Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To require criminal background checks on all firearms transactions occurring at events that provide a venue for the sale, offer for sale, transfer, or exchange of firearms, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to provide for regulation of firearms transfers at special firearms events (events at which 75 or more firearms are offered or exhibited for sale, exchange, or transfer if one or more of the firearms has been shipped or transported in, or otherwise affects, interstate or foreign commerce, excluding an offer or exhibit of firearms: (1) by an individual, from that individual's personal collection, at that individual's private residence, if the individual is not required to be licensed; and (2) at events conducted and attended by permanent or annual dues paying members of private, not-for-profit organizations whose primary purpose is owning and maintaining real property for hunting activities).[...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and for other purposes. 1/5/2007--Introduced. NICS Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require: (1) the head of each federal agency that has records relating to persons for whom receipt of a firearm would violate federal or state law to provide that information to the Attorney General for inclusion in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS); (2) the agency, upon being made aware that the basis under which a record was made available no longer applies, to correct the record and notify the Attorney General; and (3) the Secretary of Homeland Security to make available to the Attorney General records relevant to a determination that a person is disqualified from possessing or receiving a firearm and information about a change in such person's status for removal from NICS, where appropriate.Directs the Attorney General to make grants to: (1) states [...]

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Latest Action: 01/12/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to establish a digital and wireless network technology program, and for other purposes. 1/12/2007--Introduced. Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2007 - Establishes within the National Science Foundation (NSF) an Office of Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology to: (1) award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements (assistance) to eligible institutions to provide educational instruction in digital and wireless network technologies; and (2) strengthen the national digital and wireless infrastructure by increasing national investment in telecommunications and technology infrastructure at eligible institutions. Requires the NSF Director to establish an advisory council on the best approaches for involving eligible institutions in supported activities and for reviewing and evaluating submitted proposals. Requires the council to include members from minority serving institutions.Makes the following [...]

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Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S678-679)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a digital and wireless network technology program, and for other purposes. 1/17/2007--Introduced. Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act - Establishes within the National Science Foundation (NSF) an Office of Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology to: (1) award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements (assistance) to eligible institutions to provide educational instruction in digital and wireless network technologies; and (2) strengthen the national digital and wireless infrastructure by increasing national investment in telecommunications and technology infrastructure at eligible institutions. Requires the NSF Director to establish an advisory council on the best approaches for involving eligible institutions in supported activities and for reviewing and evaluating submitted proposals. Requires the council to include members from minority serving institutions.Makes the following institutions [...]

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Latest Action: 03/23/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives.

Bill Text
To increase the security of sensitive data maintained by the Federal Government.

1/17/2007--Introduced.

Federal Agency Data Privacy Protection Act - Sets forth requirements: (1) for the use of encryption for sensitive data maintained by the federal government; (2) relating to access by agency personnel to sensitive data; and (3) relating to government contractors and their employees involving sensitive data.

Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To establish a digital and wireless network technology program, and for other purposes. 9/4/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Program to assist eligible educational institutions in acquiring, and augmenting use of, digital and wireless networking technologies to improve the quality and delivery of educational services at such institutions. Defines as eligible institutions: (1) historically Black colleges or universities, (2) a Hispanic-, Alaskan Native-, or Native Hawaiian-serving institution; (3) a tribally controlled college or university; or (4) an institution with a sufficient enrollment of needy students as defined under the Higher Education Act of [...]

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Latest Action: 02/15/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2030-2031)

Bill Text
A bill to improve the allocation of grants through the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. 2/15/2007--Introduced. Risk-Based Homeland Security Grants Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to set forth provisions governing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant funding for first responders pursuant to the State Homeland Security Grant Program, the Urban Area Security Initiative, the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program, and the Citizen Corps Program. Makes eligible for a covered grant any state, region, or directly eligible tribe. Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish: (1) a Homeland Security Grants Board; (2) clearly defined essential capabilities for state and local government preparedness for terrorism (sets forth factors to address in establishing such capabilities and lists critical infrastructure sectors and types of threats to consider); and [...]

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Latest Action: 02/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2231)

Bill Text
A bill to establish digital and wireless networks to advance online higher education opportunities for minority students.

2/15/2007--Introduced.

ED 1.0 Act - Establishes a pilot program requiring the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to award six-year grants to four minority-serving educational institutions, enabling them to develop digital and wireless networks for online programs of study within the institutions.

Gives grant priority to institutions serving counties: (1) that meet specified criteria of economic depression; (2) less than 18% of whose residents have a higher education; and (3) at least half of whose residents are minorities.

Latest Action: 07/17/2007 - Star Print ordered on the bill.

Bill Text
To protect users of the Internet from unknowing transmission of their personally identifiable information through spyware programs, and for other purposes. 6/6/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act or Spy Act - (Sec. 2) Makes it unlawful for any person who is not the owner or authorized user (user) of a protected computer (a computer exclusively for the use of a financial institution or the U.S. government, or a computer used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication) to engage in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with specified conduct, including: (1) taking unsolicited control of the computer; (2) modifying computer settings; (3) collecting personally identifiable information; (4) inducing the owner or authorized user to disclose personally identifiable information; (5) inducing the unsolicited installation of computer software; and (6) removing or [...]

