United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2010
Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer through Exchanges a health benefits plan (public health insurance option) that ensures choice, competition, and stability of affordable, high-quality coverage throughout the United States. Declares that the Secretary's primary responsibility is to create a low-cost plan without compromising quality or access to care. Sets forth provisions related to the establishment and governance of the public health insurance option, including that such plan: (1) may be made available only through Exchanges; (2) must comply with requirements applicable to other health benefits plans offered through such Exchanges, including requirements related to benefits, benefit levels, provider networks, notices, consumer protections, and cost sharing; and (3) must offer bronze, silver, and gold plan levels. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish an office of the ombudsman for the public health insurance option; (2) collect such data as may be required to establish premiums and payment rates; (3) establish geographically adjusted premiums at a level sufficient to fully finance the costs of the health benefits provided and administrative costs related to the operation of the plan; and (4) establish payment rates and provide for greater payment rates for the first three years. Requires repayment of start-up costs for the public health insurance option. Authorizes the Secretary to utilize innovative payment mechanisms and policies to determine payments for items and services under the public health insurance option.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2010
Expresses support for the designation of, and requests the President to issue a proclamation recognizing, Cesar E. Chavez Day. Expresses support for a curriculum in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States focusing on the goals and ideals of Chavez and his dedication to farm workers' children by organizing migrant schools. Recognizes the legacy of Chavez in denouncing the abuse of human dignity and the exploitation of the vulnerable, in promoting education, and in advancing the American Dream.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2010
Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2010 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that: (1) a Social Security account number (or any derivative) is not displayed, coded, or embedded on the Medicare card issued to an individual entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); and (2) any other identifier displayed on such card is easily identifiable as not being the Social Security account number (or a derivative).
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2010
Gulf Coast Conservation Corps Act of 2010 - Establishes the Gulf Coast Conservation Corps. Requires the President, through the Corps, to hire individuals who meet certain requirements (unemployed, U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, physically capable of performing work, and not enrolled as a full-time student) to carry out rehabilitation and enhancement projects involving the construction, maintenance, cleaning, and restoration in any area of the Gulf of Mexico affected by the oil discharged as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. Prohibits Corps participants whose positions are funded under this Act from displacing other employees whose positions are not funded under this Act. Allows Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund amounts to be used for the costs of carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2010
Acknowledges the family planning services programs operating under title X of the Public Health Service Act as a critical component of the U.S. public health care system. Expresses support for the mission of such programs. Recognizes family planning providers at Title X health centers who work tirelessly to provide quality care to millions of low-income individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2010
Disabled Veterans' Surviving Spouses Home Loans Act - Includes as a veteran, for purposes of eligibility for housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the surviving spouse of a veteran whose death was not a result of willful misconduct, and at the time of death was in receipt of or entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling if: (1) the disability was so rated for ten or more years preceding death; (2) the disability was so rated for at least five years since the veteran's discharge or release from active duty; or (3) the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999, and the disability was so rated for at least one year preceding death.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2010
Supports the designation of Gospel Music Heritage Month (September 2010), which would recognize the contributions to U.S. culture derived from the rich heritage of gospel music and gospel music artists.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to revise the school lunch and breakfast programs, the summer food service program, the child and adult care food program (CACFP), and the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC program). Reauthorizes appropriations for such programs through FY2015. Includes among such revisions: (1) encouraging the direct certification of children who receive other public assistance as eligible for free meals under the school lunch and breakfast programs; (2) establishing new mechanisms by which schools or local educational agencies (LEAs) with very high proportions of low-income children can receive federal reimbursement for free or reduced price meals under such programs without collecting individual paper applications from households; (3) establishing a program awarding competitive grants to states and, through them, competitive subgrants to LEAs to establish or expand the school breakfast program at low-income schools; (4) expanding the access of low-income rural areas to the summer food service program; (5) requiring updates to meal patterns and nutrition standards for the school lunch and breakfast programs based on recommendations made by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS); (6) requiring the establishment of science-based nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools outside the school lunch and breakfast programs; (7) requiring LEAs participating in the school lunch and breakfast programs to establish local school wellness policies for their schools that include goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity and education, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness; (8) requiring reimbursable meals and snacks provided under the CACFP to meet the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans and certain authoritative scientific recommendations; (9) encouraging WIC program participants to breastfeed; and (10) requiring WIC electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems to be implemented nationwide by October 1, 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
