Latest Action: 10/13/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-406.

Bill Text
A bill to make improvements in the operation and administration of the Federal courts, and for other purposes. 10/13/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.) Judicial Administration and Technical Amendments Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the federal judicial code to: (1) move Dyer County from the Western Division to the Eastern Division of the Western Judicial District of Tennessee; and (2) make Dyersburg a site where the Court for the Eastern Division shall be held. (Sec. 3) Reduces from 30 days to 10 days the minimum length of time a petit juror must serve on a trial before the court may pay a supplemental attendance fee. (Sec. 4) Changes from a requirement to discretionary the authority of the district court to order any person summoned for jury service who fails to appear as directed to [...]

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

Bill Text
A bill to provide for habeas corpus review for terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Enemy Combatant Detention Review Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to grant the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction of, and make it the exclusive venue for consideration of, all habeas corpus applications by or on behalf of any enemy combatant held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident (covered individual) that are pending on or filed on or after the enactment of this Act. Prescribes related procedures, including restrictions on oral testimony. Stays any such application until all Military Commission proceedings regarding the covered individual have been resolved. Requires release of a covered individual, for whom the District Court grants a writ application and orders release, into the custody of the Secretary of Homeland Security [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To provide for habeas corpus review for terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Enemy Combatant Detention Review Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to grant the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction of, and make it the exclusive venue for consideration of, all habeas corpus applications by or on behalf of any enemy combatant held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident (covered individual) that are pending on or filed on or after the enactment of this Act. Prescribes related procedures, including restrictions on oral testimony. Stays any such application until all Military Commission proceedings regarding the covered individual have been resolved. Requires release of a covered individual, for whom the District Court grants a writ of habeas corpus and orders release, into the custody of the Secretary of Homeland Security [...]

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Latest Action: 07/28/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7576)

Bill Text
A bill to enhance drug trafficking interdiction by creating a Federal felony for operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage.

7/28/2008--Introduced.

Drug Trafficking Interdiction Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for the intentional operation of, or for embarking in, any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality (as defined by federal law) and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country with the intent to evade detection.

Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend or promulgate sentencing guidelines to provide adequate penalties for such offense.

Latest Action: 07/14/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Durbin. With written report No. 110-417.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for financial services and general government 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.) Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of the Treasury - Department of the Treasury Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes appropriations for FY2009 to the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) department-wide systems and capital investments programs; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration; (5) the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; (6) the Financial Management Service; (7) the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau; (8) the U.S. Mint for the U.S.[...]

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Latest Action: 07/28/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

Bill Text
To provide emergency authority to delay or toll judicial proceedings in United States district and circuit courts, and for other purposes. 6/23/2008--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.) Responsive Government Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to authorize the chief judge of a district or court of appeals to delay, toll, or otherwise grant relief from time deadlines applicable to pending civil and criminal cases in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency situation requiring the closure of courts or rendering it impracticable to comply with such deadlines. Grants the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office authority to: (1) waive statutory provisions governing the filing, processing, renewal, and maintenance of patents, trademark registrations, and patent and trademark [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To enhance drug trafficking interdiction by creating a Federal felony relating to operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage. 7/29/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating or embarking in any submersible or semisubmersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating in, or has navigated into, through, or from, waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to evade detection. Grants extraterritorial federal jurisdiction over violations of this Act.Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this Act that a vessel operated at the time of a violation was: [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, relating to equitable relief with respect to a State or private employer, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Improving SCRA and USERRA Protections Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Requires (current law authorizes) the appropriate U.S. district court to use its equity powers in any case in which the court determines it is appropriate, including injunctive relief, to fully vindicate a veteran's employment or reemployment rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) with respect to a state or private employer. (Sec. 3) Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to require an institution of higher education, when a servicemember is ordered to military service and withdraws or takes a leave of absence from such institution, to: (1) provide a credit or refund to the servicemember of tuition and fees paid for the portion of the [...]

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Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 744.

Bill Text
To amend the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--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.) Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act of 2008 - Title I: Amendment to Sherman Act - No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2008 or NOPEC - (Sec. 102) Amends the Sherman Act to make it illegal for any foreign state or instrumentality thereof to act collectively or in combination with any other foreign state or any other person, when such action has a direct, substantial, and reasonably foreseeable effect on the market, supply, price, or distribution of petroleum in the United States, to: (1) limit the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product (petroleum); (2) set or maintain the price of petroleum;[...]

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Latest Action: 04/07/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2638)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the collective bargaining rights and procedures for review of adverse actions of certain employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

4/7/2008--Introduced.

Repeals specified exceptions to rights of certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees to engage in collective bargaining.

Requires a final decision of the VA with respect to the review of an adverse personnel action against a VA employee to be issued not later than 60 days after such action has been appealed. Subjects such decision to judicial review in the appropriate U.S. District Court or, if the decision is made by a labor arbitrator, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Latest Action: 07/21/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy without amendment. With written report No. 110-427. Additional, Minority and Supplemental views filed.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the appointment of additional Federal circuit and district judges, 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 of that version is repeated here.)

