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Latest Action: 03/27/2007 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-39.

Bill Text
A bill to establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes. 3/27/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Ocean and Coastal Exploration and NOAA Act (OCEAN Act) - Title I: National Ocean Exploration Program - National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 102) Requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in consultation with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other appropriate federal agencies, to establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program that promotes collaboration among NOAA programs. Specifies program authorities. (Sec. 104) Requires NOAA to convene an ocean technology and infrastructure task force to develop and implement a specified strategy. (Sec. 105) Authorizes NOAA, NSF, and other agencies involved in the program to participate in interagency financing and share,[...]

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Latest Action: 01/18/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S754-755)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize secure borders and comprehensive immigration reform, and for other purposes. 1/18/2007--Introduced. Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 - Provides for increases in the numbers of federal immigration enforcement-related positions and technological assets for use along the borders, including Department of Defense (DOD) equipment. Provides for: (1) recruitment of former military personnel; (2) border control facilities construction; (3) land border port of entry construction and improvements; (4) border patrol checkpoints; and (5) fencing, barrier, and road construction and improvements in the Yuma and Tucson sectors. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to develop: (1) a comprehensive land and maritime border surveillance plan; (2) a National Strategy for Border Security; (3) a plan to combat human smuggling; (4) a southern border study; and (5) a schedule for equippng all land border ports of entry with the [...]

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Latest Action: 03/05/2007 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 110-30.

Bill Text
A bill to improve the interoperability of emergency communications equipment.

1/24/2007--Introduced.

Interoperable Emergency Communications Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to revise provisions concerning the grant program to assist public agencies in establishing the interoperability of public safety emergency communications to specify five (currently, one) specific grant activities. Requires the awarding of at least $1 billion by September 30, 2007, pursuant to provisions of the Call Home Act of 2006.

Amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to prohibit construing such Act or any amendments made by it as limiting the authority of the Department of Commerce or the Federal Communications Commission.

Latest Action: 12/26/2007 - Provisions of Measure Incorporated into Section 553 of Title V of Division E of H.R. 2764.

Bill Text
To provide for comprehensive immigration reform, and for other purposes. 3/22/2007--Introduced. Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act of 2007 or STRIVE Act of 2007- Prohibits the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing the New Worker Program established in title IV or grant conditional nonimmigrant classification under title VI of this Act prior to certification to the President and to Congress that specified conditions have been met respecting: (1) border security; (2) document security; and (3) first phase implementation of the electronic employment verification system. Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) personnel and asset increases and enhancements; (2) a National Strategy for Border Security; (3) border security initiatives, including biometric data enhancements and a biometric entry-exit system, and document integrity, (4) international cooperation; (5) Central American [...]

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Latest Action: 03/30/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E725-726)

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the expensing of broadband Internet access expenditures, and for other purposes. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Broadband Deployment Acceleration Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers to elect to expense (i.e., deduct all expenses in the current taxable year) qualified broadband expenditures, including installation and connection costs for subscribers in rural or underserved areas.Permits mutual or cooperative telephone companies to elect to reduce their unrelated business taxable income in any year by the amount of their qualified broadband expenditures. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) designate census tracts identifying rural and underserved areas under this Act; and (2) prescribe regulations for carrying out the purposes of this Act. Prohibits federal or state agencies from adopting regulations and ratemaking procedures that would eliminate or reduce the broadband [...]

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Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 581.

Bill Text
To authorize the national ocean exploration program and the national undersea research program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2/14/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 3 other summaries) Title I: National Ocean Exploration Program - National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 102) Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a coordinated national ocean exploration program in NOAA that promotes collaboration with other federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs. (Sec. 103) Sets forth program authorities, including authorizing the Administrator to accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be applied for exploring the oceans or increasing knowledge of the oceans. (Sec. 104) Requires the NOAA Administrator to appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board. (Sec. 105) Declares that nothing in this Act supersedes [...]

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Latest Action: 08/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education.

Bill Text
To bridge the digital divide in rural areas. 8/3/2007--Introduced. Rural America Digital Accessibility Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants or guarantee loans in order to facilitate the deployment by the private sector of broadband telecommunications networks and capabilities (including wireless and satellite services) to underserved rural areas. Limits to $100 million the total amount of such grants and loan guarantees.Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to research the enhancement or facilitation of broadband telecommunications services in rural and other remote areas, as well as Internet access through such services. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to holders of qualified technology bonds (bonds representing an investment in projects to expand such telecommunications services). Sets a national technology bond limitation of $100 million for each of FY 2007 through 2011, and zero thereafter (with an exception) [...]

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Latest Action: 08/07/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.

Bill Text
To assist the Secretary of Homeland Security in carrying out surveillance activities conducted at or near the international land borders of the United States to prevent illegal immigration, and for other purposes.

8/4/2007--Introduced.

America's Border Security Act of 2007 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) use of Department of Defense (DOD) surveillance equipment, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); (2) road and barrier construction; (3) ports of entry construction; (4) communications enhancements; (5) aerial surveillance programs; (6) personnel increases; and (7) a national border security plan.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 08/07/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.

