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United States · Official source
6,804 records where Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2010
Recognizes the many contributions made by general aviation pilots and operators to the Haiti earthquake relief efforts. Encourages the continued generosity of general aviation pilots and operators in the ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2010
Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through July 3, 2010: (1) increased excise taxes on aviation fuels and the excise tax on air transportation of persons and property; and (2) the expenditure authority for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Increases the authorization of appropriations for the period beginning on October 1, 2009, for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning projects, and extends such authorization through July 3, 2010. Sets forth a formula for calculating funding apportionments of airport improvement program (AIP) projects by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Extends through July 3, 2010, the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to make AIP project grants. Extends through July 3, 2010: (1) the pilot program for passenger facility fee authorizations at nonhub airports; and (2) disclosure requirements for large and medium hub airports applying for AIP grants. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to extend through July 3, 2010, the termination date of insurance coverage for domestic or foreign-flag aircraft, and grants the Secretary discretionary authority to further extend such coverage through September 30, 2010. Extends through September 30, 2010, the authority of the Secretary to limit air carrier liability for claims arising out of acts of terrorism. Extends through July 3, 2010: (1) grant eligibility for airports located in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau; (2) grants to state and local governments for land use compatibility projects under the AIP; and (3) authority for approving an application of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for an airport development project grant or for permission to impose a passenger facility fee. Amends the Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act to extend through July 3, 2010: (1) the temporary increase to 95% of the federal government's share of certain AIP project costs; and (2) funding for airport development at Midway Island Airport. Extends through July 3, 2010, and increases for the period beginning on October 1, 2009, the authorization of appropriations for: (1) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations; (2) air navigation facilities and equipment; and (3) civil aviation research and development.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2010
Girls Protection Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine or five-year prison term, or both, on any U.S. citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence who knowingly transports in foreign commerce a girl under the age of 18 for the purposes of female genital mutilation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
FSS Retirement Fairness Act of 2010 - Allows certain flight service station (FSS) controllers, employed by Department of Transportation (DOT), to elect to treat qualified service in the same manner as if it had been performed as an FSS controller for purposes of determining eligibility for immediate retirement and computation of annuity under either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). Limits the application of this Act, with specified exclusions, to FSS controllers who were separated from government service (other than for cause), or were transferred from an FSS controller position to a different government position (other than as an air traffic controller), during the period from February 1-October 3, 2005, and had completed at least five years of qualified service (as an employee of a contractor or an otherwise creditable position other than as an air traffic controller) as of the date of such separation or reassignment. Requires certain individuals who make such election to make contributions to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund with respect to qualified service performed after the effective date of such election. Prescribes special rules relating to: (1) immediate retirement, including continued enrollment in a Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan; and (2) recomputation of the annuity of any individual (or survivor) otherwise excluded from application of this Act because of entitlement to a CSRS or a FERS annuity based on the individual's government service.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
America's Commitment to Clean Water Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to replace the term "navigable waters," for waters subject to the Act, with the term "waters of the United States," defined to mean: (1) all waters that are currently used, were used in the past, or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce including all waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; (2) all interstate and international waters, including interstate and international wetlands; (3) all other waters, including intrastate lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds, the use, degradation, or destruction of which does or would affect interstate or foreign commerce, U.S. obligations under a treaty, or U.S. territory or property; (4) all impoundments of waters otherwise defined as waters of the United States; (5) tributaries of such waters; (6) the territorial seas; and (7) waters, including wetlands, adjacent to such waters. Excludes from such definition: (1) waters that are all or part of a waste treatment system, including treatment ponds or lagoons designed to meet the requirements of the Act; or (2) prior converted cropland. Declares that the final authority regarding jurisdiction under this Act remains with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notwithstanding the Secretary of Agriculture's determination that an area is prior converted cropland. Sets forth provisions defining waste treatment systems and prior converted farmland. Prohibits a system or structure that is created in waters of the United States or results from the impoundment of such waters from being documented as a waste treatment system. Authorizes a waste treatment system in existence and documented before this Act's enactment to include a waste treatment system that was either originally created in or resultant from the impoundment of such waters if the system's discharge meets applicable standards and limitations at the point of discharge.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2010
Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or maximum prison term of five years for anyone who knowingly sells or offers to sell an animal crush video in interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain. States that this prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the selling or offering to sell videos that depict hunting. Defines "animal crush video" as any visual depiction of animals being intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, or impaled that: (1) depicts actual conduct in which a living animal is tortured, maimed, or mutilated that violates any criminal prohibition on intentional cruelty under federal law or the law of the state in which the depiction is sold; and (2) taken as a whole, does not have religious, political, scientific, educational, journalistic, historical, or artistic value.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Broadband for First Responders Act of 2010 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase the electromagnetic spectrum allocation for public safety services by 10 megahertz and reduce such allocation for commercial use by the same amount. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) allocate the paired electromagnetic spectrum bands of 758-763 megahertz and 788-793 megahertz (referred to as D Block) for public safety broadband communications and assign such paired bands to public safety; (2) establish rules to permit a public safety broadband licensee to authorize public safety service providers to construct and operate a wireless public safety broadband network in the licensee's spectrum if such authorization would expedite public safety broadband communications; (3) require that any wireless public safety broadband network be fully interoperable, provide for user roaming, be disaster survivable, and have the appropriate level of cyber security; (4) establish regulations to authorize the shared use of the public safety broadband spectrum and network infrastructure by entities that are not defined as public safety services; (5) establish regulations to allow use of the public safety broadband spectrum by emergency response providers; and (6) develop a public safety agency statement of requirements that enables nationwide interoperability and roaming across any communications system using public safety broadband spectrum.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness (CARE) Act of 2010 - Amends the Webb-Kenyon Act to: (1) state that it is the policy of Congress that each state or territory shall continue to have the primary authority to regulate alcoholic beverages; (2) prohibit unjustified discrimination against out-of-state producers of alcoholic beverages in favor of in-state producers; and (3) establish higher evidentiary standards for legal actions challenging the authority of states or territories to regulate alcoholic beverages. Amends the Wilson Act to eliminate the requirement that a state or territory regulate the importation of all fermented, distilled, or other intoxicating liquors or liquids to the same extent and in the same manner as such liquors or liquids produced in such state or territory.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Expresses support for: (1) the designation of Mental Health Month; and (2) the finding of the President's Commission on Mental Health that the nation's failure to prioritize mental health is a national tragedy. Recognizes that mental well-being is as important as physical well-being for citizens, communities, businesses, and the economy. Applauds the coalescing of national and community organizations in working to promote public awareness of mental health and in providing critical information and support to the people and families affected by mental illness. Encourages all organizations and health practitioners to use Mental Health Month as an opportunity to promote mental well-being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate services, and support overall quality of life for those living with mental illness.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2010
Directs the President, by the earlier of January 1, 2011, or 90 days after the enactment of this Act, to submit to Congress a plan for the safe, orderly, and expeditious redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Afghanistan, including military and security-related contractors, together with a timetable for the completion of such redeployment and information regarding variables that could alter that timetable. Requires plan updates every 90 days. Directs the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction to: (1) issue recommendations for increasing oversight of contractors in Afghanistan that have a record of engaging in waste, fraud, or abuse; and (2) report on the status of efforts of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the State Department to implement existing recommendations regarding oversight of such contractors. Requires the recommendations issued to include recommendations for reducing U.S. reliance on security contractors or subcontractors responsible for the deaths of Afghan civilians and on Afghan militias, contractors, subcontractors, or other armed groups that are not part of the Afghan National Security Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Recognizes the 500th anniversary of Andrea Palladio's birth year and his influence on architecture in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2010
Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through July 3, 2010: (1) excise taxes on aviation fuels and air transportation of persons and property; and (2) the expenditure authority for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations for the period beginning October 1, 2009, and ending on July 3, 2010, for airport improvement program (AIP) projects, including project grant authority. Sets forth a formula for calculating the apportionment of AIP funding. Extends through July 3, 2010, various airport development projects, including: (1) the pilot program for passenger facility fees at nonhub airports; (2) small airport grants for airports located in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau; (3) the temporary increase to 95% in the government share of certain AIP project costs; and (4) the funding of Midway Island airport development. Extends through July 3, 2010, state and local land use compatibility projects under the AIP program. Extends through July 3, 2010, the authority of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to apply for an airport development grant and impose a passenger facility fee. Extends through July 3, 2010, Department of Transportation (DOT) insurance coverage for domestic and foreign-flag air carriers. Allows further extension through September 30, 2010. Extends through FY2010, air carrier liability limits for injuries to passengers resulting from acts of terrorism. Extends through July 3, 2010, certain competitive access assurance requirements for large or medium hub airport sponsors applying for AIP grants. Extends for the period from October 1, 2009, through July 3, 2010, the authorization of appropriations for: (1) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations; (2) air navigation facilities and equipment; and (3) research, engineering, and development. Surface Transportation Extension Modification Act of 2010 - Amends the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010 to modify the extension of certain allocations of transportation program funds to states under the Act. Revises such allocations for FY2010-FY2011 to direct funds to specific programs under the equity bonus program (except the high priority projects program), including: (1) the Interstate maintenance program; (2) the national highway system program; (3) the highway bridge program; (4) the surface transportation program; (5) the highway safety improvement program; (6) the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program; (7) metropolitan planning program; (8) the equity bonus program; (9) the Appalachian development highway system program; (10) the recreational trails program; (11) the safe routes to school program; (12) the rail-highway grade crossing program; and (13) the coordinated border infrastructure program. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to apportion authorized appropriations (out of the Highway Trust Fund, other than the Mass Transit Account) among all states for FY2010 and the period from October 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010, for the projects of national and regional significance program and the national corridor infrastructure improvement program so that each state's apportionment is equal to its FY2009 share of funds apportioned or allocated for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2010
