[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 38 (Monday, March 1, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S956-S958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION

      By Mr. THUNE:
  S. 495. A bill to prioritize the allocation of H-2B visas for States 
with low unemployment rates; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. THUNE. 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. 495

       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 ``Prioritizing Help to 
     Businesses Act''.

     SEC. 2. PRIORITIZING THE ALLOCATION OF H-2B VISAS FOR STATES 
                   WITH LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATES.

       Section 214(g)(10) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(10)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(10)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), 
     the numerical limitation under paragraph (1)(B) shall not 
     apply to H-2B visas issued to aliens for positions that are 
     certified for employment pursuant to subpart A of part 655 of 
     title 20, Code of Federal Regulations, to perform service or 
     labor in a State that had a seasonally adjusted unemployment 
     rate of 3.5 percent or lower in at least 3 of the 6 most 
     recent monthly reports issued by the Bureau of Labor 
     Statistics during the previous fiscal half year corresponding 
     to each allotment period of H-2B visas pursuant to subpart A 
     of part 655 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations.
       ``(B) The number of aliens exempted from the numerical 
     limitation pursuant to subparagraph (A) in any State during 
     any fiscal year may not exceed the lesser of--
       ``(i) 125 percent of the number of visas issued to aliens 
     working in such State during the most recently concluded 
     fiscal year; or
       ``(ii) 2,500.
       ``(C) If more H-2B visa applications are received in a 
     fiscal year on behalf of aliens desiring to work in a State 
     described in subparagraph (A) than the limit set forth in 
     subparagraph (B)--
       ``(i) eligible applicants, in a number equal to such limit, 
     shall be selected, by lottery, from such applications for the 
     exemption under subparagraph (A); and
       ``(ii) the remaining applicants shall be subject to the 
     numerical limitation under paragraph (1)(B).''.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DURBIN:
  S. 511. A bill to establish the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National 
Heritage Area in the State of Illinois, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  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. 511

       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 ``Bronzeville-Black Metropolis 
     National Heritage Area Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
     Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area 
     established by section 3(a).
       (2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local 
     coordinating entity'' means the local coordinating entity for 
     the Heritage Area designated by section 4(a).
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the plan developed by the local coordinating entity under 
     section 5(a).
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Illinois.

     SEC. 3. BRONZEVILLE-BLACK METROPOLIS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established the Bronzeville-
     Black Metropolis National Heritage Area in the State.
       (b) Boundaries.--The Heritage Area shall consist of the 
     region in the city of Chicago, Illinois, bounded as follows:
       (1) 18th Street on the North to 22nd Street on the South, 
     from Lake Michigan on the East to Wentworth Avenue on the 
     West.
       (2) 22nd Street on the North to 35th Street on the South, 
     from Lake Michigan on the East to the Dan Ryan Expressway on 
     the West.
       (3) 35th Street on the North to 47th Street on the South, 
     from Lake Michigan on the East to the B&O Railroad (Stewart 
     Avenue) on the West.
       (4) 47th Street on the North to 55th Street on the South, 
     from Cottage Grove Avenue on the East to the Dan Ryan 
     Expressway on the West.
       (5) 55th Street on the North to 67th Street on the South, 
     from State Street on the West to Cottage Grove Avenue/South 
     Chicago Avenue on the East.
       (6) 67th Street on the North to 71st Street on the South, 
     from Cottage Grove Avenue/South Chicago Avenue on the West to 
     the Metra Railroad tracks on the East.

     SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.

       (a) Local Coordinating Entity.--The Black Metropolis 
     National Heritage Area

[[Page S957]]

