SEC. _. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY ON ENGLISH PROFICIENCY.
(a) IN GENERAL."The Comptroller General of theUnited States shall conduct a study on"
(1) the needs of citizens and lawful permanentresidents of the United States whose native language.is not English to obtain English language and literacyproficiency;
(2) the estimated costs to the public and privatesector resulting from those residents of the UnitedStates who lack English language proficiency; and
(3) the estimated costs of operating Englishlanguage acquisition programs in the public and privatesector for those residents of the United Stateswho lack English language proficiency.
(b) STUDY COMPONENTS."The study conductedunder subsection (a) shall include"
(1) an inventory of all existing Federal programsdesigned to improve English language and literacyacquisition for adult citizens and lawful permanentresidents of the United States, including"
(A) a description of the purpose of eachsuch program;
(B) a summary of the Federal expendituresfor each such program during fiscal yearsthrough 2006;
(C) data on the participation rates of individualswithin each such program and thosewho have expressed an interest in obtainingEnglish instruction but have been unable toparticipate in existing programs;.
(D) a summary of evaluations and performancereviews of the effectiveness and sustainabilityof each such program; and
(E) a description of the coordination ofFederal programs with private and nonprofitprograms;
(2) the identification of model programs at theFederal, State, and local level with demonstrated effectivenessin helping adult citizens and lawful permanentresidents of the United States gain Englishlanguage and literacy proficiency;
(3) a summary of funding for State and localprograms that support improving the English languageproficiency and literacy of citizens and lawfulpermanent residents of the United States;
(4) a summary of the costs incurred and benefitsreceived by Federal, State, and local governmentsin serving citizens and lawful permanent residentsof the United States who are not proficient inEnglish, including"
(A) costs for foreign language translators;
(B) the production of documents in multiplelanguages; and
(C) compliance with Executive Order13166;.
(5) an analysis of the costs incurred by businessesthat employ citizens and lawful permanentresidents of the United States who are not proficientin English, including"
(A) costs for English training and foreignlanguage translation;
(B) an estimate of lost productivity; and
(C) costs for providing English training toemployees;
(6) the number of lawful permanent residentswho are eligible to naturalize as citizens of theUnited States; and
(7) recommendations regarding the most cost-effective actions the Federal government could taketo assist citizens and lawful permanent residents ofthe United States to quickly learn English.
(c) REPORT."Not later than 1 year after the dateof the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General ofthe United States shall submit a report containing thefindings from the study conducted under this section to"
(1) the Committee on Health, Education,Labor, and Pensions of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;.
(3) the Committee on Education and Labor ofthe House of Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on the Judiciary of theHouse of Representatives.
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS."Thereare authorized to be appropriated such sums as may benecessary for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to carry out thissection.
