Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To establish a program to provide reinsurance for State natural catastrophe insurance programs to help the United States better prepare for and protect its citizens against the ravages of natural catastrophes, to encourage and promote mitigation and prevention for, and recovery and rebuilding from such catastrophes, and to better assist in the financial recovery from such catastrophes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Homeowners Insurance Protection Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the National Commission on Catastrophe Preparation and Protection to advise the Secretary regarding estimated loss costs associated with contracts for reinsurance coverage. Authorizes the Secretary to make homeowners protection coverage available through contracts for reinsurance coverage. Restricts purchase of such coverage to eligible state programs. Prescribes criteria for state eligibility. Requires each contract for reinsurance coverage to provide insurance [...]

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Latest Action: 03/20/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3360-3362)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a program to provide more protection at lower cost through a national backstop for State natural catastrophe insurance programs to help the United States better prepare for and protect its citizens against the ravages of natural catastrophes, to encourage and promote mitigation and prevention for, and recovery and rebuilding from such catastrophes, to better assist in the financial recovery from such catastrophes, and to develop a rigorous process of continuous improvement. 3/20/2007--Introduced. Homeowners Protection Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the National Commission on Catastrophe Preparation and Protection to advise the Secretary regarding: (1) estimated loss costs associated with the contracts for reinsurance coverage; and (2) development of prevention, mitigation, recovery, and rebuilding standards that better prepare and protect the United States from catastrophes. Instructs the Secretary to implement [...]

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Latest Action: 04/11/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.

Bill Text
To increase the use and research of sustainable building design technology, and for other purposes. 3/1/2007--Introduced. High Performance Buildings Act of 2007 - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 to require that state and local housing strategies include a description of the jurisdiction's strategies to encourage sustainable development for affordable housing. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to nonprofit organizations to use for specified purposes to improve or carry out energy efficiency, resource conservation and reuse, and effective use of existing infrastructure in affordable housing and economic development activities in low-income communities. Establishes within the National Science Foundation a Sustainable Building Institute to undertake or support through providing grants, loans, or other assistance: (1) research regarding the relationships among indoor environmental quality,[...]

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Latest Action: 12/11/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to provide grants to establish and evaluate sustainability programs, charged with developing and implementing integrated environmental, economic, and social sustainability initiatives, and to direct the Secretary of Education to convene a summit of higher education experts in the area of sustainability. 12/11/2007--Introduced. Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to establish sustainability programs at institutions of higher education (IHEs). Directs the Secretary to contract with an IHE, nonprofit organization, or consortium of such institutions for administration of the grant program. Requires such programs to develop and implement: (1) sustainability practices, including in the areas of energy management, green building, waste management, purchasing, transportation, and toxics management; and (2) other aspects of [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Bill Text
To establish State infrastructure banks for education. 6/5/2007--Introduced. Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into cooperative agreements with states for the establishment of state infrastructure banks and multistate infrastructure banks for making loans to local educational agencies and public libraries for building or repairing public elementary or secondary schools and public library facilities. Grants congressional consent to states for interstate compacts to establish multistate infrastructure banks. Directs the Secretary to make grants to such banks to provide initial capital for such loans. Requires states to contribute from nonfederal sources at least 25% of the amount of each federal capitalization grant made to the state and contributed to the bank. Lists types of projects eligible for such bank loans. Directs the Secretary to establish Healthy, High Performance [...]

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Latest Action: 07/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises.

Bill Text
To require large publicly traded companies and significant emitters of greenhouse gases to report their emissions to the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes. 6/11/2007--Introduced. Greenhouse Gas Accountability Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program to require specified entities (including any significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter and any entity with annual revenues exceeding $10 million that is engaged in the business of automobiles, aerospace and defense, chemicals, construction materials, electric utilities, energy equipment and services, oil, gas, and consumable fuels, metals and mining, paper and forest products, or transportation) to report annually to the Administrator on their GHG emissions. Sets forth program design requirements, including that it be consistent with the standards, protocols, and principles of the Climate Registry and the California Climate Registry.Authorizes [...]