Federal Judgeship Act of 2008 - Directs the President to: (1) appoint additional circuit judges for the first, second, third, sixth, eighth, and ninth circuit courts of appeals and temporary judges for the ninth circuit court of appeals; and (2) appoint additional permanent and temporary district judges for districts in specified states.

Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR 3/14/2008 S2149-2150)

Bill Text
A bill to provide for judicial discretion regarding suspensions of student eligibility under section 484(r) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

3/13/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to suspend students' eligibility for assistance under title IV for being convicted of committing controlled substance offenses while in receipt of such assistance only if the convicting courts order such suspension. (Currently, a conviction suffices.)

Latest Action: 03/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.

Bill Text
To limit the discriminatory taxation of oil pipeline property. 3/6/2008--Introduced. Energy Infrastructure Tax Fairness Act - Describes the following as acts that unreasonably burden and discriminate against interstate commerce, and prohibits states, political subdivisions, and any other taxing authority from: (1) assessing oil pipeline property at a value that has a higher ratio to its true market value than the ratio used to assess other commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction; (2) levying or collecting a tax on such an assessment; (3) levying or collecting an ad valorem property tax on oil pipeline property at a rate that exceeds the rate applicable to commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction; or (4) imposing any other tax that discriminates against oil pipeline property providing interstate transportation of oil, refined petroleum products, or other hazardous liquids and subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal [...]

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Latest Action: 02/06/2008 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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 committee concerned.

Bill Text
To amend title 28, United States Code, to grant to the House of Representatives the authority to bring a civil action to enforce, secure a declaratory judgment concerning the validity of, or prevent a threatened refusal or failure to comply with any subpoena or order issued by the House or any committee or subcommittee of the House to secure the production of documents, the answering of any deposition or interrogatory, or the securing of testimony, and for other purposes. 2/6/2008--Introduced. Contempt of the House of Representatives Subpoena Authority Act of 2008 - Grants the U.S. district court for the District of Columbia original jurisdiction over any civil action brought by the House of Representatives (or any authorized committee or subcommittee) to enforce, to secure a declaratory judgment concerning the validity of, or to prevent a threatened refusal or failure to comply with, any subpoena or order issued by it to any entity acting or purporting to act under color [...]

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Latest Action: 02/04/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.

Bill Text
To require the Attorney General to issue guidelines delineating when to enter into deferred prosecution agreements, to require judicial sanction of deferred prosecution agreements, and to provide for Federal monitors to oversee deferred prosecution agreements. 1/22/2008--Introduced. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines delineating when U.S. attorneys should enter into deferred prosecution agreements, including appropriate factors for U.S. Attorneys to consider in determining whether to enter such agreements. Requires a deferred prosecution agreement to be approved by a U.S. district court judge or a U.S. magistrate judge in the U.S. district court where criminal charges would be prosecuted by a U.S. attorney. Requires oversight of a deferred prosecution agreement by a federal monitor appointed by an independent third party (a U. S. district court judge or a U.S. magistrate judge) from a pool of pre-qualified firms or individuals (or both). Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-297.

Bill Text
To approve, ratify, and confirm the settlement agreement entered into to resolve claims by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians relating to alleged interferences with the water resources of the Tribe, to authorize and direct the Secretary of the Interior to execute and perform the Settlement Agreement and related waivers, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Public Law.    (There is 1 other summary) Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Settlement Act - Approves, ratifies, and confirms the Settlement Agreement dated June 7, 2006, between the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians (Tribe) and certain water districts in California relating to the water rights of such Tribe.Establishes in the Treasury: (1) the San Jacinto Basin Restoration Fund to pay costs associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the basin recharge project for accommodating supplemental imported water deliveries; and (2) the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Water Development Fund [...]

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Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to provide immigration reform by securing America's borders, clarifying and enforcing existing laws, and enabling a practical verification program. 11/15/2007--Introduced. Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2007 or SAVE Act of 2007 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) increases in Border Patrol and investigative personnel; (2) recruitment of former military personnel; (3) use of Department of Defense (DOD) equipment; (4) infrastructure improvements; (5) aerial and other surveillance; (5) a national strategy to secure the borders; (6) emergency deployment of Border Patrol agents; and (7) expansion of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism along the northern and southern borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act and specified maritime law sections to revise alien smuggling provisions. Sets forth provisions respecting border security on certain federal lands [...]

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Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to provide immigration reform by securing America's borders, clarifying and enforcing existing laws, and enabling a practical employer verification program. 11/15/2007--Introduced. Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2007 or SAVE Act of 2007 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) increases in Border Patrol and investigative personnel; (2) recruitment of former military personnel; (3) use of Department of Defense (DOD) equipment; (4) infrastructure improvements; (5) aerial and other surveillance; (5) a national strategy to secure the borders; (6) emergency deployment of Border Patrol agents; and (7) expansion of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism along the northern and southern borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act and specified maritime law sections to revise alien smuggling provisions. Sets forth provisions respecting border security on certain federal [...]

