United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Requires government contributions for health benefits for an individual who first becomes an annuitant by reason of retirement from employment with the United States Postal Service on or after July 1, 1971, or for a survivor of such an individual or of an individual who died on or after that date while employed by the Postal Service, to be paid first from the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund up to the amount contained in the Fund, with any remaining amount paid by the Postal Service (current law requires such contributions to be paid by the Postal Service through September 30, 2016).
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish, maintain, and modify as necessary procedures for ensuring the effective coordination of outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) between and among the Office of the Secretary, the Office of Public Affairs, the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration. Directs the Secretary to give priority to state and county outreach assistance in locations that: (1) have relatively large concentrations of veterans; or (2) are experiencing growth in veteran populations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to state or county veterans agencies for state and local outreach services.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for, enforcement of, and exceptions to prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Revises the exception to the prohibition for a wage rate differential based on any other factor other than sex. Limits such factors to bona fide factors, such as education, training, or experience. States that the bona fide factor defense shall apply only if the employer demonstrates that such factor: (1) is not based upon or derived from a sex-based differential in compensation; (2) is job-related with respect to the position in question; and (3) is consistent with business necessity. Avers that such defense shall not apply where the employee demonstrates that: (1) an alternative employment practice exists that would serve the same business purpose without producing such differential; and (2) the employer has refused to adopt such alternative practice. Revises the prohibition against employer retaliation for employee complaints. Prohibits retaliation for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of the employee or another employee in response to a complaint or charge, or in furtherance of a sex discrimination investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, or an investigation conducted by the employer. Makes employers who violate sex discrimination prohibitions liable in a civil action for either compensatory or (except for the federal government) punitive damages. States that any action brought to enforce the prohibition against sex discrimination may be maintained as a class action in which individuals may be joined as party plaintiffs without their written consent. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in a sex discrimination action. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for negotiation skills training programs for girls and women. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Education to issue regulations or policy guidance to integrate such training into certain programs under their Departments. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and provide information to employers, labor organizations, and the general public regarding the means available to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. Establishes the Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer has made substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require the EEOC to collect from employers pay information data regarding the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in the enforcement of federal laws prohibiting pay discrimination. Directs: (1) the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to continue to collect data on woman workers in the Current Employment Statistics survey; (2) the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to use specified types of methods in investigating compensation discrimination and in enforcing pay equity; and (3) the Secretary to make accurate information on compensation discrimination readily available to the public. Directs the Secretary and the Commissioner of the EEOC jointly to develop technical assistance material to assist small businesses to comply with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act - Establishes the Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans to examine slavery and discrimination in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present and recommend appropriate remedies.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the full realization of the rights of women is vital to the development and well-being of people of all nations; and (2) the Senate should, therefore, give its advice and consent to the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2008
Disapproves the Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq on the Withdrawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities During Their Temporary Presence in Iraq, signed on November 17, 2008, and does not regard that Agreement as binding on the United States or obligating the Congress to appropriate the funds necessary to implement the Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2008
Midnight Rule Act - Amends federal civil service law to provide that a midnight rule (i.e., a rule adopted by an agency within the final 90 days a President serves in office) shall not take effect until 90 days after the agency head is appointed by the new President. Makes exceptions if the President serving his final term makes a determination by executive order, and submits written notice to Congress, that the rule should take effect because it is: (1) necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency; (2) necessary for the enforcement of criminal laws; (3) necessary for national security; or (4) issued pursuant to any statute implementing an international trade agreement. Provides that an exercise by the President of such authority shall have no effect on existing provisions governing congressional disapproval of agency rules. Authorizes the agency head appointed by the new President to disapprove of a midnight rule (by publishing a statement of disapproval in the Federal Register and sending a notice of disapproval to the congressional committees of jurisdiction) no later than 90 days after being appointed. Makes this Act applicable to any rule adopted on or after October 22, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2008
