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 [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To provide for nondiscrimination by eligible lenders in the Robert T. Stafford Federal Student Loan Program.

7/31/2008--Introduced.

Preventing Student Loan Discrimination Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit lenders under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program from receiving special allowance payments (made to such lenders to compensate them for the difference between FFEL interest rates and market rates) if they deny FFELs to eligible borrowers because of their education program length or attendance at a particular school participating in the FFEL program.

Latest Action: 07/22/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Johnson. With written report No. 110-428.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/22/2008--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.) Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of Defense - Appropriates funds for FY2009 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force (military departments), DOD, the Army and Air National Guard, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing and related operation and maintenance for the military departments [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/17/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for nondiscrimination by eligible lenders in the Federal Family Education Loan Program.

6/17/2008--Introduced.

Preventing Student Loan Discrimination Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit lenders under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program from receiving special allowance payments (made to such lenders to compensate them for the difference between FFEL interest rates and market rates) if they deny FFELs to eligible borrowers because of their race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability status, income, attendance at a particular school participating in the FFEL program, education program length, or academic year in school.

Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand teacher loan forgiveness. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Teacher Education Assistance Creating Hope for Our Future Act of 2008 or the TEACH for Our Future Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the loan forgiveness available to public elementary and secondary school teachers under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) and Direct Loan (DL) programs. Makes inapplicable to public school teachers the requirements limiting loan forgiveness to: (1) new borrowers on or after October 1, 1998; and (2) highly qualified teachers in certain schools that serve a high proportion of disadvantaged students. Maintains the requirement that such teachers teach full-time for five consecutive complete school years before becoming eligible for loan forgiveness. Raises to $25,000 the amount of the FFEL or DL outstanding that may be forgiven after a public school teacher's fifth complete school year of teaching.[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Vetoed by President. (text of veto message: CR H5535)

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Provides for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through FY2012.Revises agricultural and related programs, including provisions respecting: (1) commodity programs; (2) conservation; (3) trade; (4) nutrition; (5) credit; (6) rural development; (7) research and related matters; (8) forestry; (9) energy; (10) horticulture and organic agriculture; (11) livestock; (12) crop insurance and disaster assistance; (13) socially disadvantaged and limited resource producers; and (14) miscellaneous programs.Directs the President to establish and maintain an importer declaration program with respect to the importation of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products.Establishes the Bill Emerson National Hunger [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.

5/15/2008--Introduced.

Extends through March 20, 2009, under the same terms and conditions, the authorization for any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, that is currently authorized through May 23, 2008, under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

Latest Action: 05/23/2008 - Presented to President.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.

5/23/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

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

Extends through March 20, 2009, under the same terms and conditions, the authorization for any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, that is currently authorized through May 23, 2008, under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
To prohibit the purchase or lease of housing acquired using Federal loan or grant funds appropriated for the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed housing under the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 by any individual convicted under Federal or State law of a drug-dealing offense, a sex offense, or mortgage fraud.

5/12/2008--Introduced.

Prohibits any individual from purchasing or leasing any housing (or any dwelling unit in housing) acquired using federal loan or grant funds Congress appropriates for the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed housing under the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008, if he or she has been convicted under federal or state law of a felony drug-dealing offense (within the five-year period preceding the purchase or lease transaction date), a sex offense, or mortgage fraud.

Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a returning soldiers' bill of rights. 5/1/2008--Introduced. Returning Soldiers' Bill of Rights Act - Entitles to basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill a member of the Armed Forces or reserves who, on or after September 11, 2001, serves at least six months of active duty in support of a contingency operation and, after completion of such duty, is discharged or released under honorable conditions or for a service-connected disability, preexisting medical condition, hardship, or certain physical or mental conditions. Entitles such individuals to 36 months of educational assistance. Allows such assistance to be used for: (1) pursuit of a program of education while on active duty; (2) programs of education pursued on a less-than-half-time basis; (3) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (4) correspondence courses; (5) flight training; (6) tutorial assistance; and (7) licensure or certification tests. [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3596-3597)

Bill Text
A bill to promote green energy production, and for other purposes. 4/30/2008--Introduced. Green Energy Production Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a green technology investment program to develop high-tech green research capabilities, promote green innovation and green energy investment, and increase scientific knowledge that may reveal the basis for new or enhanced products, equipment, or processes in target areas.Establishes in the Department of Energy the Green Technology Investment Corporation to allocate funds, provide grants, and carry out component programs for all phases of technology commercialization. Requires the Corporation to establish: (1) a green development loan program for green technology investment; (2) a green markets grant program; (3) a green redevelopment, opportunity, and workforce grant program; (4) a green energy manufacturing loan program; (5) a green energy community pilot program; (6) a green energy institution [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 720.

