Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.

Bill Text
To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a feasibility study for applying airport bubbles as a method of identifying, assessing, and reducing the adverse environmental impacts of airport ground and flight operations and improving the overall quality of the environment, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Right to Know About Airport Pollution Act of 2005 [sic] - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study, and report to Congress on: (1) the feasibility of regulating air, noise, water, and solid waste pollution from all sources in and around airports using airport bubbles; and (2) the feasibility and desirability of strengthening EPA air pollutant emissions standards for airplane engines. Defines an "airport bubble" as an area: (1) in and around an airport (or other facility using aircraft) within which sources of pollution and levels of pollution from those sources are to be [...]

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

Bill Text
A bill to provide assistance to the State of New Mexico for the development of comprehensive State water plans, and for other purposes. 2/15/2007--Reported to 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.) New Mexico Water Planning Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, at the request of the governor of New Mexico and acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey, to: (1) provide to New Mexico technical assistance and grants for the development of comprehensive state water plans; (2) conduct water resources mapping in New Mexico; and (3) conduct a comprehensive study of groundwater resources in New Mexico to assess the quantity, quality, and interaction of groundwater and surface water resources. Lists types of technical assistance that may be provided, including [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for a program to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by establishing a market-driven system of greenhouse gas tradeable allowances, to support the deployment of new climate change-related technologies, and to ensure benefits to consumers from the trading in such allowances, and for other purposes. 1/12/2007--Introduced. Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and maintain the National Greenhouse Gas Database to collect, verify, and analyze information on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Establishes a program for market-driven reduction of GHGs through the use of tradeable allowances. Requires certain covered entities that own or control a source of GHG emissions in the electric power, industrial, and commercial sectors of the U.S. economy to submit to the Administrator, beginning in 2012, one tradeable allowance for every [...]

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Latest Action: 02/07/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.

Bill Text
To accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by establishing a market-driven system of greenhouse gas tradeable allowances that will limit greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, reduce dependence upon foreign oil, and ensure benefits to consumers from the trading in such allowances, and for other purposes. 1/22/2007--Introduced. Climate Stewardship Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a National Greenhouse Gas Database consisting of: (1) an inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by covered entities (specified entities that own or control a source of GHG emissions in the electric power, industrial, and commercial sectors of the U.S. economy that emit more than 10,000 metric tons of GHGs per year); and (2) a registry of GHG emission reductions and increased sequestration, applicable to both covered and noncovered entities.Establishes a program for the market-driven [...]

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Latest Action: 01/31/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize programs to improve the quality of coastal recreation waters, and for other purposes.

1/30/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize appropriations for coastal recreation water quality monitoring and notification grants through FY 2012.

Amends the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 to reauthorize appropriations to carry out that Act through FY 2012.

Latest Action: 03/07/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2800-2801)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a collaborative program to protect the Great Lakes, and for other purposes. 3/7/2007--Introduced. Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2007 - National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2007 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to: (1) require certain vessels operating in U.S. waters to have invasive species management plans; (2) direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish vessel performance requirements with the goal of eliminating invasive species, (3) require vessels to conduct ballast water treatment in accordance with numeric ballast water discharge standards; (4) direct the Secretary to promulgate regulations to minimize the discharge of invasive species from ships that claim no ballast on board, or that claim to be carrying only unpumpable quantities of ballast, and to allow ships entering the Great Lakes to use a treatment technology that is as effective as ballast water exchange; (5) [...]

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Latest Action: 02/15/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.

Bill Text
To amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to establish vessel ballast water management requirements, and for other purposes. 2/7/2007--Introduced. Prevention of Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2007 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to revise certain aquatic invasive species prevention requirements to, among other things: (1) apply them to certain U.S. vessels and to certain foreign vessels (or a structure being towed by a vessel) that are en route to, or have departed from, a U.S. port; and (2) establish ballast water exchange and treatment and sediment management standards for vessels of the armed forces. Prohibits an operator of a vessel from uptaking or discharging ballast water or sediment, except in specified circumstances, from a U.S. vessel operating in U.S. or non-U.S. waters. Requires a vessel to conduct all its ballast water management operations in accordance with an aquatic [...]

