P.L. 105-277: H-1B Provisions
SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS; AMENDMENTS TO IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT.
(a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the ``American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this title is as follows:
Sec. 401. Short title; table of contents; amendments to Immigration and Nationality Act.
Subtitle A--Provisions Relating to H-1B Nonimmigrants
Sec. 411. Temporary increase in access to temporary skilled personnel under H-1B program.
Sec. 412. Protection against displacement of United States workers in case of H-1B-dependent employers.
Sec. 413. Changes in enforcement and penalties.
Sec. 414. Collection and use of H-1B nonimmigrant fees for scholarships for low-income math, engineering, and computer science students and job training of United States workers.
Sec. 415. Computation of prevailing wage level.
Sec. 416. Improving count of H-1B and H-2B nonimmigrants.
Sec. 417. Report on older workers in the information technology field.
Sec. 418. Report on high technology labor market needs; reports on economic impact of increase in H-1B nonimmigrants.
Subtitle B--Special Immigrant Status for Certain NATO Civilian Employees
Sec. 421. Special immigrant status for certain NATO civilian employees.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous Provision
Sec. 431. Academic honoraria.
(c) Amendments to Immigration and Nationality Act.--Except as otherwise specifically provided in this title, whenever in this title an amendment is expressed in terms of an amendment to a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to that section or other provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
Subtitle A--Provisions Relating to H-1B Nonimmigrants
SEC. 411. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN ACCESS TO TEMPORARY SKILLED PERSONNEL UNDER H-1B PROGRAM.
(a) Temporary Increase in Skilled Nonimmigrant Workers.-- Paragraph (1)(A) of section 214(g) (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)) is amended to read as follows:
``(A) under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b), may not exceed--
``(i) 65,000 in each fiscal year before fiscal year 1999;
``(ii) 115,000 in fiscal year 1999;
``(iii) 115,000 in fiscal year 2000;
``(iv) 107,500 in fiscal year 2001; and
``(v) 65,000 in each succeeding fiscal year; or''.
(b) Effective Dates.--The amendment made by subsection (a) applies beginning with fiscal year 1999.
SEC. 412. PROTECTION AGAINST DISPLACEMENT OF UNITED STATES WORKERS IN CASE OF H-1B-DEPENDENT EMPLOYERS.
(a) Protection Against Layoff and Requirement for Prior Recruitment of United States Workers.--
(1) Additional statements on application.--Section 212(n)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)) is amended by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
``(E)(i) In the case of an application described in clause (ii), the employer did not displace and will not displace a United States worker (as defined in paragraph (4)) employed by the employer within the period beginning 90 days before and ending 90 days after the date of filing
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of any visa petition supported by the application.
``(ii) An application described in this clause is an application filed on or after the date final regulations are first promulgated to carry out this subparagraph, and before October 1, 2001, by an H-1B-dependent employer (as defined in paragraph (3)) or by an employer that has been found, on or after the date of the enactment of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998, under paragraph (2)(C) or (5) to have committed a willful failure or misrepresentation during the 5-year period preceding the filing of the application. An application is not described in this clause if the only H-1B nonimmigrants sought in the application are exempt H-1B nonimmigrants.
``(F) In the case of an application described in subparagraph (E)(ii), the employer will not place the nonimmigrant with another employer (regardless of whether or not such other employer is an H-1B-dependent employer) where--
``(i) the nonimmigrant performs duties in whole or in part at one or more worksites owned, operated, or controlled by such other employer; and
``(ii) there are indicia of an employment relationship between the nonimmigrant and such other employer; unless the employer has inquired of the other employer as to whether, and has no knowledge that, within the period beginning 90 days before and ending 90 days after the date of the placement of the nonimmigrant with the other employer, the other employer has displaced or intends to displace a United States worker employed by the other employer.
``(G)(i) In the case of an application described in subparagraph (E)(ii), subject to clause (ii), the employer, prior to filing the application--
``(I) has taken good faith steps to recruit, in the United States using procedures that meet industry-wide standards and offering compensation that is at least as great as that required to be offered to H-1B nonimmigrants under subparagraph (A), United States workers for the job for which the nonimmigrant or nonimmigrants is or are sought; and
``(II) has offered the job to any United States worker who applies and is equally or better qualified for the job for which the nonimmigrant or nonimmigrants is or are sought.
``(ii) The conditions described in clause (i) shall not apply to an application filed with respect to the employment of an H-1B nonimmigrant who is described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 203(b)(1).''.
(2) Notice on application of potential liability of placing employers.--Section 212(n)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The application form shall include a clear statement explaining the liability under subparagraph (F) of a placing employer if the other employer described in such subparagraph displaces a United States worker as described in such subparagraph.''.
