stockpile while mitigating 
     the risk of product expiration or shortages, the Secretary 
     may enter into arrangements, through a competitive bidding 
     process, with one or more manufacturers of domestic end 
     products to establish and utilize revolving stockpiles of 
     covered testing equipment and personal protective equipment 
     managed and operated by such manufacturer. Under such an 
     arrangement--
       ``(i) the manufacturer (or a subcontractor or agent of the 
     manufacturer)--

       ``(I) shall--

       ``(aa) produce or procure covered testing equipment or 
     personal protective equipment for the stockpile under 
     paragraph (1);
       ``(bb) maintain constant supply, possession, and re-
     stocking capacity of such equipment in such quantities as the 
     Secretary requires for purposes of the stockpile under 
     paragraph (1); and
       ``(cc) fulfill or support the deployment, distribution, or 
     dispensing functions of the stockpile at the State and local 
     levels, consistent with paragraph (3); and

       ``(II) may sell or transfer such equipment for the purposes 
     of the manufacturer's existing inventory and commercial 
     contracts; and

       ``(ii) the Secretary shall--

       ``(I) compensate the manufacturer for the covered testing 
     equipment or personal protective equipment; and
       ``(II) pay a management fee, as appropriate.

       ``(D) Evaluation and report.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall--

       ``(I) conduct an evaluation of the program under this 
     paragraph;
       ``(II) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
     of this paragraph, submit an interim report to Congress on 
     such program; and
       ``(III) not later than 5 years after the date of enactment 
     of this paragraph, complete such evaluation and submit to 
     Congress a final report on the program.

       ``(ii) Considerations.--The evaluation and reports under 
     clause (i) shall consider how the program has impacted the 
     continuity of stockpiling and readiness for the stockpile 
     under paragraph (1), implications of the program on the 
     domestic supply chain, cost effectiveness of the program, and 
     access to covered testing equipment and personal protective 
     equipment for the Federal agencies and health care facilities 
     pursuant to subparagraph (B)(i)(II).
       ``(E) Covered testing equipment and personal protective 
     equipment.--For purposes of this paragraph, the term `covered 
     testing equipment and personal protective equipment' means 
     diagnostic supplies (which may include test kits, reagents, 
     and swabs), respirators, masks, gloves, eye and face 
     protection, gowns, and any other appropriate ancillary 
     medical equipment or supplies related to testing or personal 
     protection that meet the Secretary's requirements for 
     inclusion in the stockpile under paragraph (1).''.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Coons):
  S. 309. A bill to give Federal courts additional discretion to 
determine whether pretrial detention is appropriate for defendants 
charged with nonviolent drug offenses in Federal criminal cases; to the 
Committee on the Judiciary.
  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. 309

       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 ``Smarter Pretrial Detention 
     for Drug Charges Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. RELEASE CONDITIONS AND DETENTION IN FEDERAL CRIMINAL 
                   CASES.

