United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2009
Same Day Registration Act - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require states to permit individuals to register to vote in a federal election on the date of the election itself (or on the day of voting under early voting).
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2009
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3854) to amend the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve programs providing access to capital under such Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2009
Post 9/11 Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act - Amends the Troops-to-Teachers program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (which provides veterans with teacher certification stipends in exchange for three years of service in a high-need local educational agency [LEA] or public charter school). Expands program eligibility to cover certain individuals: (1) who, on or after September 11, 2001, serve at least 90 continuous days on active duty in the Armed Forces before being honorably released from such service; or (2) who, on or after January 8, 2002, are separated or released from active duty after at least four (currently, six) years of continuous active duty immediately preceding such separation or release, and agree to serve in the Armed Forces Reserves for at least three years. Makes any LEA that is receiving school improvement funds eligible to host Troops-to-Teachers program participants. Directs the Secretary of Education to establish an Advisory Board, composed of federal, state, and veteran service organization representatives, to collect, study, and disseminate feedback from the program and report to Congress on how the program is operating and might be improved. Reserves specified funding to carry out the Troops-to-Teachers program through FY2014.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2009
Honors the service and achievements of women in the Armed Forces and female veterans. Expresses support for groups that raise awareness about the service and achievements of such women.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2009
Thermal Energy Cooling and Heating Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a residential energy efficient property tax credit for 30% of expenditures for distributed thermal energy storage property installed in a principal residence; (2) a 30% energy tax credit for investment in qualified distributed thermal storage property prior to 2017; and (3) financing of qualified distributed thermal energy storage property with new clean renewable energy bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2009
Supports the initiatives of the Leave No Child Inside initiative of the Chicago Wilderness regional alliance in Illinois. Encourages: (1) the President to issue a proclamation in support of the goals and ideals of the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights; (2) other states and U.S. territories to support the goals and ideals of the Leave No Child Inside initiative; and (3) media and press organizations to participate in the No Child Left Inside Month. Recognizes and encourages the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights commitment to fight obesity, physical disorders, and unawareness of natural amenities by promoting quality outdoor activities for children and adults.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2009
USA PATRIOT Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to revise requirements relating to roving electronic surveillance, production of records for counterterrorism investigations, and use of pen registers and trap and trace devices (devices for recording incoming and outgoing telephone numbers). Extends until December 31, 2013, provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act authorizing: (1) roving electronic surveillance; and (2) orders for the production of records for counterterrorism investigations. Extends through 2013 audit requirements relating to orders for tangible things, pen registers and trap and trace devices, and the use of national security letters. Amends the federal criminal code to reduce from 30 to 7 days the period for giving notice to the target of a search warrant in a criminal investigation. National Security Letter Reform Act of 2009 - Terminates on December 31, 2013, the authority for issuance of national security letters. Modifies the standard for issuing national security letters to require a separate writing documenting specific and articulable facts showing reasonable grounds to believe that the information sought pertains to a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power. Requires notice to a recipient of a national security letter of the right of judicial review of any nondisclosure requirement. Requires the Attorney General to authorize use of any information obtained from a national security letter in a criminal investigation. Sets forth procedures for judicial review of a national security letter nondisclosure order. Requires the Attorney General to establish minimization and destruction procedures for information obtained from a national security letter that is no longer of interest in an authorized investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2009
Bone Health Promotion and Research Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop and implement a National Bone Health Program for the control, prevention, and surveillance of osteoporosis and related bone diseases and to coordinate and carry out national education and outreach activities in support of such program; (2) authorize the Secretary to award grants to states and Indian tribes for comprehensive osteoporosis and related bone disease control and prevention programs; and (3) award grants or enter into cooperative agreements for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on osteoporosis and related bone diseases. including osteogenesis imperfecta and Paget's disease of bone. Requires the Secretary to establish the Osteoporosis and Related Bone Disease Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Health on conducting activities related to the National Bone Health Program. Directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) expand and intensify NIH research programs for osteoporosis and related bone diseases, including osteogenesis imperfecta, Paget's disease of bone, and rare bone diseases; and (2) award planning grants or contracts for the establishment or enhancement of research programs for osteoporosis and related bone diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Every Child Deserves a Family Act - Prohibits an entity that receives federal assistance and is involved in adoption or foster care placements from discriminating against prospective adoptive or foster parents solely on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identification, or martial status. Requires a General Accounting Office study and report to Congress on whether states have substantially complied with this Act in eliminating policies, practices, or statutes that deny adoption rights on the basis of these criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Calls on people of Madagascar to restore constitutional governance, culminating in free and peaceful elections. Condemns the illegal extraction of Madagascar's natural resources and its impact on biodiversity and livelihoods of rural communities. Calls upon importing countries to intensify their monitoring processes to ensure that they do not contribute to the demand for illegally sourced precious woods from Madagascar.