(3) Construction.--Section 212(n)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)) is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``Nothing in subparagraph (G) shall be construed to prohibit an employer from using legitimate selection criteria relevant to the job that are normal or customary to the type of job involved, so long as such criteria are not applied in a discriminatory manner.''.
(b) H-1B-Dependent Employer and Other Definitions.--
(1) In general.--Section 212(n) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3)(A) For purposes of this subsection, the term `H-1B- dependent employer' means an employer that--
``(i)(I) has 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees who are employed in the United States; and (II) employs more than 7 H-1B nonimmigrants;
``(ii)(I) has at least 26 but not more than 50 full-time equivalent employees who are employed in the United States; and (II) employs more than 12 H-1B nonimmigrants; or
``(iii)(I) has at least 51 full-time equivalent employees who are employed in the United States; and (II) employs H-1B nonimmigrants in a number that is equal to at least 15 percent of the number of such full-time equivalent employees.
``(B) For purposes of this subsection--
``(i) the term `exempt H-1B nonimmigrant' means an H-1B nonimmigrant who--
``(I) receives wages (including cash bonuses and similar compensation) at an annual rate equal to at least $60,000; or
``(II) has attained a master's or higher degree (or its equivalent) in a specialty related to the intended employment; and
``(ii) the term `nonexempt H-1B nonimmigrant' means an H-1B nonimmigrant who is not an exempt H-1B nonimmigrant.
``(C) For purposes of subparagraph (A)--
``(i) in computing the number of full-time equivalent employees and the number of H-1B nonimmigrants, exempt H-1B nonimmigrants shall not be taken into account during the longer of--
``(I) the 6-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998; or
``(II) the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 and ending on the date final regulations are issued to carry out this paragraph; and
``(ii) any group treated as a single employer under subsection (b), (c), (m), or (o) of section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be treated as a single employer.
``(4) For purposes of this subsection:
``(A) The term `area of employment' means the area within normal commuting distance of the worksite or physical location where the work of the H-1B nonimmigrant is or will be performed. If such worksite or location is within a Metropolitan Statistical Area, any place within such area is deemed to be within the area of employment.
``(B) In the case of an application with respect to one or more H-1B nonimmigrants by an employer, the employer is considered to `displace' a United States worker from a job if the employer lays off the worker from a job that is essentially the equivalent of the job for which the nonimmigrant or nonimmigrants is or are sought. A job shall not be considered to be essentially equivalent of another job unless it involves essentially the same responsibilities, was held by a United States worker with substantially equivalent qualifications and experience, and is located in the same area of employment as the other job.
``(C) The term `H-1B nonimmigrant' means an alien admitted or provided status as a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b).
``(D)(i) The term `lays off', with respect to a worker--
``(I) means to cause the worker's loss of employment, other than through a discharge for inadequate performance, violation of workplace rules, cause, voluntary departure, voluntary retirement, or the expiration of a grant or contract (other than a temporary employment contract entered into in order to evade a condition described in subparagraph (E) or (F) of paragraph (1)); but
``(II) does not include any situation in which the worker is offered, as an alternative to such loss of employment, a similar employment opportunity with the same employer (or, in the case of a placement of a worker with another employer under paragraph (1)(F), with either employer described in such paragraph) at equivalent or higher compensation and benefits than the position from which the employee was discharged, regardless of whether or not the employee accepts the offer.
``(ii) Nothing in this subparagraph is intended to limit an employee's rights under a collective bargaining agreement or other employment contract.
``(E) The term `United States worker' means an employee who--
``(i) is a citizen or national of the United States; or
``(ii) is an alien who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence, is admitted as a refugee under section 207, is granted asylum under section 208, or is an immigrant otherwise authorized, by this Act or by the Attorney General, to be employed.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--Section 212(n)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)) is amended by striking ``a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)'' each place it appears and inserting ``an H-1B nonimmigrant''.
(c) Improved Posting of Notice of Application.--Section 212(n)(1)(C)(ii) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)(C)(ii)) is amended to read as follows:
``(ii) if there is no such bargaining representative, has provided notice of filing in the occupational classification through such methods as physical posting in conspicuous locations at the place of employment or electronic notification to employees in the occupational classification for which H-1B nonimmigrants are sought.''.
(d) Effective Dates.--The amendments made by subsection (a) apply to applications filed under section 212(n)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act on or after the date final regulations are issued to carry out such amendments, and the amendments made by subsections (b) and (c) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(e) Reduction of Period for Public Comment.--In first promulgating regulations to implement the amendments made by this section in a timely manner, the Secretary of Labor and the Attorney General may reduce to not less than 30 days the period of public comment on proposed regulations.
