Latest Action: 10/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Consumer Product Safety Act to require residential carbon monoxide detectors to meet the applicable ANSI/UL standard by treating that standard as a consumer product safety rule, to encourage States to require the installation of such detectors in homes, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 09/29/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10074-10075)

Bill Text
A bill to improve research on health hazards in housing, to enhance the capacity of programs to reduce such hazards, to require outreach, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 09/29/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to provide for country of origin labeling for dairy products.
Latest Action: 07/23/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to prohibit the distribution or sale of video games that do not have age-based content rating labels, to prohibit the sale or rental of video games with adult content ratings to minors, and for other purposes. 7/23/2008--Introduced. Video Game Rating Enforcement Act of 2008 - Prohibits shipping or distributing in interstate commerce, selling, or renting a video game the outside packaging of which does not contain an age-based content rating determined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to require all retail establishments that sell video games to display information about the ESRB content rating system. Prohibits any person from selling or renting video games containing the ESRB content rating of : (1) "adults only" to any person under the age of 18; or (2) "mature" to any person under the age of 17. Treats violations of such requirements and prohibitions as an unfair [...]

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Latest Action: 07/22/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7017-7018)

Bill Text
A bill to require automobile manufacturers to ensure that not less than 80 percent of the automobiles manufactured or sold in the United States by each manufacturer to operate on fuel mixtures containing 85 percent ethanol, 85 percent methanol, or biodiesel. 7/22/2008--Introduced. Open Fuel Standard Act of 2008 or the OFS Act - Amends federal transportation law to require each light-duty automobile manufacturer's annual inventory to comprise at least: (1) 50% fuel choice-enabling automobiles in years 2012-2014; and (2) 80% fuel choice-enabling automobiles in 2015, and in each subsequent year. Defines "fuel choice-enabling automobile" as: (1) a flexible fuel automobile capable of operating on gasoline, E85, and M85; or (2) an automobile capable of operating on biodiesel fuel. Authorizes a manufacturer to request an exemption from such requirement from the Secretary of Transportation. Requires: (1) each manufacturer that receives an exemption to [...]

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Latest Action: 07/22/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To require automobile manufacturers to ensure that not less that 80 percent of the automobiles manufactured or sold in the United States by each such manufacturer to operate on fuel mixtures containing 85 percent ethanol, 85 percent methanol, or biodiesel. 7/22/2008--Introduced. Open Fuel Standard Act of 2008 or the OFS Act - Amends federal transportation law to require each light-duty automobile manufacturer's annual inventory to comprise at least: (1) 50% fuel choice-enabling automobiles in years 2012-2014; and (2) 80% fuel choice-enabling automobiles in 2015, and in each subsequent year. Defines "fuel choice-enabling automobile" as: (1) a flexible fuel automobile capable of operating on gasoline, E85, and M85; or (2) an automobile capable of operating on biodiesel fuel. Authorizes a manufacturer to request an exemption from such requirement from the Secretary of Transportation. Requires: (1) each manufacturer that receives an exemption to [...]

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Latest Action: 07/15/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Egg Products Inspection Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for improved public health and food safety through enhanced enforcement, and for other purposes. 7/15/2008--Introduced. Safe and Fair Enforcement and Recall for Meat, Poultry and Food Act of 2008 or SAFER Meat, Poultry and Food Act of 2008- Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Egg Products Inspection Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) require a person, other than a household consumer, who has reason to believe meat, poultry, eggs, or food products to be adulterated or misbranded to so notify the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as appropriate; (2) provide the Secretary of Agriculture with authority for voluntary (by transporters, shippers, distributors, and handlers) and mandatory (upon the failure [...]

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Latest Action: 06/27/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 855.