WMD Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2010 - Requires the Director of National Intelligence to develop and implement: (1) a National Intelligence Strategy for Countering the Threat from Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD); and (2) a National Intelligence Strategy for Countering Biological Threats. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a unit for WMD intelligence and information sharing. Directs the DHS Secretary to: (1) produce biennial Bioterrorism Risk Assessments to identify and assess the evolving terrorist risk of a biological attack or other phenomena that may have serious health consequences for the United States; and (2) establish enhanced biosecurity measures for persons or laboratories that possess, use, or transfer Tier I Material Threat Agents (agents and toxins that are determined by the Secretary to present a material threat to the population). Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to: (1) award grants based on risk to academic and nonprofit organizations and to state, local, and tribal governments that possess, use, or transfer Tier I Material Threat Agents to enhance security at laboratories; and (2) assist such entities in improving and promoting individual and community preparedness and collective response to WMD and terrorist attacks involving biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear weapons against the United States. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish procedures, with appropriate controls on access, for the sharing of homeland security information with state, local, and tribal government officials; (2) periodically review and recommend updates to criminal laws that relate to the evolving risks of misuse of life sciences by terrorists and others and conduct investigations and enforce criminal violations of customs and export laws; (3) ensure that homeland security information concerning terrorist threats is provided to state, local, and tribal authorities and the public; (4) examine the state of domestic and global biosurveillance and submit to appropriate congressional committees a national strategy for biosurveillance; (5) carry out a program in DHS to detect a biological attack or event; and (6) carry out a program for system assessment and validation of emergency response equipment at DHS (SAVER Program). Establishes in DHS: (1) a National Export Enforcement Coordination Network; (2) an Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks; and (3) a National Bioforensics Analysis Center. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop voluntary guidance for responding to a release of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear material for police, fire, emergency medical services, emergency management, and public health personnel and make such guidance available to state, local, and tribal governments, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, and the public; (2) acquire, use, and disseminate timely integrated plume models (assessments of the location and prediction of the spread of pathogens resulting from an explosion or release of nuclear, radioactive, chemical, or biological substances) to enable rapid response activities following a chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological release; (3) develop and issue guidance for clean-up and restoration of indoor and outdoor areas that have been affected by the release of a biological agent; and (4) complete within 90 days after the enactment of this Act methods to rapidly screen travelers at ports of entry. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) periodically update a National Medical Countermeasure Dispensing Strategy to enhance preparedness and collective response to an attack with any chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear material; and (2) review the adequacy of domestic vaccination and antimicrobial dispensing policy, guidance, and information provided to the public in light of any known terrorist risk of a biological attack or other phenomena that may have serious health consequences for the United States. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) support efforts in other countries to develop mechanisms and capabilities for reporting to United Nations organizations validated data on biological attacks or other phenomena that may have serious health consequences for the United States; (2) establish and build capacity to effectively implement legislation criminalizing the development or use of biological weapons or acts of bioterrorism; (3) convene and lead an interagency task force on best practices for global biopreparedness; and (4) promote implementation of and compliance with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
Calls for an end to the violence, arrests, torture, and ill treatment perpetrated against Iranian citizens as well as the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Iran. Calls upon the U.S. government, the President, and the Secretary of State to condemn human rights violations in Iran and support the Iranian people's endeavors towards democracy. Calls for an end to a selective approach to Iranian opponents who struggle for democracy and human rights and invites the Secretary, in coalition with British and European allies, to remove the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran from the State Department's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Calls for the adoption of measures by the President to impose sanctions while welcoming the U.S. government's efforts to create an international consensus to deal with Iran's nuclear program. Calls on the President to persuade U.S. allies and other countries to enact appropriate measures aimed at depriving Iranian banks and financial institutions involved in nuclear activities and backing of terrorist groups from access to the international monetary system.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2010
