United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2010
School Enhancement of Talented Students Act or School EATS Act - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to award competitive grants to states, local educational agencies, or school food authorities to reduce the amount of processed food served each day under the school lunch and breakfast programs. Gives grant priority to applicants: (1) in which at least 50% of the students enrolled in schools under their jurisdictions are eligible for free or reduced price meals; and (2) located in states where the adult obesity rate is not less that 30% and the child obesity rate is more than 30%, as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Requires grant funds to be used to: (1) procure unprocessed foods; (2) train food service staff to prepare such foods; and (3) purchase the equipment needed to prepare such foods. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance to grantees on the procurement of healthy, unprocessed foods. Makes food weight and quantity requirements under the school lunch and breakfast programs inapplicable to food served under this Act's grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2010
Recognizes the service and sacrifices of all of the brave men and women who fought and contributed to American victory in World War II on the 65th anniversary of the end of that war. Honors the families and decedents of those men and women, and the men and women themselves, whose lives were taken in defense of liberty and freedom. Remembers and honors the servicemembers today who are actively fighting for freedom and to protect the American way of life in ongoing combat operations, including Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2010
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 95 Dogwood Street in Cary, Mississippi, as the "Spencer Byrd Powers, Jr. Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2010
Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act - Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for: (1) anyone whose federal license to import, manufacture, or deal in firearms has been revoked, or whose license renewal application has been denied, to transfer business inventory firearms into a personal collection or to an employee of such person or to receive a firearm that was a business inventory firearm as of the date of a revocation or renewal denial notice; and (2) anyone who has received a license revocation or renewal denial notice to transfer to any other person a firearm that was a business inventory firearm. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of not more than one year (five years for willful violations) for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2010
Taxpayer Abuse Prevention Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that advance payments of the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit are not transferable or assignable or subject to the claims of any creditors, except outstanding claims of the federal government. Prohibits: (1) the collection of a debt from a debtor's federal tax refund by means of a refund anticipation loan; and (2) mandatory arbitration as a condition of providing a refund anticipation loan. Terminates the Department of the Treasury Debt Indicator Program. Allows earned income tax credit benefits to be paid through electronic transfer accounts. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) develop and implement a program to encourage the greater use of the advance earned income tax credit; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with federally insured depository institutions to provide low- and moderate-income taxpayers with the option of establishing low-cost direct deposit accounts using appropriate tax forms.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2010
Honors Dr. Robert Campbell for his lifelong devotion to children's health care. Congratulates Dr. Campbell and his colleagues on their extraordinary achievement in pediatric and orthopedic innovation. Recognizes the Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib device which has saved the lives of many infants and children. Calls on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to continue to support and incentivize other medical advances to save children's lives threatened by rare disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2010
Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Pledges to continue to work on a bipartisan basis to identify and address the remaining barriers that undermine the nation's goals of equality of opportunity, independent living, economic self-sufficiency, and full participation for Americans with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2010
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration project under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to evaluate the benefits of providing payment for items and services needed for the administration, within the homes of Medicare beneficiaries, of intravenous immune globin (IVIG) for the treatment of primary immune deficiency diseases. Amends SSA title XVIII to treat as durable medical equipment (DME) any disposable drug delivery systems, including elastomeric infusion pumps, for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2010
Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions prohibiting knowingly creating, selling, or possessing a depiction of animal cruelty to prohibit knowingly and for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain selling or distributing an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce. States that such prohibition does not prohibit the sale or distribution of any visual depiction of hunting, trapping, fishing, or customary and normal veterinary or agricultural husbandry practices. Defines "animal crush video" as any obscene photograph, motion-picture film, video recording, or electronic image that depicts actual conduct in which one or more living animals is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, or impaled in a manner that would violate a criminal prohibition on cruelty to animals in the federal or state jurisdiction in which the depiction is created, sold, distributed, or offered for sale or distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2010
Expresses support for: (1) Olympic Day and the goals that Olympic Day pursues; and (2) the goals of World Fit. Congratulates: (1) Team USA on their Vancouver 2010 accomplishments; and (2) World Fit's participants on the 2010 results.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2010
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): (1) in order to better inform the allocation of grants under the State Homeland Security Grant Program, to conduct an initial assessment of the relative threat of, vulnerability to, and consequences from acts of terrorism for each state, with each threat assessment for a state conducted jointly with appropriate state officials; and (2) to conduct such initial risk assessments for eligible metropolitan areas for purposes of Urban Area Security Initiative grants jointly with appropriate metropolitan area officials.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2010