     Commission shall be the local coordinating entity for the 
     Heritage Area.
       (b) Authorities of Local Coordinating Entity.--The local 
     coordinating entity may, for purposes of preparing and 
     implementing the management plan, use Federal funds made 
     available under this Act--
       (1) to prepare reports, studies, interpretive exhibits and 
     programs, historic preservation projects, and other 
     activities recommended in the management plan for the 
     Heritage Area;
       (2) to make grants to the State, political subdivisions of 
     the State, nonprofit organizations, and other persons;
       (3) to enter into cooperative agreements with the State, 
     political subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations, 
     and other organizations;
       (4) to hire and compensate staff;
       (5) to obtain funds or services from any source, including 
     funds and services provided under any other Federal program 
     or law; and
       (6) to contract for goods and services.
       (c) Duties of Local Coordinating Entity.--To further the 
     purposes of the Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity 
     shall--
       (1) prepare a management plan for the Heritage Area in 
     accordance with section 5;
       (2) give priority to the implementation of actions, goals, 
     and strategies set forth in the management plan, including 
     assisting units of government and other persons in--
       (A) carrying out programs and projects that recognize and 
     protect important resource values in the Heritage Area;
       (B) encouraging economic viability in the Heritage Area in 
     accordance with the goals of the management plan;
       (C) establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits in 
     the Heritage Area;
       (D) developing heritage-based recreational and educational 
     opportunities for residents and visitors in the Heritage 
     Area;
       (E) increasing public awareness of and appreciation for the 
     natural, historic, and cultural resources of the Heritage 
     Area;
       (F) restoring historic buildings that are--
       (i) located in the Heritage Area; and
       (ii) related to the themes of the Heritage Area; and
       (G) installing throughout the Heritage Area clear, 
     consistent, and appropriate signs identifying public access 
     points and sites of interest;
       (3) consider the interests of diverse units of government, 
     businesses, tourism officials, private property owners, and 
     nonprofit groups within the Heritage Area in developing and 
     implementing the management plan;
       (4) conduct public meetings at least semiannually regarding 
     the development and implementation of the management plan; 
     and
       (5) for any fiscal year for which Federal funds are 
     received under this Act--
       (A) submit to the Secretary an annual report that 
     describes--
       (i) the accomplishments of the local coordinating entity;
       (ii) the expenses and income of the local coordinating 
     entity; and
       (iii) the entities to which the local coordinating entity 
     made any grants;
       (B) make available for audit all records relating to the 
     expenditure of the Federal funds and any matching funds; and
       (C) require, with respect to all agreements authorizing the 
     expenditure of Federal funds by other organizations, that the 
     receiving organizations make available for audit all records 
     relating to the expenditure of the Federal funds.

     SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date on 
     which funds are first made available to carry out this Act, 
     the local coordinating entity shall prepare and submit to the 
     Secretary a management plan for the Heritage Area.
       (b) Contents.--The management plan for the Heritage Area 
     shall--
       (1) include comprehensive policies, strategies, and 
     recommendations for the conservation, funding, management, 
     and development of the Heritage Area;
       (2) take into consideration existing State and local plans;
       (3) specify the existing and potential sources of funding 
     to protect, manage, and develop the Heritage Area;
       (4) include an inventory of the natural, historic, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the Heritage Area relating to the themes of the Heritage Area 
     that should be preserved, restored, managed, developed, or 
     maintained; and
       (5) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, ways 
     in which Federal, State, and local programs, may best be 
     coordinated to further the purposes of this Act, including 
     recommendations for the role of the National Park Service in 
     the Heritage Area.
       (c) Disqualification From Funding.--If a proposed 
     management plan is not submitted to the Secretary by the date 
     that is 3 years after the date on which funds are first made 
     available to carry out this Act, the local coordinating 
     entity may not receive additional funding under this Act 
     until the date on which the Secretary receives the proposed 
     management plan.
       (d) Approval and Disapproval of Management Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
     which the local coordinating entity submits the management 
     plan to the Secretary, the Secretary shall approve or 
     disapprove the proposed management plan.
       (2) Considerations.--In determining whether to approve or 
     disapprove the management plan, the Secretary shall consider 
     whether--
       (A) the local coordinating entity is representative of the 
     diverse interests of the Heritage Area, including 
     governments, natural and historic resource protection 
     organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and 
     recreational organizations;
       (B) the local coordinating entity has provided adequate 
     opportunities (including public meetings) for public and 
     governmental involvement in the preparation of the management 
     plan;
       (C) the resource protection and interpretation strategies 
     contained in the management plan, if implemented, would 
     adequately protect the natural, historic, and cultural 
     resources of the Heritage Area; and
       (D) the management plan is supported by the appropriate 
     State and local officials, the cooperation of which is needed 
     to ensure the effective implementation of the State and local 
     aspects of the management plan.
       (3) Disapproval and revisions.--
       (A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves a proposed 
     management plan, the Secretary shall--
       (i) advise the local coordinating entity, in writing, of 
     the reasons for the disapproval; and
       (ii) make recommendations for revision of the proposed 
     management plan.
       (B) Approval or disapproval.--The Secretary shall approve 
     or disapprove a revised management plan not later than 180 
     days after the date on which the revised management plan is 
     submitted.
       (e) Approval of Amendments.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall review and approve or 
     disapprove substantial amendments to the management plan in 
     accordance with subsection (d).
       (2) Funding.--Funds appropriated under this Act may not be 
     expended to implement any changes made by an amendment to the 
     management plan until the Secretary approves the amendment.