SEC. 413. CHANGES IN ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.
(a) Increased Enforcement and Penalties.--Section 212(n)(2)(C) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(2)(C)) is amended to read as follows:
``(C)(i) If the Secretary finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, a failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1)(B), (1)(E), or (1)(F), a substantial failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1)(C), (1)(D), or (1)(G)(i)(I), or a misrepresentation of material fact in an application--
``(I) the Secretary shall notify the Attorney General of such finding and may, in addition, impose such other administrative remedies (including civil monetary penalties in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per violation) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and
``(II) the Attorney General shall not approve petitions filed with respect to that employer under section 204 or 214(c) during a period of at least 1 year for aliens to be employed by the employer.
``(ii) If the Secretary finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, a willful failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1), a willful misrepresentation of material fact in an application, or a violation of clause (iv)--
``(I) the Secretary shall notify the Attorney General of such finding and may, in addition, impose such other administrative remedies (including civil monetary penalties in an amount not to exceed $5,000 per violation) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and
``(II) the Attorney General shall not approve petitions filed with respect to that employer under section 204 or 214(c) during a period of at least 2 years for aliens to be employed by the employer.
``(iii) If the Secretary finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, a willful failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1) or a willful misrepresentation of material fact in an application, in the course of which failure or misrepresentation the employer displaced a United
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States worker employed by the employer within the period beginning 90 days before and ending 90 days after the date of filing of any visa petition supported by the application--
``(I) the Secretary shall notify the Attorney General of such finding and may, in addition, impose such other administrative remedies (including civil monetary penalties in an amount not to exceed $35,000 per violation) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and
``(II) the Attorney General shall not approve petitions filed with respect to that employer under section 204 or 214(c) during a period of at least 3 years for aliens to be employed by the employer.
``(iv) It is a violation of this clause for an employer who has filed an application under this subsection to intimidate, threaten, restrain, coerce, blacklist, discharge, or in any other manner discriminate against an employee (which term, for purposes of this clause, includes a former employee and an applicant for employment) because the employee has disclosed information to the employer, or to any other person, that the employee reasonably believes evidences a violation of this subsection, or any rule or regulation pertaining to this subsection, or because the employee cooperates or seeks to cooperate in an investigation or other proceeding concerning the employer's compliance with the requirements of this subsection or any rule or regulation pertaining to this subsection.
``(v) The Secretary of Labor and the Attorney General shall devise a process under which an H-1B nonimmigrant who files a complaint regarding a violation of clause (iv) and is otherwise eligible to remain and work in the United States may be allowed to seek other appropriate employment in the United States for a period not to exceed the maximum period of stay authorized for such nonimmigrant classification.
``(vi)(I) It is a violation of this clause for an employer who has filed an application under this subsection to require an H-1B nonimmigrant to pay a penalty for ceasing employment with the employer prior to a date agreed to by the nonimmigrant and the employer. The Secretary shall determine whether a required payment is a penalty (and not liquidated damages) pursuant to relevant State law.
``(II) It is a violation of this clause for an employer who has filed an application under this subsection to require an alien who is the subject of a petition filed under section 214(c)(1), for which a fee is imposed under section 214(c)(9), to reimburse, or otherwise compensate, the employer for part or all of the cost of such fee. It is a violation of this clause for such an employer otherwise to accept such reimbursement or compensation from such an alien.
``(III) If the Secretary finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, that an employer has committed a violation of this clause, the Secretary may impose a civil monetary penalty of $1,000 for each such violation and issue an administrative order requiring the return to the nonimmigrant of any amount paid in violation of this clause, or, if the nonimmigrant cannot be located, requiring payment of any such amount to the general fund of the Treasury.
``(vii)(I) It is a failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1)(A) for an employer, who has filed an application under this subsection and who places an H-1B nonimmigrant designated as a full-time employee on the petition filed under section 214(c)(1) by the employer with respect to the nonimmigrant, after the nonimmigrant has entered into employment with the employer, in nonproductive status due to a decision by the employer (based on factors such as lack of work), or due to the nonimmigrant's lack of a permit or license, to fail to pay the nonimmigrant full-time wages in accordance with paragraph (1)(A) for all such nonproductive time.
``(II) It is a failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1)(A) for an employer, who has filed an application under this subsection and who places an H-1B nonimmigrant designated as a part-time employee on the petition filed under section 214(c)(1) by the employer with respect to the nonimmigrant, after the nonimmigrant has entered into employment with the employer, in nonproductive status under circumstances described in subclause (I), to fail to pay such a nonimmigrant for such hours as are designated on such petition consistent with the rate of pay identified on such petition.
