United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2006
Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act of 200 6 or the U.S. SAFE WEB Act of 2006 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to include within the term "unfair or deceptive acts or practices" those acts or practices involving foreign commerce that: (1) cause or are likely to cause reasonably foreseeable injury within the United States; or (2) involve material conduct occurring within the United States. Declares that remedies available to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for unfair and deceptive acts or practices include restitution to domestic or foreign victims. Authorizes the FTC to disclose certain privileged or confidential information to foreign law enforcement agencies and to grant investigative assistance to them. Grants the FTC power to transmit to the Attorney General evidence of a violation of federal criminal law by any person, partnership, or corporation, either domestic or foreign. Authorizes the FTC to designate its attorneys to assist the Attorney General with litigation in foreign courts on particular matters in which it has an interest. Prescribes procedural guidelines for sharing by FTC with foreign law enforcement agencies of information obtained pursuant to compulsory process or investigation. Declares the FTC subject to the Right to Financial Privacy Act, but specifies conditions relating to procedures for delay of notification or prohibition of disclosure, and ex parte proceedings. Exempts from coverage by such Act an investigation or proceeding related to the administration of federal or foreign antitrust laws. Shields from liability voluntary providers of information, including certain financial institutions. Authorizes the FTC to accept payment or reimbursement from a domestic or foreign law enforcement agency, or payment or reimbursement made on behalf of such agency, for expenses incurred by the FTC in carrying out any of its proper activities. Terminates this Act seven years after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Condemns: (1) the statements made by President Hugo Chavez at the U.N. General Assembly on September 20, 2006; and (2) the undemocratic actions of President Chavez.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Declares that the Senate will work with federal agencies, national organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to encourage the development and implementation of existing and future computer security voluntary consensus standards, practices, and technologies in order to enhance the state of computer security in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2006
Emergency Farm Relief Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance for: (1) crop disaster assistance for qualifying quantity or quality losses for the 2005 or 2006 crop due to weather or related conditions (including disease, insects, and delayed harvest; (2) livestock assistance for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses; (3) livestock indemnity payments for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses (including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and anthrax); (4) ewe lamb replacement and retention; (5) sugar beet disaster assistance for crop year 2005; (6) sugarcane growers in Hawaii through a payment to an agricultural transportation cooperative in Hawaii; (7) flooded crop and grazing land in the Devils Lake basin, the McHugh, Lake Laretta, and Rose Lake closed drainage areas, North Dakota; and (8) bovine tuberculosis indemnification. Directs the Secretary to make grants to state agriculture departments or comparable agencies in qualified states for direct economic loss payments to eligible small businesses. Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to carry out emergency measures under: (1) the emergency watershed protection program; (2) the emergency conservation program, including wildfire recovery efforts; and (3) the environmental quality incentives program, including wildfire recovery efforts. Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to hire additional state and county Farm Service Agency personnel to expedite the delivery of agricultural disaster and economic assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that public policy should continue to protect and strengthen the ability of farmers and ranchers to join together in cooperative self-help efforts to: (1) improve their income from the marketplace and their economic well-being; (2) capitalize on new market opportunities; and (3) help meet the food and fiber needs of consumers, provide for increased energy production, promote rural development, maintain and create needed jobs, and contribute to a growing U.S. economy.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2006
National Competitiveness Investment Act - American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2006 - Directs the President to: (1) convene a National Science and Technology Summit; (2) establish a President's Council on Innovation and Competitiveness; and (3) establish the Innovation Acceleration Research Program. Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to: (1) establish an Aeronautics Institute for Research; (2) coordinate basic and fundamental research activities related to physical sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and (3) establish a Basic Research Executive Council. Authorizes appropriations for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. Requires the NIST Director to: (1) establish the Standards and Technology Acceleration Research Program; and (2) reestablish the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology. Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to: (1) establish a program of ocean and atmospheric research and development; and (2) develop an ocean, coastal, and atmospheric science education plan. Protecting America's Competitive Edge Through Energy Act or PACE-Energy Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) appoint a Department of Energy (DOE) Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education, and establish a Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education Fund; (2) award grants for establishing specialty schools for mathematics and science; (3) establish a national laboratories summer internship program for middle and secondary school students; (4) establish Centers of Excellence in Mathematics and Science at schools in regions of national laboratories; (5) establish or expand programs to strengthen mathematics and science teaching skills of public school teachers; (6) establish a program to expand and enhance higher education nuclear science educational capabilities; (7) award grants to outstanding DOE early-career researchers; and (8) establish a program to support the appointment of distinguished scientists by institutions of higher education and national laboratories. Establishes the Advanced Research Projects Authority-Energy. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to: (1) develop and implement programs to provide courses of study in mathematics, science, engineering, or critical foreign languages with concurrent teacher certification or to enhance teacher knowledge and teaching skills; (2) increase the number of teachers and students teaching or enrolled in advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages; (3) help low-income students performing below grade level in mathematics; (4) establish programs of study in critical foreign languages; (5) promote content knowledge requirements for secondary school graduation and establish or improve a statewide P-16 education data system. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to: (1) expand the Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program; (2) establish a clearinghouse and pilot programs relating to the creation or improvement of professional science master's degree programs; (4) establish a program to provide mentors for women interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and (5) establish a program of basic research in advanced information and communications technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2006
Expresses support for the goals of Red Ribbon Week. Encourages: (1) children and teens to live drug-free lives; and (2) people to promote the creation of drug-free communities and to participate in drug prevention activities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Declares that the Senate will work with federal agencies, national organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to encourage the development and implementation of existing and future computer security voluntary consensus standards, practices, and technologies in order to enhance the state of computer security in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Declares that Congress will work with federal agencies, national organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to encourage the development and implementation of existing and future computer security voluntary consensus standards, practices, and technologies in order to enhance the state of computer security in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2006
Commemorates the life of each individual who died as a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001. Extends deepest condolences to the victims, as well as to their families, friends, and loved ones. Condemns the attacks, the terrorists who perpetrated them, and their sponsors. Commits to support the necessary steps to defeat terrorists who plot to harm the American people. Recommits the Senate and the Nation to bringing the perpetrators of the attacks and their sponsors to justice. Honors members of the Armed Forces, law enforcement personnel, first responders, members of the intelligence community, and others who have bravely participated in the War on Terrorism since September 11, 2001. Declares September 11, 2006, to be a National Day of Remembrance, in commemoration of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States. Declares that when the Senate adjourns today (September 11, 2006), it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to each individual who died as a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006
Emergency Farm Relief Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance for: (1) crop disaster assistance for qualifying quantity or quality losses for the 2005 or 2006 crop due to weather or related conditions (including disease, insects, and delayed harvest; (2) livestock assistance for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses; (3) livestock indemnity payments for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses (including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and anthrax); (4) ewe lamb replacement and retention; (5) sugar beet disaster assistance for crop year 2005; (6) sugarcane growers in Hawaii through a payment to an agricultural transportation cooperative in Hawaii; (7) flooded crop and grazing land in the Devils Lake basin, the McHugh, Lake Laretta, and Rose Lake closed drainage areas, North Dakota; and (8) bovine tuberculosis indemnification. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance for: (1) state grants to promote agriculture; and (2) grants for value of production. Requires a recipient state to give priority for livestock and specialty crops. Directs the Secretary to make supplemental economic loss payments to: (1) producers on a farm who received a crop year 2005 direct payment; and (2) dairy producers eligible to receive a 2005 national dairy market loss payment. Directs the Secretary to make grants to state agriculture departments or comparable agencies in qualified states for direct economic loss payments to eligible small businesses. Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to: (1) carry out emergency measures under the emergency watershed protection and emergency conservation programs; and (2) hire additional state and county Farm Service Agency personnel to expedite the delivery of agricultural disaster and economic assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006
