Lumbee Recognition Act
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Lumbee Recognition Act - Extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
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![Official portrait of Rep. Kanjorski, Paul E. [D-PA-11]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000008_200.jpg)
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2,810 records where Rep. Kanjorski, Paul E. [D-PA-11] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Lumbee Recognition Act - Extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009 - Establishes in the Treasury the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund for payments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of a monthly benefit of $1,000 to each individual who, between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, was a documented member of the U.S. merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was operated in U.S. waters by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation and under contract to, or the property of, the United States. Requires such individuals to: (1) apply for such benefit before October 1, 2009; and (2) not have received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. Requires the Secretary to include, in annual budget documents submitted to Congress, detailed information on the Fund's operation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund and to allow individual taxpayers to designate on their tax returns $3.00 of income taxes ($6.00 in the case of joint returns) to be paid over to such Fund to provide assistance to homeless veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Community Choice in Real Estate Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from determining that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is financial in nature, is incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity. (In effect, prohibits financial holding companies and national banks from engaging, directly or indirectly, in real estate brokerage or real estate management activities.) Exempts from such prohibition: (1) activities of a bank holding company (or any affiliate) that directly relate to managing any real property owned by national banks or their affiliates; and (2) the right, power, or ability of any financial holding company to engage in any activity, or acquire or retain the shares of any company engaged in an activity authorized for financial holding companies on December 6, 2001 ("grandfather clause").
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Supports the goals and ideals of National Life Insurance Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2008
National Commission on American Cybersecurity Act of 2008 - Establishes the National Commission on American Cybersecurity to analyze the cybersecuirty of American business, national infrastructure, and U.S. Government non-military and non-national security related computer systems and to recommend a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy for those systems.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2008
Home Heating Loan Guarantee Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee qualified home heating loans made by depository institutions during the 2008-2009 home heating season if necessary to minimize disruptions in the supply and distribution of home heating resources because of the inability of customers of the suppliers to pay for home heating supplies or repairs made to broken home heating equipment or leaking or frozen lines. Sets forth terms and conditions governing the loan guarantee, including overall loan limits.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2008
Expresses support for the designation of a National Chiari Malformation Month.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act - Terminates all federal prohibitions on expenditures of funds to conduct natural gas, oil, oil shale, and energy production leasing and preleasing activities for federal lands. Revokes withdrawals of federal submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from leasing for natural gas and oil exploration, development, and production. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to repeal the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 to repeal the prohibition on using funds to prepare or publish final regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands or to conduct an oil shale lease sale pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any lease authorizing exploration for, or development of, natural gas or oil in any OCS area that is located: (1) within 25 miles of the coastline of a state; or (2) more than 25 miles and less than 50 miles from the coastline of a state that has enacted, within one year, a law disapproving of such a lease. Provides for the allocation of sums collected under qualified leases on submerged land made available for leasing under this Act. Establishes the Conservation Reserve, the Environment Restoration Reserve, the Renewable Energy Reserve, and the Carbon Capture and Sequestration Reserve. Establishes the state seaward boundaries under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Amends the Clean Air Act to allow the use of woody biomass from federal forest lands for the production of renewable energy. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions prohibiting federal procurement of an alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use unless the contract specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel supplied must be less than or equal to such emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise provisions concerning tax credit extensions and deductions for renewable energy, alternative fuel, and energy conservation. Requires the Secretary of Energy to publish a plan for exchanging light grade petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for heavy grade petroleum. Establishes and provides for the allocation of the Energy Independence and Security Fund, including providing funding for: (1) researching and developing wind, solar, ocean and wave, and geothermal energy; (2) conducting energy efficiency projects; and (3) fostering the development of domestic energy production.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Fort Presque Isle National Historic Site Act of 2008 - Establishes the Fort Presque Isle National Historic Site in Erie, Pennsylvania, as a unit of the National Park System. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to prepare a general management plan for the Site.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Civil Rights Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 - Requires quarter dollars to have designs on the reverse emblematic of prominent civil rights leaders and important events that have advanced civil rights in America. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to select such leaders and events. Requires five coin designs in each year of the period of issuance. Instructs the Secretary to strike and make available for sale silver bullion coins that are exact duplicates of such quarter dollars.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Second Amendment Enforcement Act - Amends specified law prohibiting the killing of wild birds and wild animals in the District of Columbia to declare that nothing in it or any other provision of law shall authorize or be construed to permit the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons otherwise not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by federal law nor subject to the National Firearms Act. Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Amends the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 (FCRA) to repeal the definition of a machine gun as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily converted or restored to shoot semiautomatically, more than 12 shots without manual reloading. (Thus repeals the ban on semiautomatic weapons.) Redefines "machine gun" as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or is readily restored to shoot automatically, more than one shot without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger. Includes the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. Repeals the District's: (1) registration requirement for possession of firearms; (2) requirement that licensed firearms dealers keep records of ammunition received into inventory and ammunition sold or transferred; and (3) requirement that, under certain conditions, firearms in the possession of certain individuals must be kept unloaded, disassembled, or with the trigger locked. Maintains the current ban on the possession and control of a sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, or short-barreled rifle. Amends FCRA to allow an individual to possess ammunition in the District if the individual owns (currently, holds the valid registration certificate for) a firearm of the same guage or caliber as such ammunition. Eliminates criminal penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm. Amends federal law to eliminate criminal penalties for carrying a pistol whether loaded or unloaded in one's dwelling house, place of business, or on land possessed by such person. Amends the federal criminal code to make it lawful for any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to sell or deliver a handgun to a District resident if such individual is licensed in Maryland or Virginia to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of National Life Insurance Awareness Month (September 2008).
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2008
Recognizes that it is imperative that this nation strengthen its public health system to provide all persons with the resources they need to make healthier choices and live healthier lives and to protect people from health threats beyond their control. Commits to creating public health strategies to eliminate health disparities and improve the health of all people in the United States. Expresses support for prioritizing public policies focusing on the prevention of disease and injury and calls for community-based programs to support healthy lifestyles. Urges the expansion of the prevention strategies of daily aspirin therapy, smoking cessation, colorectal cancer screening, annual flu immunizations, and breast cancer screening. Declares that the congressional budget process should reflect the savings associated with investments in the prevention of disease and injury. Encourages the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to consider the savings associated with a reduced chronic disease burden due to preventive services and programs when formulating its health care cost estimates. Pledges support for increasing the investment in federal public health programs to at least 1% of total federal spending within five years.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2008
Maximize Offshore Resource Exploration Act of 2008, or the MORE Act of 2008 - Declares without force or effect all federal prohibitions against the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct natural gas leasing and pre-leasing activities for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Revokes all withdrawals of federal submerged lands from leasing for oil and natural gas exploration and production. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from granting an oil or natural gas lease for any OCS located within 25 miles of a state coastline unless the state has enacted a law approving the issuance of such leases by the Secretary. Sets forth an allocation schedule for a 75% state share of revenues derived from U.S. royalties under qualified oil and gas leases on submerged lands located within the seaward boundaries of a state. Extends the jurisdiction of state civil and criminal law, as appropriate, to the Alaska, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic OCS Region State Adjacent Zones and OCS Planning Areas.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2008
Honors the 28th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army for serving and protecting the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2008
Securities Act of 2008 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to authorize the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to assess and impose civil penalties in a cease and desist proceeding. Creates a three tiers of increasing civil penalties for acts or omissions of increasing gravity. Authorizes the SEC to censure, place limitations on the activities or functions of, or investigate any person who at the time of specified alleged misconduct was: (1) a member or employee of the the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board; (2) a person associated or seeking to become associated with a government securities broker or dealer; (3) a person associated with a member of a national securities exchange or registered securities association; (4) a participant of a registered clearing agency; (5) an officer or director of a self-regulatory organization; and (6) an officer or director of an investment company. Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to exempt from state regulation any warrants or rights to subscribe or purchase securities offerings. Amends the Securities Act of 1934 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to empower the SEC to bar certain persons from being associated with a broker, dealer, investment adviser, municipal securities dealer, or transfer agent who has engaged in alleged misconduct. Amends the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 to extend its coverage to customers' claims against a debtor for futures contracts or options on commodities futures contracts received, acquired, or held in a portfolio margining account carried as a securities account pursuant to an approved portfolio margining program. Requires the SEC, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to give oral testimony annually to certain congressional committees on efforts to reduce the complexity in financial reporting to provide more accurate and clear financial information to investors. Amends the Securities Act of 1934 to require a registered securities information processor, national securities exchange, and national securities association to submit fingerprints of their staff to the Attorney General. Amends the Securities Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to revise or prescribe requirements protecting confidentiality of materials submitted to the SEC. Amends the Securities Act of 1934 to set forth requirements governing privileged information provided by the SEC to certain governmental and foreign authorities. Amends the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to allow nationwide service of subpoenas, without application to the court or a showing of cause, in any action instituted by the SEC.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2008
