United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007
Expresses the appreciation of the Senate for the profound public service and educational contributions of Donald Jeffry Herbert (television's "Mr. Wizard"). Recognizes the profound impact of higher educational institutions that train teachers. Encourages students to honor the heritage of Don Herbert by exploring our world through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Tenders the condolences of the Senate to the family of Don Herbert, and thanks them for their strong familial support of him.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2007
Veterans Education Tuition Support Act or VETS Act - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to require an institution of higher education, in the case of a servicemember who because of military service discontinues a program of education at an institution that administers a federal financial aid program, to: (1) refund to the servicemember tuition and other fees paid for the portion of the program of education for which the servicemember did not receive academic credit because of such military service; and (2) provide the servicemember an opportunity to reenroll at the institution with the same educational and academic status that the servicemember had when the program was discontinued because of the military service. Requires a provider of a student loan with respect to such a servicemember: (1) if the servicemember reenrolls in the program of education (or a comparable program) within 13 months following the period of military service, to disregard the entire period that the education was discontinued in determining the date on which student loan repayment is to begin; or (2) if the servicemember does not reenroll, to not require loan repayment to begin before the later of the last day of such 13-month period or the date the repayment was otherwise required to begin. Prohibits a court from granting a creditor relief from the 6% limit on interest charged against student loan indebtedness.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2007
Travel Promotion Act of 2007 - Establishes the Corporation for Travel Promotion as a nonprofit corporation that is not an agency or establishment of the U.S. government. Makes the Corporation subject to the provisions of the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act. Requires the Corporation, among other things, to provide useful information to people interested in traveling to the United States, counter and correct misperceptions regarding U.S. travel policy, and promote U.S. travel. Establishes in the Treasury the Travel Promotion Fund. Requires the transfer of Treasury funds to the Corporation, requiring nonfederal matching funds. Authorizes the U.S. government, if a fully automated electronic system is implemented to determine, in advance of travel, the eligibility of an alien to travel to the United States, to charge an applicant a system use fee. Authorizes the Corporation to impose an annual assessment on U.S. members of the travel and tourism industry represented on the Board, provided industry members approve by majority vote in a referendum. Establishes in the Department of Commerce the Office of Travel Promotion, to be headed by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel Promotion. Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to require that the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries expand its research and development activities to promote international travel to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2007
Reclamation Water Settlements Fund Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Treasury a Reclamation Water Settlements Fund. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, for each of the ten years after enactment of this Act, to deposit in such Fund an amount equal to 30% of the revenues generated within the external boundaries of New Mexico that would otherwise be deposited in a reclamation fund established by the Act of June 17, 1902. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury, upon request of the Secretary of the Interior, to transfer to such Secretary such amounts in the Fund as are necessary to fund any activities of the Bureau of Reclamation related to Indian water rights settlements in New Mexico that are approved by Congress and that are associated with the planning, designing, or construction of: (1) water supply infrastructure; or (2) a project to rehabilitate a water delivery system to conserve water.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2007
Amends the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations Act, 1997 to provide for the reimbursement of temporary fire line supervisors (employees of the Department of the Interior or the Forest Service whose duties include temporary supervision to manage a wildland or managed fire) for the cost of professional liability insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Nurse Faculty and Physical Therapist Education Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish a Nurse Faculty Education Program to ensure an adequate supply of nurse faculty through awarding grants to eligible entities to: (1) hire new faculty, retain existing faculty, and purchase educational resources; (2) increase enrollment and graduation rates for students from doctoral programs; and (3) assist graduates in serving as nurse faculty in schools of nursing. Requires the Comptroller General to report on activities to increase participation in the nurse educator program. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide Geriatric Academic Career Awards to promote the career development of eligible individuals as geriatric nurse faculty. Requires the Secretary to establish a Nurse and Physical Therapist Distance Education Pilot Program to award grants for activities to increase accessibility to nursing and physical therapy education, including to: (1) assist individuals in rural areas who want to study nursing or physical therapy; (2) promote the study of nursing and physical therapy at all educational levels; (3) establish additional slots for nursing and physical therapy students at existing schools and programs; and (4) establish new nursing and physical therapy education programs at institutions of higher education Requires the Secretary to: (1) report on the country of origin or professional school of origin of newly licensed nurses and physical therapists in each state; and (2) contract with the Institute of Medicine to study the nursing and physical therapy workforce.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2007
Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment for rural hospitals; (2) revision of the temporary increase in payments to certain rural hospitals (Medicare hold harmless provision); (3) the definition of low-volume hospital for purposes of the Medicare inpatient hospital payment adjustment; (4) Medicare wage index reclassifications for certain hospitals; (5) Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to hospitals in certain rural areas; (6) critical access hospitals; (7) the capital infrastructure revolving loan program; (8) the Medicare incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas; (9) the 1.00 floor on Medicare work geographic adjustment to payments for physician services; (10) Medicare home health care planning; (11) rural health clinics; (12) community health center collaborative access; (13) the temporary Medicare payment increase for home health services furnished in a rural area; (14) increased Medicare payments for rural ground ambulance services; and (15) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 to provide for the extension of treatment of certain physician pathology services under Medicare. 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 · 12 June 2007
Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to military personnel to: (1) extend the limitation period for filing tax refund claims resulting from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability determinations; (2) make permanent the taxpayer election to treat combat zone compensation as earned income for purposes of the earned income tax credit; (3) treat differential wage payments made to active duty members of the uniformed services as wages for retirement plan purposes; (4) make permanent the exemption from the 10% penalty for premature retirement plan distributions made by active duty military personnel; (5) treat state payments to members of the uniformed services as qualified military benefits for purposes of the tax exclusion of such benefits; (6) make permanent the authority of the Social Security Administration to disclose tax return information to the VA for purposes of determining eligibility for certain veterans benefit programs; (7) extend through 2010 mortgage bond financing exemption rules for certain veterans; (8) make permanent the tax exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence by certain members of the Intelligence Community; (9) allow unlimited tax-free rollovers of military death gratuities to Roth individual retirement accounts (Roth IRAs); (10) allow employers a tax credit for differential wage payments made to active duty military personnel; and (11) set forth tax rules for U.S. citizens and certain permanent residents (expatriates) who relinquish their citizenship or residency to avoid U.S taxation.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2007
Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to provide for nationwide expansion of the pilot program for national and state background checks on direct patient access employees of long-term care facilities or providers. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1) require screening, including national criminal history background checks, of direct patient access employees of skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, and other long-term care facilities and providers; and (2) prohibit hiring of abusive workers. Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure that the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System of the FBI has the capacity to store and retrieve fingerprints from its database. Provides that, in the case where a direct patient access employee is convicted of a crime following the initial national criminal history background check, and the employee's fingerprint matches the prints on file with the FBI, the FBI shall inform the state law enforcement department in order for the state to inform the skilled nursing facility, nursing facility, or long-term care facility or provider of such conviction.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2007
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Resiliency Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary), acting through the Center for Mental Health Services, to provide for comprehensive state mental health plans that exclusively meet the mental health needs of children and adolescents. Requires the Secretary to provide for child and adolescent mental health early intervention and prevention services. Requires the Secretary of Education to: (1) provide for access to mental health and case management services in educational settings; and (2) develop guidelines that encourage schools to provide counseling and positive behavioral supports. Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant) of the Social Security Act to provide for appropriate mental health promotion and mental health services to at-risk mothers, grandmothers who are legal guardians, and their children. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to foster the ability of local case managers to work across the mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, education, and juvenile justice systems in a state; (2) provide for the development and implementation of three technical assistance centers to support full consumer and family participation in decision-making about mental health services for children and adolescents; (3) establish an interagency coordinating committee to develop policy across the federal government with respect to child and adolescent mental health; and (4) provide for the development of child and adolescent mental health services and support systems that address gaps in mental health service delivery.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2007