Emergency Wildfire and Farm Relief Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use specified additional funds for emergency measures under: (1) the emergency conservation program, with a set-aside for wildfire control in Montana; (2) the environmental quality incentives program, with a set-aside for wildfire control in Montana; and (3) the livestock assistance grant program, with eligibility for counties adversely impacted by wildfires. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance for: (1) crop disaster assistance for qualifying quantity or quality losses for the 2005 or 2006 crop due to weather or related conditions (including disease, insects, and delayed harvest; (2) livestock assistance for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses; (3) livestock indemnity payments for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses (including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and anthrax); (4) ewe lamb replacement and retention; (5) sugar beet disaster assistance for crop year 2005; and (6) bovine tuberculosis indemnification. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance for: (1) state grants to promote agriculture; and (2) grants for value of production. Requires a recipient state to give priority for livestock and specialty crops. Directs the Secretary to make supplemental economic loss payments to: (1) producers on a farm who received a crop year 2005 direct payment; and (2) dairy producers eligible to receive a 2005 national dairy market loss payment. Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to: (1) carry out emergency measures under the emergency watershed protection program; and (2) hire additional state and county Farm Service Agency personnel to expedite the delivery of agricultural disaster and economic assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006
Methamphetamine Trafficking Prevention Act of 2006 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to states and private entities to use technology or aerial surveillance to detect methamphetamine (and its chemical precursors) on the U.S. border (Border Technology Grants Program). Authorizes appropriations to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in FY2007-FY2011 to deploy trace chemical detectors for detecting narcotics and explosive devices along the U.S. border. Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Trade Representative should consider ways to curb illicit use and shipment of pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and similar chemicals in any multilateral or bilateral negotiations. Directs the DEA Administrator to establish an exchange program with foreign law enforcement officers from countries that traffic methamphetamine into the United States. Directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on methamphetamine trafficking and abuse on Indian reservations on or near the U.S. border.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2006
Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the intentional and unauthorized disclosure of classified information (information or material requiring protection against unauthorized disclosure for national security reasons). Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to three years for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2006
Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 for health centers to meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006
Designates the Armed Forces Readiness Center in Great Falls, Montana, as the "Captain William Wylie Galt Great Falls Armed Forces Readiness Center."
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2006
National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Directs the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to develop, and submit to the Comptroller General and Congress, a plan for the National Transportation Safety Board Academy to achieve self-sufficiency and the NTSB to utilize fully the Academy's facilities and resources. Requires the NTSB to provide recommendations and comments to Congress with respect to pending transportation safety reauthorization legislation. Amends federal transportation law to eliminate the requirement that the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation (DOT) be reimbursed by the NTSB for the costs associated with the Inspector General in preventing and detecting fraud and abuse in the NTSB. Authorizes the NTSB, in addition to current related powers, to enter into noncompetitive contracts in order to expedite the investigation of transportation accidents. Grants the NTSB the authority to investigate major marine casualties occurring in all internal U.S. waters (current law, on US navigable waters or territorial seas). Appoints a Managing Director to the NTSB. Directs Amtrak to submit to the NTSB, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security a plan to address the needs of families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents involving an Amtrak intercity train and resulting in a loss of life. Designates the Inspector General of the DOT as the Inspector General of the NTSB (current law, has authority to review only business operations of NTSB). Extends the authorization of appropriations for the NTSB through FY2008, including an emergency fund for necessary NTSB expenses for accident investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2006
Agricultural Protection and Prosperity Act of 2006 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to: (1) include the definition of "manure"; and (2) exclude manure from the meaning of "hazardous substance" or "pollutant or contaminant" under that Act. Provides that such exclusion shall not: (1) impose liability under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 with respect to manure; (2) affect any provision of the Air Quality Agreement entered into between the Administrator and operators of animal feeding operations; or (3) affect the applicability of any other environmental law as it relates to the definition of manure or the responsibilities or liabilities of any person regarding the treatment, storage, or disposal of manure. Amends the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to exempt releases associated with manure (as defined under CERCLA) from the emergency notification requirements under that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2006
