United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Allows employees of commercial passenger airlines who receive payments from a bankruptcy case filed between September 11, 2001, and January 1, 2007, as compensation for lost pension plan benefits to rollover such payments into an individual retirement account (IRA), except for a Roth IRA, without tax or tax penalty.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Prevention Through Affordable Access Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the best price component of the formula for determination of the Medicaid rebate for a covered single source outpatient drug or a covered innovator multiple source outpatient drug. (Under current law, best prices shall not take into account prices that are merely nominal in amount.) Revises the list of entities to which sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price, or merely nominal in amount (and thus excluded from computation of the best price for such drugs). Adds to such list any entity that is: (1) operated by a health center of an institution of higher education, primarily for its students (university-based clinic); or (2) a public or private nonprofit entity that provides family planning services under the Public Health Service Act (safety-net clinic).
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act - Makes any children's consumer product containing more than specified amounts of lead a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Lowers the lead level at which paint is a banned hazardous product under the Consumer Product Safety Act. Requires independent third party testing of children's products. Provides for a variety of measures to facilitate identifying a product's source, intermediate parties, and end user. Requires replacing durable infant or toddler product voluntary standards with consumer product safety rules. Requires, in certain circumstances, that choking warnings be included in associated advertising. Authorizes appropriations: (1) to carry out the Consumer Product Safety Act and any other provision of law the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) carries out; and (2) for capital improvements to the Commission's research, development, and testing facility. Allows the CPSC to transact business with two members, if they are not of the same political party, until August 3, 2008. Modifies procedures for promulgating rules and regulations under the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Modifies procedures regarding the public disclosure by the CPSC of information regarding a consumer product. Allows the CPSC to prohibit product stockpiling. Requires notice to the CPSC if a consumer product fails to comply with a rule under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Flammable Fabrics Act, or the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Modifies requirements regarding action plans of manufacturers, distributors, or retailers to deal with products that present a substantial hazard. Requires manufacturers, distributors, or retailers to give public notice of a substantial product hazard on their Internet website and to third party Internet websites on which the product was for sale. Authorizes the CPSC to prohibit the export of, and makes it unlawful to sell, a product or substance that is not in conformity with applicable requirements. Increases the maximum civil penalties under the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act. Authorizes the forfeiture of assets associated with the violation of any Act enforced by the CPSC. Authorizes the CPSC, in certain circumstances, to make certain information obtained by the Commission available to any federal, state, local, or foreign government agency.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Voter Access Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit an election official from requiring an individual to provide a photo identification as a condition for receiving or casting a ballot in any election for federal office.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Military Success in Iraq Commemoration Act of 2007 - States that the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (P.L. 107-243) is the basis of authority under which the President launched the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, and that such Resolution authorized the President to use military force against Iraq to defend U.S. national security and to enforce all relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. Encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the United States to observe a national day of celebration commemorating military success in Iraq. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to award grants to state and local governments for suitable activities to commemorate such success. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award to each veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom a grant of $5,000 to facilitate the veteran's transition to civilian life.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Expresses condolences to the families and friends of Lauren Mahon, Allison Walden, Travis Cale, Justin Anderson, Emily Yelton, William Rhea, and Cassidy Pendley and offers hope for the recovery of students who were injured in the fire that occurred in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, on October 28, 2007. Expresses gratitude for the efforts of the those who responded and support for all of the students, faculty, administration, and staff at the University of South Carolina and Clemson University.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2007
Congratulates: (1) the Boston Red Sox for winning the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series; and (2) the teams that played in the postseason. Commends the Colorado Rockies for advancing to the 2007 World Series.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2007
Offers the House of Representatives' heartfelt condolences to those killed or deeply affected by the tragic fire on October 28, 2007, in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, which took the lives of six University of South Carolina students and one student from Clemson University.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2007