Iraq Study Group Recommendations Implementation Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress: (1) that the President should formulate a comprehensive plan to implement the Iraq Study Group recommendations; (2) respecting diplomatic efforts in Iraq; and (3) respecting redeployment of U.S. combat brigades not necessary for force protection and other specified duties by the first quarter of 2008. States U.S. policy respecting: (1) security and military forces in Iraq; (2) strengthening the U.S. military; (3) police and criminal justice in Iraq; (4) the oil sector in Iraq; (5) improving assistance programs in Iraq; (6) budgetary preparation; and (7) conditions for continued U.S. assistance to Iraq based upon the government of Iraq meeting specified milestones. Requires the President to report to Congress every 90 days respecting such policies' implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2007
Declares that the Senate: (1) has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Craig Thomas, a former Senator from Wyoming; (2) mourns the loss of one of its most esteemed members; and (3) expresses its condolences to the people of Wyoming and to his wife, Susan, and his four children. Declares that when the Senate adjourns June 5, 2007, it shall stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Thomas.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise provisions requiring centers to provide appropriate information, training, and technical assistance on youth suicide to require such information, training, and assistance on suicide among all ages, particularly for youth. Reauthorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for research, training, and technical assistance centers related to mental health, substance abuse, and the justice system and suicide. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that a state does not receive more than one grant or cooperative agreement for the development of youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies at any one time. (Current law requires the Secretary to ensure that each state is awarded only one such grant or cooperative agreement.) Reauthorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for such grants or cooperative agreements. Reauthorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for grants to institutions of higher education for services to students with mental and behavioral health problems.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for: (1) type I diabetes research; and (2) diabetes prevention and treatment through Indian health facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2007
Veterans' Mental Health Outreach and Access Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program to provide to veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, particularly veterans who served in such Operations while in the National Guard and reserves: (1) peer outreach and support services; (2) readjustment counseling and related services; and (3) mental health services. Directs the Secretary to also provide to immediate family members of such veterans, during the three-year period following the return of the veterans from such a deployment, education, support, counseling, and mental health services to assist in: (1) readjustment to civilian life; (2) recovery from an injury or illness incurred during such deployment; and (3) readjustment of the family following the veteran's return. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with community health centers and other qualified entities to provide such services in areas not adequately served by health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires the Secretary to: (1) contract for a program to train veterans to provide the peer outreach and support services; and (2) conduct a training program for clinicians of community health centers and entities contracted to provide such services. Extends the eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for veterans who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations from two to five years after their discharge or release from such duty.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2007
Nuclear Waste Access to Yucca Act - Withdraws specified lands in Nye County, Nevada, permanently from any form of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws, including: (1) the mineral leasing laws; (2) the geothermal leasing laws; (3) materials sales laws; and (4) the mining laws. Transfers jurisdiction over such lands to the Secretary of Energy. Reserves use of such lands for certain activities associated with the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. Requires the Secretary to manage the lands so withdrawn, and submit to Congress and the state of Nevada a management plan for their use. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to direct the Secretary to apply to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a license to construct and operate facilities to receive and store spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste at the Yucca Mountain site. Authorizes the Secretary to begin construction of connected infrastructure facilities after completion of a final environmental impact statement evaluating the activities involved. Requires the Secretary to acquire rights-of-way for construction and operation of railroad facilities to transport spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from existing rail systems to the site of surface facilities within the geologic repository operations area for the receipt, handling, packaging, and storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste prior to emplacement. Revises requirements for new plant contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2007
Public Mental Health Emergency Preparedness Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the National Center for Public Mental Health Emergency Preparedness to address mental health concerns and coordinate and implement the development and delivery of mental health services in the event of bioterrorism or other public health emergency. Requires the Director of the Center to: (1) develop a mechanism to appoint a panel of experts for the Center; (2) convene a Training Curricula Working Group to review and approve mental health training curricula for emergency health professionals; (3) develop a mechanism through which individuals trained through approved curricula return to their communities to recruit and train others and provide expertise to state and local government agencies; (4) coordinate the use of existing emergency registries established to track medical and mental health volunteers for use by the Secretary, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Governor