Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/06/2008 - Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S5333-5347)

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a federal greenhouse gas (GHG) registry, for which certain facilities must report information regarding fossil fuels and GHGs produced and consumed; and (2) specified quantities of GHG emission allowances, which decline for each of 2012 to 2050. Requires the Administrator to establish a GHG emission allowance transfer system for the following: (1) facilities that use more than 5,000 tons of coal in a year; (2) facilities in the natural gas sector; (3) facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal-based fuel the combustion of which will emit group I GHGs; (4) facilities that produce or entities that import, in any year, more than [...]

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Latest Action: 06/30/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept, as part of a settlement, diesel emission reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects, and for other purposes.

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.)

Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to accept, as part of a settlement of any alleged violations of environmental law, diesel emissions reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects if the projects: (1) protect human health or the environment; (2) are related to the underlying alleged violations; (3) do not constitute activities that the defendant would otherwise be legally required to perform; and (4) do not provide funds for EPA's staff or for contractors to carry out EPA's internal operations.

Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bill Text
To assist in the conservation of cranes by supporting and providing, through projects of persons and organizations with expertise in crane conservation, financial resources for the conservation programs of countries the activities of which directly or indirectly affect cranes and the ecosystems of cranes. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Crane Conservation Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance for approved projects relating to the conservation of cranes, using amounts in the Crane Conservation Fund established by this Act. Allows a project proposal to be submitted by: (1) any wildlife management authority of a country located in the African, Asian, European, or North American range of a species of crane that carries out at least one activity that affects crane populations; (2) the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; and (3) any person or organization with demonstrated [...]

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Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bill Text
To assist in the conservation of rare felids and rare canids by supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation programs of nations within the range of rare felid and rare canid populations and projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of rare felid and rare canid populations. 3/9/2007--Introduced. Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance for projects for the conservation of rare felids and rare canids. Authorizes the Secretary to convene an advisory group of individuals representing public and private organizations actively involved in the conservation of felids and canids. Restricts the use of grants for captive breeding or display purposes. Establishes in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund as a separate account the Great Cats and Rare Canids Conservation Fund. Defines "rare canid" to: (1) mean any canid species, subspecies, or [...]

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Latest Action: 06/27/2008 - Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Bill Text
To amend the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to implement MARPOL Annex VI. 6/26/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 3 other summaries) Maritime Pollution Prevention Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (Act) to provide for the adoption of Annex VI (Prevention of Air Pollution From Ships Enforcement) of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (MARPOL Convention, which includes any Protocols or Annexes entered into force for the United States). Makes the Act, with respect to Annex VI, applicable to: (1) ships in a port, shipyard, offshore terminal, or U.S. internal waters; (2) a ship that is bound for, or departing from, a port, shipyard, offshore terminal, or the internal waters of the United States and is in navigable U.S. waters or the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), an emission control, or other specified area; (3) a ship that is entitled to fly the flag of, or operating [...]

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Latest Action: 06/10/2008 - Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 110-705.

Bill Text
To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept, as part of a settlement, diesel emission reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects, and for other purposes.

6/10/2008--Reported to House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

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

Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to accept, as part of a settlement of any alleged violations of environmental law, diesel emissions reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects if the projects: (1) protect human health or the environment; (2) are related to the underlying alleged violations; (3) do not constitute activities that the defendant would otherwise be legally required to perform; and (4) do not provide funds for EPA's staff or for contractors to carry out EPA's internal operations.

Latest Action: 05/20/2008 - Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-337. Minority views filed.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 10/18/2007--Introduced. America's Climate Security Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a greenhouse gas (GHG) registry; and (2) a GHG emission allowance transfer system for covered facilities, including specified facilities within the electric power and industrial sectors and facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal- based transportation fuel or chemicals. Sets forth emission allowances for 2012-2050, with a declining cap on GHGs.Provides for selling, exchanging, transferring, submitting, retiring, or borrowing emission allowances. Establishes: (1) a domestic offset program to sequester GHGs in agriculture and forests; and (2) the Bonus Allowance Account. Establishes the Carbon Market Efficiency Board, which [...]

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Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Became Public Law No: 110-132.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the African Elephant Conservation Act and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994.

12/6/2007--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 23, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the African Elephant Conservation Act and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 to: (1) authorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2012 for such Acts; (2) increase the amount that may be used for administrative expenses to carry out such Acts; and (3) repeal provisions requiring the Secretary of the Interior to notify countries regarding the approval of conservation projects for African elephants, rhinoceros, and tigers.

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: 07/24/2007 - Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for a program to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by establishing a market-driven system of greenhouse gas tradeable allowances, to support the deployment of new climate change-related technologies, and to ensure benefits to consumers from the trading in such allowances, and for other purposes. 1/12/2007--Introduced. Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and maintain the National Greenhouse Gas Database to collect, verify, and analyze information on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Establishes a program for market-driven reduction of GHGs through the use of tradeable allowances. Requires certain covered entities that own or control a source of GHG emissions in the electric power, industrial, and commercial sectors of the U.S. economy to submit to the Administrator, beginning in 2012, one tradeable allowance for every [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/06/2008 - Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S5333-5347)

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a federal greenhouse gas (GHG) registry, for which certain facilities must report information regarding fossil fuels and GHGs produced and consumed; and (2) specified quantities of GHG emission allowances, which decline for each of 2012 to 2050. Requires the Administrator to establish a GHG emission allowance transfer system for the following: (1) facilities that use more than 5,000 tons of coal in a year; (2) facilities in the natural gas sector; (3) facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal-based fuel the combustion of which will emit group I GHGs; (4) facilities that produce or entities that import, in any year, more than [...]

