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Also tagged in: AIDS (Disease), Authorization, Blacks, Boundaries, Budgets, Business, Clinical trials, Communicable diseases, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements
Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Presented to President.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to making progress toward the goal of eliminating tuberculosis, and for other purposes. 3/15/2007--Introduced. Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth research and demonstration projections for the prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis that shall receive priority from the Secretary of Health and Human Services in awarding research grants for tuberculosis.Requires the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis to make recommendations on the development, revision, and implementation of a national plan to eliminate tuberculosis in the United States. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop new tools for the elimination of tuberculosis. Requires the Federal Tuberculosis Task Force to make recommendations on the development of a national plan for the [...]

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Also tagged in: Automobile engines, Budgets, Electric vehicles, Energy, Energy research, Energy storage, Federal aid to research, Research and development, Science policy, Technological innovations
Latest Action: 10/02/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To establish a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program to promote research of appropriate technologies for heavy duty plug-in hybrid vehicles, and for other purposes.

6/19/2008--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a competitive program to provide five grants for projects to advance research and development of, demonstrate advanced technologies for, and produce or retrofit heavy duty plug-in vehicles; and (2) conduct research into alternative power train designs for use in delivery and utility vehicles.

Amends the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary to conduct an applied research program on energy storage systems to support vehicles with a gross weight over 8501 pounds.


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Also tagged in: Access to health care, Ambulatory care, Budgets, Case management, Children, Clinical trials, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Continuum of care, Education
Latest Action: 03/05/2008 - Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-430. 9:30 a.m.

Bill Text
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum depression and psychosis. 10/15/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act - Title I: Research on Postpartum Depression and Psychosis - (Sec. 101) Encourages the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), to continue aggressive work on postpartum depression and other postpartum psychosis. Encourages the Director of NIMH to continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find a cure for, postpartum conditions, including: (1) basic research concerning the etiology and causes of the conditions; (2) epidemiological studies to address the frequency and natural history of the conditions and differences among racial and ethnic groups; (3) the development [...]

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Also tagged in: Agricultural extension work, Agriculture, Air conditioning, Budgets, Business, Cogeneration of electric power and heat, Education, Energy, Energy conservation, Energy conservation in buildings
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
To provide for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies. 9/17/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 8, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Energy Technology Transfer Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to award grants for a five-year period to nonprofit institutions, state and local governments, cooperative extension services, or institutions of higher education to establish a geographically dispersed network of Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers, located in areas the Secretary determines have the greatest need of their services.Requires the Secretary to: (1) give priority to applicants already operating or partnered with an outreach program capable of transferring such [...]

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Also tagged in: Budgets, Department of Transportation, Emergency management, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal aid to research, Hazardous substances, Risk, Science policy, Security measures
Latest Action: 01/31/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation.

Bill Text
To provide for the establishment of a hazardous materials cooperative research program.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to obligate for each fiscal year certain hazardous materials transportation funds to develop and administer a hazardous materials cooperative research program. Directs the Secretary to establish an independent governing board to select cooperative research projects and studies of hazardous materials transportation to be carried out under the program that will yield results immediately applicable to risk analysis and mitigation or that will strengthen the ability of first responders to respond to accidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials.


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Also tagged in: Academic performance, Access to health care, AIDS (Disease), Alcohol and youth, Alcoholism, Ambulatory care, Birth control, Budgets, Business, Child development
Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Star Print ordered on the bill.

Bill Text
A bill to expand access to preventive health care services that help reduce unintended pregnancy, reduce abortions, and improve access to women's health care. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Prevention First Act - Title X Family Planning Services Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for family planning services grants and contracts under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA). Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and PHSA to prohibit a group health plan and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage from excluding or restricting benefits in any way for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan or coverage provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services. Applies such prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market. Emergency Contraception Education Act of 2007 - Directs [...]

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Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Budgets, Congressional reporting requirements, Cytology, Department of Health and Human Services, Donation of organs, tissues, etc., Executive departments, Federal aid to research, Genetic research, Genetics
Latest Action: 01/12/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 6.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research. 1/11/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo, provided such embryos: (1) have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics; (2) were created for the purposes of fertility treatment; (3) were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment and would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded (as determined in consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment);[...]

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Also tagged in: Air pollution, Alcohol as fuel, Alternative energy sources, Budgets, Business, Cellulose, Energy, Energy research, Environmental protection, Federal aid to research
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S164)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to require the Secretary of Energy to provide grants to eligible entities to carry out research, development, and demonstration projects of cellulosic ethanol and construct infrastructure that enables retail gas stations to dispense cellulosic ethanol for vehicle fuel to reduce the consumption of petroleum-based fuel.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Cellulosic Ethanol Development and Implementation Act of 2007 - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) a grants program for eligible entities to implement research, development, and demonstration projects relating to the use of cellulosic ethanol fuel for motor vehicles; and (2) a pilot program to provide grants to eligible entities for use in installing infrastructure (such as pumps) that would enable retail gas stations to sell and dispense ethanol fuel.

