United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) for FY2009-FY2012. Authorizes the Superintendent of the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control to include within fire service personnel training: (1) response, tactics, and strategies for dealing with non-terrorist-caused national catastrophes; (2) applying new technology and developing strategies and tactics for fighting wildfires; (3) response, tactics, and strategies for fighting large-scale or multiple fires in a general area that cross jurisdictional boundaries, fires occurring at the wildland-urban interface, and fires involving hazardous materials; and (4) advanced emergency medical services training. Requires the Administrator of USFA to include in triennial reports information about changes made to the National Fire Academy curriculum. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) contract with a nationally recognized organization that meets specified requirements to facilitate the delivery of education and training programs directly to fire service personnel; and (2) assist the nation's fire services to sponsor and encourage research to improve fire prevention and control in the wildland-urban interface. Directs the Administrator to: (1) use specified funds during FY2009-FY2011 to update the National Fire Incident Reporting system to an Internet-based, real-time incident reporting database: (2) make available to the public information about fire-related research through a regularly updated Internet-based database; (3) promote adoption by fire services of voluntary national consensus standards for firefighter health and safety; and (4) provide liaison to assure coordination of fire service-based emergency medical services programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise the civil penalties for violations of firearms law and the procedures for assessing such penalties. Revises the definition of "willfully" for purposes of firearms violations and standards for criminal violations of firearms recordkeeping requirements. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) make preliminary determinations on firearms license applications and notify applicants in writing of a proposed denial; and (2) establish guidelines for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) inspections, examinations, or investigations of possible firearms violations. Prohibits ATF from disclosing information on firearms purchasers other than to a court, law enforcement agency, or prosecutor. Permits an owner of a firearms business whose license is expired, surrendered, or revoked 60 days to liquidate inventory. Requires any state agency that stores or keeps explosive materials to report to the Attorney General on the location and amount of such materials. Allows the transfer and possession of machineguns for use by federal security contractors. Prohibits taxes or user fees for background checks under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. Eliminates the requirement of written permission for the use of a handgun for lawful purposes by a minor (under age 18) where a parent or legal guardian is present at all times during such use. Restricts the disclosure of information in the ATF firearms trace system database. Increases penalties for possession of firearms by felons with prior convictions of a crime of violence or a serious drug offense.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Stop Senior Suicide Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Interagency Geriatric Mental Health Planning Council to coordinate and collaborate on the planning for the delivery of mental health services, to include suicide prevention, to older adults. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase, through 2014 (when it will not be limited), payment for the treatment of mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders of an individual who is not an inpatient of a hospital at the time such expenses are incurred. Requires the Secretary to award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to develop strategies for addressing suicide among the elderly. Revises provisions requiring centers to provide appropriate information, training, and technical assistance on youth suicide to require such information, training, and assistance on suicide among all ages, particularly for groups that are at a high risk for suicide. Authorizes additional appropriations to carry out such changes.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2007
Honors John Berthoud as a friend, mentor, colleague, and tireless warrior on behalf of taxpayers. Recognizes that his legacy will live on in the civil discourse and civic participation he fostered.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2007 - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of gold medals to Native American code talkers of specified Indian tribes. Defines "code talker" as a Native American who served in the Armed Forces during a foreign conflict and who participated in military communications using a native language. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Indian tribes, to identify code talkers eligible for a gold medal.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Congratulates the Army Reserve on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the enactment of its original authorizing law on April 23, 1908. Recognizes and commends the Army Reserve for the service of its past and present citizen-soldiers whose personal courage, contributions, and sacrifices have helped preserve the freedom and advance the national security and homeland defense of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007
Underage Drinking Prevention Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) understanding which programs are effective in reducing underage drinking will maximize scarce federal resources and help confront underage drinking in a more effective, cost-efficient manner; (2) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration should explore ways to expand and improve evaluation efforts; and (3) federal agencies should strive to evaluate all federally funded underage drinking programs and modify programs as needed to reach maximum effectiveness. Requires the Director of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs to award grants to states and local governments to implement and evaluate enforcement and public education programs aimed at reducing the provision of alcohol by social sources to underage drinkers as part of the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as Chair of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking, to: (1) work with members of that Committee to improve federal data collection by ensuring that federally funded surveys related to underage drinking collect and report data in a consistent manner; and (2) establish a federal data improvement committee. Requires the Secretary of Education to: (1) award grants on a competitive basis to local educational agencies to develop and implement innovative and effective programs to increase parental awareness and involvement in reducing underage drinking in elementary and secondary schools; and (2) identify existing, effective, national programs that increase parent-child interaction to prevent underage drinking and disseminate that information to such agencies for replication at the local level.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
