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Latest Action: 09/17/2007 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-172.

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A bill to designate certain land in the State of Oregon as wilderness, and for other purposes. 9/17/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act of 2007 - Title I: Protected Areas - Subtitle A: Designation of Wilderness Areas - (Sec. 101) Designates specified wilderness additions in Oregon as wilderness areas and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. (Sec. 102) Designates certain federal land as the "Richard L. Kohnstamm Memorial Area." (Sec. 103) Designates the Roaring River Wilderness as a potential wilderness area. Requires the inclusion of: (1) certain federal land in the Mount Hood Wilderness upon the completion of the Cooper Spur-Government Camp land exchange under section 202; and (2) certain land in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness upon acquisition by the United States. (Sec. 104) Requires the boundaries of the areas [...]

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Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 110-275.

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A bill to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to reduce the incidence of child injury and death occurring inside or outside of light motor vehicles, and for other purposes. 3/13/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007, or the K.T. Safety Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to initiate a rulemaking for motor vehicles to require: (1) automatic reversal of direction by power windows and panels when they detect an obstruction; (2) an expanded rearward field of view to prevent backing incidents; and (3) automatic transmissions to have an anti-rollaway system that requires the service brake to be depressed before the transmission can be shifted out of park, which shall function in any starting system key position in which the transmission can be shifted out of park. Requires the Secretary, if it is determined that no additional safety standards [...]

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Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Signed by President.

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A bill to provide for the expansion and improvement of traumatic brain injury programs. 4/28/2008--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on April 8, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the national program for traumatic brain injury registries to make grants for state traumatic brain injury surveillance systems or registries (currently, only for registries) to: (1) determine the incidence and prevalence of traumatic brain injury and related disability; (2) ensure the uniformity of reporting under each such system or registry; (3) link individuals with traumatic brain injury to services and supports; and (4) link such individuals with academic institutions to conduct applied research. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through [...]

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Latest Action: 04/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4440-4441)

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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide certain housing benefits to disabled members of the Armed Forces, to expand certain benefits for disabled veterans with severe burns, and for other purposes. 4/12/2007--Introduced. Veterans' Housing Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in the case of a member of the Armed Forces determined to have a total disability permanent in nature which was incurred or aggravated in the line of active duty, to furnish home improvements and structural alterations for the member for the disability while the member is hospitalized or receiving outpatient care, medical services, or treatment, if the Secretary determines that the member is likely to be discharged or released from the Armed Forces for such disability. Authorizes the provision of specially adapted housing assistance for: (1) disabled veterans whose disability is due to a severe burn injury; and (2) disabled members residing [...]

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Latest Action: 02/28/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to reduce the incidence of child injury and death occurring inside or outside of light motor vehicles, and for other purposes. 2/28/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 19, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007 or the K.T. Safety Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to initiate a rulemaking for motor vehicles to require: (1) automatic reversal of direction by power windows and panels when they detect an obstruction; (2) an expanded rearward field of view to prevent backing incidents; and (3) automatic transmissions to have an anti-rollaway system that requires the service brake to be depressed before the transmission can be shifted out of park, which shall function in any starting system key position [...]

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Latest Action: 02/27/2008 - For Further Action See Titles XII, XIII, XIV and XV of H.R. 1.

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To improve the security of railroads, public transportation, and over-the-road buses in the United States, and for other purposes. 3/27/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 - Title I: Rail and Public Transportation Security - (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and implement a plan entitled the National Strategy for Rail and Public Transportation Security.(Sec. 102) Requires the Secretary to assign each railroad carrier, public transportation operator, or over-the-road bus private operator (covered transportation) to a certain risk-based tier.(Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to issue regulations that: (1) require each provider of covered transportation assigned to a high- or medium-risk tier to assess their vulnerability to terrorism and to implement, subject to approval of [...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - S.AMDT.4576 Amendment SA 4576 proposed by Senator Akaka. (consideration: CR S3353-3354; text: CR S3353-3354) Of a perfecting nature.

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An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance veterans' insurance and housing benefits, to improve benefits and services for transitioning servicemembers, and for other purposes. 4/24/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 - Title I: Insurance Matters - (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to grant level-premium, term life insurance to each veteran less than 65 years old who has a service-connected disability and who seeks such insurance, with a maximum coverage amount of $50,000. Reduces the coverage amount by 80% once the veteran turns 70 and prohibits charging a premium in such a case. (Sec. 102) Allows administrative costs of the Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance program to be paid through premiums. (Sec. 103) Includes all (currently, only certain active-duty) members of the Individual Ready Reserve under the Servicemembers' [...]

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Latest Action: 05/21/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

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A bill to improve railroad safety. 5/21/2007--Introduced. Railroad Crossing and Hazardous Materials Transport Safety Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a review of the safety of all highway-rail grade crossings in the United States and to submit to Congress a priority list of highway-rail grade crossings most in need of safety improvements. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain a national database of information on the safety of highway-rail grade crossings; (2) investigate the cause of each fatal crossing accident; and (3) prescribe regulations for improving crossing safety, maintenance, and surveillance. Establishes the position of Special Advisor for Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety in the office of the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy. Requires annual safety reviews by crossing inspectors. Increases civil penalties for crossing safety requirement violations. Authorizes grants for enforcement [...]

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Latest Action: 07/16/2007 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Murray. With written report No. 110-131.

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An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 7/16/2007--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.) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Department of Transportation - Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Department of Transportation, including: (1) the Office of the Secretary; (2) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); (3) the Federal Highway Administration; (4) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; (5) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); (6) the Federal Railroad [...]

