Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To expand quality programs of early childhood home visitation that increase school readiness, child abuse and neglect prevention, and early identification of developmental and health delays, including potential mental health concerns, and for other purposes. 5/16/2007--Introduced. Education Begins at Home Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) allot grants to states, Indians, territories, and possessions for programs of early childhood home visitation; and (2) make competitive grants to local educational agencies and other eligible applicants for early home visitation for families with English language learners. Directs the Secretary of Defense to make competitive grants to eligible applicants for early home visitation for military families. Amends the Head Start Act to direct the Secretary of HHS to establish standards for home visitor staff in Early Head Start programs with respect to their training, qualifications, and conduct of home [...]

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Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding environmental education, and for other purposes. 7/12/2007--Introduced. No Child Left Inside Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize states to use federal funds for the development of kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) plans for environmental education and teacher training to ensure that high school graduates are environmentally literate. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to partnerships that include a local educational agency (LEA), and may include institutions of higher education (IHE) and other educational or business entities, for activities that include the development of teacher training programs and more rigorous environmental education curricula. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive matching grants to nonprofit organizations, states, LEAs, or IHEs for activities to improve and support environmental education [...]

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Latest Action: 05/23/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1055)

Bill Text
Recognizing the efforts of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services to address the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders.

5/21/2008--Introduced.

Recognizes the efforts of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services to decrease the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders through the "Think Outside the Stigma" campaign.

Encourages every American to work toward overcoming the stigma associated with such disorders.

Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4625-4626)

Bill Text
A joint resolution recognizing the efforts of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services to address the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders.

5/21/2008--Introduced.

Recognizes the efforts of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services to decrease the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders through the "Think Outside the Stigma" campaign.

Encourages every American to work toward overcoming the stigma associated with such disorders.

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

Bill Text
To preserve affordable housing opportunities for low-income families, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Stabilizing Affordable Housing for the Future Act - Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 and the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 to: (1) repeal certain conditions on the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to manage multifamily projects; and (2) authorize the Secretary to provide grants (including up-front grants) and loans from the General Insurance Fund when managing and disposing of such properties. Instructs the Secretary to maintain rental assistance payments for dwelling units in any multifamily property program administered by the Secretary. Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to redefine loan market value and property market value with respect to physically distressed properties sold by HUD in discount [...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to limitations on the amounts of contributions and expenditures that may be made in connection with campaigns for election to public office.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Constitutional Amendment - Declares that Congress shall have power to set limits on the amount of contributions that may be accepted by, and the amount of expenditures that may be made by, in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate for nomination or election to federal office.

Declares that a state shall have the power to set limits on the amount of contributions that may be accepted by, and the amount of expenditures that may be made by, in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate for nomination or election to state or local office.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the States. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Fair Tax Act of 2007 - Repeals the income tax, employment tax, and estate and gift tax. Redesignates the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Internal Revenue Code of 2007. Imposes a national sales tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services. Sets the sales tax rate at 23 percent in 2009, with adjustments to the rate in subsequent years. Allows exemptions from the tax for property or services purchased for business, export, or investment purposes and for state government functions. Sets forth rules relating to: (1) the collection and remittance of the sales tax; and (2) credits and refunds. Allows families a sales tax rebate.Grants states the primary authority for the collection [...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.

Bill Text
To authorize States to regulate the receipt and disposal of out-of-State municipal solid waste.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

State Waste Empowerment and Enforcement Provision Act of 2007 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize a state to limit, place restrictions on, or otherwise regulate out-of-state municipal solid waste received or disposed of annually at each landfill or incinerator in the state, except, until two years after enactment of this Act, to the extent that a host community agreement (between an owner or operator of a landfill or incinerator and an affected local government) specifically authorizes such receipt.

Latest Action: 02/29/2008 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Harriett Woods will be remembered as a pioneer in women's politics.

2/29/2008--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Expresses the sense of the Senate that Harriett Woods will be remembered as a pioneer in women's politics, whose actions and leadership inspired hundreds of women nationwide to participate in the political process and to break gender barriers at every level of government.

Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
To amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to improve access and choice for entrepreneurs with small businesses with respect to medical care for their employees. 1/5/2007--Introduced. Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations, and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Sets forth rules governing AHPs, including requirements relating to certification, sponsors and boards of trustees, participation and coverage, nondiscrimination, contribution rates, notice of voluntary termination, correction actions, and mandatory termination. Establishes the Association Health Plan Fund to be used by the Secretary of Labor to make payments to an insurer [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4625-4626)

Bill Text
A joint resolution recognizing the efforts of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services to address the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders.

5/21/2008--Introduced.

Recognizes the efforts of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services to decrease the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders through the "Think Outside the Stigma" campaign.

Encourages every American to work toward overcoming the stigma associated with such disorders.

Latest Action: 05/23/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1055)

Bill Text
Recognizing the efforts of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services to address the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders.

5/21/2008--Introduced.

Recognizes the efforts of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services to decrease the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders through the "Think Outside the Stigma" campaign.

Encourages every American to work toward overcoming the stigma associated with such disorders.

Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the transparency of information on skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities and to clarify and improve the targeting of the enforcement of requirements with respect to such facilities. 4/15/2008--Introduced. Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to direct skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities to make available, upon request, ownership and affiliated parties information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other responsible parties.Outlines accountability requirements for such institutions.Requires specified additional information to appear on the Department of Health and Human Services Nursing Home Compare Website.Requires SNFs to separately report expenditures for wages and benefits for different levels of nursing staff.Directs the Secretary to [...]

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Latest Action: 04/07/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to establish the 8/29 Investigation Team to examine the events beginning on August 29, 2005, with respect to the failure of the flood protection system in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and for other purposes. 4/7/2008--Introduced. 8/29 Investigation Team Act - Establishes a bipartisan 8/29 Investigation Team to examine: (1) the events beginning on August 29, 2005, with respect to the failure of the flood protection system in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and (2) each flood control and restoration project that has been carried out since that date in the region in which those events occurred.Prohibits any elected federal official from serving as a Team member. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding member qualifications.Urges the Team to: (1) review findings and recommendations of all studies conducted in the aftermath of the levee failures in Louisiana on or after August 29, 2005; (2) review the ongoing U.S. exposure to flood control [...]

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Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR 3/14/2008 S2145-2146)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the national defense through empowerment of the National Guard, enhancement of the functions of the National Guard Bureau, and improvement of Federal-State military coordination in domestic emergency response, and for other purposes. 3/13/2008--Introduced. National Guard Empowerment and State-National Defense Integration Act of 2008 - Adds the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Chief) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Requires the Chief to: (1) identify gaps between federal and state military capabilities to prepare for and respond to emergencies; and (2) make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense for military assistance to civil authorities to address such gaps. Requires annual defense budget documents to specify separate amounts for training and equipment for the National Guard for military assistance to civil authorities and other domestic operations. Redesignates the: (1) Director and Deputy Director [...]

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Latest Action: 04/10/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities.

Bill Text
To amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the national defense through empowerment of the National Guard, enhancement of the functions of the National Guard Bureau, and improvement of Federal-State military coordination in domestic emergency response, and for other purposes. 3/13/2008--Introduced. National Guard Empowerment and State-National Defense Integration Act of 2008 - Adds the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Chief) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Requires the Chief to: (1) identify gaps between federal and state military capabilities to prepare for and respond to emergencies; and (2) make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense for military assistance to civil authorities to address such gaps. Requires annual defense budget documents to specify separate amounts for training and equipment for the National Guard for military assistance to civil authorities and other domestic operations. Redesignates the: (1) Director and Deputy Director of [...]

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Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1058-1059)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the transparency of information on skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities and to clarify and improve the targeting of the enforcement of requirements with respect to such facilities. 2/14/2008--Introduced. Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to direct skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities to make available, upon request, ownership and affiliated parties information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other responsible parties. Outlines accountability requirements for such institutions. Requires specified additional information to appear on the Department of Health and Human Services Nursing Home Compare Website. Requires SNFs to separately report expenditures for wages and benefits for different levels of nursing staff. Directs the Secretary [...]

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Latest Action: 12/04/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
Supporting the goals and ideals of World AIDS Day.

12/4/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes the 20th anniversary of observing World AIDS Day. Commends the President and state and local governments for publicizing its importance and encouraging individuals to undergo HIV testing.

Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of such Day; (2) continued funding for prevention, care, treatment services, and research programs for persons living with HIV/AIDS in the United States and for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; (3) providing universal access to comprehensive prevention, treatment, care, and support programs by 2010; and (4) efforts to address the factors that make populations vulnerable to HIV/AIDS by decreasing poverty, hunger, and childhood mortality and by empowering women.

Latest Action: 11/16/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14641-14642)

Bill Text
A bill to establish an adoption process improvement pilot program.

11/16/2007--Introduced.

Adoption Improvement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a pilot program of grants to child welfare agencies to effect long-range improvements in the adoption process by increasing prospective adoptive parent access to adoption information and strengthening agency responsiveness to prospective adoptive parents.

Requires the Secretary also to: (1) research, through grant or contract, the successes and challenges of the programs established under the pilot program grants; and (2) include in the national annual review of child welfare agencies an examination of each state's progress regarding adoption information accessibility and agency responsiveness to prospective adoptive parents.

Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to develop a national system of oversight of States for sexual misconduct in the elementary and secondary school system. 11/15/2007--Introduced. Student Protection Act - Requires that by FY2010 states have in effect laws and policies that require disciplining of any school, state, or local educational agency employee or volunteer who, having reason to believe another employee or volunteer has committed an act of sexual misconduct against a student, fails to report such act in the same manner the state requires the reporting of child abuse and neglect or, in the absence of such a requirement, as quickly as practicable. Requires each state to have a single, statewide commission for receiving and documenting such reports that: (1) establishes policies for investigating and reporting such allegations; and (2) has a toll-free number that can be used to report such allegations. Directs states to report to the Secretary of Education whenever an employee or volunteer [...]

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