Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 04/30/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5313)

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A resolution recognizing April 30, 2007, as "National Healthy Schools Day".

4/30/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes April 30, 2007, as National Healthy Schools Day.

Latest Action: 02/05/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1577-1578)

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A bill to improve efficiency in the Federal Government through the use of green buildings, and for other purposes. 2/5/2007--Introduced. Green Buildings Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to establish a position of, and appoint, a Director who shall: (1) establish an Office of Green Buildings (2) establish a Green Building Advisory Committee; (2) carry out public outreach; (3) develop and recommend a green building research plan; (4) analyze current budget and contracting practices that affect achievement of green buildings; and (5) develop and implement a comprehensive indoor air quality program for federal facilities. Defines a "green building" as one that, during its life-cycle: (1) reduces energy, water, and material resource use and the generation of waste; (2) improves indoor environmental quality; (3) improves impacts of the building on human health and the environment; (4) increases the use of environmentally preferable products;[...]

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Latest Action: 12/12/2007 - Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-241.

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A bill to improve efficiency in the Federal Government through the use of high-performance green buildings, and for other purposes. 12/12/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007 - Defines "high-performance green building" as a building that, during its life-cycle: (1) reduces energy, water, and material resource use and the generation of waste; (2) improves indoor environmental quality; (3) improves indoor and outdoor impacts of the building on human health and the environment; (4) increases the use of environmentally preferable products; (5) increases reuse and recycling opportunities; and (6) integrates systems in the building. Title I: Office of High-Performance Green Buildings -(Sec. 101) Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide for the establishment of an Office of High-Performance Green Buildings (Office) and to appoint [...]

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Latest Action: 12/12/2007 - Signed by President.

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To reauthorize the Head Start Act, to improve program quality, to expand access, and for other purposes. 12/12/2007--Public Law.    (There are 5 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since the Conference Report was filed in the House on November 14, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 - Amends the Head Start Act (the Act) to revise and reauthorize Head Start programs. (Sec. 2) Includes among the aims of Head Start programs children's growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, social and emotional functioning, creative arts, physical skills, and approaches to learning. (Sec. 3) Includes community-based organizations and financial literacy training within the definitions of Head Start delegate agencies and family literacy services, respectively. Adds definitions of Head Start deficiencies, homeless children, institutions of higher education,[...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

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To establish State infrastructure banks for education. 6/5/2007--Introduced. Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into cooperative agreements with states for the establishment of state infrastructure banks and multistate infrastructure banks for making loans to local educational agencies and public libraries for building or repairing public elementary or secondary schools and public library facilities. Grants congressional consent to states for interstate compacts to establish multistate infrastructure banks. Directs the Secretary to make grants to such banks to provide initial capital for such loans. Requires states to contribute from nonfederal sources at least 25% of the amount of each federal capitalization grant made to the state and contributed to the bank. Lists types of projects eligible for such bank loans. Directs the Secretary to establish Healthy, High Performance [...]

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

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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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Latest Action: 01/22/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

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To establish improved mandatory standards to protect miners during emergencies, and for other purposes. 1/16/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Supplemental Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2007 or the S-MINER Act - (Sec. 4) Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) to require emergency response plans, to be in approved status, to: (1) provide for, within 120 days after enactment of this Act, a post communication system between underground and surface personnel and an electronic tracking system permitting surface personnel to locate persons trapped underground that utilizes a system at least as effective as a leaky feeder or wireless mesh type communication and tracking system currently in use in the industry; and (2) be revised to incorporate new technology that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certifies can be added to the existing system to improve its ability [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

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To establish improved mandatory standards to protect and enhance the health of miners. 6/19/2007--Introduced. Miner Health Enhancement Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that essential standards to protect miner health are out of date and congressional intervention is needed.Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to require: (1) the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to forward to the Secretary of Labor its Recommended Exposure Limits for chemical and other hazards to miners; (2) the Secretary to require the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to adopt such limits as the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for the mining industry; (3) NIOSH to annually submit to the Secretary any additional or revised recommended exposure limits for hazardous substances utilized in the industry; (4) the Secretary to adopt such limits as PELs for the industry; (4) MSHA to adopt the health standard for asbestos established by [...]

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Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - For Further Action See Public Law 110-140 (H.R. 6).

