Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/20/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes. 5/15/2008--Introduced. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 - 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. Requires: (1) a process for transitioning NASA experimental earth science and space weather research into operational services; and (2) a plan for the continuation of Landsat thermal infrared data collection or its equivalent. Reauthorizes the Glory Mission. Requires development of a plan for a Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR). Sets [...]

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Latest Action: 06/19/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions, and for other purposes. 3/6/2007--Introduced. Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Support Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to enter into agreements with the Secretary of Defense to use Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions. Authorizes the Secretary to consider the use of such personnel and resources to provide: (1) aerial reconnaissance or communications capabilities to the Border Patrol to protect against illegal entry and trafficking; and (2) capabilities to respond to an act of terrorism, natural disaster, or other man-made event by assisting in damage assessment and situational awareness, search and rescue operations, evacuations, and transporting time-sensitive materials. Directs [...]

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Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend title 40, United States Code, to authorize the use of Federal supply schedules for the acquisition of law enforcement, security, and certain other related items by State and local governments.

6/26/2008--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Local Preparedness Acquisition Act - Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to provide for the use by state or local governments of federal supply schedules of the General Services Administration (GSA) for alarm and signal systems, facility management systems, firefighting and rescue equipment, law enforcement and security equipment, marine craft and related equipment, special purpose clothing, and related services (as contained in federal supply classification code group 84).

Latest Action: 07/15/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-421.

Bill Text
To amend the provisions of law relating to the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, and for other purposes. 3/19/2007--Passed House 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.) Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to require the collection and updating of existing practices and procedures for rescuing and rehabilitating stranded or entangled (currently, only stranded) marine mammals. Authorizes entanglement response agreements. Authorizes appropriations through FY2010 to carry out the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program. Authorizes, subject to appropriations, cooperative agreements, contracts, or other arrangements to address stranding events requiring emergency assistance. [...]

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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. 110-379.

Bill Text
To provide for the conveyance of a parcel of National Forest System land in Kittitas County, Washington, to facilitate the construction of a new fire and rescue station, and for other purposes.

7/23/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Snoqualmie Pass Land Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a specified parcel of National Forest System land to the King and Kittitas Counties Fire District #51 of King and Kittitas Counties, Washington, and to permit the District to use such parcel as a site for a new Snoqualmie Pass fire and rescue station.

Provides for reversion to the United States of the conveyed property if it is not being used in accordance with the purposes specified above.

Provides that, if necessary, the exact acreage and legal description of the lands to be conveyed shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary.

Latest Action: 06/09/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 771.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. 6/6/2008--Introduced. Alternative Minimum Tax and Extenders Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend expiring provisions relating to the alternative minimum tax, individual and business taxpayers, energy conservation, and tax administration. Extends through 2008 for individual taxpayers: (1) the offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits against regular and alternative minimum tax (AMT) liabilities; and (2) the increased AMT exemption amounts. Extends through 2009: (1) the election to deduct state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes; (2) the tax deductions for qualified tuition and related expenses and for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers; (3) tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for charitable purposes; and (4) tax rules for treatment of [...]

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Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5595-5597)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Energy Independence and Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various provisions relating to energy production and conservation and to individual and business-related activities.Extends through 2009 the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities and through 2011 for closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation, hydropower, landfill gas, and trash combustion facilities. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of such tax credit. Extends through 2014: (1) the energy tax credits for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property; and (2) the residential energy efficient property tax credit. Allows a new investment tax credit for combined heat and power system property.Provides funding for new clean renewable energy [...]

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Latest Action: 06/24/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6081; text as passed Senate: CR S6081-6082; text of measure as introduced: CR S6025)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the condolences of the Senate to those affected by the tragic events following the tornado that hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in Little Sioux, Iowa, on June 11, 2008.

6/24/2008--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.)

Expresses condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives following the tornado that hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in Little Sioux, Iowa, on June 11, 2008: Sam Thomsen, Josh Fennen, Ben Petrzilka, and Aaron Eilerts. Shares thoughts and prayers for a full recovery for those who were injured.

Commends the Boy Scouts of America for the support the organization has provided to the families and friends of those lost and injured. Extends thanks to those who took quick action to provide aid and comfort to the victims.

Latest Action: 06/25/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

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: 01/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

Bill Text
To direct the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to designate New Jersey Task Force 1 as part of the National Urban Search and Rescue System.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to designate New Jersey Task Force 1 as part of the National Urban Search and Rescue System.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/24/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6081; text as passed Senate: CR S6081-6082; text of measure as introduced: CR S6025)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the condolences of the Senate to those affected by the tragic events following the tornado that hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in Little Sioux, Iowa, on June 11, 2008.

6/24/2008--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.)

Expresses condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives following the tornado that hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in Little Sioux, Iowa, on June 11, 2008: Sam Thomsen, Josh Fennen, Ben Petrzilka, and Aaron Eilerts. Shares thoughts and prayers for a full recovery for those who were injured.

Commends the Boy Scouts of America for the support the organization has provided to the families and friends of those lost and injured. Extends thanks to those who took quick action to provide aid and comfort to the victims.

Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5595-5597)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Energy Independence and Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various provisions relating to energy production and conservation and to individual and business-related activities.Extends through 2009 the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities and through 2011 for closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation, hydropower, landfill gas, and trash combustion facilities. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of such tax credit. Extends through 2014: (1) the energy tax credits for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property; and (2) the residential energy efficient property tax credit. Allows a new investment tax credit for combined heat and power system property.Provides funding for new clean renewable energy [...]

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Latest Action: 06/09/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 771.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. 6/6/2008--Introduced. Alternative Minimum Tax and Extenders Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend expiring provisions relating to the alternative minimum tax, individual and business taxpayers, energy conservation, and tax administration. Extends through 2008 for individual taxpayers: (1) the offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits against regular and alternative minimum tax (AMT) liabilities; and (2) the increased AMT exemption amounts. Extends through 2009: (1) the election to deduct state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes; (2) the tax deductions for qualified tuition and related expenses and for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers; (3) tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for charitable purposes; and (4) tax rules for treatment of [...]

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Latest Action: 06/20/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes. 5/15/2008--Introduced. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 - 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. Requires: (1) a process for transitioning NASA experimental earth science and space weather research into operational services; and (2) a plan for the continuation of Landsat thermal infrared data collection or its equivalent. Reauthorizes the Glory Mission. Requires development of a plan for a Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR). Sets [...]

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Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to improve airport runway safety, and for other purposes. 4/30/2008--Introduced. Runway Safety Improvement Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop and submit to Congress: (1) a strategic runway safety plan; as well as (2) a plan and schedule for installation and deployment of systems to alert air traffic controllers and flight crews of potential runway incursions at commercial airports and general aviation airports that are most at risk of such incursions. Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to review and report annually to Congress on the installation of each advanced surface movement system funded by the Administrator. Authorizes appropriations for the purchase and installation of certain runway incursion avoidance systems. Directs the Administrator to: (1) review runway and taxiway lighting (both at daytime and nighttime) and markings at certain airports [...]

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Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

Bill Text
Expressing support for the designation of April 2008 as National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, and supporting efforts to devote new resources to research the causes of the disease, environmental and otherwise, along with treatments and workforce strategies to support individuals with sarcoidosis.

4/30/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Supports the goals and ideals of National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month.

Recognizes that sarcoidosis has played a prominent yet hidden role in America's workforce history.

Supports research efforts to better understand the links between sarcoidosis and specific occupations where sarcoidosis is disproportionately represented.