of each state to recruit and deploy trained emergency health professionals; (5) establish and maintain a central clearinghouse of educational materials, guidelines, information, strategies, resources, and research on public mental health emergency preparedness and service delivery; (6) convene a Clearinghouse Working Group; (7) organize an annual national forum to address public mental health emergency preparedness and service delivery; and (8) convene an Assessment Working Group to evaluate the effectiveness of the Center's efforts and those across the federal government in building the nation's public mental health emergency preparedness and service delivery capacity. Requires the National Disaster Medical System and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to ensure that licensed mental health professionals with expertise in treating vulnerable populations are available for deployment with Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and are included in the leadership of the National Disaster Medical System.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2007
Stop Over Spending Act of 2007 - Second Look at Wasteful Spending Act of 2007 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to transmit annually to Congress a maximum of four special messages that propose to rescind dollar amounts of discretionary budget authority, items of direct spending, and targeted tax benefits. Requires an analysis by: (1) the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) of an estimated savings in budget authority or outlays resulting from such rescission; and (2) the Joint Committee on Taxation of an estimated savings resulting from repeal of targeted tax benefits. Requires any rescinded budget authority, items of direct spending, or targeted tax benefit to be dedicated only to deficit reduction, and not to be used as an offset for other spending increases or revenue reductions. Provides for adjustment of: (1) committee allocations resulting from such rescission; and (2) applicable limits, as appropriate, under this Act. Sets forth procedures for expedited congressional consideration of a proposed rescission. Requires: (1) the President to issue an order fully implementing without change all sequestrations required by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in its Final Sequestration Report; and (2) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress and the President on the order's compliance with this Act. Prescribes requirements for discretionary sequestration reports by OMB and GAO, discretionary spending and maximum deficit limits, federal tax gap initiative, executive and legislative branch sequestration procedures, and congressional response to low economic growth. Provides adjustments in such discretionary spending limits for: (1) the Global War on Terrorism overseas; (2) U.S. forces in such War; (3) addressing deficiencies at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for injured individuals resulting from such War; (4) continuing disability reviews and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) redeterminations for the Social Security Administration; (5) health care fraud and abuse; and (6) unemployment insurance improper payment reviews. Authorizes the President to exempt military personnel accounts from sequestration or provide a lower uniform percentage reduction. Prohibits the President's budget from exceeding the maximum deficit amount for any fiscal year. Requires biennial budget resolutions, appropriations Acts, and government strategic and performance plans. Establishes the National Commission on Entitlement Solvency and the Commission on Congressional Budgetary Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise budget resolution requirements. Authorizes the chairman of the Committee on the Budget to notify the Senate of a Medicare funding warning. Makes it out of order to consider any legislation that would cause any increase in direct spending, net of proposals to change direct spending receipts, or revenues contained in the measure if the Senate has been notified of such warning for two consecutive calendar years. Makes it out of order in the Senate to consider legislation that includes a federal income tax rate increase. Requires the concurrent resolution on the budget, for any year when the CBO projects an on-budget deficit (excluding Social Security) for the budget year or any subsequent fiscal year, except in specified circumstances, to: (1) reduce on-budget deficits relative to the CBO projections and put the budget on a path to achieve on-budget balance within five years; and (2) include provisions to protect Social Security and facilitate deficit reduction, other than reducing Social Security benefits. Requires the CBO to prepare an estimate for legislation reported from committee (except measures within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Appropriations) on whether the measure would cause a net increase in direct spending exceeding $5 billion in any of the four 10-year periods between FY2016-FY2055. Sets forth provisions avoiding Pay-As-You-Go points of order in the Senate against consideration of appropriations legislation. Provides for such Pay-As-You-Go points of order in certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2007
Designates June 2007 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 · 14 May 2007
ALS Registry Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) develop a system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other motor neuron disorders that can be confused with ALS, misdiagnosed as ALS, or progress to ALS; and (2) establish a national registry for the collection and storage of such data. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to establish the Advisory Committee on the National ALS Registry to review information and make recommendations to the Secretary concerning: (1) the development and maintenance of the registry; (2) the type of information to be included; (3) the manner in which data is to be collected; (4) the use and availability of such data; and (5) the collection of information about diseases and disorders that primarily affect motor neurons that are considered essential to furthering the study and cure of ALS. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director, to award grants to, and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, public or private nonprofit entities for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on ALS and other motor neuron disorders. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to: (1) identify, build upon, expand, and coordinate among existing data and surveillance systems, surveys, registries, and other federal public health and environmental infrastructure wherever possible; and (2) provide for research access to ALS data as recommended by the Advisory Committee in a manner that protects personal privacy. Requires the Secretary to ensure that epidemiological and other types of information is made available to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2007