Extends best wishes and prayers to the families, friends, and neighbors of the 168 people killed in the terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on April 19, 1995. Extends appreciation to the first responders, rescue workers, medical personnel, and volunteers who assisted the victims of the attack. Congratulates the people of Oklahoma City for their efforts to recover from the attack and pledges support for the goals and mission of the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Supports the goals and ideals of National Week of Hope.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2010
Great Lakes Restoration Semipostal Stamp Act of 2010 - Requires the United States Postal Service to issue and sell, at a premium, a Great Lakes Restoration Semipostal Stamp. Requires proceeds from the sale of such stamp to be transferred to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the operations of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Prohibits such proceeds from being taken into account in any decision relating to the level of appropriations or other federal funding to be furnished to the EPA or such Initiative. Requires the stamp to: (1) be made available to the public for at least five years; and (2) depict images of the five Great Lakes.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2010
Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through July 3, 2010: (1) excise taxes on aviation fuels and air transportation of persons and property; and (2) the expenditure authority for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations for the period beginning October 1, 2009, and ending on July 3, 2010, for airport improvement program (AIP) projects, including project grant authority. Sets forth a formula for calculating the apportionment of AIP funding. Extends through July 3, 2010, various airport development projects, including: (1) the pilot program for passenger facility fees at nonhub airports; (2) small airport grants for airports located in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau; (3) the temporary increase to 95% in the government share of certain AIP project costs; and (4) the funding of Midway Island airport development. Extends through July 3, 2010, state and local land use compatibility projects under the AIP program. Extends through July 3, 2010, the authority of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to apply for an airport development grant and impose a passenger facility fee. Extends through July 3, 2010, Department of Transportation (DOT) insurance coverage for domestic and foreign-flag air carriers. Allows further extension through September 30, 2010. Extends through FY2010, air carrier liability limits for injuries to passengers resulting from acts of terrorism. Extends through July 3, 2010, certain competitive access assurance requirements for large or medium hub airport sponsors applying for AIP grants. Extends for the period from October 1, 2009, through July 3, 2010, the authorization of appropriations for: (1) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations; (2) air navigation facilities and equipment; and (3) research, engineering, and development. Surface Transportation Extension Modification Act of 2010 - Amends the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010 to modify the extension of certain allocations of transportation program funds to states under the Act. Revises such allocations for FY2010-FY2011 to direct funds to specific programs under the equity bonus program (except the high priority projects program), including: (1) the Interstate maintenance program; (2) the national highway system program; (3) the highway bridge program; (4) the surface transportation program; (5) the highway safety improvement program; (6) the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program; (7) metropolitan planning program; (8) the equity bonus program; (9) the Appalachian development highway system program; (10) the recreational trails program; (11) the safe routes to school program; (12) the rail-highway grade crossing program; and (13) the coordinated border infrastructure program. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to apportion authorized appropriations (out of the Highway Trust Fund, other than the Mass Transit Account) among all states for FY2010 and the period from October 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010, for the projects of national and regional significance program and the national corridor infrastructure improvement program so that each state's apportionment is equal to its FY2009 share of funds apportioned or allocated for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2010
Continuing Extension Act of 2010 - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the final date for entering a federal-state agreement under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through May 5, 2010. Postpones the termination of the program until October 2, 2010. Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until May 5, 2010: (1) federal-state agreements increasing regular unemployment compensation payments to individuals; and (2) requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC. Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and October 2, 2010, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.) Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to extend through April 30, 2010, premium assistance for COBRA benefits (health insurance continuation benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985). Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through April 30, 2010: (1) the 0% update to the conversion factor in the Medicare physican payment computation; and (2) the Medicare physical therapy services caps exceptions process. Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 to extend the use of 2009 poverty guidelines through April 30, 2010. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from publishing updated poverty guidelines for 2010 until after such date. Amends the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2010 to extend through April 30, 2010, the national flood insurance program. Extends through April 30, 2010, the adjustment of royalty fees for the secondary transmission of the primary analog transmissions of network stations and superstations. Extends through such date the moratorium on copyright liability for certain subscribers not receiving a signal of Grade A intensity of a local network television broadcast station and receiving signals of network stations affiliated with the same network, if such subscribers had satellite service of such network signal terminated between July 11, 1998, and October 31, 1999. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend through April 30, 2010, the exemption of a subscriber from the originating station consent requirement for retransmission of broadcasting station signals if the subscriber receives the retransmitted signals directly to a home satellite antenna, is located outside the station's local market, and resides in an unserved household. Extends through May 1, 2010, the requirement that certain Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations prohibit: (1) a television broadcast station that provides retransmission consent from engaging in exclusive contracts for carriage or failing to negotiate in good faith; and (2) a multichannel video programming distributor from failing to negotiate in good faith for retransmission consent. Requires federal employees furloughed as a result of the lapse in expenditure authority from the Highway Trust Fund after 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2010, through March 2, 2010, to be compensated for such lapse at their standard rates of compensation. Ratifies and approves all actions taken by federal employees, contractors, and grantees to maintain the essential level of government operations, services, and activities to protect life and property and to bring about orderly termination of government functions during such lapse, if otherwise in accord with the provisions of the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2010. Requires funds used by the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to compensate such employees to be: (1) derived from funds previously authorized out of the Highway Trust Fund and made available or limited to DOT by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010; and (2) subject to the obligation limitations established in such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2010