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Latest Action: 05/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1075)

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To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the establishment of financial security accounts for the care of family members with disabilities.

5/17/2007--Introduced.

Financial Security Accounts for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish tax-exempt financial security accounts for individuals with disabilities to pay certain expenses of such individuals, including expenses for education, medical care, and employment training.

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Latest Action: 04/03/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2444-2445)

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A bill to establish the National Park Centennial Fund, and for other purposes. 4/3/2008--Introduced. National Park Centennial Fund Act - Establishes a revolving fund in the Treasury to be known as the National Park Centennial Fund, into which, not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act, on October 1, 2008, and each October 1 thereafter through 2016, there shall be transferred, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $100 million to carry out this Act. Requires the annual budget submission of the President for the Department of the Interior to include a list of National Park Centennial proposals. Requires the list to include projects under the following initiatives: (1) an Education in Parks Centennial Initiative; (2) a Diversity in Parks Centennial Initiative; (3) a Supporting Park Professionals Centennial Initiative; (4) an Environmental Leadership Centennial Initiative; (5) a Natural Resource Protection Centennial Initiative; (6) [...]

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Latest Action: 03/11/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1878-1879)

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A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for disability savings accounts, and for other purposes. 3/11/2008--Introduced. Disability Savings Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax exemption for disability savings accounts that have a value of $250,000 or less and are established for beneficiaries under the age of 65 who are blind or disabled.Allows tax-free distributions from such accounts for certain services provided to account beneficiaries, including education services, respite care, clothing, therapy, nutritional management, and funeral and burial expenses.Allows tax credits for contributions of up to $2,000 made to a disability savings account and for certain entities that maintain disability savings accounts.Permits disability savings accounts to be disregarded in determining eligibility for Medicaid benefits and certain other means-tested federal programs.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human [...]

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Latest Action: 03/11/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the establishment of financial security accounts for the care of family members with disabilities, and for other purposes.

3/11/2008--Introduced.

Financial Security Accounts for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2008- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish tax-exempt financial security accounts for individuals with disabilities to pay certain expenses of such individuals, including expenses for education, medical care, and employment training.

Allows individual taxpayers a tax deduction, up to $2,000 per year, for cash contributions to such an account.

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit the disregard of financial security accounts for disabled individuals in determining eligibility for Medicaid benefits. Permits the disregard of amounts in such accounts for purposes of determining eligibility for certain means-tested federal programs.

Latest Action: 03/03/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

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A bill to ensure that all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users as well as children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on streets and highways. 3/3/2008--Introduced. Complete Streets Act of 2008 - Amends the surface transportation program to require state and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to: (1) adopt a policy statement that ensures that all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users as well as children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on streets and highways within the public right-of-way; and (2) apply such policy to Transportation Improvement Program projects as well as to all aspects of the transportation project development process. Requires states and MPOs to certify that each road project has been reviewed for compliance with [...]

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Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance and improve insurance, housing, labor and education, and other benefits for veterans, and for other purposes. 2/14/2008--Introduced. Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008 - Revises veterans' insurance benefits matters to: (1) direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to grant level-premium term life insurance to certain service-disabled veterans; (2) increase the maximum amount of supplemental service disabled veterans' insurance for totally disabled veterans; (3) provide retroactive traumatic injury coverage under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program for certain members of the Armed Forces who incurred a traumatic injury in the line of duty; (4) provide for the designation of a recipient of funds for traumatic injury coverage when the member is mentally incapacitated or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness; and (5) increase the maximum loan guarantee amount under the veterans' [...]

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Latest Action: 01/24/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S286)

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A bill to restore, reaffirm, and reconcile legal rights and remedies under civil rights statutes. 1/24/2008--Introduced. Civil Rights Act of 2008 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 to set forth requirements for: (1) establishing discrimination based on disparate impact; and (2) rights of action and recovery for unlawful discrimination (intentional or based on disparate impact). Amends those Acts and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to set forth requirements regarding a right of recovery for harassment. Amends the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to provide that a state's receipt or use of federal financial assistance for a state program or activity constitutes a waiver of sovereign immunity for a suit by a program employee. Amends the Air Carrier [...]

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Latest Action: 02/04/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Bill Text
To restore, reaffirm, and reconcile legal rights and remedies under civil rights statutes. 1/23/2008--Introduced. Civil Rights Act of 2008 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 to set forth requirements for: (1) establishing discrimination based on disparate impact; and (2) rights of action and recovery for unlawful discrimination (intentional or based on disparate impact). Amends those Acts and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to set forth requirements regarding a right of recovery for harassment. Amends the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to provide that a state's receipt or use of federal financial assistance for a state program or activity constitutes a waiver of sovereign immunity for a suit by a program employee. Amends the Air Carrier Access [...]

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Latest Action: 03/03/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-270.

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A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to improve railroad safety by reducing accidents and to prevent railroad fatalities, injuries, and hazardous materials releases, and for other purposes. 3/3/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Amends federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2013 for: (1) railroad safety, including the safe transportation of hazardous materials; (2) research and development (R&D); (3) the purchase of Gage Restraint Measurement System vehicles and track geometry vehicles or other comparable technology to assess track safety; and (4) rail security personnel in Department of Transportation (DOT) regional offices and in Washington, DC.Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2011 for construction of the Facility for Underground Rail Station and Tunnel Testing and Training at the Transportation Technology Center, Inc.[...]

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