Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

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Recognizing the low presence of minorities in the financial services industry and minorities and women in upper level positions of management, and expressing the sense of the Congress that active measures should be taken to increase the demographic diversity of the financial services industry. 9/24/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.) Financial Services Diversity Initiative - Recognizes that minorities and women still face unique challenges entering into and obtaining upper level positions within the financial services industry. Encourages financial institutions to partner with organizations focused on developing opportunities for minorities and women to place talented young minorities and women in industry internships, summer employment, and full-time positions.Encourages [...]

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Latest Action: 04/10/2007 - By Senator Kennedy from Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions filed written report. Report No. 110-48.

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A bill to prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment. 3/29/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 - Title I: Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance - (Sec. 101) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to specify that genetic information that an issuer of group health insurance may not establish as an enrollment eligibility factor includes information about a request for or receipt of genetic services by an individual or family member. Prohibits a group health plan or a health insurance issuer from: (1) adjusting premiums on the basis of genetic information; or (2) requesting or requiring an individual or a family member of such individual to undergo a genetic test.Applies such provisions to small group health plans.Allows [...]

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Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-233.

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To prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment. 5/21/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on April 24, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here, with changes reflecting enrollment corrections.)Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 - Title I: Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance - (Sec. 101) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan from adjusting premium or contribution amounts for a group on the basis of genetic information.Prohibits a group health plan from requesting or requiring an individual or family member of an individual from undergoing a genetic test. Provides that such prohibition does not: (1) limit the authority of [...]

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Latest Action: 02/15/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to recodify as part of that title certain educational assistance programs for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, to improve such programs, and for other purposes. 2/15/2007--Introduced. Total Force Educational Assistance Enhancement and Integration Act of 2007 - Recodifies under federal veterans' benefits law (currently codified under federal armed forces law) provisions relating to educational assistance for members of the reserves. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) (currently, the Secretary of each military department) to carry out such assistance. Makes eligible for such assistance under this Act those who, after October 1, 2008: (1) enlist or extend an enlistment in the Selected Reserve for not less than six years; or (1) are appointed or agree to serve in the Selected Reserve for at least six years. Includes under this Act those eligible for such assistance as of October 1, 2008. Increases [...]

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Latest Action: 02/27/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2282)

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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and enhance educational assistance for survivors and dependents of veterans. 2/27/2007--Introduced. Veterans' Survivors Education Enhancement Act of 2007 - Revises provisions concerning educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to terminate the 45-month limitation on: (1) the use of such assistance for eligible veterans' survivors and dependents; and (2) the use of such assistance for special restorative training. Makes survivors and dependents eligible for educational assistance until their 30th (currently 26th) birthday. Makes the aggregate amount of educational assistance $80,000. (Currently, there are monthly limits for full-time, three quarter-time, or half-time educational pursuit.) Includes within authorized educational pursuits in such amounts: (1) a program of apprenticeship or other on-job training; and (2) a correspondence course. Makes survivors and dependents eligible for tutorial [...]

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Latest Action: 03/06/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2699-2700)

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A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies of victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes. 3/6/2007--Introduced. Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for and enforcement of prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages to: (1) add nonretaliation requirements; (2) increase penalties; and (3) authorize the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for negotiation skills training programs for girls and women. Directs the Secretaries of Labor [...]

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Latest Action: 03/19/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3275)

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A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the incentives for the construction and renovation of public schools. 3/19/2007--Introduced. America's Better Classroom Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for investment in qualified public school modernization bonds, defined to include: (1) bonds for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of a public school facility or for the acquisition of land for such facility (qualified school construction bonds); (2) bonds to finance certain academic programs below the postsecondary level in empowerment zones or enterprise communities (qualified zone academy bonds); and (3) bonds for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of certain Indian tribal schools (qualified tribal school modernization bonds). Establishes a national limitation on the issuance of such bonds and provides for the allocation of bond amounts among the states according to a specified formula. Limits the term of such [...]