``(III) In the case of an H-1B nonimmigrant who has not yet entered into employment with an employer who has had approved an application under this subsection, and a petition under section 214(c)(1), with respect to the nonimmigrant, the provisions of subclauses (I) and (II) shall apply to the employer beginning 30 days after the date the nonimmigrant first is admitted into the United States pursuant to the petition, or 60 days after the date the nonimmigrant becomes eligible to work for the employer (in the case of a nonimmigrant who is present in the United States on the date of the approval of the petition).
``(IV) This clause does not apply to a failure to pay wages to an H-1B nonimmigrant for nonproductive time due to non- work-related factors, such as the voluntary request of the nonimmigrant for an absence or circumstances rendering the nonimmigrant unable to work.
``(V) This clause shall not be construed as prohibiting an employer that is a school or other educational institution from applying to an H-1B nonimmigrant an established salary practice of the employer, under which the employer pays to H- 1B nonimmigrants and United States workers in the same occupational classification an annual salary in disbursements over fewer than 12 months, if--
``(aa) the nonimmigrant agrees to the compressed annual salary payments prior to the commencement of the employment; and
``(bb) the application of the salary practice to the nonimmigrant does not otherwise cause the nonimmigrant to violate any condition of the nonimmigrant's authorization under this Act to remain in the United States.
``(VI) This clause shall not be construed as superseding clause (viii).
``(viii) It is a failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1)(A) for an employer who has filed an application under this subsection to fail to offer to an H-1B nonimmigrant, during the nonimmigrant's period of authorized employment, benefits and eligibility for benefits (including the opportunity to participate in health, life, disability, and other insurance plans; the opportunity to participate in retirement and savings plans; and cash bonuses and noncash compensation, such as stock options (whether or not based on performance)) on the same basis, and in accordance with the same criteria, as the employer offers to United States workers.''.
(b) Use of Arbitration Process for Disputes Involving Qualifications of United States Workers Not Hired.--
(1) In general.--Section 212(n) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)), as amended by section 412(b), is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5)(A) This paragraph shall apply instead of subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (2) in the case of a violation described in subparagraph (B), but shall not be construed to limit or affect the authority of the Secretary or the Attorney General with respect to any other violation.
``(B) The Attorney General shall establish a process for the receipt, initial review, and disposition in accordance with this paragraph of complaints respecting an employer's failure to meet the condition of paragraph (1)(G)(i)(II) or a petitioner's misrepresentation of material facts with respect to such condition. Complaints may be filed by an aggrieved individual who has submitted a resume or otherwise applied in a reasonable manner for the job that is the subject of the condition. No proceeding shall be conducted under this paragraph on a complaint concerning such a failure or misrepresentation unless the Attorney General determines that the complaint was filed not later than 12 months after the date of the failure or misrepresentation, respectively.
``(C) If the Attorney General finds that a complaint has been filed in accordance with subparagraph (B) and there is reasonable cause to believe that such a failure or misrepresentation described in such complaint has occurred, the Attorney General shall initiate binding arbitration proceedings by requesting the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to appoint an arbitrator from the roster of arbitrators maintained by such Service. The procedure and rules of such Service shall be applicable to the selection of such arbitrator and to such arbitration proceedings. The Attorney General shall pay the fee and expenses of the arbitrator.
``(D)(i) The arbitrator shall make findings respecting whether a failure or misrepresentation described in subparagraph (B) occurred. If the arbitrator concludes that failure or misrepresentation was willful, the arbitrator shall make a finding to that effect. The arbitrator may not find such a failure or misrepresentation (or that such a failure or misrepresentation was willful) unless the complainant demonstrates such a failure or misrepresentation (or its willful character) by clear and convincing evidence. The arbitrator shall transmit the findings in the form of a written opinion to the parties to the arbitration and the Attorney General. Such findings shall be final and conclusive, and, except as provided in this subparagraph, no official or court of the United States shall have power or jurisdiction to review any such findings.
``(ii) The Attorney General may review and reverse or modify the findings of an arbitrator only on the same bases as an award of an arbitrator may be vacated or modified under section 10 or 11 of title 9, United States Code.
``(iii) With respect to the findings of an arbitrator, a court may review only the actions of the Attorney General under clause (ii) and may set aside such actions only on the grounds described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 706(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, such judicial review may only be
brought in an appropriate United States court of appeals. ``(E) If the Attorney General receives a finding of an arbitrator under this paragraph that an employer has failed to meet the condition of paragraph (1)(G)(i)(II) or has misrepresented a material fact with respect to such condition, unless the Attorney General reverses or modifies the finding under subparagraph (D)(ii)--
``(i) the Attorney General may impose administrative remedies (including civil monetary penalties in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per violation or $5,000 per violation in the case of a willful failure or misrepresentation) as the Attorney General determines to be appropriate; and
``(ii) the Attorney General is authorized to not approve petitions filed, with respect to that employer and for aliens to be employed by the employer, under section 204 or 214(c)--
``(I) during a period of not more than 1 year; or
``(II) in the case of a willful failure or willful misrepresentation, during a period of not more than 2 years.
