Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 04/25/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
To authorize programs for support of the early career development of science and engineering researchers, and for support of graduate fellowships, and for other purposes. 4/24/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act - (Sec. 2) Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to carry out a program of awarding grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education in the United States and at certain research organizations to conduct research in fields relevant to the mission of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Permits the existing Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program to be designated as the mechanism for awarding such grants. Requires: (1) the duration of such awards to be five years; and (2) the amount of such an award per year to be at least $80,000. Instructs such Director: [...]

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Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To expand and enhance post-baccalaureate opportunities at Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and for other purposes.

1/12/2007--Introduced.

Next Generation Hispanic-Serving Institutions Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise requirements for Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) under title V (Developing Institutions).

Establishes a program of competitive grants to eligible HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees (part B grants). Limits a part B grant award's duration to not more than five years. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from awarding more than one part B grant to an HSI in any one fiscal year.

Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the current part A program of grants to HSIs that offer baccalaureate degrees or are junior or community colleges; and (2) the new part B program of grants to HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees.

Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.

Bill Text
To establish a laboratory science pilot program at the National Science Foundation.

1/17/2007--Introduced.

Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a pilot program designated as "Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science" to award grants to partnerships to improve laboratories and to provide instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to enhance the quality of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology instruction at the secondary school level.

Requires grants awarded under this Act to be made to a partnership that: (1) includes an institution of higher education or a community college; (2) includes a high-need local educational agency; (3) includes a business or eligible nonprofit organization; and (5) may include a state educational agency, other public agency, national laboratory, or community-based organization.

Latest Action: 02/13/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1910-1911)

Bill Text
A bill to expand and enhance postbaccalaureate opportunities at Hispanic-serving institutions, and for other purposes.

2/13/2007--Introduced.

Next Generation Hispanic-Serving Institutions Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise requirements for Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) under title V (Developing Institutions).

Establishes a program of competitive grants to eligible HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees (part B grants). Limits a part B grant award's duration to not more than five years. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from awarding more than one part B grant to an HSI in any one fiscal year.

Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the current part A program of grants to HSIs that offer baccalaureate degrees or are junior or community colleges; and (2) the new part B program of grants to HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees.

Latest Action: 03/02/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2562)

Bill Text
A bill to enhance scientific research and competitiveness through the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, and for other purposes. 3/2/2007--Introduced. EPSCoR Research and Competitiveness Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Requires the Director of the NSF: (1) in the administration of the NSF's research infrastructure improvement grant program, to authorize states participating in the grant program to include partnership with out-of-state research institutions if the amount of funding transferred to another state does not exceed 5% of the amount of the grant in any fiscal year; and (2) from the amounts appropriated pursuant to this Act, to make available specified amounts for FY2008-FY2012 to such grant program. Requires the Director to obligate and spend not less than 20% of the amount available for EPSCoR [...]

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Latest Action: 02/28/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Bill Text
To provide for the establishment of the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office, and for other purposes. 2/27/2007--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.) Promoting Antiterrorism Cooperation through Technology and Science Act, or PACTS Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office (the Office). Provides for the Office to be headed by a Director, who: (1) shall be selected by and shall report to the Under Secretary; and (2) may be an officer of DHS serving in another position. Requires the Director to: (1) develop, in consultation [...]

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Latest Action: 03/08/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2904)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a laboratory science pilot program at the National Science Foundation.

3/8/2007--Introduced.

Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a pilot program designated as "Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science" to award grants to partnerships to improve laboratories and to provide instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to enhance the quality of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology instruction at the secondary school level.

Requires grants awarded under this Act to be made to a partnership that: (1) includes an institution of higher education or a community college; (2) includes a high-need local educational agency; (3) includes a business or eligible nonprofit organization; and (5) may include a state educational agency, other public agency, national laboratory, or community-based organization.

Latest Action: 06/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To establish a Federal coordination and planning process for advanced research instrumentation and facilities.

2/15/2007--Introduced.

Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to: (1) use the National Science and Technology Council as a forum for coordination and collaboration among federal agencies in developing best practices for the support of advanced research instrumentation and facilities at academic institutions; (2) encourage the development of centralized programs for the support of advanced research instrumentation and facilities at all federal research agencies that sponsor research at academic institutions; and (3) develop and implement policies for federal support for advanced research instrumentation and facilities as described in this Act. Requires such forum to also provide advice to the Director in developing those policies.