       Section 3142 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``(42 U.S.C. 14135a)'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``(34 U.S.C. 40702)''; and
       (2) in subsection (e)(3)--
       (A) by striking subparagraph (A); and
       (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (E) 
     as subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D), respectively.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mr. Cornyn):
  S. 311. A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include 
certain employment as a health care practitioner as eligible for public 
service loan forgiveness, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Ms. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about an issue of 
critical importance to California: doctor shortages.
  First, I want to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the 
entire medical community, particularly the doctors, nurses, and support 
staff who have been on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. 
Amidst a severe shortage of protective equipment, they nevertheless 
continue to work around the clock to save countless lives. I--and my 
colleagues--are eternally grateful.
  I have heard from countless Californians who have said the same 
thing: we need more doctors.
  That is why Congress established the Public Service Loan Forgiveness 
Program in 2007 to encourage doctors to pursue careers at public and 
nonprofit facilities, especially in areas experiencing physician 
shortages. As a result, physicians who provide care in a nonprofit or 
public hospital can have their student debt forgiven by the Public 
Service Loan Forgiveness Program after making 120 qualifying monthly 
payments under a qualifying repayment plan.
  However, when the Department of Education issued implementing 
guidance for the program, it unintentionally excluded California and 
Texas physicians from being eligible to receive loan forgiveness by 
requiring that borrowers be classified as employees in order to be 
eligible for loan forgiveness.
  The problem is that under state law in California and Texas, doctors 
are prevented from being directly employed by corporations, including 
nonprofit organizations. As a result, physicians in California and 
Texas who provide medical services at nonprofit hospitals do not 
currently qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
  To make matters worse, the United States is facing a shortage of 
physicians, especially in California.
  The Council on Graduate Medical Education recommends 60 to 80 primary 
care physicians per 100,000 people. However, statewide in California, 
the number is already down to just 50 per 100,000 people. And in some 
places, it is even lower: down to 35 primary care physicians per 
100,000 people and 39 per 100,000 people in the Inland Empire and San 
Joaquin Valley, respectively.
  During this difficult and challenging time, it is clear that more 
medical professionals are needed. And long after this pandemic ends, we 
will still need more doctors to provide high-quality care, in both 
rural and urban areas.
  That is why I am pleased to introduce the bipartisan ``Stopping 
Doctor Shortages Act.'' This legislation would help attract more 
doctors to public service and address the looming physician shortage by 
fixing a loophole that prevents thousands of doctors from participating 
in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
  According to the California Medical Association, this bill alone 
could bring as many as 10,000 physicians to California over the next 
ten years.
  Similar legislation, soon to be introduced in the House by 
Representatives Josh Harder, Jay Obernolte, Joaquin Castro, and Van 
Taylor, also enjoys bipartisan support.
  I would like to thank Senator John Cornyn for his support on this 
critical issue and for cosponsoring the bill.
  I ask my colleagues to join us to pass the ``Stopping Doctor 
Shortages Act'' in a timely manner as we continue to find ways to 
combat the coronavirus pandemic and save lives.
  Thank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. 
        Tillis, Mr. Coons, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Wicker):
  S. 312. A bill to expand eligibility for and provide judicial review 
for the Elderly Home Detention Pilot Program, provide for compassionate 
release based on COVID-19 vulnerability, shorten the waiting period for 
judicial review during the COVID-19 pandemic, and make other technical 
corrections; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.

[[Page S709]]

  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 312

       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 ``COVID-19 Safer Detention Act 
     of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF COVERED EMERGENCY PERIOD.

       Section 12003(a)(2) of the CARES Act (18 U.S.C. 3621 note) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``ending on the date'' and inserting the 
     following: ``ending on the later of--
       ``(A) the date'';
       (2) in subparagraph (A), as so designated, by striking the 
     ``and'' at the end and inserting ``or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) the date that is 30 days after the date on which the 
     Bureau of Prisons ceases modified operations in response to 
     COVID-19; and''.

     SEC. 3. HOME DETENTION FOR CERTAIN ELDERLY NONVIOLENT 
                   OFFENDERS.

       Section 231(g) of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 
     60541(g)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Judicial review.--
       ``(i) In general.--Upon motion of a defendant, on or after 
     the date described in clause (ii), a court may reduce an 
     imposed term of imprisonment of the defendant and substitute 
     a term of supervised release with the condition of home 
     detention for the unserved portion of the original term of 
     imprisonment, after considering the factors set forth in 
     section 3553(a) of title 18, United States Code, if the court 
     finds the defendant is an eligible elderly offender or 
     eligible terminally ill offender.
       ``(ii) Date described.--The date described in this clause 
     is the earlier of--