Honors the citizens of the Pacific Northwest for their courage in facing the storm and efforts in helping their neighbors in a time of great need. Honors the National Weather Service, state and local police officers, fire fighters, local rescue personnel, other first responders, and amateur radio operators for their efforts in the face of the severe storm. Extends the thoughts and prayers of the U.S. House of Representatives to those whose lives have been devastated, and who have lost their housing, transportation, communications, water, heat, or electricity. Extends its profound and deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who perished.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her courageous and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and democracy in Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Mail Network Protection Act of 2007 - Requires the U.S. Postal Service to bargain with unions representing career Postal Service employees before entering into a contract for mail processing, mail handling, or surface transportation of mail if the contract, in a 12 month period, would involve work that would otherwise be performed by those employees and either: (1) involve more than a specified amount of work time; or (2) cost over $5 million.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Ensuring Medicare Access to Recreational Therapy Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking, or a transmittal amending the Medicare Benefits Policy Manual, or both, specifying that: (1) recreational therapy is a covered service under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act in inpatient rehabilitation facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs); (2) recreational therapy is a skilled rehabilitative modality included in the bundle of services as part of the payment rates for such facilities under Medicare's respective prospective payment systems (PPS) for these inpatient settings; and (3) any recreational therapy that is provided to a Medicare beneficiary in such a facility prescribed by a physician as part of the facility's plan of care for the patient must be provided by a qualified recreational therapist.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Strengthening the Transition and Reintegration of the National Guard and Reserves Act or STRONGR Act - Provides an additional 180-day period of military mental health care coverage for members of the reserves separated from service following active duty of more than 30 days in support of a contingency operation. Increases the amount of basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel supporting contingency operations. Entitles a federal employee who is a member of a reserve component to receive the difference in pay between military compensation and civilian compensation during periods of active duty exceeding 30 days. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to reimburse states or local governments for 50% of the civilian compensation paid by such governments to equalize military and civilian pay. Increases the reimbursement rate to 100% if active duty extends beyond nine months. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an active-duty reserve component employee credit for employers who provide compensation to employees on active duty.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Underage Drinking Prevention Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) understanding which programs are effective in reducing underage drinking will maximize scarce federal resources and help confront underage drinking in a more effective, cost-efficient manner; (2) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration should explore ways to expand and improve evaluation efforts; and (3) federal agencies should strive to evaluate all federally funded underage drinking programs and modify programs as needed to reach maximum effectiveness. Requires the Director of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs to award grants to states and local governments to implement and evaluate enforcement and public education programs aimed at reducing the provision of alcohol by social sources to underage drinkers as part of the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as Chair of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking, to: (1) work with members of that Committee to improve federal data collection by ensuring that federally funded surveys related to underage drinking collect and report data in a consistent manner; and (2) establish a federal data improvement committee. Requires the Secretary of Education to: (1) award grants on a competitive basis to local educational agencies to develop and implement innovative and effective programs to increase parental awareness and involvement in reducing underage drinking in elementary and secondary schools; and (2) identify existing, effective, national programs that increase parent-child interaction to prevent underage drinking and disseminate that information to such agencies for replication at the local level.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
National Health Services Corps and Loan Repayment Programs Renewal Act of 2007 - Reauthorizes appropriations for the National Health Service Corps for FY2008-FY2012. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in approving applications for assignment of members of the Corps, to give the highest preference to entities that are federally-qualified health centers, that are rural health clinics, and that primarily serve health disparity populations or medically underserved populations. Repeals the requirement that federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics demonstate that they meet health professional shortage area requirements every six years after such a center or clinic is designated as having such a shortage.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007
College and University Rural Education (CURE) Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to partnerships between rural institutions of higher education (IHEs) and rural local educational agencies, rural education service agencies, regional employers, or rural education nonprofit organizations for activities to: (1) improve the rural IHE enrollment rates of rural high school graduates and former attendees; and (2) encourage nontraditional students' participation in rural IHE degree programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to partnerships between rural IHEs and regional employers to: (1) provide additional training to rural IHE attendees in careers relevant to the regional economy; and (2) encourage regional businesses to employ rural IHE graduates. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to rural IHEs to create or strengthen academic programs that prepare graduates to enter high-need occupations in the regional and local economies. Requires the General Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate, and make recommendations to Congress regarding the improvement of, rural access to four-year IHEs and degree programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007
Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require each participating hospital to adopt and implement a staffing system that ensures a number of registered nurses on each shift and in each unit of the hospital to ensure appropriate staffing levels for patient care; (2) provide for the public reporting of certain staffing information, including a daily posting for each shift in the hospital of the current number of licensed and unlicensed nursing staff directly responsible for patient care; (3) prescribe recordkeeping, data collection, and evaluation requirements for participating hospitals; (4) specify civil monetary penalties for violations of such requirements; and (5) provide whistleblower protections.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007
