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

Bill Text
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: 11/18/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1124 under authority of the order of the Senate of 11/17/2008.

Bill Text
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. 9/26/2008--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.) Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008 - Title I: Infrastructure Investments - Chapter I: Transportation - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 for infrastructure investments to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for: (1) the Federal Aviation Administration, grants-in-aid for airports; (2) Federal Highway Administration, highway infrastructure investment; (3) Federal Railroad Administration, capital and debt service grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK); (4) Federal Transit Administration,[...]

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Latest Action: 07/14/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Murray. With written report No. 110-418.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/14/2008--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.) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of Transportation - Makes appropriations for FY2009 to the Department of Transportation (DOT), including: (1) the Office of the Secretary; (2) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); (3) the Federal Highway Administration; (4) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; (5) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); (6) the Federal Railroad Administration; (7) the Federal Transit Administration [...]

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Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5594-5595)

Bill Text
A bill to stimulate the economy by encouraging energy efficiency, infrastructure and workforce investment, and homeownership retention, and by amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide certain business tax relief and incentives, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Economic Recovery Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax credit for up to $500 of the cost of replacing wood stoves in residences with stoves that meet certain energy efficiency standards; (2) extend through 2011 the tax credit for producing electricity from certain renewable resources; (3) extend through 2012 the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures; (4) increase and make permanent the expensing allowance for depreciable business property; (5) extend through 2009 the accelerated depreciation of qualified restaurant property; and (6) allow a tax credit for investment in Build America bonds.Amends the Energy Conservation and Production [...]

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Latest Action: 05/19/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to protect the interests of bona fide tenants in the case of any foreclosure on any dwelling or residential real property, and for other purposes. 5/19/2008--Introduced. Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2008 - States that any immediate successor in interest to residential property in foreclosure assumes such interest subject to: (1) giving the existing bona fide tenant at least 90-day notice to vacate; and (2) specified rights of such tenant to occupy the premises until the end of the remaining term of the lease. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require a housing assistance payment contract to provide that in the case of an owner who is an immediate successor in interest pursuant to foreclosure: (1) during the initial term of the lease vacating the property prior to sale shall not constitute other good cause for termination of the lease; but (2) in subsequent lease terms, vacating the property prior to sale may constitute good cause if [...]

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Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To prohibit the purchase or lease of housing acquired using Federal loan or grant funds appropriated for the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed housing under the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 by any individual convicted under Federal or State law of a drug-dealing offense, a sex offense, or mortgage fraud.

5/12/2008--Introduced.

Prohibits any individual from purchasing or leasing any housing (or any dwelling unit in housing) acquired using federal loan or grant funds Congress appropriates for the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed housing under the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008, if he or she has been convicted under federal or state law of a felony drug-dealing offense (within the five-year period preceding the purchase or lease transaction date), a sex offense, or mortgage fraud.

Latest Action: 05/07/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance housing loan authorities for veterans and to otherwise assist veterans and members of the Armed Forces in avoiding the foreclosure of their homes, and for other purposes. 5/7/2008--Introduced. Armed Forces Housing Security Act - Increases the maximum loan guaranty amount for certain veterans' housing loans guaranteed through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to review and streamline the process for guaranteeing veterans' home loans for the purchase of condominiums. Repeals the veterans' home loan fee. Authorizes the Secretary to provide loans to veterans to refinance loans of up to 100% (currently 90%) of the value of the dwelling or farm residence securing the loan. Allows the VA to guarantee refinanced loans not previously guaranteed by the VA. Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend from 90 days to one year after completion of [...]

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Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide a one-year period of protection against mortgage foreclosures for certain disabled or severely injured servicemembers, and for other purposes. 5/6/2008--Introduced. Disabled Veterans Home Ownership Preservation Act of 2008 - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend the period of protection against mortgage sales, foreclosures, or seizures of property to: (1) the period of service and one year following service in the case of servicemembers with a service-related serious injury or illness; and (2) the period of service and for 30 days after final adjudication of a disability compensation claim in the case of such servicemembers and others who file such a claim. (Current law provides protection for all servicemembers for the period of service and the following 90 days, subject to exception.) Defines "serious injury or illness" as an injury or illness incurred by the servicemember in line [...]