       ``(I) the date on which the defendant fully exhausts all 
     administrative rights to appeal a failure of the Bureau of 
     Prisons to place the defendant on home detention; or
       ``(II) the expiration of the 30-day period beginning on the 
     date on which the defendant submits to the warden of the 
     facility in which the defendant is imprisoned a request for 
     placement of the defendant on home detention, regardless of 
     the status of the request.''; and

       (2) in paragraph (5)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)(ii)--
       (i) by inserting ``including offenses under the laws of the 
     District of Columbia,'' after ``offense or offenses,''; and
       (ii) by striking ``2/3 of the term of imprisonment to which 
     the offender was sentenced'' and inserting ``1/2 of the term 
     of imprisonment reduced by any credit toward the service of 
     the offender's sentence awarded under section 3624(b) of 
     title 18, United States Code''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (D)(i), by inserting ``, including 
     offenses under the laws of the District of Columbia,'' after 
     ``offense or offenses,''.

     SEC. 4. COMPASSIONATE RELEASE TECHNICAL CORRECTION.

       Section 3582 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(1)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     after ``case'' the following: ``, including, notwithstanding 
     any other provision of law, any case involving an offense 
     committed before November 1, 1987''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) by inserting ``, on or after the date described in 
     subsection (d)'' after ``upon motion of a defendant''; and
       (ii) by striking ``after the defendant has fully exhausted 
     all administrative rights to appeal a failure of the Bureau 
     of Prisons to bring a motion on the defendant's behalf or the 
     lapse of 30 days from the receipt of such a request by the 
     warden of the defendant's facility, whichever is earlier,'';
       (2) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
     (e) and (f), respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
       ``(d) Date Described.--For purposes of subsection 
     (c)(1)(A), the date described in this subsection is the 
     earlier of--
       ``(1) the date on which the defendant fully exhausts all 
     administrative rights to appeal a failure of the Bureau of 
     Prisons to bring a motion on the defendant's behalf; or
       ``(2) the expiration of the 30-day period beginning on the 
     date on which the defendant submits a request for a reduction 
     in sentence to the warden of the facility in which the 
     defendant is imprisoned, regardless of the status of the 
     request.''.

     SEC. 5. TEMPORARY SHORTENING OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXHAUSTION.

       Section 12003 of the CARES Act (18 U.S.C. 3621 note) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Compassionate Release.--For purposes of a motion 
     filed under section 3582(c)(1) of title 18, United States 
     Code, during the covered emergency period--
       ``(1) the 30-day waiting period requirement in section 
     3582(d)(2) shall be reduced to not more than 10 days; and
       ``(2) in the case of a defendant who is, according to 
     guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
     considered to be at a higher risk for severe illness from 
     COVID-19, including because the defendant is 60 years of age 
     or older or has an underlying medical condition, such risk 
     shall be considered to be an extraordinary and compelling 
     reason under subparagraph (A)(i) of such section 3582(c)(1).
       ``(f) Nonviolent Elderly Offenders.--For the purpose of a 
     motion filed under subparagraph (D) of section 231(g)(1) of 
     the Second Chance Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 60541(g)(1)), during 
     the covered emergency period, the 30-day waiting period 
     requirement clause (ii)(II) of such subparagraph (D) shall be 
     reduced to 10 days.''.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Booker, Ms. Smith, 
        Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Sanders, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. 
        Rosen, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Merkley, and Mr. Heinrich):
  S. 313. A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand 
online benefit redemption options under the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  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. 313

       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 ``Expanding SNAP Options Act 
     of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. ONLINE PORTAL FOR SNAP BENEFIT REDEMPTION.

