Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/06/2008 - Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S5333-5347)

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a federal greenhouse gas (GHG) registry, for which certain facilities must report information regarding fossil fuels and GHGs produced and consumed; and (2) specified quantities of GHG emission allowances, which decline for each of 2012 to 2050. Requires the Administrator to establish a GHG emission allowance transfer system for the following: (1) facilities that use more than 5,000 tons of coal in a year; (2) facilities in the natural gas sector; (3) facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal-based fuel the combustion of which will emit group I GHGs; (4) facilities that produce or entities that import, in any year, more than [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
Recognizing the necessity for the United States to maintain its significant leadership role in improving the health and promoting the resiliency of coral reef ecosystems, and for other purposes.

2/15/2008--Introduced.

Recognizes the necessity for the United States to maintain its significant leadership role in improving the health and promoting the resiliency of coral reef ecosystems by strengthening awareness about ecological, economic, social, and cultural values of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, improving understanding of coral reef threats and generating practical and innovative solutions, and initiating development and implementation of effective management strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of those ecosystems.

Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To establish the National Hurricane Research Initiative to improve hurricane preparedness, and for other purposes. 5/21/2007--Introduced. National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2007 - Requires the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the Department of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a National Hurricane Research Initiative and to cooperate with other specified federal agencies to carry it out. Requires such Initiative to set research objectives (based on a National Science Board report on the need for such Initiative) to: (1) make recommendations to the Board and to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Science Advisory Board; (2) assemble the science and engineering expertise of state or local government agencies and nongovernmental entities through a multi-agency effort focused on improving severe tropical storm forecasting capabilities, on durable and resilient infrastructure, and [...]

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Latest Action: 05/20/2008 - Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-337. Minority views filed.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 10/18/2007--Introduced. America's Climate Security Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a greenhouse gas (GHG) registry; and (2) a GHG emission allowance transfer system for covered facilities, including specified facilities within the electric power and industrial sectors and facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal- based transportation fuel or chemicals. Sets forth emission allowances for 2012-2050, with a declining cap on GHGs.Provides for selling, exchanging, transferring, submitting, retiring, or borrowing emission allowances. Establishes: (1) a domestic offset program to sequester GHGs in agriculture and forests; and (2) the Bonus Allowance Account. Establishes the Carbon Market Efficiency Board, which [...]

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Latest Action: 04/23/2008 - Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To establish a national policy for our oceans, to strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a national and regional ocean governance structure, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act - Establishes a national policy to protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine ecosystems and requires that federal agencies administer U.S. policies and laws accordingly. Allows more stringent federal and state requirements. States that there shall be an agency known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), declares that Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (concerning NOAA) shall have no further force or effect, and sets forth NOAA's mission and functions. (Reestablishes NOAA and requires a reorganization plan.) Creates an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and makes that person the Administrator of NOAA. Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 02/01/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to establish an economy-wide global warming pollution emission cap-and-trade program to assist the economy in transitioning to new clean energy technologies, to protect employees and affected communities, to protect companies and consumers from significant increases in energy costs, and for other purposes. 2/1/2007--Introduced. Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) promulgate regulations necessary to reduce the aggregate net level of global warming pollution emissions; and (2) establish a market-based emissions cap and global warming pollutants trading program. Establishes the Climate Reinvestment Fund. Requires EPA to: (1) establish, and revise every five years, standards for passenger vehicle emissions; and (2) research global climate change standards and processes. Sets forth requirements for retail electricity suppliers [...]

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Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-217.

Bill Text
A bill to develop and maintain an integrated system of coastal and ocean observations for the Nation's coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes, to improve warnings of tsunami, hurricanes, El Nino events, and other natural hazards, to enhance homeland security, to support maritime operations, to improve management of coastal and marine resources, and for other purposes. 11/2/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2007 - (Sec. 4) Directs the President, acting through the National Ocean Research Leadership Council, to establish and maintain an integrated system of coastal and ocean observations, data communication and management, analysis, modeling, research, education, and outreach for the timely detection and prediction of changes occurring in the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes environments that impact the nation's social, economic, and ecological systems. Includes in the system a national program,[...]