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Latest Action: 03/14/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to recodify as part of that title certain educational assistance programs for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, to improve such programs, and for other purposes. 2/15/2007--Introduced. Total Force Educational Assistance Enhancement and Integration Act of 2007 - Recodifies under federal veterans' benefits law (currently codified under federal armed forces law) provisions relating to educational assistance for members of the reserves. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) (currently, the Secretary of each military department) to carry out such assistance. Makes eligible for such assistance under this Act those who, after October 1, 2008: (1) enlist or extend an enlistment in the Selected Reserve for not less than six years; or (1) are appointed or agree to serve in the Selected Reserve for at least six years. Includes under this Act those eligible for such assistance as of October 1, 2008. Increases [...]

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Latest Action: 03/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and enhance educational assistance for survivors and dependents of veterans.

2/27/2007--Introduced.

Veterans' Survivors Education Enhancement Act - Revises provisions concerning educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to terminate the 45-month limitation on: (1) the use of such assistance for eligible veterans' survivors and dependents; and (2) the use of such assistance for special restorative training. Makes survivors and dependents eligible for educational assistance until their 30th (currently 26th) birthday.

Makes the aggregate amount of educational assistance $80,000. (Currently, there are monthly limits for full-time, three quarter-time, or half-time educational pursuit.) Includes within authorized educational pursuits in such amounts: (1) a program of apprenticeship or other on-job training; and (2) a correspondence course.

Makes survivors and dependents eligible for tutorial assistance.

Latest Action: 04/25/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and improve certain authorities of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

4/25/2007--Introduced.

Sets $19 million as the maximum amount per fiscal year for reimbursement to states and local agencies administering veterans' education benefits.

Extends through FY2007 a pilot program of on-job training for veterans' claims adjudicators.

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to waive, for public interest purposes on a case-by-case basis, the residency requirement for a Director for Veterans' Employment and Training.

Includes veterans of the Global War on Terror within an ongoing veterans' unemployment study.

Amends the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 to extend through 2009 an increase in benefits for veterans pursuing apprenticeships or on-job training.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a returning soldiers' bill of rights. 5/1/2008--Introduced. Returning Soldiers' Bill of Rights Act - Entitles to basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill a member of the Armed Forces or reserves who, on or after September 11, 2001, serves at least six months of active duty in support of a contingency operation and, after completion of such duty, is discharged or released under honorable conditions or for a service-connected disability, preexisting medical condition, hardship, or certain physical or mental conditions. Entitles such individuals to 36 months of educational assistance. Allows such assistance to be used for: (1) pursuit of a program of education while on active duty; (2) programs of education pursued on a less-than-half-time basis; (3) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (4) correspondence courses; (5) flight training; (6) tutorial assistance; and (7) licensure or certification tests. [...]

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Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3596-3597)

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A bill to promote green energy production, and for other purposes. 4/30/2008--Introduced. Green Energy Production Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a green technology investment program to develop high-tech green research capabilities, promote green innovation and green energy investment, and increase scientific knowledge that may reveal the basis for new or enhanced products, equipment, or processes in target areas.Establishes in the Department of Energy the Green Technology Investment Corporation to allocate funds, provide grants, and carry out component programs for all phases of technology commercialization. Requires the Corporation to establish: (1) a green development loan program for green technology investment; (2) a green markets grant program; (3) a green redevelopment, opportunity, and workforce grant program; (4) a green energy manufacturing loan program; (5) a green energy community pilot program; (6) a green energy institution [...]

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Latest Action: 04/11/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a program of educational assistance for members of the Armed Forces who serve in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, and for other purposes. 4/9/2008--Introduced. Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to entitle to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill individuals in certain length-of-service categories who, commencing on or after September 11, 2001, serve on active duty in the Armed Forces. Establishes the duration of such assistance (in most cases 36 months) and assistance amounts. Requires programs of education pursued with such assistance to be approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Allows for the pursuit of an approved program of education while on active duty. Allows, under such assistance, for the pursuit of: (1) programs on less than a half-time basis; (2) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (3) correspondence courses;[...]