National Farm-to-School Act of 2010 - Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the benefits of farm-to-school programs and the federal role in furthering such programs. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide competitive matching grants and technical assistance to schools, local educational agencies (LEAs), institutions of higher education, and certain governmental and nongovernmental entities to implement or expand farm-to-school programs. Authorizes such grants to come in the form of implementation grants, training and technical assistance grants, or planning grants. Defines farm-to-school programs as those that connect schools and small- and medium-sized agricultural operations to: (1) serve locally produced, healthy foods in school cafeterias; (2) improve student nutrition; (3) provide agriculture, health, and nutrition education opportunities to students; and (4) support local and regional agriculture and the growth of rural communities. Directs the Secretary to prepare, and provide Congress with, a list identifying all the programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) that with little or no modification can be used to facilitate the participation of small- and medium-sized agricultural operations in farm-to-school programs. Declares that the value-added agricultural product market development grant program may be accessed by small- and medium-sized agricultural operations and their associations to support farm-to-school programs. Directs the Secretary, through the USDA Economic Research Service, to conduct a nationwide assessment of, and report to Congress on, the economic impact of farm-to-school programs on small- and medium-sized agricultural operations and rural communities. Requires the Secretary to establish an Internet-based forum for sharing and exchanging information on farm-to-school programs nationwide.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the definition of "qualified veteran" for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit to mean recently discharged veterans and disadvantaged veterans. Defines "recently discharged veteran" to mean: (1) any individual who has served on active duty (other than active duty for training) in the Armed Forces for more than 180 total days (whether consecutive or not); (2) any individual who has been discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability; and (3) any member of the National Guard who has served for more than 180 total days (whether consecutive or not) in active duty, full-time National Guard duty, or duty in state status. Defines "disadvantaged veteran" as any veteran who is certified as being a member of a family receiving assistance under a supplemental nutrition assistance program and is entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability. Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Guard to inform military personnel who are discharged or released from active duty of the work opportunity tax credit and provide them with documentation relating to eligibility for and use of such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2010
Honors the accomplishments and legacy of Norman Yoshio Mineta for his groundbreaking contributions to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and for his dedication and service to the United States. Memorializes the sacrifices and suffering that many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders endured in the pursuit of truth, liberty, justice, and equality for all.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2010
Expresses the sense of Congress that BP p.l.c. should reimburse all costs incurred by the federal government in assisting with cleanup efforts in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill incident in the Gulf of Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 - Establishes in the Treasury the Small Business Lending Fund, administered by the Secretary of the Treasury. Authorizes the Secretary to establish: (1) the Small Business Lending Fund Program; and (2) a program to allocate federal funds to participating states to expand credit availability to small businesses. Makes the Fund available to the Secretary to purchase up to $30 billion in preferred stock and other financial instruments (capital investments) from eligible depository institutions, bank holding companies, or savings and loan holding companies (eligible institutions) having total assets of $1 billion or less or of between $1 billion and $10 billion. Prohibits the Secretary from denying an application by an eligible institution for a capital investment under the Program solely on the basis of its composite rating under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (or an equivalent). Sets forth financial incentives for small business lending by such eligible institutions. Grants the Secretary additional authorities to implement this Act, taking into consideration: (1) increasing the availability of credit for small businesses; and (2) providing funding to eligible institutions that serve small businesses in low- and moderate-income, minority, and other underserved communities. Terminates the authority to make capital investments in eligible institutions one year after the date of enactment of this Act. States that: (1) the Program is established as separate and distinct from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA); and (2) an institution shall not be considered a TARP recipient by virtue of a capital investment under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2010
Fair Defense Competition Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), in awarding a contract for any major defense acquisition program and conducting the cost or price evaluation of any proposal for that contract, to take into account any final panel report that concludes that an illegal subsidy (inconsistent with the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures) has been provided with respect to: (1) any merchandise or major component of such program; or (2) the development of any merchandise or major component thereof. Requires the Secretary, if the illegal subsidy has not been withdrawn, to increase the cost or price of the proposal by the amount of the subsidy.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2010
Recognizes the untimely and tragic loss of the 11 workers from the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas who died on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. Extends the deepest condolences of the nation to the families of these men. Recognizes all employees on the Deepwater Horizon for their hard work and sacrifice. Commends the rescue crews for their valiant efforts to rescue these workers and others on the platform. Honors the many volunteers who provided support and comfort for the families of these people during this difficult time.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2010
