United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2007 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the amount of a controlled substance or mixture containing a cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine) required for the imposition of mandatory minimum prison terms for crack cocaine trafficking to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. Eliminates the five-year mandatory minimum prison term for first-time possession of crack cocaine. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend, if appropriate, its sentencing guidelines for trafficking in a controlled substance to reflect the use of a dangerous weapon or violence in such crime and the culpability and the role of the defendant in such crime, taking into account certain aggravating and mitigating factors. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to improve drug treatment to offenders in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to establish demonstration programs to reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs by substance abusers while incarcerated and until the completion of parole or court supervision. Increases monetary penalties for drug trafficking and for the importation and exportation of controlled substances. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of Justice, the Treasury, and Homeland Security for FY2008-FY2009 for the prosecution of, and for supporting the prosecution of, high-level drug offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Congratulates the Army Reserve on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the enactment of its original authorizing law on April 23, 1908. Recognizes and commends the Army Reserve for the service of its past and present citizen-soldiers whose personal courage, contributions, and sacrifices have helped preserve the freedom and advance the national security and homeland defense of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Expresses the sense of the United States House of Representatives that: (1) Congress and the philanthropic sector should partner to create a legislative and regulatory environment that enhances the growth of philanthropy; (2) the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus will help lawmakers and congressional staff learn more about foundations and the role these organizations play in our communities and around the globe; (3) such Caucus will highlight issues of mutual interest to both Congress and the philanthropic sector; and (4) lawmakers are encouraged to join the Caucus.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007
Expresses the heartfelt sympathy of the U.S. House of Representatives for the victims and families of the shootings in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, December 5, 2007. Conveys its gratitude to the city and county officials, and all the police, fire, sheriff, and emergency medical teams who responded swiftly to the scene and secured the mall and surrounding area.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
NASA Innovation Fund and Sponsorship Act of 2007 - Establishes within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) a NASA Innovation Fund into which amounts collected from charitable donations or in accordance with the Innovation Fund Sponsorship Program (created by this Act) shall be transferred. Authorizes and sets limits on the use of amounts in the Fund for: (1) advertising prize competitions under NASA's Centennial Challenges prize program to stimulate innovation in basic and applied research, technology development, and prototype demonstration that have the potential for application to the performance of space and aeronautical activities of NASA; and (2) expenses incurred in the administration of such competitions. Establishes the NASA Innovation Fund Sponsorship Advisory Committee to advise the Administrator of NASA on carrying out the Innovation Fund Sponsorship Program. Permits any person, under the Innovation Fund Sponsorship Program, to develop and implement a promotional program that includes the use of a partnership logo in exchange for a monetary contribution to the Fund from such person. Requires the NASA Administrator to select and adopt the logo to be used in the promotional program of any sponsor, based upon the recommendations of the Advisory Committee. Requires the NASA Administrator to transmit annual reports to Congress on all action taken by NASA under such Program. Requires the Advisory Committee to annually consult with the directors of specified NASA Centers to solicit ideas for the improvement of such Program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any concurrent resolution on the budget (or related measure) that would set forth a surplus for any fiscal year less than the surplus of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for that fiscal year. Creates an exception to such point of order if a violation of it would result from an assumption in the measure of an increase in outlays or a decrease in revenue relative to the baseline underlying the measure for Social Security or Medicare reform legislation for any such year. Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any (spending or tax) measure if its enactment would cause the surplus for any fiscal year covered by the most recently agreed to budget resolution to be less than the surplus of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for that fiscal year. Creates an exception to such point of order similar to the other one. Declares that, if the President's budget recommends an on-budget surplus for any fiscal year less than the surplus of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for that fiscal year, then it shall include a detailed proposal for Social Security or Medicare reform legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
Community Economic Development Expertise Enhancement Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to increase the capacity and expertise of qualifying community-based economic development organizations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct an assessment of such organizations' capability needs; and (2) establish the Advisory Council on Community Economic Development. Directs the President to include with each annual budget request a report regarding federal financial support for community economic development.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
