United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the chair of a committee, within 24 hours after commencing a meeting to consider a measure or matter, to cause its text to be made publicly available in an electronic form. Requires a committee chair to do the same with an amendment to such measure or matter within 24 hours after adopting it. Amends Rule XIII (Calendar and Committee Reports) to prohibit a committee report on a measure or matter from including recommended amendments after it was ordered reported, except technical and conforming changes authorized by the committee to correct section numbers, cross-references, punctuation, grammar, spelling, or to maintain mathematical consistency.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Welcomes to the United States and to Washington, DC, His All Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch. Recognizes the importance to the United States and to the world of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's leadership on matters of environment, peace, and religion. Encourages Turkey to grant religious freedom and property rights to the Ecumenical Patriarchate as well as to reopen the theological school at Halki.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 2009
Supports the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. Recognizes that every child in foster care deserves a permanent and loving family and the significant commitment of taxpayers to support adoption.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Recognizes Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury (PABI) as the leading cause of death and disability in the United States for children and young adults from birth until 25 years of age. Endorses the National Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan and encourages its implementation by federal, state, and local governments.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2009
Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2009 - Rewrites provisions regarding congressional review of agency rulemaking to require congressional approval of major rules of the executive branch before they may take effect (currently, major rules take effect unless Congress passes and the President signs a joint resolution disapproving them). Provides that if a joint resolution of approval of a major rule is not enacted by the end of 90 session days or legislative days after such resolution is introduced, the rule shall be deemed not to be approved and shall not take effect. Permits a major rule to take effect for 90 calendar days without such approval if the President determines such rule is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, for national security, or to implement an international trade agreement. Sets forth procedures of the House of Representatives and the Senate for joint resolutions: (1) approving major rules; and (2) disapproving nonmajor rules.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2009
Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act - Requires federal public land management officials to exercise their authority under existing law, including regarding land use planning, to provide for the use of, and access to, federal public lands and waters for fishing, sport hunting, and recreational shooting, except as described in this Act. Requires the heads of federal public land management agencies to exercise their discretion in a manner that supports, promotes, and enhances recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting opportunities, to the extent authorized under applicable law. States that Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service lands, excluding lands on the Outer Continental Shelf, shall be open to recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting unless the managing agency acts to close lands to such activity. Permits closures or restrictions on such lands for purposes including resource conservation, public safety, energy or mineral production, energy generation or transmission infrastructure, water supply facilities, national security, or compliance with other law. Requires publication of a public notice preceding any such closures or restrictions, unless mandated by other law. Requires annual reports on closures of federal public lands to recreational fishing, sport hunting, or shooting. Sets forth requirements for specified closures or significant restrictions involving 640 or more acres of federal public lands or waters to fishing or hunting. Establishes the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and the Sporting Conservation Council.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
Help Find the Missing Act or Billy's Law - Authorizes the Attorney General to maintain public databases, known as the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System or NamUs, to contain missing persons records and unidentified remains cases to assist in identifying missing people and solve cases of unidentified human remains. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) share information on missing persons and unidentified human remains contained in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing and Unidentified Person File database with the NamUs database; (2) update the online data entry format for such databases to allow states to report information to each database; (3) establish a grant program to assist in the reporting of missing persons and unidentified remains information to the NCIC and NamUs databases; (4) issue a report to the offices of medical examiners, offices of coroners, and federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies describing the best practices for collecting, reporting, and analyzing data and information on missing persons and unidentified human remains; and (5) report to Congress on the status of the NCIC Missing and Unidentified Person File and NamUs databases. Amends the National Child Search Assistance Act of 1990 to require reports of missing children (under age 21) to NamUs databases.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