Montgomery GI Bill Enhancement of 2007 - Authorizes certain members of the Armed Forces to make an irrevocable election during the one-year period beginning on enactment of this Act to become entitled to basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill. Requires a reduction in basic pay of those members electing such educational assistance or, if the member is discharged or released from active duty prior to such reduction, the collection of specified amounts from the member or an equivalent reduction in retired or retainer pay. Provides for notice of the opportunity created by this Act to elect educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007
Congratulates: (1) the Colorado Rockies on winning the National League Championship and advancing to the 2007 World Series; and (2) the Boston Red Sox for winning the 2007 World Series.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2007
Requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide for the issuance and sale of a veterans health care stamp to help fund the medical care and treatment of veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007
Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2007 or SAVE Act of 2007 - 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) emergency deployment of Border Patrol agents; and (7) expansion of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism along the northern and southern 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. Border Law Enforcement Act - Authorizes a border relief grant program for a tribal, state, or local law enforcement agency in a county within 25 miles of the southern border of the United States. 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 the Department of Homeland Security (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. 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 district 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 · 6 November 2007
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to: (1) award competitive grants to up to 10 states for pilot programs to determine the effectiveness of assessing disabled students who are achieving significantly below grade-level proficiency at their instructional level; and (2) provide quality instruction to such students. Requires each grantee to identify a minimum of five local educational agencies (LEAs) to participate in its pilot program and limit student participation to 0.5% of the students assessed in each participating LEA. Requires such states and LEAs to ensure that each participating student's individualized education program team: (1) administers, after securing parental consent, a scientifically-valid and reliable assessment based on the student's instructional level in reading and/or math; and (2) based on such assessment, develops a series of targeted interventions designed to close identified gaps in the student's instructional and grade-level content knowledge. Prohibits the use of such assessment results in determinations of adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic performance standards.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2007
Disabled Veterans Right to Commissaries and Space Available Travel Act - Requires veterans with disabilities rated at 30% or more to be permitted to use commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as members of the Armed Forces eligible for retired or retainer pay. Extends such benefit to dependents on the same basis. Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide transportation on Department of Defense aircraft on a space-available basis for any veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 50% or more on the same basis as members entitled to retired or retainer pay. Extends such benefit to dependents on the same basis.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2007
Condemns violent attempts to resist the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and encourages all parties involved in the conflict to reach a lasting cease-fire. Encourages the U.S. government to state publicly its support for the disarmament and reintegration of forces loyal to General Nkunda into the national army. Condemns the infiltration of soldiers into the Virunga National Forest and the danger it poses to the mountain gorillas.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Amends the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 to prohibit the bankruptcy court from dismissing or converting a case based on means testing while the debtor: (1) is either on active duty or performing a homeland defense activity for at least 60 days; or (2) was either called to active duty or performed homeland defense activity as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces or a member of the National Guard after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Federal Consent Decree Fairness Act - Amends the federal judicial code to authorize any state or local government or related official (or successor) to file a motion to modify or terminate a federal consent decree upon the earlier of: (1) four years after the consent decree is originally entered; or (2) in the case of a civil action in which a state or state official, or a local government or local government official, is a party, the expiration of the term of office of the highest state or local government official who was a party to the consent decree; or (3) the date otherwise provided by law. Places the burden of proof with respect to such motions on the party originally filing the action to demonstrate that the denial of the motion to modify or terminate a consent decree (or any part of it) is necessary to prevent the violation of a federal requirement that: (1) was actionable by such party; and (2) was addressed in the original consent decree. Requires a court, within 30 days after the filing of a motion, to enter a scheduling order that: (1) limits the time of the parties to file motions and complete discovery; and (2) sets the date or dates of any necessary hearings. Authorizes a court to stay the injunctive or prospective relief set forth in the consent decree if a party opposing the motion to modify or terminate it seeks any continuance or delay that prevents the court from entering a final ruling on the motion within 180 days of its filing. Requires the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on all consent decrees in which the United States is a party that were entered four or more years before the date of the report.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Prevention Through Affordable Access Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the best price component of the formula for determination of the Medicaid rebate for a covered single source outpatient drug or a covered innovator multiple source outpatient drug. (Under current law, best prices shall not take into account prices that are merely nominal in amount.) Revises the list of entities to which sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price, or merely nominal in amount (and thus excluded from computation of the best price for such drugs). Adds to such list any entity that is: (1) operated by a health center of an institution of higher education, primarily for its students (university-based clinic); or (2) a public or private nonprofit entity that provides family planning services under the Public Health Service Act (safety-net clinic).