Amends title VI (Flexibility and Accountability) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to create a new Part D: Promoting Youth Financial Literacy. Allows the Secretary of Education to provide grants to states to: (1) assist local educational agencies and public schools provide financial education programs to students in kindergarten through grade 12; and (2) implement financial education professional development programs for teachers and administrators. Requires a specified amount of the grant funds to be awarded competitively each fiscal year, with the remainder provided to each state on the basis of its share of students in kindergarten through grade 12. Directs the Secretary to make a grant to or contract with an institution of higher education or nonprofit organization that has substantial financial education experience to establish and operate a national clearinghouse of instructional materials and information on model financial education programs and best practices. Amends title V of the ESEA to direct the Secretary to set aside 2% of the funds appropriated for the Fund for the Improvement of Education program each fiscal year for financial literacy activities under such program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
Honors the citizens of the Pacific Northwest for their courage in facing the storm and efforts in helping their neighbors in a time of great need. Honors the National Weather Service, state and local police officers, fire fighters, local rescue personnel, other first responders, and amateur radio operators for their efforts in the face of the severe storm. Extends the thoughts and prayers of the U.S. House of Representatives to those whose lives have been devastated, and who have lost their housing, transportation, communications, water, heat, or electricity. Extends its profound and deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who perished.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her courageous and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and democracy in Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2007
Phylicia's Law - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require local educational agencies applying for funds under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program to require schools sponsoring off-premises overnight field trips to develop, and provide to parents whose children are to be taken on such trips, written safety plans that include: (1) policies on curfews, room checks, and chaperone qualifications; and (2) emergency procedures to be followed when a serious injury or death occurs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2007
Recognizes the 20th anniversary of observing World AIDS Day. Commends the President and state and local governments for publicizing its importance and encouraging individuals to undergo HIV testing. Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of such Day; (2) continued funding for prevention, care, treatment services, and research programs for persons living with HIV/AIDS in the United States and for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; (3) providing universal access to comprehensive prevention, treatment, care, and support programs by 2010; and (4) efforts to address the factors that make populations vulnerable to HIV/AIDS by decreasing poverty, hunger, and childhood mortality and by empowering women.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Amends the Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act of 1992 to provide for the acquisition and inclusion of certain additional sites to the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to partners of the Park, including the Aviation Trail, Inc., the Ohio Historical Society, and Dayton History, for projects not requiring federal involvement other than providing financial assistance, identifying the specific partner grantee and the specific project. Limits projects funded through these grants to construction and development on non-federal property within the boundaries of the Park. Instructs that any project funded by such grants support the purposes of the Park, be consistent with the Park's general management plan, and enhance public use and enjoyment of the park. Removes the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta, Ohio, from inclusion in the boundaries of the the National Aviation Heritage Area.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Encourages health care providers to reduce the rate of occurrence of diabetes and its complications by engaging in a program to prevent, detect, and treat the disease, including through the use of: (1) a treatment regimen that includes minimum clinical practice recommendations published by the American Diabetes Association on January 1, 2007; and (2) measurements of body weight and other risk factors. Commends U.S. health care providers for their commitment to countering the diabetes epidemic.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007
Recognizes the pioneering career of Carl Stokes, who helped expand political opportunity for minorities by becoming the first African-American mayor of a major American city. Commemorates the 40th anniversary of the election of Carl Stokes as the Mayor of Cleveland and the first African-American mayor of a major American city, one of the most significant events in the American Civil Rights movement.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the amount of the outstanding principal and interest on capital financing bonds for historically Black colleges and universities that may be federally insured.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Declares that House of Representatives has lost confidence in Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairwoman Nancy Nord and urges the President to request her resignation and to nominate a replacement.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007
Designates the portion of California State Route 91 located in Los Angeles County, California, from post mile 10.4 to post mile 11.1 as the "Juanita Millender-McDonald Highway."