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to reauthorize through FY2014 the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. Modifies the scope of the AFG program, including by permitting the use of grant funds for volunteer, non-fire service emergency medical services organizations and for certifying fire and building inspectors employed by a fire department or serving as a volunteer building inspector with a fire department. Increases: (1) funding for fire prevention and firefighter safety programs; and (2) maximum AFG grant amounts. Lowers matching and maintenance of expenditure requirements and authorizes the Administrator of FEMA to waive or reduce such requirements for applicants facing demonstrated economic hardship. Revises grant allocation requirements to require 25% of grant amounts for a fiscal year to be allocated to each of: (1) career fire departments; (2) volunteer fire departments; (3) combination fire departments. Requires the remaining 25% to be awarded on a competitive basis among such fire departments. Revises grant limits based on jurisdiction populations. Sets forth new limits on awards to state fire training academies. Limits grant amounts used to obtain training to training that complies with applicable national voluntary consensus standards. Amends SAFER program provisions to: (1) limit the period of program grants to three years; (2) require grantees to commit to retaining firefighters hired for the entire grant period, with an economic hardship exception; and (3) limit to 80% the portion of the cost of hiring firefighters for each fiscal year that may be provided under a grant.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare competitive acquisition program for durable medical equipment and prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS).
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Congratulates Northwestern University on winning the 2009 NCAA women's lacrosse championship. Commends Northwestern University for its pursuit of athletic and academic excellence.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2009
Civil Access to Justice Act of 2009 - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to reauthorize the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) at increased levels for FY2010-FY2015. Requires the LSC Board of Directors to include at least one individual with financial or audit experience. Eliminates state advisory councils. Increases the maximum pay level for LSC officers and employees. Requires the LSC to establish: (1) a protocol for the receipt of donations; (2) an audit committee, a finance committee, and a governance and performance review committee; (3) a continuity of operations plan; and (4) an adequate internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting. Requires the LSC to promote recruitment and retention of highly qualified staff members for all grantees, contractees, or recipients of financial assistance through the Pilot Loan Repayment Assistance Program or other appropriate programs. Limits the coverage of prohibited purpose provisions of federal law only to recipient use of funds from the LSC itself. (Thus lifts such restrictions, except those related to abortion litigation, on the use of state and local funds and private donations.) Revises eligibility requirements for LSC grantees and funds recipients, extending specific eligibility to those seeking assistance with matters relating to home foreclosure or mortgage default or delinquency. Requires distribution of LSC funds on the basis of a system of competitive bidding, as well as specific allocations for all geographic areas, Native American communities, and migrant and seasonal farm workers. Prohibits the use of LSC funds to provide legal assistance with respect to: (1) litigation relating to prison conditions; (2) the defense of an individual in a proceeding to evict him or her from a public housing project in connection with a drug offense; or (3) all but certain aliens. Authorizes the LSC to allow use of a portion of the funds provided under the grant or contract to acquire and develop information technology to promote full access to high-quality, efficient legal representation and materials for self-representation. Directs the LSC to require an audit of each recipient in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009
Community Access Preservation Act or the CAP Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require, with a specified waiver authority, that public, educational, and government (PEG) channels be: (1) carried in the same channel capacity as local commercial television channels, or if no such stations are required to be carried, in the same channel capacity as network-affiliated commercial television stations carried on cable; and (2) provided to every cable subscriber without additional service or equipment charges. Requires a cable operator to: (1) carry PEG signals to subscribers without material degradation and without altering content; and (2) provide facilities adequate to fulfill such requirements. Requires cable operators in states that have adopted statewide franchising to: (1) make PEG support payments equal to the greater of the cash payment required under state law or the value of historically-provided PEG support; (2) carry PEG signals from the point of origin to subscribers; and (3) provide at least the number of channels for PEG use provided as of May 31, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009
Amends the Act commonly known as the Indian Reorganization Act to apply the Act to all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of when any tribe became recognized. (This effectively overrules the Supreme Court's decision in Carcieri v. Salazar, which held that the Secretary of the Interior could not take land into trust for a specified tribe because that tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction when the Act was enacted.)