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To promote greater energy efficiency. 8/3/2007--Reported to House without amendment, Part I.    (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.) Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2007 - Title I: Promoting Energy Efficiency - Subtitle A: Appliance Efficiency - (Sec. 101) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to revise provisions that set energy standards, including standards for specified appliances, boilers, motors, and external power supplies. Provides procedures to amend or make standards. Subtitle B: Lighting Efficiency - (Sec. 121) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to issue regulations prohibiting the sale of: (1) 100 watt general service incandescent lamps after January 1, 2012, unless those lamps emit at least 60 lumens per watt; and (2) general service lamps manufactured after specified [...]

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Latest Action: 03/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.

Bill Text
To improve efficiency in the Federal Government through the use of high-performance green buildings, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to establish an Office of High-Performance Green Buildings. Requires the Office Director to: (1) establish a Green Building Advisory Committee; (2) carry out public outreach; (3) develop and recommend a high-performance green building research plan; (4) analyze current budget and contracting practices that affect achievement of high-performance green buildings; and (5) develop and implement a comprehensive indoor air quality program for federal facilities. Requires the Director to identify incentives to encourage the use of green buildings and related technology in federal government operations. Requires the Director of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to: (1) revise applicable acquisition regulations; and (2) issue [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee conc

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Making supplemental appropriations for job creation and preservation, infrastructure investment, and economic and energy assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

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To provide for a green building certification program as part of the Energy Star program.

6/12/2008--Introduced.

Requires the Secretary of Energy to: (1) expand the Energy Star program to include the certification of buildings as green buildings; and (2) study and make recommendations concerning the streamlining of the certification process, development of an online certification program, and design of a program allowing certification by those without green building expertise.

Defines "green building" as a building constructed taking into account sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality, life-cycle concerns of building materials (including emissions and environmental impact), and transit and density-oriented development.

Requires a report to Congress setting forth the design of the expanded program.

Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E933)

Bill Text
To promote green schools.

5/15/2008--Introduced.

Green Schools Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program awarding matching grants to local educational agencies for green school construction and improvement projects that create healthy learning environments while saving natural resources and money.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend, through 2012, the Qualified Zone Academy Bond program (which provides tax credits to the holders of such bonds, which in turn finance low or no interest loans for the improvement of public schools serving low-income areas).

Requires public school rehabilitation, repair, or equipment financed through such bonds to serve the green goals of creating healthy learning environments while saving natural resources and money.

Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3446-3447)

Bill Text
A resolution recognizing April 28, 2008, as "National Healthy Schools Day".

4/28/2008--Introduced.

Recognizes April 28, 2008, as National Healthy Schools Day.

Latest Action: 03/14/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Bill Text
Expressing support for designation of April 28, 2008, as "National Healthy Schools Day".

3/14/2008--Introduced.

Supports the designation of a National Healthy Schools Day.

Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

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A bill to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure that all trailers or mobile homes purchased by the Federal Emergency Management Agency meet the safety standards established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for housing used in programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 2/25/2008--Introduced. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that any trailer or mobile home purchased by FEMA meets safety standards established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under provisions relating to limitations on hazardous materials in housing to be used in Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, including any such standards for formaldehyde, lead, or any other hazardous material, contamination, toxic chemical or gas, or radioactive substance that could affect [...]

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Latest Action: 02/12/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy improvements at public school facilities, and for other purposes. 2/12/2008--Introduced. Grants for Renewable and Energy Efficiency Needs School Improvement Act or the GREEN School Improvement Act - Requires the Secretary of Education to allocate funds to states to provide competitive grants to local educational agencies and eligible entities to make energy improvements to schools that result in a direct reduction in school energy costs, an improvement in teacher and student health, or the installation of renewable energy technologies. Requires a priority to be given to high-need local agencies and local agencies designated with a specified metrocentric locale codes.Sets forth grant application requirements, including a needs assessment for the schools involved and a description of the benefits and costs of the energy improvements to be made. Authorizes [...]

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Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Referred to House Energy and Commerce

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To direct each Federal agency to establish an Environmental Justice Office, and for other purposes. 12/13/2007--Introduced. Environmental Justice Access and Implementation Act of 2007 - Requires specified federal agencies to establish an Office of Environmental Justice pursuant to Executive Order 12898 (concerning federal actions to address environmental justice in minority and low-income populations).Defines "environmental justice" as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, educational level, or income in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. Requires the inclusion of minority and low-income populations with health vulnerabilities and exposure to certain environmental conditions in criteria for defining an environmental justice community. Requires federal agencies to integrate the environmental justice strategy developed under Executive [...]

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Latest Action: 11/06/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

Bill Text
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require that temporary housing units provided to assist disaster victims comply with certain formaldehyde emissions requirements, and for other purposes.

11/5/2007--Introduced.

Safe and Healthy Emergency Housing Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disas