Bill Text
A bill to designate certain land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes. 6/26/2008--Introduced. Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2008 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture concerning, among other things, national wilderness preservation, boundary adjustments, national rivers, the national landscape conservation system, national conservation areas, land conveyances and exchanges, watershed management, watershed restoration and enhancement, wildland firefighter safety, forest landscape restoration, national trails, paleontological resources preservation, national parks, studies, national heritage areas, national heritage corridors, and water projects.Makes amendments to various public laws, including the Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984,[...]

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Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To provide for a green building certification program as part of the Energy Star program.

6/12/2008--Introduced.

Requires the Secretary of Energy to: (1) expand the Energy Star program to include the certification of buildings as green buildings; and (2) study and make recommendations concerning the streamlining of the certification process, development of an online certification program, and design of a program allowing certification by those without green building expertise.

Defines "green building" as a building constructed taking into account sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality, life-cycle concerns of building materials (including emissions and environmental impact), and transit and density-oriented development.

Requires a report to Congress setting forth the design of the expanded program.

Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Bill Text
To require ratings label on video games and to prohibit the sales and rentals of adult-rated video games to minors.

5/7/2008--Introduced.

Video Games Ratings Enforcement Act - Prohibits shipping or distributing in interstate commerce, selling, or renting a video game the outside packaging of which does not display a label containing an age-based content rating determined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).

Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to require all retail establishments that sell video games to display information about the ESRB content rating system.

Prohibits any person from selling or renting video games containing the ESRB content rating of : (1) "adults only" to any person under the age of 18; or (2) "mature" to any person under the age of 17.

Treats violations of such requirements and prohibitions as an unfair or deceptive act or practice subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation.

Latest Action: 11/19/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

Bill Text
To improve the protections afforded under Federal law to consumers from contaminated seafood by directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program, in coordination with other appropriate Federal agencies, to strengthen activities for ensuring that seafood sold or offered for sale to the public in or affecting interstate commerce is fit for human consumption. 5/1/2008--Introduced. Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to establish a program to strengthen federal activities for ensuring that commercially distributed seafood meets federal food quality and safety requirements. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement to strengthen cooperation on seafood safety, including regarding testing, inspections of foreign facilities, technical assistance of foreign facilities, establishing a distribution chain tracking system, and labeling. Directs the Secretary [...]

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Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight Discharged.

Bill Text
To require certain Federal agencies to use iron and steel produced in the United States in carrying out projects for the construction, alteration, or repair of a public building or public work, and for other purposes. 4/30/2008--Introduced. American Steel First Act of 2008 - Prohibits heads of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Transportation (DOT) from obligating or expending funds or providing financial assistance for projects for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron and steel used in such project is produced in the United States.Waives such prohibition in cases where: (1) the prohibition would be inconsistent with the public interest; (2) iron and steel are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities of a satisfactory quality; or (3) inclusion of iron and steel produced in the United States [...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to ensure the safety of seafood and seafood products being imported into the United States. 4/24/2008--Introduced. Imported Seafood Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) issue an order refusing admission into the United States of all imports of seafood or seafood products originating from a country or exporter which the Secretary determines do not meet food safety requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or which are not likely to meet food safety requirements of any other federal law; and (2) notify all U.S. ports of entry of such refusal within five days. Requires shipments denied admission to be clearly marked "Refused Entry by the United States Government." Requires the importer of such a rejected shipment headed for its country of origin to notify the appropriate authority of such country of the reasons admission was refused before the shipment may be released to the importer.[...]

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Latest Action: 09/17/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-469.

Bill Text
A bill to establish uniform administrative and enforcement procedures and penalties for the enforcement of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and similar statutes, and for other purposes. 4/24/2008--Introduced. International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to enforce specified laws concerning fisheries and fish products, including the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975, the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, and any other similar law designated by the Secretary. Sets civil and criminal penalties for violations. Revises specified Acts regarding one or more of the following: (1) enforcement of those Acts under this Act; (2) false labeling or identification of fish or fish products;[...]

