Latest Action: 09/24/2008 - Mr. Rangel moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide disaster assistance relief. 9/24/2008--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.)Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax relief in federally declared disaster areas.(Sec. 2) Waives the 10% adjusted gross income limitation on personal casualty losses for losses sustained from a federally declared disaster occurring after December 31, 2007, and before January 1, 2012. Defines "federally declared disaster" as any disaster determined by the President to warrant federal assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Increases the standard tax deduction by a taxpayer's net disaster loss (i.e., personal casualty losses in a disaster area over personal [...]

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Latest Action: 09/12/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8482-8498)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to expand and improve opportunities for service, and for other purposes. 9/12/2008--Introduced. Serve America Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to create two new service-learning programs: (1) a Youth Engagement Zones to Strengthen Communities program, providing competitive grants to partnerships between local educational agencies that serve high-need, low-income communities and certain community-based or state entities to engage students and out-of-school youth in service-learning addressing specific challenges faced by their communities; and (2) a Campus of Service program, which annually grants up to 30 institutions of higher education (IHEs) with exemplary service-learning programs the funds to assist their students' pursuit of public service careers, and the right to nominate additional individuals for ServeAmerica Fellowships. Directs the Corporation for National and Community [...]

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Latest Action: 09/11/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8392)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for the production of energy, to provide transportation and domestic fuel security, and to provide incentives for energy conservation and energy efficiency, and for other purposes. 9/11/2008--Introduced. Energy Independence and Investment Act of 2008 - Amends and extends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to energy production, transportation and domestic fuel security, energy conservation and efficiency, and nuclear power.Extends through 2011 the tax credit for production of electricity from specified renewable resources, including wind energy, biomass, geothermal energy, refined coal, and hydropower. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of such tax credit. Extends through 2016 the energy tax credit for solar, fuel cell, and microturbine property and the tax credit for residential energy efficient property. Allows a new investment tax [...]

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Latest Action: 09/18/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

Bill Text
To advance the national security interests of the United States by reducing its dependency on oil through renewable and clean, alternative fuel technologies while building a bridge to the future through expanded access to Federal oil and natural gas resources, revising the relationship between the oil and gas industry and the consumers who own those resources and deserve a fair return from the development of publicly owned oil and gas, ending tax subsidies for large oil and gas companies, and facilitating energy efficiencies in the building, housing, and transportation sectors, and for other purposes. 9/15/2008--Introduced. Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act - Prohibits oil and gas preleasing or leasing of any area of the Outer Continental Shelf that was not available for oil and gas leasing as of July 1, 2008, unless that action is expressly authorized by this Act or a statute enacted by Congress after the date of enactment of this Act. [...]

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Latest Action: 07/28/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7575-7576)

Bill Text
A bill to increase energy assistance for low-income persons, to extend energy tax incentives, and for other purpose. 7/28/2008--Introduced. Energy Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2011 for the home weatherization program. Establishes in the Treasury the Energy Assistance Fund to finance low interest loans for the purchase and installation of energy efficient property, idling reduction devices and advanced insulation for heavy trucks, and alternative refueling stations.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax credit, up to $500, for the cost of replacing a residential wood stove with: (1) a wood-burning stove that complies with current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards; and (2) a pellet or corn-burning stove. Extends the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities through 2009 and the credit for closed and open-loop [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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 commi

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the renewable electricity production credit and to require the Secretary of Labor to establish a program to provide for workforce training and education, at institutions of higher education, in the fields of renewable energy and efficiency, green technology, and sustainable environmental practices. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Renew Through Green Jobs Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the requirement that certain renewable energy production facilities be placed in service before 2009 to qualify for the renewable electricity production credit. Directs the Secretary of Labor to award grants to institutions of higher education for sustainability workforce training and education in industries and practices, such as: (1) alternative energy; (2) green construction, retrofitting, and design; (3) green chemistry, nanotechnology, or technology; (4) water and energy conservation; (5) recycling and waste [...]

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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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Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - S.AMDT.5254 Referred to the Committee on Finance. To make a technical correction.

