United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2008
American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive leasing program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources on the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition against leasing or other development leading to production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Deems any oil and gas leasing programs and activities authorized by this Act to be in compliance with ANWR purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to designate up to 45,000 acres of the Coastal Plain as a Special Area, after consultation with the state of Alaska, the city of Kaktovik, and the North Slope Borough. Permits directional drilling in the Special Area. Prescribes procedures governing Coastal Plain lease sales, as well as terms and conditions, including: (1) environmental protection; (2) federal and state distribution of revenues; (3) rights-of-way; and (4) local government impact aid and community service assistance. Sets forth: (1) a "no significant adverse effect" standard to govern Coastal Plain activities; and (2) guidelines for expedited judicial review of complaints. Establishes the ANWR Alternative Energy Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 42222 Rancho Las Palmas Drive in Rancho Mirage, California, as the "Gerald R. Ford Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2008
Clean Global War on Terror Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2008 appropriations for specified activities related to the war on terror, international affairs, and national defense matters to the Departments of Agriculture (including food relief to certain foreign countries), of Justice, of Defense (military, including funds for Afghan and Iraqi security forces), of Defense (military construction), and of State (including international peacekeeping activities). Rescinds certain funds made available in: (1) the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 for the Defense Health Program; and (2) the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund. Makes additional supplemental appropriations for the war on terror, international affairs, and national defense matters to the Departments of Agriculture (including food relief to certain foreign countries), of Justice, of Defense (military, including funds for Afghan and Iraqi security forces), and of State and related agencies. Designates each amount in this Act as an emergency requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2008
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include among those aliens not subject to worldwide numerical immigrant limitations persons who have earned a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and who have an employment offer from a U.S. employer in a field related to such degree.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2008
Hospital and ASC Price Disclosure and Litigation Protection Act of 2008 - Prohibits a charge-related legal action from being brought by an individual against a hospital or ambulatory surgical center if the hospital or center: (1) has met the requirements under this Act; (2) has entered into an agreement with the uninsured individual before treatment that sets the maximum price that will be charged for such treatment; and (3) has met the terms of such agreement. Sets forth disclosures that a hospital or center must provide to an individual who is scheduled to receive treatment and include in any itemized bill, including: (1) the estimated price or the price charged for the treatment; (2) the payment rate for the treatment negotiated with the network plan or managed care plan that has the largest number of enrollees; and (3) the Medicare payment rate for the treatment. Excludes from such requirements a treatment for which there exists a third-party price arrangement unless the individual involved requests such information. Requires a hospital or ambulatory surgical center to report data to the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding: (1) the frequency of performing certain services and administering certain drugs; (2) the charge by the hospital or center for such services or drugs; (3) the negotiated rate of payment for the treatment by the plan with the largest number of enrollees; and (4) the Medicare payment rate for the treatment. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publicly post such information on the Internet in a manner that promotes charge comparisons among hospitals and centers; and (2) select which services or drugs are to be reported based on the frequency with which the services are performed or the drugs are administered.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2008
Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend certain tax incentives for energy production and conservation. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources (e.g., biomass, geothermal energy, landfill gas, and trash combustion). Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource eligible for such credit. Allows sales of electricity produced from renewable resources to regulated public utilities. Extends through 2016 the energy investment tax credit for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property. Repeals the dollar per kilowatt limitation for fuel cell property under the energy investment tax credit. Allows public electric utilities to qualify for such credit. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures. Repeals the $2,000 limitation on the tax credit for solar electric property. Allows an offset against the alternative minimum tax (AMT) of tax credit amounts. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for investment in clean renewable energy bonds. Increases the national limitation amount for such bonds. Extends through 2009 deferral provisions relating to the recognition of gain by certain electric utilities. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property. Includes residential biomass fuel stoves (pellet stoves) as eligible energy property for purposes of such credit. Extends through 2010 the tax credit for energy efficient new homes. Extends through 2009 the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings and increases the allowable amount of such deduction. Extends the tax credit for energy efficient appliances to include appliances produced in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Revises and updates energy efficiency standards for such appliances in accordance with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a one-time refundable tax credit for up to 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence purchased in the United States within the 12-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $10,000. Terminates such credit after 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2008
Celebrates 75 years of effective state-based alcohol regulation. Recognizes the successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution, and sale. Expresses continued support for policies that allow states to effectively regulate alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008
High Skilled Per Country Level Elimination Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants; (2) increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants; (3) establish the fiscal year worldwide level of employment-based immigrants at 140,000 plus the previous year's unused visas; and (4) establish the fiscal year worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants at 480,000 minus the number of certain aliens not subject to direct numerical limitations plus the previous year's unused visas. (States that such annual level shall not be less than 226,000.)
