United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006
Alternative Energy Research and Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application (R&D) for: (1) production of motor and other fuels from biomass; (2) technologies to enable practical onboard storage of hydrogen for use as a fuel for light-duty motor vehicles; (3) advanced solar photovoltaic technologies; and (4) advanced wind energy technologies. Instructs the Secretary to continue R&D activities targeting: (1) distributed energy; (2) micro-cogeneration technology; and (3) geothermal energy, hydropower, and ocean energy authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary to: (1) implement an R&D program for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric drive transportation; and (2) establish a pilot program to provide competitive grants to state governments, local governments and public entities, and metropolitan transportation authorities for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle demonstration projects. Solar Utilization Now Demonstration Act of 2006, or the SUN Act of 2006 - Instructs the Secretary to establish a program of grants to states to demonstrate advanced photovoltaic technology. Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot grants program for new builidng construction or renovation to demonstrate innovative energy efficiency technologies. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise the guidelines for a geographically dispersed network of Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers. Authorizes the Secretary to contribute funds to the National Science Foundation for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program. Directs the Secretary to arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to study its October 2005 recommendation to establish an Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). Directs the Secretary to establish R&D programs for commercial application of: (1) coal gasification facilities that convert coal into pipeline quality gaseous fuels (methanation); and (2) materials to be added to alternative biobased fuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuels. Directs the Secretary, in making awards for integrated biorefinery demonstration projects, to encourage the commercial application of biomass technologies for biodegradable natural plastics from biomass.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2006
Gestational Diabetes Act of 2006 or the GEDI Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to convene a Research Advisory Committee. Requires the Director of CDC, in consultation with such Committee, to develop a multisite research project to expand and enhance surveillance data and public health research on gestational diabetes. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC, to award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations or state health agencies for demonstration projects that test specified hypotheses about interventions designed to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes and obesity among young women and implement relevant activities. Requires the Director of CDC and the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, in collaboration with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, to conduct and support basic, clinical, and public health research regarding gestational diabetes and obesity during pregnancy. Requires the Director of CDC to encourage screening for gestational diabetes within state-based diabetes prevention and control programs to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes and its related complications.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2006
Cytology Proficiency Improvement Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise national quality assurance standards to assure consistent performance by laboratories of valid and reliable cytology services, to include requirements that each clinical laboratory: (1) ensure that all individuals involved in screening and interpreting cytological preparations participate annually in an approved continuing medical education program in gynecologic cytology that provides each participant with gynecologic cytologic preparations designed to improve locator, recognition, and interpretive skills; and (2) maintain a record of program results. Requires the Secretary to terminate individual proficiency testing that was in effect before enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2006
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Declares that the House of Representatives will work with federal agencies, national organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to encourage the development and 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 · 7 September 2006
Commends the efforts of U.S. officials who have helped secure the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the Darfur Peace Agreement. Supports the appointment of an adequately staffed Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan to develop and coordinate U.S. policy toward Sudan. Urges the Envoy's mandate to include: (1) deterring further escalation of violence and humanitarian disaster in the Darfur region of Sudan while ensuring civilian protection and implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement; (2) facilitating the development of an international peacekeeping mission to Darfur; (3) coordinating reconstruction in Southern Sudan and other marginalized areas; (4) coordinating the return of refugees and displaced people in Darfur and southern Sudan; (5) consolidating peace in Northern Uganda; (6) coordinating efforts to ensure transformation of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) into a professional armed force; (7) working toward achieving a peaceful and democratic Sudan by ensuring that free and fair elections are held; and (8) coordinating efforts toward achieving accountability for the crimes committed in Darfur.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006
Health Care Access and Rural Equity (H-CARE) Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment for rural hospitals; (2); payment for clinical laboratory tests furnished by critical access hospitals; (3) rebasing for sole community hospitals; (4) establishment of a rural community hospital program; (5) extension of the Medicare rural hospital hold harmless provision under the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department services; (6) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); (7) permanent treatment of certain physician pathology services under Medicare; (8) extension of the Medicare incentive payment program for a physician scarcity area; (9) proportional representation of interests of rural areas on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and (10) additional payments for providers furnishing ambulance services in rural areas and prompt payment of clean claims by Medicare prescription drug plans and MedicareAdvantage-Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plans under the Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program). Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to extend: (1) certain Medicare hospital wage index reclassifications and disregarding hospital reclassifications for purposes of group reclassifications; (2) Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to hospital patients in certain rural areas; and (3) the temporary Medicare payment increase for home health services furnished in a rural area. Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants to eligible entities in rural areas for purchase and enhanced utilization of qualified health information technology systems; (2) establish a capital infrastructure revolving loan program and a Rural Health Quality Advisory Commission; and (3) provide for delta rural disparities and health systems development.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 39-25 61st Street in Woodside, New York, as the "Thomas J. Manton Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Program for Real Energy Security Act or the PROGRESS Act - Establishes the National Commission on Energy Security and Transition to New Fuels. Sets forth the duties of the Commission, including to make recommendations to Congress and the President for: (1) preserving the national energy security in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster; and (2) reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil over a specified period. Establishes: (1) the New Manhattan Center for High Efficiency Vehicles; and (2) the Advisory Council on Federal Participation. Requires the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of grants to federal and private sector researchers (including the Center) to research and develop alternative fuels and technologies to improve the productivity of U.S. automotive firms in the manufacture of high efficiency vehicles. Establishes a grant program to provide assistance to retail and wholesale motor fuel dealers or other entities to install, replace, or convert motor fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure for use in the storage and dispensing of biobased fuels. Sets forth requirements calling for: (1) the production and distribution of biobased fuels (ethanol) and deployment of new engine technologies for fuel-flexible, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and biodiesel vehicles; (2) greater use of alternative fuels in dual fueled vehicles operating in the federal fleet; and (3) the increase and expansion of employer-provided mass transit fringe benefits. Transit Rail Accommodation Improvement and Needs Act - Allows for the shared use of rail carrier trackage and rail rights-of-way by mass transportation authorities. Authorizes capital investment grants to improve intercity passenger rail service. Allows a tax credit to holders of qualified high-speed rail infrastructure bonds. Railroad Track Modernization Act of 2006 - Establishes a capital grant program for the rehabilitation, preservation, or improvement of railroad track of class II and class III railroads. Requires the issuance of regulations implementing reliability standards for the safe transportation of energy supplies by rail.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Prescription Coverage Now Act of 2006 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Service to provide for an expedited process for the qualification for low-income assistance through a request to the Secretary of the Treasury for tax return and other information sufficient to identify: (1) whether the individual involved is likely eligible for subsidies; and (2) the amount of premium and cost-sharing subsidies for which they would qualify based on such information. Increases the maximum permissible resource level for subsidy eligibility. Waives the late enrollment penalty for subsidy-eligible individuals for the first 24 months of non-enrollment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Condemns the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran's human rights abuses and urges the international community to bring pressure on Iran to halt discrimination and violence toward its citizens, in particular women, religious and ethnic minorities, and vocal opponents of the regime. Urges the U.S. government to continue to pressure the government of Iran into making measurable human rights improvements. Expresses unity with all Iranian people and shares their desire to see Iran become a free country with democratic institutions and equal rights for all.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Director of the National Institutes of Health should: (1) be commended for working with leading scientists and researchers to organize the first National Institutes of Health conference on hydrocephalus; and (2) continue the current collaboration among specified entities with respect to such condition. Calls for increased: (1) funding for hydrocephalus research; and (2) public awareness and professional education regarding hydrocephalus through federal government and patient advocacy organization partnerships.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006
Comprehensive Comparative Study of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Populations Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, to conduct or support a comprehensive study to: (1) compare total health outcomes, including risk of autism, in vaccinated, U.S. populations with such outcomes in 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 include in the study U.S. populations that have traditionally remained unvaccinated for religious or other reasons, members of clinical practices who choose alternative medical practices, and practitioners of anthroposophic lifestyles.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006
Patient's Access to Physicians Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, to provide for an increase in the minimum updates for payments for physicians' services under the Medicare program for 2007 and 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006
Recognizes and supports: (1) the success of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 and of the efforts it has spurred; and (2) the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. Encourages adoption throughout the year.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2006
Amends the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 to extend the period during which members of the Armed Forces deployed in connection with Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, or Iraqi Freedom may request and receive reimbursement for purchasing protective helmet pads.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2006
Helping Families Adopt Orphans Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that any "covered individual" (an individual whose Application for Advanced Processing of Orphan Petition was approved on or after January 1, 2005) may file a Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative for at least two years after the approval of the individual's application. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring: (1) a covered individual who files a timely petition to pay any fees or complete any requirements already paid or completed in conjunction with the application or contingent on the amount of time that elapses between the application's approval and the petition's filing; and (2) any person who was a covered individual on this Act's enactment date from paying any fee for the timely filing of a petition unless that fee was required at the time the application was approved.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2006
Commends the dedication of the employees who stayed behind at the Stennis Space Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA), who during and after Hurricane Katrina's assault on Mississippi, provided shelter and medical care to storm evacuees and logistical support for storm recovery efforts while effectively maintaining critical facilities at the Center.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2006
Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) establish a national program for the elimination of tuberculosis and expand tuberculosis research and development activities and demonstration projects; (2) expand the duties and membership of the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis and require the Council to develop and implement a national plan to eliminate tuberculosis in the United States; (3) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Federal Tuberculosis Task Force to develop new tools for the elimination of tuberculosis, including drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines; (4) require the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH tuberculosis research, to make awards to faculties of medical and osteopathic schools to develop curricula for tuberculosis prevention, management, and control, and to make awards to support career development of clinically trained professionals committed to pulmonary infection research; (5) require the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH to work to develop a tuberculosis vaccine; (6) require the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences to carry out an international training program regarding tuberculosis; and (7) require the Secretary to ensure that a portion of funds appropriated to repay education loans of qualified health professionals, researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds, and clinical researchers is reserved for contracts with individuals who research tuberculosis.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2006
Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Consolidated Coverage Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the consolidated coverage of home infusion therapy under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2006
Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act of 2006 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1) prohibit a state from providing for medical assistance through enrollment of an individual with benchmark coverage or benchmark-equivalent coverage unless it includes certain family planning services and supplies; (2 ) include women who are not pregnant but who meet certain income eligibility standards in a mandatory categorically needy group for family planning services purposes; and (3) allow a state Medicaid plan to provide for making medical assistance available to such individuals during a presumptive eligibility period.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2006
Keeping Families Together Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award competitive matching grants to states to establish systems of care to treat and provide services to all children who are in the custody of the state or at-risk of entering into the custody of the state for the purpose of receiving mental health services. Requires states to use grant funds for certain activities, including to: (1) expand public health insurance programs to cover community-based mental health and family support services for such children and their families that will be sustainable after the grant has expired; (2) provide outreach and public education concerning available programs and activities; and (3) provide training and professional development for personnel who work with such children. Requires the Administrator to establish a task force to examine: (1) problems of mental health in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems; (2) issues with respect to access by children and youth to mental health services; and (3) the role of federal agencies in promoting access by children and youth to mental health services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2006
Commends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for: (1) the successful completion of the Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-121 mission; and (2) its pioneering work in space exploration.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2006
Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program for reducing the incidence of suicide among veterans. Requires the program to include: (1) mandatory training for appropriate staff and contractors of the Department of Veterans Affairs who interact with veterans; (2) screening of veterans who receive medical care at a Department facility for suicide risk factors; (3) referral of at-risk veterans for counseling and treatment; (4) a suicide prevention counselor at each Department medical facility; (5) research for suicide prevention and for mental health care for veterans who have experienced sexual trauma while in military service; (6) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; and (7) a toll-free hotline. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary should take in the special needs of PTSD-afflicted veterans in developing and implementing the program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2006
Soldiers Targeted by Offensive Profiteering Act of 2006 (STOP Act) - Prohibits any person, except with permission, from using the name or image of a protected individual in connection with any merchandise, retail product, impersonation, solicitation, or commercial activity in a manner calculated to: (1) connect the protected individual with that individual's service in the Armed Forces; and (2) convey the impression that such use is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the protected individual. Defines as a "protected individual" any person who: (1) is a member of the Armed Forces; or (2) was a member at any time after April 5, 1917, and, if not living, has a surviving spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or sibling. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring actions to enjoin violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2006
Industrial Bank Holding Company Act of 2006 - Requires an industrial bank holding company to register and file certain reports with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) within ninety days after becoming an industrial bank holding company Prohibits such holding company from being controlled by a commercial firm. Grandfathers certain institutions to exempt them from the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) supports efforts to identify, track, and pursue suspected foreign terrorists and their financial supporters by tracking terrorist money flows and uncovering terrorist networks here and abroad in accordance with existing applicable law, but notes that the expression of such support in this resolution should not be construed as providing additional authority for such efforts; and (2) expresses concern that the unauthorized disclosure of classified information may have made efforts to locate terrorists and terrorist networks, and disrupt their plans, more difficult.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2006
Access to Medicare Imaging Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for a budget-neutral two-year moratorium on certain Medicare physician payment reductions for imaging services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2006
Commends the dedication of the 37 members of the "Michoud Hurricane Ride-Out Team" who stayed behind at the Michoud Assembly Facility of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and protected vital program assets, which enabled the facility to resume production of the Space Shuttle external tank within five weeks of Hurricane Katrina's landfall.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2006