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize and improve the financing and entrepreneurial development programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes. 4/24/2008--Introduced. SBA Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to reauthorize for FY2008-FY2010 certain small business assistance programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA), including: (1) the microloan program (loans made to very small businesses for start-up, expansion, or equipment); (2) section 7(a) loans (SBA-guaranteed general business loans); (3) certified development company (CDC) financings; (4) assistance to small businesses affected by a Department of Defense base closure or realignment or the termination of a defense contract or subcontract; (5) the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME); and (6) small business disaster loans. Revises or adds provisions concerning the microloan program, including: (1) increased loan amounts; and (2) making [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend title V of the Social Security Act to provide grants for school-based mentoring programs for at risk teenage girls to prevent and reduce teen pregnancy, and to provide student loan forgiveness for mentors participating in such programs. 4/15/2008--Introduced. Mentor-Mentee Teen Pregnancy Reduction Act of 2008 - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants to local educational agencies or community-based organizations for the creation of school-based programs that provide mentoring to at-risk teenage girls to prevent and reduce teen pregnancy. Requires program mentors to be women who: (1) have received at least a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education; (2) are mentoring no more than two program mentees; and (3) are trained and screened to encourage mentees to engage in responsible, goal-orientated behavior, delay their sexual [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make loans to States to acquire foreclosed housing and to make grants to States for related costs. 5/8/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants and loans to qualified states, metropolitan cities, and urban counties, in accordance with HUD-approved plans, to carry out eligible housing stimulus activities. Requires such program to be administered through HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development (or any successor office responsible for administering the community development block grant program under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974). (Sec. 4) Specifies the contents of a grant or loan applicant's plan, which must be submitted for the Secretary's approval. Requires a plan, among other things, to give priority [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/07/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to empower States with authority for most taxing and spending for highway programs and mass transit programs, and for other purposes. 4/7/2008--Introduced. Transportation Empowerment Act - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the interstate maintenance program, emergency relief, the interstate bridge program, the federal lands highways program, highway safety programs, surface transportation research, and certain administrative expenses. Authorizes a state, upon determining that excess funds have been made available, to transfer the excess funds to, and use them for, any surface transportation purpose (including mass transit and rail) in the state. Revises requirements regarding state apportionments under the interstate maintenance component for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System. Prohibits any restriction on the ability of a state, as part of any highway improvement project, to impose [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/15/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-366. 10:00 a.m.

Bill Text
A bill to facilitate the participation of private capital and skills in the strategic, economic, and environmental development of a diverse portfolio of clean energy and energy efficiency technologies within the United States, to facilitate the commercialization and market penetration of the technologies, and for other purposes. 3/6/2008--Introduced. Clean Energy Investment Bank Act of 2008 - Establishes the Clean Energy Investment Bank of the United States, which shall be a U.S. agency and a government corporation.Requires the bank to assist in the financing, and facilitate the commercial use, of clean energy and energy efficient technologies within the United States. Authorizes the Bank to make investments: (1) in projects in the United States related to the production or use of energy that use a commercial technology that avoids, reduces, or sequesters one or more air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases more effectively than other technology [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/07/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to expand the definition of independent student under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include active members of the National Guard or Reserve forces of the United States and to prevent payments of educational assistance for veterans and members of the Selected Reserve from being offset in the calculation of financial aid under such Act.

3/7/2008--Introduced.

Student Veteran Financial Aid Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to treat current active National Guard and Reserve personnel who have completed their initial military training as independent students in analyses of their need for assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Act.

Prohibits educational assistance provided under specified benefit programs for veterans and members of the Selected Reserve from being considered in such need analyses.

Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to provide economic stimulus for small business concerns.

2/7/2008--Introduced.

Small Business Lending Stimulus Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to reduce in 2008 the rate of certain loan fees imposed under the Small Business Act and debenture fees under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2008: (1) to cover such rate reductions; and (2) for direct loans and assistance under the SBA Microloan Program.

Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the SBA to refinance certain existing debt of small businesses that received prior loans for plant acquisition, construction, conversion, or expansion.

Latest Action: 02/19/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E212-213)

Bill Text
To prevent payments of educational assistance for veterans and members of the Selected Reserve from being offset in the calculation of financial aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

2/19/2008--Introduced.

Student Veteran Financial Aid Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit educational assistance provided under specified benefit programs for veterans and members of the Selected Reserve from being considered in analyses of their need for assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Act.

Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain debts to the United States in the case of veterans who die as a result of a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated on active duty in a combat zone, and for other purposes.

1/29/2008--Introduced.

Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting debts owed to the United States by certain veterans who die as a result of a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated on active duty in a war after the Persian Gulf War or a combat zone after September 11, 2001, if the Secretary determines, in his or her discretion, that the termination of collection is in the best interest of the United States.

Excepts any amounts owed the United States under federal housing and small business loan programs from such prohibition on debt collection.

Latest Action: 02/01/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain debts owed to the United States by members of the Armed Forces and veterans who die as a result of an injury incurred or aggravated on active duty in a combat zone, and for other purposes.

1/28/2008--Introduced.

Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting debts owed to the United States by certain members of the armed forces or veterans who die as a result of an injury incurred or aggravated on active duty in a war or a combat zone after September 11, 2001.

Excepts any amounts owed the United States under federal housing and small business loan programs from such prohibition on debt collection.

Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to modify certain fees applicable under the Small Business Act for 2008, to make an emergency appropriation for certain small business programs, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide increased expensing for 2008, to provide a 5-year carryback for certain net operating losses, and for other purposes.

1/24/2008--Introduced.

Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to reduce in 2008 the rate of certain loan fees imposed under the Small Business Act.

Appropriates, as an emergency requirement, additional funds in FY2008 for: (1) loan subsidies under the SBA Business Loans Program Account; and (2) direct loans and assistance under the SBA Microloan Program.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase to $200,000 in 2008 the expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; and (2) extend through 2008 the five-year carryback of certain unused net operating losses.

Latest Action: 01/23/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain debts owed to the United States by members of the Armed Forces and veterans who die as a result of an injury incurred or aggravated on active duty in a combat zone, and for other purposes.

1/23/2008--Introduced.

Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting debts owed to the United States by certain members of the armed forces or veterans who die as a result of an injury incurred or aggravated on active duty in a war or a combat zone after September 11, 2001.

Excepts any amounts owed the United States under federal housing and small business loan programs from such prohibition on debt collection.

Latest Action: 01/22/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S96-97)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain debts to the United States in the case of veterans who die as a result of a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated on active duty in a combat zone, and for other purposes.

1/22/2008--Introduced.

Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting debts owed to the United States by certain veterans who die as a result of a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated on active duty in a war after the Persian Gulf War or a combat zone after September 11, 2001, if the Secretary determines, in his or her discretion, that the termination of collection is in the best interest of the United States.

Excepts any amounts owed the United States under federal housing and small business loan programs from such prohibition on debt collection.

Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the home loan guaranty programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Helping Our Veterans to Keep Their Homes Act of 2008 - Increases from 90% to 100% of the reasonable value of a veteran's dwelling or farm residence the amount of the loan to be guaranteed or made in the case of a loan to refinance certain loans. Repeals the current fee schedule with respect to veterans' housing and small business loans. Changes the loan fee for such loans to 1% of the total amount of the loan guaranteed, insured, or made, or in the case of a loan assumption, the unpaid principal balance of the loan on the date of the transfer of the property. Extends the demonstration projects involving: (1) adjustable rate mortgages through FY2018; and (2) hybrid adjustable rate through FY2012. Increases the maximum loan guaranty amount of the Federal Home [...]

show full description