Industrial Bank Holding Company Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to apply the bank share or asset acquisition requirements of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to any company that is or would become an industrial bank holding company. Subjects an industrial bank to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) requirements regarding registration, reporting, and bank examinations. Prohibits the FDIC from imposing capital or capital adequacy requirements on functionally regulated affiliates of any depository institution controlled by industrial bank holding companies meeting certain criteria. Requires a federal supervisory agency of an industrial bank holding company to forego examination of any depository institution subsidiary of the holding company. Authorizes the FDIC to require from either a regulatory agency or a holding company that controls an industrial bank any information necessary to: (1) assess risk to the industrial bank; or (2) determine its condition. Prohibits an industrial bank from being controlled by a commercial firm, except in certain circumstances. Prescribes activity and branching limitations affecting industrial bank subsidiaries of certain commercial firms. Authorizes a federal supervisory agency to order a holding company or a nonbank subsidiary to terminate an activity or its ownership or control over certain depository institution subsidiaries if the activity or ownership or control of a nonbank subsidiary represents a serious risk to a depository institution subsidiary of the holding company. Subjects foreign bank acquisition or control of an industrial bank to approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Requires a holding company of an industrial bank to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary banks. Subjects an industrial bank holding company to: (1) enforcement by the FDIC, including its nonbank subsidiaries; and (2) the prompt corrective action requirements of the FDIA.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2007
Access to Medicare Imaging Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish a two-year moratorium on certain Medicare physician payment reductions for imaging services. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress during such moratorium on imaging services furnished under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2007
Children's Mental Health Parity Act - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to require a state child health plan to ensure that the financial requirements and treatment limitations applicable to mental health or substance abuse benefits are no more restrictive than (have parity with) those applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2007
Mental Health in Schools Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the program to provide grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to develop ways to assist children in dealing with violence to include assisting local communities and schools in applying a public health approach to mental health services, including providing comprehensive services and supports and incorporating strategies of positive behavioral interventions and supports. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a comprehensive school mental health program that incorporates positive behavioral interventions and supports. Establishes eligibility requirements for the program, including requiring: (1) a partnership between a local educational agency and at least one community program or agency that is involved in mental health; (2) the program to provide for in-service training of all school personnel; and (3) sustainability of the program after funding terminates. Requires the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop a process for evaluating activities under the grant program to include the development of student and family outcome measures and local educational outcome measures.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2007
Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 - Prohibits a federal entity (an entity or employee of the judicial or executive branch or an administrative agency) from compelling a covered person (a person engaged in journalism, including their supervisor, employer, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate) to testify or produce any document unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence. Requires the content of compelled testimony or documents to be limited and narrowly tailored. Applies this Act to communications service providers with regard to testimony or any record, information, or other communication that relates to a business transaction between such providers and covered persons. Sets forth notice requirements. Permits a court to delay notice to a covered person upon determining that such notice would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of a criminal investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2007 - Amends the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 to: (1) authorize any federal law enforcement officer to conduct an investigation of an offense involving the sale of any good that is misrepresented as an Indian produced good or product that occurs on land under the jurisdiction of the federal government; and (2) authorize the Indian Arts and Crafts Board to refer such an alleged offense to any federal law enforcement officer (currently, just to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)) for appropriate investigation. Permits a federal law enforcement officer to investigate such an alleged offense regardless of whether such officer receives a referral from the Board. Requires that the findings of an investigation of such an alleged offense by any federal department or agency be submitted to: (1) the Attorney General; or (2) the Board. Provides for the Board, upon receiving the findings of such an investigation, to: (1) recommend to the Attorney General that criminal proceedings be initiated (current law); and (2) provide such support to the Attorney General relating to the criminal proceedings as the Attorney General determines to be appropriate. Allows the Board, in lieu of, or in addition to, any such criminal proceeding, to recommend that the Attorney General initiate a civil action. Revises: (1) requirements for the initiation of civil actions for misrepresentation of Indian produced goods; and (2) penalties for the misrepresentation of such goods.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2007
