Top Legislation - View All

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

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes. 6/26/2007--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.) Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (the Act) to designate specified segments in the Eightmile River in Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) manage Eightmile River in accordance with the Eightmile Watershed Management Plan, dated December 8, 2005, and such amendments to the Plan as the Secretary determines to be consistent with this Act; and (2) coordinate the management responsibilities of the [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity Discharged.

Bill Text
To amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to consolidate the housing assistance programs for homeless persons under title IV of such Act, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2007 - Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to consolidate housing assistance programs for homeless persons. Requires the establishment of a community homeless assistance planning board for a geographic area to lead a collaborative planning process to design, execute, and evaluate programs, policies, and practices to prevent and end homelessness. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to designate an entity to be a community board if it has engaged in local homeless housing and services planning and has applied for federal funding for homeless assistance prior to enactment of this Act. Instructs the Secretary to make available technical assistance to governmental [...]

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Latest Action: 02/08/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to provide for the national flood insurance program to make available multiperil coverage for damage resulting from windstorms or floods, and for other purposes. 2/8/2007--Introduced. Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2007 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require the national flood insurance program to enable the purchase of optional insurance against loss resulting from physical damage to or loss of real or related personal property located in the United States arising from any flood or windstorm (any hurricane, tornado, cyclone, typhoon, or other wind event). Restricts multiperil coverage to areas (or their subdivisions) where an appropriate public body has adopted adequate land use and control measures, including effective enforcement provisions, which the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) finds are consistent with certain statutory criteria for land management and [...]

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Latest Action: 06/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-381.

Bill Text
To amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to extend the authorization for certain national heritage areas, and for other purposes. 6/16/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There are 3 other summaries) Celebrating America's Heritage Act - Title I: Designations: Subtitle A: Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area - (Sec. 1103) Establishes the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area in Alabama. (Sec. 1104) Designates the Muscle Shoals Regional Center as the local coordinating entity for the Area. Requires the Muscle Shoals Regional Center to prepare and submit a management plan for the Area. Authorizes the Muscle Shoals Regional Center, subject to the prior approval of the Secretary of the Interior, to use federal funds made available under this subtitle to: (1) make grants to the state, political subdivisions of the state, nonprofits, and other persons; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements [...]

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Latest Action: 07/26/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to allow individuals to opt-out of the National Flood Insurance Program, and for other purposes. 7/26/2007--Introduced. Flood Insurance Choice Act of 2007 - Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to permit an individual homeowner not to purchase property flood insurance, even for property in a special flood hazard area, if he or she submits certain written certifications to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state, community, or local official responsible for zoning and building codes. Declares that such homeowner shall not be required to comply with certain base flood elevation requirements. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, with respect to land use controls, financial assistance and mitigation assistance, to shield from penalties for non-compliance those areas that have complied with its requirements but where individuals have opted out pursuant to this Act. Amends the Robert T.[...]

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Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.

Bill Text
To amend the wetlands reserve program of the Department of Agriculture to exclude from enrollment under the program land subject to a State or local set-back requirement unless the Secretary determines that enrollment of the land is essential to restore or preserve wetlands.

6/22/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to exclude from wetlands reserve program enrollment land subject to a state or local setback requirement unless the Secretary of Agriculture determines that such land's enrollment is essential to restore or preserve wetlands.

Latest Action: 01/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S518)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a bipartisan commission on insurance reform.

1/12/2007--Introduced.

Commission on Catastrophic Disaster Risk and Insurance Act of 2007 - Establishes the bipartisan Commission on Catastrophic Disaster Risk and Insurance to assess: (1) the condition of the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance markets in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005, and the four major hurricanes that struck the United States in 2004; (2) the ongoing exposure of the United States to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and floods; and (3) recommend and report legislative and regulatory changes that will improve the domestic and international financial health and competitiveness of such markets.

Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To establish a bipartisan commission on insurance reform.

1/17/2007--Introduced.

Commission on Catastrophic Disaster Risk and Insurance Act of 2007 - Establishes the bipartisan Commission on Catastrophic Disaster Risk and Insurance to assess: (1) the condition of the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance markets in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005, and the four major hurricanes that struck the United States in 2004; (2) the ongoing exposure of the United States to windstorms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and floods; and (3) recommend and report legislative and regulatory changes that will improve the domestic and international financial health and competitiveness of such markets.

Latest Action: 07/10/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To require providers of wireless telephone services to provide access to the universal emergency telephone number in subterranean subway stations located within their area of coverage.

7/10/2007--Introduced.

Subway Cell Access Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require that each commercial mobile (wireless) service provider provide service for the universal emergency telephone number (911) within each subway boarding station in any geographic area in which such provider provides service at ground level.

Requires such providers to: (1) make available to other wireless providers appropriate infrastructure, technology, and facilities to provide such service; and (2) facilitate the sharing of such infrastructure, technology, and facilities.

Includes such emergency number service within federal provisions limiting state regulation of the placement of wireless facilities.

Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - Mr. Capuano moved that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference.

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 Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 02/29/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To amend title 10, United States Code, to deny Federal funds for any State or city, county, or other political subdivision of a State that prohibits or unduly restricts the establishment or operation of a military recruiting office.