Limits the applicability of Treasury Notice 2008-83 (suspending restrictions on the offset of net operating losses and unrealized built-in losses against the taxable income of certain corporate entities that acquire or merge with other entities) to a period beginning on September 30, 2008, and ending on the earlier of the date of the first committee action on this Act or the date on which the Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance issue a joint statement indicating their intent to to terminate the application of such notice. Directs the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury to conduct an investigation into the issuance of Treasury Notice 2008-83 and report to Congress on such investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2008
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) President George W. Bush should not grant preemptive pardons to senior officials of his Administration for acts they may have taken in the course of their official duties; (2) a special investigative commission or Select Committee should be tasked with investigating possible illegal activities by such senior Administration officials, including any abuse of the President's pardon power; and (3) the next Attorney General should appoint an independent counsel to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute illegal acts by senior Administration officials.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2008
National Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Act of 2007 [ sic ] - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) establish a fuel emission baseline; (2) identify qualifying low-carbon transportation fuels; (3) establish a low-carbon fuel certification and marketing process; and (4) require each obligated party to reduce the average lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit of energy of the aggregate quantity of fuels introduced into commerce to specified levels by not later than January 1, 2010, through the use of low-carbon fuels and improvements in the production of conventional fuels. Requires the average lifecycle GHG emissions of the aggregate quantity for 2012 to be at least 3% below the 2007 average should emission limitation regulations not be promulgated. Authorizes an obligated party to apply to the Administrator to receive a temporary suspension of the requirement to comply with such regulations if events outside of the control of the party could lead or have led to disruptions in the transportation fuel supply. Permits obligated parties to receive credits for achieving greater reductions in lifecycle GHG emission of the fuel produced, distributed, or imported than are required. Requires the Administrator to ensure that fuel sold or introduced into commerce in the United States (except in noncontiguous states or territories) contains, on an annual average basis, at least the specified volume of ultra-low carbon fuel for 2012-2025. Prohibits such regulations from restricting geographic areas in which low-carbon transportation fuel and ultra-low carbon fuel may be used or from imposing any per-gallon obligation for the use of those fuels. Sets forth a minimum applicable volume for 2026 and thereafter. Requires the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to provide to the EPA Administrator an estimate of the volumes of conventional fuels projected to be sold or introduced into commerce. Requires the EPA Administrator to determine the fuel obligations based on such an estimate. Requires regulations concerning ultra-low carbon fuel to provide for the generation of specified credits by obligated parties. Authorizes the EPA Administrator, on the receipt of a petition of one or more states, to waive ultra-low carbon regulations by reducing the national quantity of Category I or Category II ultra-low carbon fuel in the conventional transportation fuel pool if it is determined that: (1) implementation of the regulations would severely harm the economy or environment; or (2) there is an inadequate domestic supply of such fuel. Considers 1 gallon of cellulosic biomass ethanol or waste derived ethanol to be the equivalent of 2.5 gallons of renewable fuel through 2017 (currently there is no time limit). Requires the Administrator to establish: (1) a carbon intensity number and a green index number as part of the renewable identification number program; and (2) a set of standards to minimize the negative environmental impacts of an increase in the volume of fuels required by such Act and to ensure long term resource sustainability from the sourcing and production of low-carbon fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2008
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act with respect to fees of persons representating claimants prevailing before the Commissioner of Social Security in a claim of entitlement to past-due benefits. Increases the maximum level of fees authorized to be charged by such representatives with respect to such claims. Requires the Commissioner to make annual cost-of-living adjustments to such fee level.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2008
Acknowledges the 40th anniversary of the election of Shirley Anita St. Hill Chishom, the first African-American woman in Congress. Recognizes her dedicated work in promoting the rights of all individuals in the United States, particularly in the areas of education, employment, and health care.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2008
National Parents Corps Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, subject to the availability of appropriations, to award a grant to a nonprofit entity (to be known as the NPCP Nonprofit Partner) to establish a National Parents Corps program to promote safety and combat youth violence and substance abuse in public middle or secondary schools. Requires the NPCP Nonprofit Partner to: (1) select for program participation annually schools that agree to host a Parent Leader for a number of years equal to the number of grade levels they offer; and (2) employ, after a background check, a Parent Leader from among the parents of students enrolled in the lowest grade at each participating school to work on a full-time basis with students, other parents, and school officials to treat, prevent, and reduce violence and drug, alcohol, and tobacco addiction among students. Urges participating schools to take the measures necessary to secure funding for the employment of Parent Leaders after federal funding becomes unavailable.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2008
