Latest Action: 10/02/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the credit for renewable electricity production to include electricity produced from biomass for on-site use.

10/2/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax credit for producing electricity from closed or open-loop biomass facilities equipped with a metering device to determine electricity consumption or sale to allow a tax credit after 2008 for electricity produced and consumed at such facilities and to extend the credit period for such production.

Latest Action: 10/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10328-10330)

Bill Text
A bill to reduce gas prices by promoting domestic energy production, alternative energy, and conservation, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 09/29/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the phasedown of the credit percentage for the dependent care credit.

9/29/2008--Introduced.

Middle Class Dependent Care Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the mandatory reduction in the rate of the tax credit for household and dependent care services for taxpayers whose adjusted gross incomes exceed $15,000.

Latest Action: 09/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable credit against income tax to assist individuals with high residential energy costs, and for other purposes. 9/24/2008--Introduced. Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief Act of 2008 or the HEATR Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an income-based refundable tax credit for residential energy costs. Limits such credit to the lesser of 33% of such costs or $500.Eliminates for major integrated oil companies: (1) the tax deduction for intangible drilling and development costs in taxable years in which the average price of crude oil is greater than $34.71 per barrel and the average price of natural gas is greater that $4.34 per 1,000 cubic feet; and (2) the tax credit for enhanced oil recovery costs in taxable years in which the average price of crude oil is greater than $34.71 per barrel. Denies such oil companies and certain producers or refiners of crude oil [...]

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Latest Action: 09/24/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the dependent care credit to take into account expenses for care of parents and grandparents who do not live with the taxpayer.

9/24/2008--Introduced.

Elder Care Tax Credit Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the tax credit for dependent care expenses for parents (or ancestors of such parents) of the taxpayer who are physically or mentally incapable of self-care, regardless of whether such a parent has the same principal place of abode as the taxpayer for more than one-half of the taxable year.

Latest Action: 09/24/2008 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7005.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide alternative minimum tax relief for individuals for 2008.

9/24/2008--Passed 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.)

Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2008 for individual taxpayers: (1) the offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits against regular and alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability; and (2) the increased alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption amounts.

Increases the alternative minimum tax (AMT) refundable credit amount for individuals who have long-term unused minimum tax credits from prior taxable years. Abates any underpayment of tax attributable to the application of special AMT rules for the treatment of incentive stock options.

Latest Action: 09/11/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8392)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for the production of energy, to provide transportation and domestic fuel security, and to provide incentives for energy conservation and energy efficiency, and for other purposes. 9/11/2008--Introduced. Energy Independence and Investment Act of 2008 - Amends and extends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to energy production, transportation and domestic fuel security, energy conservation and efficiency, and nuclear power.Extends through 2011 the tax credit for production of electricity from specified renewable resources, including wind energy, biomass, geothermal energy, refined coal, and hydropower. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of such tax credit. Extends through 2016 the energy tax credit for solar, fuel cell, and microturbine property and the tax credit for residential energy efficient property. Allows a new investment tax [...]

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Latest Action: 11/18/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1118 under authority of the order of the Senate of 11/17/2008.

Bill Text
To advance the national security interests of the United States by reducing its dependency on oil through renewable and clean, alternative fuel technologies while building a bridge to the future through expanded access to Federal oil and natural gas resources, revising the relationship between the oil and gas industry and the consumers who own those resources and deserve a fair return from the development of publicly owned oil and gas, ending tax subsidies for large oil and gas companies, and facilitating energy efficiencies in the building, housing, and transportation sectors, and for other purposes. 9/15/2008--Introduced. Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act - Prohibits oil and gas preleasing or leasing of any area of the Outer Continental Shelf that was not available for oil and gas leasing as of July 1, 2008, unless that action is expressly authorized by this Act or a statute enacted by Congress after the date of enactment of this Act. [...]

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Latest Action: 10/07/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to connect and support relative caregivers, improve outcomes for children in foster care, provide for tribal foster care and adoption access, improve incentives for adoption, and for other purposes. 10/7/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.) Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 - Title I: Connecting and Supporting Relative Caregivers - (Sec. 101) Amends part E (Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give state plans the option of providing for the state to enter into agreements to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of children for whom they have: (1) [...]

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Latest Action: 07/28/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7575-7576)

Bill Text
A bill to increase energy assistance for low-income persons, to extend energy tax incentives, and for other purpose. 7/28/2008--Introduced. Energy Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2011 for the home weatherization program. Establishes in the Treasury the Energy Assistance Fund to finance low interest loans for the purchase and installation of energy efficient property, idling reduction devices and advanced insulation for heavy trucks, and alternative refueling stations.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax credit, up to $500, for the cost of replacing a residential wood stove with: (1) a wood-burning stove that complies with current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards; and (2) a pellet or corn-burning stove. Extends the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities through 2009 and the credit for closed and open-loop [...]

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Latest Action: 09/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

Bill Text
To greatly enhance the Nation's path toward energy independence and environmental, energy, economic, and national security, by amending Federal policy to increase the production of domestic energy sources, to dedicate fixed percentages of the royalties received for conservation programs, environmental restoration projects, renewable energy research and development, clean energy technology research and development, increased development of existing energy sources, and energy assistance for those in need, and to share a portion of such royalties with producing States, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Introduced. National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act - Terminates all federal prohibitions on expenditures of funds to conduct natural gas, oil, oil shale, and energy production leasing and preleasing activities for federal lands. Revokes withdrawals of federal submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from leasing for natural gas and oil exploration,[...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit for hurricane mitigation expenditures, and to provide a credit for the increased insurance premiums of certain homeowners as a result of hurricane events.