``(F) The Attorney General shall not delegate, to any other employee or official of the Department of Justice, any function of the Attorney General under this paragraph, until 60 days after the Attorney General has submitted a plan for such delegation to the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The first sentence of section 212(n)(2)(A) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``Subject to paragraph (5)(A), the Secretary''.
(c) Liability of Petitioning Employer in Case of Placement of H-1B Nonimmigrant
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With Another Employer.--Section 212(n)(2) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(E) If an H-1B-dependent employer places a nonexempt H-1B nonimmigrant with another employer as provided under paragraph (1)(F) and the other employer has displaced or displaces a United States worker employed by such other employer during the period described in such paragraph, such displacement shall be considered for purposes of this paragraph a failure, by the placing employer, to meet a condition specified in an application submitted under paragraph (1); except that the Attorney General may impose a sanction described in subclause (II) of subparagraph (C)(i), (C)(ii), or (C)(iii) only if the Secretary of Labor found that such placing employer--
``(i) knew or had reason to know of such displacement at the time of the placement of the nonimmigrant with the other employer; or
``(ii) has been subject to a sanction under this subparagraph based upon a previous placement of an H-1B nonimmigrant with the same other employer.''.
(d) Spot Investigations During Probationary Period.-- Section 212(n)(2) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(2)), as amended by subsection (c), is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(F) The Secretary may, on a case-by-case basis, subject an employer to random investigations for a period of up to 5 years, beginning on the date (on or after the date of the enactment of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998) on which the employer is found by the Secretary to have committed a willful failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1) (or has been found under paragraph (5) to have committed a willful failure to meet the condition of paragraph (1)(G)(i)(II)) or to have made a willful misrepresentation of material fact in an application. The preceding sentence shall apply to an employer regardless of whether or not the employer is an H-1B-dependent employer. The authority of the Secretary under this subparagraph shall not be construed to be subject to, or limited by, the requirements of subparagraph (A).''.
(e) Additional Investigative Authority.--
(1) In General.--Section 212(n)(2) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(2)), as amended by subsection (d), is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(G)(i) If the Secretary receives specific credible information from a source, who is likely to have knowledge of an employer's practices or employment conditions, or an employer's compliance with the employer's labor condition application under paragraph (1), and whose identity is known to the Secretary, and such information provides reasonable cause to believe that the employer has committed a willful failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1)(A), (1)(B), (1)(E), (1)(F), or (1)(G)(i)(I), has engaged in a pattern or practice of failures to meet such a condition, or has committed a substantial failure to meet such a condition that affects multiple employees, the Secretary may conduct a 30- day investigation into the alleged failure or failures. The Secretary (or the Acting Secretary in the case of the Secretary's absence or disability) shall personally certify that the requirements for conducting such an investigation have been met and shall approve commencement of the investigation. The Secretary may withhold the identity of the source from the employer, and the source's identity shall not be subject to disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code.
``(ii) The Secretary shall establish a procedure for any person, desiring to provide to the Secretary information described in clause (i) that may be used, in whole or in part, as the basis for commencement of an investigation described in such clause, to provide the information in writing on a form developed and provided by the Secretary and completed by or on behalf of the person. The person may not be an officer or employee of the Department of Labor, unless the information satisfies the requirement of clause (iii)(II) (although an officer or employee of the Department of Labor may complete the form on behalf of the person).
``(iii) Any investigation initiated or approved by the Secretary under clause (i) shall be based on information that satisfies the requirements of such clause and that (I) originates from a source other than an officer or employee of the Department of Labor, or (II) was lawfully obtained by the Secretary of Labor in the course of lawfully conducting another Department of Labor investigation under this Act or any other Act.
``(iv) The receipt by the Secretary of information submitted by an employer to the Attorney General or the Secretary for purposes of securing the employment of an H-1B nonimmigrant shall not be considered a receipt of information for purposes of clause (i).
``(v) No investigation described in clause (i) (or hearing described in clause (vii)) may be conducted with respect to information about a failure to meet a condition described in clause (i), unless the Secretary receives the information not later than 12 months after the date of the alleged failure.