Declares that any federal employees furloughed as a result of the lapse in expenditure authority from the Highway Trust Fund after 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2010, through March 2, 2010, shall be compensated for the period of that lapse at their standard rates of compensation. Ratifies and approves all actions taken by federal employees, contractors, and grantees during that period of lapse to: (1) maintain the essential level of government operations, services, and activities to protect life and property; and (2) bring about orderly termination of government functions. Requires that funds used by the Secretary of Transportation to compensate such employees be derived from funds previously authorized out of the Highway Trust Fund and made available or limited to the Department of Transportation by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010. Deems this Act to be a section of the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2010, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the last amendment to such Resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010
Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2010 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers the prices that may be charged to Medicare part D prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsors and MedicareAdvantage (MA) organizations for covered part D drugs for part D eligible individuals who are enrolled under a PDP or under an MA-Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2010
National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Revises specified administrative requirements for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Revises the term "accident" to expand the authority of the NTSB to investigate: (1) accidents which result in the death of or serious injury to a person, regardless of whether they are accidental or not; and (2) at its discretion, incidents that affect transportation safety, but do not involve the destruction or damage of a vehicle, aircraft, or pipeline. Grants the NTSB authority to negotiate, enter into, and perform contracts, leases, or other transactions with individuals, private entities, departments, agencies, federal, state, or local governments, and governments of foreign countries to carry out NTSB functions, and require them to compensate the NTSB for the costs of facilities, goods, services, or training it provides. Requires the NTSB to establish by regulation criteria to determine whether or not it will hold a public hearing for each accident investigation and safety study it undertakes. Prohibits the NTSB from disclosing to the public a vessel's voice or video recordings or transcripts of oral communications between vessel crewmembers (including communications with the company centers) related to an accident under investigation. Allows public disclosure, in certain circumstances, of parts of a transcript or any written depiction of visual information relevant to an accident. Prohibits a party representative to a NTSB investigation from disclosing investigative information to any person who is not an NTSB employee or a party representative to the investigation. Prescribes a civil penalty for violation of such prohibition. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the use of party representatives in NTSB accident investigations. Authorizes accident investigation training of NTSB employees in theory and techniques and on transportation safety methods to advance NTSB safety recommendations. Reauthorizes appropriations to the NTSB for FY2011-FY2014. Revises the authority of the NTSB to investigate transportation accidents to include: (1) accidents in response to an international request and delegation under appropriate international conventions, coordinated through the Department of State and accepted by the NTSB; and (2) accidents involving a commercial space launch vehicle. Authorizes the NTSB, with the consent of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, to delegate its authority to investigate major marine casualty accidents to the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Prohibits the delegation of such authority unless Coast Guard investigators have met certain training and qualifications requirements. Revises requirements for air carrier and foreign air carrier plans for addressing the needs of families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents that incur major loss of life. Requires air carriers to make a reasonable attempt to notify the family of a passenger at least 60 days prior to the planned destruction of any unclaimed property of the passenger. Requires the NTSB and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue regulations that provide the NTSB prompt notification through the Coast Guard of all marine accidents of potential investigative interest to the NTSB.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2010
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Public Works Week. Recognizes and celebrates the 50th anniversary of such Week.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Temporary Extension Act of 2010 - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the final date for entering a federal-state agreement under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through April 5, 2010. Postpones the termination of the program until September 4, 2010. Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until April 5, 2010: (1) federal-state agreements increasing regular unemployment compensation payments to individuals; and (2) requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC. Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and September 4, 2010, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.) Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to extend through March 31, 2010, premium assistance for COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) benefits. Extends specified appropriations and funds made available and authority granted pursuant to the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2010 for continued extension or reauthorization of certain surface transportation programs through the earlier of March 28, 2010, or enactment into law of an Act to extend or reauthorize such programs. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through March 31, 2010: (1) the 0% update to the conversion factor in the Medicare physican payment computation; and (2) the Medicare physical therapy services caps exceptions process. Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 to extend the use of 2009 poverty guidelines through March 31, 2010. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from publishing updated poverty guidelines for 2010 until after such date. Amends the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2010 to extend through March 28, 2010, the national flood insurance program. Amends the ARRA to extend through March 28, 2010, the small business loan guarantee program. Extends through March 28, 2010, the adjustment of royalty fees for the secondary transmission of the primary analog transmissions of network stations and superstations. Extends through such date the moratorium on copyright liability for certain subscribers not receiving a signal of Grade A intensity of a local network television broadcast station and receiving signals of network stations affiliated with the same network, if such subscribers had satellite service of such network signal terminated between July 11, 1998, and October 31, 1999. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend through March 28, 2010, the exemption of a subscriber from the originating station consent requirement for retransmission of broadcasting station signals if the subscriber receives the retransmitted signals directly to a home satellite antenna, is located outside the station's local market, and resides in an unserved household. Extends through March 29, 2010, the requirement that certain Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations prohibit: (1) a television broadcast station that provides retransmission consent from engaging in exclusive contracts for carriage or failing to negotiate in good faith; and (2) a multichannel video programming distributor from failing to negotiate in good faith for retransmission consent.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Transparency in All Health Care Pricing Act of 2010 - Requires any and all individuals or business entities, including physicians, pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufactures, and insurance entities, that offer or furnish health care related items, products, services, or procedures for sale to the public to publicly disclose, on a continuous basis, all prices for such items, products, services, or procedures. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) investigate any individuals or business entities that fail to comply with the requirements of this Act; and (2) impose civil fines, or other civil penalties, as appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2010
Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2010 - Directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (with respect to drugs, devices, cosmetics, and biological products), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) (with respect to consumer products), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (with respect to chemical substances, new chemical substances, and pesticides) to require foreign manufacturers and producers of such products (or components used to manufacture them), in excess of a minimum value or quantity, to establish a registered agent in the United States who is authorized to accept service of process on their behalf for the purpose of all civil and regulatory actions in state and federal courts. Requires the registered agent to be located in a state with a substantial connection to the importation, distribution, or sale of the products. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish, maintain, and make available to the public a registry of such agents. Deems a foreign manufacturer or producer of products covered under this Act that registers an agent to consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state or federal courts of the state in which the agent is located for the purpose of any civil or regulatory proceeding. Prohibits importation into the United States of a covered product (or component part that will be used in the United States to manufacture a covered product) if the product (or component part) or any part of the product (or component part) was manufactured or produced outside the United States by a manufacturer or producer who does not have a registered agent whose authority is in effect on the date of the importation. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to jointly study the feasibility and advisability of requiring foreign producers of food distributed in commerce to establish a registered agent in the United States who is authorized to accept service of process on behalf of such producers for the purpose of all civil and regulatory actions in state and federal courts.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2010
National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and make available for sale not more than 2 million silver national medals, containing one ounce of silver each, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the establishment of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center. Declares that all sales of medals under this Act shall include a surcharge of $10 per medal, which shall be paid to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center to support its operations and maintenance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2010
Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act - Prohibits the President from: (1) regulating or prohibiting travel to or from Cuba by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents or any transactions incident to such travel; and (2) restricting direct transfers from a Cuban financial institution to a U.S. financial institution executed in payment for a product authorized for sale under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. States that: (1) any regulation restricting or prohibiting such Cuban travel shall have no effect; and (2) such prohibition shall not apply in time of war or armed hostilities between the United States and Cuba, or of imminent danger to the public health or the physical safety of U.S. citizens or legal residents. Amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to define "payment of cash in advance" as the payment by the purchaser of an agricultural commodity or product and the receipt of such payment by the seller prior to: (1) the transfer of title of such commodity or product to the purchaser; and (2) the release of control of such commodity or product to the purchaser.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2010
Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a federal public transportation safety program to improve the safety of, and reduce the number of accidents involving, rail fixed guideway public transportation systems and public transportation bus systems that receive federal assistance. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to establish a federal certification program for employees and contractors who carry out state public transportation safety program activities in compliance with this Act. Delineates requirements for state preemption of federal law with respect to public transportation safety. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain public transportation safety program activities, including inspection and testing of public transportation systems and accident prevention and investigation. Allows a state to establish a state public transportation safety program that complies with federal regulations and policies issued by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants or enter into agreements to carry out such state programs, including to: (1) train employees to administer the program; and (2) enforce federal and state public transportation safety laws and regulations. Grants the Secretary enforcement authority for violations of public transportation safety, including alcohol and controlled substances testing. Authorizes the Secretary immediately, without regard to ordinary administrative procedure, to order restrictions and prohibitions to abate an emergency situation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2010