Latest Action: 04/12/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize and provide additional funding for essential agricultural research, extension, education, and related programs, to establish the National Institutes for Food and Agriculture as an independent agency reporting to and coordinating with the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes. 4/12/2007--Introduced. Creating Research Extension and Teaching Excellence for the 21st Century Act of 2007 or CREATE-21 Act of 2007 - Establishes the National Institutes for Food and Agriculture, which shall be located in Washington, DC. Transfers specified authorities of the Department of Agriculture and other authorities to the Institutes. Sets forth organizational and funding provisions. Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to repeal authority for the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board. Eliminates specified funding provisions respecting agricultural [...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4925-4926)

Bill Text
A bill to strengthen the capacity of eligible institutions to provide instruction in nanotechnology.

4/24/2007--Introduced.

Nanotechnology in the Schools Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish a nanotechnology in the schools program awarding grants to public or charter secondary schools offering advanced science courses and to institutions of higher education, for the purchase of nanotechnology equipment and software and the provision of nanotechnology education to students and teachers.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/06/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To authorize activities for support of nanotechnology research and development, and for other purposes. 5/1/2008--Introduced. National Nanotechnology Intiative Amendments Act of 2008 - Revises the 21st Century Nanotechology Research and Development Act with regard to strategic plans developed pursuant to the National Nanotechnology Program. Requires agencies participating in the Program to support the setting of standards for nanotechnology. Sets forth a new funding requirement with respect to the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. Requires the Office to be supported by funds from each agency participating in the Program. Sets forth annual reporting requirements regarding the Office. Makes the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel a distinct entity. Instructs the Panel to form a subpanel to enable it in assessing whether societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and workforce concerns are adequately addressed by the Program. Rewrites [...]

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Latest Action: 01/28/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage investment in high productivity property, and for other purposes.

1/28/2008--Introduced.

Job Creation Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the expensing of the cost of certain high productivity property placed in service in 2008, including computer and computer-related peripheral equipment, electronic equipment, software, high technology medical equipment, and advanced environmental and life science products.

Allow a 50% depreciation allowance for certain business equipment acquired in 2008.

Exempts acclerated depreciation amounts related to properties placed in service in 2008 or 2009 from adjustments in computing alternative minimum taxable income.

Allows an offset in 2008 against the alternative minimum tax liability of corporations for their long-term unused tax credits.

Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965. 10/4/2007--Introduced. College Access and Opportunity Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize appropriations for HEA programs. Establishes a single definition of institutions of higher education (IHEs) for purposes of their participation in all HEA programs, including title IV student aid programs. Allows IHEs to enroll students who are also enrolled in secondary school. Revises higher education consumer information and public accountability requirements. Imposes educational loan disclosure requirements on lenders and IHEs. Replaces the Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships program under title II with a new Teacher Quality Partnership grant program for partnerships of high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), high-need schools, IHEs, and public or private educational organizations. Repeals part B (Preparing Tomorrow's [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Veto message received in Senate. Ordered held at the desk.

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.

5/22/2007--Introduced.

Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 - Extends and revises agricultural and related programs respecting: (1) commodities; (2) sugar; (3) dairy; (4) conservation; (5) exports and trade assistance; (6) food stamps and nutrition; (7) agricultural credit; (8) rural development; (9) rural electrification; (10) agricultural research; (11) forestry; (12) energy; (13) specialty crops; and (14) livestock.

Latest Action: 10/02/2007 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To strengthen the capacity of eligible institutions to provide instruction in nanotechnology.

5/22/2007--Introduced.

Nanotechnology in the Schools Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish a nanotechnology in the schools program awarding grants to public or charter secondary schools offering advanced science courses and to institutions of higher education, for the purchase of nanotechnology equipment and software and the provision of nanotechnology education to students and teachers.

Latest Action: 05/21/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1106-1107)

Bill Text
To reauthorize and provide additional funding for essential agricultural research, extension, education, and related programs, to establish the National Institutes for Food and Agriculture as an independent agency reporting to and coordinating with the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes. 5/21/2007--Introduced. Creating Research Extension and Teaching Excellence for the 21st Century Act of 2007 or CREATE-21 Act of 2007 - Establishes the National Institutes for Food and Agriculture, which shall be located in Washington, DC. Transfers specified authorities of the Department of Agriculture and other authorities to the Institutes. Sets forth organizational and funding provisions. Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to repeal authority for the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board. Eliminates specified funding provisions respecting agricultural research [...]

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