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Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Education to provide grants to establish and evaluate sustainability programs, charged with developing and implementing integrated environmental, economic and social sustainability initiatives, and to direct the Secretary of Education to convene a summit of higher education experts in the area of sustainability. 9/24/2007--Introduced. Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to establish sustainability programs at institutions of higher education. Requires such programs to develop and implement: (1) sustainability practices, including in the areas of energy management, green building, waste management, purchasing, transportation, and toxics management; and (2) other aspects of sustainability that integrate campus operations with multidisciplinary educational programs and are applicable to the private and government sectors. Directs the [...]

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Latest Action: 01/22/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the HOPE VI program for revitalization of severely distressed public housing, and for other purposes. 1/17/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to make promoting housing choice among low- and very low-income families one of the purposes of the HOPE VI grant program for revitalization of severely distressed public housing. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to waive the matching contribution requirement in cases of extreme distress or emergency. (Sec. 4) Prohibits the award of demolition-only grants for any revitalization plan that proposes to demolish public housing without revitalization of any existing public housing dwelling units. (Sec. 6) Revises the list of activities eligible for the use of grants to carry out revitalization plans. Eliminates [...]

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Latest Action: 11/16/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14628-14630)

Bill Text
A bill to promote fire-safe communities, and for other purposes. 11/16/2007--Introduced. Fire-Safe Communities Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to publish a federal model ordinance for municipalities at risk (subdivisions located in a fire hazard area) that includes specified elements regarding fire prevention and management, such as: (1) specifications for construction materials and techniques for use in such communities; and (2) standards for roads, culverts, and bridges.Authorizes the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to modify, for a municipality at risk, the requirements of the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program related to the provision of a non-federal share of funds, so that if such a municipality has adopted an applicable model ordinance and is making significant progress toward implementing it, the Under Secretary may reduce the required [...]

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Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

Bill Text
To promote fire-safe communities, and for other purposes. 1/29/2008--Introduced. Fire-Safe Communities Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to publish a federal model ordinance for municipalities at risk (subdivisions located in a fire hazard area) that includes specified elements regarding fire prevention and management, such as: (1) specifications for construction materials and techniques for use in such communities; and (2) standards for roads, culverts, and bridges. Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to modify, for a municipality at risk, the requirements of the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program related to the provision of a non-federal share of funds, so that if such a municipality has adopted an applicable model ordinance and is making significant progress toward implementing it, the Administrator may reduce the required non-federal share to 10% of the grant [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E933)

Bill Text
To promote green schools.

5/15/2008--Introduced.

Green Schools Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program awarding matching grants to local educational agencies for green school construction and improvement projects that create healthy learning environments while saving natural resources and money.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend, through 2012, the Qualified Zone Academy Bond program (which provides tax credits to the holders of such bonds, which in turn finance low or no interest loans for the improvement of public schools serving low-income areas).

Requires public school rehabilitation, repair, or equipment financed through such bonds to serve the green goals of creating healthy learning environments while saving natural resources and money.

Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

Bill Text
To promote fire-safe communities, and for other purposes. 1/29/2008--Introduced. Fire-Safe Communities Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to publish a federal model ordinance for municipalities at risk (subdivisions located in a fire hazard area) that includes specified elements regarding fire prevention and management, such as: (1) specifications for construction materials and techniques for use in such communities; and (2) standards for roads, culverts, and bridges. Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to modify, for a municipality at risk, the requirements of the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program related to the provision of a non-federal share of funds, so that if such a municipality has adopted an applicable model ordinance and is making significant progress toward implementing it, the Administrator may reduce the required non-federal share to 10% of the grant [...]

