Latest Action: 11/19/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10607)

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A bill making supplemental appropriations for job creation and preservation, infrastructure investment, and economic and energy assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

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To require, as a condition of participation in the programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, public institutions of higher education to charge dependent children of members of the Armed Forces a rate of tuition equal to the rate of tuition charged to in-State residents.

9/25/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require public institutions of higher education participating in student aid programs to charge dependent children of members of the Armed Forces a tuition rate equal to the rate for in-state residents.

Applies such tuition rate throughout the program of study for which a student is enrolled, even if the student's parent becomes a former member of the Armed Forces before the completion of studies.

Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

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To make technical corrections in the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008. 9/25/2008--Introduced. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make technical corrections to the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008. Clarifies the Secretary of Education's authority to purchase, or enter into and fund forward commitments to purchase, until July 2010, Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) from lenders when there is an inadequate availability of loan capital to meet the demand for such loans. Includes, within such purchase authority, FFELs that qualify for loan rehabilitation under the Default Reduction program. Conditions the Secretary's purchase or forward commitment to purchase FFELs on lender agreement to originate or purchase new FFELs. (Currently, they are required to use the funds from such purchases to engage in such activities.) Requires the Secretary to contract with the current servicers of FFELs the Secretary [...]

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

Bill Text
To extend the authority of the Secretary of Education to purchase guaranteed student loans for an additional year, 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 summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend by one year, from July 2009 to July 2010, the Secretary of Education's authority to purchase, or enter into forward commitments to purchase, Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) from lenders upon the determination that there is an inadequate availability of loan capital to meet the demand for such loans. Extends by one year, from June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2010, the authority of institutions of higher education (IHEs), with the Secretary's approval, to participate in the FFEL lender-of-last-resort program for borrowers otherwise unable to obtain such loans; thereby requiring guaranty [...]

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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.

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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: 09/11/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To deny certain Federal funds to any institution of higher education that admits as students aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States.

9/11/2008--Introduced.

Secure Education for Americans Today Act of 2008 or the SEAT Act of 2008 - Prohibits the provision of federal funds to institutions of higher education that admit illegal aliens.

Prohibits such provision from being construed as denying federal student assistance to students attending such schools.

Latest Action: 09/12/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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To authorize major medical facility projects and major medical facility leases for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2009, to extend certain authorities of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 9/11/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) Veterans' Programs Extension and Construction Authorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Authorization of Medical Facility Projects and Major Medical Facility Leases - (Sec. 101) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out major medical facility projects (projects) in FY2009 in: (1) Palo Alto, California; (2) San Antonio, Texas; and (3) San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Sec. 102) Amends the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 to: (1) increase amounts authorized for projects at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Denver, Colorado; and (2) repeal the authority for [...]

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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: 07/31/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To provide for nondiscrimination by eligible lenders in the Robert T. Stafford Federal Student Loan Program.

7/31/2008--Introduced.

Preventing Student Loan Discrimination Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit lenders under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program from receiving special allowance payments (made to such lenders to compensate them for the difference between FFEL interest rates and market rates) if they deny FFELs to eligible borrowers because of their education program length or attendance at a particular school participating in the FFEL program.

Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Bill Text
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide loan guarantees for projects to construct renewable fuel pipelines, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Renewable Fuel Pipelines Act of 2008 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to allow federally-guaranteed loans for renewable fuel pipeline construction without regard to whether an appropriation for the cost has been made. Includes ethanol and biodiesel as renewable fuel.Allows a maximum guarantee by the Secretary of Energy of 90% of the project cost and more than one guarantee for a project (as long as the total guaranteed amount does not exceed 90%).Sets forth factors to be considered in guarantee determinations, including volume and quality of fuel, size of markets served, experience of the entity working with renewable fuel, and associated storage, production, and terminal facilities.Expresses the sense of Congress concerning appropriations for such guarantees.Directs the Secretary [...]

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Latest Action: 09/04/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to repay Federal educational loans of officers of the United States Marine Corps who were commissioned on or after September 11, 2001.

7/29/2008--Introduced.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to pay the balance on any federal educational loan of an officer of the Marine Corps who was commissioned on or after September 11, 2001, and is not in default on such loan.

Latest Action: 07/26/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7528-7530)

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A bill to improve access to technology by and increase entrepreneurship among small businesses located in rural communities, and for other purposes. 7/26/2008--Introduced. Rural Small Business Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to reduce state matching funds requirements for participation in the Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Revises the SBA's Rural Outreach program (a program to increase states' participation in the SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer [STTR] programs) to: (1) make eligible for program awards states whose total value of SBIR and STTR contracts awarded during FY2004 was less than $10 million and will match federal funding on a 50% basis; (2) reauthorize the program for FY2009-FY2020; and (3) require award funds to be used to increase state participation in the SBIR and STTR programs. Requires a report [...]

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Latest Action: 09/23/2008 - Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize and improve the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999. 7/26/2008--Introduced. Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 (FFAMIA) to repeal its termination date (thus extending it indefinitely). Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to establish and maintain a public website that serves as a central point of information and access for for federal grant applicants, including grant: (1) announcements; (2) statements of eligibility; (3) application requirements; (4) purposes; (5) federal agency providers; and (6) deadlines for applying and awarding. Requires the website to allow grant applicants to apply for grants on it, among other uses. Amends the Act to require OMB to report to Congress on: (1) the implementation of FFAMIA; and (2) a specified strategic plan specifying federal financial [...]

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Latest Action: 09/08/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 945.

Bill Text
Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 8/1/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of Defense - Appropriates funds for FY2009 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force (military departments), DOD, the Army and Air National Guard, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing construction and related operation and maintenance for the military departments and DOD; (4) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (5) the Homeowners Assistance Fund; (6) chemical demilitarization construction; and (7) the Department of Defense [...]

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Latest Action: 07/21/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Kohl. With written report No. 110-426.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/21/2008--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.) Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Agricultural Programs - Appropriates FY2009 funds for the following Department of Agriculture (Department) programs and services: (1) Office of the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary); (2) Office of the Chief Economist; (3) National Appeals Division; (4) Office of Budget and Program Analysis; (5) Office of Homeland Security; (6) Office of the Chief Information Officer; (7) Office of the Chief Financial Officer;[...]

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Latest Action: 07/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

Bill Text
To provide incentives for the reduction of green house gases. 7/17/2008--Introduced. Incentivizing Renewable Energy Production Act of 2008 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to allow loan guarantees for closed-loop ethanol plants. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax credit for the production of livestock-derived renewable energy; (2) allow an increased tax credit for research expenses relating to any clean-burning fuel and closed-loop system (including any anaerobic digester); (3) allow a tax credit for the production of biomaterials from certain renewable resources; and (4) increase the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures.Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to: (1) require the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to support development in biofuel technologies; and (2) authorize appropriations through FY2019 for the grant program for the production of advanced biofuels.Directs [...]

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