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Latest Action: 07/07/2008 - Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6354-6356)

Bill Text
A bill to provide needed housing reform and for other purposes. 4/10/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 - Title I: FHA Modernization Act of 2008 - FHA Modernization Act of 2008 - Subtitle A: Building American Homeownership - Building American Homeownership Act of 2008 - (Sec. 112) Amends the National Housing Act (NHA) to revise mortgage insurance eligibility requirements. Alters the respective formulas to increase the percentages of the maximum principal loan obligations applicable to family residences located in: (1) the United States; and (2) Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, or the Virgin Islands. Prohibits the maximum principal loan obligation from exceeding 100% of the appraised value of the property. (Sec. 113) Increases from 3% to 3.5% of the appraised value of a property the mortgagor's required cash (or equivalent) investment (downpayment). Prohibits any funds for such [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Veto message received in Senate. Ordered held at the desk.

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.

5/22/2007--Introduced.

Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 - Extends and revises agricultural and related programs respecting: (1) commodities; (2) sugar; (3) dairy; (4) conservation; (5) exports and trade assistance; (6) food stamps and nutrition; (7) agricultural credit; (8) rural development; (9) rural electrification; (10) agricultural research; (11) forestry; (12) energy; (13) specialty crops; and (14) livestock.

Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Vetoed by President. (text of veto message: CR H5535)

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Provides for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through FY2012.Revises agricultural and related programs, including provisions respecting: (1) commodity programs; (2) conservation; (3) trade; (4) nutrition; (5) credit; (6) rural development; (7) research and related matters; (8) forestry; (9) energy; (10) horticulture and organic agriculture; (11) livestock; (12) crop insurance and disaster assistance; (13) socially disadvantaged and limited resource producers; and (14) miscellaneous programs.Directs the President to establish and maintain an importer declaration program with respect to the importation of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products.Establishes the Bill Emerson National Hunger [...]

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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: 06/20/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States, through the International Whaling Commission, should use all appropriate measures to end commercial whaling in all of its forms, including scientific and other special permit whaling, coastal whaling, and community-based whaling, and seek to strengthen the conservation and management measures to facilitate the conservation of whale species, and for other purposes. 5/14/2008--Introduced. Declares that the United States, through the International Whaling Commission, should: (1) use all appropriate measures to end commercial whaling, including scientific, special permit, coastal, and community-based whaling; (2) oppose any initiative that would result in any new, Commission-sanctioned coastal or community-based whaling, even if it is portrayed as noncommercial, including commercial whaling by coastal communities that does not qualify as aboriginal subsistence whaling; and (3) seek to strengthen conservation and management [...]

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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: 06/18/2008 - Ms. Woolsey asked unanimous consent that the ordering of the yeas and nays be vacated to the end that the question be put de novo. Agreed to without objection.

Bill Text
Supporting the goals and ideals of "American Eagle Day", and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the American bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.

6/5/2008--Introduced.

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of American Eagle Day.

Latest Action: 07/07/2008 - Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6368)

Bill Text
To amend the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act to increase the number of Directors on the Board of Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

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

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act Amendment of 2008 - Amends the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act to increase the number of members of the board of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Latest Action: 06/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-349.

Bill Text
A bill to designate additional National Forest System lands in the State of Virginia as wilderness or a wilderness study area, to designate the Kimberling Creek Potential Wilderness Area for eventual incorporation in the Kimberling Creek Wilderness, to establish the Seng Mountain and Bear Creek Scenic Areas, to provide for the development of trail plans for the wilderness areas and scenic areas, and for other purposes. 2/13/2007--Introduced. Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2007 - Designates certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, Virginia (Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East, Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch, Stone Mountain, Hunting Camp Creek and Garden Mountain, Mountain Lake Additions, Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek Additions, Shawvers Run Additions, Peters Mountain Addition, and Kimberling Creek Additions) as wilderness. Designates certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest as: (1) the "Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area"[...]

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Latest Action: 06/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-387.

Bill Text
To authorize appropriations for the Bureau of Reclamation to carry out the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program in the States of Arizona, California, and Nevada, and for other purposes.

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

Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) participate in the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program; and (2) enter into an agreement with Arizona, California, and Nevada providing for the use of water from the Lower Colorado River for habitat creation and maintenance. Authorizes appropriations.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR 6/4/2008 S5119-5120; text as passed Senate: CR 6/4/2008 S5119-5120; text of measure as introduced: CR 6/4/2008 S5048)

Bill Text
A resolution designating June 20, 2008, as "American Eagle Day", and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.

6/4/2008--Passed Senate 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.)

Designates June 20, 2008, as American Eagle Day.

Applauds the issuance of bald eagle commemorative coins by the Secretary of the Treasury as a means of generating critical funds for the protection of bald eagles.