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Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

Bill Text
To amend title 28, United States Code, to provide for an additional judgeship for the western district of Michigan.

11/14/2007--Introduced.

Amends the federal judicial code to provide for an additional judgeship for the western district of Michigan, increasing the number of judgeships from four to five.

Latest Action: 11/14/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S14401)

Bill Text
A bill to increase the annual salaries of justices and judges of the United States, and to increase fees for bankruptcy trustees.

11/14/2007--Introduced.

Fair Judicial Compensation Act of 2007 - Increases by 16.5% the annual salaries of the Chief Justice of the United States, associate justices of the Supreme Court, U.S. circuit judges, U.S. district judges, and judges of the United States Court of International Trade.

Amends the federal bankruptcy code to increase fees for bankruptcy trustees.

Latest Action: 11/13/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to prohibit States from carrying out more than one Congressional redistricting after a decennial census and apportionment, to require States to conduct such redistricting through independent commissions, and for other purposes. 11/13/2007--Introduced. Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act of 2007 - Prohibits a state that has been redistricted after an apportionment from being redistricted again until after the next apportionment of Representatives, unless the state is ordered by a court to conduct such a subsequent redistricting in order to: (1) comply with the U.S. Constitution; or (2) enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965.Requires such redistricting to be conducted through a plan developed by the independent redistricting commission established in the state, or if such plan is not enacted into law, the redistricting plan selected by the state's highest court or developed by a U.S. district court.Prescribes requirements for: (1) establishment [...]

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Latest Action: 11/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the collective bargaining rights and procedures for review of adverse actions of certain employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

11/6/2007--Introduced.

Repeals specified exceptions to rights of certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees to engage in collective bargaining.

Requires a final decision of the VA with respect to the review of an adverse personnel action against a VA employee to be issued not later than 60 days after such action has been appealed. Subjects such decision to judicial review in the appropriate U.S. District Court or, if the decision is made by a labor arbitrator, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Latest Action: 03/11/2008 - Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Mrs. Drake. Petition No: 110-5. (Discharge petition text with signatures.)

Bill Text
To provide immigration reform by securing America's borders, clarifying and enforcing existing laws, and enabling a practical employer verification program. 11/6/2007--Introduced. Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2007 or SAVE Act of 2007 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) increases in Border Patrol and investigative personnel; (2) recruitment of former military personnel; (3) use of Department of Defense (DOD) equipment; (4) infrastructure improvements; (5) aerial and other surveillance; (5) a national strategy to secure the borders; (6) emergency deployment of Border Patrol agents; and (7) expansion of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism along the northern and southern borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act and specified maritime law sections to revise alien smuggling provisions. Sets forth provisions respecting border security on certain federal lands [...]

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Latest Action: 10/31/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the collective bargaining rights and procedures for review of adverse actions of certain employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

10/31/2007--Introduced.

Repeals specified exceptions to rights of certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees to engage in collective bargaining.

Requires a final decision of the (VA) with respect to the review of an adverse personnel action against a (VA) employee to be issued not later than 60 days after such action has been appealed. Subjects such decision to judicial review in the appropriate U.S. District Court or, if the decision is made by a labor arbitrator, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

Bill Text
To amend title 28, United States Code, to change the composition of the northern and central districts of Illinois.

10/30/2007--Introduced.

Amends the federal judicial code to change the composition of the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois.

Removes Whiteside County from the Western Division of the Northern District and places it in the Central District.

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. 110-362.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating Green McAdoo School in Clinton, Tennessee, as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

6/16/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Green McAdoo School National Historic Site Study Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a a special resource study of the site of Green McAdoo School in Clinton, Tennessee, so as to evaluate the national significance of the site and the suitability and feasibility of designating it as a unit of the National Park System.

Requires such study to: (1) include cost estimates for any necessary acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of the site; and (2) identify alternatives for the management, administration, and protection of the site.

Latest Action: 01/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

Bill Text
To ensure that the courts of the United States may provide an impartial forum for claims brought by United States citizens and others against any railroad organized as a separate legal entity, arising from the deportation of United States citizens and others to Nazi concentration camps on trains owned or operated by such railroad, and by the heirs and survivors of such persons. 10/1/2007--Introduced. Grants U.S. district courts original jurisdiction over any civil action for damages for personal injury or death that: (1) arose from the deportation of persons to Nazi concentration camps between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1944; and (2) is brought by or on behalf of such person against a railroad that owned or operated the trains on which the persons were deported and that was organized as a separate legal entity.Provides that: (1) no law limiting the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts shall preclude any such action; and (2) no such action shall be barred because a [...]

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