Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/08/2008 - Considered by Senate.

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A bill to provide needed housing reform and for other purposes. 4/10/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 - Title I: FHA Modernization Act of 2008 - FHA Modernization Act of 2008 - Subtitle A: Building American Homeownership - Building American Homeownership Act of 2008 - (Sec. 112) Amends the National Housing Act (NHA) to revise mortgage insurance eligibility requirements. Alters the respective formulas to increase the percentages of the maximum principal loan obligations applicable to family residences located in: (1) the United States; and (2) Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, or the Virgin Islands. Prohibits the maximum principal loan obligation from exceeding 100% of the appraised value of the property. (Sec. 113) Increases from 3% to 3.5% of the appraised value of a property the mortgagor's required cash (or equivalent) investment (downpayment). Prohibits any funds for such [...]

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Latest Action: 07/08/2008 - Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 742.

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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: 05/14/2008 - Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Bill Text
To restore the financial solvency of the national flood insurance program and to provide for such program to make available multiperil coverage for damage resulting from windstorms and floods, and for other purposes. 9/27/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on: (1) the flood insurance coverage status of pre-FIRM properties; and (2) assess the impact, effectiveness, and feasibility of amending the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 regarding properties subject to the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement for a natural 100-year floodplain, and possible extension of such requirement to properties securing nonfederally related loans. (A pre-FIRM structure is one that was not constructed or substantially improved after the later of: (1) December 31, 1974; or (2) the effective date of the [...]

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Latest Action: 06/04/2008 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 110-504, Part II.

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To establish the Twenty-First Century Water Commission to study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy to address future water needs. 6/4/2008--Reported to House amended, Part II.    (There are 2 other summaries) Establishes the Twenty-First Century Water Commission to: (1) use studies and assessments to project future water supply needs and demand, develop national and regional assessments on flood risk and water availability and trends related to water quality; (2) study government and private sector water management programs directed at increasing water supplies, managing flood risk, and improving the availability, reliability, and quality of water resources; and (3) develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy.Requires such strategy to: (1) identify incentives to ensure an adequate and dependable supply of water to meet U.S. needs for the next 50 years; (2) consider all available technologies and methods [...]

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Latest Action: 06/23/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Byrd. With written report No. 110-396.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 6/23/2008--Introduced. Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2009 for: (1) the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General; (2) Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including for customs and border protection fencing, infrastructure, and technology; (3) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including for detention and removal operations (including to improve efforts to identify and remove aliens convicted of a crime and sentenced to imprisonment who are judged deportable) and the Federal Protective Service; (4) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including for screening [...]

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Latest Action: 06/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. With written report No. 110-380.

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To provide for the conveyance of the Alta-Hualapai Site to the Nevada Cancer Institute, and for other purposes. 3/4/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Nevada Cancer Institute Expansion Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to accept the relinquishment of all or part of the Alta-Hualapai Site by the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Directs the Secretary, after relinquishment of all or part of the Alta-Hualapai Site, to convey to the Nevada Cancer Institute (the Institute) in Las Vegas, the part of the Site that is necessary for the development of a nonprofit cancer institute. Requires the Secretary, after a request from the city, to convey to the city any remaining part of the Alta-Hualapai Site necessary for ancillary medical or nonprofit use compatible with the Institute's mission. Requires any conveyance by the city of any part of the land [...]

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Latest Action: 06/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment. With written report No. 110-366.

Bill Text
A bill to clear title to certain real property in New Mexico associated with the Middle Rio Grande Project, and for other purposes.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

Albuquerque Biological Park Title Clarification Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue a quitclaim deed conveying any right, title, and interest the United States may have in and to Tingley Beach, San Gabriel Park, and the BioPark Parcels in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the City of Albuquerque. Provides that the City shall not be required to pay any additional costs for the value of such Beach, Park, and Parcels.

Prohibits this Act from being construed or utilized to affect or otherwise interfere with any position set forth by any party in the lawsuit pending before the U.S. District Court entitled Rio Grande Silvery Minnow v. John W. Keys, III concerning the right to any property associated with the Middle Rio Grande Project.

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: 07/08/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out annual inspections of canals, levees, tunnels, dikes, pumping plants, dams, and reservoirs under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, and for other purposes. 4/10/2008--Introduced. Aging Water Infrastructure and Maintenance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to inspect at least 75% of all project facilities within one year to assess each facility's condition and to estimate the property value and population size that would be at risk if a facility fails, is breached, or otherwise allows flooding to occur. Defines a "project facility" as any part or incidental feature of a reclamation or irrigation project under the Secretary's jurisdiction that is not covered by the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978.Requires the Secretary: (1) in selecting facilities to inspect, to take into account the risk posed to public health or safety or to property;[...]

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

Bill Text
To require the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Geological Survey, to conduct a study on groundwater resources in the State of Alaska, and for other purposes. 5/7/2007--Passed House 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.) Alaska Water Resources Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation and the Director of the United States Geological Survey, to conduct a study that includes: (1) a survey of accessible water supplies, including aquifers, on the Kenai Peninsula in the municipality of Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the city of Fairbanks, and the Fairbanks Northstar Borough; (2) a survey of water treatment needs and technologies applicable to the water resources of Alaska; and (3) [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/23/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Byrd. With written report No. 110-396.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 6/23/2008--Introduced. Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2009 for: (1) the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General; (2) Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including for customs and border protection fencing, infrastructure, and technology; (3) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including for detention and removal operations (including to improve efforts to identify and remove aliens convicted of a crime and sentenced to imprisonment who are judged deportable) and the Federal Protective Service; (4) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including for screening [...]

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Latest Action: 07/08/2008 - Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 742.