Commends the Magen David Adom Society for its long and distinguished record of humanitarian assistance to all in need, even those responsible for atrocities against Israeli civilians. Congratulates the Magen David Adom Society, and the government and the people of Israel, for securing full membership in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Thanks the President, the Secretary of State, U.S. diplomatic representatives, the American Red Cross, the government of Switzerland, and officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross for their efforts that culminated in the Magen David Adom Society's acceptance as a full member in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Commends the President for: (1) submitting the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions to the Senate for its advice and consent; and (2) preparing related legislation for congressional consideration and enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2006
Instructs the Secretary of Energy to implement a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application regarding: (1) materials to be added to alternative biobased fuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuels to make them more compatible with existing infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels to the point of final sale; and (2) portable, low-cost, and accurate methods and technologies for testing of sulfur content in fuel, including Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Low Sulfur Diesel. Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a physical properties data base and standard reference materials for alternative fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2006
Federal Stimulus of Commercial Application of Energy Technology Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish the Innovative Energy Technologies Fund for Federal Buildings (the Fund) and to administer the Fund to enable federal agencies to demonstrate innovative energy technologies for retrofit or new construction of federal buildings and facilities. Allows federal agencies to apply to the Secretary for a loan for financing the demonstration of innovative energy technology projects and requires such agencies to repay the Fund from savings in energy, water, and other costs attributable to actions taken as a result of the project undertaken with the loan. Permits a federal agency, in addition to financing an innovative energy technology project, to use the loan amount to pay the costs of administration and proposal development and to acquire and operate equipment necessary to monitor and verify associated energy savings. Requires a federal agency to repay to the Fund the principal amount of the loan, plus interest at a rate determined by the Secretary. Requires a federal agency to submit specified annual reports to the Secretary with respect to the installation of an innovative energy technology project for which a loan is provided under this Act in an amount greater than $1 million until the date that final repayment of the loan is due. Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress a report on the operations of the Fund and the total expenditures from the Fund to each federal agency.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2006
Energy Efficient Buildings Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a pilot program to award grants to businesses and organizations for new construction of energy efficient buildings, or major renovations of buildings that will result in energy efficient buildings, and to demonstrate innovative energy efficiency technologies, especially those sponsored by the Department of Energy.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2006
Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise the prohibition on importing convict-made goods into the United States to make it unlawful to: (1) import into, or export from, the United States any sweatshop good; or (2) introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell, or transport or distribute in U.S.commerce, any sweatshop good. Grants the President, for reasons of national interest, authority to recommend waiver of the applications set forth in this Act in connection with the goods of any country with respect to one or more of the principles and rights defined in this Act as a core labor standard. Sets forth procedures for consideration of such a waiver. Makes it unlawful for persons to introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell or transport or distribute in commerce any sweatshop good. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce this prohibition as if it were an unfair or deceptive act or practice proscribed under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Allows specified persons with standing to bring a civil action in U.S. district courts against sellers of goods, wares, articles, or merchandise on grounds of a violation of such prohibition. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and federal law regarding the Armed Forces to prohibit executive agencies from entering into procurement contracts for sweatshop goods.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2006
10,000 Trained by 2010 Act - Requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award competitive grants for basic research on innovative approaches to improve health care information systems, as well as for scientific and engineering activities to improve education in the health care information fields. Requires the award of NSF grants also to institutions of higher education to: (1) establish multidisciplinary Centers for Informatics Research for conducting cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research to generate innovative approaches in health care information; and (2) establish or improve undergraduate and master's degree health care information programs, attract students to such programs, and provide them with experience in government or industry related to their studies.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2006
Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to promote the collection and categorization of trauma data in a consistent and standardized manner. Removes authorization for the National Clearinghouse on Trauma Care and Emergency Medical Services. Allows the Secretary to make grants to entities to carry out demonstration projects to improve emergency medical services in rural areas by increasing communication and coordination with state trauma systems. Revises the matching requirements for states to be eligible for grants to improve emergency medical services in rural areas. Prohibits the Secretary from making trauma care grants to a state unless the state's emergency medical services plan coordinates planning for trauma systems with state disaster emergency planning and bioterrorism hospital preparedness planning. Requires the Secretary to update the model plan for the designation of trauma centers and for triage, transfer, and transportation policies. Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine or another appropriate entity to conduct a study on trauma care and trauma systems research.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2006