     SEC. 6. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Nothing in this Act affects the authority 
     of a Federal agency to provide technical or financial 
     assistance under any other law.
       (b) Consultation and Coordination.--The head of any Federal 
     agency planning to conduct activities that may have an impact 
     on the Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and coordinate 
     the activities with the Secretary and the local coordinating 
     entity to the extent practicable.
       (c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this Act--
       (1) modifies, alters, or amends any law or regulation 
     authorizing a Federal agency to manage Federal land under the 
     jurisdiction of the Federal agency;
       (2) limits the discretion of a Federal land manager to 
     implement an approved land use plan within the boundaries of 
     the Heritage Area; or
       (3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of 
     Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.

     SEC. 7. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.

       Nothing in this Act--
       (1) abridges the rights of any property owner (whether 
     public or private), including the right to refrain from 
     participating in any plan, project, program, or activity 
     conducted within the Heritage Area;
       (2) requires any property owner to permit public access 
     (including access by Federal, State, or local agencies) to 
     the property of the property owner, or to modify public 
     access or use of property of the property owner under any 
     other Federal, State, or local law;
       (3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved 
     land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, 
     State, or local agency, or conveys any land use or other 
     regulatory authority to the local coordinating entity;
       (4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation 
     of water or water rights;
       (5) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish 
     and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting 
     within the Heritage Area; or
       (6) creates any liability, or affects any liability under 
     any other law, of any private property owner with respect to 
     any person injured on the private property.

     SEC. 8. EVALUATION; REPORT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years before the date on 
     which authority for Federal funding terminates for the 
     Heritage Area, the Secretary shall--
       (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the 
     Heritage Area; and
       (2) prepare a report in accordance with subsection (c).
       (b) Evaluation.--An evaluation conducted under subsection 
     (a)(1) shall--
       (1) assess the progress of the local coordinating entity 
     with respect to--
       (A) accomplishing the purposes of this Act for the Heritage 
     Area; and
       (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved 
     management plan for the Heritage Area;
       (2) analyze the Federal, State, local, and private 
     investments in the Heritage Area to determine the leverage 
     and impact of the investments; and
       (3) review the management structure, partnership 
     relationships, and funding of the Heritage Area for purposes 
     of identifying the critical components for sustainability of 
     the Heritage Area.

[[Page S958]]

       (c) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Based on the evaluation conducted under 
     subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall prepare a report that 
     includes recommendations for the future role of the National 
     Park Service, if any, with respect to the Heritage Area.
       (2) Required analysis.--If the report prepared under 
     paragraph (1) recommends that Federal funding for the 
     Heritage Area be reauthorized, the report shall include an 
     analysis of--
       (A) ways in which Federal funding for the Heritage Area may 
     be reduced or eliminated; and
       (B) the appropriate time period necessary to achieve the 
     recommended reduction or elimination.
       (3) Submission to congress.--On completion of the report, 
     the Secretary shall submit the report to--
       (A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives.

     SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this Act $10,000,000, of which not more than 
     $1,000,000 may be authorized to be appropriated for any 
     fiscal year.
       (b) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--The Federal share of the 
     cost of any activity carried out using funds made available 
     under this Act shall be not more than 50 percent.

     SEC. 10. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.

       The authority of the Secretary to provide financial 
     assistance under this Act terminates on the date that is 15 
     years after the date of enactment of this Act.

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