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009
Community College Energy Training Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, to create a program awarding grants to community colleges to provide workforce training and education in sustainable energy industries and practices, such as: (1) alternative energy; (2) energy efficient construction, retrofitting, and design; (3) sustainable energy technologies; (4) water and energy conservation; (5) recycling and waste reduction; and (6) sustainable agriculture and farming. Requires at least one-half of the grant funds to be awarded to community colleges with existing sustainability programs leading to certificates or degrees in one or more of the industries or practices listed above.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009
Mourns the loss of life caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma that occurred on September 26, 2009, and October 1, 2009, and expresses condolences to the families of the many victims. Urges President Obama to continue to support the Philippines with emergency relief.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act - Identifies roadless areas within the National Forest System set forth in specified maps as National Forest Inventoried Roadless Areas, and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to manage such Areas to maintain their roadless character. Authorizes the Forest Service to modify such maps for the sole purpose of improving their accuracy or inclusiveness. Requires any substantial modification of those maps to be made through the national forest management planning process and documented in an environmental impact statement.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
Prohibits any funds from being obligated or expended to increase the number of U.S. Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2012-FY2016 for: (1) type I diabetes research; and (2) diabetes prevention and treatment through Indian health facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2009
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to direct the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia (Task Force) established by such Act, to: (1) establish and maintain a National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program to develop a national strategy to address marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; (2) promote activities and an action strategy to implement such Program; (3) oversee the development and implementation of regional research and action plans for addressing marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; and (4) identify the appropriate regions and subregions to be addressed by such plans. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force, to report on progress toward the attainment of the coastal goal of the 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan released by the EPA on June 16, 2008. Directs the Task Force to complete and submit to Congress and the President an integrated assessment of hypoxia in the coastal and estuarine waters of the Pacific Northwest.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2009
Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Regional Program and National Environmental Literacy Grant Program Act - Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a national competitive grant program under which the Administrator shall provide financial assistance to: (1) expand the adoption of coastal, ocean, and watershed environmental education within mainstream educational systems and other appropriate media; (2) build administrative and technical capacity with coastal, ocean, and watershed communities and stakeholder groups to enhance their effectiveness; (3) encourage water-dependent and outdoor recreation, experiential learning, and hands-on involvement with coastal and watershed resources as a method of promoting stewardship of those resources; and (4) develop and implement new approaches to advance coastal, ocean, and watershed education and environmental literacy at national, regional, and local levels. Requires the Administrator to: (1) give priority, in awarding grants, to innovative, strategic, high-leverage projects that demonstrate strong potential for being sustained; and (2) publish guidelines regarding implementation of the grant program. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish the Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Regional Program, which shall be carried out through specified regional program offices; and (2) appoint a Regional Program Manager for each office. Authorizes the Administrator, in awarding grants under such Program, to give priority to projects that will: (1) promote bay-watershed education throughout the region; (2) advance strategic initiatives to incorporate bay-watershed education into education systems; (3) build capacity within bay-watershed education communities and stakeholder groups for expanding and strengthening their work; (4) build bay-watershed education into professional development or training activities for educators; and (5) broadly replicate existing, proven bay-watershed education programs. Requires NOAA's Office of Education to work with Regional Program Managers. .
