United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2008
Responsible Ownership of Public Land Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish an annual production incentive fee for federal onshore and offshore lands subject to a lease for production of oil or natural gas under which production is not occurring. Prescribes the fee amount for each acre of land from which oil or natural gas is produced for less than 90 days in a calendar year. Establishes the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund to serve as depository for fees received under this Act. Enumerates energy programs to be funded with such fees, including: (1) low-income home energy assistance; (2) advanced vehicles research, development, and demonstration; (3) new technologies to improve the energy efficiency of and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings; (4) energy storage systems to support electric drive vehicles, stationary applications, and electricity transmission and distribution; (5) next-generation wind turbines; (6) weatherization assistance low income housing; and (7) wind and solar energy research and development.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2008
Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing any new lease for exploration or production of oil or natural gas unless the lessee: (1) certifies for each existing lease that the lessee has diligently developed the lands in order to produce oil or natural gas, or is producing oil or natural gas from such lands; or (2) has relinquished all federal oil and gas leases that are not being diligently developed. Instructs the Secretary to promulgate diligent development regulations that: (1) include benchmarks for oil and gas development to ensure that leaseholders produce oil and gas from each lease within the five-year original term of the lease; and (2) require each leaseholder to submit a diligent development plan showing how the lessee will meet the benchmarks. Establishes a civil penalty for noncompliance with this Act. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Mineral Leasing Act, and the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands Act to set forth lease terms for an initial period of five years, renewable for additional one-year periods, subject to specified conditions.
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 · 11 June 2008
Praises the efforts by those countries in Central and Eastern Europe that have enacted legislation for the restitution of, or compensation for, private and communal religious property confiscated during the Nazi and Communist eras. Urges the countries in Central and Eastern Europe that have not already done so to return confiscated properties to their rightful owners or, where restitution is not possible, pay equitable compensation. Calls on the governments of Poland and of Lithuania to enact legislation so that persons (or their heirs) whose property was confiscated during the Nazi or Communist eras are able to obtain restitution of, or compensation for, such property. Calls on the Secretary of State to report to Congress every six months, regarding implementation of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of National Internet Safety Month (June 2008). Recognizes that the month provides the U.S. citizens an opportunity to learn more about being safe and responsible online. Commends national and community organizations for promoting safe Internet use and providing information and training that develops critical thinking and decision making skills needed to use the Internet safely. Calls on parents, educators, Internet safety organizations, law enforcement, community leaders, Internet service providers, and volunteers to increase their efforts to raise the level of awareness for the need for online safety.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2008
Modifies the procedures the U.S. Postal Service must follow in connection with the closing or consolidation of any post office, including: (1) requiring an assessment of the need for the closure or consolidation; (2) eliminating a requirement to consider the resulting Postal Service economic savings; (3) requiring a posting in each affected post office at least 90 days before the final decision is made; and (4) requiring (currently, allowing) suspension of the determination pending an appeal to the Postal Regulatory Commission. Provides for exceptions for emergency suspensions (as defined under Postal Service regulations) or lease termination or cancellation by a party other than the Postal Service. Defines "post office," for the provisions amended by this Act, to include an office, branch, station, or other facility operated by the Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2008
Entitles a member of the uniformed services to additional pay of $1,500 per month while the member's service is extended, or eligibility for retirement is suspended, by the exercise of any provision of law commonly referred to as a "stop-loss authority."