2/14/2008--Introduced.

Prohibits any federal funds from being provided to a state, city, county, or other political subdivision thereof if the Secretary of Defense determines that such state or political subdivision prohibits or unreasonably restricts, through zoning requirements more restrictive than those imposed on most small businesses in that jurisdiction, the ability of the Armed Forces to establish and operate a military recruiting office.

Requires the Secretary to notify the President and Congress of each such determination.

Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

Bill Text
To promote fire-safe communities, and for other purposes. 1/29/2008--Introduced. Fire-Safe Communities Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to publish a federal model ordinance for municipalities at risk (subdivisions located in a fire hazard area) that includes specified elements regarding fire prevention and management, such as: (1) specifications for construction materials and techniques for use in such communities; and (2) standards for roads, culverts, and bridges. Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to modify, for a municipality at risk, the requirements of the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program related to the provision of a non-federal share of funds, so that if such a municipality has adopted an applicable model ordinance and is making significant progress toward implementing it, the Administrator may reduce the required non-federal share to 10% of the grant [...]

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Latest Action: 11/16/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14628-14630)

Bill Text
A bill to promote fire-safe communities, and for other purposes. 11/16/2007--Introduced. Fire-Safe Communities Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to publish a federal model ordinance for municipalities at risk (subdivisions located in a fire hazard area) that includes specified elements regarding fire prevention and management, such as: (1) specifications for construction materials and techniques for use in such communities; and (2) standards for roads, culverts, and bridges.Authorizes the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to modify, for a municipality at risk, the requirements of the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program related to the provision of a non-federal share of funds, so that if such a municipality has adopted an applicable model ordinance and is making significant progress toward implementing it, the Under Secretary may reduce the required [...]

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Latest Action: 07/26/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to allow individuals to opt-out of the National Flood Insurance Program, and for other purposes. 7/26/2007--Introduced. Flood Insurance Choice Act of 2007 - Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to permit an individual homeowner not to purchase property flood insurance, even for property in a special flood hazard area, if he or she submits certain written certifications to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state, community, or local official responsible for zoning and building codes. Declares that such homeowner shall not be required to comply with certain base flood elevation requirements. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, with respect to land use controls, financial assistance and mitigation assistance, to shield from penalties for non-compliance those areas that have complied with its requirements but where individuals have opted out pursuant to this Act. Amends the Robert T.[...]

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Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - Mr. Capuano moved that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference.

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: 07/10/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To require providers of wireless telephone services to provide access to the universal emergency telephone number in subterranean subway stations located within their area of coverage.

7/10/2007--Introduced.

Subway Cell Access Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require that each commercial mobile (wireless) service provider provide service for the universal emergency telephone number (911) within each subway boarding station in any geographic area in which such provider provides service at ground level.

Requires such providers to: (1) make available to other wireless providers appropriate infrastructure, technology, and facilities to provide such service; and (2) facilitate the sharing of such infrastructure, technology, and facilities.

Includes such emergency number service within federal provisions limiting state regulation of the placement of wireless facilities.

Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.

Bill Text
To amend the wetlands reserve program of the Department of Agriculture to exclude from enrollment under the program land subject to a State or local set-back requirement unless the Secretary determines that enrollment of the land is essential to restore or preserve wetlands.

6/22/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to exclude from wetlands reserve program enrollment land subject to a state or local setback requirement unless the Secretary of Agriculture determines that such land's enrollment is essential to restore or preserve wetlands.

Latest Action: 06/16/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-381.

Bill Text
To amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to extend the authorization for certain national heritage areas, and for other purposes. 6/16/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There are 3 other summaries) Celebrating America's Heritage Act - Title I: Designations: Subtitle A: Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area - (Sec. 1103) Establishes the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area in Alabama. (Sec. 1104) Designates the Muscle Shoals Regional Center as the local coordinating entity for the Area. Requires the Muscle Shoals Regional Center to prepare and submit a management plan for the Area. Authorizes the Muscle Shoals Regional Center, subject to the prior approval of the Secretary of the Interior, to use federal funds made available under this subtitle to: (1) make grants to the state, political subdivisions of the state, nonprofits, and other persons; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements [...]

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

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes. 6/26/2007--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.) Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (the Act) to designate specified segments in the Eightmile River in Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) manage Eightmile River in accordance with the Eightmile Watershed Management Plan, dated December 8, 2005, and such amendments to the Plan as the Secretary determines to be consistent with this Act; and (2) coordinate the management responsibilities of the [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/08/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to provide for the national flood insurance program to make available multiperil coverage for damage resulting from windstorms or floods, and for other purposes. 2/8/2007--Introduced. Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2007 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require the national flood insurance program to enable the purchase of optional insurance against loss resulting from physical damage to or loss of real or related personal property located in the United States arising from any flood or windstorm (any hurricane, tornado, cyclone, typhoon, or other wind event). Restricts multiperil coverage to areas (or their subdivisions) where an appropriate public body has adopted adequate land use and control measures, including effective enforcement provisions, which the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) finds are consistent with certain statutory criteria for land management and [...]

show full description