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2009
Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009 - Amends the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (Credit CARD Act of 2009) to move up the effective date of the Act from February 20, 2010, to December 1, 2009. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to move up also to December 1, 2009: (1) the deadline by which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System must issue final implementing rules for required creditor reviews of changes in factors considered in past consumer annual percentage interest rate (APR) increases when determining whether to reduce the APR; and (2) the effective date of the creditor review requirement. Moves up to the same date: (1) the effective date of the requirement that any penalty fee or charge that a credit card issuer may impose, including a late payment fee, over-the-limit fee, or any other penalty fee or charge, be reasonable and proportional to the omission or violation to which it relates; and (2) the deadline for the Board to issue final implementing rules establishing standards for assessing whether any such penalty fee or charge is reasonable and proportional. Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to move up to December 1, 2009, as well the effective dates of the Act's: (1) prohibition against the imposition of a dormancy fee, an inactivity charge or fee, or a service fee with respect to general use prepaid cards, certificates, and store gift cards; and (2) the deadline by which the Board must issue final implementing regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2009
Congratulates Ichiro Suzuki, outfielder for the Seattle Mariners, for becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history with at least 200 base hits in nine consecutive seasons.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009
National Oilheat Research Alliance Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 to extend the national oilheat research alliance program until February 6, 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Education Assistance to Realign New Eligibilities for Dependents (EARNED) Act of 2009 - Allows any former member of the Armed Forces who has 20 years of active-duty service as of any date between September 30, 2011, and ending July 31, 2009, including at least 90 days of such service after September 10, 2001, and is honorably discharged to transfer to their dependents any remaining entitlement to educational assistance under the post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Respect for Marriage Act of 2009 - Amends the Defense of Marriage Act to repeal provisions allowing states, territories, possessions of the United States, or Indian tribes to give no effect to a public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other such entity respecting a relationship between persons of the same sex that is treated as a marriage under that entity's laws or a right or claim arising from such relationship. Amends the federal rules of construction added by such Act concerning the definitions of "marriage" and "spouse" to provide that, for purposes of any federal law in which marital status is a factor, an individual shall be considered married if that individual's marriage is valid in the state where the marriage was entered into or, in the case of a marriage entered into outside any state, if the marriage is valid in the place where entered into and the marriage could have been entered into in a state.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2009
National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the establishment of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center, to mint and issue up to two million $1 coins emblematic of the courage, sacrifice, and strength of those who perished and who risked their lives to save others during such attacks. Requires: (1) all coin sales to include a surcharge of $10 per coin; and (2) all surcharges received from the sale of coins to be paid to support the operations and maintenance of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Waterfront Brownfields Revitalization Act - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to require the President to establish a grant program for reuse planning, site characterization and assessment, or remediation at waterfront brownfields sites, including the integration of activities related to the design and implementation of water quality improvements, low impact development approaches, green infrastructure, remediation and management of sediments, or flood damage prevention associated with brownfields remediation and reuse. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations to facilitate waterfront brownfields revitalization. Authorizes funding for brownfields revitalization for FY2010-FY2014. Requires the Administrator to establish and serve as chairperson of a task force on waterfront brownfields revitalization that shall identify: (1) funding and technical assistance resources for such revitalization; (2) barriers to and solutions for revitalization; and (3) methods to coordinate interagency revitalization efforts. Directs: (1) the Administrator to submit to specified congressional committees an annual report on the implementation of the brownfield site characterization and assessment grant program authorized by CERCLA; and (2) such committees to hold hearings each year on such report.