Professional Driver Background Check Efficiency Act of 2006 - Amends federal transportation law to revise background records check requirements with respect to the issuance of a motor vehicle license for the transportation of hazardous materials to: (1) impose a fee of not more than $50 upon the applicant to cover the costs of the background check; and (2) authorize the costs for such background checks be reimbursed to the state. Prohibits an applicant from being subjected to an additional background records check or having to pay a fee in connection with applying for a transportation security card.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies needed for the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles; and (2) establish a competitive grant pilot demonstration program to provide up to 25 grants annually to state and local governments and metropolitan transportation authorities, or combinations of them, to implement demonstration projects for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
North American Wetlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Authorizes appropriations to carry out the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for FY2008-FY2011.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2006
Biodefense and Pandemic Vaccine and Drug Development Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and make public a strategic plan to integrate biodefense and emerging infectious disease requirements with the advanced research and development, strategic initiatives for innovation, and the procurement of qualified countermeasures and qualified pandemic or epidemic products. Establishes the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Requires the Secretary to: (1) coordinate and oversee the acceleration of countermeasure and product advanced research and development; and (2) delegate to the Director of BARDA any necessary functions and authorities. Establishes the Biodefense Medical Countermeasure Development Fund. Requires the Secretary to establish the National Biodefense Science Board to provide expert advice and guidance to the Secretary on matters relating to current and future chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents. Prohibits payment on a security countermeasure procurement contract until the delivery of an acceptable portion of such product to the Secretary unless advance payment is necessary to ensure the success of the project. Requires the Secretary, where possible, to enter into multiple transactions for the procurement of multiple technologies and products from manufacturers of security countermeasures and qualified countermeasures.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors Act of 2006 - Amends the USA PATRIOT Act to authorize a border state (a state that shares a border with Canada or Mexico or a political subdivision of such a state) to use up to 75% of the minimum amount allocated to the state under the state and local domestic preparedness support grant program to build a physical barrier near the U.S. border to deter illegal crossings and for incidental costs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of comprehensive cancer care planning services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a two-year demonstration project for Medicare payment for comprehensive cancer care symptom management services furnished by an eligible entity in accordance with a described plan. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for establishing a new, or expanding an existing, palliative care and symptom management program for cancer patients. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to improve the quality of graduate and postgraduate training of physicians, nurses, and other health care providers, as well as continuing professional education, in palliative care and symptom management for such patients. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a program of grants for research on palliative care, symptom management, communication skills, and other end-of-life topics for such patients.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to award grants to institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit organizations to develop and operate summer camps designed to interest and instruct middle and high school students in science, mathematics, and technology. Conditions a nonprofit organization's eligibility on its expertise and experience in providing the public with informal science and mathematics education. Requires grantees to enter into agreements with urban high-need local educational agencies on processes for selecting disadvantaged students from schools administered by such agencies for attendance at such camps. Allows the use of grant funds to cover the cost of attendance by such students.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Veterans Identity Protection Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) certify in writing to Congress that any individual whose personal information is compromised due to lax data security at the VA has been appropriately notified in writing of such compromise; and (2) provide free of charge to each such individual credit monitoring services during the one-year period beginning on the date of this Act's enactment and a copy of the affected individual's credit report (in addition to any other credit report provided under otherwise applicable law) once annually during the two-year period beginning on the date on which the credit monitoring services terminate.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2020 excise tax credits and refunds for liquid fuels and mixtures derived from coal (including peat) through the Fischer-Tropsch process.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Veterans' Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act - Requires that, whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase by the same percentage the amounts payable as veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Reaffirms the national motto, "In God We Trust," on its 50th anniversary. Commends it as fundamental to America's national life and affirms its substance as vital to the nation's future success.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Expresses support for the goals and ideal of an annual National Time-Out Day as designated by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses. Congratulates perioperative nurses and representatives of surgical teams for working together to protect patient safety.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2006
Preserve Historic America Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax credit for rehabilitation of older and historic buildings by: (1) increasing from 20 to 25% the tax credit rate for certified historic structure rehabilitation expenditures; (2) permitting a building at least 50 years old to qualify for the rehabilitation tax credit (currently, a building must have been placed in service before 1936); (3) permitting qualified rehabilitated buildings to be used for lodging purposes; (4) limiting to 50% the basis reduction for buildings qualifying for the low-income housing and rehabilitation tax credits; (5) allowing an increased rehabilitation tax credit for certain buildings in difficult development areas or which qualify as small rehabilitation projects; (6) exempting tax credits for rehabilitation of certified historic structures from the calculation of the passive activity credit; and (7) permitting the assignment of rehabilitation tax credits. Allows a new tax credit for 20% of the cost of rehabilitating a qualified historic home. Defines "qualified historic home" as a certified historic structure which has been substantially rehabilitated and which is owned by the taxpayer and is or will be used as the taxpayer's principal residence.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000309_200.jpg)