Directs that a lapel button be designed, as approved by the Secretary of Defense (DOD), to identify and recognize the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who is serving or has served in a combat zone for more than 30 days. Requires such button to be known as the spouse-of-a-combat-veteran lapel button. Authorizes the Secretary to use appropriated funds to procure such buttons, and to provide for their presentation to eligible spouses. States that the 30-day service period shall not apply if the member is killed or wounded before its expiration. Expresses the sense of Congress that, as soon as the buttons become available, the Secretary should: (1) widely announce their availability through military and public information channels; and (2) encourage commanders at all levels to conduct ceremonies recognizing the support provided by such spouses and to use such ceremonies as an opportunity for members to present their spouses with the button.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2010
Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act of 2010 - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to: (1) increase the liability of the party responsible for an offshore facility, except a deepwater port, from which oil is discharged into or upon navigable waters or adjoining shorelines to the total of all discharge removal costs plus $10 billion (currently, $75 million) for each incident; and (2) direct the President to promulgate regulations to allow advance payments from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to states and localities to prepare for and mitigate substantial threats from the discharge of oil. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate: (1) the $1 billion per incident limitation on expenditures from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for cleanup of oil spills: and (2) restrictions on the borrowing authority of such Trust Fund. Makes this Act effective on April 15, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2010
Recognizes the significance of the 20th anniversary of the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program, which engages current science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers directly in the policymaking process. Recognizes the sacrifices made by such teachers. Supports the program's continuation. Encourages federal agencies and congressional offices to host Einstein Fellows and leverage the expertise of former Fellows. Recognizes the contributions of Einstein Fellows, past, present, and future.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2010
Recognizes that Asian American and Pacific Islander communities enhance the rich diversity of the United States. Celebrates the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2010
Thanks and promotes the teaching profession by encouraging students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in National Teacher Appreciation Week.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2010
Haiti Economic Lift Program Act of 2010 - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) (as amended by the United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 [HOPE Act], and the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2008 [HOPE II]) to extend, in each succeeding one-year period through FY2020 (transition period), the duty-free treatment of certain imported knit apparel articles made in one or more Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) beneficiary countries from yarns wholly formed in the United States. Extends, in each applicable one-year period through FY2020, the duty-free treatment of imported apparel articles made in Haiti or the Dominican Republic. Prescribes duty-free treatment also, without regard to the source of the fabric, fabric components, components knit-to-shape, or yarns from which the article is made, for specified apparel articles or made-up textile articles: (1) wholly assembled, or knit-to-shape, in Haiti from any combination of fabrics, fabric components, components knit-to-shape, or yarns; and (2) imported directly from Haiti or the Dominican Republic. Sets forth a special rule for certain woven articles and certain knit articles entered during FY2010 and succeeding one-year periods. Requires the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to verify that such apparel articles imported into the United States are not being unlawfully transshipped into the United States. Revises requirements for one particular credit under the earned import allowance certificate program to reduce from three to two the number of square meter equivalents of qualifying woven fabric or qualifying knit fabric that the producer or entity controlling production can demonstrate that it purchased for the manufacture in Haiti of articles like or similar to any article eligible for preferential treatment. Extends the value-added rule for apparel articles and the special rule for certain wire harness automotive components. Directs the Commissioner to seek to send a rapid response team, as well as a support team, to Haiti to: (1) assess the short-term and long-term technical, capacity-building, and training needs of the authorities of the government of Haiti responsible for customs services; and (2) provide immediate assistance, particularly with respect to reestablishing full capacity for commercial port operations at the seaport at Port-au-Prince, facilitating trade between the United States and Haiti under CBERA, preventing unlawful transshipment of goods through Haiti to the United States, and otherwise strengthening cooperation between U.S., Haitian, and Dominican customs authorities. Declares the sense of Congress regarding regional cooperation and transshipment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2010
Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Area Act - Establishes the Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Area in Texas. Designates the Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Area Corporation as the management entity for the Heritage Area. Requires the Corporation to submit a management plan for the Heritage Area. Requires the federal cost share of any activity carried out using assistance under this Act to be half of that activity's cost. Sets forth requirements for the approval or disapproval of the management plan by the Secretary of the Interior. Specifies this Act's effect on private property protections and water rights with regard to the Heritage Area. Bars anything in this Act from being meant as modifying the Rio Grande Natural Area Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2010