Requires an eligible entity to provide matching funds in the amount of 20% of the total amount of the grant.


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Also tagged in: Access to health care, Budgets, Commemorations, Congress, Congressional tributes, Federal aid to research, Health education, Health policy, Medical care, Medical research
Latest Action: 05/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
Expressing the support of Congress for a National Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Awareness Month. 5/24/2007--Introduced. Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of a month to educate the public and medical professionals about the nature and impact of complex regional pain syndrome, also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and the importance of early detection and proper treatment; and (2) increased funding for research to determine the causes of, and improved treatment and cure for, the syndrome.Honors national and community organizations that promote public awareness about the syndrome and that provide support to people suffering with it.Encourages health care providers to continue to increase their efforts to diagnose the syndrome in its earliest possible stages to increase the likelihood of remission.Declares that Congress continues to consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services [...]

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Also tagged in: Agricultural extension work, Agricultural research, Agricultural wastes, Agriculture, Alternative energy sources, Awards, medals, prizes, Biomass energy, Budgets, Commemorations, Commercialization
Latest Action: 03/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.

Bill Text
To provide for Federal research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities to enable the development of farms that are net producers of both food and energy, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to: (1) develop recommendations for evaluation measures and criteria for programs under this Act; and (2) evaluate the feasibility of prize and best practices award programs as tools to promote self-powered farms. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish an award program for up to 30 state agricultural research programs for self-powered farm demonstrations; (2) provide low-cost revolving loans and loan guarantees to eligible entities for the commercial application of energy or other technologies that will contribute to establishing self-powered farms, with highest preference given to applicants who propose to meet their energy needs from biobased [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Also tagged in: Agricultural wastes, Agriculture, Air pollution, Alaska, Alcohol as fuel, Alternative energy sources, Apartment houses, Armed forces, Bicycles, Biomass energy
Latest Action: 09/18/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

Bill Text
To advance the national security interests of the United States by reducing its dependency on oil through renewable and clean, alternative fuel technologies while building a bridge to the future through expanded access to Federal oil and natural gas resources, revising the relationship between the oil and gas industry and the consumers who own those resources and deserve a fair return from the development of publicly owned oil and gas, ending tax subsidies for large oil and gas companies, and facilitating energy efficiencies in the building, housing, and transportation sectors, and for other purposes. 9/15/2008--Introduced. Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act - Prohibits oil and gas preleasing or leasing of any area of the Outer Continental Shelf that was not available for oil and gas leasing as of July 1, 2008, unless that action is expressly authorized by this Act or a statute enacted by Congress after the date of enactment of this Act. [...]

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Also tagged in: Automobile engines, Budgets, Electric vehicles, Energy, Energy research, Energy storage, Federal aid to research, Research and development, Science policy, Technological innovations
Latest Action: 10/02/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To establish a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program to promote research of appropriate technologies for heavy duty plug-in hybrid vehicles, and for other purposes.

6/19/2008--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a competitive program to provide five grants for projects to advance research and development of, demonstrate advanced technologies for, and produce or retrofit heavy duty plug-in vehicles; and (2) conduct research into alternative power train designs for use in delivery and utility vehicles.

Amends the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary to conduct an applied research program on energy storage systems to support vehicles with a gross weight over 8501 pounds.


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Also tagged in: Air pollution, Aquifers, Budgets, Carbon cycle, Climate change, Energy, Energy demand, Energy efficiency, Environmental protection, Environmental research
Latest Action: 07/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

Bill Text
To enhance the ability of drinking water utilities in the United States to develop and implement climate change adaptation programs and policies, and for other purposes. 6/18/2008--Introduced. Climate Change Drinking Water Adaptation Research Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and provide funding for a program of directed and applied research, to be conducted through a nonprofit water research foundation and sponsored by drinking water utilities, to assist suppliers of drinking water in adapting to the effects of climate change.Requires research areas to include: (1) water quality and quantity impacts and solutions; (2) impacts on groundwater supplies from carbon sequestration; (3) infrastructure impacts and solutions; (4) desalination, water reuse, and alternative supply technologies; (5) energy efficiency and greenhouse gas minimization; (6) regional and hydrological basin cooperative water management solutions;[...]

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Also tagged in: Absentee voting, Ballots, Budgets, Communications, Computer software, Congress, Congressional elections, Disabled, Election administration, Election Assistance Commission
Latest Action: 06/06/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Bill Text
A bill to require early voting in Federal elections, to prohibit restrictions on absentee voting in Federal elections, to establish a grant program to promote voting by mail, and for other purposes. 6/6/2008--Introduced. Voting Opportunities and Integrity in the Conduct of Elections Act of 2008 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to: (1) allow individuals to vote in an election before the date of the regularly scheduled election; (2) require the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to issue standards for administration of such voting; and (3) require each state to permit any person otherwise qualified to vote in a federal election to vote in a manner other than in person, and impose no conditions or restrictions on absentee voting other than a reasonable deadline for requesting and returning the ballot.Directs the EAC to establish a Vote by Mail grant program. Requires each federal election voting system to require the use of or produce an individual, [...]

