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Latest Action: 10/01/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Bill Text
A bill to amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to create a presumption that a disability or death of a Federal employee in fire protection activities caused by any of certain diseases is the result of the performance of such employee's duty.

8/1/2007--Introduced.

Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends federal law to provide that, in the case of an employee in fire protection activities: (1) heart disease, lung disease, specified cancers and infectious diseases shall be presumed to be proximately caused by the employee's employment; (2) the disability or death of an employee in fire protection activities due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of such employee's duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence.

Latest Action: 03/30/2007 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on.

Bill Text
A bill to amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to authorize the use of clinical social workers to conduct evaluations to determine work-related emotional and mental illnesses.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Clinical Social Workers' Recognition Act of 2007 - Amends federal law concerning federal workers' compensation to authorize the use of clinical social workers to conduct evaluations to determine work-related emotional and mental illnesses.

Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to create a presumption that disability of a Federal employee in fire protection activities caused by certain conditions is presumed to result from the performance of such employee's duty.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends federal law to provide that, with regard to an employee in fire protection activities: (1) heart disease, lung disease, specified cancers and infectious diseases shall be presumed to be proximately caused by the employee's employment; (2) the disability or death of an employee in fire protection activities due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of such employee's duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence.

Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to authorize the use of clinical social workers to conduct evaluations to determine work-related emotional and mental illnesses.

1/11/2007--Introduced.

Amends civil service law concerning federal workers' compensation to authorize the use of clinical social workers to conduct evaluations to determine work-related emotional and mental illnesses.

Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to better provide for compensation for certain persons injured in the course of employment at the Rocky Flats site in Colorado.

3/1/2007--Introduced.

Rocky Flats Special Exposure Cohort Act - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to amend the definition of a "member of the Special Exposure Cohort" for purposes of such Program to include persons who were employed by the Department of Energy (DOE) or a DOE contractor or subcontractor for an aggregate of at least 250 work days before January 1, 2006, at the Rocky Flats site in Colorado.

Latest Action: 06/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To better provide for compensation for certain persons injured in the course of employment at the Rocky Flats site in Colorado.

2/7/2007--Introduced.

Rocky Flats Special Exposure Cohort Act - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to amend the definition of a "member of the Special Exposure Cohort" for purposes of such Program to include persons who were employed by the Department of Energy (DOE) or a DOE contractor or subcontractor for an aggregate of at least 250 work days before January 1, 2006, at the Rocky Flats site in Colorado.

Latest Action: 03/19/2007 - Star Print ordered on the bill.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to improve the compensation system, and for other purposes. 3/12/2007--Introduced. Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to declare that it is the intent of Congress that: (1) in a claim brought under such Act, the facts are not to be given a broad liberal construction in favor of the employee or of the employer; (2) the laws pertaining to the claim are to be construed in accordance with the basic principles of statutory construction and not liberally in favor of either the employee or employer; and (3) the system established under the Act shall be efficient and self-executing, but not an economic or administrative burden. Makes compensation under the Act payable regardless of fault as a cause of an injury (no-fault). Specifies requirements for proportional payment of compensation, the last employer doctrine,[...]

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Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To provide compensation to individuals who, during the Vietnam conflict, were employees of the Federal Government or contractor employees of the Department of Defense and suffered disability or death from exposure to Agent Orange.

2/8/2007--Introduced.

Civilian Agent Orange Act of 2007 - Establishes the: (1) Agent Orange Illness Compensation Program to provide compensation for federal employees or employees of contractors of the Department of Defense (DOD) who contracted an Agent Orange illness while employed during the Vietnam conflict and suffered injury or death by reason of that illness; and (2) Agent Orange Illness Compensation Fund to make such payments. Fixes the compensation amount at $100,000, payable either to the employee or his or her eligible survivor. Offsets such payment by any payment made on a claim based on the same illness, injury, or death on account of exposure to Agent Orange herbicides.

Latest Action: 06/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
To amend the Black Lung Benefits Act, and for other purposes.

2/16/2007--Introduced.

Black Lung Benefits Survivors Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act, with respect to claims filed on or after the effective date of the Black Lung Benefits Amendments of 1981, to eliminate exceptions to: (1) the applicability of certain provisions regarding rebuttable presumptions; and (2) the prohibition against requiring eligible survivors of a miner determined to be eligible for black lung benefits to file a new claim or refile or otherwise revalidate the miner's claim.

Latest Action: 02/16/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to create a presumption that disability of a Federal employee in fire protection activities caused by certain conditions is presumed to result from the performance of such employee's duty.

2/16/2007--Introduced.

Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends federal law to provide that, with regard to an employee in fire protection activities: (1) heart disease, lung disease, specified cancers and infectious diseases shall be presumed to be proximately caused by the employee's employment; (2) the disability or death of an employee in fire protection activities due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of such employee's duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/24/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to provide benefits to domestic partners of Federal employees. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2007 - Provides that a federal employee and his or her domestic partner shall be entitled to benefits available to, and shall be subject to obligations imposed upon, a married federal employee and his or her spouse.Defines "domestic partner" to mean an adult unmarried person living with another adult unmarried person of the same sex in a committed, intimate relationship. Defines "benefits" to include federal health insurance and enhanced dental and vision benefits, retirement and disability benefits, family, medical, and emergency leave, group life insurance, long-term care insurance, compensation for work injuries, and benefits for disability, death, or captivity. Excludes members of the uniformed services from the definition of "employee."Sets forth requirements for filing: (1) an affidavit [...]

