Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/08/2008 - Signed by President.

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A bill to reauthorize the United States Fire Administration, and for other purposes. 9/24/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 18, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) for FY2009-FY2012. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Superintendent of the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control to include within fire service personnel training: (1) tactics and strategies for dealing with natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters; (2) applying new technology and developing strategies and tactics for fighting wildfires; (3) tactics and strategies for fighting large-scale or multiple fires in [...]

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Latest Action: 10/02/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

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To amend the American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996 to establish a battlefield acquisition grant program for the acquisition and protection of nationally significant battlefields and associated sites of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act - Amends the American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996 to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the American Battlefield Protection Program, to establish an acquisition grant program for battlefields and associated sites identified in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Historic Preservation Study (battlefield report). Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to States or local governments (eligible entities) to pay the Federal share of the cost of acquiring such sites. Permits eligible entities to acquire an interest in eligible sites using such grants in partnership with nonprofit organizations.[...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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A bill to return meaning to the Fifth Amendment by limiting the power of eminent domain. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Private Property Rights Protection Act - Makes ineligible for federal funds any condemning authority or acquiring party that engages or participates in a taking or condemnation of any real property interest not for a public use or public purpose using the power of eminent domain, without the owner's consent. Requires any entity applying for federal funds to certify eligibility. Allows the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to audit any condemning authority or acquiring party that has made such a certification. Allows a property owner who is notified that his or her property will be taken to file for and attach a Fifth Amendment property protection statement (PPS) indicating that the condemning entity is exceeding its authority, which shall prohibit any acquiring party from claiming any benefit, deduction, or tax credit related to any activities [...]

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Latest Action: 02/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1463, H1469)

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To reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, and for other purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to extend the Act through FY2013.

Revises requirements regarding the merchantable material contracting pilot program.

Requires counties participating in county projects to submit a specified notification for each project for which the participating county obligated county funds. Provides for the review of such notifications.

Latest Action: 07/12/2007 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

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To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National Heritage Area in Virginia, and for other purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Northern Neck National Heritage Area Study Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to specified congressional committees on the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National Heritage Area to be comprised of: (1) the part of eastern coastal Virginia between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers; (2) Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, King George, and Lancaster Counties, Virginia; and (3) other areas adjacent to or in the vicinity of those areas that have similar heritage aspects.

Latest Action: 01/11/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S454)

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A bill to amend Public Law 87-383 to reauthorize appropriations to promote the conservation of migratory waterfowl and to offset or prevent the serious loss of important wetland and other waterfowl habitat essential to the preservation of migratory waterfowl, and for other purposes. 1/11/2007--Introduced. Amends the Wetlands Loan Act to increase and extend funding for conservation of migratory waterfowl and habitat essential to the preservation of such waterfowl for FY2008-FY2017. Requires such appropriated funds to be treated as advances to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund which shall be repaid to the Treasury in annual amounts that are equal to the funds accruing to such Fund that are attributable to the portion of the price of migratory bird hunting stamps sold that year in excess of $15 per stamp. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the funds provided pursuant to this Act should be used for preserving and increasing waterfowl populations in accordance [...]

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Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-95.

Bill Text
To establish the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, and for other purposes. 4/17/2007--Reported to House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area Act - (Sec. 4) Establishes the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area comprising the 175 mile-region following the Route 15 corridor and certain surrounding areas through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. Designates the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership as the management entity for the Area. Requires the board of trustees of the Partnership to include representatives from a broad cross-section of individuals, agencies, organizations, states, and governments that: (1) are partners of the Partnership; and (2) will oversee the development and implementation of the management plan. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Partnership to use funds made available under this Act to prepare, update, and [...]

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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. 110-377.

Bill Text
To remove certain restrictions on the Mammoth Community Water District's ability to use certain property acquired by that District from the United States.

6/16/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries)

Authorizes use of approximately 36.25 acres patented to the Mammoth County Water District (now known as the Mammoth Community Water District) in Mono County, California, for any public purpose, notwithstanding the Sisk Act.

Latest Action: 04/23/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3758-3759)

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To require Federal agencies to support health impact assessments and take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities, and for other purposes. 1/10/2007--Introduced. Healthy Places Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an interagency working group to discuss environmental health concerns, particularly concerns disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish a program at the National Center of Environmental Health at CDC focused on advancing the field of health impact assessment. Requires the Director to develop guidance for the assessment of potential health effects of land use, housing, and transportation policy and plans. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to: (1) establish a program to provide funding and technical assistance to state [...]

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Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S681)

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A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to establish a program to regulate the emission of greenhouse gases from electric utilities. 1/17/2007--Introduced. Electric Utility Cap and Trade Act of 2007 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an allowance trading program to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electric generating facilities that: (1) have a nameplate capacity greater than 25 megawatts; (2) combust GHG emitting fuels; and (3) generate electricity for sale. Provides for annual tonnage limitations for GHG emissions from such facilities for 2011-2020.Requires the Administrator to establish: (1) a Climate Science Advisory Panel; (2) a safe climate level; (3) a Climate Action Trust Fund for the Administrator to use to carry out this Act; and (4) an innovative low- and zero-emitting carbon technologies program, a clean coal technologies program, and an energy efficiency technology program.[...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the State of Virginia to petition for authorization to conduct natural gas exploration and drilling activities in the coastal zone of the State. 6/18/2008--Introduced. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize the governor of Virginia to petition the Secretary of the Interior for authorization to conduct natural gas exploration and extraction activities in any area that is at least 50 miles beyond the state's coastal zone. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into a Clean Energy Fund of 50% of all rentals, royalties, bonus bids, and other sums due and payable to the United States from leases entered into under this Act for natural gas exploration and extraction activities. Requires deposit of the other 50% into a special account in the Treasury from which the Secretary shall disburse: (1) 75% to the state; (2) 12.5% to provide financial assistance to states in accordance with the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of [...]