Supports the goals and ideals of National African American History Month. Honors and celebrates the important contributions that African-Americans have made throughout history to the U.S. transportation and infrastructure systems.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2010
Haitian Emergency Life Protection Act of 2010 or the H.E.L.P. Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to V- visa nonimmigrants (spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents who come to the United States to wait for completion of the immigrant visa process) to include Haitian nationals whose petition for a family-sponsored immigrant visa was approved on or before January 12, 2010. Authorizes the Department of State to use secondary evidence to verify eligibility for such status or for immediate relative status. Sunsets the provisions of this Act two years after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2010
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should stand with the American people to reject severe changes to Social Security, including any and all attempts to privatize it, and instead should commit to work bipartisanly to make common-sense adjustments to Social Security to strengthen it for future generations while preserving its guarantees of secure income and family protection in the event of a worker's death, retirement, or severe disability.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010
Expresses: (1) appreciation to the individuals and organizations that comprise the National Urban Search and Rescue System of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for their work as first responders to victims of disasters; and (2) support for FEMA, including its Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces, as it undertakes response and recovery efforts in connection with the January 12, 2010, earthquake in Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010
Debt Relief for Earthquake Recovery in Haiti Act of 2010 - Amends the the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, and other multilateral development institutions to: (1) cancel all debts owed by Haiti to such institutions; (2) suspend Haiti's debt payments to such institutions until the debts are canceled completely; and (3) provide additional assistance from such institutions to Haiti in grant form in order to avoid additional debt accumulation. Directs the Secretary to urge other bilateral, multilateral, and private creditors to cancel all debts owed by Haiti to such creditors.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2010
Benefit Card Fairness Act of 2010 - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) to extend its coverage to any account directly or indirectly established through a government agency to which electronic fund transfers (EFTs) are made by or on behalf of a government agency on a recurring basis (government payment account). Repeals the exemption from EFTA disclosure, protection, responsibility, and remedy requirements of electronic benefit transfer systems established by a federal, state, or local government agency for distributing needs-tested benefits, such as through automated teller machines (ATMs) or point-of-sale terminals. Requires a financial institution to offer a government payment account in compliance with this Act and with the requirements of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for the provision of insurance to the consumer. Prescribes requirements for consumer choice in making an EFT to a government payment account, as well as for access to account balance and transaction history. Prohibits the assessment of specified fees on a government payment account, except certain transaction fees, a nominal fee of up to $1 for written periodic statements, and other permissible fees for specific services beyond ordinary use of the account. Requires a financial institution to make certain disclosures including: (1) the means to obtain account balance; (2) written account history; (3) fee information; and (4) error resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010
Technology Bill of Rights for the Blind Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to study and report to Congress on methods by which blind consumers can gain nonvisual access to consumer electronic devices, electronic kiosks, home appliances, or office technology devices. Requires the Secretary to promulgate a minimum nonvisual access standard for each type of covered device that will ensure nonvisual access to such device by blind consumers. Applies a minimum nonvisual access standard to a covered device that is manufactured after the date that is two years after the date on which such standard is promulgated. Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Nonvisual Access Compliance to assist the Secretary, educate manufacturers, and conduct investigations. Imposes civil penalties in certain circumstances. Allows civil suits by blind consumers against manufacturers for monetary damages and equitable relief. Allows punitive damages for willful or repeated violations. Prohibits construing this Act to limit the rights of blind or low-vision individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2010
Student Nondiscrimination Act of 2010 - Prohibits public school students from being excluded from participating in, or subject to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates. Considers harassment to be a form of discrimination. Prohibits retaliation against anyone for opposing conduct they reasonably believe to be unlawful under this Act. Authorizes federal departments and agencies to enforce these prohibitions by cutting off the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating them. Allows an aggrieved individual to assert a violation of this Act in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees should they prevail. Deems a state's receipt of federal educational assistance for a program to constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity for conduct prohibited under this Act regarding such program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2010
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat securities and nonqualified preferred stock paid to a parent corporation by a subsidiary in a corporate reorganization as cash payments, thus subjecting the gain attributable to such payments to tax.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010
Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to direct the Secretary of Education to reserve 1% to 5% of the amount reserved from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund for the State Incentive Grant program for a FY2010 grant to the Bureau of Indian Education of the Department of the Interior to carry out activities for Indian children that are consistent with that program. (That program makes incentive grants to states that make significant progress in addressing inequities in teacher distribution, establishing longitudinal education data systems, improving educational standards and assessments, and ensuring the improvement of failing schools.) Requires the Secretary to reserve 1% to 5% of the amount reserved from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund for the creation of an Innovation Fund for an award to the Bureau of Indian Education to carry out activities for Indian children that are consistent with the objectives of the Innovation Fund. (The Innovation Fund rewards certain educational entities that make significant progress in closing student achievement gaps.)
