Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bill Text
To assist in the conservation of cranes by supporting and providing, through projects of persons and organizations with expertise in crane conservation, financial resources for the conservation programs of countries the activities of which directly or indirectly affect cranes and the ecosystems of cranes. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Crane Conservation Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance for approved projects relating to the conservation of cranes, using amounts in the Crane Conservation Fund established by this Act. Allows a project proposal to be submitted by: (1) any wildlife management authority of a country located in the African, Asian, European, or North American range of a species of crane that carries out at least one activity that affects crane populations; (2) the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; and (3) any person or organization with demonstrated [...]

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

Bill Text
A bill to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Star-Spangled Banner Trail in the States of Maryland and Virginia and the District of Columbia as a National Historic Trail. 6/26/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Act - Amends the National Trails System Act to include the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail (the Trail), a trail consisting of water and overland routes totaling approximately 290 miles extending from Tangier Island, Virginia, through southern Maryland, the District of Columbia, and northern Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River, Potomac River and north to the Patapsco River and Baltimore, Maryland, commemorating the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812. Requires the Trail to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. Prohibits any land or interest in land outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered [...]

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

Bill Text
To amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Star-Spangled Banner Trail in the States of Maryland and Virginia and the District of Columbia as a National Historic Trail. 7/23/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Act - Amends the National Trails System Act to include the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail (the Trail), a trail consisting of water and overland routes totaling approximately 290 miles and extending from Tangier Island, Virginia, through southern Maryland, the District of Columbia, and northern Virginia and in the Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River, Potomac River and north to the Patapsco River and Baltimore, Maryland, commemorating the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812. Requires the Trail to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. Allows the Secretary to provide to state and local governments and nonprofit organizations interpretive [...]

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

Bill Text
A bill to establish the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, and for other purposes. 9/17/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area Act - (Sec. 3) Establishes the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area comprising the 175 mile-region following the Route 15 corridor and certain surrounding areas through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. Designates the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership as the management entity for the Area. Requires the board of trustees of the Partnership to include representatives from a broad cross-section of individuals, agencies, organizations, states, and governments that: (1) are partners of the Partnership; and (2) will oversee the development and implementation of the management plan. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Partnership to use funds made available under this Act to prepare, update,[...]

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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 Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, and to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes. 10/17/2007--Introduced. Natural Resource Projects and Programs 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, national monuments, conservation areas, resource protection, historic sites, national trails, national heritage areas, and the clean coal power initiative. Makes amendments to various public laws, including the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act, the National Trails System Act, the Steel Industry American Heritage Area Act of 1996, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor [...]

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Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.

Bill Text
To provide for the periodic review of the efficiency and public need for Federal agencies, to establish a Commission for the purpose of reviewing the efficiency and public need of such agencies, and to provide for the abolishment of agencies for which a public need does not exist. 4/15/2008--Introduced. Federal Sunset Act of 2008 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes [...]

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Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To establish the SouthEast Crescent Authority, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Southeast Crescent Authority Act of 2007 - Establishes a Southeast Crescent Authority for all parts of the following southeastern states not eligible for assistance from the Appalachian Regional Commission or the Delta Regional Authority: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Directs the Authority to perform various functions, including: (1) formulating plans and programs to spur economic development, and approving grants to states and public and nonprofit entities toward that end; (2) establishing priorities in a development plan for the region; (3) supporting local development districts, and creating them where they do not exist; and (4) encouraging private investment in the region. Permits the Authority to request and receive federal, state and local government personnel as employees. States that Authority grants [...]

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Latest Action: 02/13/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1924-1925)

Bill Text
A concurrent resolution providing that any agreement relating to trade and investment that is negotiated by the executive branch with another country comply with certain minimum standards.

2/13/2007--Introduced.

Urges that any trade and investment agreement that is negotiated by the executive branch with foreign countries should comply with: (1) specified requirements applying to all countries; (2) specified requirements applying to only the United States; and (3) provisions providing special treatment for developing countries.

Latest Action: 01/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Bill Text
To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act - Amends federal transportation law to require the Surface Transportation Board, in determining whether to issue a certificate authorizing the construction of an additional railroad line or of an extension to any railroad line, to: (1) give greater weight to local official statements and public comments in opposition to the proposed construction (especially construction in a residential area) if there is an unusually high level of public opposition; and (2) identify any disproportionate negative impacts on any socioeconomic population, including a discussion of alternatives that were considered that would have avoided such impacts.

Prescribes procedural requirements for dealing with any false or incorrect information provided by an applicant for a certificate for construction.

Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
Supporting the Weed and Seed and COPS programs.

1/30/2007--Introduced.