``(vi) The Secretary shall provide notice to an employer with respect to whom the Secretary has received information described in clause (i), prior to the commencement of an investigation under such clause, of the receipt of the information and of the potential for an investigation. The notice shall be provided in such a manner, and shall contain sufficient detail, to permit the employer to respond to the allegations before an investigation is commenced. The Secretary is not required to comply with this clause if the Secretary determines that to do so would interfere with an effort by the Secretary to secure compliance by the employer with the requirements of this subsection. There shall be no judicial review of a determination by the Secretary under this clause.
``(vii) If the Secretary determines under this subparagraph that a reasonable basis exists to make a finding that a failure described in clause (i) has occurred, the Secretary shall provide for notice of such determination to the interested parties and an opportunity for a hearing, in accordance with section 556 of title 5, United States Code, within 60 days after the date of the determination. If such a hearing is requested, the Secretary shall make a finding concerning the matter by not later than 60 days after the date of the hearing.''.
(2) Sunset.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2001.
(f) Construction.--Section 212(n)(2) (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(2)), as amended by subsection (e), is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(H) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as superseding or preempting any other enforcement-related authority under this Act (such as the authorities under section 274B), or any other Act.''.
SEC. 414. COLLECTION AND USE OF H-1B NONIMMIGRANT FEES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOW-INCOME MATH, ENGINEERING, AND COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENTS AND JOB TRAINING OF UNITED STATES WORKERS.
(a) Imposition of Fee.--Section 214(c) (8 U.S.C. 1184(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(9)(A) The Attorney General shall impose a fee on an employer (excluding an employer described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 212(p)(1)) filing (on or after December 1, 1998, and before October 1, 2001) a petition under paragraph (1)--
``(i) initially to grant an alien nonimmigrant status described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b);
``(ii) to extend the stay of an alien having such status (unless the employer previously has obtained an extension for such alien); or
``(iii) to obtain authorization for an alien having such status to change employers.
``(B) The amount of the fee shall be $500 for each such petition.
``(C) Fees collected under this paragraph shall be deposited in the Treasury in accordance with section 286(s).''.
(b) Establishment of Account; Use of Fees.--Section 286 (8 U.S.C. 1356) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(s) H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account.--
``(1) In general.--There is established in the general fund of the Treasury a separate account, which shall be known as the `H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account'. Notwithstanding any other section of this title, there shall be deposited as offsetting receipts into the account all fees collected under section 214(c)(9).
``(2) Use of fees for job training.--56.3 percent of amounts deposited into the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account shall remain available to the Secretary of Labor until expended for demonstration programs and projects described in section 414(c) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998.
``(3) Use of fees for low-income scholarship program.--28.2 percent of the amounts deposited into the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account shall remain available to the Director of the National Science Foundation until expended for scholarships described in section 414(d) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 for low-income students enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree in mathematics, engineering, or computer science.
``(4) Additional nsf uses.--
``(A) Grants for mathematics, engineering, or science enrichment courses.--4 percent of the amounts deposited into the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account shall remain available to the Director of the National Science Foundation until expended to make merit-reviewed grants, under section 3(a)(1) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1862(a)(1)), for programs that provide opportunities for enrollment in year-round academic enrichment courses in mathematics, engineering, or science.
``(B) Systemic reform activities.--4 percent of the amounts deposited into the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account shall remain available to the Director of the National Science Foundation until expended to carry out systemic reform activities administered by the National Science Foundation under section 3(a)(1) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1862(a)(1)).
``(5) Use of fees for duties relating to petitions.--1.5 percent of the amounts deposited into the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account shall remain available to the Attorney General until expended to carry out duties under paragraphs (1) and (9) of section 214(c) related to petitions made for nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b), to decrease the processing time for such petitions, and to carry out duties under section 416 of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998. Such amounts shall be available in addition to any other fees authorized to be collected by the Attorney General with respect to such petitions.
``(6) Use of fees for application processing and enforcement.--For fiscal year 1999, 6 percent of the amounts deposited into the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account shall remain available to the Secretary of Labor until expended for decreasing the processing time for applications under section 212(n)(1) and for carrying out section 212(n)(2). Beginning with fiscal year 2000, 3 percent of the amounts deposited into the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account
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shall remain available to the Secretary of Labor until expended for decreasing the processing time for applications under section 212(n)(1), and 3 percent of such amounts shall remain available to such Secretary until expended for carrying out section 212(n)(2). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, both of the amounts made available for any fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2000) pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be available to such Secretary, and shall remain available until expended, only for decreasing the processing time for applications under section 212(n)(1) until the Secretary submits to the Congress a report containing a certification that, during the most recently concluded calendar year, the Secretary substantially complied with the requirement in section 212(n)(1) relating to the provision of the certification described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) within a 7-day period.''.