Seniors and Veterans Economic Stimulus Act of 2009 - Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to extend through the first three months of 2010 the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to make a payment of $250 to each eligible individual age 18 or over who, during the three-month period immediately preceding enactment of such Act (for purposes of payments made for calendar year 2009), or the three-month period beginning with December 2009 (for purposes of payments made for calendar year 2010), was entitled to Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, railroad retirement benefits, or veterans disability compensation or pension benefits. Repeals the limitation to one payment only to an individual regardless of whether the individual is entitled to, or eligible for, more than one benefit or cash payment. Entitles such individual to a payment in each of calendar years 2009 and 2010. Rescinds from the unobligated balance of the discretionary appropriations made available by division A of such Act the amount determined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to be required to offset the increase in spending resulting from this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16555 Springs Street in White Springs, Florida, as the "Clyde L. Hillhouse Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2009
Home Office Deduction Simplification Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer who uses a residence to conduct a trade or business a standard tax deduction equal to the lesser of $1,500 or the taxpayer's gross trade or business income derived from the business use of such residence.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2009
Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt members of the uniformed services, the Foreign Service, and employees of the intelligence community on official extended duty service from the recapture requirements of the first-time homebuyer tax credit; (2) extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit through November 30, 2010, for individuals serving on official extended duty service outside the United States for at least 90 days in 2009; (3) exclude from gross income payments to military personnel to compensate for declines in housing values due to a base closure or realignment; and (4) increase penalties for failure to file a partnership or S corporation tax return. Amends the Corporate Estimated Tax Shift Act of 2009 to increase corporate estimated tax payments in the third quarter of 2014 by an additional 0.5%.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Defund ACORN Act - Prohibits any federal contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other form of agreement from being awarded to, any federal funds in any other form from being provided to, or any federal employee or contractor from promoting any organization that: (1) has been indicted for a violation under any federal or state law governing the financing of a campaign for election for public office or any law governing the administration of such an election, including a voter registration law; (2) had its state corporate charter terminated due to its failure to comply with federal or state lobbying disclosure requirements; (3) has filed a fraudulent form with any federal or state regulatory agency; or (4) employs, has under contract, or retains to act on its behalf any individual who has been indicted for a violation under federal or state law relating to an election for federal or state office. Identifies, specifically, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and any affiliate as such an organization. Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation to be revised to carry out provisions of this Act relating to contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Congratulates the United States Military Academy on being named by Forbes magazine as America's Best College for 2009. Supports the Academy's mission "to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the U.S. Army."
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Urges: (1) the President to issue a report clearly outlining the responsibilities, qualifications, and authorities of the special assistants he has appointed (commonly referred to as "czars") and to certify to Congress that such czars will not assert powers other than those granted by statute to a commissioned officer on the President's staff; and (2) Congress to hold hearings on such report and certification within 30 days.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2009 - Makes permanent the provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) that repeal the estate and generation skipping transfer taxes and that make reductions in the gift tax.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Healthy Savings Act of 2009 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to health savings accounts (HSAs) to allow: (1) spouses to make increased catch-up contributions to a single HSA; (2) Medicare Part A beneficiaries to establish and contribute to an HSA; (3) veterans eligible for service-connected disability benefits and individuals eligible for Indian health service assistance to establish an HSA; (4) HSAs to incorporate flexible spending and health reimbursement arrangements; (5) the use of HSAs to purchase health insurance; (6) payment of certain medical expenses incurred before the establishment of an HSA; and (7) payments from an HSA for prescription and over-the-counter drugs that aid in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Allows Medicare beneficiaries participating in a Medicare Advantage medical savings account (MSA) to exclude from gross income payments made to their MSAs. Treats as medical care for purposes of the tax deduction for medical expenses certain exercise equipment and physical fitness programs and certain nutritional and dietary supplements.
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
Severely Injured Veterans Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 - Increases rates of the following veterans' benefits: (1) wartime disability compensation for veterans in need of regular aid and attendance or higher levels of care; and (2) the non-service-connected disability pension for veterans of a period of war whose disability is rated permanent and total and who are permanently housebound. Makes disabled veterans with severe burn injuries eligible for automobile and adaptive equipment assistance. Makes veterans who suffer traumatic brain injury eligible for wartime disability compensation. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the rate of the special pension for persons entered on Medal of Honor rolls. Extends to September 30, 2021, provisions concerning the treatment of pension amounts of Medicaid-covered veterans who are receiving nursing facility services.
