Latest Action: 07/08/2008 - Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 742.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a federal greenhouse gas (GHG) registry, for which certain facilities must report information regarding fossil fuels and GHGs produced and consumed; and (2) specified quantities of GHG emission allowances, which decline for each of 2012 to 2050. Requires the Administrator to establish a GHG emission allowance transfer system for the following: (1) facilities that use more than 5,000 tons of coal in a year; (2) facilities in the natural gas sector; (3) facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal-based fuel the combustion of which will emit group I GHGs; (4) facilities that produce or entities that import, in any year, more than [...]

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Latest Action: 05/07/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3899-3900)

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, and for other purposes. 5/7/2008--Introduced. National Neurotechnology Initiative Act - Defines "neurotechnology" to mean the science and technology that allows an individual to analyze, understand, treat, and heal the brain and nervous system.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, under which the Secretary shall: (1) establish goals, priorities, and metrics for evaluation for federal neurotechnology research, development, and commercialization; (2) increase the investment in federal research, development, and translational programs in neurotechnology to achieve such goals; and (3) increase interagency coordination.Requires the Secretary to establish the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office and the National Neurotechnology Advisory Council.Requires the Director [...]

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Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, and for other purposes. 5/7/2008--Introduced. National Neurotechnology Initiative Act - Defines "neurotechnology" to mean the science and technology that allows an individual to analyze, understand, treat, and heal the brain and nervous system.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, under which the Secretary shall: (1) establish goals, priorities, and metrics for evaluation for federal neurotechnology research, development, and commercialization; (2) increase the investment in federal research, development, and translational programs in neurotechnology to achieve such goals; and (3) increase interagency coordination.Requires the Secretary to establish the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office and the National Neurotechnology Advisory Council.Requires the Director of the [...]

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Latest Action: 03/11/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To condition further increases in the minimum wage applicable to American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on a determination by the Secretary of Labor that such increases will not have an adverse impact on the economies of American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 1/29/2008--Introduced. Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to condition further increases in the federal minimum wage applicable to the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa on a determination by the Secretary of Labor that such increases will not have an adverse impact on any further increases on living standards and rates of employment in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Requires the Secretary to make the determinations each year 60 days before the scheduled increase in such minimum wage and to publish it in the Federal [...]

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Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To amend chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Regulatory Flexibility Act), to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and for other purposes. 12/12/2007--Introduced. Small Business Regulatory Improvement Act - Revises the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Defines the "economic impact" of a rule to include any direct or indirect economic effects on small entities. Requires initial regulatory flexibility analyses of a proposed rule to contain a detailed statement describing the type of small entities to which the proposed rule will apply.Revises provisions requiring the publication by each agency of a plan for the periodic review of its rules that have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities to determine whether they should be continued, changed, or rescinded, including to: (1) limit to two years the amount of time the period for reviewing an agency's regulations may be extended;[...]

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Latest Action: 12/07/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Bill Text
To require the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress reports on the commercial and passenger vehicle traffic at certain points of entry, and for other purposes.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

Border Wait Times Study Act - Directs: (1) the Secretary of Transportation to study, and report the results to Congress on, the traffic patterns of commercial and passenger vehicles that enter and exit U.S. international land ports along the northern and southern borders; and (2) the Secretary of Commerce to study, and report the results to Congress on, the negative economic impact, if any, on U.S. wait times at such ports.

Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to require the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary Commerce to submit reports to Congress on the commercial and passenger vehicle traffic at certain points of entry, and for other purposes.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

Border Wait Times Study Act - Directs: (1) the Secretary of Transportation to study, and report the results to Congress on, the traffic patterns of commercial and passenger vehicles that enter and exit U.S. international land ports along the northern and southern borders; and (2) the Secretary of Commerce to study, and report the results to Congress on, the negative economic impact, if any, on U.S. wait times at such ports.

Latest Action: 11/16/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S14658-14659; text as passed Senate: CR S14659; text of measure as introduced: CR S14643-14644)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the degradation of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea and welcoming cooperation between the peoples of Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority. 11/16/2007--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.) Calls the world's attention to the serious degradation of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. Applauds the cooperative manner with which the governments of Israel and Jordan, as well as the Palestinian Authority (PA) have worked to address the declining water level and quality of the Dead Sea and other water-related challenges in the region. Supports efforts to assess the environmental, social, health, and economic impacts, costs, and feasibility of a Red Sea-Dead Sea pipeline in comparison to alternative proposals. [...]