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and make available to local educational agencies a policy to manage the risk of food allergy and anaphylaxis in schools to be implemented on a voluntary basis only. Directs that such policy address: (1) a parental obligation to provide the school with information regarding a student's food allergy and risk of anaphylaxis; (2) creation of an individual health care plan tailored to each student with a documented risk for anaphylaxis; (3) communication strategies between schools and emergency medical services; (4) strategies to reduce the risk of exposure in classrooms and common areas; (5) food allergy management training of school personnel; and (6) authorization and training of school personnel to administer epinephrine when the school nurse is not immediately available. Allows the Secretary to award grants to assist local educational agencies in implementing such food allergy management guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2007
Laser Visa Extension Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to permit a national of Mexico to travel up to 100 miles from the international border between Mexico and New Mexico if such national: (1) possesses a valid machine-readable biometric border crossing identification card issued by a Department of State consular officer; (2) enters New Mexico through a port of entry where such card is processed using a machine reader; (3) has successfully completed any required background check; and (4) is admitted into the United States as a nonimmigrant tourist or business visitor. Authorizes the Secretary to limit the travel of an otherwise qualifying national of Mexico to less than 100 miles from the Mexico-New Mexico border if such national was previously admitted into the United States as a nonimmigrant and violated the terms and conditions of such status.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2007
First Response Broadcasters Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for facility and equipment expenses to construct an additional 25 Primary Entry Point stations (radio broadcast stations designated to provide public information following emergencies where there is no commercial power) in the continental United States and territories. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program, the Broadcast Disaster Preparedness Grant Program, under which the Administrator may make grants to first response broadcasters. Sets forth provisions regarding priorities in making grants, use of funds, the federal share, and termination of grant authority. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) include specified assistance to first response broadcasters among the essential assistance that federal agencies may provide to meet immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster; (2) prohibit a federal officer or employee from confiscating fuel, water, or food from such a broadcaster during a disaster if that broadcaster documents that such supplies will be used to enable the broadcast of essential disaster-related public information in the affected area; and (3) direct the head of a federal agency to allow access to the area affected by a major disaster for technical personnel, broadcast engineers, and equipment needed to restore, repair, or resupply any facility or equipment critical to such a broadcaster's ability to continue to acquire, produce, and transmit essential disaster-related public information, subject to specified limitations. Establishes guidelines for press access to a disaster area.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2007
Calls for U.S. flags on all federal facilities to be lowered to half-staff on the day of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2007
Mental Health Care for Our Wounded Warriors Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) members of the Armed Forces (members) deserve the best possible treatment for mental and physical illnesses and injuries sustained while in military service; (2) members should have access to mental health providers; (3) mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) should be treated with an urgency similar to physical ailments incurred by members; (4) there is a need to recruit, train, and retain more mental health care professionals to diagnose and treat members; and (5) there is a continued need for research, new treatments, and best practices for treating PTSD, as well as a long-term strategy for recruiting, training, and retaining the mental health workforce of the Department of Defense (DOD). Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish at least two centers of excellence in military mental health for, among other things, the development and implementation of DOD strategy for the prevention, identification, and treatment of combat-related mental health conditions, with an emphasis on PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional defense committees on appropriate actions to address current personnel shortages in the DOD mental health workforce.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2007
Albuquerque Indian School Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to take into trust two tracts of federal land identified as tract B and tract D that were historically part of the Albuquerque Indian School for the benefit of the 19 New Mexico Indian Pueblos specified in this Act for use for the educational, health, cultural, business, and economic development of those 19 Pueblos. .