Military Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Act - Establishes in the Department of Defense (DOD) an Office of the Victims' Advocate to facilitate access to services for victims of domestic or family violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the military. Directs the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Office, to require DOD policies for victim assistance, family advocacy, and equal opportunity programs to provide for a victims' advocates program within each military department. Authorizes the Secretary to award contracts to: (1) support DOD crisis intervention services for victims of such violence; and (2) provide training on prevention of such violence. Prohibits any person from restricting a member of the Armed Forces in communicating with the Office or from taking or withholding a personnel action in retaliation for making such a communication. Provides for: (1) employment of a sexual assault nurse examiner, a psychiatrist, and a complimentary clinical team at each DOD military treatment facility; and (2) DOD community level programs and shelter services for active duty members and their families who are victims of such violence shelter . Specifies the rights of victims of such violence reported to a military law enforcement agency. Directs a military commanding officer who receives a qualifying complaint alleging such violence to investigate it and report. Specifies circumstances under which military law enforcement officers shall arrest a person for committing domestic violence. Establishes a Director of Special Investigations in DOD to review investigations of allegations of such violence and refer cases for prosecution. Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice to: (1) include as "aggravated assault" and specify penalty limits for an assault involving domestic or family violence; and (2) provide for court-martial punishment of violations of no contact or protective orders. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) contract for treatment services for members of the Armed Forces who have committed such violence; and (2) ensure that sex offender treatment providers in the contracted program meet the state licensing or certification standards. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care providers receive training in the screening and referral of veterans who have suffered military sexual trauma; and (2) conduct related pilot programs. Prohibits the Secretary of the military department concerned from approving a financial award or a promotion for an officer or employee who has been convicted of or disciplined for committing such violence. Directs the Secretary to study: (1) the prevalence and nature of such violence, of intimate partner violence, and of child maltreatment, abuse, suicide, and homicide in the Armed Forces; and (2) military procedures after an incident is reported.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 116 Helen Highway in Cleveland, Georgia, as the "Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2007
Affordable Footwear Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the elimination of duty on certain imported footwear would provide significant benefit to U.S. consumers, particularly lower-income families. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for the duty-free treatment of certain footwear (including children's shoes) made of rubber or plastics that are imported into the United States. Amends the Caribbean Basic Economic Recovery Act to provide footwear imported directly from Haiti into the United States with the same preferential treatment that is provided to certain imported footwear under the Dominican Republic-Central American-United States Free Trade Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2007
Home Health Care Access Protection Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the prospective payment system (PPS) for home health services and adjustments to it for case mix changes. Prohibits any adjustment in the PPS for payment in 2008. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for any adjustment in a subsequent year, to evaluate changes in case mix using standards developed consistent with specified processes, taking certain criteria into account. Directs the Secretary to convene a Technical Advisory Group to advise on the development of such standards. Prohibits the Secretary from taking any action to implement or otherwise carry out provisions in the final rule published on August 29, 2007, that propose to make a case mix adjustment to the standardized payment amounts under the PPS to account for changes in coding that were not related to an underlying change in patient health status. Directs the Secretary to republish any rates specified in such rule to take into account the application of such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2007
Small Business Growth and Opportunity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce from 10 to seven years the period during which certain built-in gains of subchapter S corporations are subject to tax.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2007
Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education Act or the Youth PROMISE Act - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to establish a PROMISE Advisory Panel to assist the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in: (1) assessing and developing standards and evidence-based practices to prevent juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity; and (2) collecting data in designated geographic areas to assess the needs and existing resources for juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity prevention and intervention. Authorizes the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to award grants to local governments and Indian tribes to: (1) plan and assess evidence-based and promising practices for juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity prevention and intervention, especially for at-risk youth; and (2) implement PROMISE plans, developed by local PROMISE Coordinating Councils (PCCs), for coordinating and supporting the delivery of juvenile delinquency and gang prevention and intervention programs in local communities. Establishes a National Center for Proven Practices Research to provide PCCs and the public current research and other information about evidence-based practices related to juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang prevention and intervention. Directs the Administrator to award grants to hire and train law enforcement officers as youth-oriented police to work with PCCs, other community-based organizations, and high-risk youths. Establishes a Center for Youth-Oriented Policing. Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to authorize grants for the creation and expansion of state, local, and tribal juvenile witness and victim protection programs. Extends and increases funding for juvenile accountability block grants through FY2013.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2007