Homeland Security Grant Management Improvement Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from requiring the recipient of a grant under the Urban Area Security Initiative or the State Homeland Security Grant Program to use a specified percentage of such grant for any one of the specified permitted uses. Directs the Administrator to: (1) study the use of grant funds for administrative expenses; (2) determine whether 3% of the grant amount is adequate to ensure proper oversight, management, and administration of the grant; and (3) report recommendations on whether such percentage should be adjusted to better reflect administrative costs to grant recipients. Requires the Administrator to study the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of issuing multiyear program guidance for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2010
Supports the designation of Gospel Music Heritage Month (September 2010), which would recognize the contributions to U.S. culture derived from the rich heritage of gospel music and gospel music artists.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to revise the school lunch and breakfast programs, the summer food service program, the child and adult care food program (CACFP), and the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC program). Reauthorizes appropriations for such programs through FY2015. Includes among such revisions: (1) encouraging the direct certification of children who receive other public assistance as eligible for free meals under the school lunch and breakfast programs; (2) establishing new mechanisms by which schools or local educational agencies (LEAs) with very high proportions of low-income children can receive federal reimbursement for free or reduced price meals under such programs without collecting individual paper applications from households; (3) establishing a program awarding competitive grants to states and, through them, competitive subgrants to LEAs to establish or expand the school breakfast program at low-income schools; (4) expanding the access of low-income rural areas to the summer food service program; (5) requiring updates to meal patterns and nutrition standards for the school lunch and breakfast programs based on recommendations made by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS); (6) requiring the establishment of science-based nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools outside the school lunch and breakfast programs; (7) requiring LEAs participating in the school lunch and breakfast programs to establish local school wellness policies for their schools that include goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity and education, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness; (8) requiring reimbursable meals and snacks provided under the CACFP to meet the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans and certain authoritative scientific recommendations; (9) encouraging WIC program participants to breastfeed; and (10) requiring WIC electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems to be implemented nationwide by October 1, 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
Securing Protections for the Injured from Limitations on Liability Act - Amends the Death on the High Seas Act to permit a decedent's spouse, parent, child, or dependent relative (the decedent's personal representative under current law) to bring a civil action in admiralty or law (limited to admiralty under current law) against the person or vessel responsible for the decedent's death when the death was caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles (3 nautical miles under current law) from the shore of the United States. Allows recovery in such an action for fair compensation for nonpecuniary loss (limited to pecuniary loss under current law), plus a fair compensation for the decedent's pain and suffering. Defines "nonpecuniary loss" as loss of care, comfort, and companionship. Allows substitution of the decedent's spouse, parent, child, or dependent relative (personal representative under current law) as a plaintiff in an action for personal injury caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default under the Act, if the plaintiff dies during the action as a result of the wrongful act. Amends the Jones Act to allow recovery for the loss of the care, comfort, and companionship of a seaman who died in the course of employment Repeals specified general limitations on a shipowner's liability (the Limitation of Liability Act) for personal injury or death on seagoing vessels. Amends the federal judicial code with respect to the right to remove class actions and mass actions to federal court (the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005) to deny such right with respect to any action brought by a state or a state subdivision in its own state court on behalf of its citizens. Declares void and unenforceable any agreement, promise, or directive to restrict the dissemination of information (except by a government agency to protect public health or safety) regarding the cause, nature, or extent of, or damage caused by, or efforts to remediate any discharge into waters off the U.S. shore of a substance that contaminates a marine or coastal environment or endangers public health. Amends the bankruptcy code to prohibit a trustee in bankruptcy from selling or leasing, except in the ordinary course of business, any property of the estate of a debtor that is liable for a claim arising from an incident under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, to a purchaser (together with any affiliate) in an aggregate dollar amount exceeding a specified amount under the Clayton Act unless: (1) the purchaser (and affiliate) agree as a condition of the sale to pay the amount of allowed unsecured claims arising from the incident not paid by the debtor; or (2) all classes of unsecured claims approve the sale of such assets.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
WMD Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2010 - Requires the Director of National Intelligence to develop and implement: (1) a National Intelligence Strategy for Countering the Threat from Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD); and (2) a National Intelligence Strategy for Countering Biological Threats. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a unit for WMD intelligence and information sharing. Directs the DHS Secretary to: (1) produce biennial Bioterrorism Risk Assessments to identify and assess the evolving terrorist risk of a biological attack or other phenomena that may have serious health consequences for the United States; and (2) establish enhanced biosecurity measures for persons or laboratories that possess, use, or transfer Tier I Material Threat Agents (agents and toxins that are determined by the Secretary to present a material threat to the population). Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to: (1) award grants based on risk to academic and nonprofit organizations and to state, local, and tribal governments that possess, use, or transfer Tier I Material Threat Agents to enhance security at laboratories; and (2) assist such entities in improving and promoting individual and community preparedness and collective response to WMD and terrorist attacks involving biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear weapons against the United States. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish procedures, with appropriate controls on access, for the sharing of homeland security information with state, local, and tribal government officials; (2) periodically review and recommend updates to criminal laws that relate to the evolving risks of misuse of life sciences by terrorists and others and conduct investigations and enforce criminal violations of customs and export laws; (3) ensure that homeland security information concerning terrorist threats is provided to state, local, and tribal authorities and the public; (4) examine the state of domestic and global biosurveillance and submit to appropriate congressional committees a national strategy for biosurveillance; (5) carry out a program in DHS to detect a biological attack or event; and (6) carry out a program for system assessment and validation of emergency response equipment at DHS (SAVER Program). Establishes in DHS: (1) a National Export Enforcement Coordination Network; (2) an Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks; and (3) a National Bioforensics Analysis Center. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop voluntary guidance for responding to a release of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear material for police, fire, emergency medical services, emergency management, and public health personnel and make such guidance available to state, local, and tribal governments, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, and the public; (2) acquire, use, and disseminate timely integrated plume models (assessments of the location and prediction of the spread of pathogens resulting from an explosion or release of nuclear, radioactive, chemical, or biological substances) to enable rapid response activities following a chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological release; (3) develop and issue guidance for clean-up and restoration of indoor and outdoor areas that have been affected by the release of a biological agent; and (4) complete within 90 days after the enactment of this Act methods to rapidly screen travelers at ports of entry. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) periodically update a National Medical Countermeasure Dispensing Strategy to enhance preparedness and collective response to an attack with any chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear material; and (2) review the adequacy of domestic vaccination and antimicrobial dispensing policy, guidance, and information provided to the public in light of any known terrorist risk of a biological attack or other phenomena that may have serious health consequences for the United States. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) support efforts in other countries to develop mechanisms and capabilities for reporting to United Nations organizations validated data on biological attacks or other phenomena that may have serious health consequences for the United States; (2) establish and build capacity to effectively implement legislation criminalizing the development or use of biological weapons or acts of bioterrorism; (3) convene and lead an interagency task force on best practices for global biopreparedness; and (4) promote implementation of and compliance with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2010
Recognizes the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens on its 100th anniversary as the preeminent horticultural attraction in the borough of Brooklyn and for its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and education for New York City.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2010
Congratulates Principal Tim King and all of the students, teachers, administrators, and support personnel at Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men--Englewood Campus (Chicago, Illinois) for achieving a 100% college acceptance rate for its first graduating class of 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2010
Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives regarding public disclosure by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of written reports and findings of the board of the Office of Congressional Ethics. Prohibits the Committee from making a public statement if the board transmits a report on a matter recommending its dismissal or that it is unresolved due to a tie vote. States that if the Committee establishes an investigative subcommittee respecting such matter, the board's report and findings shall not be made public until the Committee has taken its final vote on the subcommittee's conclusions. Requires: (1) the subcommittee to conclude its review within one year after the board transmits a report respecting any matter; and (2) the Committee to make public the report and findings upon conclusion of review of the matter if misconduct is found. Prohibits release of any report, however, if dismissal is recommended or if the matter is unresolved due to a tie vote. States that if, after receipt of a written report and any findings and supporting documentation regarding a referral from the board, or of a referral of the matter from the board to the Committee at the Committee's request, the Committee agrees to a request from an appropriate law enforcement or regulatory authority to defer taking action on the matter, then the Committee shall make no public disclosure unless and until it has acted on the matter. Provides that if a report regarding a board's referral is deemed frivolous by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee, it may take such action as it, by such vote, considers appropriate in the circumstances. Revises procedures by which all board members, upon the request of two members, shall undertake a preliminary review of any alleged violation by a Member, officer, or employee of the House of any law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct. Requires the board's receipt of a sworn complaint from a citizen asserting personal knowledge of such alleged violation before commencement of such review. Requires the Office to seal all of its records respecting a matter immediately if the Committee: (1) votes to dismiss any matter as frivolous or unfounded that is referred from the board; and (2) orders the records sealed. Directs the board to amend its rules to define the standard of proof required to: (1) undertake a preliminary review; (2) commence a second-phase review of any matter under consideration; and (3) refer any matter to the Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Textile Enforcement and Security Act of 2010 - Requires the seizure and forfeiture of an imported textile or apparel article for which a trade preference has been claimed in cases where the importer: (1) has either misdescribed or not verified the article's country of origin; or (2) provides false information as to his or her address or does not meet certain documentation or informational requirements upon entry of an article. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) or the Secretary of the Treasury to use amounts from fines, penalties, and forfeitures of articles due to violations of the U.S. customs laws to pay for expenses related to the investigation and enforcement of such violations. Authorizes also the use of such amounts to pay for a reward of the lesser of at least 20% of that amount or $20,000 to any person who furnishes information that leads to an arrest, conviction, civil penalty assessment, or forfeiture of articles due to violations enforced by the Secretary. Directs the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure specified staffing of the Textile Operations Branch of the Textile and Apparel Policy and Programs (TAPP) division of the Office of International Trade within CBP and of the Textile/Apparel Policy Branch of TAPP. Requires the Commissioner to allocate, to the 15 largest U.S. ports of entry for textile or apparel articles, a certain number of Import Specialists trained in preventing textile or apparel importer fraud. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require certain documentation or information from an importer upon the entry of textile or apparel articles to include an affidavit with specified information that may be electronically filed with CBP. Prescribes additional bonding requirements for the importation of textile or apparel articles. Specifies producers, manufacturers, suppliers, sellers, importers, exporters subject to certain prohibitions against fraud, gross negligence, or negligence in the documentation of imported merchandise. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (who is now merely authorized) to publish in the Federal Register: (1) the names of persons located outside of the U.S. customs territories against whom the CBP has issued a penalty claim for violating U.S. customs laws; and (2) a list of high risk countries involved in the transshipment of textile or apparel products. Requires the President, acting through the CBP Commissioner and in coordination with the head of the Office of Textiles and Apparel of the Department of Commerce, to establish an electronic verification system for tracking textile or apparel articles imported or exported under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), or any other free trade agreement to which the United States is a party to ensure compliance with such agreements. Requires the President to establish a nonresident importer declaration program for the import of textile or apparel articles. Directs the Attorney General to establish within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Office of Textile and Apparel Trade Enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2010
Expresses deepest gratitude to the brave Japanese-Americans (Nisei) who constituted the Military Intelligence Service and the invaluable contribution they provided during and after World War II. Recognizes and appreciates the hardships that the Nisei experienced while serving the United States with honor and distinction.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2010
Lena Horne Recognition Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the posthumous presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design in commemoration of Lena Horne in recognition of her achievements and contributions to American culture and the civil rights movement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2010
America's Waterway Watch Act - Establishes within the Coast Guard the America's Waterway Watch Program to promote voluntary reporting of activities indicating a threat or act of terrorism against a vessel, facility, port, or waterway. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) report to specified congressional committees and to the Comptroller General on the pilot program to test the business processes, technology, and operational impacts required to deploy transportation security card readers at secure areas of the marine transportation system; (2) report to specified congressional committees on the establishment of Interagency Operational Centers for Port Security and on the threat, vulnerability, and consequence of a terrorist attack on gasoline and chemical cargo shipments in port activity areas; (3) establish no less than two maritime security response teams to act as the Coast Guard's counterterrorism and law enforcement response units; (4) increase the number of detection canine teams certified by the Coast Guard for maritime-related security; (5) conduct a program for the mobile biometric identification of suspected individuals, including terrorists, to enhance border security; (6) establish a pilot program to test and deploy preventive radiological or nuclear detection equipment on Coast Guard vessels to enhance border security; (7) establish procedures for fingerprinting applicants for transportation security cards and prepare an assessment of the enrollment sites for such cards; and (8) initiate a national study to identify measures for improving the security of maritime transportation of certain dangerous cargo and coordinate an evaluation of the waterside security of vessels carrying, and waterfront facilities handling, certain dangerous cargo. Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) study the effects that the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) has on companies that employ seasonal employees; (2) study methods to conduct a background security investigation of an individual who possesses a biometric identification card that complies with International Labor Convention number 185; and (3) report to specified congressional committees regarding background checks and forms of identification required under state and local transportation security programs. Requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to promote maritime security and ensure appropriate coverage of maritime security missions within the workforce. Authorizes the Commandant to establish and operate one or more centers of expertise for maritime security.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2010
Supports the goals and ideals of Caribbean-American Heritage Month (in the month of June). Affirms that: (1) the contributions of Caribbean-Americans are a significant part of the history, progress, and heritage of the United States; and (2) the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States enriches and strengthens the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2010
Celebrates the life and achievements of Lena Mary Calhoun Horne and honors her for her triumphs against racial discrimination and her steadfast commitment to the civil rights of all people.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