Girls Protection Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine or five-year prison term, or both, on any U.S. citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence who knowingly transports in foreign commerce a girl under the age of 18 for the purposes of female genital mutilation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act of 2010 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA) to extend through FY2015 the National Flood Insurance Program and the Pilot Program for Mitigation of Severe Repetitive Loss Properties. Increases maximum coverage limits. Provides a phase-in of actuarial rates for nonresidential properties and non-primary residences. Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (FDPA) to delay the effective date for the mandatory purchase of flood insurance for certain areas not previously designated as having special flood hazards. Amends NFIA to set forth a five-year phase-in of flood insurance rates for newly mapped areas not previously designated as having special flood hazards. Increases the annual limitation on premium increases. Considers any community that has made adequate progess on reconstruction or improvement of a flood protection system eligible for flood insurance premium rates not exceeding those which would be applicable if the flood protection system had been completed. States that, upon completion of certain flood protection projects, a covered area: (1) shall not be considered as having special flood hazards; and (2) shall be eligible for flood insurance. Amends the FDPA to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to notify tenants: (1) whether property is located in an area having special flood hazards; and (2) that flood insurance for dwelling contents is available, including the maximum amount of such coverage. Authorizes such Administrator to make grants to local governmental agencies in communities that participate in the national flood insurance program to implement outreach activities to encourage the purchase of flood insurance protection. Authorizes the FEMA Administrator to employ additional staff. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the FEMA Administrator to develop and implement jointly a plan to verify that persons receiving funds under the Homeowner Grant Assistance Program of the state of Mississippi or the Road Home Program of the state of Louisiana from specified allocations are maintaining flood insurance on the property for which they receive such funds. Establishes the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on: (1) the impact, effectiveness, feasibility, and constitutional basis for extending mandatory flood insurance coverage purchase requirements to property which is located in any area having special flood hazards and which secures certain loan repayments; and (2) potential methods, practices, and incentives that would increase the extent to which low-income families owning residential properties located within special flood hazards areas would purchase flood insurance coverage under the national program. Requires the Administrator to study and report to Congress on including widely used and nationally recognized building codes as part of floodplain management criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Housing Assistance Council Program Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide financial assistance to the Housing Assistance Council to develop the ability and capacity of community-based housing development organizations to undertake community development and affordable housing projects and programs in rural areas. Authorizes the Council to use such assistance for rural community-based housing development organizations to acquire: (1) technical assistance, training, support, and advice to develop the business and administrative capabilities of such organizations; and (2) loans, grants, or other financial assistance to them to carry out community development and affordable housing activities for low- and moderate-income families.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
FHA Reform Act of 2010 - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to increase the maximum annual premium payments for mortgage insurance, and make the charging of them discretionary instead of mandatory. Authorizes the Secretary to require specified mortgagees to indemnify HUD for payment of a mortgage insurance claim if the mortgage was not originated or underwritten in accordance with HUD requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to require a mortgagee to indemnify HUD for loss regardless of when an insurance claim is paid if fraud or misrepresentation was involved in connection with the mortgage origination or underwriting. Authorizes the Secretary to terminate approval of a mortgagee to originate or underwrite single family mortgages if the mortgagee's rate of early defaults and claims is excessive. Establishes within the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs responsible for all matters relating to managing and mitigating risk to HUD mortgage insurance funds and for ensuring the performance of HUD-insured mortgages. Authorizes the Secretary to use outside sources to conduct credit risk analysis. Requires the Secretary to identify mortgagees with a significant or rapid increase in early defaults and claims with respect to all mortgages they have originated on housing located in any particular geographic area or areas. Authorizes the Secretary to require a mortgagee to: (1) use the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry; and (2) obtain unique identifiers for all the mortgagee's officers or owners. Directs the Secretary to: (1) pursue joint protocols for information sharing with state regulatory agencies; and (2) require mortgagees to notify HUD if they terminate or discontinue mortgage purchases from another mortgagee based on any determination, evidence, or report of fraud or material misrepresentation in connection with the origination of such mortgages. Prescribes conditions compelling the Secretary to review and reduce certain cash investment (down payment) requirements binding upon mortgages or mortgagors. Revises requirements for early mortgage default and foreclosure information collected by the Secretary for mortgage lender analysis. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on: (1) single family mortgage insurance programs of HUD and the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund; and (2) specified aspects of the Government National Mortgage Association (GINNIE MAE).