(c) Demonstration Programs and Projects To Provide Technical Skills Training for Workers.--
(1) In general.--In establishing demonstration programs under section 452(c) of the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1732(c)), as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, or demonstration programs or projects under section 171(b) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the Secretary of Labor shall use funds available under section 286(s)(2) to establish demonstration programs or projects to provide technical skills training for workers, including both employed and unemployed workers.
(2) Grants.--The Secretary of Labor shall award grants to carry out the programs and projects described in paragraph (1) to--
(A)(i) private industry councils established under section 102 of the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1512), as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; or
(ii) local boards that will carry out such programs or projects through one-stop delivery systems established under section 121 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998; or
(B) regional consortia of councils or local boards described in subparagraph (A).
(d) Low-Income Scholarship Program.--
(1) Establishment.--The Director of the National Science Foundation (referred to in this subsection as the ``Director'') shall award scholarships to low-income individuals to enable such individuals to pursue associate, undergraduate, or graduate level degrees in mathematics, engineering, or computer science.
(2) Eligibility.--
(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a scholarship under this subsection, an individual--
(i) must be a citizen of the United States, a national of the United States (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act), an alien admitted as a refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality, or an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence;
(ii) shall prepare and submit to the Director an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require; and
(iii) shall certify to the Director that the individual intends to use amounts received under the scholarship to enroll or continue enrollment at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965) in order to pursue an associate, undergraduate, or graduate level degree in mathematics, engineering, or computer science.
(B) Ability.--Awards of scholarships under this subsection shall be made by the Director solely on the basis of the ability of the applicant, except that in any case in which 2 or more applicants for scholarships are deemed by the Director to be possessed of substantially equal ability, and there are not sufficient scholarships available to grant one to each of such applicants, the available scholarship or scholarships shall be awarded to the applicants in a manner that will tend to result in a geographically wide distribution throughout the United States of recipients' places of permanent residence.
(3) Limitation.--The amount of a scholarship awarded under this subsection shall be determined by the Director, except that the Director shall not award a scholarship in an amount exceeding $2,500 per year.
(4) Funding.--The Director shall carry out this subsection only with funds made available under section 286(s)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
SEC. 415. COMPUTATION OF PREVAILING WAGE LEVEL.
(a) In General.--Section 212 (8 U.S.C. 1182) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(p)(1) In computing the prevailing wage level for an occupational classification in an area of employment for purposes of subsections (n)(1)(A)(i)(II) and (a)(5)(A) in the case of an employee of--
``(A) an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965), or a related or affiliated nonprofit entity; or
``(B) a nonprofit research organization or a Governmental research organization, the prevailing wage level shall only take into account employees at such institutions and organizations in the area of employment.
``(2) With respect to a professional athlete (as defined in subsection (a)(5)(A)(iii)(II)) when the job opportunity is covered by professional sports league rules or regulations, the wage set forth in those rules or regulations shall be considered as not adversely affecting the wages of United States workers similarly employed and be considered the prevailing wage.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) applies to prevailing wage computations made--
(1) for applications filed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) for applications filed before such date, but only to the extent that the computation is subject to an administrative or judicial determination that is not final as of such date.
SEC. 416. IMPROVING COUNT OF H-1B AND H-2B NONIMMIGRANTS.
(a) Ensuring Accurate Count.--The Attorney General shall take such steps as are necessary to maintain an accurate count of the number of aliens subject to the numerical limitations of section 214(g)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)) who are issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status.
(b) Revision of Petition Forms.--The Attorney General shall take such steps as are necessary to revise the forms used for petitions for visas or nonimmigrant status under clause (i)(b) or (ii)(b) of section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)) so as to ensure that the forms provide the Attorney General with sufficient information to permit the Attorney General accurately to count the number of aliens subject to the numerical limitations of section 214(g)(1) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)) who are issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status.
(c) Provision of Information.--
(1) Quarterly notification.--Beginning not later than 60 days after the first day of fiscal year 1999, the Attorney General shall notify, on a quarterly basis, the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate of the numbers of aliens who were issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act during the preceding 3-month period.
(2) Annual submission.--Beginning with fiscal year 2000, the Attorney General shall submit on an annual basis, to the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, information on the countries of origin and occupations of, educational levels attained by, and compensation paid to, aliens who were issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act during the previous fiscal year. With respect to the first submission under this paragraph, the information shall relate solely to aliens provided nonimmigrant status after the date that is 60 days after the date on which final regulations are issued to carry out section 412(a).
(3) Specification of number of petitions filed by certain employers.--Each notification under paragraph (1), and each submission under paragraph (2), shall include the number of aliens who were issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status pursuant to petitions filed by institutions or organizations described in section 212(p)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as added by section 415 of this title).