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act - Makes any children's consumer product containing more than specified amounts of lead a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Lowers the lead level at which paint is a banned hazardous product under the Consumer Product Safety Act. Requires independent third party testing of children's products. Provides for a variety of measures to facilitate identifying a product's source, intermediate parties, and end user. Requires replacing durable infant or toddler product voluntary standards with consumer product safety rules. Requires, in certain circumstances, that choking warnings be included in associated advertising. Authorizes appropriations: (1) to carry out the Consumer Product Safety Act and any other provision of law the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) carries out; and (2) for capital improvements to the Commission's research, development, and testing facility. Allows the CPSC to transact business with two members, if they are not of the same political party, until August 3, 2008. Modifies procedures for promulgating rules and regulations under the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Modifies procedures regarding the public disclosure by the CPSC of information regarding a consumer product. Allows the CPSC to prohibit product stockpiling. Requires notice to the CPSC if a consumer product fails to comply with a rule under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Flammable Fabrics Act, or the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Modifies requirements regarding action plans of manufacturers, distributors, or retailers to deal with products that present a substantial hazard. Requires manufacturers, distributors, or retailers to give public notice of a substantial product hazard on their Internet website and to third party Internet websites on which the product was for sale. Authorizes the CPSC to prohibit the export of, and makes it unlawful to sell, a product or substance that is not in conformity with applicable requirements. Increases the maximum civil penalties under the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act. Authorizes the forfeiture of assets associated with the violation of any Act enforced by the CPSC. Authorizes the CPSC, in certain circumstances, to make certain information obtained by the Commission available to any federal, state, local, or foreign government agency.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Atomic Veterans Relief Act - Includes within the definition of a "radiation-risk activity" for purposes of eligibility criteria for veterans' disability compensation the exposure to ionizing radiation due to residual contamination resulting from participation in a nuclear detonation. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in regulations pertaining to the service-connection of veterans' disabilities additional provisions to ensure, in the case of a claim by a radiation-exposed veteran for service-connection of a nonpresumptive disability, that the procedures for establishment of whether the disability is service-connected do not require imputation to the veteran, through a process known as dose reconstruction, of any particular level of exposure to ionizing radiation.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2007
Congratulates: (1) the Boston Red Sox for winning the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series; and (2) the teams that played in the postseason. Commends the Colorado Rockies for advancing to the 2007 World Series.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2007
Preserve America and Save America's Treasures Act - Establishes the Preserve America Program, under which the Secretary of the Interior, in partnership with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, shall provide competitive grants to specified entities to support preservation efforts through heritage tourism, education, and historic preservation planning activities. Sets forth provisions regarding the designation of communities, tribal areas, and neighborhoods as Preserve America Communities. Establishes the Save America's Treasures Program, under which the Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities for projects to preserve nationally significant collections and historic properties. Provides for, of the amounts available for such grants, not less than 50% to be available for projects to preserve collections and historic properties, which shall be distributed through a competitive grant process. Requires a collection or historic property to be provided a competitive grant only if such collection or property is: (1) nationally significant; and (2) threatened or endangered. Requires historic properties, to be eligible for a grant, to be: (1) listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the national level of significance; or (2) designated as a National Historic Landmark. Sets forth the criteria under which grants shall be provided to projects for eligible collections and historic properties.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2007
Amends the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 to prohibit the bankruptcy court from dismissing or converting a case based on means testing while the debtor: (1) is either on active duty or performing a homeland defense activity for at least 60 days; or (2) was either called to active duty or performed homeland defense activity as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces or a member of the National Guard after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2007
Homeowners Property Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction of state and local real and personal property taxes in calculating the alternative minimum taxable income of individual taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2007
Protecting Consumers through Proper Forbearance Procedures Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant or deny, within one year, a petition by one or more telecommunications carriers or classes of carriers requesting that the FCC forbear from applying any regulation or provision under the Act. (Current law deems such a petition granted if not denied within one year.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2007
Requires the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that any federal government interagency or intra-agency agreement to develop and transition new technology explicitly characterizes the requirements, expected use, and concept of operations for that technology. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to terminate the Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee on December 31, 2012. Requires the Under Secretary to enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council for an assessment of the basic science research needs in the border and maritime security domain. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Joint Planning and Development Office to research and develop technologies to permit routine operation of unmanned aerial vehicles within the national airspace for border and maritime security missions without degradation of existing safety levels for national airspace system users. Requires: (1) the Under Secretary to research and develop technologies to permit detection of near surface voids, such as tunnels, with an emphasis on technologies with real time capability; and (2) the Under Secretary and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish a joint research and development program on anticounterfeit technologies and standards.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2007