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Latest Action: 06/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Bill Text
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a "Charter Forest" demonstration project on all National Forest System lands in the State of Colorado in order to combat insect infestation, improve forest health, reduce the threat of wildfire, protect biological diversity, and enhance the social sustainability and economic productivity of the lands. 6/4/2008--Introduced. Colorado Charter Forest Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a demonstration project for National Forest System lands in Colorado ("covered lands") for the purposes of increasing community involvement in decision making regarding management and evaluating methods to improve the health and management of the lands.Requires establishment of: (1) an independent scientific panel to assess the ecological, social, and economic sustainability of the covered lands and prepare a monitoring plan; and (2) a community management council to advise on environmental, economic, and [...]

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Latest Action: 05/20/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4490-4491)

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A bill to improve Federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of Federal real property, by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of Federal and real property and identifying inaccurate, duplicate, and out-of-date Federal land inventories, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of federal real property (an inventory of real property of the federal government) to assist with federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of real property. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cost-sharing agreements with states to include any non-federal lands in a state in such cadastre. Limits the federal share of any such agreement to 50% of the total cost to a state for the development of the cadastre of the non-federal lands in the state. Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 05/20/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National Heritage Area in Virginia, and for other purposes.

5/20/2008--Introduced.

Northern Neck National Heritage Area Study Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to specified congressional committees on the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National Heritage Area to be comprised of: (1) the part of eastern coastal Virginia between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers; (2) Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, King George, and Lancaster Counties, Virginia; and (3) other areas adjacent to or in the vicinity of those areas that have similar heritage aspects.

Latest Action: 04/22/2008 - Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-366. 2:30 p.m.

Bill Text
A bill to establish wilderness areas, promote conservation, and improve public land in Washington County, Utah, and for other purposes. 4/9/2008--Introduced. Washington County Growth and Conservation Act of 2008 - Designates specified public lands in Utah as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Provides for the acquisition of land or interests in any such area designated as wilderness. Releases certain wilderness study areas in Washington County, Utah, from further study for designation as wilderness. Designates specified federal land in Zion National Park in Washington County as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, which shall be known as the Zion Wilderness. Establishes the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area in Utah. Designates specified segments of the Virgin River and its tributaries across federal land within and adjacent to [...]

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Latest Action: 07/29/2008 - Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-799.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to jointly conduct a study of certain land adjacent to the Walnut Canyon National Monument in the State of Arizona, and for other purposes. 4/9/2008--Introduced. Walnut Canyon Study Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of an area identified as the Walnut Canyon Proposed Study Area (the study area) to assess: (1) the suitability and feasibility of designating all or part of the study area as an addition to Walnut Canyon National Monument in Arizona; and (2) continued management of the study area by the Forest Service, or any other designation or management option that would provide for protection of resources within the study area and continued access to, and use of, the study area by the public. Requires the Secretaries to provide for public comment in the preparation of the study, including with appropriate federal, state, and [...]

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Latest Action: 03/18/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

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To protect the second amendment rights of individuals to carry firearms and ammunition in units of the National Park System and the National Wildlife Refuge System and to require that hunting activities be a land use in all management plans for Federal land to the extent that such use is not clearly incompatible with the purposes for which the Federal land is managed. 3/14/2008--Introduced. Protecting the Second Amendment and Hunting Rights on Federal Lands Act of 2008 - Prohibits any federal regulation from restricting any individual from possessing or carrying a firearm or ammunition, if such restriction is based, in whole or in part, upon the fact that the individual is in a unit of the National Park System or the Wildlife Refuge System. Sets forth provisions with regard to allowing hunting activities on federal lands. Requires an agency with jurisdiction over any federal land, when developing or considering approval of a management plan, to ensure that hunting [...]

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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. 5/8/2008--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 - Title I: Forest Service Authorizations - (Sec. 101) Designates certain lands in the Skykomish River Valley, Washington, as the Wild Sky Wilderness, to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Directs the Secretary to establish a trail plan. Authorizes the use of helicopter access to construct and maintain a joint [...]

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Latest Action: 03/10/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Bill Text
To improve Federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of Federal real property, by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of Federal real property and identifying inaccurate, duplicate, and out-of-date Federal land inventories, and for other purposes. 3/5/2008--Introduced. Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of federal real property (an inventory of real property of the federal government) to assist with federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of real property. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cost-sharing agreements with states to include any non-federal lands in a state in such cadastre. Limits the federal share of any such agreement to 50% of the total cost to a state for the development of the cadastre of the non-federal lands in the state. Requires the Secretary [...]

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