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Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.

Bill Text
To accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by establishing a market-driven system of greenhouse gas tradeable allowances that will limit greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, reduce dependence upon foreign oil, and ensure benefits to consumers from the trading in such allowances, and for other purposes. 11/15/2007--Introduced. Climate Stewardship and Economic Security Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a National Greenhouse Gas Database consisting of: (1) an inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by covered entities (specified entities that own or control a source of GHG emissions in the electric power, industrial, and commercial sectors of the U.S. economy that emit more than 10,000 metric tons of GHGs per year); and (2) a registry of GHG emission reductions and increased sequestration, applicable to all entities.Establishes a program for the market-driven [...]

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Latest Action: 11/01/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13701)

Bill Text
A bill to require the FCC to conduct an economic study on the impact that low-power FM stations will have on full-power commercial FM stations.

11/1/2007--Introduced.

Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct an economic study on the impact that low-power FM stations will have on full-power commercial FM stations and report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.

Latest Action: 10/24/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to require the International Trade Commission to report on the specific impact of each free trade agreement in force with respect to the United States on a sector-by-sector basis, and for other purposes.

10/24/2007--Introduced.

Trade Agreement Assessment Act - Directs the International Trade Commission (ITC) to report periodically to Congress on each free trade agreement in force with respect to the United States, including: (1) its effect on the U.S. economy and on specific U.S. industry sectors; (2) a summary of how each country that is party to such agreement has changed its labor and environmental laws; and (3) whether the agreement is making progress in achieving the objectives of the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002.

Latest Action: 05/20/2008 - Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-337. Minority views filed.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and for other purposes. 10/18/2007--Introduced. America's Climate Security Act of 2007 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish: (1) a greenhouse gas (GHG) registry; and (2) a GHG emission allowance transfer system for covered facilities, including specified facilities within the electric power and industrial sectors and facilities that produce or entities that import petroleum- or coal- based transportation fuel or chemicals. Sets forth emission allowances for 2012-2050, with a declining cap on GHGs.Provides for selling, exchanging, transferring, submitting, retiring, or borrowing emission allowances. Establishes: (1) a domestic offset program to sequester GHGs in agriculture and forests; and (2) the Bonus Allowance Account. Establishes the Carbon Market Efficiency Board, which [...]

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Latest Action: 10/31/2007 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-419. 10:30 a.m.

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the degradation of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea and welcoming cooperation between the peoples of Israel, Jordan, and Palestine.

9/27/2007--Introduced.

Calls the world's attention to the serious degradation of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.

Applauds the cooperative manner with which the governments of Israel and Jordan, as well as the Palestinian Authority (PA) have worked to address the declining water level and quality of the Dead Sea and other water-related challenges in the region.

Expresses hopes that the spirit of cooperation manifested in the search for a solution to the Dead Sea water crisis might serve as a model for addressing the degradation of the Jordan River, as well as a model of peace and cooperation for the upcoming meetings in Washington between Israel and the PA.

Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12067)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the degradation of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea and welcoming cooperation between the peoples of Israel, Jordan, and Palestine.

9/25/2007--Introduced.

Calls the world's attention to the serious degradation of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.

Applauds the cooperative manner with which the governments of Israel and Jordan, as well as the Palestinian Authority (PA) have worked to address the declining water level and quality of the Dead Sea and other water-related challenges in the region.

Expresses hopes that the spirit of cooperation manifested in the search for a solution to the Dead Sea water crisis might serve as a model for addressing the degradation of the Jordan River, as well as a model of peace and cooperation for the upcoming meetings in Washington between Israel and the PA.