Fairness and Accuracy in Employment Background Checks Act of 2010 - Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish and enforce procedures to ensure the prompt release of accurate federal criminal background records and information exchanged for employment-related purposes; and (2) report to Congress on the exchange of records or information for employment-related purposes under this Act and on all federal statutes, regulations, and policies providing employment restrictions and disqualifications based on criminal records.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to: (1) include nonprofit organizations within the meaning of "eligible entity" for purposes of brownfields revitalization funding; (2) increase the limit on the maximum amount of a grant for brownfields remediation for each site; (3) authorize the President to transfer any duties under the brownfield remediation grant program to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); (4) revise eligibility requirements for brownfields revitalization funding; (5) require the Administrator to establish a program to provide multi-purpose grants to inventory, characterize, assess, conduct planning related to, or remediate brownfield sites in an area; (6) require the Administrator to establish a program to make competitive grants to be used at brownfield sites for projects that reduce environmental impact, increase community livability, and encourage sustainability; (7) authorize the Administrator to assign EPA employees to entities servings small, disadvantaged, or rural communities to build local capacity for the remediation and revitalization of brownfield sites in such communities; (8) increase and extend funding for brownfields revitalization; (9) require at least 7.5% of such funding to be used to carry out projects that reduce environmental impact, increase community livability, and encourage sustainability; and (10) increase and extend funding for state response programs established under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2010
Commends Lance Orton and Duane Jackson for promptly alerting authorities about the suspicious vehicle involved in the attempted terrorist attack at Times Square on May 1, 2010. Urges: (1) all Americans to remain vigilant about potential terrorist or suspicious activity within their communities and to report such activity to the appropriate authorities; and (2) all federal agencies to continue to work with state, local, and tribal partners to bolster preparedness for and prevention of terrorism. Recognizes the New York City Police Department and its bomb squad, the Fire Department of New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Customs and Border Protection, the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS), the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, Detective Bureau, Patrol Division, and other Connecticut law enforcement agencies for their commitment in responding to terrorism and their work in apprehending a suspect.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2010
Commission on Improving Long-Term Care and Community Services Act of 2010 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a commission designed to construct a comprehensive national strategy on how to increase the affordability, accessibility, and effectiveness of long-term care and community services in the United States and its territories. Requires the commission's policy recommendations to address economic, geographic, cultural, social, transportation, workforce, and other factors that limit access to quality home, community, and institutional services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act of 2010 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA) to extend through FY2015 the National Flood Insurance Program and the Pilot Program for Mitigation of Severe Repetitive Loss Properties. Increases maximum coverage limits. Provides a phase-in of actuarial rates for nonresidential properties and non-primary residences. Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (FDPA) to delay the effective date for the mandatory purchase of flood insurance for certain areas not previously designated as having special flood hazards. Amends NFIA to set forth a five-year phase-in of flood insurance rates for newly mapped areas not previously designated as having special flood hazards. Increases the annual limitation on premium increases. Considers any community that has made adequate progess on reconstruction or improvement of a flood protection system eligible for flood insurance premium rates not exceeding those which would be applicable if the flood protection system had been completed. States that, upon completion of certain flood protection projects, a covered area: (1) shall not be considered as having special flood hazards; and (2) shall be eligible for flood insurance. Amends the FDPA to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to notify tenants: (1) whether property is located in an area having special flood hazards; and (2) that flood insurance for dwelling contents is available, including the maximum amount of such coverage. Authorizes such Administrator to make grants to local governmental agencies in communities that participate in the national flood insurance program to implement outreach activities to encourage the purchase of flood insurance protection. Authorizes the FEMA Administrator to employ additional staff. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the FEMA Administrator to develop and implement jointly a plan to verify that persons receiving funds under the Homeowner Grant Assistance Program of the state of Mississippi or the Road Home Program of the state of Louisiana from specified allocations are maintaining flood insurance on the property for which they receive such funds. Establishes the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on: (1) the impact, effectiveness, feasibility, and constitutional basis for extending mandatory flood insurance coverage purchase requirements to property which is located in any area having special flood hazards and which secures certain loan repayments; and (2) potential methods, practices, and incentives that would increase the extent to which low-income families owning residential properties located within special flood hazards areas would purchase flood insurance coverage under the national program. Requires the Administrator to study and report to Congress on including widely used and nationally recognized building codes as part of floodplain management criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Housing Assistance Council Program Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide financial assistance to the Housing Assistance Council to develop the ability and capacity of community-based housing development organizations to undertake community development and affordable housing projects and programs in rural areas. Authorizes the Council to use such assistance for rural community-based housing development organizations to acquire: (1) technical assistance, training, support, and advice to develop the business and administrative capabilities of such organizations; and (2) loans, grants, or other financial assistance to them to carry out community development and affordable housing activities for low- and moderate-income families.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a Chief Veterinary Officer, who shall: (1) head the division of DHS with primary responsibility for veterinary issues, food defense, and agriculture security; and (2) have primary responsibility within DHS for responsibilities relating to veterinary medicine and veterinary public health. Requires that such Officer: (1) be a veterinarian who possesses a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of veterinary public health and emergency preparedness; (2) be appointed by the DHS Secretary; and (3) report directly to the Chief Medical Officer (or to the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs if the Assistant Secretary is not serving as Chief Medical Officer).
