HR 3982 IH

To apply recently imposed tariffs on steel imports towards assistance for displaced steel workers and retirees.

MARCH 14, 2002

Mr. TRAFICANT introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

To apply recently imposed tariffs on steel imports towards assistance for displaced steel workers and retirees.

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 `Steel Workers Relief Act of 2002'.

SEC. 2. APPLICATION OF STEEL PRODUCT TARIFFS TO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.

(a) APPLICATION OF HALF FOR HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE UNDER TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE-

(1) IN GENERAL- Section 245 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2317) is amended--

(A) in subsection (a), by inserting `and section 238A' after `subchapter D'; and

(B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(c) HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE- Out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are hereby appropriated to carry out section 238A an amount equal to 50 percent of all tariffs imposed on imports of steel products by reason of Proclamation 7529 of the President of March 5, 2002.'.

(2) PROVISION OF HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE-

(A) IN GENERAL- Subchapter B of chapter 2 of title II of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following new part:

`Part III--Health Insurance Assistance

`SEC. 238A. HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE.

`(a) IN GENERAL- From amounts appropriated under section 245(c), with respect to adversely affected workers covered by a certification under subchapter A who lost health benefits coverage as a result of displacement from employment and who are receiving benefit allowances, training, or other employment services under this chapter, the Secretary shall provide for assistance in the purchase of health insurance coverage for such workers and for family members who would have had such coverage if the displacement had not occurred. Such health insurance coverage may be in the form of coverage under a COBRA continuation provision (as defined in section 706(d)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), under a State program that provides comparable continuation coverage, under individual health insurance coverage, or otherwise.

`(b) TERMS AND CONDITIONS- The Secretary shall establish rules for the qualification for assistance and extent of assistance made available under this section. Such rules may--

`(1) provide for assistance for some or all of the costs of health insurance coverage;

`(2) may vary the amount of such assistance taking into account the cost of such coverage, the number of individuals covered, access to alternative coverage, and individual financial circumstances; and

`(3) may restrict or limit such assistance in the case of an individual who is covered under a group health plan.'.

(B) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 238 the following:

`Part III--Health Insurance Assistance

`Sec. 238A. Health insurance assistance.'.

(b) APPLICATION OF HALF TO PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTEE CORPORATION- Section 4005(b)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1305(b)(1)) is amended by inserting, after and below subparagraph (G), the following flush left text:

`Out of amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, in addition to the amounts credited under the preceding provisions of this paragraph, there are hereby appropriated to the revolving fund used with respect to basic benefits guaranteed under section 4022 and to the revolving fund used with respect to basic benefits guaranteed under section 4022A, in appropriate proportions between such funds as determined by the corporation, an aggregate amount equal to 50 percent of all tariffs imposed on imports of steel products by reason of Proclamation 7529 of the President of March 5, 2002.'.

END