Teen Dating Violence Prevention Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to state, local, or tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and community and faith-based organizations to provide services and education and counseling programs for runaway and homeless youth or other at-risk youth who are the victims of domestic or dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008
Life Sustaining Treatment Preferences Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to extend Medicare coverage to consultations regarding an order for life sustaining treatment for qualified individuals. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible entities to: (1) establish new programs for orders regarding life sustaining treatment in a state or locality; (2) expand or enhance an existing program; or (3) set up a clearinghouse of information on programs for such orders and consultative services for the development or enhancement of such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008
Commends the governments of the Caribbean countries and the Caribbean-American community for their efforts to assist the people of the region after the devastation caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna. Supports the Administration's efforts to assist in coordinating international humanitarian assistance to help the people of the Caribbean region and to provide relief to affected communities, particularly in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cuba, and Turks and Caicos.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008
Let Wall Street Pay for Wall Street's Illiquid Assets Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on securities or commodity transactions equal to 0.25% of the value of the instruments involved in such transactions. Makes such tax payable by the trading facility on which such transactions occur.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2008
Inmate Tax Fraud Prevention Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose to the head of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, subject to certain restrictions, tax return information of prisoners whom the Secretary has determined may have filed or facilitated the filing of a false tax return.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2008
Charity Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify rules and definitions relating to the tax on distributions from donor advised funds (a charitable fund in which a donor has, or reasonably expects to have, advisory privileges with respect to the distribution or investment of amounts held in such fund by reason of his or her status as a donor); (2) treat contributions by Indian tribal governments to tax-exempt organizations in the same manner as contributions by states for purposes of determining the classification of an organization as a public charity or private foundation; (3) require certain tax-exempt organizations that file at least five tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) annually to use electronic filing; and (4) expand the bad check penalty to all tax payments by commercially acceptable means (e.g., electronic payments).
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2008
Act to Save America's Forests - Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to revise eligibility criteria for members of the land and resource management scientific committee. Revises the committee termination date. Directs the Chief of the Forest Service, the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to each prepare a continuous inventory of forest land administered by each agency head and to document whole-system measures that will be taken as a result of the inventory. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for conservation and restoration of native biodiversity in forested areas. Prohibits clearcutting or other even-age logging operations on any stand or watershed on certain federal land, National Forest System land, and National Wildlife Refuge System land. Provides for federal enforcement and a private right of action. Designates special areas which shall be subject to restrictions on road construction and logging in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Requires the Secretaries concerned to appoint a committee of independent scientists to recommend additional special areas. Restricts road construction and logging on federal land in ancient forests, special areas, roadless areas, and watershed protection areas. Provides for federal enforcement and a private right of action. States that this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not apply to federal wilderness areas designated under the Wilderness Act. Adds specified land to the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Transfers administrative jurisdiction over the Monument from the Secretary to the Secretary of the Interior. Establishes the Giant Sequoia National Monument Advisory Board. Adds specified parts of Sequoia National Forest that are not included in the Monument to: (1) Sierra National Forest; and (2) Inyo National Forest. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct reconnaissance surveys of areas classified as Level III ecoregions of the continental United States by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine if there are resources that possess national significance and to evaluate their suitability for inclusion as units of the National Park System. Requires the appointment of a committee of scientists to provide the Secretary and Congress with advice and counsel on such surveys.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2008
Encourages the distribution of estate planning information by professionals to all Americans. Supports the designation of a National Estate Planning Awareness Week (third week of October).