Bill Text
To assist the Secretary of Homeland Security in carrying out surveillance activities conducted at or near the international land borders of the United States to prevent illegal immigration, and for other purposes.

8/4/2007--Introduced.

America's Border Security Act of 2007 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) use of Department of Defense (DOD) surveillance equipment, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); (2) road and barrier construction; (3) ports of entry construction; (4) communications enhancements; (5) aerial surveillance programs; (6) personnel increases; and (7) a national border security plan.

Latest Action: 08/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education.

Bill Text
To bridge the digital divide in rural areas. 8/3/2007--Introduced. Rural America Digital Accessibility Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants or guarantee loans in order to facilitate the deployment by the private sector of broadband telecommunications networks and capabilities (including wireless and satellite services) to underserved rural areas. Limits to $100 million the total amount of such grants and loan guarantees.Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to research the enhancement or facilitation of broadband telecommunications services in rural and other remote areas, as well as Internet access through such services. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to holders of qualified technology bonds (bonds representing an investment in projects to expand such telecommunications services). Sets a national technology bond limitation of $100 million for each of FY 2007 through 2011, and zero thereafter (with an exception) [...]

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Latest Action: 03/30/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E725-726)

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the expensing of broadband Internet access expenditures, and for other purposes. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Broadband Deployment Acceleration Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers to elect to expense (i.e., deduct all expenses in the current taxable year) qualified broadband expenditures, including installation and connection costs for subscribers in rural or underserved areas.Permits mutual or cooperative telephone companies to elect to reduce their unrelated business taxable income in any year by the amount of their qualified broadband expenditures. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) designate census tracts identifying rural and underserved areas under this Act; and (2) prescribe regulations for carrying out the purposes of this Act. Prohibits federal or state agencies from adopting regulations and ratemaking procedures that would eliminate or reduce the broadband [...]

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Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 581.

Bill Text
To authorize the national ocean exploration program and the national undersea research program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2/14/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 3 other summaries) Title I: National Ocean Exploration Program - National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 102) Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a coordinated national ocean exploration program in NOAA that promotes collaboration with other federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs. (Sec. 103) Sets forth program authorities, including authorizing the Administrator to accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be applied for exploring the oceans or increasing knowledge of the oceans. (Sec. 104) Requires the NOAA Administrator to appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board. (Sec. 105) Declares that nothing in this Act supersedes [...]

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Latest Action: 12/26/2007 - Provisions of Measure Incorporated into Section 553 of Title V of Division E of H.R. 2764.

Bill Text
To provide for comprehensive immigration reform, and for other purposes. 3/22/2007--Introduced. Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act of 2007 or STRIVE Act of 2007- Prohibits the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing the New Worker Program established in title IV or grant conditional nonimmigrant classification under title VI of this Act prior to certification to the President and to Congress that specified conditions have been met respecting: (1) border security; (2) document security; and (3) first phase implementation of the electronic employment verification system. Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) personnel and asset increases and enhancements; (2) a National Strategy for Border Security; (3) border security initiatives, including biometric data enhancements and a biometric entry-exit system, and document integrity, (4) international cooperation; (5) Central American [...]

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Latest Action: 03/05/2007 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 110-30.

Bill Text
A bill to improve the interoperability of emergency communications equipment.

1/24/2007--Introduced.

Interoperable Emergency Communications Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to revise provisions concerning the grant program to assist public agencies in establishing the interoperability of public safety emergency communications to specify five (currently, one) specific grant activities. Requires the awarding of at least $1 billion by September 30, 2007, pursuant to provisions of the Call Home Act of 2006.

Amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to prohibit construing such Act or any amendments made by it as limiting the authority of the Department of Commerce or the Federal Communications Commission.

Latest Action: 01/18/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S754-755)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize secure borders and comprehensive immigration reform, and for other purposes. 1/18/2007--Introduced. Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 - Provides for increases in the numbers of federal immigration enforcement-related positions and technological assets for use along the borders, including Department of Defense (DOD) equipment. Provides for: (1) recruitment of former military personnel; (2) border control facilities construction; (3) land border port of entry construction and improvements; (4) border patrol checkpoints; and (5) fencing, barrier, and road construction and improvements in the Yuma and Tucson sectors. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to develop: (1) a comprehensive land and maritime border surveillance plan; (2) a National Strategy for Border Security; (3) a plan to combat human smuggling; (4) a southern border study; and (5) a schedule for equippng all land border ports of entry with the [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/27/2007 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-39.

Bill Text
A bill to establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes. 3/27/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Ocean and Coastal Exploration and NOAA Act (OCEAN Act) - Title I: National Ocean Exploration Program - National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 102) Requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in consultation with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other appropriate federal agencies, to establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program that promotes collaboration among NOAA programs. Specifies program authorities. (Sec. 104) Requires NOAA to convene an ocean technology and infrastructure task force to develop and implement a specified strategy. (Sec. 105) Authorizes NOAA, NSF, and other agencies involved in the program to participate in interagency financing and share,[...]

show full description