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Right to Rent Act of 2010 - Grants eligible mortgagors subject to foreclosure proceedings the right to continue to occupy foreclosed properties subject to the payment of fair market rent for a period of five years that begins upon the commencement of occupancy of such property. Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to: (1) monitor compliance with this Act; (2) provide assistance to eligible mortgagors in exercising their rights under this Act; and (3) conduct outreach activities to inform eligible mortgagors of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Liability for Aiding and Abetting Securities Violations Act of 2010 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to subject to liability in a private civil action any person that knowingly or recklessly provides substantial assistance to another person (aids and abets) in violation of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Ponzi Scheme Investor Protection Act of 2010 - Amends the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 with respect to the duties of a trustee appointed for a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered broker or dealer undergoing liquidation. Instructs the trustee to take specified actions if the trustee determines that the debtor is a Ponzi scheme. Establishes procedures for an indirect Ponzi scheme investor to file a claim. Instructs the trustee to: (1) coordinate with Ponzi scheme investors to ensure proper payments to indirect Ponzi scheme investors; and (2) take specified actions to pay indirect Ponzi scheme investors. Prescribes the maximum aggregate amount of all cash and securities that may be awarded to each indirect Ponzi scheme investor. Prohibits the trustee of a Ponzi scheme from seeking to recover money and profits from any Ponzi scheme investor unless such investor's participation in the Ponzi scheme was either complicit or negligent. Requires the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) to: (1) advance to the trustee such moneys as may be required to pay claims and implement this Act; and (2) promulgate regulations modifying SIPC Fund assessment levels to ensure they are adequate to cover the anticipated costs of implementing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week; and (2) the nurse capacity initiatives for institutions of higher education included in the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Acknowledges the importance of quality higher education in nursing to meet the needs of one of the nation's fastest growing fields.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, including raising public awareness about financial education. Recognizes the importance of managing personal finances, increasing personal savings, and reducing indebtedness in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month; and (2) research efforts to better understand the links between sarcoidosis and specific occupations where sarcoidosis is disproportionately represented. Recognizes that sarcoidosis has played a prominent yet hidden role in America's workforce history.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2010
Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to extend for 45 days the time period for filing petitions to deny, oppositions, and comments in the proceeding relating to the proposed merger of Comcast and NBC Universal. States that such extension shall: (1) permit petitions to deny, oppositions, and comments on or before June 17, 2010; (2) permit responses to petitions to deny, oppositions, and comments on or before July, 16, 2010; and (3) permit replies to such responses on or before August 1, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2010
Recognizes the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel as a place of refuge and national homeland for the Jewish people. Reaffirms bipartisan support for the alliance and friendship between the governments and peoples of the United States and Israel, for Israel's security and right to exist as a democratic, Jewish state, and for its right to defend itself. Commends the people of Israel for their achievements in the face of adversity. Extends congratulations and best wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 62nd anniversary of Israel's independence.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Haitian Private Sector Encouragement Act of 2010 - Authorizes the President to designate one private, nonprofit organization established under state law as the Haitian-American Enterprise Fund, which shall be eligible to receive funds and support under this Act. Authorizes the President, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to provide a grant to the Fund to promote policies and practices conducive to the development of private property rights for Haitian citizens, particularly citizens of limited economic means, through integration of extralegal property arrangements into property recordation systems that fix the economic potential of assets, integrate ownership information into one system, hold citizens accountable, make assets fungible, and protect commercial transaction integrity. Directs USAID to monitor Fund activities. Applies the enterprise fund provisions of the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989 to the Fund in the same manner as such provisions apply to other similar U.S.-established enterprise funds. Authorizes the President to establish the Haitian-American Economic Oversight Panel to monitor Fund activities and all other U.S. economic development initiatives for Haiti. Authorizes FY2011 appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2010
TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act - Deems the following individuals as dependents, for purposes of dependent coverage under TRICARE (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program): (1) a child who has not yet attained age 26 and is not eligible to enroll in any employer-sponsored plan; or (2) a person who is in the legal custody of the covered member, has not attained age 26, is not eligible to enroll in any employer-sponsored plan, resides with the member, is not otherwise a dependent under TRICARE, and is not the child of another covered beneficiary. Requires a premium payment for such coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2010