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Latest Action: 03/13/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To amend the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991. 3/12/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to revise program requirements for the National High-Performance Computing Program. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to: (1) establish the goals and priorities for federal high-performance computing research, development, networking, and other activities; (2) establish Program Component Areas that implement such goals and identify the Grand Challenges (i.e., fundamental problems in science or engineering, with broad economic and scientific impact, whose solutions will require the application of high-performance computing resources) that the Program should address; and (3) develop and maintain a research, development, and deployment road map for the provision of high-performance computing systems. Revises requirements for annual reports [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/15/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-422.

Bill Text
To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes. 6/18/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009 - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for FY2009 for: (1) science; (2) aeronautics; (3) exploration; (4) education; (5) space operations; (6) cross-agency support programs; and (7) the inspector general. Authorizes additional appropriations for use to accelerate the initial operational capability of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle. Title II: Earth Science - (Sec. 201) Declares that the goal for NASA's Earth Science program shall be to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and applications activities to better understand [...]

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Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E859)

Bill Text
To amend the Clayton Act with respect to competitive and nondiscriminatory access to the Internet. 5/8/2008--Introduced. Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 - Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit any broadband network provider from: (1) failing to provide its services on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms; (2) refusing to interconnect its facilities with those of another service provider on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms; (3) blocking, impairing, discriminating against, or interfering with any person's ability to use a broadband network service to access or offer lawful content, applications, or services over the Internet (or imposing an additional charge to avoid such prohibited conduct); (4) prohibiting a user from attaching or using a device on the provider's network that does not physically damage or materially degrade other users' utilization of the network; or (5) failing to clearly and conspicuously disclose to users accurate information concerning [...]

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Latest Action: 05/07/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a refundable and advancable credit against income tax for health insurance costs, to allow employees who elect not to participate in employer subsidized health plans an exclusion from gross income for employer payments in lieu of such participations, and for other purposes. 4/29/2008--Introduced. Patients' Health Care Reform Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment and governance of : (1) HealthMarts, which are nonprofit organizations that offer health benefits coverage to employers, employees, and individuals through contracts with health insurance issuers; and (2) individual membership associations (IMAs), which are organizations that offer health benefits coverage to members through health insurance issuer contracts. Requires the Secretary of Heath and Human Services to pay 50% of a state's costs to provide health benefits coverage under a high-risk pool, a reinsurance [...]

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Latest Action: 06/04/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 44, United States Code, to strengthen requirements for ensuring the effectiveness of information security controls over information resources that support Federal operations and assets, and for other purposes. 6/3/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Federal Agency Data Protection Act - (Sec. 3) Defines "personally identifiable information" as any information about an individual maintained by a federal agency, including information about the individual's education, finances, medical, criminal, or employment history, that can be used to distinguish or trace such individual's identity or that is otherwise linked or linkable to the individual. (Sec. 4) Includes within the information security duties of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): (1) reviewing agency information security programs, including plans and schedules, developed on the basis of priorities for addressing levels of [...]

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Latest Action: 01/08/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye under authority of the order of the Senate of 12/19/2007 with amendments. With written report No. 110-257.

Bill Text
A bill to establish a digital and wireless network technology program, and for other purposes. 1/8/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Max Cleland Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act - Establishes in the Department of Commerce an Office of Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology to: (1) award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements (assistance) to eligible institutions to provide educational instruction in digital and wireless network technologies; and (2) strengthen the national digital and wireless infrastructure by increasing national investment in telecommunications and technology infrastructure at eligible institutions. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish an advisory council on the best approaches for involving eligible institutions in supported activities and for reviewing and evaluating submitted proposals. Requires the council to include [...]

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Latest Action: 09/08/2008 - Hearing Held by Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Prior to Introduction and Referral ( April 26, 2007)..

Bill Text
To invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States. 8/9/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) America COMPETES Act or America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act - Title I: Office of Science and Technology Policy; Government-Wide Science - (Sec. 1001) Directs the President to: (1) convene a National Science and Technology Summit to examine the health and direction of the United States' science, technology, engineering, and mathematics enterprises; and (2) issue a report on Summit results. Requires, beginning with the President's budget submission for the fiscal year following the conclusion of the Summit and for each of the following four budget submissions, the analytical perspectives component of the budget that describes the research and development (R&D) priorities to include a description of how those [...]

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Latest Action: 06/27/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To provide support to combat illegal downloading on college and university campuses.

3/26/2007--Introduced.

Curb Illegal Downloading on College Campuses Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to use the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education to support efforts by institutions of higher education and other nonprofit institutions and agencies to establish pilot programs and initiatives on college campuses to reduce illegal downloading of copyrighted content, thereby improving the security and integrity of campus computer networks and saving telecommunications bandwidth costs, while ensuring the availability of such bandwidth for research and educational purposes.

Latest Action: 03/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

Bill Text
To amend title 17, United States Code, to promote innovation, to encourage the introduction of new technology, to enhance library preservation efforts, and to protect the fair use rights of consumers, and for other purposes. 2/27/2007--Introduced. Freedom and Innovation Revitalizing U.S. Entrepreneurship Act of 2007 - Requires U.S. courts to remit statutory damages for secondary infringement of copyrigh