North Korea Nonproliferation Act of 2006 - Amends the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act to extend the provisions of such Act to North Korea. States that in view of North Korea's determination to proliferate missiles, nuclear weapons, and other weapons of mass destruction it should be U.S. policy to impose sanctions on persons who transfer such weapons and related goods and technology to and from North Korea in the same manner as persons who transfer such items to and from Iran and Syria currently are sanctioned under U.S. law. Urges all governments concerned about the threat of North Korean proliferation to impose measures on persons involved in such proliferation that are similar to those imposed by the United States pursuant to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act, as amended by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2006
Commends the efforts of former Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick in Darfur and the contributions of White House Policy Advisor Michael Gerson, Ambassador Cindy Courville, and Ambassador Michael Ranneberger. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States needs an individual of Ambassadorial rank and high stature to devote exclusive attention to Darfur and related issues concerning peace and stability in Sudan; (2) such individual should formulate and coordinate policy, lead negotiations, engage with parties to the conflict to monitor their compliance with the May 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement, gather donor resources, and ensure that this crisis remains a top U.S. government priority; and (3) the President should appoint a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan with the rank of Ambassador and should provide not less than $250,000 to support the Presidential Special Envoy.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2006
Protection against United Nations Taxation Act of 2006, the PUNT Act of 2006, or the Helms-Biden Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Requires the withholding of 20% of U.S. contributions to the regular budget of the United Nations (U.N.) and other applicable international organizations until the President certifies that neither the United Nations (or U.N. agencies) nor any other international organization has authority under U.S. law to impose, or has imposed or proposed, taxes or fees on the U.S. government, states, or U.S. corporations or nationals. States that such provision shall not apply to: (1) fees for publications or other fees that are not tantamount to a tax on U.S. citizens; (2) the World Intellectual Property Organization; or (3) staff assessment costs of the United Nations and its agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Promotion Energy Act of 2006 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to include among the projects eligible for Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantees large-scale coal-to-liquid facilities that use a feedstock, the majority of which is domestic coal resources, to produce at least 10,000 barrels a day of liquid transportation fuel. Instructs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to establish a federal loan program for coal-to-liquid facilities. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to support the development of coal-to-liquid manufacturing facilities and associated infrastructure on DOE and other federal lands, including military bases and military installations closed or realigned under the defense base closure and realignment. Authorizes the Secretary to construct storage facilities: (1) in the vicinity of pipeline infrastructure and at least one military base; but (2) outside the boundaries of any state on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire, place in storage, transport, or exchange coal-to-liquid products, not to exceed 20% of the total quantity of petroleum products in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Authorizes appropriations for the Air Force Research Laboratory to continue support efforts to test, qualify, and procure synthetic fuels developed from coal for aviation jet use. Amends federal law governing Armed Forces fuel procurement to authorize the Secretary of Defense to enter into agreements with private companies to develop and operate coal-to-liquid facilities on or near military installations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2006
St. Mary Diversion and Conveyance Works and Milk River Project Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct studies to determine: (1) the feasibility of rehabilitating and improving the St. Mary Diversion and Conveyance Works (a portion of the Milk River Project, a Bureau of Reclamation project in Montana, that is located within the Blackfeet Reservation) to provide for sustained environmental and economic benefit within the St. Mary and Milk River basins; and (2) the environmental impact of such rehabilitation project. Directs the Secretary to: (1) initiate the planning, design, and construction of the project alternative that is selected; and (2) develop and implement an emergency response plan to be followed in the event of a catastrophic infrastructure failure. Establishes in the Treasury an emergency response plan fund. Requires: (1) the Milk River Project to be operated primarily for irrigation purposes; and (2) the Secretary to prioritize Project structures in need of rehabilitation and improvement. Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that land and water rights held in trust for the benefit of the Blackfeet Tribe are protected; (2) resolve tribal claims against the United States; (3) identify appropriate Blackfeet projects to improve economic conditions on the Reservation; (4) complete studies to determine the feasibility of carrying out such projects; and (5) conduct studies to determine the feasibility of rehabilitating and improving Blackfeet irrigation project structures determined to be in need based on the appraisal investigation and of developing a safe and adequate rural, municipal, and industrial water supply project for the residents of the Fort Belknap Reservation and surrounding communities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2006