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Latest Action: 02/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations for activities to improve the quality of coastal recreation waters, and for other purposes. 2/8/2007--Introduced. Safe Water Improvement and Modernization Act of 2007 - Extends through FY2012 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) grants by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to states and local governments for coastal recreation water quality monitoring and notification programs; and (2) carrying out the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000. Requires the Administrator to study the benefits of using molecular diagnostics for monitoring and assessing the quality of coastal recreation waters, including by: (1) evaluating the full range of available rapid indicator technologies; and (2) comparing the use of molecular diagnostics to culture testing of same source water.[...]

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Latest Action: 02/23/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998, and for other purposes.

2/15/2007--Introduced.

Save Our Shores Act - Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to extend the authorization of appropriations for research, education, and monitoring activities related to the prevention, reduction, and control of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia.

Requires that all federal financial assistance for harmful algal bloom research be awarded on a competitive, peer reviewed basis.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.

Bill Text
To accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by establishing a market-driven system of greenhouse gas tradeable allowances that will limit greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, reduce dependence upon foreign oil, and ensure benefits to consumers from the trading in such allowances, and for other purposes. 11/15/2007--Introduced. Climate Stewardship and Economic Security Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a National Greenhouse Gas Database consisting of: (1) an inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by covered entities (specified entities that own or control a source of GHG emissions in the electric power, industrial, and commercial sectors of the U.S. economy that emit more than 10,000 metric tons of GHGs per year); and (2) a registry of GHG emission reductions and increased sequestration, applicable to all entities.Establishes a program for the market-driven [...]

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Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Bill Text
To authorize the conveyance of certain parcels of public land in Clark County, Nevada, to the City of Mesquite, Nevada, and the Virgin Valley Water District, and for other purposes.

10/31/2007--Introduced.

Mesquite Lands Act of 2007 - Grants the city of Mesquite, Nevada, the exclusive right to purchase certain parcels of public land in Clark County, Nevada.

Extends withdrawal and purchase authority with respect to the fifth and sixth areas.

Requires proceeds from certain sales to be used for the implementation of the Virgin River Multispecies Habitat Conservation Plan, including any associated groundwater monitoring plans.

Directs the Secretary to convey certain public land in Clark County to the Virgin Valley Water District.

Latest Action: 10/19/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to protect public health and safety in the event that testing of nuclear weapons by the United States is resumed. 10/19/2007--Introduced. Safety for Americans from Nuclear Weapons Testing Act - Deems the resumption of underground nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site or the use of any other location for such testing to be a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment for which a separate environmental impact statement is required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Outlines information required to be included in such statement, including: (1) the possibility of radiation containment failure and the effects of such failure; (2) possible long-term effects on the water table from underground radiation leakage; and (3) information with respect to categories of weapons subject to testing.Prohibits the United States from resuming any such testing unless authorized by a law enacted after the enactment of this [...]

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Latest Action: 09/24/2008 - Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-497. Minority views filed.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to ensure that sewage treatment plants monitor for and report discharges of raw sewage, and for other purposes.

9/20/2007--Introduced.

Sewage Overflow Right-to-Know Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct owners or operators of publicly owned treatment works to: (1) institute an alert system for sewer overflows; (2) notify the public of such overflows in areas where human health is potentially affected within 24 hours; (3) immediately notify public health authorities and other affected entities; and (4) provide specified reports to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the state.

Makes the alert systems eligible for state water pollution control revolving fund assistance.

Latest Action: 09/28/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 400.

Bill Text
To direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue a standard regulating worker exposure to diacetyl. 9/26/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to promulgate: (1) within 90 days, an interim final standard regulating worker exposure to diacetyl that applies to all locations in the flavoring manufacturing industry that manufacture, use, handle, or process diacetyl and all microwave popcorn production and packaging establishments that use diacetyl-containing flavors; and (2) within two years, if diacetyl is still being processed or utilized in facilities, a final standard that contains a short term exposure limit and a permissible exposure limit not exceeding the lowest feasible level and that applies to all facilities where diacetyl is processed or used. Gives the interim standard the legal effect of an occupational safety and health standard [...]

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