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Also tagged in: Advice and consent of the Senate, Budgets, Business, Commercialization, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Data banks, Department of Commerce, Department of Labor, Economic development
Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4971-4972)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a National Innovation Council, to improve the coordination of innovation activities among industries in the United States, and for other purposes. 6/3/2008--Introduced. National Innovation and Job Creation Act of 2008 - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a National Innovation Council, to be responsible for formulating and advocating for the federal government's innovation policy. Requires the Council to collaborate with major statistical agencies, collect data concerning the impact on productivity of the Council's programs, and annually report to Congress on national innovation and productivity. Places the Council under the direction of a National Innovation Council Board.Transfers to the Council specified research and innovation programs of the National Institute of Standards of Technology, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Labor.Establishes within the Council the CLUSTER Information Center to promote [...]

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(1) Comment About This Bill
Also tagged in: Appropriations, Budgets, Clinical trials, Department of Health and Human Services, Diseases, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Federal aid to research, Governmental investigations
Latest Action: 05/07/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3894)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance public and private research efforts to develop new tools and therapies that prevent, detect, and cure diseases. 5/7/2008--Introduced. Accelerating Cures Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to define "translational research" to mean research that transforms scientific discoveries arising from laboratory, clinical, or population studies into clinical application to reduce disease incidence, morbidity, and mortality.Establishes a Pathways to Cures Subcommittee within the Office of Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives (OPASI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help advise and direct translational research priorities.Requires the Director of NIH to establish a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) on clinical effectiveness research. Requires the Director of FFRDC to establish an independent Clinical Effectiveness Advisory Board.Requires the [...]

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Also tagged in: Access to health care, Alaska, Asian American ethnic groups, Blacks, Boundaries, Budgets, Child health, Children, Clinical trials, Clinics
Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to prevent and cure diabetes and to promote and improve the care of individuals with diabetes for the reduction of health disparities within racial and ethnic minority groups, including the African-American, Hispanic American, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. 5/6/2008--Introduced. Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) conduct, coordinate, and support research and other activities with respect to pre-diabetes and diabetes in minority populations; and (2) conduct and support programs to treat diabetes in minority populations.Requires the Director of NIH, through the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, to provide for: (1) health care professionals' mentoring; and (2) minority health professionals' participation in diabetes-focused [...]

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Also tagged in: Air pollution, Aquifers, Budgets, Carbon cycle, Climate change, Energy, Energy demand, Energy efficiency, Environmental protection, Environmental research
Latest Action: 09/24/2008 - Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer without amendment. With written report No. 110-487.

Bill Text
A bill to enhance the ability of drinking water utilities in the United States to develop and implement climate change adaptation programs and policies, and for other purposes. 9/24/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)Climate Change Drinking Water Adaptation Research Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and provide funding for a program of directed and applied research, to be conducted through a nonprofit water research foundation and sponsored by drinking water utilities, to assist suppliers of drinking water in adapting to the effects of climate change.Requires research areas to include: (1) water quality and quantity impacts and solutions; (2) impacts on groundwater supplies from carbon sequestration; (3) infrastructure [...]

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Also tagged in: Air pollution, Air pollution control, Alternative energy sources, Apprenticeship, Armed forces, Budgets, Business, Carbon cycle, Carbon dioxide, Climate change
Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3596-3597)

Bill Text
A bill to promote green energy production, and for other purposes. 4/30/2008--Introduced. Green Energy Production Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a green technology investment program to develop high-tech green research capabilities, promote green innovation and green energy investment, and increase scientific knowledge that may reveal the basis for new or enhanced products, equipment, or processes in target areas.Establishes in the Department of Energy the Green Technology Investment Corporation to allocate funds, provide grants, and carry out component programs for all phases of technology commercialization. Requires the Corporation to establish: (1) a green development loan program for green technology investment; (2) a green markets grant program; (3) a green redevelopment, opportunity, and workforce grant program; (4) a green energy manufacturing loan program; (5) a green energy community pilot program; (6) a green energy institution [...]

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Also tagged in: Budgets, Cancer, Case management, Child health, Children, Clinics, Comprehensive health care, Education, Federal aid to education, Federal aid to health facilities
Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3146-3147)

Bill Text
A bill to improve and enhance research and programs on cancer survivorship, and for other purposes. 4/17/2008--Introduced. Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to expand and intensify CDC's cancer control programs. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide guidance to states, in collaboration with the Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), on interventions that may be incorporated into state cancer control programs to improve the long-term health status of childhood cancer survivors; (2) encourage states to incorporate strategies for improving their care into their comprehensive cancer plans; (3) collaborate with the NCI Director to improve or develop systems for tracking cancer survivors; and (4) enhance control programs to include [...]

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