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise requirements for the sale by the Secretary of Energy of products from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. Authorizes the Secretary to sell from the Reserve if the President finds that: (1) there is a severe energy supply interruption (as under existing law); or (2) the price of home heating oil threatens the health and safety of residents of the Northeast. Requires the Secretary to sell specified percentages of the quantity of products in the Reserve as of November 1 of a fiscal year if the President finds that, on successive monthly winter dates of the same fiscal year, the average retail price of No.2 heating oil in the Northeast is equal to or more than $4.00 per gallon. Requires the Secretary to use: (1) half of any revenue derived from such sales to provide assistance to low-income consumers of heating oil under the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons of the Energy Conservation and Production Act; and (2) half to provide any additional home energy assistance needs of one or more state arising from a natural disaster or other emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2008
Commends the extraordinary contributions of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Recognizes: (1) that the United States has an affirmative duty to care for the men and women who have so served; and (2) the efforts of the National Association of State Veterans Homes in providing veterans with high-quality care. Commends efforts made by state veterans homes for the past 120 years in ensuring that veterans receive the highest quality of care worthy of their sacrifices.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2008
Municipal Bond Market Support Act of 2008 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the small issuer exemption from interest expense allocation rules for financial institutions to: (1) increase from $10 to $30 million the annual limit on small issuers of tax-exempt municipal bonds; (2) allow an inflation adjustment to such increased limit amount after 2009; (3) repeal aggregation rules relating to the determination of small issuer eligibility; (4) allow small issuers an election to treat borrowers separately for purposes of issuance limitations; and (5) allow financial institutions to hold up to 2% of their assets in tax-exempt securities without affecting their interest expense tax deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2008
Municipal Bond Fairness Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require each registered nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NSRO) (credit rating agency) to: (1) establish and maintain credit ratings with respect to securities and money market instruments designed to assess the risk that investors in such instruments may not receive payment in accordance with their terms of issuance; and (2) define clearly any rating symbol and apply it consistently. Prohibits the SEC from imposing any requirement that prevents an NSRO from establishing ratings that are complementary to such mandatory ratings and that are created to measure a discrete aspect of risk. Directs the SEC to establish performance measures to determine when to review whether an NSRO has: (1) issued ratings in contravention of this Act; or (2) failed to adhere to its procedures and methodologies for issuing ratings. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to receive, analyze, and disseminate information, data, and material: (1) about entities that insure or guarantee the payment of principal and interest of any municipal obligation; and (2) from state insurance regulatory authorities and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2008
Credit Union, Bank, and Thrift Regulatory Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to: (1) permit a credit union to invest in securities for its own account, subject to certain percentage limitations; and (2) increase the investment and lending limit in credit union service organizations from 1% to 3% of a credit union's total paid and unimpaired capital and surplus. Excludes credit union loans to nonprofit religious organizations from limitations placed upon member business loans. Redefines member business loan to increase specified extensions of credit. Authorizes the National Credit Union Administration Board to establish longer loan maturity dates. Directs the Board to prescribe criteria for continued membership of certain member groups in the case of certain credit union conversions to a community charter. Revises requirements for credit union membership in certain underserved areas. Empowers a federal credit union to provide short-term loans as an alternative to payday loans. Authorizes a credit union board of directors to expel a member for just cause, including disruption of credit union operations. Excludes from the meaning of member business loan subject to certain limitations any extension of credit to a member, meeting specified criteria, whose proceeds are to be used for commercial, corporate, business, farm or agricultural purposes in an underserved area. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act governing federal savings associations to: (1) increase their investment in small business investment companies from 1% to 5%; (2) permit investments in auto loans; (3) repeal the qualified thrift lender requirement for out-of-state branches; (3) eliminate the lending limit on small business loans and increase it on other business loans; (4) increase the amount of capital available for commercial real estate loans; and (5) redefine savings association. Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to set forth exceptions to the annual privacy notice required of financial institutions. Business Checking Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends federal banking law to authorize interest-bearing transaction accounts for all businesses. Amends the Federal Reserve Act, the Home Owners' Loan Act, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to repeal the prohibition against payment of interest on demand deposits. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to direct the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to obtain biennially, and report to Congress regarding, a sample of specified retail banking services and products provided by insured depository institutions and credit unions, including fees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2008
Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to make it unlawful for a person to enter into or execute an otherwise excluded swap transaction or exempt transaction involving crude oil, heating oil, gasoline, or diesel fuel (specified energy commodity), unless the person has been certified by the Commodities Future Trading Commission (CFTC) as having the capacity of accepting physical delivery of the commodity. Makes it unlawful, as well, for any person to hold a contract or agreement of sale of a specified energy commodity for future delivery, which is otherwise an excluded swap transaction or an exempt transaction, unless the CFTC has certified that the person has the capacity to produce or manufacture the commodity.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2008
Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Acquisition Reform Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to delay generally until after 2011 full implementation of the Medicare competitive acquisition program for the purchase of durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). Revises such program, dividing its implementation into two rounds, and specifying covered item updates for 2009-2014. Prescribes requirements for application of accreditation in implementing quality standards. Requires suppliers to disclose subcontractors. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a competitive acquisition ombudsman within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to respond to complaints and inquiries by suppliers and individuals. Specifies topics for the Comptroller General's required study and report to Congress on the impact of competitive acquisition of DME on suppliers, manufacturers, and patients. Sets forth a special rule for the competitive acquisition program for diabetic testing strips.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2008
Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe a regulation prohibiting advertisements accompanying video programming from: (1) being excessively noisy or strident; (2) having modulation levels substantially higher than the accompanying program; and (3) having an average maximum loudness substantially higher than that of the accompanying program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2008
Trade Reform, Accountability, Development, and Employment Act of 2008, or the TRADE Act of 2008 - Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to: (1) review biennially certain free trade agreements (including Uruguay Round Agreements) between the United States and foreign countries; and (2) report to the Congressional Trade Agreement Review Committee regarding such agreements, including analyses of specified subjects and of each agreement, as well as whether the country has a democratic form of government that respects certain core labor rights and fundamental human rights, protects intellectual property rights, and enforces environmental laws. Declares that implementing bills of new trade agreements shall not be subject to expedited consideration or special procedures limiting amendment,unless such agreements include certain standards with respect to: (1) labor; (2) environment and public safety; (3) food and product health and safety; (4) provision of services; (5) investment; (6) procurement; (7) intellectual property; (8) agriculture; (9) trade remedies and safeguards; (10) rules of origin; (11) dispute resolution and enforcement; (12) technical assistance; (13) national security; and (14) taxation. Requires the President to submit to Congress a plan for the renegotiation of existing trade agreements to bring them into compliance with such standards. Establishes a Congressional Trade Agreement Review Committee. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) certain requirements urging the attainment of certain trade goals shall apply to all existing and new trade agreements; and (2) a certain process for U.S. trade negotiations should be followed when Congress considers legislation providing special procedures for implementing bills of trade agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2008
Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008 - Authorizes appropriations for each of FY2008-FY2009 for public transportation formula grants for urbanized areas and for other areas. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make such grants for: (1) operating costs of equipment and facilities being used to provide the public transportation that the grant recipient is no longer able to pay as a result of reducing fares; and (2) operating and capital costs of equipment and facilities being used to provide transportation services that the recipient incurs as a result of expanding such services. Requires the federal share of the costs for such grants to be 100%. Requires a grant for FY2008-FY2009 that involves acquiring clean fuel or alternative fuel vehicle-related equipment or facilities for the purposes of complying with the Clean Air Act to be for 100% of the net project cost of the equipment or facilities unless the grant recipient requests a lower percentage. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to require: (1) qualified federal agency employees serving in urbanized areas of the United States that are served by fixed route public transportation to be offered transit pass transportation fringe benefits; and (2) the Secretary to issue guidance on nationwide implementation of a transportation fringe benefit program. Requires the Secretary to establish a pilot program to carry out vanpool demonstration projects in not more than three urbanized areas and not more than two other areas. Requires a grant for a capital project during FY2008-FY2009 that involves the acquisition of real property for, or the design, engineering, or construction of, additional parking facilities at an end-of-line fixed guideway station to be for 100% of the net capital cost of the project unless the grant recipient requests a lower percentage.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2008
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 2008 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend through FY2012 the grant program for armor vests for law enforcement officers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2008
Gas Price Spike Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a windfall profit tax on crude oil, natural gas, or products of crude oil or natural gas. Defines "windfall profit" as so much of the profit on a sale of crude oil, natural gas, or related products as exceeds a reasonable profit. Establishes the Reasonable Profits Board to determine levels of reasonable profit from the sale of such products. Allows a tax credit for the purchase of certain fuel-efficient, American-made passenger vehicles. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to operators of mass transit systems, including bus and commuter rail systems, to reduce passenger fares on such systems.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008
Student Loan Access Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Federal Financing Bank, until July 1, 2009, to: (1) purchase guaranteed loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program of the Higher Education Act of 1965, or participation interests in such loans; (2) advance funds to eligible lenders for the purpose of originating or purchasing FFELs; and (3) invest in securities collateralized with FFELs. Prohibits such FFEL purchases from resulting in any net cost to the federal government. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to extend the Bank's authority to take such actions beyond July 1, 2009, if economic conditions threaten timely, uninterrupted access to student loans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Requires the coin design to be emblematic of the 100 years of the organization. Restricts issuance of such coins to February 8 through December 31, 2010. Subjects coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires payment of such surcharges to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, to be made available to local councils in the form of grants for the extension of Scouting in hard-to-serve areas.