Latest Action: 06/24/2008 - Committee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To establish a commission to develop legislation designed to reform tax policy and entitlement benefit programs and ensure a sound fiscal future for the United States, and for other purposes. 9/25/2007--Introduced. Securing America's Future Economy Commission Act, or SAFE Commission Act - Establishes the Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission to develop legislation designed to address: (1) the unsustainable imbalance between long-term federal spending commitments and projected revenues; (2) increases in net national savings to provide for domestic investment and economic growth; (3) the implications of foreign ownership of federally issued debt instruments; and (4) revision of the budget process to place greater emphasis on long-term fiscal issues. Requires the Commission to: (1) develop one or two methods for estimating the cost of legislation as an alternative to the current Congressional Budget Office (CBO) method; and (2) hold at least one town-hall [...]

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Latest Action: 09/25/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To establish a bipartisan commission to perform a comprehensive examination of the current foreclosure and mortgage lending crisis and to make recommendations for legislative and regulatory changes to address such problems. 9/25/2007--Introduced. Foreclosure Prevention and Homeownership Protection Act - Establishes the Commission to Preserve the American Dream (Commission) to study and report to Congress and the President on: (1) the adequacy of the existing legal and regulatory framework to address the current foreclosure and mortgage lending crisis and to prevent similar crises from happening in the future; (2) the role of the states versus the role of the federal government in ensuring homeowners are protected against unscrupulous lending practices; and (3) the effects of this crisis on the domestic and world economies. Requires the Commission to make recommendations regarding: (1) ways to assist homeowners currently in danger of losing their homes; (2) ways to encourage [...]

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Latest Action: 09/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Bill Text
To establish a National Commission on the Infrastructure of the United States. 9/14/2007--Introduced. National Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2007 - Establishes: (1) the National Commission on the Infrastructure of the United States to ensure that U.S. infrastructure meets current and future demand and facilitates economic growth; and (2) an advisory group, which shall include specified Cabinet level officials, to provide assistance and advice to the Commission.Requires the Commission to study the state of U.S. infrastructure, including such matters as: (1) the capacity of infrastructure improvements to sustain economic development and competitiveness and to support a sustained and expanding economy; (2) the age and condition of public infrastructure; (3) the methods used to finance the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, and maintenance of public works improvements; (4) investment requirements needed to maintain and to improve facilities and the projected [...]

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Latest Action: 09/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight.

Bill Text
To establish the United States Commission on an Open Society with Security.

9/10/2007--Introduced.

United States Commission on an Open Society with Security Act - Establishes the United States Commission on an Open Society with Security to study how the government may provide for both security in, and public access to, federal buildings and other federal property and sites.

Latest Action: 08/04/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Bill Text
To establish a National Commission on the Infrastructure of the United States. 8/3/2007--Introduced. National Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2007 - Establishes the National Commission on the Infrastructure of the United States to ensure that U.S. infrastructure meets current and future demand, facilitates economic growth, and is maintained in a manner that ensures public safety. Requires the Commission to study the state of U.S. infrastructure, including such matters as: (1) the capacity of infrastructure to sustain economic development and competitiveness; (2) the age and condition of infrastructure; (3) the methods used to finance the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, and maintenance of infrastructure; (4) investment requirements needed to maintain and to improve infrastructure, including projected investment requirements and expenditures on infrastructure by federal, state, and local governments; (5) the impact of local development patterns on demand [...]

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Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To establish the Commission on the Tax Treatment of Hedge Funds and Private Equity.

8/3/2007--Introduced.

Commission on the Tax Treatment of Hedge Funds and Private Equity Act of 2007 - Establishes the Commission on the Tax Treatment of Hedge Funds and Private Equity to review and make recommendations to Congress on the tax treatment of the U.S. hedge fund and private equity industry.

Latest Action: 09/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to prohibit agencies from enforcing rules that result in a specified economic impact until the requirements of those rules are enacted into law by an Act of Congress, and for other purposes. 8/1/2007--Introduced. Congressional Responsibility and Accountability Act - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to: (1) require each agency, before adopting a rule, to determine whether compliance with the rule will result in a specified economic impact; and (2) prohibit an agency from enforcing a rule it determines will result in such impact until its requirements are enacted into law.Requires each agency: (1) annually, to determine whether its rules have resulted in a specified economic impact in the preceding year; and (2) not later than 365 days after making such determination, to no longer enforce such a rule until its requirements are enacted into law.Defines "specified economic impact" as: (1) costs to any individual [...]

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