       Section 7(h)(14) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2016(h)(14)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Subject to 
     subparagraph (B), the'' and inserting ``The''; and
       (2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(B) EBT online redemption portal.--
       ``(i) Purpose.--The purpose of this subparagraph is to 
     expand options for and access to food for eligible households 
     by making the online redemption of program benefits, 
     including the acceptance of EBT cards, more widely available 
     to grocery stores, small retailers, and farmers who face 
     barriers in implementing their own online payment portals.
       ``(ii) Contracts.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of the Expanding SNAP Options Act of 2021, the 
     Secretary shall award on a competitive basis 1 or more 
     contracts to 1 or more eligible entities described in clause 
     (iii) to develop an online portal, to be known as the `EBT 
     Online Redemption Portal'--

       ``(I) to allow program participants to use online or mobile 
     electronic benefits transactions, including through the 
     acceptance of EBT cards, to purchase program foods from, and 
     make online payments to, authorized program retailers under 
     the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and
       ``(II) to facilitate food purchase delivery for program 
     participants using the transactions described in subclause 
     (I).

       ``(iii) Eligible entity.--An eligible entity referred to in 
     clause (ii) is any for-profit or nonprofit entity with 
     demonstrable expertise in the development, operation, or 
     maintenance of electronic payment systems (including systems 
     with advanced security protocols), which may include 
     expertise in benefits management or administration of State 
     systems, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(iv) Application; portal features.--

       ``(I) Application.--An eligible entity shall submit to the 
     Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
     containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
     including--

       ``(aa) a description of how the eligible entity plans to 
     implement the requirements described in clause (v); and
       ``(bb) a beta plan that has been user-tested.

       ``(II) Portal features.--In awarding a contract to an 
     eligible entity under clause (ii), the Secretary shall give 
     preference to an eligible entity that demonstrates an ability 
     to implement the following features of an EBT Online 
     Redemption Portal:

       ``(aa) Client-facing technology with a primary preference 
     for mobile device or smartphone application.
       ``(bb) Fail-safe systems to maintain privacy and online 
     security of data.
       ``(cc) Ability to redirect a consumer to an existing online 
     platform of a vendor, if applicable.
       ``(dd) Ability to update as technologies evolve.
       ``(ee) Ease of operation for program participants, 
     including multilingual functionality.
       ``(ff) Interoperability with delivery technologies and 
     interfaces.
       ``(gg) Identification of participating retailers within 
     geographic proximity to the user.
       ``(hh) Ability to perform single transactions using mixed 
     tender, including a single transaction for eligible food 
     items using an EBT card and noneligible items using another 
     form of payment.
       ``(ii) Adherence to a comprehensive business continuity and 
     disaster recovery plan--
       ``(AA) to allow the portal to recover from any interruption 
     of service; and

[[Page S710]]

       ``(BB) that includes sufficient back-up systems, equipment, 
     facilities, and trained personnel to implement the plan.
       ``(v) Requirements.--

       ``(I) In general.--The Online EBT Redemption Portal 
     developed by the eligible entity awarded the contract under 
     clause (ii) shall--

       ``(aa) enable the integrated processing of an online EBT 
     transaction by providing a platform and facilitating the 
     purchasing interaction between the consumer, retailer, third-
     party processors (for EBT card processing and the secure 
     online entry of a personal identification number), and 
     delivery vendor, as applicable;
       ``(bb) to deter fraud, have in place for program 
     participants privacy and security protections, similar to 
     protections provided under existing electronic benefit 
     transfer methods, including entry of a personal 
     identification number in a manner that complies with the 
     guidelines of leading national consensus standards 
     organizations, as determined by the Secretary, for encrypting 
     personal identification number entry;
       ``(cc) be secure and operate in a manner that maintains 
     program integrity, including food item eligibility;
       ``(dd) be available in an initial or beta version not later 
     than 120 days after the date on which the eligible entity is 
     awarded the contract;
       ``(ee) be ready to be fully deployed in all States not 
     later than 180 days after the date described in item (dd);
       ``(ff) be available for use by any retail food store or 
     wholesale food concern authorized under section 9 to accept 
     and redeem benefits under the supplemental nutrition 
     assistance program--
       ``(AA) at no charge beyond a nominal fee that is not more 
     than reasonably necessary to support maintenance of the 
     portal and subject to the approval of the Secretary; and
       ``(BB) on an application-based and browser-based platform 
     for smartphones and a browser-based online platform for 
     tablets and computers;
       ``(gg) adhere to commercial standards for service level 
     availability to ensure the viability of the portal and the 
     use of the portal by retail food stores and wholesale food 
     concerns authorized under section 9 to accept and redeem 
     benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program; 
     and
       ``(hh) perform ongoing maintenance services and retailer 
     enrollment and termination of enrollment activities to ensure 
     continuous operability of the portal.