Directs: (1) the U.S. Trade Representative to certify to Congress by August 31, 2006, that Japan is no longer prohibiting the importation of U.S. beef; (2) the Secretary of the Treasury, if such certification is not made, to impose additional tariffs (which shall continue until the certification is submitted to Congress) on Japan by September 30, 2006; and (3) the Secretary of Agriculture to begin negotiations with Japan to end such beef import prohibitions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
Agriculture Small Business Opportunity and Enhancement Act of 2006 - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to approve a qualifying State meat inspection program and allow the shipment in commerce of carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, and meat food products so inspected. Requires the Secretary to review approved plans annually. Prohibits from state inspection plan participation: (1) establishments that have more than 50 employees, except for those subject to state inspection as of January 1, 2007; and (2) federally inspected establishments after such date that have more than 50 employees. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into a cooperative agreement to establish the relationship between a state program and the Secretary; and (2) provide partial reimbursement for state costs to meet federal requirements. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) sampling; (2) noncompliance; (3) acceptance of interstate shipments of meat and meat food products; and (4) advisory committees. Directs the Secretary to temporarily suspend or take over a noncomplying state program (or an establishment). Makes similar amendments to the Poultry Products Inspection Act. Terminates the Secretary's authority to establish interstate meat and poultry inspection programs under this Act if approval and cooperative agreements have not been concluded by January 1, 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Internet Safety (Stop Adults Facilitating the Exploitation of Youth) Act of 2006 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) financial transactions that facilitate access to, or the possession of, child pornography; (2) the operation of a child pornography enterprise; and (3) the use of deceptive wording or images to deceive persons, including minors, into viewing obscene material on the Internet. Increases criminal penalties for: (1) registered sex offenders who commit a felony offense involving a child; (2) the sexual exploitation of children; (3) child pornography; and (4) child sex trafficking and sexual abuse. Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to: (1) increase monetary penalties for willful failure of electronic communication service providers to report child pornography; and (2) impose new penalties for negligent failure to report. Requires commercial website operators to place warning marks prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission on web pages that contain sexually explicit material. Establishes in the Department of Justice an Office on Sexual Violence and Crimes against Children. Authorizes additional (not less than 200) U.S. attorneys in FY2007 to prosecute crimes relating to the sexual exploitation of children. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to increase the number of Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations to establish and maintain programs for the prevention of sexual offenses against minors.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Rural Hospital and Provider Equity (HoPE) Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment for rural hospitals; (2) extension of the temporary increase in payments to certain rural hospitals (Medicare hold harmless provision) under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services; (3) the definition of low-volume hospital for purposes of the Medicare inpatient hospital payment adjustment; (4) critical access hospitals; (5) extension of the Medicare incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas; (6) extension of the 1.00 floor on Medicare work geographic adjustment to payments for physician services; (7) Medicare home health care planning; (8) rural health clinics; (9) use of medical conditions for coding ambulance services; (10) extension of increased Medicare payments for ground ambulance services in rural areas; and (11) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 with respect to the extension of: (1) Medicare wage index reclassifications for certain hospitals; and (2) Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to hospital patients in certain rural areas. Amends the Public Health Service Act with respect to: (1) a capital infrastructure revolving loan program; and (2) community health center collaborative access. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct pilot projects to provide incentives to home health agencies to utilize remote home monitoring and communications technologies; and (2) facilitate the provision of telehealth services across state lines.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that it is the goal of the United States that by January 1, 2025, U.S. agricultural, forestry, and working land should provide from renewable resources not less than 25% of the total U.S. energy consumption and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2006
Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Promotion Act of 2006 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to add among the projects eligible for Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantees large-scale coal-to-liquid facilities that use domestic coal resources to produce at least 10,000 barrels a day of liquid transportation fuel. Sets forth: (1) loan guarantee limitations; and (2) a loan guarantee program for coal-to-liquid facilities. Directs the Secretary of Energy to promulgate regulations to support the development of coal-to-liquid manufacturing facilities and associated infrastructure on DOE and other federal lands, military bases, and military installations closed or realigned under the defense base closure and realignment. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide an investment tax credit for coal-to-liquid fuels projects; (2) permit taxpayer election to treat the cost of any qualified coal-to-liquid fuels process property as a deductible expense; and (3) extend the alternative fuel credit for fuel derived from coal through the Fischer-Tropsch process. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to instruct the Secretaries of Energy and of Defense to study and report to certain congressional committees on the feasibility and suitability of maintaining coal-to-liquid products in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Authorizes the Secretary Energy to construct storage facilities: (1) in the vicinity of pipeline infrastructure and at least one military base; but (2) outside the boundaries of any state on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Authorizes appropriations for the Air Force Research Laboratory to continue support efforts to test, qualify, and procure synthetic fuels developed from coal for aviation jet use. Amends federal law governing Armed Forces fuel procurement to authorize the Secretary of Defense to enter into agreements to develop and operate coal-to-liquid facilities on or near military installations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2006
Amends the federal criminal code to permit a nonresident of a state to carry a concealed firearm (other than a machinegun or destructive device) in that state if such nonresident: (1) is not prohibited by federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm; and (2) is carrying a valid permit issued by a state permitting such person to carry a concealed firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2006
Amends the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 to extend from three years to six years after enactment of that Act the maximum duration of any renewal under it of import restrictions on Burmese products. Approves the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Act. Deems this resolution a renewal resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Declares that the Senate honors the life and legacy of the Honorable Lloyd Bentsen, a former member of the United States Senate. Extends its warmest sympathies to his family members and friends. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on May 23, 2006, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Bentsen.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Commemorates the 50th anniversary of the national motto of the United States, "In God We Trust," celebrates it as a fundamental aspect of the national life of U.S. citizens, and reaffirms that its substance is vital to the future success of the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Designates June 2006 as National Internet Safety Month. Calls on Internet safety organizations, law enforcement, educators, community leaders, parents, and volunteers to increase their efforts to raise the level of awareness for the need for online safety in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2006
Competitive and Open Markets that Protect and Enhance the Treatment of Entrepreneurs Act, or the COMPETE Act - Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding the management assessment of internal controls in the annual report of each issuer of registered securities to require certain rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to permit a small public company to elect voluntarily not to provide in its annual report an assessment of (or a related public accounting firm attestation concerning) the effectiveness of its internal control structure and financial reporting procedures, if it meets specified size criteria. Includes among such criteria: (1) total market capitalization of less than $700 million; (2) total product revenue of less than $125 million; and (3) fewer than 1500 record beneficial holders. Directs the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (Board) to: (1) alter the standard for review from a remote likelihood standard for noting weaknesses to a 5% de minimus material weakness criterion (based on 5% of net profits); (2) establish specific guidelines for measuring certain terms; and (3) modify independence rules to allow prudent interaction between registered public accounting firms performing such assessments and internal consultants. Directs the SEC and the Board to: (1) jointly study and report to Congress on the principles-based Turnbull Guidance under the securities laws of the United Kingdom; and (2) compare and contrast such principles to the implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2006
Medicare Late Enrollment Assistance Act of 2006 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to eliminate months in 2006 from the calculation of any late enrollment penalty under Medicare part D. Makes appropriations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for FY2007 to: (1) make grants to states for state health insurance counseling programs receiving assistance under the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990; and (2) enable the Assistant Secretary on Aging to provide grants to states for area agencies on aging to provide eligible Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare benefits information. Amends SSA title XVIII to set additional limitations on the total amount of expenditures from the Medicare Advantage Regional Plan Stabilization Fund for periods prior to October 1, 2007, and between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2006
Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned, in the case of funeral honors for a veteran that are provided by a detail consisting solely of members of veterans organizations or other related organizations, to support the provision of such funeral honors through a daily stipend to each detail participant.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2006
American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2006 - Directs the President to: (1) convene a National Science and Technology Summit to examine the health and direction of the U.S. science and technology enterprise; (2) establish a President's Council on Innovation and Competitiveness; and (3) establish the Innovation Acceleration Grants Program to support and promote innovation in the United States. Directs the: (1) National Academy of Sciences to study barriers of U.S. businesses to innovation; (2) Assistant Secretary for Economic Development of the Department of Commerce to prepare and implement a strategy for greater funding for innovation in regional economic development; and (3) Secretary of Commerce to publish a Guide to Developing Successful Regional Innovation Hot Spots. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to: (1) establish a grant program to implement innovation-based experiential learning in elementary or middle schools; (2) expand the Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program to include an additional 1,250 fellowships and grants for each program over the next five-year period; (3) establish a clearinghouse and pilot programs relating to the creation or improvement of professional science master's degree programs; (4) study how the federal government should support the new discipline of service science; and (5) determine how federal awards and research activities assist in meeting critical national needs in physical sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to: (1) establish an Aeronautics Institute for Research; (2) along with other officials, coordinate basic and fundamental research activities related to physical sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and (3) establish a Basic Research Executive Council. Authorizes appropriations through FY2011 for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (Hollings Program). Requires the NIST Director to: (1) establish the Standards and Technology Acceleration Research Program; (2) support research and development of advanced manufacturing systems; (3) establish a pilot program of collaborative manufacturing research grants; (4) establish a program of competitive awards among participants in the Hollings Program; and (5) reestablish the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
The Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro Tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in recognition of his many contributions to peace and religious understanding.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Public Transportation Terrorism Prevention Act of 2006 - Requires the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration to submit all public transportation security assessments to the Secretary of Homeland Security to review and augment such assessments. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish and update annually security improvement priorities; (2) conduct security assessments of all public transportation agencies considered to be at greatest risk of a terrorist attack; (3) conduct security assessments to determine the specific needs of local bus-only public transportation systems and of selected rural transportation systems; and (4) use information collected to establish the process for developing security guidelines. Directs the Secretary to award grants: (1) directly to public transportation agencies for allowable capital security improvements; and (2) to public or private entities to conduct research into, and demonstrate, methods to reduce and deter terrorist threats or mitigate damages resulting from terrorist attacks against public transportation systems. Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that DOT receives timely notification of all credible terrorist threats against U.S. public transportation assets; and (2) award grants for research, development, and demonstration of technologies and methods to reduce and deter terrorist threats or mitigate damages resulting from such attacks. Rail Security Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to complete, and make prioritized recommendations regarding, a vulnerability and risk assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation for identification of: (1) critical assets and infrastructures, and vulnerabilities and risks, to such assets and infrastructures; (2) vulnerabilities and risks specific to the transportation of hazardous materials via railroad; and (3) security weaknesses in passenger and cargo security, transportation infrastructure, protection systems, procedural policies, communications systems, employee training, emergency response planning, and any other area. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for certain system-wide Amtrak security upgrades. Directs the Secretary to require rail carriers transporting high hazardous materials to develop high hazard material security threat mitigation plans containing appropriate measures (including alternative routing and temporary shipment suspension options) to address assessed risks to high consequence targets. Maritime Security Improvement Act of 2006 - Establishes interagency operational centers to provide greater protection against terrorism at high priority ports. Directs the Secretary to identify foreign assistance programs that could facilitate implementation of port security antiterrorism measures in foreign countries.