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Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance and improve insurance, housing, labor and education, and other benefits for veterans, and for other purposes. 2/14/2008--Introduced. Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008 - Revises veterans' insurance benefits matters to: (1) direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to grant level-premium term life insurance to certain service-disabled veterans; (2) increase the maximum amount of supplemental service disabled veterans' insurance for totally disabled veterans; (3) provide retroactive traumatic injury coverage under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program for certain members of the Armed Forces who incurred a traumatic injury in the line of duty; (4) provide for the designation of a recipient of funds for traumatic injury coverage when the member is mentally incapacitated or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness; and (5) increase the maximum loan guarantee amount under the veterans' [...]

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

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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: 01/22/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To establish the Gulf Coast Recovery Authority to administer a Gulf Coast Civic Works Project to provide job-training opportunities and increase employment to aid in the recovery of the Gulf Coast region. 11/1/2007--Introduced. Gulf Coast Civic Works Act - Establishes the Gulf Coast Recovery Authority (Corporation). Requires the Corporation to: (1) administer a Gulf Coast Civic Works Project that employs a minimum of 100,000 Gulf Coast region residents and evacuees for public works projects to rebuild, sustain, and develop the Gulf Coast region; (2) establish job training programs and apprenticeships to recruit and train qualified workers, including from the Gulf Coast region, for specific vacancies in recovery, rebuilding, and development projects; and (3) ensure that all workers are paid wages at not less than the prevailing locality rate (Davis-Bacon Act). Authorizes the Corporation to provide grants to Gulf Coast region residents that possess certain skills [...]

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Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to foster community involvement, and for other purposes. 10/4/2007--Introduced. Working to Encourage Community Action and Responsibility in Education Act or the WE CARE Act - Amends title I (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states and local educational agencies (LEAs) to assess the nonacademic factors affecting student academic performance and work with other public, private, nonprofit, and community-based entities to address those factors. Requires the annual report cards issued by states and LEAs to include additional performance data, including information on their efforts to increase community and parental involvement in students' education. Establishes a new program requiring the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to LEAs for the development and implementation of community involvement policies [...]

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Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To award competitive grants to eligible partnerships to enable the partnerships to implement innovative strategies at the secondary school level to improve student achievement and prepare at-risk students for postsecondary education and the workforce. 10/4/2007--Introduced. Getting Retention and Diplomas Up Among Today's Enrolled Students Act or the GRADUATES Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to establish a Secondary School Innovation Fund program awarding competitive matching grants to partnerships, which must include at least one state or local educational agency, for the implementation of innovative strategies to improve the achievement of at-risk students in secondary schools. Permits partnerships to award subgrants to schools for the implementation of such strategies. Lists activities, one or more of which grantees or subgrantees must implement, that include: (1) creating multiple pathways that [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10609)

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A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand the definition of firefighter to include apprentices and trainees, regardless of age or duty limitations.

8/1/2007--Introduced.

Christopher Kangas Fallen Firefighter Apprentice Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand the definition of "firefighter" for purposes of death benefit provisions to include fire department members regardless of age, status as an apprentice or trainee, or related duty restrictions. Makes this Act applicable to deaths and injuries which occur on or after May 4, 2002.

Latest Action: 08/01/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10610-10612)

Bill Text
A bill to award competitive grants to eligible partnerships to enable the partnerships to implement innovative strategies at the secondary school level to improve student achievement and prepare at-risk students for postsecondary education and the workforce. 8/1/2007--Introduced. Getting Retention and Diplomas Up Among Today's Enrolled Students Act or the GRADUATES Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to establish a Secondary School Innovation Fund program awarding competitive matching grants to partnerships, which must include at least one state or local educational agency, for the implementation of innovative strategies to improve the achievement of at-risk students in secondary schools. Permits partnerships to award subgrants to schools for the implementation of such strategies. Lists activities, one or more of which grantees or subgrantees must implement, that include: (1) creating multiple pathways [...]

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