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide for the suspension of each provision of the Act with respect to a federal or state agency that manages a federal river basin if the Secretary of the Army (acting through the Chief of Engineers) or the governor of the relevant state determines that: (1) a drought is in effect in the region in which the basin is located; and (2) such drought presents a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the region's population. Terminates such a suspension on the date the Secretary or governor determines the drought is no longer in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2007
Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award grants to eligible entities to provide education and training in newborn screening and congenital, genetic, and metabolic disorders to health care professionals and newborn screening laboratory personnel. Adds as a condition for eligibility for grants for screening, counseling, or health care services to newborns and children having, or at risk for, heritable disorders that an entity assure that it has or is implementing guidelines and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. Requires the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children to: (1) make recommendations that include the heritable disorders for which all newborns should be screened; and (2) develop a model decision-matrix for newborn screening program expansion. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to: (1) establish a central clearinghouse for information on newborn screening; and (2) award grants for newborn screening educational programs and for a system to assess and coordinate treatment relating to congenital, genetic, and metabolic disorders. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to provide for: (1) quality assurance for screening laboratories; (2) population-based pilot testing for evaluating new screening tools; and (3) a national contingency plan for newborn screening in the event of a public health emergency. Requires the Secretary, acting through an Interagency Group, to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available data on certain heritable disorders; (2) operate regional centers to conduct applied epidemiological research on interventions to prevent poor health outcomes from such disorders; and (3) research and promote the prevention of poor health outcomes. Requires the Secretary to establish the Hunter Kelly Newborn Screening Research Program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
Combat Troops Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the taxpayer election to include combat zone compensation as earned income for purposes of calculating the earned income tax credit; and (2) allow an additional $1,000 standard tax deduction in 2007 and 2008 for members of the uniformed services on active duty for more than 30 days.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007 - Provides that, in the case of a member of the Armed Forces who is retired or separated for disability due to a combat-related injury, the Secretary of Defense shall require the continued payment of any bonuses or special pay to which the member: (1) was entitled to immediately before the retirement or separation; and (2) would continue to be entitled to if not retired or separated. Requires such payment in a lump sum within 30 days after such retirement or separation.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2007
Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish within OPM the Senior Executive Service Resource Office to make recommendations to the Director with respect to regulations, and to provide guidance to agencies, concerning the structure, management, and diverse composition of the Senior Executive Service (SES). Makes it the Office's mission to: (1) improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of the SES through policy formulation and oversight; (2) advance the professionalism of the SES; and (3) ensure that, in seeking to achieve an SES reflective of the nation's diversity, recruitment is from qualified individuals from appropriate sources. Requires the Office to make statistics concerning career reserved positions accessible to the public through a website. Requires each agency to establish one or more SES evaluation panels, with respect to any SES position for which a vacancy announcement is posted, to: (1) review the qualifications of each candidate for a position which is to be filled by a career appointee; and (2) certify to the executive resources board the names of the best qualified candidates.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2007
Recognizes the service of General John Batiste, General Paul Eaton, Army specialist Buddhika Jayamaha, Sergeant Wesley D. Smith, Sergeant Jeremy Roebuck, Sergeant Edward Sandmeier, as well as other members of the Armed Forces serving in good standing in the defense of the United States, and honors the personal sacrifices made by these men and their families, and other members and their families. Recognizes the service and mourns the loss of Sergeant Omar Mora, Staff Sergeant Yance T. Gray, and the 3,784 members who have died in Iraq as of September 27, 2007, and extends sympathies to their families. Recognizes the service and sacrifice of Staff Sergeant Jeremy A. Murphy and the more than 24,000 members wounded in Iraq. Rejects commentator Rush Limbaugh's opinion that any of the individuals listed above are "phony soldiers." Condemns the personal attacks made by Rush Limbaugh impugning the integrity and professionalism of any members. Honors all members and civilian personnel serving in harm's way, and their families. Pledges to debate policy decisions regarding the war in Iraq without attacking the integrity of any person, regardless of his or her position on the war.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2007