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Latest Action: 10/23/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, and for other purposes. 10/22/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to extend the award of remaining coral reef conservation program grant funds, in addition to projects addressing emerging priorities or threats, to other appropriate projects, including monitoring and assessment, research, pollution reduction, education, and technical support. Revises the criteria for project approval. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to undertake or authorize actions to minimize injury to a coral reef from vessel impacts, derelict fishing gear, vessel anchors and anchor chains, and unforeseen or disaster-related circumstances and to stabilize, repair, or restore the reef, including vessel removal and emergency restabilization [...]

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Latest Action: 06/07/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7366-7367)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Coastal Zone Management Act. 6/7/2007--Introduced. Coastal Zone Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to declare that it is the national policy to: (1) create and use a National Estuarine Research Reserve System; and (2) encourage innovative coastal management practices and coastal and estuarine environmental technologies to improve long-term conservation. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to coastal states for development of coastal zone management programs. Allows the use of state coastal zone management program grants to develop and implement coastal nonpoint pollution control program components. Revises the eligible uses of resource management improvement grants and resource management improvement grant requirements. Revises requirements for the Coastal Zone Management Fund. Requires state loan repayments to the Fund to be made available to make grants to states [...]

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Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with amendments. With written report No. 110-276.

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, and for other purposes. 3/13/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to specified congressional committees a national coral reef ecosystem action strategy. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to make grants for projects for the conservation of coral reef ecosystems (currently, conservation of coral reefs). Modifies various requirements of the grant program. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to make agreements with nonprofit organizations (currently, an agreement with a nonprofit organization) for public-private partnerships promoting coral reef ecosystem conservation. (Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) execute contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative agreements as necessary to carry out the Act,[...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/06/2008 - Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S5333-5347)

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a federal greenhouse gas (GHG) registry, for which certain facilities must report information regarding fossil fuels and GHGs produced and consumed; and (2) specified quantities of GHG emission allowances, which decline for each of 2012 to 2050. Requires the Administrator to establish a GHG emission allowance transfer system for the following: (1) facilities that use more than 5,000 tons of coal in a year; (2) facilities in the natural gas sector; (3) facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal-based fuel the combustion of which will emit group I GHGs; (4) facilities that produce or entities that import, in any year, more than [...]

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Latest Action: 04/22/2008 - Mr. Baird moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

Bill Text
Recognizing 2008 as the International Year of the Reef.

4/22/2008--Passed House 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.)

Recognizes the International Year of the Reef (2008).

Supports strong programs in environmental and marine research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other federal agencies to better understand the threats faced by coral reef systems.

Supports the efforts of the International Coral Reef Initiative to promote public awareness and encourage public stewardship of the world's coral reefs.

Encourages further research and development efforts to preserve coral reefs around the world.

Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
Recognizing the necessity for the United States to maintain its significant leadership role in improving the health and promoting the resiliency of coral reef ecosystems, and for other purposes.

2/15/2008--Introduced.

Recognizes the necessity for the United States to maintain its significant leadership role in improving the health and promoting the resiliency of coral reef ecosystems by strengthening awareness about ecological, economic, social, and cultural values of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, improving understanding of coral reef threats and generating practical and innovative solutions, and initiating development and implementation of effective management strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of those ecosystems.

Latest Action: 05/20/2008 - Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-337. Minority views filed.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 10/18/2007--Introduced. America's Climate Security Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a greenhouse gas (GHG) registry; and (2) a GHG emission allowance transfer system for covered facilities, including specified facilities within the electric power and industrial sectors and facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal- based transportation fuel or chemicals. Sets forth emission allowances for 2012-2050, with a declining cap on GHGs.Provides for selling, exchanging, transferring, submitting, retiring, or borrowing emission allowances. Establishes: (1) a domestic offset program to sequester GHGs in agriculture and forests; and (2) the Bonus Allowance Account. Establishes the Carbon Market Efficiency Board, which [...]

