United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2008
Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to: (1) each establish a process to provide payments for treatments of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) received by members of the Armed Forces or veterans in health care facilities other than Department of Defense (DOD) or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities; (2) jointly develop and maintain a patient database involving the use of a treatment under this Act; and (3) ensure that the database ensures patient confidentiality.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2008
Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine of up to $2 million ($5 million for a person other than an individual [e.g., a business entity]) and/or a prison term of up to 10 years on any person who uses a trademark, service mark, collective mark, or certification mark registered on the principal register in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with the intent to deceive the public that such use is authorized by the owner of the mark. Increases such penalties for subsequent offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2008
Medical Information and Treatment Access Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to utilize an Internet site to: (1) consolidate and translate health care information that is available to the public from federal agencies, linking the various health-related Internet sites of such agencies; and (2) assist in the translation and reporting of disease or condition protocols for physicians and lay persons. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, to establish programs to gather information from health care practitioners and make such information publicly available regarding off-label uses of new drugs and surgical procedures. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to establish a program to gather information on alternative medicine from health care practitioners and make such information publicly available. Requires the Director of the Center to include information that relates to the effects of dietary supplements and food on diseases and disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2008
Medical Information and Treatment Access Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to utilize an Internet site to consolidate and translate federal health care information for the public. Authorizes health care practitioners to provide unapproved treatments to their patients under specified conditions, including that: (1) the drug used must be an active ingredient in an approved drug or an unapproved drug that is approved for commercial distribution in a foreign country; (2) the practitioner receives informed consent from the patient; (3) the practitioner submits a registration to the Secretary before providing the treatment; and (4) the Secretary determines that there is no clear and convincing evidence that the treatment is unsafe. Deems the registration to be cleared if the Secretary fails to act within 90 days. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to maintain information regarding registrations under this Act. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, to establish a program to gather information from practitioners regarding surgical procedures and make such information publicly available. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to establish a program to gather information from health care practitioners regarding alternative medicine and make such information publicly available. Gives a drug or device company immunity from federal and state liability claims for: (1) the use of a relevant unapproved treatment by a practitioner under a cleared registration; and (2) the provision by the company of information upon the request of a practitioner if the company reasonably believes the information to be accurate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008
Confers exclusive jurisdiction upon the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to hear causes and claims arising from a covered energy project, any action or decision by a federal official regarding: (1) leasing federal lands for the exploration, development, production, processing, or transmission of any source or form of energy; (2) actions and decisions regarding the selection or offering of federal lands for such leasing; or (3) any action under such a lease. Bars any cause or claim not filed within a 60-day period for filing a complaint. Prescribes a 180-day deadline for court resolution of a complaint or cause of action. Declares that such a complaint or cause of action shall take precedence over all other pending matters before the District Court. Restricts to the Supreme Court any judicial review of an interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order of the district court. Prescribes a 180-day deadline for Supreme Court resolution of such a matter. Declares that all such proceedings shall take precedence over all other matters then before the Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008
Rachel's Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to award a prize payment to the first person who develops a cure for clear cell sarcoma of the tendons and aponeuroses.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008