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Ensuring Military Readiness Through Stability and Predictability Deployment Policy Act - Prohibits any unit of the regular Armed Forces from being deployed for Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom unless the period between the most recent previous deployment and a subsequent deployment is equal to or longer than the period of the most recent previous deployment. Expresses the sense of Congress that the optimal minimum period between such deployments should be equal to or longer than twice the period of the most recent previous deployment. Prohibits any unit of the reserves from being deployed for such Operations unless the period between the most recent previous deployment and a subsequent deployment is at least three times longer than the period of the most recent previous deployment. Expresses the sense of Congress that units of the reserves should not be mobilized continuously for more than one year, and that the optimal minimum period between such deployments should be five years. Provides exceptions from deployment requirements. Authorizes the President or chief of staff of the military department concerned to waive such requirements under certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to set the policy of the United States regarding various aspects of the Internet, including access, consumer choice, competition, ability to use or offer content, applications, and services, discriminatory favoritism, and capacity. Makes it the duty of each Internet access service provider to: (1) not block, interfere with, discriminate against, impair, or degrade the ability of any person to use an Internet access service; (2) not impose certain charges on any Internet content, service, or application provider; (3) not prevent or obstruct a user from attaching or using any lawful device in conjunction with such service, provided the device does not harm the provider's network; (4) offer Internet access service to any requesting person; (5) not provide or sell to any content, application, or service provider any offering that prioritizes traffic over that of other such providers; and (6) not install or use network features, functions, or capabilities that impede or hinder compliance with these duties. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate related rules. Prohibits construing this Act to prohibit an Internet access provider from engaging in reasonable network management. Requires the FCC to: (1) promulgate rules to ensure that an Internet access service provider does not require a consumer, as a condition on the purchase of any Internet access service, to purchase any other service or offering; and (2) take certain actions, including regarding private transmission capacity services.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Short Sea Shipping Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the harbor maintenance tax commercial cargo (other than bulk cargo) loaded at: (1) a port in the U.S. mainland and unloaded at another such port after transport solely by coastal route or river or unloaded at a port in Canada located in the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System; or (2) such a port in Canada and unloaded at a port in the U.S. mainland. Defines the "Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System" as the waterway between Duluth, Minnesota, and Nova Scotia, encompassing the five Great Lakes, their connecting channels, and the Saint Lawrence River.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Immunization Awareness Month. Encourages: (1) local communities to raise awareness of the benefits of immunization; and (2) individuals to receive recommended immunizations. Recognizes: (1) health care professionals and researchers that have facilitated the success of immunizations in eradicating and drastically decreasing the incidence of several diseases; and (2) the nation's commitment to continued education regarding immunization and to furthering immunization opportunities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Deplores the violence by Iraqi security forces against the residents of Camp Ashraf. Calls upon the Iraqi government and the President of the United States to ensure the security and protection of Camp Ashraf residents.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2009
Medical Debt Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit a consumer reporting agency from making any report containing information related to a fully paid or settled medical debt that had been characterized as debt in collection for credit reporting purposes, which, from the date of payment or settlement, antedates the report by more than 30 calendar days.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2009
Improving Assistance to Domestic and Sexual Violence Victims Act of 2009 - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to: (1) amend certain definitions, grant conditions relating to confidential information, and matching fund requirements under such Act; (2) expand the role of the national resource center on workplace responses to domestic violence to require information and assistance to victim service providers and other community-based organizations and coalitions; and (3) expand requirements for providing culturally and linguistically specific services to domestic and sexual violence victims. Amends grant provisions under the violence against women program of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) impose limits on Internet publication of protection order information in domestic violence cases; (2) exempt victims of dating violence from certain costs for criminal proceedings and protection orders; (3) provide for sexual assault forensic medical personnel examiners to collect and preserve evidence in sexual assault cases; and (4) expand grant purposes to include HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment for victims of sexual assault. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act and the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to expand visa eligibility for aliens who are victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 to permit certain aliens lawfully present in the United States to qualify for low-income housing assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2009