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
Tax Equity for Meal Replacements and Supplements Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat as medical care certain dietary supplements and meal replacement products evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for purposes of the tax exclusion for employer reimbursements of employee medical care expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2009
Medicare Beneficiary Freedom to Choose Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) to revise requirements for the use of private contracts by Medicare beneficiaries under which no Medicare claims shall be made. Requires any such contract to be in writing and signed by the Medicare beneficiary. Allows individuals to choose to opt out of the Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance), and makes them eligible for health savings accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2009
Supports and encourages Army Community Covenant signing ceremonies between local communities and the armed forces throughout the United States. Encourages Americans to participate in or develop programs and services to support members of the armed forces and their families in their communities, especially during and after military deployments. Resolves to support members of the armed forces and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2009
Debt Accountability Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in either chamber to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that would increase the deficit or decrease the surplus for any fiscal year unless the appropriate chamber, by roll call vote, acknowledges the costs that would be incurred in carrying out such measure, as estimated by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and any effect those costs might have on the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2009
Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2009 or SAVE Act of 2009 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) increases in Border Patrol and investigative personnel; (2) recruitment of former military personnel; (3) use of Department of Defense (DOD) equipment; (4) infrastructure improvements; (5) aerial and other surveillance; (5) a national strategy to secure the borders; (6) accountable financing under the Secure Border Initiative; (7) emergency deployment of Border Patrol agents; and (8) expansion of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism along the northern and southern borders. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to check against terrorist watchlists those persons suspected of alien smuggling and smuggled individuals who are interdicted at U.S. borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act and specified maritime law sections to revise alien smuggling provisions. Sets forth provisions respecting border security on certain federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to make the basic employment eligibility confirmation pilot program permanent. Sets forth conditions for the mandatory use of the E-verify system. Requires: (1) employer/employee notification of social security number mismatches and multiple uses, and related information sharing with DHS; and (2) establishment of electronic birth and death registration systems. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) penalize specified employers for failure to correct information returns; and (2) prohibit employers from deducting from gross income wages paid to unauthorized aliens, with an exception for an employer participating in the basic employment eligibility confirmation program. Increases criminal alien program (CAP) personnel. Authorizes border relief grants for local law enforcement agencies within 25 miles of the southern U.S. border. Establishes within DHS a rewards program to assist in the elimination of commercial operations to produce or sell fraudulent immigration-related documents and to assist in the investigation, prosecution, or disruption of commercial alien smuggling operations. Provides for: (1) increased alien detention facilities; (2) additional immigration court judgeships; and (3) a media campaign to inform the public of changes made by this Act including a multilingual media campaign explaining noncompliance penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2009
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study of the population of the South Atlantic red snapper fishery and report to Congress. Prohibits the Secretary from promulgating any interim rule under specified provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act that prohibits fishing in the South Atlantic red snapper fishery before such report demonstrates the need for interim rules. Prohibits any interim rule that was promulgated before enactment of this Act from having any force or effect.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the eligibility of certain small insurance companies (other than life insurance companies) for the alternative corporate income tax by increasing the premium limitation used to determine such eligibility to $2.025 million (from $1.2 million), with an annual inflation adjustment after 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) any savings under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) should be invested back into the Medicare program, rather than be used to create new entitlement programs; and (2) any savings under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) should be used to increase the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP).