Science Free Speech Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to provide that a food or dietary supplement is not a drug solely because a claim is made regarding legitimate scientific research in accordance with this Act. States that a food is not misbranded if its label makes a claim regarding legitimate scientific research in accordance with this Act. Declares that the use of truthful and not misleading information on legitimate scientific research in connection with the sale or distribution of a food or dietary supplement to consumers shall not be treated as a violation under the FFDCA and shall not be deemed evidence of an intent to sell a drug. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from: (1) restricting in any way the distribution of truthful and not misleading information on legitimate scientific research; or (2) prohibiting manufacturers or distributors of foods or dietary supplements from including citations to legitimate scientific research in the labeling of a food or dietary supplement, even if the citation expressly or implicitly references a disease or a disease condition. Places the burden of proof on the Secretary in any administrative or judicial proceeding in which the Secretary contests the use of material being disseminated or cited as legitimate scientific research. Prohibits the Secretary from prohibiting or restricting a retailer or wholesaler of any agricultural product, including fresh produce, in any way from: (1) testing any of its agricultural products for any pathogens that may potentially be transmitted to humans or potentially cause illness or disease in humans; or (2) communicating the results of such tests to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2008
Administrative Review Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Congressional Review Act to require that the chairman and ranking member of each relevant committee (currently, each standing committee) of the House of Representatives receive copies of reports required to be submitted before a federal agency rule can go into effect. Defines "relevant committee" to mean: (1) each committee with jurisdiction under House rules to report a bill to amend the legal provision under which the rule is issued; and (2) the House Judiciary Committee as the committee with jurisdiction to report a bill to amend federal administrative procedure provisions. Directs the Comptroller General's report on each major rule to be provided to each relevant committee (currently, the committees of jurisdiction) in the House. Requires joint resolutions introduced to disapprove a rule to be referred to the appropriate committees (currently, the committees with jurisdiction) in each House.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2008
Amends the Clean Air Act to provide an exemption to the prohibition against removing or rendering inoperative any device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine in compliance with such Act with respect to an action for the purpose of converting a motor vehicle to use natural gas fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2008
E-Verify Extension and Expansion Act of 2008 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to replace the current three employment eligibility confirmation pilot programs with two pilot programs: (1) the revised E-Verify program in all 50 states; and (2) the secure electronic employment verification system (SEEVS) in all 50 states by December 1, 2009. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish such programs. Terminates such pilot programs not later than December 31, 2013. States that the E-Verify program shall be voluntary except for: (1) the federal government; and (2) employers who have violated certain employment provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Americans for American Energy Act of 2008 - Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2008 - Amends the Submerged Lands Act (SLA) regarding delineation of offshore state boundaries with respect to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), as well as related oil and gas mineral rights. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to allow the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to grant outer Continental Shelf (OCS) natural gas leases. Revises provisions concerning oil and gas leases and withdrawals of unleased land. Provides for federal agency coordination with adjacent states on the construction of pipelines for OCS crude oil, petroleum, or natural gas. Establishes the Federal Energy Natural Resources Enhancement Program. Declares existing federal prohibitions against spending appropriated funds for leasing and preleasing OCS oil and natural gas to be without force or effect. Prohibits a federal agency from permitting on the federal OCS or in state waters certain activities that are incompatible with: (1) oil or natural gas leasing; and (2) full exploration and production of tracts geologically prospective for oil or natural gas. Renames the Minerals Management Service as the National Ocean Resources and Royalty Service. Rigs to Reefs Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary to issue regulations regarding the authorization to use decommissioned offshore oil and gas facilities for artificial reef and scientific research. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal a requirement regarding conducting comprehensive inventories of OCS oil and natural gas resources. Directs the Secretary to establish OCS regional headquarters in designated locations. Repeals the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. Removes application fees for the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) drill permits. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth provisions concerning: (1) credits and deductions for alternative and nonconventional fuel, the capture of carbon dioxide, energy efficiency and conservation, and renewable energy; (2) extensions of elections to expense certain refineries; and (3) exemptions for electric transmission facilities. 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. Oil Shale Opportunity Act of 2008 - Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 to repeal the limitation on the use of funds for implementing a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to provide for the treatment of revenues received through an oil shale or tar sands lease. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal restrictions on federal agencies procuring alternative or synthetic fuel for mobility-related uses. Coal Liquid Fuel Act - Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) agreements between the Secretary of Energy and qualifying coal-to-liquid projects; and (2) public auctions of coal-to-liquid fuel put option contracts. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to revise provisions concerning the recycling and disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste. Establishes the American Energy Trust Fund. Requires the Secretary to implement a program to lease federal lands for the development and operation of commercial photovoltaic and concentration solar power energy systems. Provides for: (1) the coordination of the authorization of federal crude oil refineries; and (2) the designation of closed military bases for the construction of refineries and the designation of brownfield sites for refinery sites. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal certain requirements regarding refinery revitalization. Amends the Clean Air Act to require new source review regulations to provide that routine maintenance and repair do not constitute a modification of an existing source. Strengthening Americas Science and Technology Education Act - Requires the Secretary to appoint a Stakeholder Committee for Science and Technology Education. Establishes the National Science and Technology Education Center. Sets forth provisions concerning educational programs for technology and nuclear science.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2008
Recognizes the leadership of John Berthoud, Ph.D, in the formulation of tax policy and his work on public policy issues, such as tax reform and economic growth, and mourns his death.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2008
Demands that the 2010 decennial census count every person living in the United States, any U.S. territory or possession, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and all federal civilian and military personnel serving abroad. Urges the Secretary of Commerce to use all reasonable means to achieve that goal.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2008
Oil Shale Opportunity Act of 2008 - Directs the President to limit the application of law as necessary to expedite the exploration and production of oil and gas from oil shale and tar sands, including, but not limited to, the issuance of any federal permit. Grants U.S. district courts exclusive jurisdiction to hear all causes or claims arising from any action undertaken, or any decision made, by the President pursuant to this Act. Declares that one half of royalties due to the federal government from production under this Act shall be dedicated to fund private grants for: (1) research and development to limit or capture carbon emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels; (2) alternative fuels; and (3) energy efficiency.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 to repeal the prohibition on using certain funds to issue regulations for: (1) a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands; or (2) an oil shale lease sale.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Declares that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability through economic, political, and diplomatic means is vital to U.S. national security. Urges the President to use his authority to impose sanctions on: (1) Iranian banks engaged in proliferation activities or the support of terrorist groups; (2) international banks which conduct financial transactions with proscribed Iranian banks; (3) energy companies with large investments in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector; and (4) all companies which do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Demands that the President initiate an international effort to increase economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities. Urges the President to lead a regional diplomatic effort to support the legitimate governments in the region against Iranian destabilization efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2008
Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2008 - Amends the Submerged Lands Act (SLA) regarding delineation of lateral offshore state boundaries with respect to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), as well as related oil and gas mineral rights. Amends the OCSLA with respect to Adjacent Zones and Planning Areas in the outer Continental Shelf (OCS) subsoil and seabed. Revises procedures governing natural gas lease administration. Prohibits the President from: (1) revising or revoking a withdrawal that is extended by a state; or (2) withdrawing from leasing any area for which a state has failed to prohibit leasing. Requires the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to include, in each five-year OCS leasing program, lease sales that, when viewed as a whole, propose to offer to lease at least 75% of the available unleased acreage within each OCS Planning Area for oil and gas or natural gas. Prescribes conditions for a federal agency permit, without adjacent state concurrence, to construct a crude oil or petroleum products pipeline within the part of the adjacent state's Adjacent Zone that is withdrawn from oil and gas or natural gas leasing. Exempts lease suspensions and all preliminary activities on OCS tracks from the requirement to prepare environmental assessments or impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Establishes the Federal Energy Natural Resources Enhancement Program to manage wildlife and natural resources related to energy and minerals development on federal lands. Declares without force or effect existing federal prohibitions against spending appropriated funds for leasing and preleasing OCS oil and natural gas. Prohibits a federal agency from permitting certain activities on the federal OCS or in state waters that are incompatible with: (1) oil or natural gas leasing; and (2) full exploration and production of tracts geologically prospective for oil or natural gas. Requires the Secretary to repurchase and cancel certain federal oil and gas, geothermal, coal, oil shale, tar sands, or other mineral leases, whether onshore or offshore. Redesignates the Minerals Management Service as the National Ocean Resources and Royalty Service. Rigs to Reefs Act of 2008 - Amends the OCSLA to prescribe requirements for the use of decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms for an artificial reef, scientific research, or any other use authorized for leases, easements, or rights-of-way for energy and related purposes. Redesignates the Mining and Mineral Resource Institutes Act of 1984 as the Energy and Mineral Schools