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Latest Action: 05/05/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To target housing counseling funding based upon levels of residential mortgage foreclosures and delinquencies.

5/5/2008--Introduced.

Declares that funds appropriated in 2008 for housing counseling related to loss mitigation should be targeted to states and communities based on their levels of foreclosures and delinquencies in 2007 and in 2008.

Latest Action: 05/05/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To protect the interests of bona fide tenants in the case of any foreclosure on any dwelling or residential real property, and for other purposes. 5/5/2008--Introduced. Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2008 - States that any immediate successor in interest to residential property in foreclosure assumes such interest subject to: (1) giving the existing bona fide tenant at least 90-day notice to vacate; and (2) specified rights of such tenant to occupy the premises until the end of the remaining term of the lease. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require a housing assistance payment contract to provide that in the case of an owner who is an immediate successor in interest pursuant to foreclosure: (1) during the initial term of the lease vacating the property prior to sale shall not constitute other good cause for termination of the lease; but (2) in subsequent lease terms, vacating the property prior to sale may constitute good cause if the property [...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To provide funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for housing-related assistance needed to prevent homelessness of families in connection with foreclosures on their residences. 4/24/2008--Introduced. Emergency Housing Assistance Act of 2008 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for grants under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Allows only up to 3.5% of such funds to be used for administrative costs. Limits the use of grants to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board under this Act, and any monies received by any private nonprofit organization or local government from the National Board from such amounts, solely for housing-related assistance needed to prevent homelessness in connection with the foreclosure on a dwelling occupied by an eligible family. Specifies among the uses of such assistance relocation expenses, security and utility deposits,[...]

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Latest Action: 04/23/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3306-3307)

Bill Text
A bill to encourage residential mortgage loan modifications and workout plans, and for other purposes. 4/23/2008--Introduced. Encouraging Mortgage Modifications Act of 2008 - Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to set forth duties of mortgage servicers regarding certain loan modifications or workout plans that affect pooled qualified residential mortgages. Specifies among such duties the duty to: (1) determine if the net present value of the payments on the modified loan is likely to be greater than the anticipated net recovery that would result from foreclosure to all investors and parties having a direct or indirect interest in the pooled loans or securitization vehicle; and (2) act in the best interests of all such investors and parties, if the servicer agrees to or implements a qualified loan modification or workout plan for a qualified residential mortgage, or takes other reasonable loss mitigation actions, including accepting partial payments [...]

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Latest Action: 05/23/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To establish licensing and registration requirements for residential mortgage originators, improve mortgage disclosures, create an Office of Housing Counseling, to provide incentives to facilitate loan modifications, reform the regulation of the Government Sponsored Enterprises, modernize the Federal Housing Administration, improve home ownership for veterans, reform appraisal activities, and combat mortgage fraud, and for other purposes. 4/22/2008--Introduced. Homeownership Protection and Housing Market Stabilization Act of 2008 - Sets forth a licensing and registry system for residential mortgage loan originators. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require additional creditor disclosures on residential mortgage loans. Expand and Preserve Home Ownership Through Counseling Act - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish the Office of Housing Counseling in the Office of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Amends [...]

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Latest Action: 04/21/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3208)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to maintain eligibility, for Federal PLUS loans, of borrowers who are 90 or more days delinquent on mortgage loan payments, or for whom foreclosure proceedings have been initiated, with respect to their primary residence.

4/21/2008--Introduced.

PLUS Loan Borrower Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, with respect to eligibility for a PLUS Federal Family Education Loan, to specify an extenuating circumstance for purposes of determining if a borrower has an adverse credit history on the basis of a mortgage loan delinquency or foreclosure.