Encourages the establishment of more Weed and Seed program sites and urges full funding of requests by a community for help from the Weed and Seed and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.

Bill Text
To provide for the periodic review of the efficiency and public need for Federal agencies, to establish a Commission for the purpose of reviewing the efficiency and public need of such agencies, and to provide for the abolishment of agencies for which a public need does not exist. 4/15/2008--Introduced. Federal Sunset Act of 2008 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes [...]

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Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S16014-16015)

Bill Text
A bill to establish the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States to provide for the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low-income families. 12/19/2007--Introduced. National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to establish in the Treasury a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund available to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance to states, Indian tribes, insular areas, and participating local jurisdictions to increase the supply of decent quality affordable housing, especially for low-income, extremely low-income, and very poor families. Prohibits the use of appropriations to the Fund for a fiscal year unless the amount equal to the net increase in the negative credit subsidy for specified mortgage insurance programs is first made available for: (1) single family housing mortgage [...]

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Latest Action: 11/16/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Bill Text
To amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to improve public notification and community relations concerning actions for the removal of environmental hazards. 11/15/2007--Introduced. National Public Notification of Environmental Hazards Act of 2007 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to require the President to revise the national contingency plan to provide for improved public notification and community relations in the case of a response action.Requires the head of the lead agency for a response action to: (1) designate a spokesperson, who shall provide notice of the action, respond to inquiries, and provide information to the public; (2) issue a press release within a specified time frame; (3) ensure coordination of press releases and other statements; (4) establish a public information office at or near the response site; (5) establish at least one local information [...]

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Latest Action: 11/13/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to prohibit States from carrying out more than one Congressional redistricting after a decennial census and apportionment, to require States to conduct such redistricting through independent commissions, and for other purposes. 11/13/2007--Introduced. Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act of 2007 - Prohibits a state that has been redistricted after an apportionment from being redistricted again until after the next apportionment of Representatives, unless the state is ordered by a court to conduct such a subsequent redistricting in order to: (1) comply with the U.S. Constitution; or (2) enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965.Requires such redistricting to be conducted through a plan developed by the independent redistricting commission established in the state, or if such plan is not enacted into law, the redistricting plan selected by the state's highest court or developed by a U.S. district court.Prescribes requirements for: (1) establishment [...]

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Latest Action: 12/03/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To direct the Attorney General to provide grants for the implementation of the Sex Offender Registration Tips Program.

11/9/2007--Introduced.

Directs the Attorney General to provide grants to Parents For Megan's Law, Inc. to implement the Sex Offender Registration Tips Program, a program established to reduce sexual victimization by providing accurate sex offender registry information to law enforcement agencies and identifying sex offenders who fail to register.

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 Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, and to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes. 10/17/2007--Introduced. Natural Resource Projects and Programs 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, national monuments, conservation areas, resource protection, historic sites, national trails, national heritage areas, and the clean coal power initiative. Makes amendments to various public laws, including the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act, the National Trails System Act, the Steel Industry American Heritage Area Act of 1996, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor [...]

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Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H10761)

Bill Text
Acknowledging the importance of understanding the history of the United States of America and recognizing the need to foster civic responsibility in all citizens.

9/7/2007--Introduced.

Acknowledges the importance of understanding the history of our nation and the need to foster civic responsibility in all citizens.

Latest Action: 08/04/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the concurrence of all bordering States when a permit for the discharge of pollutants into one of the Great Lakes is issued.

8/3/2007--Introduced.

Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit either the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or any Great Lakes state from issuing a permit for the discharge of a pollutant into a body of water that is part of the Great Lakes, or that is within the boundaries of two or more of such states, without the concurrence of all such states. Authorizes a state to concur only after providing notice in the vicinity of the portion of the body of water within its boundaries and an opportunity for public comment.

Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend the United States Housing Act of 1937 to exempt small public housing agencies from the requirement of preparing an annual public housing agency plan. 7/30/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Small Public Housing Authority Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to exempt a small public housing agency from the requirement to prepare an annual public agency plan if the agency: (1) administers not more than a total of 250 dwelling units and section 8 vouchers; and (2) is not a troubled agency. Requires an agency to: (1) continue to make an annual civil rights certification, and establish, and consult with, one or more resident advisory boards; and (2) conduct a public hearing to discuss agency goals and policies, and make the information available to the public at the agency's principal office. Declares that qualified small public housing agencies are not exempt from the requirements for amendments [...]

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Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H11655-11656)

Bill Text
Recognizing the importance of America's Waterway Watch program, and for other purposes.

10/17/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

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

Recognizes the importance of increasing maritime domain awareness.

Encourages those who engage in recreational waterway activities to be aware and report suspicious activities to appropriate authorities.

Supports the goals of the America's Waterway Watch program.