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2010
Treats cash contributions made after January 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, for the relief of earthquake victims in Haiti as having been made on December 31, 2009, for purposes of the tax deduction for charitable contributions. Deems a contribution as meeting the recordkeeping requirements of the Internal Revenue Code if the taxpayer produces a telephone bill showing the name of the donee organization and the date and amount of the contribution.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2010
Expresses support for the designation of National Influenza Vaccination Week and encourages people in the United States to get vaccinated.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2009 - Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, within the Paris Club of Official Creditors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and other defined international financial institutions, to: (1) provide for debt cancellation of eligible low-income countries to such institutions and to the United States; (2) ensure that the provision of debt cancellation to such countries is not followed by a reduction in the provision of any other development assistance; and (3) encourage such countries' governments to allocate at least 20% of their national budgets towards poverty-alleviation programs. Directs the Secretary to begin efforts to: (1) promote greater transparency within such institutions; (2) establish a responsible lending framework; and (3) ensure that debt cancellation to eligible low-income governments is subject only to specified conditions. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to: (1) audit the debt portfolios of previous governments in countries such as South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo where there is significant evidence that onerous or illegal loans were made to the government; and (2) report to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Supports the designation of National Mentoring Month. Praises those who are already serving as mentors. Encourages others to volunteer as mentors.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2009
National Foundation on Physical Fitness and Sports Establishment Act - Establishes the National Foundation on Physical Fitness and Sports as a charitable, nonprofit corporation to promote participation by private organizations in the activities of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Subjects any person who uses the Council's or Foundation's official seal or any trademark, trade name, sign, symbol, or insignia falsely representing association with, or authorization by, the Council or Foundation for the purpose of trade, to induce the sale of any goods or services, or to promote any theatrical exhibition, athletic performance, or competition without the Foundation's consent to a civil action for remedies provided in the Trademark Act of 1946. Allows the Foundation, in conjunction with the Council, to authorize contributors and suppliers of goods or services to use such trade name, trademark, seal, symbol, insignia, or emblem in advertising under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2009
New Deal for a New Economy Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, from unobligated funds under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA), to make specified sums available for FY2010-FY2012 to the Secretary of Education, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Secretaries of Commerce, Labor, the Interior, and Agriculture. Requires: (1) the Secretary of Education to allocate, and each eligible local educational agency in the state to receive, funds in proportion to amounts received under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (2) a state to make and distribute the amount allocated to it within 90 days of receipt. Authorizes the use of funds to hire new employees, rehire employees laid off during the year prior to enactment, continue to employ employees scheduled to be laid off as a result of reduced budgets, and prevent furloughs scheduled as a result of reduced budgets. Directs: (1) the Attorney General to award grants to state, local, or tribal law enforcement agencies through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to hire, rehire, continue to employ, and prevent furloughs of police officers; (2) the Secretary of DHS, through the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, to award grants through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program to hire, rehire, continue to employ, and prevent furloughs of firefighters; (3) the Secretary of Commerce to award grants to states, cities or other political subdivisions or a consortium of such subdivisions, or Indian tribes, to assist in maintaining basic government services; and (4) the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to fund specific public works projects in national parks and through the National Forest Service, respectively. Establishes in the Department of Labor a New Economy Grant Program, to provide grants for the creation of new jobs on specific public works projects. Limits funding under this Act's Departments of Labor, the Interior, and Agriculture programs to individuals who meet specified criteria. Bars displacement of existing employees. Sets forth requirements regarding the use of funds, the maximum employment period, wages, reporting, and expedited administration.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2009
Battlefield Excellence through Superior Training Practices Act or BEST Practices Act - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD), no later than October 1, 2013, to only use human-based training methods for training members of the Armed Forces in the treatment of combat trauma injuries and the management of chemical and biological casualties. Prohibits the use of animals in such training.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2009
Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act, Part II - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through March 31, 2010: (1) excise taxes on aviation fuels and air transportation of persons and property; and (2) the expenditure authority for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations for the six-month period from October 1, 2009, through March 31, 2010, for airport improvement program (AIP) projects, including project grant authority. Sets forth a formula for calculating the apportionment of AIP funding. Extends through March 31, 2010, various airport development projects, including: (1) the pilot program for passenger facility fees at nonhub airports; (2) small airport grants for airports located in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau; (3) the temporary increase to 95% in the government share of certain AIP project costs; and (4) the funding of Midway Island airport development. Extends through March 31, 2010, state and local land use compatibility projects under the AIP program. Extends through March 31, 2010, the authority of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to apply for an airport development grant and impose a passenger facility fee. Extends through March 31 2010, Department of Transportation (DOT) insurance coverage for domestic and foreign-flag air carriers. Allows further extension through June 30, 2010. Extends through June 30, 2010, air carrier liability limits for injuries to passengers resulting from acts of terrorism. Extends through March 31, 2010, certain competitive access assurance requirements for large or medium hub airport sponsors applying for AIP grants. Extends for the six-month period beginning October 1, 2009, the authorization of appropriations for: (1) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations; (2) air navigation facilities and equipment; and (3) research, engineering, and development.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2009