Employing Youth for the American Dream Act of 2010 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to expand to age 24 the age eligibility requirements under the youth opportunity grants program for youth activities. Directs the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to make certain allotments to states for summer jobs programs for disconnected youth (youth age 16 to 24 who are not regularly employed or attending school). Requires the Secretary to award grants to states to carry out employment programs for the partial reimbursement of wages paid by employers of small or medium-sized business concerns for new hires or rehires of former employees. Requires states to give priority for payments to eligible employers who hire or rehire a disconnected youth. Requires the Secretary to make allotments and grants to states to carry out eligible on-the-job training programs for disconnected youth. Directs the President to establish a public service employment program to employ individuals to carry out works of a public nature in connection with parks, roads, schools, and after-school programs. Requires priority for such jobs to be given to individuals who are long-term unemployed, low-income, and disconnected youth. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the work opportunity tax credit through calendar 2015; (2) include as a member of a targeted group for purposes of such credit a qualified Title 1-B youth services recipient and rename a "qualified ex-felon" as a "qualified ex-offender" for purposes of the credit; (3) double the amount of allowable wages that may be considered in calculating such credit; (4) revive and extend the designation period for tax-preferred empowerment zones and revive certain zone designations that terminated on December 31, 2009; and (5) allow an employer tax credit through 2012 for the employment of disconnected youth. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to give preference to the hiring of individuals age 16 to 24 for federal park and forestry jobs. Authorizes contracting officers of executive agencies to give preference in the award of federal contracts for the procurement of goods and services to employers: (1) that employ, in a youth apprenticeship and in the performance of the contract, disconnected youth who reside in high unemployment areas; and (2) whose contracts are funded for FY2011 under a law enacted to create infrastructure, transportation, or green energy jobs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2010
Housing Preservation and Tenant Protection Act of 2010 - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), upon request of a project owner with a rental supplement contract or a rental assistance program (RAP) contract, to convert such contract to a section 8 project-based assistance contract. Prohibits an owner of specified covered housing from selling such property before notifying the required parties and giving HUD an opportunity to purchase it. (Thus grants HUD the first right of refusal.) Prescribes requirements for: (1) preservation of HUD-owned and HUD-held buildings; (2) HUD authority to assign flexible subsidy loans; and (3) the use of existing section 8 funds to preserve and revitalize affordable housing. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) to securitize any Federal Housing Administration (FHA) risk-share multifamily loan under the same terms and conditions as if the loan were insured under the National Housing Act. Revises or prescribes requirements for: (1) restoring housing at risk of loss due to deterioration; (2) protecting residents in HUD assisted projects; (3) preserving troubled projects facing foreclosure; (4) providing incentives under the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997; and (5) establishing a publicly available preservation data base composed of each covered multifamily property. Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of 2010 - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 regarding project rental assistance for supportive housing for the elderly. Amends the American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000 with respect to project-based rental housing assistance programs and senior preservation rental assistance contracts Requires HUD to establish and operate a national senior housing clearinghouse. Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2010 - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a preservation program to provide financial incentives and other assistance to owners of Section 515 rural multifamily housing projects through long-term use agreements entered into between the project owners and the Secretary. (A Section 515 project is one involving housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families or other persons and families of low income.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2010
Healthy School Meals Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to select school food authorities to participate in a pilot program evaluating the use of plant-based alternate protein products and fluid milk substitutes under the school lunch and breakfast programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) deliver plant-based alternate protein products and fluid milk substitutes to such food authorities at no cost for the preparation of meals under the school lunch and breakfast programs; and (2) assess which of such foods would be best for more general use in the school lunch and breakfast programs, and deliver them for general use under such programs, within two years of this Acts' enactment. Requires the Secretary, within two years of this Act's enactment, to promulgate regulations that: (1) reflect specific recommendations for increased consumption of plant-based foods; and (2) provide for the distribution of supplemental commodity assistance or cash in lieu thereof to states and certain school food authorities that offer a plant-based entree on their daily lunch menus, for the purchase of entirely plant-based commodity food products or fluid milk substitutes. Requires schools participating in the school lunch program to serve a nondairy beverage that is nutritionally equivalent to fluid milk and meets certain nutritional standards to students who cannot consume fluid milk because of a disability or medical or other special dietary need. (Eliminates the requirement that students who cannot consume fluid milk due to a disability provide schools with a statement from a physician that identifies such disability and specifies the fluid milk substitute.)