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Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3147-3148)

Bill Text
A bill to establish national standards for discharges from cruise vessels into the waters of the United States, and for other purposes. 4/17/2008--Introduced. Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2008 - Prohibits cruise vessels calling on U.S. ports from discharging sewage, graywater, or bilge water into U.S. waters unless: (1) the treated effluent meets specified effluent limits and management standards; (2) the vessel is proceeding at not less than six knots; (3) the vessel is not less than 12 nautical miles from shore; and (4) the vessel is not in a no discharge zone. Prohibits the discharge of sewage sludge, incinerator ash, or hazardous waste into U.S. waters and requires it to be off-loaded at appropriate land-based facilities. Prescribes exceptions for: (1) discharges solely to secure the safety of a vessel or to save a life at sea; and (2) Alaskan vessels until 10 years after enactment.Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate [...]

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Latest Action: 04/01/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bill Text
To amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to protect captive wildlife and to make technical corrections, and for other purposes.

3/31/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Captive Wildlife Safety Technical Amendments Act of 2008 - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 relating to the enforcement of, and civil and criminal penalties under, the Captive Wildlife Safety Act. Prohibits any person from importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, or purchasing in interstate or foreign commerce any live animal of any prohibited wildlife species.

Authorizes appropriations to carry out captive wildlife offense provisions for FY2009-FY2013.

Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the juri

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the Congress with regard to the world's freshwater resources. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Asserts that: (1) water management priorities should reflect the goals of safeguarding and sustaining water resources; (2) U.S. executive directors of international financial institutions should not approve loans that require increased cost recovery or water privatization or public-private partnerships that would result in significant increases in consumer water fees or in other ways restrict affordable access to water; and (3) federal policies should ensure that sources of water pollution are adequately regulated and those responsible held accountable for the pollution they cause.Affirms: (1) that water should not be treated as a private commodity where this would limit or deny public access to freshwater resources; (2) that Congress firmly commits itself to meet the Millennium Development Goals; and (3) that access to international loans and debt reduction [...]

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Latest Action: 12/03/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend the Mandatory Victims' Restitution Act to improve restitution for victims of crime, and for other purposes. 11/7/2007--Introduced. Restitution for Victims of Crime Act of 2007 - Collection of Restitution Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code relating to restitution for victims of crime to: (1) require courts to enter an order for immediate restitution at the sentencing of a convict; (2) allow prosecutors to obtain from the U.S. Probation Office, without a court order, financial information about a convict who owes restitution; (3) require identifying information about convicts to be included in restitution orders of more than $100; and (4) allow crime victims reimbursement of attorney fees incurred in seeking restitution. Preservation of Assets for Restitution Act of 2007 - Requires courts to issue protective orders for preservation of assets available to satisfy restitution claims. Provides for prejudgment remedies to protect assets available [...]

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Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.

Bill Text
To amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to provide for penalties and enforcement for intentionally taking protected avian species, and for other purposes.

11/6/2007--Introduced.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act Penalty and Enforcement Act of 2007 - Amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to: (1) make a person who intentionally takes any migratory bird by any manner not allowed by such Act guilty of a felony and subject to a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year; and (2) make a person who intentionally commits any other act or omission in violation of such Act guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six months.

Latest Action: 05/20/2008 - Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-337. Minority views filed.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 10/18/2007--Introduced. America's Climate Security Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a greenhouse gas (GHG) registry; and (2) a GHG emission allowance transfer system for covered facilities, including specified facilities within the electric power and industrial sectors and facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal- based transportation fuel or chemicals. Sets forth emission allowances for 2012-2050, with a declining cap on GHGs.Provides for selling, exchanging, transferring, submitting, retiring, or borrowing emission allowances. Establishes: (1) a domestic offset program to sequester GHGs in agriculture and forests; and (2) the Bonus Allowance Account. Establishes the Carbon Market Efficiency Board, which [...]

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Latest Action: 06/30/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept, as part of a settlement, diesel emission reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects, and for other purposes.

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.)

Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to accept, as part of a settlement of any alleged violations of environmental law, diesel emissions reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects if the projects: (1) protect human health or the environment; (2) are related to the underlying alleged violations; (3) do not constitute activities that the defendant would otherwise be legally required to perform; and (4) do not provide funds for EPA's staff or for contractors to carry out EPA's internal operations.

Latest Action: 06/10/2008 - Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 110-705.

Bill Text
To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept, as part of a settlement, diesel emission reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects, and for other purposes.

6/10/2008--Reported to House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

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

Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to accept, as part of a settlement of any alleged violations of environmental law, diesel emissions reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects if the projects: (1) protect human health or the environment; (2) are related to the underlying alleged violations; (3) do not constitute activities that the defendant would otherwise be legally required to perform; and (4) do not provide funds for EPA's staff or for contractors to carry out EPA's internal operations.

Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Bill Text
To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Department of Defense and all other defense-related agencies of the United States to fully comply with Federal and State environmental laws, including certain laws relating to public health and worker safety, that are designed to protect the environment and the health and safety of the public, particularly those persons most vulnerable to the hazards incident to military operations and installations, such as children, members of the Armed Forces, civilian employees, and persons living in the vicinity of military operations and installations. 8/3/2007--Introduced. Military Environmental Responsibility Act - Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and defense-related agencies (the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Office of Naval Nuclear Reactors, and any others as designated by the President) to fully comply with designated Federal and State environmental laws, including those related to public health [...]

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