Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 03/16/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.

Bill Text
To amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to provide financial assistance for the development and reuse of brownfields.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Brownfields Housing and Community Renewal Development Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a grants program for redevelopment activities for brownfield sites and abandoned, idled, and underused industrial, commercial, or housing structures located in brownfield sites.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to provide Federal coordination and assistance in preventing gang violence.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Mynisha's Law - Authorizes any local or tribal government to submit an application to the Attorney General for designation as a Comprehensive Gang Prevention and Relief Area.

Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish criteria for reviewing such applications; and (2) establish an Interagency Gang Prevention Task Force. Directs the Task Force to: (1) coordinate government activities to create a comprehensive gang prevention response, focusing on early childhood intervention, at-risk youth intervention, literacy, employment, community policing, and comprehensive community-based programs such as Operation Cease Fire; (2) coordinate with local and regional gang prevention efforts; and (3) prioritize the needs of such Areas for funding under specified federal community assistance and grant programs.

Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To establish the SouthEast Crescent Authority, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Southeast Crescent Authority Act of 2007 - Establishes a Southeast Crescent Authority for all parts of the following southeastern states not eligible for assistance from the Appalachian Regional Commission or the Delta Regional Authority: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Directs the Authority to perform various functions, including: (1) formulating plans and programs to spur economic development, and approving grants to states and public and nonprofit entities toward that end; (2) establishing priorities in a development plan for the region; (3) supporting local development districts, and creating them where they do not exist; and (4) encouraging private investment in the region. Permits the Authority to request and receive federal, state and local government personnel as employees. States that Authority grants [...]

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Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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 c

Bill Text
Recognizing the importance of community development corporations (CDCs).

1/17/2007--Introduced.

Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) recognizes the importance of promoting community development corporations in communities across the United States; (2) acknowledges the contributions community development corporations have made in providing affordable housing, employment, and educational opportunities for community residents; and (3) recognizes the need for the federal government to provide financial assistance to community development corporations to support their continued efforts in economic development, affordable housing production, and job creation in communities having such needs, particularly after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Latest Action: 02/06/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to designate certain public land as wilderness and certain rivers as wild and scenic rivers in the State of California, to designate Salmon Restoration Areas, to establish the Sacramento River National Recreation Area and Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. California Wild Heritage Act of 2007 - Designates specified national forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public land in California as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (System). Requires such areas to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior or Agriculture, whichever has current administrative jurisdiction over each area. Designates specified California public land as: (1) salmon restoration areas; (2) wilderness study areas; and (3) a potential wilderness area. Releases any parts of a specified wilderness study area from further study for designation as wilderness. Designates specified California [...]

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Latest Action: 02/06/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bill Text
A bill to establish the SouthEast Crescent Authority, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. Southeast Crescent Authority Act of 2007 - Establishes a Southeast Crescent Authority for all parts of the following southeastern states not eligible for assistance from the Appalachian Regional Commission or the Delta Regional Authority: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Directs the Authority to perform various functions, including: (1) formulating plans and programs to spur economic development, and approving grants to states and public and nonprofit entities toward that end; (2) establishing priorities in a development plan for the region; (3) supporting local development districts, and creating them where they do not exist; and (4) encouraging private investment in the region. Permits the Authority to request and receive federal, state and local government personnel as employees. States that Authority [...]

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Latest Action: 02/07/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.

Bill Text
To accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by establishing a market-driven system of greenhouse gas tradeable allowances that will limit greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, reduce dependence upon foreign oil, and ensure benefits to consumers from the trading in such allowances, and for other purposes. 1/22/2007--Introduced. Climate Stewardship Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a National Greenhouse Gas Database consisting of: (1) an inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by covered entities (specified entities that own or control a source of GHG emissions in the electric power, industrial, and commercial sectors of the U.S. economy that emit more than 10,000 metric tons of GHGs per year); and (2) a registry of GHG emission reductions and increased sequestration, applicable to both covered and noncovered entities.Establishes a program for the market-driven [...]