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2008
Protecting Voters in Foreclosure Act of 2008 - Amends the Help America Vote Act to consider any individual who resides in a household located in a jurisdiction in which a federal election is held, and which is subject to foreclosure proceedings at the time of the election, to reside in that same jurisdiction for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility to vote in the election. Requires such an individual to be permitted to cast a nonprovisional ballot in the election. Applies this requirement also with respect to an individual who resided in a household which was: (1) located in such a jurisdiction; and (2) subject to foreclosure proceedings at any time during the three-year period ending on the date of the election.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2008
Encourages the United States and the international community to recognize the contributions of Black Europeans. Calls upon European parliamentarians to promote racial equality and combat racial discrimination through efforts such as introducing legislation, speaking out in their parliaments against racism, and working with Black European and other minority communities to develop relevant policies.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2008
Commemorates the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Minority AIDS Initiative. Commends the efforts of community organizations and health care providers in minority communities to deliver HIV/AIDS care and services. Encourages minorities to educate themselves about the HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and to reduce HIV related stigma. Expresses support for the continued funding of the Initiative and other federal programs to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and provide treatment to those affected.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2008
Expresses the sense of Congress that ensuring the availability of adequate housing is an essential component of an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of HIV and the care of individuals with HIV.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2008
Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) waive certain limitations on the tax deduction for personal casualty losses attributable to a federally declared disaster occurring after December 31, 2007, and before January 1, 2012; (2) allow expensing of business-related costs for abatement or control of hazardous substances, removal of debris, and repairs related to a federally declared disaster; (3) allow a five year net operating loss carryback period for losses attributable to a federally declared disaster; (4) waive the first-time homebuyer requirement and other requirements for mortgage revenue bond financing of residences in a disaster area; (5) increase the standard mileage rate for the tax deduction for the use of a passenger automobile for charitable purposes; (6) provide additional allocations under the low-income housing tax credit for property affected by a federally declared disaster; (7) expand tax-exempt private activity bond financing to included qualified disaster bonds; and (8) suspend limitations on the charitable tax deduction for disaster relief contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2008
Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2008 for individual taxpayers: (1) the offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits against regular and alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability; and (2) the increased alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption amounts. Increases the alternative minimum tax (AMT) refundable credit amount for individuals who have long-term unused minimum tax credits from prior taxable years. Abates any underpayment of tax attributable to the application of special AMT rules for the treatment of incentive stock options.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2008
Calls on the Attorney General to: (1) protect the right to vote of every person in the United States by promptly and thoroughly investigating complaints of violations of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002; (2) exercise all the authorities and utilize all the resources provided by Congress to fully enforce voting and civil rights statutes; (3) enjoin any efforts by individuals or organizations to violate federal voting and civil rights statutes by means of intimidation, suppression, or deceptive practices and to ensure that no eligible voter is denied the right to vote on November 4, 2008, including voting by mail and absentee ballots; and (4) prosecute those who violate federal voting and civil rights statutes to the fullest extent of the law.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12877 Broad Street in Sparta, Georgia, as the "Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2008
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Gift of Life Medal Act of 2008 - Makes any organ donor, or the family of any organ donor, eligible for a Stephanie Tubbs Jones Gift of Life Medal. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to direct the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to establish an application procedure, determine eligibility, and arrange for the presentation of medals. Allows only one medal per family. Requires that such medal be presented to the donor or, in the case of a deceased donor, the family member who signed the consent form authorizing the organ donation. Authorizes the Network to collect funds to offset expenditures relating to the issuance of medals. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Gift of Life Medals using certain specifications. Provides that a medal under this Act shall not be treated as valuable consideration for purposes of prohibiting transferring human organs for valuable consideration.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2008
Establishes the World War I Centennial Commission to: (1) plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I; (2) encourage private organizations and state and local governments to organize and participate in such activities; (3) facilitate and coordinate such activities throughout the United States; and (4) serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information about centennial events and plans.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2008