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2008
Expresses concern that the government of the Republic of Iraq refuses to recognize the existence of Israel and urges Iraq to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Calls on the Administration to use its influence to persuade Iraq and other countries with which the United States has diplomatic relations to recognize the right of Israel to exist and to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2008
Expresses support for the designation of a National Health Information Technology Week. Recognizes the value of information technology and management systems to transforming health care. Encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon all stakeholders to promote the use of such systems to transform the U.S. health care system.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Declares that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability through economic, political, and diplomatic means is vital to U.S. national security. Urges the President to use his authority to impose sanctions on: (1) Iranian banks engaged in proliferation activities or the support of terrorist groups; (2) international banks which conduct financial transactions with proscribed Iranian banks; (3) energy companies with large investments in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector; and (4) all companies which do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Demands that the President initiate an international effort to increase economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities. Urges the President to lead a regional diplomatic effort to support the legitimate governments in the region against Iranian destabilization efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2008
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for FY2009 for: (1) science; (2) aeronautics; (3) exploration; (4) education; (5) space operations; (6) cross-agency support programs; and (7) the inspector general. Authorizes additional appropriations for use to accelerate the initial operational capability of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle. Requires: (1) a process for transitioning NASA experimental earth science and space weather research into operational services; and (2) a plan for the continuation of Landsat thermal infrared data collection or its equivalent. Reauthorizes the Glory Mission. Requires development of a plan for a Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR). Sets forth provisions concerning environmental aviation research initiatives. Requires a review of NASA's aviation safety-related research programs. Requires the establishment of an aviation weather research program. Requires the awarding of grants for the establishment of university-based Centers for Research on Aviation Training. Sets forth provisions concerning NASA's lunar exploration activities. Requires the establishment of an exploration technology development program that is not tied to specific flight projects. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) a common docking system standard to maximize the ability to rescue astronauts from disabled space vehicles; and (2) a cross-directorate technology development program. Requires the development of a plan to restart the production of radioisotope thermoelectric generator material for deep space and other science missions. Ensures that the International Space Station (ISS) remains capable for potential U.S. utilization through at least 2020. Requires specified Space Shuttle flights to be flown prior to the retirement of the Space Shuttle. Requires development of a strategy for providing commercial launch services in support of NASA's small and medium-sized science, space operations, and exploration missions. Provides for notifying federal agencies and relevant emergency response institutions of an impending near-Earth object threat. Sets forth requirements for the use of commercial crew transfer and crew rescue services. Requires: (1) a review of NASA's information security controls; (2) a report on intrusions of NASA's network resources; and (3) a review of NASA's laboratories. Requires a survey regarding astronaut health care. Increases the maximum award amount for an innovation prize. Sets forth provisions for specified earth science, aeronautics, international exploration, space science, and space operations activities, missions, initiatives, studies, and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2008
National Silver Alert Act - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Silver Alert communications network to assist regional and local search efforts for missing seniors; (2) assign a Department of Justice officer to serve as the Silver Alert Coordinator to coordinate the network with states; and (3) award grants to states for support of Silver Alert plans and the network. Defines "missing senior" as any individual who is reported as missing to or by a law enforcement agency and who meets state requirements for designation as a missing senior. Directs the Coordinator to: (1) establish minimum standards for the issuance of, and the extent of the dissemination of, alerts issued through the network; and (2) make available to states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other concerned entities network training and information.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2008
Expresses the commitment of Congress to make it a priority to fight anti-Semitism and to promote tolerance at home and abroad. States that it shall be U.S. policy to consider whether a foreign government actively or passively foments anti-Semitism when evaluating bilateral relationships. Condemns the continuing anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activities and rhetoric at the United Nations. Calls on: (1) the President to use U.S. influence to prevent the use of the United Nations regular budget to support the planned 2009 Durban Review Conference; and (2) the Secretary General of the United Nations to officially and publicly condemn any anti-Semitic statements made at U.N. meetings.
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 · 7 May 2008
Expresses the sense of Congress that in the context of the current global food crisis the nutritional needs of children must be a humanitarian priority. States that Congress: (1) recognizes that we are facing a global food crisis caused by, among other things, rising fuel prices, increased diversion of land to biofuel production, drought, and population increases; and (2) calls for a world forum to be held on the issue of rising food prices and international response and for the United States to play an active role in alleviating the crisis.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2008