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: 07/08/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out annual inspections of canals, levees, tunnels, dikes, pumping plants, dams, and reservoirs under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, and for other purposes. 4/10/2008--Introduced. Aging Water Infrastructure and Maintenance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to inspect at least 75% of all project facilities within one year to assess each facility's condition and to estimate the property value and population size that would be at risk if a facility fails, is breached, or otherwise allows flooding to occur. Defines a "project facility" as any part or incidental feature of a reclamation or irrigation project under the Secretary's jurisdiction that is not covered by the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978.Requires the Secretary: (1) in selecting facilities to inspect, to take into account the risk posed to public health or safety or to property;[...]

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Latest Action: 04/07/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to establish the 8/29 Investigation Team to examine the events beginning on August 29, 2005, with respect to the failure of the flood protection system in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and for other purposes. 4/7/2008--Introduced. 8/29 Investigation Team Act - Establishes a bipartisan 8/29 Investigation Team to examine: (1) the events beginning on August 29, 2005, with respect to the failure of the flood protection system in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and (2) each flood control and restoration project that has been carried out since that date in the region in which those events occurred.Prohibits any elected federal official from serving as a Team member. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding member qualifications.Urges the Team to: (1) review findings and recommendations of all studies conducted in the aftermath of the levee failures in Louisiana on or after August 29, 2005; (2) review the ongoing U.S. exposure to flood control [...]

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Latest Action: 03/31/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2237)

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A resolution recognizing the need and importance of providing additional Federal funds for the Secretary of the Army to carry out hurricane, coastal, and flood protection and hurricane and flood damage reduction activities and related features in the State of Louisiana. 3/31/2008--Introduced. Recognizes the urgency for Congress to approve additional federal funds required by the Corps of Engineers by October 1, 2008, to complete hurricane, coastal, and flood protection and hurricane and flood damage reduction activities and related features to meet the President's commitment to complete the Corps work necessary for the updated 100-year protection standard for the greater New Orleans area by the 2011 hurricane season. Expresses the Senate's finding that the additional funds to reduce the risk to that area from storm surges and to provide at least an updated 100-year protection standard and address associated flood protection needs shall be carried out at full federal [...]

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Latest Action: 12/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Bill Text
To authorize the Chief of Engineers to conduct a feasibility study relating to the construction of a multipurpose project in the Fountain Creek watershed located in the State of Colorado. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Fountain Creek Watershed Feasibility Study Act of 2007 - Directs the Chief of Engineers to complete a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a multipurpose water resources project that shall: (1) be located in the Fountain Creek watershed, Colorado; (2) consist of one or more dams or other structures, other facilities, or management activities or one or more other reservoirs that are to be located on- or off-channel of the watershed; and (3) be designed, with respect to the area located in the watershed and the Arkansas River Valley and any residential or commercial activity therein, to provide more reliable flood control and better sediment control, to increase the water supply, to improve water quality, and to conserve fish and wildlife and preserve the [...]

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Latest Action: 11/16/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14627-14628)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the Chief of Engineers to conduct a feasibility study relating to the construction of a multipurpose project in the Fountain Creek watershed located in the State of Colorado. 11/16/2007--Introduced. Fountain Creek Watershed Feasibility Study Act of 2007 - Directs the Chief of Engineers to complete a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a multipurpose project that shall: (1) be located in the Fountain Creek watershed, Colorado; (2) consist of one or more dams or other structures, other facilities, or management activities or one or more other reservoirs that are to be located on- or off-channel of the watershed; and (3) with respect to the area located in the watershed and the Arkansas River Valley and any residential or commercial activity therein, be designed to provide more reliable flood control and better sediment control, to increase the water supply, to improve water quality, and to conserve fish and wildlife and preserve the ecosystem [...]

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Latest Action: 06/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment. With written report No. 110-366.

Bill Text
A bill to clear title to certain real property in New Mexico associated with the Middle Rio Grande Project, and for other purposes.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

Albuquerque Biological Park Title Clarification Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue a quitclaim deed conveying any right, title, and interest the United States may have in and to Tingley Beach, San Gabriel Park, and the BioPark Parcels in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the City of Albuquerque. Provides that the City shall not be required to pay any additional costs for the value of such Beach, Park, and Parcels.

Prohibits this Act from being construed or utilized to affect or otherwise interfere with any position set forth by any party in the lawsuit pending before the U.S. District Court entitled Rio Grande Silvery Minnow v. John W. Keys, III concerning the right to any property associated with the Middle Rio Grande Project.

Latest Action: 12/04/2007 - Reported by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 110-466.

Bill Text
To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to issue guidance providing a process for consideration of the flood protections afforded by certain structures for purposes of the national flood insurance program. 12/4/2007--Reported to 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.)Levee-Like Structure Consideration Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to issue and make effective notice or guidance providing, for purposes of determining flood plain areas and flood-risk zones under the national flood insurance program: (1) a specified process by which a community may request and obtain from the Administrator a determination, including provisional accreditation, of the nature and extent of any flood protection afforded by any structure or feature that [...]

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Latest Action: 10/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13490-13491)

Bill Text
A bill to ensure that individual homeowners that were not previously required to purchase flood insurance that are now required to do so because of the updating of flood insurance program rate maps receive a discount for the purchase of such insurance. 10/26/2007--Introduced. Homeowner's Flood Insurance Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 with respect to any area that: (1) previously was not designated as a special flood hazard area because it was protected by a flood protection system; and (2) becomes so designated as a result of the decertification of that flood protection system pursuant to any updating, reviewing, or remapping of flood insurance program rate maps. Sets the chargeable flood insurance premium rate for any property that, before enactment of this Act, was located within such an area at 50% of the chargeable risk premium rate otherwise applicable. Terminates such discount rate five years after the area's initial designation [...]

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