Reinvestment Act. Directs the Secretary to provide funds to state-chartered petroleum or mining schools. Establishes the Office of Petroleum and Mining Schools. Directs the Secretary to appoint an advisory Committee on Petroleum, Mining, and Mineral Engineering and Energy and Mineral Resource Education. Authorizes grants to schools for career technical education. Establishes a Physical Science, Engineering, and Technology Scholarship Program. Directs the Secretary to establish OCS Regional Headquarters in designated locations. National Geo Fund Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary to establish a program for production of: (1) fuels from strategic unconventional resources; and (2) oil and gas resources using CO2 enhanced recovery. Directs the Secretary to establish grant programs for production of: (1) geothermal and geopressure oil and gas energy; (2) liquid fuels; and (3) renewable energy from ocean waves, currents, and thermal resources. Grants the lessee of an existing oil and gas lease located completely within 100 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 five years. Amends OCSLA to repeal the coastal impact assistance program. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal the requirement for payments for oil shale and tar sands leases. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to prescribe requirements for treatment of oil shale or tar sands lease revenues and royalty rates for commercial leases. Amends OCSLA to make OCS receipts available in certain circumstances for payments under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. Repeals the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006.
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
Boy Scouts of America Land Transfer Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Utah National Parks Council of the Boy Scouts of America (the Boy Scouts) to convey to Brian Head Resort certain public land in Utah acquired under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act for the purpose of operating a camp in exchange for conveyance by Brian Head Resort of certain of its private land to the Boy Scouts.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2008
Preserving the American Historical Record Act - Authorizes the Archivist of the United States to make grants to states to: (1) protect historical records; (2) use such records in new and creative ways; (3) provide education and training to those who care for historical records; and (4) create a wide variety of access tools, including finding aids, documentary editions, indexes, and images of key records maintained on state and local organization websites. Requires the Archivist to consult with state and local officials on criteria for making the grants.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2008
Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for the protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members deployed in support of a contingency operation. States that if a motion for change of custody of a child of such a member is filed while the member is so deployed, no court may enter an order modifying or amending a previous child custody judgment, except if there is clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of the child. Prohibits any court from considering a member's absence due to deployment, or possible deployment, in support of a contingency operation in determining the best interest of the child.
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 · 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 · 17 April 2008
Wireless Internet Nationwide for Families Act of 2008 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promote nationwide broadband competition through the use of wireless services by issuing nationwide licenses, for a term of at least 15 years, for two bands of frequencies, each composed of 20 megahertz of unpaired contiguous spectrum, one band under 3 gigahertz and not part of the recovered analog spectrum and the other band between 2155 and 2180 megahertz. Requires licensees, among other things, to offer to consumers and authorized public safety users, without subscription, airtime, usage, or other charges, a data service that is faster than 200 kilobits per second and that has technology that protects underage users from accessing obscene or indecent material. Requires a separate rule-making or other procedures for licensing through auction additional unpaired contiguous spectrum of 20 megahertz below 3 gigahertz, but states that the auction shall be conducted without the conditions specified in the immediately preceding paragraph unless the Commission finds it is in the public interest.
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 · 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
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 · 9 April 2008
Veterans Travel Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow veterans a deduction from gross income for their travel expenses (e.g., transportation, food, and lodging) to a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center for treatment related to a service-connected disability or for an examination related to a claim for disability compensation or a pension.
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 · 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 · 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 · 12 March 2008
Designates the federal building located at 4600 Silver Hill Road in Suitland, Maryland, as the "Thomas Jefferson Census Bureau Headquarters Building."
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2008
Congressional Review Act Improvement Act - Eliminates a requirement that federal agencies must submit specified information about a rule to both Houses of Congress before such rule can take effect (thus requiring that the information be submitted to only the Comptroller General). Requires the Comptroller General to submit to each House a weekly report containing a list of the rules received, including a notation identifying each major rule. Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives to publish such report in the Congressional Record.