Honors the 50th anniversary of Althea Gibson's becoming the first African-American to win at Wimbledon and the U.S. Championship at Forest Hills in New York City. Encourages: (1) support of the Althea Gibson Foundation and other organizations that support under-privileged youth in their educational aspirations and athletic pursuits in tennis and golf; and (2) preservation of the memory, legacy, and well-being of pioneer athletes who served as inspirations for succeeding generations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2007
Recognizes the service of all members of the Armed Forces serving in good standing and with honor to defend the United States, and the personal sacrifices made by them and their families. Commits to judge the merits of opinions of such members regarding the policies of the United States, including those related to military actions in Iraq, without prejudice or personal bias, including refraining from unwarranted personal attacks. Condemns the personal attacks made by broadcaster Rush Limbaugh impugning the integrity and professionalism of members who have expressed opinions regarding military actions in Iraq. Honors all members and civilian personnel serving in harm's way, as well as their families. Pledges to debate any supplemental funding request or any policy decisions regarding the war in Iraq with the solemn respect and commitment to integrity that the sacrifices of these members and civilian personnel deserve.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2007
Freeze Private Contractors in Iraq Act - Prohibits the Department of State, Department of Defense (DOD), or United States Agency for International Development (USAID) from entering into a contract, subcontract, or task order awarded or issued by a federal agency that includes security functions (covered contract) if the award of the contract would result in an increase in the number of personnel performing security functions with respect to Operation Iraqi Freedom under covered contracts with that agency greater than the number of personnel performing such functions under such contracts with that agency on September 1, 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2007
Safety Assurance For Every Consumer Product Act or the SAFE Consumer Product Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require (in current law, authorize) the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to prescribe consumer product testing programs. Requires nongovernmental, independent third party testing of children's products. Increases the actions the CPSC may take in ordering recalls of products presenting substantial hazards. Makes recalled product retail sale unlawful. Requires manufacturers to mark products or packaging to enable purchasers to determine the product's source, date, and production cohort. Removes the cap on Consumer Product Safety Act civil penalties. Removes a requirement that criminal penalties may only be imposed after noncompliance notice. Reduces the period after CPSC notification to manufacturers and private labelers before public disclosure of information obtained under the Act. Requires any person who must give public notice of a substantial product hazard to post a notice on the Internet. Declares any children's product containing more than a specified amount of lead to be a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, allowing a temporary exception for electronic devices. Requires certain actions to facilitate recalls of children's products and authorizes the CPSC to extend the requirements to consumer products other than children's products. Requires children's product's warning labels to be included in Internet advertisements. Removes provisions requiring a minimum number of CPSC members to transact business. Modifies rulemaking notice requirements. Declares the sense of Congress that the full complement of five CPSC members is necessary to conduct CPSC business and the President should fill vacancies expeditiously. Prohibits any consumer product safety standard or other CPSC action after enactment of this Act from containing a preemption provision which affects any action under state statutory or common law unless the provision is expressly authorized by statute.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2007
Commends the Wings Over Houston Airshow for its great contribution to the appreciation, understanding, and future of the U.S. Armed Forces, the city of Houston, Texas, and Ellington Field.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2007
Recognizes Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh for his contributions to the civil rights movement, his tireless work to prevent nuclear conflict, and his efforts to secure the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2007
Protect America's Wildlife Act of 2007 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to add to airborne hunting offenses a prohibition against any person shooting or attempting to shoot any bird, fish, or other animal before 3:00 a.m. following a day on which the person has traveled by aircraft other than on a regularly scheduled commercial aircraft. Increases the fine for such offenses to not more than $50,000 (currently, $5,000). Prohibits a state from authorizing or undertaking any action otherwise prohibited under such Act for the purpose of increasing any game population or sport hunting. Authorizes a state to shoot predators from an aircraft to prevent a biological emergency, if: (1) the head of the state's fish and wildlife agency determines that such an emergency is imminent and there is no other means available to eliminate the emergency; (2) the shooting is conducted by an officer or employee of such agency or of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); (3) the shooting occurs only in the area where the emergency exists; and (4) the shooting removes only the minimum number of predators necessary to eliminate the emergency. Allows the Secretary of the Interior to authorize an otherwise prohibited action to prevent the extinction of any endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 if there is no other means available to address the threat of extinction. Authorizes citizen suits under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2007
Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2007 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to increase the maximum amount per individual or corporationof unsecured claims ranked in the fourth (wages, salaries, or commissions) and fifth (employee benefit plan contributions) order of priority. Includes within the scope of a claim in bankruptcy certain equity securities held in a defined contribution plan for the benefit of certain individuals. Ranks in sixth order of priority the diminished value of debtor's equity securities held in a defined contribution plan if the employer or plan sponsor committed fraud regarding the plan. Permits within administrative expenses certain severance pay for termination or layoffs. Prohibits certain senior executive compensation from being disproportionate in light of economic concessions by debtor's nonmanagement workforce. Disallows as an administrative expense specified executive compensation enhancements. Revises requirements governing: (1) rejection of collective bargaining agreements; (2) insurance benefits for retired employees; and (3) the status of certain employee benefits in a sale of business assets. Allows defined benefit plan participants to file claims for certain shortfalls in pension benefits. Permits inclusion within the necessary costs and expenses of preserving property the mandatory recovery of unpaid obligations owed to employees. Directs the court to consider the extent to which alternative reorganization plans maintain: (1) jobs; (2) defined benefit plans; and (3) retiree health benefits. Prohibits assumption of deferred compensation for the benefit of insiders or senior management if an employee defined benefit plan has been terminated. Limits the recovery of executive compensation if the debtor has reduced its contractual obligations under either a collective bargaining agreement or retiree benefits plan. Excepts from an automatic stay: (1) a dispute resolution proceeding established by a collective bargaining agreement prior to commencement of bankruptcy; or (2) an award or settlement under such proceeding. Authorizes the bankruptcy trustee to avoid transfers made for the benefit of an insider or certain consultants in anticipation of bankruptcy. Revises prerequisites to court confirmation of a business reorganization plan which continues retiree benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2007
Emergency Home Ownership and Mortgage Equity Protection Act of 2007 - Amends federal bankruptcy law governing a chapter 13 debtor (adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income) to prohibit the holder of a claim in bankruptcy which is secured by debtor's principal residence from adding fees, costs, or charges while the case is pending, unless such claimholder gives timely notice to both debtor and the bankruptcy trustee. Revises requirements for the discretionary features of a chapter 13 debtor's plan. Removes the prohibition against modification of the rights of a holder of a claim secured only by an interest in real property that is the debtor's principal residence. (Thus allows a plan to modify such rights.) Authorizes a chapter 13 bankruptcy plan to provide for payment of allowed claims secured by the debtor's principal residence over a period that exceeds a specified time frame. Eliminates the pre-petition credit counseling requirement for a chapter 13 debtor facing foreclosure if the debtor submits a certification to the court that the holder of a claim secured by the debtor's principal residence has initiated foreclosure on that residence. Adds to conditions for court confirmation of a plan in bankruptcy that the holder of an allowed claim secured by the debtor's principal residence shall retain the lien securing such claim until the claim is paid. Excludes from final discharge of a debtor from all debts any allowed claim secured by the debtor's principal residence before such claim is paid.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2007
Honors the accomplishments of Barrington Irving, the youngest pilot and first African-American to fly solo around the world and founder of Experience Aviation, Inc., a nonprofit organization that inspires youth and minorities to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace. Encourages museums throughout the United States related to aviation, including the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum, to commemorate the historic achievements of Captain Barrington Irving.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2007
Calls for the President to grant a pardon, posthumously, to Jack Johnson (the first African-American professional boxer to hold the title of Heavyweight Champion of the World) to expunge from the annals of American criminal justice a racially motivated abuse of the federal government's prosecutorial authority and to recognize his athletic and cultural contributions to society.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2007
Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 - Requires each executive agency, within one year, to use plain language in any covered document issued or substantially revised after the date of the enactment of this Act. Authorizes agencies to: (1) use plain language in any revision of a covered document issued on or before such date; and (2) follow the guidance of the Plain English Handbook published by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Plain Language Guidelines, or their own plain language guidance as long as it is consistent with such Guidelines. Defines "covered document" to include: (1) any document relevant to obtaining a benefit or service; and (2) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction, but not a regulation. Requires each agency head to report to specified congressional committees on how it intends to: (1) communicate the requirements of this Act to employees; (2) train employees to write in plain language; (3) meet the one year deadline; (4) ensure ongoing compliance with this Act; and (5) designate a senior official to be responsible for implementing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2007
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize appropriations for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program through FY2012.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2007
Public and Teaching Hospital Preservation Act - Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007 to extend by one year the moratorium on: (1) implementation of a rule relating to the federal-state financial partnership under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act; and (2) finalization of a Medicaid rule regarding the treatment of graduate medical education (GME).