8/1/2008--Introduced.

Costal [sic] Homeowners Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) 25% of the qualified hurricane mitigation property expenditures incurred by a homeowner in a federally declared hurricane disaster area or in a county located in a state which borders the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, up to $5,000; and (2) 50% of the increases in homeowner insurance premiums in such disaster areas, up to $5,000. Includes within the definition of "qualified hurricane mitigation property expenditures" expenditures to improve the strength of a roof deck attachment, create a secondary water barrier, improve the durability of a roof covering, or protect exterior doors and garages.

Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide adequate benefits for public safety officers injured or killed in the line of duty, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Introduced. First Responders Support Act of 2008 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) increase death and disability benefits for public safety officers; and (2) expand educational benefits for dependents of public safety officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for up to $7,500 of the medical expenses paid or incurred by a public safety officer or a family member for injuries sustained while such officer was performing an official duty.Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to award grants for mental health services or counseling to public safety officers seriously injured in the line of duty and the family members of such officers who are killed [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the commi

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the renewable electricity production credit and to require the Secretary of Labor to establish a program to provide for workforce training and education, at institutions of higher education, in the fields of renewable energy and efficiency, green technology, and sustainable environmental practices. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Renew Through Green Jobs Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the requirement that certain renewable energy production facilities be placed in service before 2009 to qualify for the renewable electricity production credit. Directs the Secretary of Labor to award grants to institutions of higher education for sustainability workforce training and education in industries and practices, such as: (1) alternative energy; (2) green construction, retrofitting, and design; (3) green chemistry, nanotechnology, or technology; (4) water and energy conservation; (5) recycling and waste [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit for the installation of residential wind systems.

7/31/2008--Introduced.

Generating Energy Using Small Turbines Act of 2008 or the GUST Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a residential energy efficiency tax credit for 30% of qualified small wind energy property expenditures. Defines "qualified small wind energy property expenditure" as an expenditure for property which uses a wind turbine to generate electricity for use in a principal residence located in the United States.

Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for clean coal technology, and for other purposes.

7/31/2008--Introduced.

Carbon Reduction Technology Bridge Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) seven-year amortization of mechanical or electronic systems that are installed on a coal-fired electric generation unit after 2007 and that reduce carbon dioxide emissions; (2) a tax credit for the production of electricity using closed-loop biomass co-fired with coal; (3) a tax credit for investment in qualified clean coal electric generation units; (4) a tax credit for investment in carbon dioxide capture, transport, and storage property which is part of a qualified coal-fired electric generation unit; and (5) a tax credit for investment in clean energy coal bonds.

Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a nonrefundable tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums.

7/30/2008--Introduced.

Long-Term Care Family Accessibility Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income-based tax credit for 50% of the first $4,000 of premiums paid for long-term care insurance coverage of a taxpayer or a taxpayer's family member or dependent.

Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to expedite the transfer of ownership of rural multifamily housing projects with loans made or insured under section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949 so that such projects are rehabilitated and preserved for use for affordable housing.

7/30/2008--Introduced.

Section 515 Rural Housing Property Transfer Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) implement administrative and procedural changes to expedite the application approval process for transferring ownership of Section 515 rural multifamily housing projects for which a loan is either made or insured for a project's preservation, continued use restriction, and rehabilitation; and (2) actively facilitate such transfers.

Grants final regulatory authority over such property transfers to the Office of Rental Housing Preservation of the Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture.

Sets forth deadlines for the processing of transfer applications.

Latest Action: 07/29/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7633)

Bill Text
A bill to increase the availability of domestically manufactured passenger cars for intercity passenger rail service, and for other purposes. 7/29/2008--Introduced. Creating American Rolling Stock Act of 2008 or the Train CARS Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to award grants to eligible applicants to purchase or rehabilitate domestically manufactured rolling stock for intercity passenger rail transportation. Prohibits Secretary approval of a grant project without a state rail plan. Sets forth certain Buy American requirements. Directs Amtrak to establish a Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create an Intercity Passenger Rail Rolling Stock Account. Allows a tax credit to a holder of a qualified Amtrak bond issued for projects to purchase or rehabilitate domestically manufactured rolling stock for intercity passenger rail transportation (rail infrastructure investment). Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 07/25/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by investing in clean, renewable, and alternative energy. 7/25/2008--Introduced. New Clean Energy Tax Extenders Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various energy production and conservation provisions.Extends through 2012: (1) the tax credits for producing electricity from certain renewable resources (e.g., for wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower facilities), for residential energy efficient property, and for investment in clean renewable energy bonds; and (2) the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings. Expands the tax credit for production of electricity from renewable resources to include marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource. Extends through 2016 the energy tax credits for solar, fuel cell, and microturbine property and the tax credit for residential energy efficient property. Repeals the dollar per [...]

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Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 43. Record Vote Number: 192. (consideration: CR S7722; text: CR S7722)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. 7/24/2008--Introduced. Jobs, Energy, Families, and Disaster Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various provisions relating to energy production and conservation and to individual and business-related activities.Extends the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities through 2009 and the tax credit for closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation, hydropower, landfill gas, and trash combustion facilities through 2011. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of such tax credit. Extends the energy tax credit for solar energy and the residential energy efficient property tax credit through 2016. Extends the energy tax credits for fuel cell and microturbine property through 2017. Allows a new investment tax credit for combined heat and power system property.[...]

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