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Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
To provide benefits to domestic partners of Federal employees. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2007 - Provides that a federal employee and his or her domestic partner shall be entitled to benefits available to, and shall be subject to obligations imposed upon, a married federal employee and his or her spouse.Defines "domestic partner" to mean an adult unmarried person living with another adult unmarried person of the same sex in a committed, intimate relationship. Defines "benefits" to include federal health insurance and enhanced dental and vision benefits, retirement and disability benefits, family, medical, and emergency leave, group life insurance, long-term care insurance, compensation for work injuries, and benefits for disability, death, or captivity. Excludes members of the uniformed services from the definition of "employee."Sets forth requirements for filing: (1) an affidavit [...]

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Latest Action: 12/29/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to amend titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act to extend provisions under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP programs, and for other purposes. 12/29/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.) Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 - (Sec. 101) Title I: Increase in Physician Payment Update; Extension of the Physician Quality Reporting System - (Sec. 101) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) increase the physician payment update; (2) revise the Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative Fund, adding limitations on expenditures; and (3) extend through 2009 the physician quality reporting system Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to provide for transitional bonus incentive payments for quality reporting in 2008,[...]

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Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2572)

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Employees' Compensation Act to cover services provided to injured Federal workers by physician assistants and nurse practitioners, and for other purposes.

12/13/2007--Introduced.

Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act - Amends the Federal Employees' Compensation Act to include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, or certified registered nurse anesthetists as eligible providers of medical, surgical, and hospital services and supplies under such Act.

Latest Action: 12/05/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14797-14798)

Bill Text
A bill to provide death and disability benefits for aerial firefighters who work on a contract basis for a public agency and suffer death or disability in the line of duty, and for other purposes.

12/5/2007--Introduced.

Aerial Firefighter Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include among persons eligible for public safety officer death benefits any individual serving a public agency or a contractor or subcontractor of a public agency in an official capacity, with or without compensation, as a pilot or a crew member of an aircraft carrying out a firefighting mission.

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

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to provide death and disability benefits for aerial firefighters who work on a contract basis for the Forest Service or an agency of the Department of the Interior and suffer death or disability in the line of duty, and for other purposes.

12/5/2007--Introduced.

Aerial Firefighter Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to provide for death and disability benefits for aerial firefighters who serve the Forest Service or any agency of the Department of the Interior and suffer death or disability in the line of duty.

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for similar eligibility of aerial firefighters for public safety officer death benefits, applicable to a public agency.

Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .

Bill Text
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. 11/14/2007--Introduced. National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to codify provisions establishing in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System, under which the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources to assist state and local governments in responding to structural collapses resulting from terrorist acts and other incidents.Directs the Secretary to: (1) select and designate task forces to participate in the System and determine criteria for participation; (2) enter into an agreement with the sponsoring agency of each task force regarding participation; and (3) maintain such management and technical teams as the Secretary deems necessary. Authorizes a task force to include [...]

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Latest Action: 11/14/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

Bill Text
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to clarify and codify the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to administer the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System for Federal response to all hazards. 11/13/2007--Introduced. National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) continue to administer the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System; (2) provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources; (3) designate task forces to participate in the System and determine criteria for participation; and (4) enter into an agreement with the required sponsoring agency of each task force regarding participation. Sets forth provisions regarding the composition of task forces and reimbursement. Authorizes [...]

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Latest Action: 11/13/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restructure and replace the income tax system of the United States to meet national priorities, and for other purposes. 11/13/2007--Introduced. Simplified USA Tax Act of 2007 - Repeals, after 2006, income tax and estate and gift tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Replaces such Code with a new tax system, to be known as the Simplified USA Tax. Establishes three income tax brackets at 15, 25, and 30% for individual taxpayers. Redefines "gross income" and allows certain exclusions from gross income, including previously-taxed benefits, tax-exempt bond interest, compensation for injuries and sickness, and gain from the sale of a principal residence. Allows tax deductions for alimony and child support, home mortgage interest, certain higher education expenses, and charitable contributions. Allows a tax credit for employee social security payroll taxes.Revises rules for Roth individual retirement [...]

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Latest Action: 11/14/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.

Bill Text
To amend title 31, United States Code, to require certain additional calculations to be included in the annual financial statement submitted under section 331(e) of that title, and for other purposes. 10/24/2007--Introduced. Truth in Accounting Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to include in the audited financial statement of executive branch accounts of the previous year a calculation of the net present value of the overall fiscal exposures of the U.S. government. Requires such financial statement to include a program-by-program calculation of: (1) the generational imbalance; (2) the fiscal imbalance; and (3) the total amount of the fiscal imbalance plus the public debt. Instructs the President, in preparing the federal budget, to take this financial statement into consideration, including the effect of the overall budget upon: (1) the generational imbalance calculation and the fiscal imbalance calculation; and (2) the net present value of [...]

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