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Latest Action: 10/15/2007 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden without amendment and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 110-196.

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 through fiscal year 2010, to rename the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 as the "Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act of 2007", and for other purposes. 10/15/2007--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.) Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Renames the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 as The Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act of 2007 (Act) . (Sec. 3) Includes tropical forests and coral reefs and associated coastal marine ecosystems within the scope of such Act. (Current law refers to tropical forests.) (Sec. 4) Renames the Tropical Forest Facility as the Conservation Facility. (Sec. 5) Makes developing countries with tropical [...]

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Latest Action: 06/07/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7366-7367)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Coastal Zone Management Act. 6/7/2007--Introduced. Coastal Zone Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to declare that it is the national policy to: (1) create and use a National Estuarine Research Reserve System; and (2) encourage innovative coastal management practices and coastal and estuarine environmental technologies to improve long-term conservation. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to coastal states for development of coastal zone management programs. Allows the use of state coastal zone management program grants to develop and implement coastal nonpoint pollution control program components. Revises the eligible uses of resource management improvement grants and resource management improvement grant requirements. Revises requirements for the Coastal Zone Management Fund. Requires state loan repayments to the Fund to be made available to make grants to states [...]

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Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with amendments. With written report No. 110-276.

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, and for other purposes. 3/13/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to specified congressional committees a national coral reef ecosystem action strategy. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to make grants for projects for the conservation of coral reef ecosystems (currently, conservation of coral reefs). Modifies various requirements of the grant program. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to make agreements with nonprofit organizations (currently, an agreement with a nonprofit organization) for public-private partnerships promoting coral reef ecosystem conservation. (Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) execute contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative agreements as necessary to carry out the Act,[...]

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Latest Action: 06/07/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7380-7385)

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, and for other coral conservation purposes. 6/7/2007--Introduced. Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Amendments Act of 2007 - Amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to make grants for projects for the conservation of coral reef ecosystems (under current law, conservation of coral reefs). Modifies various requirements of the grant program. Authorizes the Secretary to make agreements with nonprofit organizations (under current law, an agreement with a nonprofit organization) for public-private partnerships promoting coral reef ecosystem conservation. Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to provide assistance to any state, local, or territorial government agency for any unforeseen or disaster-related circumstance regarding coral reef ecosystems. (Current law does not mention FEMA.) Authorizes the [...]

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Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To establish the National Hurricane Research Initiative to improve hurricane preparedness, and for other purposes. 5/21/2007--Introduced. National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2007 - Requires the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the Department of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a National Hurricane Research Initiative and to cooperate with other specified federal agencies to carry it out. Requires such Initiative to set research objectives (based on a National Science Board report on the need for such Initiative) to: (1) make recommendations to the Board and to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Science Advisory Board; (2) assemble the science and engineering expertise of state or local government agencies and nongovernmental entities through a multi-agency effort focused on improving severe tropical storm forecasting capabilities, on durable and resilient infrastructure, and [...]

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Latest Action: 10/15/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
To amend the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 to provide debt relief to developing countries that take action to protect tropical forests and coral reefs and associated coastal marine ecosystems, to reauthorize such Act through fiscal year 2010, and for other purposes. 10/9/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) (Sec. 1) Amends the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 to include tropical forests and coral reefs and associated coastal marine ecosystems within the scope of such Act. (Current law refers to only tropical forests.) (Sec. 3) Renames the Tropical Forest Facility as the Conservation Facility. (Sec. 4) Makes developing countries with tropical forests or coral reefs or associated coastal marine ecosystems eligible for benefits. (Current law refers only to tropical forests.) (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations through FY2010 for specified credit and concessional loan debt reduction owed to the United [...]

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