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007
Montgomery GI Bill Enhancement of 2007 - Authorizes certain members of the Armed Forces to make an irrevocable election during the one-year period beginning on enactment of this Act to become entitled to basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill. Requires a reduction in basic pay of those members electing such educational assistance or, if the member is discharged or released from active duty prior to such reduction, the collection of specified amounts from the member or an equivalent reduction in retired or retainer pay. Provides for notice of the opportunity created by this Act to elect educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2007
Roofing Energy Efficiency Tax Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) classify as 20-year property for depreciation purposes any roof system which meets the requirements of Standard 90.1-2004 of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers and is on nonresidential real property; and (2) require use of the straight line method for depreciation of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2007
Offers the sincerest congratulations of the U.S. House of Representatives to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in recognition of its 50th Anniversary and its legacy of outstanding service to the governments and citizens of greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan region, and expresses its appreciation for a job well done.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2007
Expresses sympathy for the victims of the devastating flooding affecting southern Mexico and conveys support to the people and government of Mexico. Urges the U.S. government to make available all possible assistance to Mexican authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007
Declares that House of Representatives has lost confidence in Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairwoman Nancy Nord and urges the President to request her resignation and to nominate a replacement.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007
Declares that House of Representatives has lost confidence in Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Acting Chairman Nancy Nord and urges the President to request her resignation and to nominate a new candidate more capable of serving as the CPSC head.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Restitution for the Exonerated Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants, including emergency grants, to nonprofit organizations for programs to provide support services (e.g., employment training, health care services, and legal assistance) to exonerees. Defines "exoneree" as an individual who has been convicted of a crime carrying a prison sentence of one year or more, has served at least six months of such prison sentence, and has been determined to be factually innocent of the crime.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Prevention Through Affordable Access Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the best price component of the formula for determination of the Medicaid rebate for a covered single source outpatient drug or a covered innovator multiple source outpatient drug. (Under current law, best prices shall not take into account prices that are merely nominal in amount.) Revises the list of entities to which sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price, or merely nominal in amount (and thus excluded from computation of the best price for such drugs). Adds to such list any entity that is: (1) operated by a health center of an institution of higher education, primarily for its students (university-based clinic); or (2) a public or private nonprofit entity that provides family planning services under the Public Health Service Act (safety-net clinic).
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Universal Prekindergarten Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to a designated state agency for development of universal prekindergaten programs for all children three, four, and five years old in the state. Requires the state to: (1) match federal funds by at least 20%; and (2) submit with its grant application a plan to establish, coordinate, and implement a statewide universal prekindergarten program. Authorizes state agencies to set aside up to 5% of a grant for ongoing professional development activities for teachers and staff of prekindergarten programs that wish to participate.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Military Success in Iraq Commemoration Act of 2007 - States that the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (P.L. 107-243) is the basis of authority under which the President launched the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, and that such Resolution authorized the President to use military force against Iraq to defend U.S. national security and to enforce all relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. Encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the United States to observe a national day of celebration commemorating military success in Iraq. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to award grants to state and local governments for suitable activities to commemorate such success. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award to each veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom a grant of $5,000 to facilitate the veteran's transition to civilian life.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Expresses condolences to the families and friends of Lauren Mahon, Allison Walden, Travis Cale, Justin Anderson, Emily Yelton, William Rhea, and Cassidy Pendley and offers hope for the recovery of students who were injured in the fire that occurred in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, on October 28, 2007. Expresses gratitude for the efforts of the those who responded and support for all of the students, faculty, administration, and staff at the University of South Carolina and Clemson University.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2007