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2010
Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 - Authorizes appropriations to the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the Directorate of Science and Technology for FY2011-FY2012. Directs the Secretary of DHS to: (1) issue a management directive detailing how basic and applied homeland security research shall be identified, prioritized, funded, tasked, and evaluated by the Directorate; (2) seek to publicize the directive for the purpose of informing the federal, state, and local governments, first responders, and the private sector; (3) establish a mandatory workforce program for the Directorate's customers in DHS to better identify and prioritize homeland security capability gaps that may be addressed by a technological solution; and (4) establish a system to collect feedback from customers of the Directorate on its performance. Establishes within the Directorate: (1) an Office of Testing, Evaluation, and Standards; and (2) an Office of Public-Private Partnerships and a Rapid Review Division within such Office. Directs the Under Secretary to: (1) prepare a strategic plan for the activities of the Directorate; (2) report biannually with a list of detailed operational and technical requirements associated with each project conducted or funded by the Directorate; and (3) report on the current role of the venture capital community in funding advanced homeland security technologies. Limits research relevant to DHS to that which directly addresses a prioritized risk to the homeland as identified by a risk analysis. Directs the Comptroller General to initiate a study to assess the university-based Centers for Homeland Security program. Directs the Under Secretary to undertake various activities, including to: (1) support research, development, testing, evaluation, and transition of cybersecurity technology, including fundamental, long-term research to improve the ability of the United States to prevent, protect against, detect, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and cyber attacks, with an emphasis on research and development relevant to large-scale, high-impact attacks; (2) seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences' National Research Council to assess methods that might be used to promote market mechanisms that further cybersecurity; (3) examine and report on the homeland security implications of the dual-use nature of synthetic genomics and fund research in that area; (4) conduct research and development to enhance the protection of the nation's agriculture and food system against terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies through enhancement of current agricultural countermeasures, development of new agricultural countermeasures, and provision of safe, secure, state-of-the-art biocontainment laboratories for researching foreign animal and zoonotic diseases; and (5) conduct research intended to assist state, local, and tribal leaders in developing the tools and methods to enhance preparation for, and response and resilience to, terrorist events and other incidents. Directs the Secretary to: (1) determine if the security of federally owned programmable electronic devices and communication networks essential to the reliable operation of critical electric infrastructure has been compromised; (2) establish capabilities for conducting global maritime domain awareness and maritime security technology test, evaluation, and transition; (3) require the Under Secretary to pursue the development of screening capabilities for pandemic influenza and other infectious diseases to support entry and exit screening at ports of entry; and (4) develop a public awareness campaign to enhance preparedness and collective response to a radiological attack and a plan for post-event recovery from such an attack. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the need for interoperability standards for Internet protocol video surveillance technology. Authorizes appropriations for DHS's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office for FY2011-FY2012. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Office should work through the Directorate in conducting basic and innovative research and non-developmental testing to advance next generation nuclear detection technologies. Requires the Director of the Office to begin an internal review of the methodology by which research, development, testing, and evaluation is identified, prioritized, and funded by the Office. Directs the Secretary to submit a report containing: (1) a strategic plan for a domestic component of the global nuclear detection strategy; (2) an analysis of overall budget allocations that determines whether government-wide nuclear detection resources clearly align with identified priorities to maximize results and minimize duplication of efforts; and (3) an assessment of the effectiveness, cost, and feasibility of a maritime radiological and nuclear pilot program. Authorizes appropriations to the Director for the Securing the Cities Initiative. Repeals the requirement for the establishment of a Homeland Security Institute.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2010
One America, Many Voices Act - Entitles an employee in a position requiring the use of one or more languages besides English to premium pay amounting to 5% of the employee's rate of basic pay. Declares that this requirement does not apply to an employee in a position the classification of which takes into account such language requirement, except: (1) to the extent that the rates of basic pay for the position are not at least 5% greater than the rates that would otherwise apply in the absence of the language requirement; and (2) in other circumstances as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may prescribe.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2010
Women and Workforce Investment for Nontraditional Jobs or Women WIN Jobs - Requires the Secretary of Labor, in any fiscal year in which the total authorization of appropriations to carry out this Act exceeds $50 million, to allocate grants to states with approved state plans to provide funding to eligible entities (partnerships) to increase low-income women's participation in high-wage, high-demand occupations in which women make up less than 25% of the current workforce. Authorizes states to use grants for statewide activities, including to: (1) provide technical assistance to eligible entities and to state registered apprenticeship programs and sponsors and joint apprenticeship training councils in meeting their enrollment goal for low-income women in nontraditional occupations; (2) develop policies and protocols that set goals for hiring specific percentages of women into registered apprenticeships and permanent employment openings in publicly assisted projects; and (3) engage in outreach activities and provide training to overcome stereotypes about women in nontraditional occupations as well as gender inequity among employers. Authorizes the allocation of grant funds to eligible entities to support the recruitment, training, placement, and retention of low-income women in nontraditional occupations. Directs the Secretary to convene a national commission to examine and make recommendations for improving the status of women in high-demand, high-wage nontraditional occupations. Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to collect data on the status of women's participation in underrepresented sectors of the economy, and examine the status of women in relation to that of men. Directs the Secretary to establish a national clearinghouse to collect and distribute best practices.
![Official portrait of Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_tx_9_green_al_200.jpg)