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Latest Action: 02/28/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
To facilitate the provision of assistance by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the cleanup and economic redevelopment of brownfields. 2/27/2007--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.) Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants (without certain otherwise-required loan guarantees) to eligible public entities and Indian tribes to assist in the environmental cleanup and economic development of brownfield sites including mine-scarred lands. Prohibits: (1) providing or using such grants in a manner that reduces the financial responsibility of any nongovernmental party that is responsible or potentially responsible for contamination on any [...]

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Latest Action: 02/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Bill Text
To designate certain public land as wilderness and certain rivers as wild and scenic rivers in the State of California, to designate Salmon Restoration Areas, to establish the Sacramento River National Recreation Area and Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. California Wild Heritage Act of 2007 - Designates specified national forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public land in California as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (System). Requires such areas to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior or Agriculture, whichever has current administrative jurisdiction over each area. Designates specified California public land as: (1) salmon restoration areas; (2) wilderness study areas; and (3) a potential wilderness area. Releases any parts of a specified wilderness study area from further study for designation as wilderness. Designates specified California national [...]

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Latest Action: 06/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
To prohibit the provision of Federal economic development assistance for any State or locality that uses the power of eminent domain power to obtain property for private commercial development or that fails to pay relocation costs to persons displaced by use of the power of eminent domain for economic development purposes. 2/8/2007--Introduced. Strengthening the Ownership of Private Property Act of 2007 or STOPP Act of 2007 - Prohibits federal financial assistance under defined federal economic development programs to a state or local government entity that: (1) uses the power of eminent domain to take property from a private entity and transfer ownership to another private entity; or (2) fails to provide, to any person displaced by the use of eminent domain for any economic development purpose, relocation assistance under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Excepts from the first clause property taken for: (1) use by a public [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize funds to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to carry out its Community Safety Initiative.

5/1/2008--Introduced.

Community Safety Initiative Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs to make grants in FY2009-FY2014 to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to carry out its Community Safety Initiative.

Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain benefits applicable to the Gulf Opportunity Zone, and for other purposes. 3/13/2008--Introduced. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2010 increased depreciation allowances for certain business and investment property located in the Gulf Opportunity Zone (GO Zone) (through 2011 for nonresidential real property or residential rental property in the GO Zone); (2) extend through 2012 special rules relating to the depreciation of buildings in the GO Zone; (3) extend through 2010 the tax credit for rehabilitation expenditures in the GO Zone; (4) increase the new markets tax credit limitation in 2008 and 2009 for investments in community development entities serving the GO Zone; (5) extend through 2012, and increase the authority for, tax-exempt bond financing for bonds issued by Louisiana or a political subdivision thereof; (6) authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to expand [...]

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Latest Action: 03/11/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to increase the Nation's competitiveness and enhance the workforce investment systems by authorizing the implementation of Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development plans, the integration of appropriate programs and resources as part of such plans, and the provision of supplementary grant assistance and additional related activities, and for other purposes. 3/11/2008--Introduced. Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Act of 2008 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide for: (1) preparation and approval of state Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) plans for carrying out certain workforce development activities; (2) the integration of workforce development programs and community and economic development programs included as part of an approved plan; and (3) the award of supplementary grants to entities to implement approved WIRED plans and to states to carry [...]

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Latest Action: 03/10/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To stimulate the economy of the United States by providing assistance to States for foreclosure mitigation counseling activities and increased community development block grant assistance.

3/10/2008--Introduced.

Helping Communities Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make grants to states for providing foreclosure-mitigation counseling to homeowners of owner-occupied single family homes with mortgage loans in default or in danger of default.

Requires each state recipient to provide at least 95% of the grant amounts to nonprofit entities.

Authorizes additional FY2008 appropriations for community development block grant assistance under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.