Affordable Footwear Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the elimination of duty on certain imported footwear would provide significant benefit to U.S. consumers, particularly lower-income families. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for the duty-free treatment of certain footwear (including children's shoes) made of rubber or plastics that are imported into the United States. Amends the Caribbean Basic Economic Recovery Act to provide footwear imported directly from Haiti into the United States with the same preferential treatment that is provided to certain imported footwear under the Dominican Republic-Central American-United States Free Trade Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2007
Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007 -- Amends the Truth in Lending Act to set forth a duty of care standard for residential mortgage loan originations. Prohibits steering incentives to mortgage originators, including incentive compensation and any yield spread premium based on, or varying with, the terms of a residential mortgage loan. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and other specified federal banking regulatory agencies to prescribe jointly regulations to prohibit mortgage originators from steering any consumer to a residential mortgage loan that is not in the consumer's interest (loans with predatory characteristics). Sets forth licensing and registration requirements for mortgage originators. Sets forth minimum repayment standards for residential mortgage loans. Requires creditors to determine, based on verified and documented information, that a consumer has a reasonable ability to repay the loan, according to its terms, and all applicable taxes, insurance, and assessments. Prohibits creditors from extending credit for residential mortgage loans that involve refinancing of a prior residential mortgage loan unless the creditor determines that refinancing provides a net tangible benefit to the consumer. Subjects assignees and securitizers to liability for certain violations in connection with residential mortgage loans. Sets forth defenses to foreclosure. Proscribes certain practices, including: (1) certain prepayment penalties; (2) single premium credit insurance; (3) mandatory use of arbitration; and (4) negative amortization mortgages. Redefines high-cost mortgages. Prohibits balloon payments for such mortgages. Revises requirements governing prepayment penalties. Prohibits lending without due regard to repayment ability. Prohibits certain creditor practices with respect to high-cost mortgages, including: (1) recommending default on an existing loan or other debt before and in connection with closing of a high-cost mortgage that refinances all or any portion of such existing loan or debt; (2) imposing late fees except according to specified requirements; (3) exercising sole discretion to accelerate indebtedness; (4) financing points and fees; (4) structuring certain transactions and reciprocal arrangements to evade the requirements and prohibitions of this Act; and (5) charging certain modification or deferral fees, and fees for notification of payoff information. Requires pre-loan counseling.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2007
Trade and Globalization Act of 2007 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to allow the filing of a petition with the Secretary of Labor for certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by adversely affected workers in a service sector firm, a public agency, or subdivision. Revises group eligibility requirements for TAA to cover: (1) a shift, by such workers' firm or subdivision to a foreign country, of production of articles or in provision of services, like or directly competitive with articles which are produced, or services that are provided by the workers' firm or subdivision; or (2) instances where the workers' firm or subdivision obtains or is likely to obtain such articles or services from a foreign country. Provides for the certification for TAA of: (1) adversely affected workers in a public agency, its subdivision, or in a domestic industry; and (2) adversely affected secondary workers in a service sector firm or its subdivision. Prohibits TAA program benefits from being provided to an alien worker unless such worker is a lawful permanent resident living in the United States. Revises certain qualifying requirements for TAA for adversely affected workers. Increases: (1) the amount of payments for training of adversely affected workers; and (2) the maximum allowance to cover costs of such workers for job search expenses and relocation expenses. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the credit for health insurance costs of certain TAA and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) pension recipients. Sets forth requirements to prevent a lapse of health care coverage for TAA workers and their families. Establishes eligibility requirements for reemployment TAA for adversely affected older workers. Establishes the Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance. Extends through FY2012 the TAA program for workers and farmers. Allows the filing of a petition with the Secretary of Commerce for certification of eligibility to apply for TAA by a service sector firm. Extends the TAA program for firms through FY2012. Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act - Amends the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Labor to make unemployment compensation modernization incentive payments in FY2008-FY2012 by certain transfers from the federal unemployment account to the accounts of the states in the Unemployment Trust Fund. Provides for the issuance of manufacturing redevelopment bonds (qualified tax credit bonds) and tax-exempt facility bonds and require the proceeds to be used for environmental remediation and public infrastructure improvements in manufacturing redevelopment zones. Increases the state low-income housing credit for buildings located in such zones. Allows a credit to holders of such qualified tax credit bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2007
Shortens the length of the obligated period of active duty service required of certain members of the Armed Forces to receive certain veterans' education benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2007
Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education Act or the Youth PROMISE Act - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to establish a PROMISE Advisory Panel to assist the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in: (1) assessing and developing standards and evidence-based practices to prevent juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity; and (2) collecting data in designated geographic areas to assess the needs and existing resources for juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity prevention and intervention. Authorizes the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to award grants to local governments and Indian tribes to: (1) plan and assess evidence-based and promising practices for juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity prevention and intervention, especially for at-risk youth; and (2) implement PROMISE plans, developed by local PROMISE Coordinating Councils (PCCs), for coordinating and supporting the delivery of juvenile delinquency and gang prevention and intervention programs in local communities. Establishes a National Center for Proven Practices Research to provide PCCs and the public current research and other information about evidence-based practices related to juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang prevention and intervention. Directs the Administrator to award grants to hire and train law enforcement officers as youth-oriented police to work with PCCs, other community-based organizations, and high-risk youths. Establishes a Center for Youth-Oriented Policing. Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to authorize grants for the creation and expansion of state, local, and tribal juvenile witness and victim protection programs. Extends and increases funding for juvenile accountability block grants through FY2013.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2007
Condemns the September 2007 attacks on African Union (AU) peacekeepers that occurred in Haskanita, Darfur, Sudan. Expresses condolences and sympathies to the people and governments of Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, and Botswana and to the families and friends of those individuals who were killed, injured, or missing in the attacks. Expresses readiness to support efforts to bring to justice those individuals responsible for the attacks and to dismantle the networks that carry out such attacks. Expresses support for the people of Darfur, and encourages all parties involved in the conflict to commit to negotiate a final peace agreement at the peace talks scheduled for October 27, 2007, in Tripoli, Libya.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007 - Provides that, in the case of a member of the Armed Forces who is retired or separated for disability due to a combat-related injury, the Secretary of Defense shall require the continued payment of any bonuses or special pay to which the member: (1) was entitled to immediately before the retirement or separation; and (2) would continue to be entitled to if not retired or separated. Requires such payment in a lump sum within 30 days after such retirement or separation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
Expresses support and sympathy for the victims of the flooding that occurred across much of Ohio and the surrounding region in August 2007. Conveys gratitude to those who responded to this emergency and who continue working to restore normalcy. Commends the people of Ohio for their indomitable spirit and for the grace and magnanimity with which they have supported one another during the flooding and continuing recovery.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2007
Calls upon the President to develop within the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) a Women and Girls of Darfur Initiative to improve assistance to victims and potential victims of rape and sexual violence in Darfur, Sudan, eastern Chad, and the Central African Republic. Calls upon the Secretary General of the United Nations, the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), the Arab League, and other nations to take steps to ensure that a fully funded and fully equipped U.N.-AU peacekeeping force (UNAMID) is deployed to Darfur, including an adequate number of female troops and police to properly manage incidents of rape and sexual violence. Calls upon the Security Council to: (1) find the government of Sudan in noncompliance with Security Council Resolution 1325; (2) call on the government of Sudan to provide legal protections to victims of rape and sexual violence and to bring to justice individuals responsible for such crimes; and (3) enforce the arrest warrants for Ahmad Muhammad Harun and Ali Muhammad Al Abd-Al-Raham, and further recognize the systematic rape of women and girls in Darfur as crimes against humanity and war crimes.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2013 the tax rule exempting dividends, interest, rents, and royalties received or accrued from certain controlled foreign corporations by a related entity from treatment as foreign holding company income (thus permitting tax deferral of such income).
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2007
Honors the life and accomplishments of Luciano Pavarotti and recognizes the significant and positive impact of his astounding musical talent, his achievement in raising the profile of opera with audiences around the world, and his commitment to charitable causes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2007
Safety Assurance For Every Consumer Product Act or the SAFE Consumer Product Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require (in current law, authorize) the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to prescribe consumer product testing programs. Requires nongovernmental, independent third party testing of children's products. Increases the actions the CPSC may take in ordering recalls of products presenting substantial hazards. Makes recalled product retail sale unlawful. Requires manufacturers to mark products or packaging to enable purchasers to determine the product's source, date, and production cohort. Removes the cap on Consumer Product Safety Act civil penalties. Removes a requirement that criminal penalties may only be imposed after noncompliance notice. Reduces the period after CPSC notification to manufacturers and private labelers before public disclosure of information obtained under the Act. Requires any person who must give public notice of a substantial product hazard to post a notice on the Internet. Declares any children's product containing more than a specified amount of lead to be a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, allowing a temporary exception for electronic devices. Requires certain actions to facilitate recalls of children's products and authorizes the CPSC to extend the requirements to consumer products other than children's products. Requires children's product's warning labels to be included in Internet advertisements. Removes provisions requiring a minimum number of CPSC members to transact business. Modifies rulemaking notice requirements. Declares the sense of Congress that the full complement of five CPSC members is necessary to conduct CPSC business and the President should fill vacancies expeditiously. Prohibits any consumer product safety standard or other CPSC action after enactment of this Act from containing a preemption provision which affects any action under state statutory or common law unless the provision is expressly authorized by statute.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2007