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or maximum prison term of five years for anyone who knowingly sells or offers to sell an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain. States that this prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the selling or offering to sell videos that depict hunting. Defines "animal crush video" as any visual depiction of animals being intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, or impaled that: (1) depicts actual conduct in which a living animal is tortured, maimed, or mutilated that violates any criminal prohibition on intentional cruelty under federal law or the law of the state in which the depiction is sold; and (2) taken as a whole, does not have religious, political, scientific, educational, journalistic, historical, or artistic value.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Nutrition Education and Wellness in Schools Act or NEW Schools Act - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to replace the nutrition promotion program with a program that requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to ensure that their local wellness policies: (1) include goals for nutrition and physical education, physical activity, on-campus food marketing and advertising, and other school-based activities that promote nutrition and wellness throughout the extended school day; (2) include plans for implementing, and measuring the implementation of, such policies; (3) require reimbursable school meals to meet certain nutritional guidelines; and (4) require the nutritional guidelines for nonreimbursable foods and beverages sold in schools to be in compliance with standards established by the Secretary of Agriculture. Requires each LEA, within two years of this Act's enactment and every three years thereafter, to complete and disseminate an assessment of their local wellness policy. Directs each LEA to designate a standing Local Wellness Policy Committee made up of education, health, and nutrition stakeholders to foster the integration of a local wellness policy that meets this Act's requirements with other health-related activities in the LEA's schools and community. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance and outreach to key state and local stakeholders to promote effective local wellness policies; and (2) prepare a report, in conjunction with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on the implementation, strength, and effectiveness of local wellness policies. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to replace the Team Nutrition Network program with The Wellness and Nutrition Network (TWNN) program providing grants to states to: (1) establish a comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated State Wellness and Nutrition Network; and (2) allocate grants to LEAs to promote and support healthy eating and physical activity programs, policies, or initiatives for children that participate in the child nutrition programs. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated national nutrition promotion and education strategy as part of TWNN.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Honors the life and achievements of Dr. Benjamin Lawson Hooks, for his commitment to justice on the bench in Memphis, Tennessee, for his strong work with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to formulate strategies for eliminating barriers to civil rights, and for his leadership in promoting equal opportunity for all.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness (CARE) Act of 2010 - Amends the Webb-Kenyon Act to: (1) state that it is the policy of Congress that each state or territory shall continue to have the primary authority to regulate alcoholic beverages; (2) prohibit unjustified discrimination against out-of-state producers of alcoholic beverages in favor of in-state producers; and (3) establish higher evidentiary standards for legal actions challenging the authority of states or territories to regulate alcoholic beverages. Amends the Wilson Act to eliminate the requirement that a state or territory regulate the importation of all fermented, distilled, or other intoxicating liquors or liquids to the same extent and in the same manner as such liquors or liquids produced in such state or territory.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Security in Energy and Manufacturing Act of 2010 or the SEAM Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the qualifying advanced energy project credit by allocating in 2010 $5 billion of grants or tax credit amounts to manufacturers of goods and components (other than for assembly of components) in the United States that are used in alternative energy projects.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Ponzi Scheme Victims' Tax Relief Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a special theft loss tax deduction for qualified fraudulent investment losses and for such losses in connection with assets held in an individual retirement account (IRA); (2) a carryback of net operating losses which are qualified fraudulent investment losses for up to 10 years; (3) withdrawals from tax-exempt retirement plans for a 10-year period without penalty to replace qualified fraudulent investment losses; (4) catch-up contributions to retirement plans to compensate for fraudulent investment losses; and (5) an extension of the limitation period for filing refund claims for overpayments of tax in connection with gifts and bequests of an interest in an investment for which there is a qualified fraudulent investment loss. Defines "qualified fraudulent investment loss" as a loss discovered in 2008 or 2009 resulting from a fraudulent arrangement in which a person receives cash or property from investors, purports to earn income for investors, reports partially or wholly fictitious income to such investors, makes payments to some investors from payments made by other investors, and appropriates some or all of the investors' cash or property.