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
Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008 - Authorizes providers of a single covered electronic payment system (e.g. Visa or Mastercharge credit cards) and any merchants to jointly negotiate and agree upon rates and terms for access to such a system. Defines covered electronic payment system as any system that has been used for at least 20% of the combined dollar value of U.S. credit, signature-based debit, and PIN-based debit card payments processed in the applicable base year. Grants limited antitrust immunity to such providers and merchants, as well as to those providers who jointly determine among themselves the proportionate division of paid access fees. Sets forth procedures to determine rates and terms for access to a covered electronic payment system. Prohibits any other rates and terms from being imposed upon a merchant for accessing a covered electronic payment system except as specified in a voluntarily negotiated access agreement. Creates a panel of three full-time Electronic Payment System Judges, appointed by the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Competition, to determine the schedule of rates and terms for three-year periods. Subjects any determination of such Judges to judicial review. Authorizes providers and merchants to engage in voluntarily negotiated access agreements. Declares that such voluntarily negotiated access agreements shall be given effect with respect to the signatories in lieu of any determination by the Judges.
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 · 4 March 2008
Authorizes the use of the Capitol rotunda on May 1, 2008, for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2008
The Pornography Jurisdiction Limitation Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to provide that no court created by Act of Congress shall have jurisdiction, and the Supreme Court shall have no appellate jurisdiction, to hear or decide a question of whether a state pornography law imposes a constitutionally invalid restriction on the freedom of expression. Provides that a decision of a federal court, to the extent the decision relates to such a question, is not binding precedent on a state court.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Securities Litigation Attorney Accountability and Transparency Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933 to state that, in any private action in which the court enters a final judgment against plaintiff on the basis of a motion to dismiss, motion for summary judgment, or a trial on the merits, the court shall, upon defendant's motion, determine whether: (1) the position of the plaintiff was not substantially justified; (2) imposition of fees and expenses on the plaintiff's attorney would be just; and (3) the cost of such fees and expenses to the defendant is substantially burdensome or unjust. Requires the court to award the defendant reasonable fees and other expenses, and impose such fees and expenses on the plaintiff's attorney, if the court makes positive determinations in such a case. Places the burden of persuasion upon the defendant as to whether or not the position of the plaintiff was substantially justified. Requires plaintiff and plaintiff's attorney to provide sworn, signed certifications that identify any actual or promised payment by the attorney to the plaintiff, beyond the plaintiff's pro rata share of any recovery. Requires similar plaintiff and plaintiff's attorney certifications regarding: (1) legal representations; (2) contributions; and (3) conflicts of interest. Requires the court, in exercising discretion over the approval of lead counsel, to employ a competitive bidding process as one of the criteria (unless the court determines that such a process is not feasible). Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to certain congressional committees on average hourly fees in securities class actions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Modernize Our Bookkeeping In the Law for Employee's Cell Phone Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove certain limitations on the tax deduction for employee use of cellular telephones.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2008
Urges national and community organizations, businesses in the private sector, and the media to promote awareness of heat stroke through National Heat Stroke Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008
Restoring the West's Fair Share Act of 2008 - Amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, to repeal the requirement for a deduction of 2% from the amount payable to a state in FY2008 under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982, and under the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, before disbursing a payment to that state and for the deposit of the amount deducted to miscellaneous receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008
Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act - Establishes the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission to: (1) plan and carry out activities to honor Ronald Reagan on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth; (2) provide assistance to federal, state, and local governmental agencies and civic groups to carry out such activities; and (3) study other federal activities to honor Ronald Reagan, including the issuance of a postal stamp, the issuance of a $1 coin for one year, and the convening of a joint session of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008
Semper Fi Act - Rescinds all amounts appropriated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 for the city of Berkeley, California, or entities in such city. Transfers the rescinded amounts to the Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps account of the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2008, to be used for recruiting.
![Official portrait of Rep. Cannon, Chris [R-UT-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000116_200.jpg)