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Western Hemisphere Energy Security Act of 2006 - Authorizes U.S. persons to: (1) explore and extract hydrocarbon resources from any portion of the foreign exclusive economic zone that is contiguous to the U.S. exclusive economic zone; and (2) export without license authority all equipment necessary for the exploration for or extraction of hydrocarbon resources. Amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to allow under a general license employees of oil and gas producers, distributors, and shippers to travel to, from, or within Cuba to explore for and extract hydrocarbon resources from such zone.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Rural Physicians Relief Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain primary health services providers (i.e., physicians and licensed mental health care practitioners) a tax credit of $1,000 for each month such providers provide medical care to rural patients in certain sparsely populated areas of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2006
Medical Care Access Protection Act of 2006 or the MCAP Act - Sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits for health care liability claims related to the provision of health care services. Sets a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions. Requires a court to impose sanctions for the filing of frivolous lawsuits. Limits noneconomic damages to $250,000 from the provider or health care institution, but no more than $500,000 from multiple health care institutions. Makes each party liable only for the amount of damages directly proportional to such party's percentage of responsibility. Allows the court to restrict the payment of attorney contingency fees. Limits the fees to a decreasing percentage based on the increasing value of the amount awarded. Prescribes qualifications for expert witnesses. Requires the court to reduce damages received by the amount of collateral source benefits to which a claimant is entitled, unless the payor of such benefits has the right to reimbursement or subrogation under federal or state law. Authorizes the award of punitive damages only where: (1) it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that a person acted with malicious intent to injure the claimant or deliberately failed to avoid unnecessary injury the claimant was substantially certain to suffer; and (2) compensatory damages are awarded. Limits punitive damages to the greater of two times the amount of economic damages or $250,000. Prohibits a health care provider from being named as a party in a product liability or class action lawsuit for prescribing or dispensing a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription drug, biological product, or medical device for an approved indication. Provides for periodic payments of future damage awards.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2006
Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies Access to Care Act - Sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits for health care liability claims related to the provision of obstetrical or gynecological services. Sets a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions. Requires a court to impose sanctions for the filing of frivolous lawsuits. Limits noneconomic damages to $250,000 from the provider or health care institution, but no more than $500,000 from multiple health care institutions. Makes each party liable only for the amount of damages directly proportional to such party's percentage of responsibility. Allows the court to restrict the payment of attorney contingency fees. Limits the fees to a decreasing percentage based on the increasing value of the amount awarded. Prescribes qualifications for expert witnesses. Requires the court to reduce damages received by the amount of collateral source benefits to which a claimant is entitled, unless the payor of such benefits has the right to reimbursement or subrogation under federal or state law. Authorizes the award of punitive damages only where: (1) it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that a person acted with malicious intent to injure the claimant or deliberately failed to avoid unnecessary injury the claimant was substantially certain to suffer; and (2) compensatory damages are awarded. Limits punitive damages to the greater of two times the amount of economic damages or $250,000. Prohibits a health care provider from being named as a party in a product liability or class action lawsuit for prescribing or dispensing a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription drug, biological product, or medical device for an approved indication. Provides for periodic payments of future damage awards.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Fair and Accurate Representation Act of 2006 - Amends federal census law to direct the Secretary of Commerce to adjust census figures as necessary so that illegal aliens are not counted for purposes of the apportionment of Representatives in the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Aviation Fuel Tax Simplification Act - Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to suspend until after September 30, 2007, certain provisions relating to the taxation of aviation kerosene.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Call Home Act of 2006 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to to reduce the cost of calling home for military personnel stationed or deployed outside the United States in support of military operations, training exercises, or other purposes approved by the Secretary of Defense. Prohibits the FCC from regulating rates in order to carry out this Act. Amends the Telecommunications Authorization Act of 1992 to repeal current FCC cost reduction authority with respect to personnel stationed or deployed in specified countries.
![Official portrait of Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001126_200.jpg)