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008
Limiting the Intrusive Miles of International Terrorist Sponsors Act of 2008 or LIMITS Act of 2008 - Directs the President to restrict to the designated area the travel of officials and representatives of countries that are designated as state sponsors of terrorism who are visiting the U.N. headquarters complex in connection with official business. Authorizes presidential waiver of such restriction upon submission of a report to Congress explaining why it is in the national interest to do so. Excludes from such restriction: (1) direct travel to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia Airport to the designated area in connection with meetings at the U.N. headquarters complex; (2) land travel to and from any lodgings or other hotel accommodations in which an official or representative is staying if such lodging or other hotel accommodation is within the designated area; and (3) travel to and from New York University medical center or Bellevue Hospital Center for emergency medical care. Defines: (1) "designated area"; (2) "state sponsor of terrorism"; and (3) "United Nations headquarters complex."
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2008
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish the fiscal year worldwide level of employment-based immigrants at 140,000 plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY1992-FY2007. Establishes the fiscal year worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants at 480,000 minus the number of certain aliens not subject to direct numerical limitations plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY1992-FY2007. States that such annual level shall not be less than 226,000.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2008
Recommends that within five legislative days the Speaker shall introduce in the form of a bill a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gasoline and diesel prices.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Caleb Martin-Travis Dodson Wounded Warrior Retention Act - Authorizes a member of the Armed Forces who would normally be retired, placed on the temporary disability retired list, or separated as the result of a combat-related disability to elect to instead be retained on active service in an active status, as long as the member: (1) remains medically able to perform noncombat-related military occupational specialties or duties; and (2) is not disqualified from performing such specialties or duties because of performance, mandatory retirement for age, or other reasons. Subjects members placed in such status to periodic physical examinations, as provided to members placed on the temporary disability retired list. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to permit, on a case-by-case basis, the reenlistment or appointment in such status of a member who, during the period beginning on September 1, 2001, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act, was retired or separated as the result of a combat-related disability. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on the number and types of noncombat-related military occupational specialties in the Armed Forces and Department of Defense (DOD) civilian employee positions that would be available for such members.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Requires the coin design to be emblematic of the 100 years of the organization. Restricts issuance of such coins to February 8 through December 31, 2010. Subjects coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires payment of such surcharges to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, to be made available to local councils in the form of grants for the extension of Scouting in hard-to-serve areas.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Homeownership Protection and Housing Market Stabilization Act of 2008 - Sets forth a licensing and registry system for residential mortgage loan originators. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require additional creditor disclosures on residential mortgage loans. Expand and Preserve Home Ownership Through Counseling Act - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish the Office of Housing Counseling in the Office of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to grant community investment credit for certain lender practices. Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2008 - Amends the National Housing Act to revise the single family mortgage insurance program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), including Hawaiian home lands and Indian reservations, and home equity conversion (reverse) mortgages. Amends the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to grant a temporary increase in the maximum loan guaranty amount for veterans' housing loans guaranteed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Directs the Secretary of Defense to implement a mortgage foreclosure prevention counseling program for members of the Armed Forces returning from active duty abroad. Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend the period of protection against mortgage foreclosures. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) require escrow and impound accounts for periodic payments for certain credit transactions; and (2) set forth property appraisal requirements. Authorizes appropriations for federal prosecution of mortgage fraud. Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2008 - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to establish: (1) the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to exercise oversight authority over the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) (enterprises) ; and (2) the Federal Housing Enterprise Board. Prescribes: (1) minimum and critical capital levels for regulated entities; and (2) special enforcement powers. Requires the FHFA Director to establish standards for enterprise assets and liabilities. Abolishes: (1) the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight; and (2) the Federal Housing Finance Board. Transfers their functions, personnel, and property to the FHFA. Terminates enterprise-related functions of HUD.