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Insurance Information Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to advise the President and Congress on domestic and international policy issues regarding all lines of insurance except health insurance. Establishes within the Department of the Treasury the Office of Insurance Information, headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary, to: (1) collect, analyze, and disseminate information and issue reports regarding all lines of insurance except health insurance; (2) establish federal policy on international insurance matters and ensure that state insurance laws are consistent with agreements between the United States and a foreign government or regulatory entity; and (3) advise the Secretary on major domestic and international insurance policy issues. Extends the authority of the Office to all lines of insurance except health insurance. Preempts inconsistent state law. Requires the head of the Office to report to specified congressional committees on the financial state and meaningful trends of the insurance industry. Establishes the Advisory Group to the Office of Insurance Information.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) U.S. funding to the government of Iraq for reconstruction, training for Iraqi security forces, and fuel for U.S. operations in Iraq should be provided as loans; and (2) the U.S. government should work with the government of Iraq to ensure that the government of Iraq obligates its own budget surplus for reconstruction projects before U.S. reconstruction aid is obligated.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008
Consumer Reasonable Energy Price Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a windfall profit tax on crude oil, natural gas, or fuel which is the product of crude oil or natural gas. Defines "windfall profit" as so much of the profit as exceeds a reasonable profit. Establishes a Reasonable Profits Board to determine reasonable profit. Dedicates the proceeds of such tax to the low-income home energy assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2008
Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to entitle to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill individuals in certain length-of-service categories who, commencing on or after September 11, 2001, serve on active duty in the Armed Forces. Establishes the duration of such assistance (in most cases 36 months) and assistance amounts. Requires programs of education pursued with such assistance to be approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Allows for the pursuit of an approved program of education while on active duty. Allows, under such assistance, for the pursuit of: (1) programs on less than a half-time basis; (2) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (3) correspondence courses; (4) flight training; (5) tutorial assistance; and (6) licensure and certification tests. Makes individuals entitled to assistance under this Act also eligible for supplemental educational assistance for additional active duty service. Requires the Secretary to carry out a program, to be known as the "Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program," under which colleges and universities may enter into an agreement with the Secretary to cover, for certain individuals, a portion of established charges not otherwise covered and match contributions toward such costs. Requires educational assistance under this Act to be used within 15 years of the individual's discharge or release from active duty (with exceptions). Allows individuals currently under the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to elect to participate in the post-9/11 educational assistance program with respect to any unused entitlement.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half dollar clad coins as numismatic items emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today. Requires the design for such coins to contain motifs that honor specifically the American soldier of both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace, consistent with the traditions and heritage of the U.S. Army, the mission and goals of the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and the missions and goals of the Army Historical Foundation. Restricts coin issuance to the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2011. Requires all surcharges from coin sales to be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Foundation to help finance the National Museum of the U.S. Army.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Emergency Student Loan Market Liquidity Act - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to allow federal home loan banks to: (1) invest surplus funds in student loan securities; (2) accept student loans and student loan-related securities as collateral; and (3) provide secured long-term advances to member banks so that they can finance the origination of student loans or purchase or finance student loan-related securities. Limits the application of this Act to Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) made under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Makes the banks' authority effective for investments and advances made between February 1, 2008, and two years after this Act's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Honors the life, achievements, and contributions of Charlton Heston. Extends the deepest sympathies of the House of Representatives to the family of Charlton Heston for his loss.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month (April 2008), 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 · 13 March 2008
Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 - Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Appropriations Act, 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on implementation of a proposed rule ("Medicaid Program; Cost Limit for Providers Operated by Units of Government and Provisions To Ensure the Integrity of Federal-State Financial Partnership") relating to the federal-state financial partnerships under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act. Extends until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on any action by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to restrict Medicaid payments for graduate medical education (GME). Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on certain restrictions relating to Medicaid coverage or payment for rehabilitation services or school-based administration and school-based transportation, including specified proposed regulations, if such restrictions are more restrictive in any aspect than those applied to such areas as of July 1, 2007. Establishes additional moratoria until April 1, 2009, on specified regulatory actions concerning Medicaid: (1) treatment of optional case management services; (2) outpatient hospital services; and (3) allowable provider taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2008
Make Our Veterans Smile Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, beginning on January 1, 2009, to provide non-service-connected dental services and treatment and related dental appliances to all veterans with a service-connected disability. (Current law requires the Secretary to provide such services and treatment only to veterans with service-connected disabilities rated as total.)