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Latest Action: 11/19/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

Bill Text
To improve the protections afforded under Federal law to consumers from contaminated seafood by directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program, in coordination with other appropriate Federal agencies, to strengthen activities for ensuring that seafood sold or offered for sale to the public in or affecting interstate commerce is fit for human consumption. 4/9/2008--Introduced. Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to establish a program to strengthen federal activities for ensuring that commercially distributed seafood meets federal food quality and safety requirements. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement to strengthen cooperation on seafood safety, including regarding testing, inspections of foreign facilities, technical assistance of foreign facilities, establishing a distribution chain tracking system, and labeling. Directs the Secretary [...]

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Latest Action: 04/04/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Bill Text
To provide for infant crib safety, and for other purposes. 4/3/2008--Introduced. Infant Crib Safety Act - Amends the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to make it unlawful for any commercial user to manufacture, sell, or otherwise place in the stream of commerce any full-size or nonfull-size crib which was made before 1999, does not conform to the standards of this Act, or has any missing, loose, or broken components. Makes it unlawful for any hotel, motel, or similar lodging facility to offer or provide such a crib. Considers to be a banned hazardous product under the Consumer Product Safety Act any crib which does not conform to specified regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations and standards of the American Society for Testing Materials, unless labeled as not intended to be used for, and dangerous to, an infant. Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to begin a rulemaking to include the requirements of the American Society for [...]

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Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and title 18, United States Code, to deter the smuggling of tobacco products into the United States, and for other purposes. 4/3/2008--Introduced. Smuggled Tobacco Prevention Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require manufacturers and importers of tobacco products to legibly print a unique serial number on all packages of tobacco products manufactured or imported for sale or distribution. Imposes marking requirements for exports of tobacco products. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to require additional secure methods of identification or marking of tobacco products. Requires the Secretary to prescribe a system of tobacco tax stamps, meter impressions, or other tax-payment indicia for tobacco products. Requires tobacco products sold on Indian reservations to be visibly and prominently labeled as such.Prohibits the export of tobacco products without the posting of a bond with the Secretary. Extends [...]

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Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR 3/14/2008 S2159)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the food labeling requirements of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 to enable customers to make informed choices about the nutritional content of standard menu items in large chain restaurants. 3/13/2008--Introduced. Howard M. Metzenbaum Menu Education and Labeling Act or the MEAL Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to require restaurants that are a part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same trade name to disclose: (1) in a statement adjacent to each menu item, the number of calories, grams of saturated fat plus trans fat, and milligrams of sodium in a standard food serving; (2) other information designed to enable the public to understand the significance of the nutrition information provided in the context of a total daily diet; (3) that such information shall be provided in writing upon request; and (4) in a statement adjacent to the name of the [...]

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Latest Action: 07/15/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-420.

Bill Text
A bill to improve the protections afforded under Federal law to consumers from contaminated seafood by directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program, in coordination with other appropriate Federal agencies, to strengthen activities for ensuring that seafood sold or offered for sale to the public in or affecting interstate commerce is fit for human consumption. 7/15/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to establish a program, consistent with U.S. international obligations, to strengthen federal activities for ensuring that commercially distributed seafood meets federal food quality and safety requirements. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement to strengthen cooperation on seafood safety, including regarding examining and testing seafood imports, inspections of [...]

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Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye without amendment. With written report No. 110-512.

Bill Text
A bill to prohibit cigarette manufacturers from making claims or representations based on data derived from the cigarette testing method established by the Federal Trade Commission.

9/26/2008--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.)

Truth in Cigarette Labeling Act of 2008 - Prohibits a cigarette manufacturer from making any claims or other representations based on data derived from a cigarette testing method established by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) before enactment of this Act. Treats any violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act and requires enforcement by the FTC.