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Hubbard Act - Amends federal employment, armed forces, military pay, and veterans' benefits law to authorize the provision of the following benefits to a member of the Armed Forces who is discharged at the member's request pursuant to a Department of Defense (DOD) policy permitting the early discharge of a member who is the only surviving child in a family in which the father or mother, or one or more siblings, served in the Armed Forces and, incident to such service, was killed, died as a result of wounds, accident, or disease, is in a captured or missing in action status, or is permanently disabled: (1) continued payment, through the original agreed-upon service period, of any bonus, incentive, or similar benefit to which the member was entitled during service; (2) separation pay, even though the member has completed less than six years of active service before discharge; (3) transitional health care, on the same basis as an active-duty member, for 180 days after discharge; (4) transitional commissary and exchange benefits, on the same basis as an active-duty member, for two years after discharge; (5) veterans' housing loan, employment and training, and basic educational assistance; (6) federal unemployment compensation; and (7) veteran's preference for federal employment purposes. Makes this Act effective with respect to any such discharge granted after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of the Arbor Day Foundation. Requests the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe National Arbor Day.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008
Federal Sunset Act of 2008 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes the deadline for abolishing an agency to be extended for an additional two years by legislation enacted by a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2033. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of federal programs within each agency for the purpose of advising and assisting Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008
Cell Tax Fairness Act of 2008 - Prohibits states or local governments from imposing any new discriminatory tax on mobile services, mobile service providers, or mobile service property for five years after the enactment of this Act. Defines "new discriminatory tax" as a tax imposed on mobile services, providers, or property that is not generally imposed on other types of services or property, or that is generally imposed at a lower rate.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2008
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to designate on their tax returns a payment of $1 or more to the general fund of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2008
Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to provide for reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms in different states by persons who are not prohibited by federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm and who are: (1) carrying a valid state license or permit for carrying a concealed firearm; or (2) otherwise entitled to carry a concealed firearm in their state of residence.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2008
Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Enforcement Act of 2008 - Amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (Landrum-Griffin Act) to make a labor organization liable to any of its members for a civil money penalty of up to $250 for each day that it fails to provide such member information regarding the organization's constitution, bylaws, organization report, and annual financial report, including any books, records, and accounts necessary to verify such reports. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to bring an action in U.S. district court for injunctive relief and enforcement of administrative penalties against any person who has violated or is about to violate any reporting requirements of such Act, including those applying to a labor organization which has or assumes trusteeship over any subordinate labor organization. Requires a district court, upon a complaint by the Secretary that demonstrates failure to file timely and complete reports, to enjoin continued violation of the related reporting requirements. Authorizes the Secretary, upon finding a violation of specified reporting and disclosure requirements, to impose an administrative money penalty of up to $250 a day, or $10,000 in aggregate, adjusted for inflation, against the person, labor organization, or employer responsible for such violation.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2008
Ryan Dant Health Care Opportunity Act of 2008 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit states to exclude earned income in determining eligibility for individuals with prescription drug costs of over $250,000.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2008
Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to Congress on the minimum level of sound that is necessary to be emitted from a motor vehicle, or some other method, to alert blind and other pedestrians of the presence of operating motor vehicles while traveling.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half dollar clad coins as numismatic items emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today. Requires the design for such coins to contain motifs that honor specifically the American soldier of both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace, consistent with the traditions and heritage of the U.S. Army, the mission and goals of the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and the missions and goals of the Army Historical Foundation. Restricts coin issuance to the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2011. Requires all surcharges from coin sales to be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Foundation to help finance the National Museum of the U.S. Army.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Honors the life, achievements, and contributions of Charlton Heston. Extends the deepest sympathies of the House of Representatives to the family of Charlton Heston for his loss.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of: (1) National Health Care Decisions Day; and (2) advance care planning for all adult Americans. Encourages each person over the age of 18 to prepare an advance directive to assist his or her loved ones, health care providers, and others as they honor his or her wishes. Urges members of Congress to execute such documents for themselves.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2008
Recognizes the historic significance of the 60th anniversary of the reestablishment of the State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people. Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between the United States and Israel for the past 60 years and commits to strengthening those bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Blogger Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) exempt uncompensated individual Internet activity from treatment as a contribution to or expenditure of a campaign for federal office; and (2) cover blogs and other Internet and electronic publications under the general media exemption pertaining to expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Commends the Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District in Los Angeles, California, for allowing a rehearing of the decision in the In re Rachel L. case, requiring parents to hold a teaching license in order to legally homeschool their children. Calls upon the court to uphold the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion that parents have a fundamental and constitutional right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2008