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5815 McLeod Street in Lula, Georgia, as the "Private Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2007
Declares that the House of Representatives expresses its: (1) gratitude and appreciation for the professional manner in which the U.S. Capitol Police carry out their diverse missions; and (2) appreciation for the dedication such officers have for protecting the Capitol Complex. Commends them for their continued courage and professionalism in protecting the Capitol Complex and its employees and visitors.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2007
Support for Injured Servicemembers Act - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitle an eligible employee who is the spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin of a covered servicemember to a total of 26 workweeks of leave during a single 12-month period to care for the servicemember. Defines covered servicemember as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or a Reserve, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, is otherwise in medical hold or medical holdover status, or is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list, for a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty on active duty that may render the member medically unfit to perform his or her duties. Provides for the substitution of accrued paid vacation, personal, family leave, or medical or sick leave for any part of the 26-week period. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the availability of such leave during any other 12-month period. Amends federal civil service law to entitle civilian federal employees to the same leave allowance. Provides for the substitution of accrued paid annual or sick leave for any part of the 26-week period.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 744 West Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville, Georgia, as the "John Sidney 'Sid' Flowers Post Office Building'.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Reservist Access to Justice Act of 2007 - Allows a court, if it determines that a federal, state, or private employer's failure to comply with a veteran's reemployment rights was willful, to require the employer to pay the individual the greater of any loss of wages or benefits, or $20,000. Requires (current law authorizes) a court to exercise injunctive relief to fully vindicate such rights. Authorizes a court to require a state or private employer to pay punitive damages for violations found to be with malice or reckless indifference to the individual's federally-protected reemployment rights. Makes federal arbitration procedures inapplicable to claims for veterans' employment and reemployment rights and benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
College Affordability for Working Students Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to carry out a Demonstration Loan program providing guaranteed and direct loans to less than half-time students for not more than six terms, semesters, or substantially equivalent periods of enrollment over the duration of the students' studies. Limits program participation to up to 100 institutions of higher education or consortia of IHEs. Requires program loans to be: (1) subject to deferral of repayment while the borrower is enrolled as a student, even if less than half-time; and (2) repaid pursuant to a repayment plan selected by the borrower that commences six months after the borrower's enrollment ends. Authorizes the Secretary to waive, for IHE participants, certain requirements limiting what may be included in the cost of attendance for less than half-time students.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Sales Tax Fairness and Simplification Act - Grants the consent of Congress to the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (Agreement), the multistate agreement for the administration and collection of sales and use taxes adopted on November 12, 2002. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Agreement provides sufficient simplification and uniformity to warrant federal authorizations to states that are parties to it (member states) to require remote sellers (sellers without a physical presence in the taxing state) to collect and remit the sales and use taxes of such states and their local taxing jurisdictions. Authorizes each member state, after 10 states (comprising at least 20% of all states imposing a sales tax) have petitioned for and become member states, to require all sellers, except those sellers with gross remote taxable sales nationwide of less than $5 million, to collect and remit sales and use taxes on remote sales owed to such member state under the terms of the Agreement. Allows any person affected by the Agreement to petition the Governing Board established by the Agreement for a determination of any issue arising under the Agreement. Provides for judicial review of Governing Board determinations by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Sets forth minimum simplification requirements for the Agreement. Expresses the sense of Congress that member states should work with each other to prevent double taxation where a foreign country has imposed a transaction tax on a digital good or service
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Mickey Wright Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the transportation of any portion of the corpse of a homicide victim across a state line to prevent its use as evidence in a criminal prosecution for such homicide.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2007 - Amends the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to set the environmental intervention blood lead level for a confirmed concentration of lead in whole blood as equal to or greater than ten micrograms of lead per deciliter for a single test, for purposes of provisions concerning lead-based paint hazards in housing. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to amend relevant regulations to comply with this Act within 90 days.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act of 2007 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) funding for responsible fatherhood programs; (2) requirements to ensure procedures to address domestic violence; (3) activities promoting responsible fatherhood; (4) grants to healthy family partnerships for domestic violence prevention, for services for families and individuals affected by domestic violence, and for developing and implementing best practices; and (5) elimination of separate TANF work participation rate for two-parent families. Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to prohibit a state from collecting any amount owed it by reason of costs it has incurred for the birth of a child for whom support rights have been assigned. Requires a state to make a full distribution of collected child support to the family. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states for an employment demonstration project involving a court- or state child support agency-supervised program for noncustodial parents so they can pay child support obligations. Directs the Secretary of Labor to award grants for transitional jobs programs and for public-private career pathways partnerships. Conditions continued approval of a state plan under part D upon state assessment of its policies with respect to barriers to employment and financial support of children. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 with respect to: (1) deductions from family income for child support received in order to qualify for food stamps; (2) verification of child support payments; and (3) inclusion of economic opportunities programs in qualifying work programs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify the earned income tax credit (EIC); (2) raise the EIC phase-out amount for couples (further easing the "marriage penalty"); and (3) require information pertaining to the customer's adjusted basis in broker's returns in the case of securities transactions. Amends the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 with respect to the effective date of leasing provisions of the Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the economic substance doctrine.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
200th Anniversary Commemoration Commission of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act of 2007 - Establishes the Transatlantic Slave Trade 200th Anniversary Commission. Sets forth Commission duties, including: (1) plan activities appropriate to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade; (2) encourage civic, historical, educational, religious, economic entities, as well as state and local governments to participate in anniversary activities; (3) facilitate the convening of a joint meeting or joint session of the Congress for related ceremonies and activities; (4) promote the sponsorship of related conferences and exhibitions; and (5) examine reports and raise public awareness of of modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007 - Declares that the purposes of this Act is to provide a federal backstop for state-sponsored insurance programs to help homeowners prepare for and recover from the damages caused by natural catastrophes. Establishes a nonprofit National Catastrophe Risk Consortium, which shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government, to: (1) gather an inventory of catastrophe risk obligations held by participating states' reinsurance funds, risk pools, or primary insurance corporations; (2) issue securities and other financial instruments linked to the catastrophe risk in the capital markets; (3) enter into reinsurance contracts with private parties, on a conduit basis; (4) act as a centralized repository of state risk information accessible by private-market participants interested in underwriting risk-linked securities or entering into reinsurance contracts; and (5) use an acquired catastrophe risk database to perform research and analysis that encourages standardization of the risk-linked securities market. Makes the Consortium eligible for discretionary federal grants, contracts, gifts, contributions, or technical assistance. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to carry out a national homeowners' insurance stabilization program to make liquidity loans and catastrophic loans to state and regional reinsurance programs to: (1) ensure their solvency; (2) improve the availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance; and (3) spread the risk of catastrophic financial loss resulting from natural disasters and catastrophic events. Authorizes the Secretary to establish and collect a reasonable fee from precertified qualified reinsurance programs to offset stabilization program expenses. Prescribes requirements for qualified reinsurance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Fairness and Simplification Act of 2007- Limits state or local taxation of the compensation of any employee who performs duties in more than one state or locality to: (1) the state or locality of the employee's residence; and (2) the state or locality in which the employee is physically present performing duties for more than 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Law Enforcement Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to set forth the due process rights, including procedures, that shall be afforded a law enforcement officer who is the subject of an investigation or disciplinary hearing. Requires law enforcement agencies to adopt and comply with a written complaint procedure that: (1) authorizes written complaints about a law enforcement officer from within and outside a law enforcement agency; (2) sets forth procedures for the investigation and disposition of such complaints; (3) provides for public access to required forms and information for submitting complaints; and (4) requires written notification to the complainant of the final disposition of the complaint and the reasons for such disposition. Sets forth requirements for the initiation of a investigation of a law enforcement officer, interrogations, disciplinary action, administrative appeals, and the confidentiality and protection of officer personnel files. Requires that an investigation based on a complaint against an officer begin not later than 15 days after the receipt of such complaint. Prohibits an officer from being compelled to submit to a lie detector test during an investigation..
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Mental Health in Schools Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to make changes to the program to apply a public health approach to mental health services, including by revising eligibility requirements for a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement. Makes only a consortium that includes at least one educational agency eligible for such funding. Allows such a consortium to: (1) include a community program, an agency that is involved in mental health, or a school; and (2) consist of a consortium in which the members select an agent (such as a local educational agency or community health care entity) to act on the consortium's behalf. Sets forth assurances required for eligibility, including assurances that: (1) the local education agency will enter into a memorandum of understanding with relevant community-based entities that clearly states the responsibilities of each consortium member; (2) the program will include comprehensive staff development for school and community service personnel working in the school and training for children with mental health disorders, for family members of such children, and for concerned members of the community; and (3) the program will demonstrate the measures to be taken to sustain the program after funding terminates. Requires the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop a process for evaluating grant program activities, including: (1) the development of guidelines for the submission of program data by recipients; and (2) the development of measures of outcomes to be applied by recipients in evaluating programs, to include student and family measures and local educational measures.
![Official portrait of Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000288_200.jpg)