Latest Action: 11/19/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to order the recall of meat and poultry that is adulterated, misbranded, or otherwise unsafe. 2/28/2008--Introduced. Unsafe Meat and Poultry Recall Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to: (1) direct a person (other than a household consumer or other exempted person) who believes a meat or poultry product that such person handled is adulterated or misbranded to notify the Secretary of Agriculture; (2) direct the Secretary, upon a determination of a public health risk from such adulteration or misbranding, to permit the person to voluntarily provide handler notification, cease distribution, recall such product, and provide consumer notice; and (3) authorize the Secretary, in the case of noncompliance, to require that the person take such actions (other than consumer notice which shall be provided by the Secretary).[...]

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Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1127)

Bill Text
A bill to respond to a medicare funding warning. 2/25/2008--Introduced. Medicare Funding Warning Response Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop and implement a system for encouraging nationwide adoption and use of interoperable electronic health records and to make available personal health records for Medicare beneficiaries; (2) develop and implement a plan for ensuring that, by the year 2013, quality measures are available and reported with respect to at least 50% of the care provided under the Medicare program; (3) design and implement a system under which a portion of Medicare payments that would otherwise be made to some or all classes of individuals and entities furnishing items or services to beneficiaries would be based on the quality and efficiency of their performance; (4) implement incentives for Medicare beneficiaries to use more efficient providers and preventive services known to reduce costs; and (5) use and release [...]

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Latest Action: 02/29/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To respond to a Medicare funding warning. 2/25/2008--Introduced. Medicare Funding Warning Response Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop and implement a system for encouraging nationwide adoption and use of interoperable electronic health records and to make available personal health records for Medicare beneficiaries; (2) develop and implement a plan for ensuring that, by the year 2013, quality measures are available and reported with respect to at least 50% of the care provided under the Medicare program; (3) design and implement a system under which a portion of Medicare payments that would otherwise be made to some or all classes of individuals and entities furnishing items or services to beneficiaries would be based on the quality and efficiency of their performance; (4) implement incentives for Medicare beneficiaries to use more efficient providers and preventive services known to reduce costs; and (5) use and release Medicare [...]

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Latest Action: 01/16/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Condemning the People's Republic of China for its socially unacceptable business practices, including the manufacturing and exportation of unsafe products, casual disregard for the environment, and exploitative employment practices.

1/16/2008--Introduced.

Condemns the People's Republic of China (PRC) for producing unsafe products, disregarding the environment, and exploiting workers.

Encourages: (1) U.S. merchants to suspend the importation and sales of goods from the PRC until reforms are made; and (2) U.S. parents to consider the "Made in China" label when purchasing toys due to potential high levels of toxic materials that may cause serious injury or death.

Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008 - Title I: Enhancements to Civil Intellectual Property Laws - (Sec. 101) Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information, unless there was knowledge of the inaccurate information and the inaccuracy of the information, if known, would have caused the Register of Copyrights to refuse registration; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; and (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement. (Sec. 104) Broadens the trademark infringement situations in which treble damages are allowed to include: (1) intentionally [...]

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Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act relating to freshness dates on food.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

Food Freshness Disclosure Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem food to be misbranded unless its label bears information on freshness. Requires the label to state a date upon which the food will no longer be fresh (i.e., contain the quantity of nutrients specified on the label and otherwise be not adulterated and of acceptable quality). Requires such date to be preceded by "best if used by," and requires such label to be conspicuously located, easy to read, and in a type size no smaller than eight point. Directs that the freshness date be on the containers of any food sent to the seller of such food to consumers. Makes this Act inapplicable to any food that is exempt from nutrition labeling requirements.

Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that foods containing spices, flavoring, or coloring derived from meat, poultry, or other animal products (including insects) bear labeling stating that fact and their names.

11/15/2007--Introduced.

Food Ingredient Right to Know Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide that a food shall be deemed to be misbranded if it contains any spice, flavoring, or coloring derived from meat, poultry, any other animal product (including insects) unless its labeling bears a statement with appropriate prominence on the information panel providing that fact and the name of the meat, poultry, other animal product.