Bill Text
A bill to provide tax relief for the victims of severe storms, tornados, and flooding in the Midwest, and for other purposes. 7/23/2008--Introduced. Midwestern Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax benefits to individuals affected by presidentially-declared natural disasters (i.e., severe storms, tornadoes, or flooding) in the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin on or after May 20, 2008, and before August 1, 2008 (Midwestern disaster area).Makes specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, which currently apply only to residents of the Gulf Opportunity Zone and the Hurricane Katrina disaster area, applicable to the Midwestern disaster area, including: (1) tax-exempt bond financing, the low-income housing tax credit, accelerated depreciation and increased expensing of business assets, an increase in the rehabilitation tax credit, extended carryback [...]

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Latest Action: 07/14/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Dorgan. With written report No. 110-416.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for energy and water 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) Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Corps of Engineers-Civil - Makes FY2009 appropriations for: (1) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for civil functions pertaining to rivers and harbors, flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, and aquatic ecosystem restoration; (2) general investigations and construction; (3) flood damage reduction for the Mississippi River alluvial valley below Cape Girardeau, Missouri; (4) operation and maintenance expenses; (5) administration of laws pertaining to regulation of navigable waters and wetlands; (6) cleanup of contamination from sites in the United States resulting from work performed as part of the early atomic energy [...]

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Latest Action: 07/07/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prohibit the importation of certain low-level radioactive waste into the United States. 7/7/2008--Introduced. Amends Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prohibit the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) from issuing a license authorizing the importation into the United States of: (1) low-level radioactive waste; or (2) specific radioactive waste streams exempted from regulation under the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act. Exempts from such prohibition low-level radioactive waste: (1) that is being returned to a U.S. government or military facility authorized to possess it; or (2) resulting from the use in a foreign country of nuclear material obtained by the foreign user from an entity in the United States that is being returned to the United States for management and disposal. Authorizes the President to waive the prohibition and authorize the grant of a specific license only after finding that such importation would [...]

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Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 46, United States Code, to establish requirements to ensure the security and safety of passengers and crew on cruise vessels, and for other purposes. 6/26/2008--Introduced. Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2008 - Amends federal vessel law to set forth cruise vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) vessel design and construction; (2) crew access to passenger staterooms; (3) log book entry and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, and alleged crimes; (4) database of crewmembers terminated due to commission of a crime; (5) maintenance of rape kits on board; (6) crime scene investigation training and certification for vessel crewmembers; (7) video surveillance to monitor crime; and (8) posting of certain safety information. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to revise the authority of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (Secretary) [...]

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Latest Action: 06/27/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Bill Text
To amend title 46, United States Code, to establish requirements to ensure the security and safety of passengers and crew on cruise vessels, and for other purposes. 6/26/2008--Introduced. Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2008 - Amends federal vessel law to set forth cruise vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) vessel design and construction; (2) crew access to passenger staterooms; (3) log book entry and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, and alleged crimes; (4) database of crewmembers terminated due to commission of a crime; (5) maintenance of rape kits on board; (6) crime scene investigation training and certification for vessel crewmembers; (7) video surveillance to monitor crime; and (8) posting of certain safety information. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to revise the authority of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (Secretary) [...]

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Latest Action: 07/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

Bill Text
To spur rapid and sustainable growth in renewable electricity generation in the United States through priority interconnection, renewable energy payments, and for other purposes. 6/26/2008--Introduced. Renewable Energy Jobs and Security Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to propose rules establishing standards for the physical connection between specified types of renewable energy facilities and transmission facilities of transmitting utilities subject to FERC jurisdiction. Requires such standards to: (1) include separate expedited procedures for interconnecting 10-kilowatt maximum renewable energy facilities and for expediting interconnection for 2000-kilowatt maximum facilities; and (2) address safety, reliability, performance, cost, and network upgrades. Allows FERC to consider a clustering approach that allows concurrent interconnection of facilities where requests are placed within succeeding six-month periods.[...]

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Latest Action: 06/25/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide assistance for programs and activities to protect the water quality of Puget Sound, and for other purposes. 6/25/2008--Introduced. Puget Sound Recovery Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Puget Sound Program Office, to be located in the state of Washington and headed by a Director who shall assist the management conference convened for Puget Sound in carrying out its goals.Requires the Director to: (1) assist and support the implementation of the comprehensive conservation and management plan developed by the conference ("Comprehensive Plan"); (2) coordinate the major functions of the federal government related to the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan; (3) carry out studies and research necessary for strengthened implementation of the [...]

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Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide assistance for programs and activities to protect the water quality of Puget Sound, and for other purposes. 6/25/2008--Introduced. Puget Sound Recovery Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Puget