Regrets the killing of unarmed civilians and expresses deepest condolences to the families of the 57 victims who were slain in Maguindanao in the worst politically motivated violence in recent Philippine history. Calls for: (1) an independent investigation and prosecution of those responsible; (2) an end to extrajudicial killings and election-related violence; and (3) freedom of press and safety for the investigating reporters. Urges the Department of State, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and other U.S. government agencies to review their assistance programs to the government of the Philippines and to offer any technical assistance that Philippine authorities may request. Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to work with Philippine authorities to combat corruption, terrorism, and security threats.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2009
Helping Unemployed Workers Act - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through March 31, 2011. Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend through April 1, 2011: (1) federal-state agreements increasing regular unemployment compensation payments to individuals; and (2) requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC. Requires the Secretary of Labor to establish a program under which the Secretary shall make payments to any state unemployment trust fund (including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) to be used for the payment of unemployment compensation if the Secretary approves an application to receive 100% reimbursement for up to 26 weeks for a short-time compensation program. Bars payments to a state for benefits paid to an individual who is employed by an employer: (1) whose workforce during the three months preceding the date of the submission of the employer's short-time compensation plan has been reduced by temporary layoffs of more than 20%; (2) on a seasonal, temporary, or intermittent basis; or (3) engaged in a labor dispute.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2009
Thanks the members of the National Guard for their service in response to the attacks on September 11, 2001, and their continuing role in homeland security and military operations. Supports providing the National Guard with the necessary resources to ensure its readiness. Expresses condolences and gratitude to the families of those members of the National Guard who have lost their lives through their dedication and commitment to the freedom and security of the United States while serving in the National Guard. Honors and supports the compassionate, courageous, and dedicated members of the National Guard who serve a critical role in protecting the United States and its citizens' freedoms and treasured liberties.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Conflict Minerals Trade Act - States that it is U.S. policy to promote peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by supporting efforts of the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, other governments in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, and the international community to: (1) stop commercial activities involving the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo that contribute to armed groups and human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and (2) develop stronger governance and economic institutions to improve transparency in the cross-border trade of natural resources in order to reduce exploitation by armed groups and promote local and regional development. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) produce a Congo Conflict Minerals Map of mineral-rich zones and areas under the control of armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and (2) submit a related report to the appropriate congressional committees. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce to provide guidance to commercial entities seeking to exercise due diligence to ensure that conflict minerals used in their products do not finance armed conflict, result in labor or human rights violations, or damage the environment. Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit a strategy to the appropriate congressional committees addressing linkages between human rights abuses, armed groups, and the mining of conflict minerals; (2) ensure that the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices relating to the Democratic Republic of the Congo or countries that share a border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo include a description of instances where the extraction and cross-border trade in conflict minerals has negatively affected human rights conditions; and (3) include in the annual report to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Investment Committee a description of efforts to ensure that enterprises under U.S. jurisdiction are exercising diligence to ensure that their purchases of minerals or metals are not originating from mines and trading routes that are used to finance armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) should expand programs to assist communities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo whose livelihoods depend on the mineral trade. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to annually publish in the Federal Register a list of articles specified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States that should be identified as likely containing conflict minerals. Requires importers of articles specified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States that are included on the potential conflict goods list to certify on the importer's Customs declaration that such articles contain conflict minerals or are conflict mineral free. Sets forth: (1) penalties relating to the introduction of goods that contain conflict minerals into the United States; and (2) events that must prior to the expiration of this Act's provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Supports the goals of a Universal Children's Day and encourages the people of the United States to help improve the lives of all children around the world.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2009
Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the historic events in Central and Eastern Europe that brought about the collapse of the communist regimes and the fall of the Iron Curtain. Commemorates, with the Slovak and Czech Republics, the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia. Appreciates the contribution of the Slovak and Czech Republics as members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) to the promotion and defense of democracy. Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and the Slovak and Czech Republics.