       ``(II) Evaluation of beta version.--The Secretary shall 
     conduct a review of the initial or beta version of the Online 
     EBT Redemption Portal under subclause (I)(dd), including by 
     soliciting feedback from program participants.

       ``(vi) Report to congress.--Not later than 240 days after 
     the date of enactment of the Expanding SNAP Options Act of 
     2021, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the 
     status of activities carried out under this subparagraph.
       ``(vii) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
     appropriated to the Secretary, out of funds of the Treasury 
     not otherwise appropriated, $25,000,000 to provide under the 
     contract described in clause (ii).''.

     SEC. 3. BROAD ACCEPTANCE OF SNAP BENEFITS THROUGH ONLINE 
                   TRANSACTIONS.

       Section 7(k) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2016(k)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``on-line'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``online'';
       (2) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``Subject to paragraph (4), the'' and 
     inserting ``The''; and
       (B) by inserting ``in any State'' after ``stores''; and
       (3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
       ``(4) Technical assistance.--
       ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
       ``(i) Covered entity.--The term `covered entity' means a 
     public or private nonprofit entity.
       ``(ii) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
     retail food store or wholesale food concern authorized under 
     section 9 to accept and redeem benefits under the 
     supplemental nutrition assistance program.
       ``(B) Technical assistance center.--The Secretary, acting 
     through the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service, 
     shall, on a competitive basis, award 1 or more grants to, or 
     enter into 1 or more cooperative agreements with, 1 or more 
     covered entities to establish a technical assistance center, 
     to be known as the `SNAP Online Purchasing Technical 
     Assistance Center', to provide--
       ``(i) to State agencies, eligible entities, and program 
     participants information on and technical assistance with, as 
     applicable--

       ``(I) accepting program benefits through online 
     transactions;
       ``(II) using the EBT Online Redemption Portal described in 
     subsection (h)(14)(B);
       ``(III) in the case of State agencies, conducting outreach 
     to eligible entities to ensure that those eligible entities 
     are informed of the technical assistance provided by the 
     center;
       ``(IV) research, training, and best practices relating to 
     redeeming program benefits through online transactions; and
       ``(V) facilitating communication between eligible entities, 
     applicable State agencies, and the Department of Agriculture; 
     and

       ``(ii) to eligible entities direct grants to defray the 
     technological costs of carrying out the activities described 
     in subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (i).
       ``(C) Qualifications.--At least 1 covered entity that 
     receives a grant or enters into a cooperative agreement under 
     subparagraph (B) shall have expertise in providing technical 
     assistance to food retailers operating under a Federal 
     nutrition program.
       ``(D) Technical assistance priority.--In providing 
     technical assistance to eligible entities, the SNAP Online 
     Purchasing Technical Assistance Center shall give priority to 
     eligible entities that are small and limited-resource 
     retailers.
       ``(E) Funding.--There is appropriated to the Secretary, out 
     of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, 
     $75,000,000 to carry out this paragraph, to remain available 
     until expended, of which not more than 3 percent may be used 
     by the Secretary for administrative expenses.
       ``(5) Publication of online vendors.--The Secretary shall 
     maintain on the website of the Department of Agriculture a 
     publicly available listing, organized and searchable by 
     region, locality, and State, of all approved retail food 
     stores accepting benefits from recipients of supplemental 
     nutrition assistance, including through online 
     transactions.''.

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