Clean Boating Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to provide that no permit shall be required by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the national pollutant discharge elimination system for the discharge from a recreational vessel of graywater, bilge water, cooling water, weather deck runoff, oil water separator effluent, or effluent from properly functioning marine engines or for any other discharge that is incidental to the normal operation of such vessel. Defines a "recreational vessel" as any vessel that is leased, rented, or chartered to a person for that person's pleasure or that is manufactured or used primarily for pleasure, excluding vessels that are subject to Coast Guard inspection and that are engaged in commercial use or that carry paying passengers. Requires the Administrator to: (1) develop management practices for recreational vessels to mitigate the adverse impacts on U.S. waters of discharges incidental to normal vessel operation (excluding sewage) in any case in which the Administrator determines that the use of those practices is reasonable and practicable; and (2) promulgate federal standards of performance (which may distinguish among vessel types) for each discharge for which such a management practice is developed. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to promulgate regulations governing the design, construction, installation, and use of management practices for recreational vessels as necessary to meet such standards. Prohibits the owner or operator of a recreational vessel from operating in U.S. waters if such owner or operator is not using applicable management practices in compliance with such regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008
Condemns recent decisions by the government of the Russian Federation to establish official ties with the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, a process that impedes reconciliation between those regions and the government of the Republic of Georgia and that violates Georgia's sovereignty and Russia's commitments to international peacekeeping. Encourages Russia to work with Georgia, the peoples of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the international community to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. Calls on U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to investigate the April 2008 downing of an unarmed Georgian reconnaissance aircraft. Supports the declaration of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Bucharest Summit stating that Georgia will become a NATO member.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008
Silver Alert Grant Program Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to states to implement or improve a Silver Alert system. Defines "Silver Alert system" to mean a state-administered notification system to help locate missing individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-related illnesses. Requires the Attorney General to report to Congress on Silver Alert systems, including: (1) a list of states that have established such systems; (2) information on each state's system; (3) actions states have taken to protect the privacy and dignity of the individuals for whom Silver Alerts are issued; and (4) ways that states have facilitated and improved communication about missing individuals between families, caregivers, law enforcement officials, and other authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008
Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - Revises or adds provisions relating to the disability compensation system of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) require a study on adjusting the schedule for rating veterans' disabilities; (2) establish the Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation; (3) require a study on the employee work credit system of the VA's Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA); (4) require a study on the VBA's work management system; (5) require the certification and training of VBA employees responsible for processing claims; (6) require an annual independent assessment of the VBA's quality assurance program; (7) provide for the expedited VBA treatment of fully developed claims and a checklist for individuals submitting incomplete claims; (8) require a study of the VBA's need to employ additional medical professionals to act as a medical reference for employees handling claims; (9) provide for the assignment of partial disability ratings to certain veterans; (10) require a review and revision of VBA use of information technology; and (11) allow a claim beneficiary to be substituted as a claimant in the case of the death of a veteran claimant while a claim is awaiting adjudication or appeal. Requires the Chief Judge of the U.S.Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to report annually to the congressional veterans' committees on the Court's workload. Revises provisions concerning the jurisdiction and finality of decisions of the Court.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008
Honors Arnold Palmer for his outstanding golf career and for his dedication to charity and helping others. Expresses support for the U.S. Golf Association as it celebrates Palmer with the opening of the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2008
Providing Responsible Oversight and Testing of Equipment for Combat Troops Act of 2008 or the PROTECT Act of 2008 - Removes provisions requiring the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation in the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide guidance to and consult with the Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, and the Secretaries of the military departments with respect to operational test and evaluation or survivability testing (or both) in the DOD of force protection equipment (including nonlethal weapons). Adds items of (or key components of) personal equipment designed to provide some degree of protection to the user in combat to provisions requiring survivability and lethality testing before full-scale production.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Condemns the restrictions on freedom of the press and expression in the Arab world and the widespread presence of anti-Semitic material, Holocaust denial, and incitement to violence in the Arab media. Expresses concern that many of the Arab governments to which United States has turned for assistance in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are responsible for using their government-controlled media to promulgate incendiary speech regarding Israel and the Jewish people that makes U.S. efforts to help resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict all the more difficult. Calls on the President, the Secretary of State, and all U.S. ambassadors to Arab countries to protest the lack of freedom of thought and expression.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Grants a federal charter to the Military Officers Association of America (a nonprofit corporation and incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia).
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Declares that the U.S. House of Representatives honors the life, achievements, and distinguished career of the Honorable Claude Denson Pepper, a former Senator and Representative from Florida, public servant, and statesman.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Expresses support for the designation of a National Golf Day. Recognizes the recreational benefits of golf and its importance to the U.S. economy. Commends the allied golf associations for their leadership in promoting the game, their efforts to make it accessible, and their support of charitable activities in the community.