Latest Action: 03/12/2008 - Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1560-1561)

Bill Text
To reauthorize and reform the national service laws. 3/10/2008--Introduced. Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, or the GIVE Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NSCA) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to revise the programs under such Acts and reauthorize appropriations for such programs through FY2012. Revises under NSCA: (1) the School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning programs and Higher Education Innovative Programs for Community Service (Learn and Serve programs); (2) National Service Trust programs (AmeriCorps); (3) the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC); and (4) the Investment for Quality and Innovation program. Eliminates the current Community-Based Learn and Serve programs. Establishes a new Learn and Serve program, Innovative Service-Learning Programs and Research, providing matching grants to: (1) provide community service-learning opportunities to elementary and [...]

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Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 577.

Bill Text
A bill to provide needed housing reform. 2/13/2008--Introduced. Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) authorize use of the proceeds of a qualified mortgage bond issue to refinance a mortgage on a residence originally financed through a qualified subprime loan; (2) raise the ceiling and volume cap imposed upon certain state housing bonds; and (3) exclude from the meaning of tax preference item private activity bonds, for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, qualified mortgage bonds or veterans' mortgage bonds issued after enactment of this Act and before January 1, 2011. Makes FY2008 appropriations for: (1) emergency needs of states and local governmental units to redevelop certain abandoned and foreclosed homes; and (2) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation for foreclosure mitigation activities, including grants for housing counseling. Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2008 - Authorizes a bankruptcy [...]

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Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S16016)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize guarantees for bonds and notes issued for community or economic development purposes. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Full Faith and Credit in Our Communities Act of 2007 - Amends the Community Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee payments on tax-exempt bonds or notes issued by any approved issuer if their proceeds are used to make loans to eligible community development financial institutions: (1) for eligible community or economic development purposes; or (2) to refinance loans or notes issued for such purposes. Lists among such community or economic development purposes, especially in low-income or underserved rural areas, developing or supporting: (1) commercial facilities that promote revitalization, community stability, or job creation or retention; (2) businesses that provide jobs for low-income people or are owned by low-income people, or enhance the availability of products and services [...]

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Latest Action: 12/14/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to increase community development investments by depository institutions, and for other purposes. 12/14/2007--Introduced. Depository Institution Community Development Investments Enhancement Act - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to revise requirements for community development investments by federal savings associations. Authorizes a federal savings association to make investments, directly or indirectly, each of which is designed primarily to promote the public welfare, including the welfare of low- and moderate-income communities or families through the provision of housing, services, and jobs (community development investments). Permits such investments to be made directly or by purchase of interests in an entity primarily engaged in making such investments. Prohibits a federal savings association from making an investment which would subject it to unlimited liability to any person. Requires the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision [...]

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Latest Action: 12/12/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to provide $1,000,000,000 in emergency Community Development Block Grant funding for necessary expenses related to the impact of foreclosures on communities. 12/12/2007--Introduced. Community Foreclosure Assistance Act of 2007 - Makes appropriations for additional emergency Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) assistance to states, metropolitan cities, and urban counties to carry out CDBG programs under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1974: (1) for necessary expenses related to the impact of housing foreclosures, and other related economic and community development activities; and (2) to provide foreclosure-based rental assistance for individual renters in the form of relocation assistance. Prohibits the direct or indirect provision of such funds, except for certified housing counseling services, to an individual homeowner for foreclosure prevention purposes, including refinancing assistance, loans, or any other form of financial assistance. [...]

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Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain benefits applicable to the Gulf Opportunity Zone, and for other purposes. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2010 increased depreciation allowances for certain business and investment property located in the Gulf Opportunity Zone (GO Zone) (through 2011 for nonresidential real property or residential rental property in the GO Zone); (2) extend through 2012 special rules relating to the depreciation of buildings in the GO Zone; (3) extend through 2010 the tax credit for rehabilitation expenditures in the GO Zone; (4) increase the new markets tax credit limitation in 2008 and 2009 for investments in community development entities serving the GO Zone; (5) extend through 2012, and increase the authority for, tax-exempt bond financing for bonds issued by Louisiana or a political subdivision thereof; (6) authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to expand an area [...]

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