Encourages educational entities, organizations, businesses, conservation groups, and government agencies with a shared interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate and develop educational tools for use in U.S. public schools.

Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Ms. Woolsey asked unanimous consent that the ordering of the yeas and nays be vacated to the end that the question be put de novo. Agreed to without objection.

Bill Text
Supporting the goals and ideals of "American Eagle Day", and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the American bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.

6/5/2008--Introduced.

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of American Eagle Day.

Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4973-4974)

Bill Text
A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the United States, through the International Whaling Commission, should use all appropriate measures to end commercial whaling in all of its forms and seek to strengthen measures to conserve whale species.
Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Vetoed by President. (text of veto message: CR H5535)

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Provides for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through FY2012.Revises agricultural and related programs, including provisions respecting: (1) commodity programs; (2) conservation; (3) trade; (4) nutrition; (5) credit; (6) rural development; (7) research and related matters; (8) forestry; (9) energy; (10) horticulture and organic agriculture; (11) livestock; (12) crop insurance and disaster assistance; (13) socially disadvantaged and limited resource producers; and (14) miscellaneous programs.Directs the President to establish and maintain an importer declaration program with respect to the importation of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products.Establishes the Bill Emerson National Hunger [...]

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Latest Action: 06/20/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States, through the International Whaling Commission, should use all appropriate measures to end commercial whaling in all of its forms, including scientific and other special permit whaling, coastal whaling, and community-based whaling, and seek to strengthen the conservation and management measures to facilitate the conservation of whale species, and for other purposes. 5/14/2008--Introduced. Declares that the United States, through the International Whaling Commission, should: (1) use all appropriate measures to end commercial whaling, including scientific, special permit, coastal, and community-based whaling; (2) oppose any initiative that would result in any new, Commission-sanctioned coastal or community-based whaling, even if it is portrayed as noncommercial, including commercial whaling by coastal communities that does not qualify as aboriginal subsistence whaling; and (3) seek to strengthen conservation and management [...]

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Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3162-3163)

Bill Text
A resolution designating May 16, 2008, as "Endangered Species Day".

4/17/2008--Introduced.

Designates May 16, 2008, as Endangered Species Day.

Encourages: (1) schools to spend at least 30 minutes on such Day teaching and informing students about threats to, and efforts to restore, endangered species; (2) organizations, businesses, private landowners, and agencies with a shared interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate in developing educational information for use in schools; and (3) people to become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and opportunities to promote species conservation.

Latest Action: 06/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-374.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the management of certain public land in Owyhee County, Idaho, and for other purposes. 4/9/2008--Introduced. Owyhee Public Land Management Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Owyhee Science Review and Conservation Center in Owyhee County, Idaho, to conduct research projects that address natural resources management issues affecting public and private rangeland in the county. Designates specified land in Idaho as wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Designates specified creek and river segments within the county as components of the national wild and scenic rivers system. Bars acquisition by the Secretary of any private land within the exterior boundary of a wild and scenic river corridor without the owner's consent. Authorizes the Secretary to sell public land within the Boise District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that has been identified for [...]

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

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the exploration, leasing, development, production, and economically feasible and prudent transportation of oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain in Alaska. 3/13/2008--Introduced. American Energy Independence and Security Act of 2008 - Authorizes the exploration, leasing, development, production, and transportation of oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain in Alaska. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program for oil and gas exploration, development, and production in the Coastal Plain. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to repeal the prohibition against production of oil and gas from Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. States that, in connection with specified environmental protection laws, the Secretary shall not be required to: (1) identify nonleasing alternative courses of action; or (2) analyze the environmental effects of those actions. Authorizes [...]

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Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes. 3/10/2008--Introduced. Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, land conveyances, boundary adjustments, studies, memorials, commissions, and museums, national park natural resource protection, national trails and rivers, national heritage areas, and advanced energy technology transfer centers. Sets forth provisions concerning the Northern Mariana Islands. Makes amendments to various public laws, including the National [...]

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Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1074-1075)

Bill Text
A resolution directing the United States to undertake bilateral discussions with Canada to negotiate an agreement to conserve populations of large whales at risk of extinction that migrate along the Atlantic seaboard of North America.

2/14/2008--Introduced.

Declares that the United States should: (1) undertake bilateral discussions with Canada to negotiate an agreement for the conservation and protection of migratory or transboundary populations of large whales at risk of extinction in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, including mechanisms for reducing incidents of endangered large whales becoming entangled in fishing gear, being struck by ships, or otherwise adversely impacted by human activity; and (2) until that agreement becomes operational, continue to reduce such human activity impacts while taking steps to minimize the economic impact of such efforts on affected industries.