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
Cell Tax Fairness Act of 2008 - Prohibits states or local governments from imposing any new discriminatory tax on mobile services, mobile service providers, or mobile service property for five years after the enactment of this Act. Defines "new discriminatory tax" as a tax imposed on mobile services, providers, or property that is not generally imposed on other types of services or property, or that is generally imposed at a lower rate.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008
Increasing Insurance Coverage Options for Consumers Act of 2008 - Amends the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 to cover risk retention groups offering commercial property insurance. Applies the exemption of purchasing groups from state law to commercial property insurance. Terminates the inclusion in risk retention groups under the Act of any such group chartered, licensed, or authorized under the laws of Bermuda or the Cayman Islands. Prescribes general corporate governance standards for such groups, together with license or charter criteria regarding state examination authority and minimum requirements for safety and soundness. Prohibits a risk retention group from participating in an insurance insolvency guaranty association that includes participants other than risk retention groups. Revises procedures for: (1) submitting financial documents to state insurance commissioners; and (2) mandatory disclosures. Imposes a fiduciary duty upon the board of directors of a risk retention group to operate in the best interests of the group. Prohibits a state from issuing a cease-and-desist order to any risk retention group or purchasing group that is not chartered or licensed in such state, or otherwise attempt to regulate such group, except as specifically permitted under this Act. Redesignates the Liability Risk Retention Act as the Risk Retention Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008
Honors the life and legacy of Dith Pran: (1) for his commitment to raising awareness about the atrocities that took place under the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia; and (2) by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around the world.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2008
Food Safety Recall Information Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require that a person that voluntarily recalls a meat product shall, not later than five days after the voluntary recall begins, submit to the Secretary of Agriculture a list of all retail stores or public school districts that are known to have purchased a meat product subject to the voluntary recall. Makes similar amendments to the the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Egg Products Inspection Act. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to prohibit the use of nonambulatory livestock for human food.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2008
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to prepare a two-part study of potential impacts of climate change on water resources and water quality, addressing issues of: (1) hydrology and water quality (including the potential for impacts to wetlands, shoreline erosion, and saltwater intrusion as a result of sea level rise, as well as significant regional variation in precipitation events from historic patterns); and (2) policy considerations (including an identification of the scientific consensus, assumptions, and uncertainties related to predictions of climate change in the United States and of steps to assess emerging information and identify appropriate response actions).
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 · 4 April 2008
Recognizes the historic significance of the 60th anniversary of the reestablishment of the State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people. Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between the United States and Israel for the past 60 years and commits to strengthening those bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2008
Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program for veterans to: (1) increase the rates of basic educational assistance and the time limit for entitlement to and use of such assistance; (2) provide a stipend for individuals using such assistance to pursue a program of education at an institution of higher learning; (3) extend the period for the collection of a fee for the use of such assistance; (4) authorize the use of such assistance for business courses and seminars, courses taken to prepare for licensing or certification tests, and the repayment of federal student loans; (5) allow for withdrawal of the election not to enroll in the program; (6) state that such assistance shall not reduce eligibility for other financial aid; (7) extend the increase in benefits for certain individuals pursuing apprenticeships or on-job training; (8) modify the amount for reimbursement of state and local agencies administering veterans' education benefits; (9) provide educational assistance for veterans discharged under a general discharge; (10) increase the reporting fee payable to educational institutions that enroll veterans receiving assistance; (11) provide additional areas of work-study for veterans; (12) require a five-year pilot program for on-campus work-study positions; (13) increase the number of employees in the Education Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); (14) require an action plan for upgrading VA information technology used in the administration of educational benefits; and (15) modify the advance payment of initial educational assistance or subsistence allowance.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2008
Condemns Hamas for using a children's television program to incite hatred, violence, and anti-Semitism toward Israel. Demands that Hamas recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce the use of violence and terrorism as political goals, and accept all past peace agreements with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2008
Putting Our Resources Towards Security (PORTS) Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, between fiscal years 2009 and 2013, to increase the number of full-time Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, agriculture specialists, and border security support personnel for U.S. ports of entry by not fewer than 5,000, 1,200, and 350, respectively, above the number of such personnel for which funds were made available during FY2008. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) for each of FY2009-FY2013 to make improvements to existing U.S. ports of entry to improve border security and for other purposes. Directs the Administrator to give priority to ports determined to be in most need of repair in accordance with required infrastructure assessment studies.
