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: 09/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to address the use of intrathecal pumps.

9/24/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Controlled Substances Act to revise the definition of "dispense" to include the delivery of a controlled substance through the use of an intrathecal pump by a practitioner acting in the usual course of professional practice.

Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

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To provide grants to establish veteran's treatment courts. 9/26/2008--Introduced. Services, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act or the SERV Act - Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to delegate to the Department of Justice (DOJ) the authority to administer the veteran's treatment courts program established by this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states and other entities: (1) to develop, implement, or enhance veteran's treatment courts or to expand operational drug courts to serve veterans; and (2) for programs that involve continuing judicial supervision over nonviolent offenders with substance abuse or mental health problems who have served in the U.S. military. Requires such programs to include mandatory periodic testing for the use of drugs, substance abuse and mental health treatment, opportunities for diversion, probation, or supervised release, and programmatic, offender management, and aftercare [...]

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Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction

Bill Text
To amend titles 46 and 18, United States Code, with respect to the operation of submersible vessels and semi-submersible vessels without nationality.

9/25/2008--Introduced.

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 attempting or conspiring to operate by any means, or for embarking in, any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality 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 avoid detection. Imposes an additional civil fine of up to $1 million for violations.

Latest Action: 10/13/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-407.

Bill Text
A bill to amend titles 46 and 18, United States Code, with respect to the operation of submersible vessels and semi-submersible vessels without nationality. 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.) Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Title I: Criminal Prohibition - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating, attempting or conspiring to operate, or embarking in any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality in, 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 avoid detection. Grants extraterritorial federal jurisdiction over an offense under [...]

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Latest Action: 09/23/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to implement a drug testing program for applicants for and recipients of assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

9/23/2008--Introduced.

Drug Free Families Act of 2008 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require state TANF programs to implement a program to test TANF applicants and recipients for illegal drug use.

Requires state TANF programs to deny assistance to individuals who test positive for illegal drugs and individuals convicted of drug-related crimes.

Latest Action: 09/22/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9179-9185; text as passed Senate: CR S9186; text of measure as introduced: CR S9215-9216)

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A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week.

9/22/2008--Passed 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.)

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week.

Encourages: (1) children and teens to live drug-free lives; and (2) people in the United States to promote drug-free communities and to participate in drug prevention activities.

Latest Action: 09/27/2008 - Mr. Oberstar moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

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To restructure the Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater Program, and for other purposes. 9/27/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Title I: Integrated Deepwater Program - Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act of 2008 - (Sec. 102) Prohibits the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating from using a private sector entity as a lead systems integrator (LSI) for Integrated Deepwater Program (IDP) acquisitions, subject to stated exceptions. Requires the Secretary and the IDP LSI, subject to exception, to use full and open competition for any IDP acquisition for which an outside contractor is used. Prohibits an LSI and any tier 1 subcontractor from having a financial interest in a subcontractor below the tier 1, subject to exception. (Sec. 103) Requires any IDP contract, delivery order, or task order to require, among other things, that: (1) IDP procurement certifications be conducted by the Secretary or [...]

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Latest Action: 09/23/2008 - Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

Bill Text
To amend section 712 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, section 2705 of the Public Health Service Act, and section 9812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require equity in the provision of mental health and substance-related disorder benefits under group health plans, and for other purposes. 9/23/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health or substance use disorder benefits to ensure that: (1) the financial requirements, such as deductibles and copayments, applicable to such mental health or substance use disorder benefits are no more restrictive than the predominant financial requirements applied [...]

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Latest Action: 09/18/2008 - The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 110-862, by Mr. Price (NC).

Bill Text
Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 9/18/2008--Reported to House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Departmental Management and Operations - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2009 for executive management, analysis and operations, and the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General.Title II: Security, Enforcement, and Investigations - Makes appropriations for FY2009 for: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including for automation modernization, customs and border protection fencing, infrastructure, and technology (with obligations subject to the DHS Secretary [...]

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Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A resolution designating September 27, 2008, as Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Day.

9/26/2008--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates September 27, 2008, as Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Day.

Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Received in the Senate.

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To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of a drug-free workplace information clearinghouse, to support residential methamphetamine treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women, to improve the prevention and treatment of methamphetamine addiction, and for other purposes. 9/15/2008--Introduced. Meth Free Families and Communities Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to collaborate with professionals in the addiction field and primary health care providers to raise awareness about how to: (1) recognize the signs of a substance abuse disorder; and (2) apply evidence-based practices for screening and treating individuals with, or at-risk for developing, an addiction.Revises provisions governing a grant program for substance abuse residential treatment for pregnant and parenting women (currently, for postpartum women), to: (1) include treatment for addiction to [...]

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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: 09/08/2008 - Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8141-8142)

Bill Text
A resolution designating September 9, 2008, as "National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day".

9/8/2008--Passed 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.)

Designates September 9, 2008, as National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day. Calls on Americans to observe a moment of reflection on the ninth hour of that day to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should not consume alcohol.

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

Bill Text
A bill to provide grants to establish veteran's treatment courts. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Services, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act or the SERV Act - Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to delegate to the Department of Justice (DOJ) the authority to administer the veteran's treatment courts program established by this Act.Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states and other entities: (1) to develop, implement, or enhance veteran's treatment courts or to expand operational drug courts to serve veterans; and (2) for programs that involve continuing judicial supervision over nonviolent offenders with substance abuse or mental health problems who have served in the U.S. military. Requires such programs to include mandatory periodic testing for the use of drugs, substance abuse and mental health treatment, opportunities for diversion, probation, or supervised release, and programmatic, offender management, and aftercare [...]

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Latest Action: 07/29/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to implement a drug testing program for applicants for and recipients of assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

7/29/2008--Introduced.

Drug Free Families Act of 2008 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require state TANF programs to implement a program to test TANF applicants and recipients for illegal drug use.

Requires state TANF programs to deny assistance to individuals who test positive for illegal drugs and individuals convicted of drug-related crimes.

Latest Action: 09/23/2008 - Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8686-8688)

Bill Text
Resolution expressing the sense of the House that there should be an increased public and private commitment prioritizing prevention and public health for all people in the United States. 9/23/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Recognizes that it is imperative that this nation strengthen its public health system to: (1) encourage all persons to obtain the information and educational resources they need to make healthier choices and live healthier lives; and (2) protect people from health threats beyond their control.Encourages the creation of public health strategies to improve improve the health of all people in the United States.Expresses support for public and private partnerships focusing on the prevention of disease and injury and encourages community-based programs to support healthy lifestyles.Emphasizes the importance of the prevention strategies of daily aspirin therapy, smoking cessation, colorectal [...]

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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: 07/30/2008 - 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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