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Ponzi Scheme Investor Protection Act of 2010 - Amends the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 with respect to the duties of a trustee appointed for a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered broker or dealer undergoing liquidation. Instructs the trustee to take specified actions if the trustee determines that the debtor is a Ponzi scheme. Establishes procedures for an indirect Ponzi scheme investor to file a claim. Instructs the trustee to: (1) coordinate with Ponzi scheme investors to ensure proper payments to indirect Ponzi scheme investors; and (2) take specified actions to pay indirect Ponzi scheme investors. Prescribes the maximum aggregate amount of all cash and securities that may be awarded to each indirect Ponzi scheme investor. Prohibits the trustee of a Ponzi scheme from seeking to recover money and profits from any Ponzi scheme investor unless such investor's participation in the Ponzi scheme was either complicit or negligent. Requires the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) to: (1) advance to the trustee such moneys as may be required to pay claims and implement this Act; and (2) promulgate regulations modifying SIPC Fund assessment levels to ensure they are adequate to cover the anticipated costs of implementing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month; and (2) research efforts to better understand the links between sarcoidosis and specific occupations where sarcoidosis is disproportionately represented. Recognizes that sarcoidosis has played a prominent yet hidden role in America's workforce history.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2010
Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to extend for 45 days the time period for filing petitions to deny, oppositions, and comments in the proceeding relating to the proposed merger of Comcast and NBC Universal. States that such extension shall: (1) permit petitions to deny, oppositions, and comments on or before June 17, 2010; (2) permit responses to petitions to deny, oppositions, and comments on or before July, 16, 2010; and (3) permit replies to such responses on or before August 1, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2010
Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2010 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise conditions of and limitations on payment for home health care services. Allows payment for home health services to Medicare beneficiaries by: (1) a nurse practitioner; (2) a clinical nurse specialist working in collaboration with a physician in accordance with state law; (3) a certified nurse-midwife; or (4) a physician assistant under a physician's supervision.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Greening Food Deserts Act - Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Office of Urban Agriculture which shall coordinate Department of Agriculture (USDA) activities related to urban agriculture and nutrition. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary to provide technical assistance in support of backyard conservation and community gardening programs involving small-scale subsistence and personal-use agriculture. Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 regarding urban and community forestry assistance to give a priority to the production and procurement in urban areas of plant materials that are resistant to invasive species. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize appropriations for the seniors farmers' market nutrition program. Directs the Secretary to make loans, provide loan guarantees, and make grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for farmers' market construction and renovation. Amends the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 to include an evaluation of state farmers' markets in each agriculture census. Renames the Rural Energy for America Program as the Renewable Energy for America Program. Authorizes the Secretary to make a microloan or grant available to support outreach activities for: (1) developing food production in communities not traditionally associated with agricultural production; and (2) supporting local food production and distribution. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase reimbursement rates for school lunch, breakfast, and summer food service meals consisting in whole or part of foods produced through agricultural education programs that use enrolled students to produce food and provide the food to in-house feeding programs. Amends The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary to make eight grants each fiscal year to regional food banks or consortiums of community feeding programs for a demonstration project to produce fresh fruits and vegetables at these facilities while teaching eligible households how to engage in small-scale food production residentially or at community gardens.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Quadrennial National Security Review Act - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to direct the President, every four years, to: (1) conduct a quadrennial national security review (QNSR) to set forth the long- and short-term security goals of the United States; and (2) report review results to Congress. Establishes the QNSR Advisory Commission to assess such reports and the national security budget. Directs the President to submit a national security strategy report at the same time that each QNSR is submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
International Cybercrime Reporting and Cooperation Act - Directs the President to report annually to Congress regarding: (1) foreign countries’ use of information and communications technologies (ICT) in critical infrastructure, cybercrime based in each country, the adequacy of each country’s legal and law enforcement systems addressing cybercrime, and online protection of consumers and commerce; (2) multilateral efforts to prevent and investigate cybercrime, including U.S. actions to promote such multilateral efforts; and (3) countries for which action plans have been developed. Directs the President to give priority for assistance to improve legal, judicial, and enforcement capabilities with respect to cybercrime to countries with low ICT levels of development or utilization in their critical infrastructure, telecommunications systems, and financial industries. Directs the President to develop an action plan (with legislative, institutional, or enforcement benchmarks) and annual compliance assessment for each country determined to be a country of cyber concern: (1) from which there is a pattern of cybercrime incidents against the U.S. government, private U.S. entities, or other U.S. persons; and (2) whose government is uncooperative with efforts to combat cybercrime. Urges the President to take restrictive actions against a country that has not complied with the appropriate benchmarks with respect to: (1) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC); (2) the Export-Import Bank of the United States; (3) multilateral development financing; (4) the Trade and Development Agency; (5) preferential trade programs; and (6) foreign assistance. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements to develop an action plan or make a determination of cyber concern if in U.S. national interest. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) designate a high-level Department of State employee to coordinate anti-cybercrime activities; and (2) assign an employee to have primary responsibility for cybercrime policy in each country or region significant to U.S. anti-cybercrime efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2010
Expanding Opportunities for Main Street Act of 2010 - Requires a federal department or agency, to the extent practicable, to award to a small business each acquisition contract of more than $3,000 and less than $500,000 (eligible contract). Authorizes a federal department or agency to award an eligible contract to a small business if at least one small business submits a contract offer. Requires federal contracting officers to provide a determination of and reasons for not awarding an eligible contract to a small business. Amends the Small Business Act to allow an otherwise-qualifying individual with a net worth of less than $1.5 million to participate in the Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Redefines the terms "bundled contracts" and "bundling of contract requirements" for purposes of small business participation in federal procurement contracts. Increases federal small business procurement contracting goals. Requires the withholding of specified contract amounts to contractors who fail to award a specified percentage of its subcontracts to small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to extend through FY2011 an SBA program to provide deferred loans to small businesses that have a qualifying loan and are experiencing immediate financial hardship. Requires the Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to establish the Minority Business Development Program to assist minority businesses with technical assistance, loan guarantees, and contract procurement assistance. Authorizes the Director to: (1) enter into agreements to provide set-aside contracting opportunities to minority businesses; and (2) terminate a minority business from the Program for specified violations. Requires the National Director of the MBDA to establish a database to assist prime contractors in identifying historically disadvantaged firms for subcontracting. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a minimum percentage of construction work hours to be performed by targeted workers (workers whose families have incomes of no more than 200% of federal poverty guidelines) under contracts for facilities and infrastructure construction and rehabilitation funded directly by or assisted in whole or in part by the federal government in FY2011. Requires the utilization of apprenticeship programs for such workers. Expresses the sense of Congress urging participation in such contracts by socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2011: (1) the new markets tax credit national limitation of $5 billion; and (2) empowerment zone designations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2010
Employing Youth for the American Dream Act of 2010 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to expand to age 24 the age eligibility requirements under the youth opportunity grants program for youth activities. Directs the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to make certain allotments to states for summer jobs programs for disconnected youth (youth age 16 to 24 who are not regularly employed or attending school). Requires the Secretary to award grants to states to carry out employment programs for the partial reimbursement of wages paid by employers of small or medium-sized business concerns for new hires or rehires of former employees. Requires states to give priority for payments to eligible employers who hire or rehire a disconnected youth. Requires the Secretary to make allotments and grants to states to carry out eligible on-the-job training programs for disconnected youth. Directs the President to establish a public service employment program to employ individuals to carry out works of a public nature in connection with parks, roads, schools, and after-school programs. Requires priority for such jobs to be given to individuals who are long-term unemployed, low-income, and disconnected youth. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the work opportunity tax credit through calendar 2015; (2) include as a member of a targeted group for purposes of such credit a qualified Title 1-B youth services recipient and rename a "qualified ex-felon" as a "qualified ex-offender" for purposes of the credit; (3) double the amount of allowable wages that may be considered in calculating such credit; (4) revive and extend the designation period for tax-preferred empowerment zones and revive certain zone designations that terminated on December 31, 2009; and (5) allow an employer tax credit through 2012 for the employment of disconnected youth. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to give preference to the hiring of individuals age 16 to 24 for federal park and forestry jobs. Authorizes contracting officers of executive agencies to give preference in the award of federal contracts for the procurement of goods and services to employers: (1) that employ, in a youth apprenticeship and in the performance of the contract, disconnected youth who reside in high unemployment areas; and (2) whose contracts are funded for FY2011 under a law enacted to create infrastructure, transportation, or green energy jobs.
![Official portrait of Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000193_200.jpg)