Taxpayer Responsibility, Accountability and Consistency Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require reporting to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of payments of $600 or more made to corporations; (2) set forth criteria and rules relating to the treatment of workers as employees or independent contractors; and (3) increase penalties for failure to file correct tax return information or comply with other information reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue an annual report on worker misclassification.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2009
Protect America's Wildlife Act of 2009 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to impose criminal penalties on anyone who knowingly violates any regulation prohibiting the shooting or harassing of birds, fish, or other animals from aircraft (airborne hunting). Increases the monetary penalty for airborne hunting from $5,000 to $50,000. Expands the exceptions to the prohibition against airborne hunting to include enhancing the propagation and survival of wildlife or preventing the extinction of a species threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2009
Promoting Lending to America's Small Businesses Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to increase the total permissible amount of member business loans by an insured credit union (excluding those made to nonprofit religious organizations) to a limit of 25% of the credit union's total assets. Increases from $50,000 to $250,000 the maximum total extensions of credit a borrower or associated member of an insured credit union may have before any extension of credit shall be considered a member business loan. Revises the prohibition against an increase in the total amount of member business loans by an undercapitalized insured credit union until it becomes adequately capitalized. Repeals the condition of becoming adequately capitalized, and requires only that the National Credit Union Administration Board approve the increase. Excludes from the definition of "member business loan" any extension of credit, meeting other specified criteria, that is made to a member for commercial, corporate, business, farm, or agricultural purposes in an underserved area.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2009
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Tay-Sachs Awareness Month. Encourages and expresses support for education and research efforts with respect to Tay-Sachs disease.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2009
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3326) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2009
Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety and Roadway Enhancement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to implement a roadway safety enhancement program for older drivers and pedestrians to: (1) improve roadway safety infrastructure in states that is consistent with recommendations of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the "Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians"; and (2) achieve significant reductions in roadway fatalities and serious injuries among drivers and pedestrians 65 years old or older on all public roads. Sets forth project eligibility requirements and project identification and selection priorities. Requires the Secretary to finalize revision of the Handbook for publication. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to repeal its program for roadway safety improvements for older drivers and pedestrians. Requires the Secretary to: (1) appoint a Special Assistant for Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety within the Office of the Secretary; and (2) establish national goals for increasing driver, passenger, and pedestrian safety for persons 65 years old or older. Requires the Secretary to revise the manual on uniform traffic control devices to include a standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity for pavement markings on all public roads.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2009
Childcare Accountability and Responsibility Act of 2009 or the CARE for Kids Act of 2009 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to require a national criminal background check for employees of child care providers in any state that receives funds from the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program. Requires that such background check include: (1) a search of the national Sex Offender Registry, the National Crime Information Center, state criminal registries, and state-based abuse and neglect registries and databases; and (2) a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint check.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2009
Green Routes to Work Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) equalize and increase to $230 the tax exclusion for both transportation and parking fringe benefits; (2) make the increased transportation fringe benefit available to federal employees; (3) make self-employed individuals eligible for transit pass fringe benefits; (4) include employer-established parking cash-out programs as a qualified transportation fringe benefit; (5) allow a general business tax credit for 10% of the cost of a commuter van , with a seating capacity of between 8 and 15 adults that is placed in service before 2013; (6) allow employers a refundable tax credit for providing tax-free transit passes to employees; (7) allow a general business tax credit for expenditures to improve access for bicycle commuters; (8) allow employees to receive transit passes and reimbursements of bicycle commuting expenses as tax-exempt employer-provided fringe benefits in the same month; (9) allow an empoyer's election to expense the cost of removing architectural and transportation barriers to bicycle commuter access to employer facilities; and (10) allow a tax credit for teleworking expenses, up to $400 per year.