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2009
Durban Taxpayer Refund Act of 2009 - Finds that the goals of the 2001 United Nations World Conference Against Racism held in Durban, South Africa, and commonly referred to as the Durban Conference, were undermined by hateful, anti-Jewish rhetoric and anti-Israel political agendas, prompting both Israel and the United States to withdraw their delegations from the Conference. States that it shall be U.S. policy to lead a diplomatic effort to: (1) encourage other countries to not fund any portion of the Durban Review Conference; and (2) explore alternative forums for combating racism and related intolerance. Directs the Secretary of State to withhold from the U.S. contribution to the regularly assessed biennial budget of the United Nations an amount equal to the percentage of such contribution that the Secretary determines would be or has been allocated by the United Nations for the Durban Review Conference or its preparatory or follow-on activities. Provides that: (1) until the Secretary makes a specified certification to the appropriate congressional committees the United States shall withhold from its contribution to such budget an amount equal to the percentage of such contribution that the Secretary determines has been allocated by the United Nations for any conference, other multilateral forum, or related preparatory or follow-on activity of any conference or other multilateral forum under U.N. aegis; and (2) withheld appropriations shall revert to the Treasury if no such certification is made within one year after the appropriation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2009
Czar Accountability and Reform (CZAR) Act of 2009 - Prohibits appropriated funds from being used to pay salaries or expenses of any task force, council, or similar office established by or at the direction of the President, if the head of such entity: (1) is appointed (on other than an interim basis) without the Senate's advice and consent; (2) is excepted from the competitive service by reason of the confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character of the position; and (3) performs or delegates functions that would otherwise be performed or delegated by an individual appointed by the President with the Senate's advice and consent.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2009
Small Business Growth Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow small business taxpayers with gross receipts of $5 million or less to elect to expense certain depreciable real property in the year such property is placed in service. Limits the amount of such expensing allowance to $125,000, adjusted for inflation after 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2009
Urges Members of Congress who vote in favor of the establishment of a public, federal government run health insurance option to forgo their right to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and agree to enroll under that public option.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2009
Expresses support for the people of Honduras. Condemns Mr. Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales for his unconstitutional and illegal attempts to alter the Constitution of Honduras. Calls on all parties to seek a peaceful resolution that is both legal and constitutional.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Comprehensive Comparative Study of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Populations Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to conduct a comprehensive study to: (1) compare total health outcomes, including the risk of autism, between vaccinated and unvaccinated U.S. populations; and (2) determine whether vaccines or vaccine components play a role in the development of autism spectrum or other neurological conditions. Requires the Secretary to seek to include in the study U.S. populations that have traditionally remained unvaccinated for religious or other reasons.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2009
Fostering Independence Through Technology Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct pilot projects under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for the purpose of providing incentives to home health agencies to utilize home monitoring and communications technology.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2009
Constitutional Amendment - Preserving Capitalism in America Amendment - Prohibits the United States from owning, subscribing to, or otherwise having any interest in the stock or equity of any company, association, or corporation, except for any public authority or any public use corporation, or any investments through any pension funds.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2009
Mobile Mammography Promotion Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the motor fuel excise tax fuel used in any highway vehicle designed exclusively to provide mobile mammography services.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2009
Travel Promotion Act of 2009 - Establishes the Corporation for Travel Promotion as a nonprofit corporation that is not an agency or establishment of the U.S. government. Makes the Corporation subject to the provisions of the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Corporation should not engage in lobbying activities. Requires the Corporation, among other things, to provide useful information to people interested in traveling to the United States, identify and address perceptions regarding U.S. entry policy, and promote U.S. travel. Establishes in the Treasury the Travel Promotion Fund. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require (under current law, authorize) the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish and collect a fee for the use of an electronic data sharing system concerning the admissibility of certain aliens into the United States that will ensure recovery of the full costs of providing and administering such system. Terminates such fee following FY2014. Authorizes the Corporation to impose an annual assessment on U.S. members of the travel and tourism industry. Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to: (1) revise the membership of the Tourism Policy Council; and (2) require the Council to provide the Corporation with certain information concerning U.S. admission procedures and travel promotion strategies. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to assess barriers to entry into the United States by foreign travelers.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2009
Supports Israel's right to defend itself in the face of an imminent nuclear or military threat from Iran, terrorist organizations, and the countries that harbor them, notwithstanding some statements made by the Obama Administration. Reaffirms the bond with Israel and pledges to continue to work with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli government, and the people of Israel to ensure that Israel continues to receive critical economic and military assistance. Condemns the government of Iran for its continued support of terrorism and its hateful rhetoric toward Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2009
Designates the United States courthouse located at 301 Simonton Street in Key West, FL, as the "Sidney M. Aronovitz United States Courthouse."