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Latest Action: 12/11/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to provide grants to establish and evaluate sustainability programs, charged with developing and implementing integrated environmental, economic, and social sustainability initiatives, and to direct the Secretary of Education to convene a summit of higher education experts in the area of sustainability. 12/11/2007--Introduced. Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to establish sustainability programs at institutions of higher education (IHEs). Directs the Secretary to contract with an IHE, nonprofit organization, or consortium of such institutions for administration of the grant program. Requires such programs to develop and implement: (1) sustainability practices, including in the areas of energy management, green building, waste management, purchasing, transportation, and toxics management; and (2) other aspects of [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 11/16/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14628-14630)

Bill Text
A bill to promote fire-safe communities, and for other purposes. 11/16/2007--Introduced. Fire-Safe Communities Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to publish a federal model ordinance for municipalities at risk (subdivisions located in a fire hazard area) that includes specified elements regarding fire prevention and management, such as: (1) specifications for construction materials and techniques for use in such communities; and (2) standards for roads, culverts, and bridges.Authorizes the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to modify, for a municipality at risk, the requirements of the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program related to the provision of a non-federal share of funds, so that if such a municipality has adopted an applicable model ordinance and is making significant progress toward implementing it, the Under Secretary may reduce the required [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Education to provide grants to establish and evaluate sustainability programs, charged with developing and implementing integrated environmental, economic and social sustainability initiatives, and to direct the Secretary of Education to convene a summit of higher education experts in the area of sustainability. 9/24/2007--Introduced. Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to establish sustainability programs at institutions of higher education. Requires such programs to develop and implement: (1) sustainability practices, including in the areas of energy management, green building, waste management, purchasing, transportation, and toxics management; and (2) other aspects of sustainability that integrate campus operations with multidisciplinary educational programs and are applicable to the private and government sectors. Directs the [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/22/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the HOPE VI program for revitalization of severely distressed public housing, and for other purposes. 1/17/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to make promoting housing choice among low- and very low-income families one of the purposes of the HOPE VI grant program for revitalization of severely distressed public housing. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to waive the matching contribution requirement in cases of extreme distress or emergency. (Sec. 4) Prohibits the award of demolition-only grants for any revitalization plan that proposes to demolish public housing without revitalization of any existing public housing dwelling units. (Sec. 6) Revises the list of activities eligible for the use of grants to carry out revitalization plans. Eliminates [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises.

Bill Text
To require large publicly traded companies and significant emitters of greenhouse gases to report their emissions to the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes. 6/11/2007--Introduced. Greenhouse Gas Accountability Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program to require specified entities (including any significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter and any entity with annual revenues exceeding $10 million that is engaged in the business of automobiles, aerospace and defense, chemicals, construction materials, electric utilities, energy equipment and services, oil, gas, and consumable fuels, metals and mining, paper and forest products, or transportation) to report annually to the Administrator on their GHG emissions. Sets forth program design requirements, including that it be consistent with the standards, protocols, and principles of the Climate Registry and the California Climate Registry.Authorizes [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Bill Text
To establish State infrastructure banks for education. 6/5/2007--Introduced. Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into cooperative agreements with states for the establishment of state infrastructure banks and multistate infrastructure banks for making loans to local educational agencies and public libraries for building or repairing public elementary or secondary schools and public library facilities. Grants congressional consent to states for interstate compacts to establish multistate infrastructure banks. Directs the Secretary to make grants to such banks to provide initial capital for such loans. Requires states to contribute from nonfederal sources at least 25% of the amount of each federal capitalization grant made to the state and contributed to the bank. Lists types of projects eligible for such bank loans. Directs the Secretary to establish Healthy, High Performance [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/20/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3360-3362)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a program to provide more protection at lower cost through a national backstop for State natural catastrophe insurance programs to help the United States better prepare for and protect its citizens against the ravages of natural catastrophes, to encourage and promote mitigation and prevention for, and recovery and rebuilding from such catastrophes, to better assist in the financial recovery from such catastrophes, and to develop a rigorous process of continuous improvement. 3/20/2007--Introduced. Homeowners Protection Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the National Commission on Catastrophe Preparation and Protection to advise the Secretary regarding: (1) estimated loss costs associated with the contracts for reinsurance coverage; and (2) development of prevention, mitigation, recovery, and rebuilding standards that better prepare and protect the United States from catastrophes. Instructs the Secretary to implement [...]

show full description