Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To provide for the admission to the United States of nonimmigrant business facilitation visitors. 2/7/2007--Introduced. Business Travel Facilitation Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include business facilitation visitors from a qualifying country as nonimmigrant aliens visiting the United States temporarily for business. Defines "business facilitation visitor" as an alien visiting the United States temporarily to: (1) provide services pursuant to a qualifying services contract; or (2) provide management or technical training to, or receive management or technical training from personnel of a U.S. entity. Sets forth conditions with respect to: (1) provision of services; and (2) provision or receipt of management or technical training. Provides a period of authorized admission of: (1) one year with a one-time six month extension for an alien providing services; and (2) one year for an alien providing or receiving management [...]

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Latest Action: 02/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support.

Bill Text
To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to make certain modifications to the trade adjustment assistance program.

2/8/2007--Introduced.

American Competitiveness and Adjustment Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to: (1) trade adjustment assistance; (2) data collection; (3) industry-wide certifications; (4) trade adjustment assistance for farmers; (5) trade adjustment assistance for firms; and (6) trade adjustment assistance for service workers and firms and industries.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise and increase the health care tax credit.

Establishes in the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce an Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance.

Extends the trade adjustment assistance program through FY2012.

Latest Action: 06/28/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8694-8695)

Bill Text
A bill to regulate certain State taxation of interstate commerce, and for other purposes.

6/28/2007--Introduced.

Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2007 - Expands the federal prohibition against state taxation of interstate commerce to: (1) include taxation of out-of-state transactions involving all forms of property, including intangible personal property and services (currently, only sales of tangible personal property are protected); and (2) prohibit state taxation of an out-of-state entity unless such entity has a physical presence in the taxing state. Sets forth criteria for determining that a person has a physical presence in a state.

Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Hearing Held by Full Committee Prior to Introduction and Referral (March 13, 2007).

Bill Text
To invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States. 8/9/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) America COMPETES Act or America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act - Title I: Office of Science and Technology Policy; Government-Wide Science - (Sec. 1001) Directs the President to: (1) convene a National Science and Technology Summit to examine the health and direction of the United States' science, technology, engineering, and mathematics enterprises; and (2) issue a report on Summit results. Requires, beginning with the President's budget submission for the fiscal year following the conclusion of the Summit and for each of the following four budget submissions, the analytical perspectives component of the budget that describes the research and development (R&D) priorities to include a description of how those [...]

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Latest Action: 02/28/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2362)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to establish a governmentwide policy requiring competition in certain executive agency procurements, and for other purposes. 2/28/2007--Introduced. Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require an executive agency, when procuring Federal Prison Industries (FPI) products to: (1) use competitive procedures; or (2) make an individual purchase under a multiple award contract in accordance with applicable competition requirements. Requires an agency to: (1) timely notify FPI of procurements; and (2) consider a timely offer from FPI in the same manner as other offers. Requires agency heads to ensure that: (1) agencies do not purchase a FPI product or service unless an agency's contracting officer determines that the product or service is comparable to products or services available from the private sector that best meet the agencies' needs; and (2) FPI performs its contractual obligations to agencies [...]

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Latest Action: 10/24/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to require the International Trade Commission to report on the specific impact of each free trade agreement in force with respect to the United States on a sector-by-sector basis, and for other purposes.

10/24/2007--Introduced.

Trade Agreement Assessment Act - Directs the International Trade Commission (ITC) to report periodically to Congress on each free trade agreement in force with respect to the United States, including: (1) its effect on the U.S. economy and on specific U.S. industry sectors; (2) a summary of how each country that is party to such agreement has changed its labor and environmental laws; and (3) whether the agreement is making progress in achieving the objectives of the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002.

Latest Action: 09/19/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to extend trade adjustment assistance to certain service workers. 9/19/2007--Introduced. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to allow the filing of a petition with the Secretary of Labor for certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by adversely affected workers in a service sector firm or subdivision. Defines "service sector firm" as an entity engaged in the business of providing information technology or other high technology services. Revises group eligibility requirements for TAA to cover: (1) a shift, by such workers' firm or subdivision to a foreign country, in provision of services, like or directly competitive with services which are provided by such firm or subdivision; and (2) instances where such workers' firm or subdivision obtains or is likely to obtain such services from a foreign country. Provides for the certification for TAA of adversely affected secondary workers in a service [...]

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Latest Action: 11/01/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Bill Text
To update and expand the procurement programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes. 10/30/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act - Title I: Ensuring Government Contract Opportunities for Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by Service-Disabled Veterans - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) permit agencies to enter into contracts with a small business owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran without first ensuring that there is only one company can perform a contract; and (2) allow contracting officers to decide whether or not to set aside contracts where at least two underutilized business zone (HUBZone) qualified companies could compete for the contract. (Sec. 102) Provides for the assessment of civil penalties against any company that misrepresents itself as a small business owned and controlled by service-disabled [...]

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Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to reauthorize trade adjustment assistance, to extend trade adjustment assistance to service workers and firms, and for other purposes. 10/31/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Trade and Globalization Assistance Act of 2007 - Title I: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers - Subtitle A: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Service Sector Workers; Expansion of Covered Shifts in Production; Expansion of Downstream Secondary Worker Eligibility - (Sec. 101) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 (the Act) to allow the filing of a petition with the Secretary of Labor for certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by adversely affected workers in a service sector firm or a public agency. Revises group eligibility requirements for TAA to cover: (1) a shift, by such workers' firm or subdivision to a foreign country, of production of articles or in provision of services, like [...]

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

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify that qualified personal service corporations may continue to use the cash method of accounting, and for other purposes.

10/4/2007--Introduced.