Protect America's Wildlife Act of 2007 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to add to airborne hunting offenses a prohibition against any person shooting or attempting to shoot any bird, fish, or other animal before 3:00 a.m. following a day on which the person has traveled by aircraft other than on a regularly scheduled commercial aircraft. Increases the fine for such offenses to not more than $50,000 (currently, $5,000). Prohibits a state from authorizing or undertaking any action otherwise prohibited under such Act for the purpose of increasing any game population or sport hunting. Authorizes a state to shoot predators from an aircraft to prevent a biological emergency, if: (1) the head of the state's fish and wildlife agency determines that such an emergency is imminent and there is no other means available to eliminate the emergency; (2) the shooting is conducted by an officer or employee of such agency or of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); (3) the shooting occurs only in the area where the emergency exists; and (4) the shooting removes only the minimum number of predators necessary to eliminate the emergency. Allows the Secretary of the Interior to authorize an otherwise prohibited action to prevent the extinction of any endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 if there is no other means available to address the threat of extinction. Authorizes citizen suits under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2007
Coordinated Environmental Public Health Network Act of 2007 - 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) and with the involvement of other federal agencies, state and local health departments, and an advisory committee, to establish and operate a Coordinated Environmental Public Health Network. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify, expand, and coordinate among existing data and surveillance systems, surveys, registries, and other federal public health and environmental infrastructure; (2) provide for public access to an electronic national database that accepts data from the State Environmental Public Health Network (established by this Act), subject to privacy requirements; (3) prepare and periodically publish a Coordinated Environmental Public Health Network Status Report and a Coordinated Network Health and Environment Report; (4) operate and maintain National Environmental Health Rapid Response Services; (5) provide technical assistance; and (6) develop minimum standards and procedures for data collection and reporting. Authorizes: (1) states to apply for grants to implement pilot projects to develop State Environmental Public Health Network enhancements and programs; and (2) the Secretary to award grants to at least five accredited schools or programs of public health for Centers of Excellence. Directs the Secretary: (1) to award John H. Chafee Public Health Scholarships to eligible students enrolled in accredited schools of public health or medicine; and (2) through the CDC Director, to enter into cooperative agreements to train and place applied epidemiology fellows in state and local health departments and to expand CDC biomonitoring data collection.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2007
Emergency Home Ownership and Mortgage Equity Protection Act of 2007 - Amends federal bankruptcy law governing a chapter 13 debtor (adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income) to prohibit the holder of a claim in bankruptcy which is secured by debtor's principal residence from adding fees, costs, or charges while the case is pending, unless such claimholder gives timely notice to both debtor and the bankruptcy trustee. Revises requirements for the discretionary features of a chapter 13 debtor's plan. Removes the prohibition against modification of the rights of a holder of a claim secured only by an interest in real property that is the debtor's principal residence. (Thus allows a plan to modify such rights.) Authorizes a chapter 13 bankruptcy plan to provide for payment of allowed claims secured by the debtor's principal residence over a period that exceeds a specified time frame. Eliminates the pre-petition credit counseling requirement for a chapter 13 debtor facing foreclosure if the debtor submits a certification to the court that the holder of a claim secured by the debtor's principal residence has initiated foreclosure on that residence. Adds to conditions for court confirmation of a plan in bankruptcy that the holder of an allowed claim secured by the debtor's principal residence shall retain the lien securing such claim until the claim is paid. Excludes from final discharge of a debtor from all debts any allowed claim secured by the debtor's principal residence before such claim is paid.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the 15-year recovery period for purposes of the tax deduction for depreciation of qualified restaurant property. Revises the term "qualified restaurant property" to include existing buildings as well as improvements to buildings.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2007
Acknowledges and commemorates the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School by the Little Rock Nine. Encourages all Americans, upon this 50th anniversary, to recognize the historic contributions of the Little Rock Nine, who not only secured integration for Little Rock Central High School, but hundreds of thousands of schools across the country. Commits the House of Representatives, in the wake of recent challenges, to continuing the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education and the Little Rock Nine by protecting and advancing equal educational opportunity for all.
![Official portrait of Rep. Jones, Stephanie Tubbs [D-OH-11]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000284_200.jpg)