SEC. 417. REPORT ON OLDER WORKERS IN THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FIELD.
(a) Study.--The Director of the National Science Foundation shall enter into a contract with the President of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study, using the best available data, assessing the status of older workers in the information technology field. The study shall consider the following:
(1) The existence and extent of age discrimination in the information technology workplace.
(2) The extent to which there is a difference, based on age, in--
(A) promotion and advancement;
(B) working hours;
(C) telecommuting;
(D) salary; and
(E) stock options, bonuses, and other benefits.
(3) The relationship between rates of advancement, promotion, and compensation to experience, skill level, education, and age.
(4) Differences in skill level on the basis of age.
(b) Report.--Not later than October 1, 2000, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate a report containing the results of the study described in subsection (a).
SEC. 418. REPORT ON HIGH TECHNOLOGY LABOR MARKET NEEDS; REPORTS ON ECONOMIC IMPACT OF INCREASE IN H-1B NONIMMIGRANTS.
(a) National Science Foundation Study and Report.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Science Foundation shall conduct a study to assess labor market needs for workers with high technology skills during the next 10 years. The study shall investigate and analyze the following:
(A) Future training and education needs of companies in the high technology and information technology sectors and future training and education needs of United States students to ensure that students' skills at various levels are matched to the needs in such sectors.
(B) An analysis of progress made by educators, employers, and government entities to improve the teaching and educational level of American students in the fields of math, science, computer science, and engineering since 1998.
(C) An analysis of the number of United States workers currently or projected to work overseas in professional, technical, and managerial capacities.
(D) The relative achievement rates of United States and foreign students in secondary schools in a variety of subjects, including math, science, computer science, English, and history.
(E) The relative performance, by subject area, of United States and foreign students in postsecondary and graduate schools as compared to secondary schools.
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(F) The needs of the high technology sector for foreign workers with specific skills and the potential benefits and costs to United States employers, workers, consumers, postsecondary educational institutions, and the United States economy, from the entry of skilled foreign professionals in the fields of science and engineering.
(G) The needs of the high technology sector to adapt products and services for export to particular local markets in foreign countries.
(H) An examination of the amount and trend of moving the production or performance of products and services now occurring in the United States abroad.
(2) Report.--Not later than October 1, 2000, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate a report containing the results of the study described in paragraph (1).
(3) Involvement.--The study under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in a manner that ensures the participation of individuals representing a variety of points of view.
(b) Reporting on Studies Showing Economic Impact of H-1B Nonimmigrant Increase.--The Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Labor, and any other member of the Cabinet, shall promptly report to the Congress the results of any reliable study that suggests, based on legitimate economic analysis, that the increase effected by section 411(a) of this title in the number of aliens who may be issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act has had an impact on any national economic indicator, such as the level of inflation or unemployment, that warrants action by the Congress.
Subtitle B--Special Immigrant Status for Certain NATO Civilian Employees
SEC. 421. SPECIAL IMMIGRANT STATUS FOR CERTAIN NATO CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.
(a) In General.--Section 101(a)(27) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (J);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (K) and inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(L) an immigrant who would be described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of subparagraph (I) if any reference in such a clause--
``(i) to an international organization described in paragraph (15)(G)(i) were treated as a reference to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO);
``(ii) to a nonimmigrant under paragraph (15)(G)(iv) were treated as a reference to a nonimmigrant classifiable under NATO-6 (as a member of a civilian component accompanying a force entering in accordance with the provisions of the NATO Status-of-Forces Agreement, a member of a civilian component attached to or employed by an Allied Headquarters under the `Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters' set up pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty, or as a dependent); and
``(iii) to the Immigration Technical Corrections Act of 1988 or to the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 were a reference to the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998.''.
(b) Conforming Nonimmigrant Status for Certain Parents of Special Immigrant Children.--Section 101(a)(15)(N) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(N)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(or under analogous authority under paragraph (27)(L))'' after ``(27)(I)(i)''; and
(2) by inserting ``(or under analogous authority under paragraph (27)(L))'' after ``(27)(I)''.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous Provision
SEC. 431. ACADEMIC HONORARIA.
(a) In General.--Section 212 (8 U.S.C. 1182), as amended by section 415, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(q) Any alien admitted under section 101(a)(15)(B) may accept an honorarium payment and associated incidental expenses for a usual academic activity or activities (lasting not longer than 9 days at any single institution), as defined by the Attorney General in consultation with the Secretary of Education, if such payment is offered by an institution or organization described in subsection (p)(1) and is made for services conducted for the benefit of that institution or entity and if the alien has not accepted such payment or expenses from more than 5 institutions or organizations in the previous 6-month period.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to activities occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.