Revises TRICARE (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program) to authorize the Secretary of Defense to provide extended health care services and treatment, by way of contract with private providers, for dependent autism-diagnosed children of military retirees not entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and not enrolled under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of such title.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2008
Health-e Information Technology Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish: (1) an Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; and (2) an HIT Advisory Committee. Requires the National Coordinator to develop a Health Information Technology Resource Center and to recommend health information technology standards for adoption by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs agencies to utilize, where available, health information technology systems and products that meet adopted standards. Requires the Director of the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) to test adopted standards to assure the efficient implementation and use of such standards. Amends XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for incentive payments to physicians and inpatient hospitals that meaningfully use a certified health information technology system. Authorizes the National Coordinator to award grants to purchase qualified health information technology and to implement regional or local health information plans. Provides for grants to develop academic curricula integrating qualified health information technology in the clinical education of health professionals. Revises provisions governing the privacy and security of health information, including to: (1) extend requirements to business associates of a covered entity; (2) require notification in the event of a breach of protected health information; (3) limit disclosure of such information to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose; and (4) revise penalties for violations. Requires the Secretary to appoint a Chief Privacy Officer of the Office of National Coordinator to assist in carrying out duties related to the privacy and security of health information.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2008
Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) develop a system to collect data on acquired bone marrow failure diseases; (2) establish the National Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Disease Registry; and (3) establish the Advisory Committee on Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Diseases to provide recommendations to the Secretary on the Registry. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director, to award grants to, and enter to contracts and cooperative agreements with, public or private nonprofit entities for the management of the Registry. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, to conduct pilot studies to determine which environmental factors may cause acquired bone marrow failure diseases. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, to: (1) establish outreach and information programs targeted to minority populations affected by such diseases; (2) undertake a coordinated outreach effort to connect Hispanic, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities with comprehensive services focused on treatment of, and information about, such diseases; and (3) awards grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, entities to perform research on such diseases. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to award grants to entities to improve diagnostic practices and quality of care with respect to patients with such diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2008
Honors the life of Isaac Hayes. Recognizes his invaluable contributions to American culture. Recommits the House of Representatives to ensuring that artists such as Isaac Hayes receive fair protection under the copyright laws for their creative endeavors. Extends condolences to his family on his death.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1501 South Slappey Boulevard in Albany, Georgia, as the "Dr. Walter Carl Gordon, Jr. Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2008
Fair Deal for Volunteers Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the standard mileage rate for use of a passenger automobile for charitable purposes to a rate not less than the rate used for the tax deduction for medical expenses; and (2) exclude from the gross income of charitable volunteers reimbursements paid to them for the use of a passenger automobile for the benefit of a charitable organization.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 801 Industrial Boulevard in Ellijay, Georgia, as the "First Lieutenant Noah Harris Ellijay Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Noose Hate Crime Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to two years on anyone who, with intent to harass or intimidate any person because of that person's race, religion, or national origin, displays a noose in public.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2008 or the No FEAR Act of 2008 - Amends the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002, or No FEAR Act of 2002, to require a federal agency, after receiving a final finding of discrimination, to arrange with the Department of the Treasury for a two-year payment schedule for reimbursing the Judgment Fund for its payment to a federal employee, former federal employee, or applicant for federal employment who has prevailed in an anti-discrimination or whistle blower protection complaint. Requires a federal agency to: (1) give written notification of the rights and protections available to federal employees to any employee of a contractor receiving more than half of its annual gross revenues from federal contracts; and (2) notify its employees annually by email or voice mail of the agency's Internet site. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report annually to specified congressional and executive entities on the total costs incurred during the fiscal year associated with processing and litigating cases involving prohibited personnel practices. Requires each federal agency to establish performance goals reflective of its efforts to implement such Act. Specifies the No FEAR Institute as a source of training and counseling for federal employees regarding their rights and remedies under antidiscrimination, retaliation, and harassment, as well as whistleblower protection laws. Prescribes disciplinary action an agency must take against a culpable official in: (1) a case in which the official's discriminatory or retaliatory acts have contributed to a loss of life or limb or any other substantial diminishment of an employee's mental or physical health; or (2) other cases of discrimination. Prescribes monetary penalties for each week an agency failed to take action against employees who falsify evidence in a proceeding under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and any agency that becomes aware of a criminal violation to refer the matter to the Department of Justice for prosecution when agency officials are found liable for intimidating or harassing employees that testify before Congress. Directs the Comptroller General to ensure that a No FEAR Oversight Office is created within GAO. Sets the liability limits for federal workplace discrimination cases under Title VII at $300,000 per each claim or alleged violation.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2008- Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to prescribe regulations requiring motorcoaches to be installed with: (1) safety seat belts at each seating position; (2) advanced glazing in each portal to prevent passenger ejection; (3) improved firefighting equipment; and (4) enhanced compartmentalization safety countermeasures and certain other motor vehicle safety features. Requires the Secretary to complete, and report to Congress on, a study on improving bus crashworthiness, bus crash avoidance, and bus fire protection and passenger evacuation. Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary to prescribe regulations: (1) requiring providers of motorcoach services registered with the the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to undergo periodic safety reviews; (2) establishing a training curriculum and providing certification for each driver of a motorcoach seeking a commercial driver's license (CDL) passenger endorsement; (3) improving CDL testing; (4) requiring a driver of a commercial motor vehicle that transports for compensation not fewer than 9 and not more than 15 passengers to have a CDL; (5) requiring a federal medical qualification certificate to be made a part of CDLs; (6) requiring the annual review of state licensing authorities to assess the accuracy of physical examination reports and medical certificates of CDL applicants that are submitted by medical examiners to such authorities; and (7) requiring that all commercial motor vehicles be equipped with electronic on-board recorders that record driver hours of service. Sets forth a deadline for the Secretary to establish the national registry of medical examiners. Requires a state to carry out an annual commercial motor vehicle inspection program in order to receive a grant for the development or implementation of programs for improving motor carrier safety Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the purchase of qualified new motorcoaches and for the cost of improvements to existing motorcoaches to satisfy new federal safety requirements. Limits the amount of such credit to $45,000. Terminates such credit after 2026. Directs the Secretary to develop and administer supplemental grants, not to exceed $20,000, for the cost of retrofitting motorcoaches to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Limits eligibility for such grants to certain motorcoach operators who have a fleet of not more than 25 motorcoaches and have total annual revenues of less than $5 million. Amends the Small Business Act to set forth loan and loan guarantee requirements for the motorcoach industry.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Defines "combat with the enemy," for purposes of proof of service-connection for veterans' disability compensation, as service on active duty: (1) in a theater of combat operations during a period of war; or (2) in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities.
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
Recognizes: (1) the important contributions of African-American doctors on the event of the apology of American Medical Association (AMA) to the National Medical Association (NMA) for over a century of racial prejudices and wrongdoings; (2) the efforts of Dr. W. Montague Cobb, former president of the NMA, to break down the racial prejudices at the AMA that led to its full integration; and (3) Shaw University's Leonard Medical School and other historically black colleges and universities for their role in training African-American doctors. Encourages more African-Americans to work in medicine and become doctors, nurses, and researchers.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2008
Increased Student Achievement Through Increased Student Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive, renewable, five-year grants to partnerships between low-income local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools offering graduate programs in school counseling, social work, or psychology to increase the number of program graduates employed by low-income LEAs. Defines "low-income LEAs" as those that: (1) serve students at least 20% of which are from low-income families; (2) have ratios of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists to students that fall at least 10% below specified target ratios; and (3) have been identified as needing improvement or corrective action or include at least one school identified as needing improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Allows the use of grant funds to: (1) provide program graduate students with field training at partnership LEA schools; (2) contribute to program graduates' salaries at such schools for up to three years after they graduate; (3) increase the number of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists per student in such schools; (4) enhance the capacity of partnership graduate schools to train such professionals; (5) develop course work designed to facilitate such graduates' service to low-income LEAs and at-risk students; and (6) provide tuition credits to such graduate students and student loan forgiveness to program graduates employed as school counselors, social workers, or psychologists by low-income LEAs for at least five consecutive years. Directs the Secretary to establish a program providing student loan forgiveness to non-participants in this Act's grant program who have been employed for at least five consecutive years as school counselors, social workers, or psychologists by low-income LEAs. Requires the Secretary to identify a formula for future use in designating regions as eligible for benefit programs because of having a shortage of such school personnel.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000287_200.jpg)