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2009
Amends Rule XIII (Calendars and Committee Reports) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to make it out of order in the House to consider a measure or matter until 72 hours (currently, until the third day) (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays unless the House is in session on such a day) after its text (and, if any, the text of all accompanying reports) have been made available to Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner (Members), and the general public. Requires the full text of the legislation and each committee report, without further amendment before floor consideration, to be posted continuously by means of the Internet. Prohibits consideration in the House of a general appropriation bill reported by the Committee on Appropriations until 72 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays unless the House is in session on such a day) after printed hearings of the Committee have been available to Members. Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting a rule or order proposing a waiver of this resolution or of Rule XXII (House and Senate Relations) unless a question of consideration of the rule is adopted by a vote of two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being present. Amends Rule XXII (House and Senate Relations) to make it out of order in the House to consider a conference report, the accompanying signed joint explanatory statement, or a motion to dispose of a Senate amendment reported in disagreement by a conference committee until after: (1) the 72-hour availability requirement has been met; and (2) posting on the Internet. Declares that nothing in this resolution or any amendment made by it shall be interpreted to require or permit the declassification or posting on the Internet of classified information in the custody of the House. Requires such classified information to be made available to Members in a timely manner as appropriate under existing laws and rules. Expresses the sense of the House that, with the objective of preventing circumvention of this resolution, that the Committee on Rules should develop standardized policies and procedures to require that proposed amendments (except those offered under an open rule) that are major in size, scope, or cost be posted on the Internet for an appropriate number of hours.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2009
Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2009 - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to disregard for SSI income eligibility purposes any compensation in the amount of the first $2,000 per year received by an individual for participation in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2009
American Energy Act - Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2009 - Considers the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2010-2015 released by the Secretary of the Interior to have been approved as final under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and to be in full compliance with all requirements of applicable laws. Deems the Secretary to have issued a final environmental impact statement for the program under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a lease sale in each outer Continental Shelf (OCS) planning area for which there is a commercial interest in purchasing federal oil and gas production leases; and (2) promulgate regulations that establish management of the surface occupancy of the portion of the OCS near the coastline. Amends the Submerged Lands Act to extend to 12 nautical miles a coastal state's allowable seaward boundary. Excepts from the operation of provisions concerning the rights of states all of the oil and gas mineral rights for lands beneath the navigable waters that are located within the expanded offshore seaward boundaries. Deems such rights to be federal property and part of the federal OCS for purposes of OCLA. Revises the procedure for determining each state's Adjacent Zone and each OCS Planning Area. Provides a means of voluntary relinquishment of any portion of a geologically prospective lease. Revises procedures for the granting of OCS leases concerning multiple leases for the same tract, payment of receipts, joint bidding restrictions in Alaska, price thresholds applicable to royalty suspension volumes, and a conservation of resources fee for nonproducing leases. Provides schedules for the sharing and allocation of OCS receipts. Prohibits leasing east of the military mission line (86 degrees, 41 minutes West Longitude, and extending south from the coast of Florida to the outer boundary of U.S. territorial waters in the Gulf of Mexico). Revises OCS leasing provisions concerning: (1) timing and location under each five-year program; (2) consideration of other laws affecting leasing; (3) suggestions from government entities and other persons; and (4) estimates of resources within a state's Adjacent Zone and projections of receipts expected to be shared with each Adjacent State and its political subdivisions. Provides rules for the approval by a federal agency or a state of a petroleum or natural gas pipeline, respectively. Provides guidelines for the preparation of environmental impact statements. Prohibits uses on the federal OCS or in state waters by federal agencies that are incompatible with oil and gas leasing and substantially full exploration and production of geologically prospective tracts. Authorizes the repurchase and cancellation of certain leases that were subject to litigation in the Court of Federal Claims. Allows environmental mitgation requirements associated with leasing activities to be satisfied at a site away from the area affected. Requires the Secretary to establish OCS regional headquarters. Allows a lessee of an existing oil and gas lease for an area located completely within 12 nautical miles of the coastline within the California or Florida Adjacent Zones the option of exchanging such lease for a new oil and gas lease having a primary term of 5 years. Repeals the program of coastal impact assistance to producing states and political subdivisions. Repeals the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act - Requires the Secretary to establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production of Alaska's Coastal Plain's oil and gas resources. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to terminate the prohibition against leasing or other development leading to production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Directs the Secretary to hold a lease sale offering an additional 10 parcels for lease for research, development, and demonstration of oil shale resources, under the terms offered in a specified solicitation of bids. Allows the temporary reduction of royalties, fees, rentals, bonus, or other payments for leases of federal lands for the development and production of such resources as necessary to incentivize and encourage their development. Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide financial assistance to states to hire personnel with expertise relevant to consideration of federal refinery authorizations. Requires a federal agency responsible for refinery authorization to provide nonfinancial assistance to facilitate state consideration of such authorizations. Directs the President to appoint a federal coordinator to facilitate such authorizations. Instructs the President to designate at least three closed military installations as potentially suitable for the construction of a refinery. Requires that at least one such site be designated as potentially suitable for construction of a refinery to produce biofuel. Requires the redevelopment authority for each such installation to consider the feasibility and practicability of siting a refinery on the installation. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal certain requirements regarding refinery revitalization. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the income tax credits for: (1) the purchase of a new qualified alternative fuel vehicle; (2) the cost of qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property; and (3) qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles placed in service. Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of awards to advance the development and application of innovative energy technologies and new energy sources, including for innovative gasoline-operated automobile and advanced battery manufacturing. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various energy efficiency tax incentives. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal the requirement that the associated lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of government-procured alternative or synthetic fuels not exceed those from equivalent fuel from conventional petroleum sources. Provides for the procurement of coal-to-liquid fuel and loans to facilities that produce such fuel. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various renewable energy tax credits and to include in certain incentives advanced nuclear power and clean-coal equipment. Establishes in the Treasury the American Renewable and Alternative Energy Trust Fund. Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to establish an expedited procedure for issuing combined construction and operating licenses for new reactors. Sets a goal of licensing 100 new reactors, or the megawatt equivalent, by 2030. Requires creation of a uranium supply-disruption mitigation reserve and the convening of a national summit on uranium resources. Establishes policies concerning the disposal of high-level nuclear waste. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a National Nuclear Energy Council to advise the Secretary and assist nuclear energy-related investors. Revises NEPA environmental assessment procedures with respect to the consideration of alternative locations or actions for renewable energy projects. Excludes greenhouse gases and climate change from regulation under the Clean Air Act. Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the consideration of the impact of greenhouse gases upon species of fish, wildlife, or plants. Sets forth jurisdictional rules and procedures for claims that arise concerning any energy project under a federal lease.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2009
Expresses support for: (1) the HHT Foundation International's designation of a National Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Month; and (2) the Foundation's work to find a cure while saving lives and improving the well-being of those affected by Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) through research, outreach, education, and support. Recognizes the need to pursue research into better treatments and a cure for HHT.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2009
Home Ownership Moves the Economy (HOME) Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit to all individuals who purchase a principal residence (currently, only first-time homebuyers as so defined); (2) extend such credit and the waiver of recapture requirements for such credit through 2010; and (3) repeal the limitation on such credit based on modified adjusted gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2009
Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act of 2009 - Prohibits an automobile manufacturer (manufacturer) in which the federal government has an ownership interest, or which receives loans from the federal government, from depriving an automobile dealer (dealer) of its economic rights. Requires the manufacturer to honor those rights as they existed for Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corporation dealers prior to the commencement of the bankruptcy cases of each corporation, including dealer rights to recourse under state law. Requires the appropriate manufacturer to restore the franchise agreement between the dealers and Chrysler LLC or General Motors that was in effect prior to the commencement of their respective bankruptcy cases, and to take assignment of such agreements. States that nothing in this Act is intended to make null and void the transfer of substantially all the assets of such corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2009
Retirement Security Needs Lifetime Pay Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an exclusion from gross income for 50% of lifetime income payments from certain annuity contracts, up to $10,000; (2) exclude longevity insurance benefits from employee benefit plan minimum distribution requirements; and (3) allow a tax exclusion for amounts received as an annuity under any portion of an annuity, endowment, or life insurance contract.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat trees or vines producing fruit, nuts, or other crops as placed in service in the year in which they are planted for purposes of the additional 50% bonus depreciation allowance.
![Official portrait of Rep. Brown-Waite, Ginny [R-FL-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001247_200.jpg)