Declares that an extenuating circumstance exists if, at any time from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2112, the borrower is 90 or more days delinquent on mortgage loan payments, or foreclosure proceedings have been initiated, with respect to the borrower's primary residence.

Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3160)

Bill Text
A bill to protect the property and security of homeowners who are subject to foreclosure proceedings, and for other purposes. 4/17/2008--Introduced. Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Act of 2008 - Prohibits a foreclosure consultant from: (1) receiving compensation from a homeowner for services performed regarding residential real property until such consultant has fully performed each service contracted for; (2) holding power of attorney from any homeowner, except to inspect documents; (3) receiving consideration from a third party in connection with services rendered to a homeowner by such third party with respect to the foreclosure, unless such consideration is fully disclosed in writing before such services are rendered; (4) accepting any wage assignment, lien, or other security to secure compensation for services rendered regarding foreclosure of the residential real property; or (5) acquiring any interest in the residence of a homeowner with whom the consultant has contracted.[...]

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Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To establish a program to provide grants to help homeowners who are facing foreclosure to receive professional counseling.

4/17/2008--Introduced.

Foreclosure Counseling Assistance Act of 2008 - Directs the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NRC) to make grants to qualified counseling intermediaries and qualified legal organizations to provide legal assistance to homeowners of owner-occupied homes with mortgages in default, in danger of default, or subject to or at risk of foreclosure.

Requires the NRC to give priority to qualified counseling intermediaries and qualified legal organizations that: (1) provide legal assistance in the 100 metropolitan statistical areas with the highest home foreclosure rates; and (2) have the capacity to begin using the grant funds within 90 days after receipt of the funds.

Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To require the Secretary of Defense to establish a mortgage foreclosure counseling program for members of the Armed Forces returning from service abroad.

4/16/2008--Introduced.

Veterans Mortgage Education Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a program to advise members of the Armed Forces who are returning from active duty abroad on actions to prevent or forestall mortgage foreclosures, including credit counseling and home mortgage counseling.

Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to waive the 10 percent penalty on withdrawals from qualified retirement plans upon receipt of notice of foreclosure on a principal residence.

4/16/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a taxpayer from the 10% penalty on premature withdrawals from tax-exempt retirement plans if such taxpayer received a foreclosure notice relating to a mortgage on a principal residence and makes a withdrawal from a retirement account after July 31, 2007, and before January 1, 2011.

Latest Action: 04/15/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.

Bill Text
To provide funding for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation for mortgage foreclosure mitigation activities.

4/15/2008--Introduced.

Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation for specified mortgage foreclosure mitigation (namely housing counseling) activities.

Latest Action: 05/05/2008 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 110-619.

Bill Text
To create a voluntary FHA program that provides mortgage refinancing assistance to allow families to stay in their homes, protect neighborhoods, and help stabilize the housing market. 5/5/2008--Reported to House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention Act of 2008 - Title I: Homeownership Retention - (Sec. 102) Amends the National Housing Act (NHA) to create the Refinance Program Oversight Board, which shall establish and oversee a program for insuring homeownership retention mortgages. Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to insure any homeownership retention mortgage covering a one- to four-family residence made to pay or prepay outstanding obligations under an existing mortgage on the residence. Sets forth mortgagor eligibility criteria, including mortgagor certification that: (1) the residence is the only residence in which the mortgagor has any present [...]

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Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make loans to States to acquire foreclosed housing and to make grants to States for related costs. 5/8/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants and loans to qualified states, metropolitan cities, and urban counties, in accordance with HUD-approved plans, to carry out eligible housing stimulus activities. Requires such program to be administered through HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development (or any successor office responsible for administering the community development block grant program under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974). (Sec. 4) Specifies the contents of a grant or loan applicant's plan, which must be submitted for the Secretary's approval. Requires a plan, among other things, to give priority [...]

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