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2008
Emergency Mortgage Loan Modification Act of 2008 - Establishes a standard for loan modifications or workout plans for pools of certain residential mortgage loans. States that the servicer of such pooled loans owes a duty to the securitization vehicle to maximize recovery of proceeds for the benefit of all investors and holders of beneficial interests in the pooled loans, in the aggregate, and not to any individual party or group of parties. Deems the loan servicer to be acting on behalf of the securitization vehicle in the best interest of all such investors and holders if the servicer makes certain loss mitigation efforts for a loan in or facing payment default in the reasonable belief that such efforts will maximize the net present value to be realized over that which would be realized through foreclosure. Declares that, absent specific contractual provisions to the contrary, a servicer acting in a manner consistent with such duty shall not be liable to specified persons for entering into a qualified loan modification or workout plan for loss mitigation purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2008
Credit Union Regulatory Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to: (1) permit a credit union to invest in securities for its own account, subject to certain percentage limitations; and (2) increase the investment and lending limit in credit union service organizations from 1% to 3% of a credit union's total paid and unimpaired capital and surplus. Excludes credit union loans to nonprofit religious organizations from limitations placed upon member business loans. Authorizes the National Credit Union Administration Board (Board) to establish longer loan maturity dates. Directs the Board to prescribe criteria for continued membership of certain member groups in the case of certain credit union conversions to a community charter. Revises requirements for credit union membership in certain underserved areas. Empowers a federal credit union to provide short-term loans as an alternative to payday loans. Authorizes a credit union board of directors to expel a member based on just cause, including disruption of credit union operations (as well as nonparticipation, as under current law). Excludes from the meaning of member business loan subject to certain limitations (thus permitting without such limitations) any extension of credit to a member, meeting specified criteria, whose proceeds are to be used for commercial, corporate, business, farm or agricultural purposes in an underserved area. Amends the Clayton Act to exempt from its premerger notification and waiting period requirements any mergers of one insured credit union activities with another which require agency approval under the Federal Credit Union Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of a National Miner's Day. Encourages the people of the United States to celebrate and honor the contributions of miners.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2008
Recognizes the importance of manufactured housing to homeownership in the United States. Supports the goals and ideals of National Homeownership Month (June) and Manufactured Housing Week (June 15-21).
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2008
Recognizes: (1) the 250th anniversary of the Naming of Pittsburgh; and (2) that Pittsburgh 250 is organizing the commemoration. Encourages learning about how the Forbes Campaign, the opening of the Gateway to the West, the industrialization of America, and the environmental transformation of Pittsburgh helped to make America.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of the 10th Annual National Consumer Protection Week, including raising public awareness of consumer protection and financial literacy. Encourages people to take advantage of consumer protection information.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2008
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day. Recognizes and reaffirms the commitment to fighting heart disease and stroke by promoting awareness about the causes, risks, and prevention, supporting research, and expanding access to medical treatment. Encourages all Americans to learn about their risk for heart disease.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Renders nonresident aliens ineligible for any federal income tax rebate enacted by Congress in 2008. Prohibits the payment of any tax rebate to an individual who does not include a valid identification number (i.e., social security number) on a tax return.