Qualified Personal Service Corporations Clarification Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the criteria for determining whether a corporation is a qualified personal service corporation. Includes within the definition of qualified personal service corporation a qualifying corporation substantially all of whose stock is held by certain former employees (thus permitting such corporation to use the cash method of accounting).

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To regulate certain State taxation of interstate commerce, and for other purposes.

2/7/2008--Introduced.

Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2008- Expands the federal prohibition against state taxation of interstate commerce to: (1) include taxation of out-of-state transactions involving all forms of property, including intangible personal property and services (currently, only sales of tangible personal property are protected); and (2) prohibit state taxation of an out-of-state entity unless such entity has a physical presence in the taxing state. Sets forth criteria for determining that a person has a physical presence in a state.

Latest Action: 02/07/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for investing in companies involved in space-related activities.

2/7/2008--Introduced.

Zero Gravity, Zero Tax Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude from gross income space-related income from products or articles produced, or services provided, in or from outer space; (2) allow an investment tax credit for the purchase of stock in a space company that has average annual gross receipts not exceeding $100 million and that derives more than 70 percent of its gross receipts from space-based business; and (3) exclude from gross income gain from the sale or exchange of any stock of certain space corporations.

Latest Action: 10/24/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to require the International Trade Commission to report on the specific impact of each free trade agreement in force with respect to the United States on a sector-by-sector basis, and for other purposes.

10/24/2007--Introduced.

Trade Agreement Assessment Act - Directs the International Trade Commission (ITC) to report periodically to Congress on each free trade agreement in force with respect to the United States, including: (1) its effect on the U.S. economy and on specific U.S. industry sectors; (2) a summary of how each country that is party to such agreement has changed its labor and environmental laws; and (3) whether the agreement is making progress in achieving the objectives of the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002.

Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to reauthorize trade adjustment assistance, to extend trade adjustment assistance to service workers and firms, and for other purposes. 10/31/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Trade and Globalization Assistance Act of 2007 - Title I: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers - Subtitle A: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Service Sector Workers; Expansion of Covered Shifts in Production; Expansion of Downstream Secondary Worker Eligibility - (Sec. 101) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 (the Act) to allow the filing of a petition with the Secretary of Labor for certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by adversely affected workers in a service sector firm or a public agency. Revises group eligibility requirements for TAA to cover: (1) a shift, by such workers' firm or subdivision to a foreign country, of production of articles or in provision of services, like [...]

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Latest Action: 11/01/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Bill Text
To update and expand the procurement programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes. 10/30/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act - Title I: Ensuring Government Contract Opportunities for Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by Service-Disabled Veterans - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) permit agencies to enter into contracts with a small business owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran without first ensuring that there is only one company can perform a contract; and (2) allow contracting officers to decide whether or not to set aside contracts where at least two underutilized business zone (HUBZone) qualified companies could compete for the contract. (Sec. 102) Provides for the assessment of civil penalties against any company that misrepresents itself as a small business owned and controlled by service-disabled [...]

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Latest Action: 10/10/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of s

Bill Text
To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to address the impact of globalization, to reauthorize trade adjustment assistance, to extend trade adjustment assistance to service workers, communities, firms, and farmers, and for other purposes. 10/10/2007--Introduced. Trade Adjustment Assistance Improvement Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to allow the filing of a petition with the Secretary of Labor for certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by adversely affected workers in a service sector firm, its subdivision, or a public agency. Revises group eligibility requirements for TAA to cover: (1) a shift, by a public agency to a foreign country, of production of articles or in provision of services, like or directly competitive with articles which are produced, or services which are provided by the workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency; and (2) instances where the workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency obtains or is likely to obtain [...]

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

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify that qualified personal service corporations may continue to use the cash method of accounting, and for other purposes.

10/4/2007--Introduced.

Qualified Personal Service Corporations Clarification Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the criteria for determining whether a corporation is a qualified personal service corporation. Includes within the definition of qualified personal service corporation a qualifying corporation substantially all of whose stock is held by certain former employees (thus permitting such corporation to use the cash method of accounting).

Latest Action: 09/19/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to extend trade adjustment assistance to certain service workers. 9/19/2007--Introduced. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to allow the filing of a petition with the Secretary of Labor for certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by adversely affected workers in a service sector firm or subdivision. Defines "service sector firm" as an entity engaged in the business of providing information technology or other high technology services. Revises group eligibility requirements for TAA to cover: (1) a shift, by such workers' firm or subdivision to a foreign country, in provision of services, like or directly competitive with services which are provided by such firm or subdivision; and (2) instances where such workers' firm or subdivision obtains or is likely to obtain such services from a foreign country. Provides for the certification for TAA of adversely affected secondary workers in a service [...]

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Latest Action: 06/28/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8694-8695)

Bill Text
A bill to regulate certain State taxation of interstate commerce, and for other purposes.

6/28/2007--Introduced.

Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2007 - Expands the federal prohibition against state taxation of interstate commerce to: (1) include taxation of out-of-state transactions involving all forms of property, including intangible personal property and services (currently, only sales of tangible personal property are protected); and (2) prohibit state taxation of an out-of-state entity unless such entity has a physical presence in the taxing state. Sets forth criteria for determining that a person has a physical presence in a state.

Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Hearing Held by Full Committee Prior to Introduction and Referral (March 13, 2007).

Bill Text
To invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States. 8/9/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) America COMPETES Act or America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act - Title I: Office of Science and Technology Policy; Government-Wide Science - (Sec. 1001) Directs the President to: (1) convene a National Science and Technology Summit to examine the health and direction of the United States' science, technology, engineering, and mathematics enterprises; and (2) issue a report on Summit results. Requires, beginning with the President's budget submission for the fiscal year following the conclusion of the Summit and for each of the following four budget submissions, the analytical perspectives component of the budget that describes the research and development (R&D) priorities to include a description of how those [...]

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