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make it unlawful for a person to import plastinated human remains into the United States. Imposes civil penalties, including forfeiture of the remains, for violation of such prohibition. Requires enforcement by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2008
Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions prohibiting any federal agency from entering into a contract for procurement of an alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use, other than for research or testing, unless the contract specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel must be less than or equal to such emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for investment in qualified reclamation property. Defines "qualified reclamation property" as tangible depreciable recycling or remanufacturing property with a useful life of at least five years. Limits the amount of such credit to 20% of the basis (not exceeding $10 million) of qualified reclamation property placed in service during a taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2008
Honors Army Specialist Monica L. Brown, who risked her life to save the lives of fellow wounded soldiers while serving in Afghanistan. Pledges continued support for the men and women of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2008
Protecting the Second Amendment and Hunting Rights on Federal Lands Act of 2008 - Prohibits any federal regulation from restricting any individual from possessing or carrying a firearm or ammunition, if such restriction is based, in whole or in part, upon the fact that the individual is in a unit of the National Park System or the Wildlife Refuge System. Sets forth provisions with regard to allowing hunting activities on federal lands. Requires an agency with jurisdiction over any federal land, when developing or considering approval of a management plan, to ensure that hunting activities are allowed as a use of such land to the extent that such use is not clearly incompatible with the purposes for which the federal land is managed.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2008
Recognizes President Ronald Reagan's vision and efforts to promote peace and security. Commemorates the 25th anniversary of his Strategic Defense Initiative speech.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation on behalf of the Congress of a gold medal to Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet in recognition of his courageous and unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights in Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2008
Supports the idea that the war in Iraq is not lost. Recognizes that: (1) the overall progress being made on the ground in Iraq is undeniable; (2) much of this progress is due to the skill and valor of the American service member; and (3) the decision by the President and our military leadership to provide a surge of troops to implement a new counterinsurgency strategy was the correct course of action.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax deduction from gross income for long-term care insurance premiums; (2) include long-term care insurance in employee benefit cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements; (3) allow a tax credit for certain long-term care costs; and (4) set forth certain consumer protections for long-term care insurance contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Ensuring the Future Physician Workforce Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (the Act), with respect to the formula for calculating payments for physicians' services. Resets to 2007 the base year for application of the sustainable growth rate formula, which shall be eliminated in 2010. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, as amended by the Act, to extend the current transitional bonus payments. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a reporting system for quality measures relating to physicians' services that focus on disease-specific high cost conditions. Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to create standards for health information technology (HIT) payment incentives. Amends SSA title XI to create safe harbors to antikickback and civil and criminal penalties for provision of HIT and training services. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the impact of such safe harbors. Amends SSA title XVIII to create an exception to the limitation on certain physician referrals for the provision of HIT and training services to health care professionals. Directs the Secretary to report annually to: (1) each physician information on the physician's total Medicare billings; and (2) each individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) on the amount of Medicare payments made to or on behalf of the individual during the year involved. Directs the Secretary to collect data on annual savings in expenditures in the Medicare program due to physicians' services that resulted in hospital or in-patient diversion. Requires the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to monitor and examine the extent to which the different funding mechanisms under Medicare parts A, B, and D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) provide an appropriate alignment with the program goals of the respective parts. Directs the Secretary to arrange for a study of price inputs and relative values for physicians' services recommended by the AMA/Speciality Society Relative Value Unit Scale Update Committee process. Requires the Secretary to provide for a study of, and report to Congress on, health care disparities in high-risk health condition areas and minority communities with respect to the impact reporting requirements may have on physician penetration in such communities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Preserving Access to Hospice (PATH) Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for a temporary moratorium, from November 1, 2005, through October 31, 2008, on enforcement of the hospice cap amount. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report on: (1) the resource effectiveness and quality of hospice care as a substitute benefit for other acute care alternatives under Medicare; (2) the optimal median and average length of stay in hospice care under Medicare; (3) the reasons for persistently low median and average length of such stays; and (4) the desirability of requiring a national coverage determination of eligibility for hospice care under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2008
Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of federal real property (an inventory of real property of the federal government) to assist with federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of real property. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cost-sharing agreements with states to include any non-federal lands in a state in such cadastre. Limits the federal share of any such agreement to 50% of the total cost to a state for the development of the cadastre of the non-federal lands in the state. Requires the Secretary to submit a report on: (1) existing real property inventories or any components of any cadastre; (2) consolidation of inventories and components; (3) the use of existing inventories and components of any cadastre; (4) the cost savings that will be achieved; and (4) recommendations for legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Honors and thanks William F. Buckley, Jr., for all he did to advance a conservative vision for America and a capitalist, democratic vision for the world. Expresses the profound sorrow of the House of Representatives at his death, and condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2008
New Employee Verification Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to require employers to verify employee identification and employment eligibility under the Electronic Employment Verification System (EEVS) or the Secure Employment Eligibility Verification System (SEEVS) (as established by this Act). Permits employers subject to employee verification requirements to do so under EEVS or SEEVS. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) voluntary and expedited participation; (2) employer penalties for failure to participate in EEVS or SEEVS; (3) employer and employee information and document requirements; (4) employer liability protection; (5) attestation; and (6) consequences of EEVS determinations. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to require a national identification card. Repeals the employment eligibility pilot programs under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivor's and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to establish EEVS utilizing information in the National Directory of New Hires. States that EEVS shall have the capacity to determine whether: (1) employer-submitted information is consistent with information maintained by the Commissioner with respect to U.S. citizens and nationals and by the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to aliens; and (2) the individual is a citizen or national or is not an unauthorized alien. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) submission for confirmation of an individual's identification and employment eligibility and related EEVs determinations; (2) administrative and judicial review of employment disapproval; (3) EEVS implementation; and (4) data use by EEVS. Directs the Commissioner to establish SEEVS to provide, through government certified private entities, for verification of identity and employment eligibility respecting new employees Permits an employer to opt out of SEEVS after one year's participation. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) certification of entities; (2) database management, including limitations on accessibility and the use and storage of biometric data; (3) employer responsibilities; (4) employee protections; and (5) information security and confidentiality, including penalties for violations. Directs the Commissioner to establish the Employment Verification Advisory Council, which shall terminate five years after enactment of this Act. Amends INA to: (1) apply certain antidiscrimination provisions to EEVS and SEEVS; (2) increase civil money penalties for unfair employment practice violations; (3) increase civil money penalties for certain hiring, recruiting, and referral violations (reduces certain penalties for small employers, exempts certain good faith, first-time violations, and provides a safe harbor for certain contractors); and (4) increase criminal penalties for pattern or practice violations. Amends SSA to: (1) provide for disclosure to the Secretary of Homeland Security of certain National Directory of New Hires information about employees with the greatest number or percentage of mismatched social security information; (2) deny credit toward earnings benefits from unauthorized work; (3) revise totalization agreement provisions; and (4) prohibit survivor's lump sum death payments to individuals who have been removed from the United States under INA.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2008
Stop Adolescent Smoking Without Excessive Bureaucracy Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth conditions for the receipt by states of federal substance abuse prevention and treatment grants. Requires such states to: (1) prohibit a minor from purchasing or receiving a tobacco product or possessing a tobacco product in a public place; and (2) require law enforcement agencies to notify a minor's parent, custodian, or guardian whose name and address is reasonably ascertainable of any such violation. Requires such states to require any person engaged in the business of distributing tobacco products at retail to implement a program to: (1) notify its employees that state law prohibits the sale or distribution of tobacco products to minors and the purchase, receipt, or possession in a public place of a tobacco product by a minor; and (2) ensure compliance with such law. Directs such states to provide for a civil monetary penalty or community service for violations. Requires such states to have established goals for reducing the rate of retailer violations. Allows states to use minors to test compliance under certain conditions. Directs such states to certify expenditure of more than 10% of the funds paid to the state as part of the comprehensive settlement of November 1998 against tobacco manufacturers on health programs, tobacco control and cessation activities, or economic development for tobacco regions. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide assistance to states in developing, enacting, and implementing such laws and in setting goals, including by developing model legislative language.
![Official portrait of Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/115_rp_tx_32_sessions_pete_200.jpg)