Broadband Census of America Act of 2007 - Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct an annual assessment on the deployment, by bandwidth service tiers and types of technology, of broadband service capability throughout the states, including information comparing the extent of broadband service capability in other countries. Directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the Department of Commerce to develop and maintain a broadband inventory map of the United States that identifies and depicts the geographic extent to which broadband service capability is deployed and available from commercial or public providers. Authorizes the NTIA, subject to fund availability, to make grants to states or nonprofit organizations to assist in providing the NTIA with information to facilitate the development of that map. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to local technology planning entities, including to assess the current use of broadband service capability, set goals for improving or maximizing such use, identify local broadband demand and aggregate such demand, and establish programs to improve computer ownership and Internet access for unserved and underserved populations. Prohibits using grant funds to provide broadband service or acquire equipment or facilities for such capability. Requires the FCC to conduct and make public periodic consumer surveys regarding the type of technology used, the amount the consumer pays, the actual data transmission speeds, and the types of applications and services the consumer most frequently uses in conjunction with such capability.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2007
Kids' Toys Safety Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to prescribe a comprehensive testing program for articles intended for children under five. Requires the CPSC, after receiving notice of a voluntary recall by a manufacturer or retailer, to post notice on the CPSC's website and notify the health department of each state. Requires the manufacturer of a product for children under five to label the product or its packaging to enable the purchaser to determine production information. Requires the CPSC to establish a database as a clearinghouse for information regarding factories, warehouses, or other facilities where consumer products which have been subject to a recall were manufactured.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2007
Family Asthma Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to award grants to eligible entities to conduct pilot projects to prevent and control asthma symptoms and to reduce asthma attacks and improve self-management for individuals and families. Requires the Secretary to give: (1) priority to entities that serve a medically underserved population; and (2) consideration to an adequate rural-urban distribution, so as to gain better information about asthma at the national level. Authorizes additional appropriations to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to develop a National Asthma Action Plan and to fund a report to Congress by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) collaborate with state and local health departments to conduct activities to inform and educate the public regarding asthma; (2) conduct asthma surveillance activities to collect data on the prevalence and severity of asthma, the effectiveness of public heath asthma intervention, and the quality of asthma management; and (3) compile and annually publish asthma data. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to establish Dr. Irving J. Selikoff individual and institutional training grants for education and training of health care providers on the role of environmental factors in the development and prevention of asthma and recurrent asthma attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2007
Mine Communications Technology Innovation Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a program of research, development, and demonstration, including grants, to accelerate the development of next generation mine communications and tracking technology systems. Requires the Director to work with federal agencies and industry to evaluate areas of research and development that will be most promising in protecting miner safety. Authorizes the Director, in establishing the program, to focus on the following communications and tracking system characteristics: (1) systems that are likely to work in emergency situations; (2) systems that work in coal mines, with special attention paid to deep underground coal mines; (3) systems that provide coverage throughout all areas of the mine; (4) hybrid systems that use both wireless and infrastructure-based systems; (5) functionality for two-way and voice communications; (6) systems that serve emergency and routine communications needs; and (7) the ability to work with existing legacy systems and to be quickly integrated. Requires the Director to work with industry and federal agencies to develop consensus industry standards and standard reference materials for wireless communications in underground mines. Urges that the following issues be addressed: (1) the appropriate use of frequency bands and power levels; (2) matters related to interoperability; and (3) technology to prevent interference.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2007
Extends, through November 1, 2018, the exemption from the requirement that certain vessels operating within the Boundary Line be constructed of fire-retardant materials.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2007
Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award grants to eligible entities to provide education and training in newborn screening and congenital, genetic, and metabolic disorders to health care professionals and newborn screening laboratory personnel. Adds as a condition for eligibility for grants for screening, counseling, or health care services to newborns and children having, or at risk for, heritable disorders that an entity assure that it has or is implementing guidelines and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. Requires the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children to: (1) make recommendations that include the heritable disorders for which all newborns should be screened; and (2) develop a model decision-matrix for newborn screening program expansion. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to: (1) establish a central clearinghouse for information on newborn screening; and (2) award grants for newborn screening educational programs and for a system to assess and coordinate treatment relating to congenital, genetic, and metabolic disorders. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to provide for: (1) quality assurance for screening laboratories; (2) population-based pilot testing for evaluating new screening tools; and (3) a national contingency plan for newborn screening in the event of a public health emergency. Requires the Secretary, acting through an Interagency Group, to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available data on certain heritable disorders; (2) operate regional centers to conduct applied epidemiological research on interventions to prevent poor health outcomes from such disorders; and (3) research and promote the prevention of poor health outcomes. Requires the Secretary to establish the Hunter Kelly Newborn Screening Research Program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2007
Recognizes and honors the: (1) contributions of scientists and engineers of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)and its partners who pioneered the technologies to enable supersonic flight; and (2) bravery of Charles "Chuck" Yeager and the many other test pilots who, sometimes at the cost of their lives, enabled the aeronautics developments that made possible the first supersonic flight on October 14, 1947.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2007
Congratulates Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for receiving the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and commends the Norwegian Nobel Committee for selecting them. Recognizes: (1) Vice President Al Gore's work to increase awareness about the dangers of global warming; and (2) the Panel's work to create an informed consensus about the connection between human activities and global warming. Recommends that the public takes action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Encourages Congress and the President to enact climate change legislation to substantially reduce U.S. contributions to GHG emissions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007 - Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reimburse certain veterans without a service-connected disability enrolled as active participants of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care plan for the cost of emergency treatment received in a non-VA facility until such time as such veterans are transferred to a VA facility. Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary to reimburse certain veterans with a service-connected disability or a non-service-connected disability associated with or aggravating a service-connected disability for the value of emergency treatment for which such veterans have made payment from sources other than the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007 - Provides that, in the case of a member of the Armed Forces who is retired or separated for disability due to a combat-related injury, the Secretary of Defense shall require the continued payment of any bonuses or special pay to which the member: (1) was entitled to immediately before the retirement or separation; and (2) would continue to be entitled to if not retired or separated. Requires such payment in a lump sum within 30 days after such retirement or separation.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2007
Servicemembers Telecom Contract Relief Act - Allows a person in military service to terminate a telecommunications contract for cellular phone service, cable or satellite television service, or internet service at any time after: (1) entry into military service; or (2) the date of the station or deployment orders. Requires for termination that: (1) the contract is executed by or on behalf of a person who thereafter and during the term of the contract enters military service (or receives order to enter military service) under an order specifying a period of not less than 90 days (or who enters military service under an order specifying a period of 90 days or less and who, without a break in service, receives orders extending the period of military service to a period of not less than 90 days); or (2) the person enters into the contract while in military service and thereafter receives military orders for a permanent change of station outside of the continental United States, or to deploy with a military unit for a period of not less than 90 days, to a location that does not support continuation of the service under the contract.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2007
Energy Storage Technology Advancement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement a research, development, and demonstration program for: (1) basic research to support development of energy storage systems for vehicles, stationary applications, and electricity transmission and distribution; (2) applied research on energy storage systems to support related technologies; (3) regionally diversified demonstrations of advanced energy storage systems; and (4) vehicle energy storage technology.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2007
Supports the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Declares that the House of Representatives intends to work with federal agencies, national organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to encourage the voluntary development and use implementation of existing and future computer security voluntary consensus standards, practices, and technologies in order to enhance the state of computer security in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
Servicemember Student Loan Interest Relief Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide that no interest shall accrue on student loans under the Federal Direct Loan program for individuals who are serving on active duty or performing National Guard duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency. Limits receipt of such benefit to 60 months. Requires the Secretary of Education to offer direct consolidation loans to eligible service members who want to avoid the accrual of interest on existing loans.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
Military Valor Roll of Honor Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish the Military Valor Roll of Honor registry which shall: (1) contain the names and citations of all members of the Armed Forces, members of the U.S. merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service), and civilians affiliated with the Armed Forces who have been awarded the medal of honor or any other medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces, the U.S. merchant marine, or affiliated civilians; and (2) be a publicly available database.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000309_200.jpg)