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 · 10 March 2008
Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, or the GIVE Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NSCA) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to revise the programs under such Acts and reauthorize appropriations for such programs through FY2012. Revises under NSCA: (1) the School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning programs and Higher Education Innovative Programs for Community Service (Learn and Serve programs); (2) National Service Trust programs (AmeriCorps); (3) the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC); and (4) the Investment for Quality and Innovation program. Eliminates the current Community-Based Learn and Serve programs. Establishes a new Learn and Serve program, Innovative Service-Learning Programs and Research, providing matching grants to: (1) provide community service-learning opportunities to elementary and secondary, college, and graduate students, including summer of service programs; and (2) research and evaluate service-learning. Includes among eligible AmeriCorps programs: (1) an E-corp program increasing community access to technology; (2) a program engaging citizens in public safety, health, and emergency preparedness services; (3) a youth mentoring program; (4) a program to reduce recidivism by re-engaging court-involved youth; and (5) the Education Awards Only program. Establishes an AmeriCorp pilot grant program for state-approved, member-selected, national service positions. Increases National Service educational awards for AmeriCorps, NCCC, and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) participants. Includes among needs to be met under the NCCC program, disaster relief, infrastructure improvement, environmental and energy conservation, and urban and rural development. Requires states to develop comprehensive plans for volunteer and paid service by Baby Boomers and older adults. Establishes an Office of Outreach and Recruitment in the Corporation for National and Community Service (Corporation). Requires the Corporation to plan pilot service programs to better utilize and serve veterans and displaced workers. Authorizes the Corporation to provide grants to innovative and model service programs that include service programs for disadvantaged youth. Eliminates federal funding for the Points of Light Foundation. Establishes a new Energy Conservation Corps program awarding: (1) matching grants to states for projects providing youth and young adults with career training in support of energy conservation, infrastructure and transportation improvement, and emergency operations; (2) competitive grants for school-based green Learn and Serve programs; and (3) competitive grants to National Senior Service Corps (Senior Corps) programs involving seniors in energy efficient housing, infrastructure rehabilitation, and environmental and energy conservation education projects. Revises under DVSA: (1) the VISTA program; and (2) the Senior Corps, including the Retired and Senior Volunteer program (RSVP), the Foster Grandparent program, and the Senior Companion program. Gives priority in VISTA participant selection to disadvantaged youth and retired adults of any profession. Authorizes new VISTA grant programs of national significance that provide poor and rural communities with: (1) services reintegrating formerly incarcerated individuals into society; (2) financial literacy and planning; (3) before-school and after-school services; (4) community economic development initiatives; (5) assistance to veterans and their families; and (6) health and wellness services. Eliminates the VISTA Literacy Corps, University Year for VISTA, and Literacy Challenge Grant programs. Raises the minimum and maximum stipend provided to VISTA participants. Prioritizes RSVP projects in specified areas. Makes anyone 55 years of age or older eligible as Senior Corps volunteers. Provides, under the Senior Corps demonstration program, incentive matching grants to Senior Corps programs that exceed specified performance measures, enroll most of their volunteers in outcome-based service programs, and increase their enrollment of Baby Boomer volunteers. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the number of AmeriCorps, VISTA, and NCCC participants should reach 100,000 by 2012. Congressional Commission on Civic Service Act - Establishes a Congressional Commission on Civic Service to provide recommendations to Congress on improving opportunities for individuals to volunteer or perform national service. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Corporation should try to: (1) coordinate its service programs so that senior citizens and their grandchildren can share volunteer opportunities and/or be assigned to the same geographic area; and (2) work with the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide opportunities for young service participants to collect oral histories from senior citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008 - Authorizes providers of a single covered electronic payment system (e.g. Visa or Mastercharge credit cards) and any merchants to jointly negotiate and agree upon rates and terms for access to such a system. Defines covered electronic payment system as any system that has been used for at least 20% of the combined dollar value of U.S. credit, signature-based debit, and PIN-based debit card payments processed in the applicable base year. Grants limited antitrust immunity to such providers and merchants, as well as to those providers who jointly determine among themselves the proportionate division of paid access fees. Sets forth procedures to determine rates and terms for access to a covered electronic payment system. Prohibits any other rates and terms from being imposed upon a merchant for accessing a covered electronic payment system except as specified in a voluntarily negotiated access agreement. Creates a panel of three full-time Electronic Payment System Judges, appointed by the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Competition, to determine the schedule of rates and terms for three-year periods. Subjects any determination of such Judges to judicial review. Authorizes providers and merchants to engage in voluntarily negotiated access agreements. Declares that such voluntarily negotiated access agreements shall be given effect with respect to the signatories in lieu of any determination by the Judges.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Border Security Accountability Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to report every 90 days to the appropriate congressional committees respecting U.S. efforts to increase border security.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2008
Supports the designation of April 2008 as Public Radio Recognition Month and encourages the celebration of America's public radio stations for their contributions to our nation's communities and enduring civic spirit.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2008
Commemorates the 12th anniversary of the 1996 shooting down by the Cuban regime of two unarmed civilian aircraft flown by the Brothers to the Rescue. Condemns the shooting down of such aircraft and the murders of Armando Alejandre, Jr., Mario de la Pena, Carlos Costa, and Pablo Morales. Recognizes the efforts of those working to bring international attention to this tragedy.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2008
Recognizes the necessity for the United States to maintain its significant leadership role in improving the health and promoting the resiliency of coral reef ecosystems by strengthening awareness about ecological, economic, social, and cultural values of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, improving understanding of coral reef threats and generating practical and innovative solutions, and initiating development and implementation of effective management strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of those ecosystems.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center Act - Directs the Attorney General to make annual grants to the A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in recovering missing children.
![Official portrait of Rep. Klein, Ron [D-FL-22]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000366_200.jpg)