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Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 779.

Bill Text
To reauthorize Amtrak, and for other purposes. 6/11/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 - Title I: Authorizations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for: (1) Amtrak capital and operating grants, including capital grants to states, to the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General, and for accessibility improvements and barrier removal for individuals with disabilities; (2) Amtrak repayment of long-term debt and capital leases; and (3) the rail cooperative research program. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 for grants to Amtrak and states participating in the Next Generation Corridor Train Equipment Pool Committee. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to withhold up to one-half of 1% of certain funds for the costs of project management oversight of capital projects carried out by Amtrak.(Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations for costs [...]

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Latest Action: 07/17/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 887.

Bill Text
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

1/11/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a specified segment of the Taunton River in Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1317, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Pearce amendment.

Bill Text
To amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail.

3/1/2007--Introduced.

Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act - Amends the National Trails System Act to designate a corridor of approximately 600 miles following the route taken by the armies of General George Washington and Count Rochambeau between Newport, Rhode Island, and Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781 and 1782, as the "Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail."

Latest Action: 07/15/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 Commercial Street in Brockton, Massachusetts, as the "Rocky Marciano Post Office Building".

3/4/2008--Introduced.

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 Commercial Street in Brockton, Massachusetts, as the "Rocky Marciano Post Office Building."

Latest Action: 06/23/2008 - On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5832-5833)

Bill Text
Recognizing Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as being home to the earliest known reference to the word "baseball" in the United States as well as being the birthplace of college baseball.

6/23/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Recognizes: (1) the importance of college baseball to the nation; and (2) Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as the birthplace of college baseball.

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. 110-353.

Bill Text
A bill to establish the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area in the States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and for other purposes.

3/8/2007--Introduced.

Freedom's Way National Heritage Area Act - Establishes the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area encompassing 36 communities in Massachusetts and eight communities in New Hampshire that have made important and distinctive contributions to the national character of America.

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. 110-355.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

3/13/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a specified segment of the Taunton River in Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

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. 110-381.

Bill Text
To amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to extend the authorization for certain national heritage areas, and for other purposes. 10/24/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Celebrating America's Heritage Act - Title I: Authorization Extensions and Viability Studies - (Sec. 1001) Amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated for the National Coal Heritage Area, Tennessee Civil War Heritage Area, Augusta Canal National Heritage Area, Steel Industry American Heritage Area, Essex National Heritage Area, South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, America's Agricultural Partnership, Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor (redesignated by this Act as the Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway), and Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. (Sec. 1002) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate and report [...]

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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. 110-382.

Bill Text
To amend the National Trails System Act to designate the New England National Scenic Trail, and for other purposes. 1/29/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) New England National Scenic Trail Designation Act - Amends the National Trails System Act to designate the New England National Scenic Trail as a National Scenic Trail. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local agencies, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, and other organizations, to administer the Trail consistent with the recommendations of the Metacomet Monadnock Mattabesett Trail System National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment prepared by the National Park Service (NPS), dated Spring 2006. Bars the acquisition of any land or interest for the Trail by the government without the owner's consent. Directs the Secretary to use the Trail [...]

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Latest Action: 06/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. With written report No. 110-369.

Bill Text
A bill to modify the boundary of the Minute Man National Historical Park, and for other purposes.

12/18/2007--Introduced.

Minute Man National Historical Park Boundary Revision Act - Modifies the boundary of Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts to include a certain area generally depicted on the map entitled "Minute Man National Historical Park Proposed Boundary," dated July 2007.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 779.

Bill Text
To reauthorize Amtrak, and for other purposes. 6/11/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 - Title I: Authorizations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for: (1) Amtrak capital and operating grants, including capital grants to states, to the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General, and for accessibility improvements and barrier removal for individuals with disabilities; (2) Amtrak repayment of long-term debt and capital leases; and (3) the rail cooperative research program. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 for grants to Amtrak and states participating in the Next Generation Corridor Train Equipment Pool Committee. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to withhold up to one-half of 1% of certain funds for the costs of project management oversight of capital projects carried out by Amtrak.(Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations for costs [...]

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Latest Action: 04/15/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2994-2995; text as passed Senate: CR S2995; text of measure as introduced: CR S3032)

Bill Text
A resolution congratulating the Boston College men's ice hockey team on winning the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I National Ice Hockey Championship.

4/15/2008--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.)

Congratulates: (1) the Boston College men's ice hockey team on winning the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I National Ice Hockey Championship; and (2) the University of Notre Dame men's ice hockey team for its success in the 2007-2008 season and for reaching the Frozen Four for the first time in the team's history.

Latest Action: 06/23/2008 - On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5832-5833)

Bill Text
Recognizing Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as being home to the earliest known reference to the word "baseball" in the United States as well as being the birthplace of college baseball.

6/23/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Recognizes: (1) the importance of college baseball to the nation; and (2) Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as the birthplace of college baseball.

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: 07/15/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 Commercial Street in Brockton, Massachusetts, as the "Rocky Marciano Post Office Building".

3/4/2008--Introduced.

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 Commercial Street in Brockton, Massachusetts, as the "Rocky Marciano Post Office Building."

Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5530)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy, and for other purposes. 2/8/2008--Introduced. National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization 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 Trails System Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Oregon [...]

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Latest Action: 02/05/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
To provide assistance to Best Buddies to support the expansion and development of mentoring programs, and for other purposes. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Best Buddies Empowerment for People with Intellectual Disabilities Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to, or enter into agreements with, Best Buddies (a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with intellectual disabilities mesh with mainstream society) to promote the expansion of Best Buddies and the design and implementation of its education and outreach programs, including character education and volunteer programs, that can be integrated into classroom instruction. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to repeal authority for the Fund for the Improvement of Education: (1) educational, cultural, apprenticeship, and exchange programs for Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and their historical whaling and trading partners in Massachusetts; and (2) program [...]

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Latest Action: 06/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. With written report No. 110-369.

Bill Text
A bill to modify the boundary of the Minute Man National Historical Park, and for other purposes.

12/18/2007--Introduced.

Minute Man National Historical Park Boundary Revision Act - Modifies the boundary of Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts to include a certain area generally depicted on the map entitled "Minute Man National Historical Park Proposed Boundary," dated July 2007.

Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5530)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy, and for other purposes. 12/13/2007--Introduced. National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act of 2007 - 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 Trails System Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Oregon [...]

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Latest Action: 12/04/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S14746-14747; text: CR S14746-14747)

Bill Text
A resolution providing the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Commerce should declare a commercial fishery failure for the groundfish fishery for Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island and immediately propose regulations to implement section 312(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. 12/4/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Declares that the Secretary of Commerce should reconsider a decision to deny the requests of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the states of Maine and Rhode Island for a grou