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2007
Department of Energy Electricity Programs Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to increase from seven to eight the number of Assistant Secretaries serving in the Department of Energy. Expresses the sense of Congress that leadership for missions of the Department of Energy relating to electricity delivery and reliability should be at the Assistant Secretary level.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2007
Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise requirements for health care programs and services for Indians, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. Provides for: (1) expanded coverage for qualified Indians in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as Medicare under SSA title XVIII and Medicaid under SSA title XIX; and (2) related payments to Indian Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations operating in the state. Replaces the Urban Health Programs Branch with a Division of Urban Indian Health. Requires the Indian Health Service to be administered by an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health (currently, it is administered by a Director). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Indian Health Service and Indian tribes and tribal organizations, to consolidate certain existing programs into a new program of comprehensive behavioral health, prevention, treatment, and aftercare for Indian tribes. Establishes the National Bipartisan Indian Health Care Commission to: (1) establish a study committee to study the extent of Indian health services needs; (2) review and analyze the study committee's report; and (3) make recommendations to Congress regarding the delivery of federal health care services to Indians. Provides for the confidentiality of medical quality assurance records created by or for any Indian Health Program or a health program of an urban Indian organization as part of a medical quality assurance program. Reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (as amended by this Act) through FY2017. Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to direct the Secretary to establish the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation. Amends related SSA provisions to conform with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2007
Federal Criminal Immigration Courts Act of 2007 - Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the following permanent judgeships: (1) four additional district judges for the district of Arizona; (2) one additional district judge for the district of New Mexico; (3) two additional district judges for the southern district of Texas; and (4) one additional district judge for the western district of Texas. Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the following temporary judgeships: (1) one additional district judge for the district of Arizona; and (2) one additional district judge for the district of New Mexico. Provides that, for each of the judicial districts named in this Act, the first vacancy arising on the district court 10 years or more after a judge is first confirmed to fill the temporary district judgeship created by this Act shall not be filled.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2007
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald, a former Representative from California. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on April 23, 2007, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Representative Millender-McDonald.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2007
Designates the third week of April 2007 as National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week. Commends those organizations that are: (1) working to increase awareness of the danger of shaking young children; (2) educating parents and caregivers on how they can help protect children from injuries caused by abusive shaking; and (3) helping families cope with the challenges of child-rearing and other stresses in their lives. Encourages participation in educational programs to help prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the use of and reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening tests covered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA). Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) increase Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic tests; (2) cover an outpatient office visit or consultation for the purpose of beneficiary education before a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a colonoscopy, or in conjunction with the beneficiary's decision to obtain such a screening, regardless of whether the screening is medically indicated with respect to the beneficiary; and (3) waive the deductible for such tests.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act - Amends the Colorado River Storage Project Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate, and maintain the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project. Establishes in the Treasury a Reclamation Water Settlements Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to request a transfer from the Fund to implement a congressionally approved settlement agreement that requires the Bureau of Reclamation to plan, design, and construct: (1) water supply infrastructure; or (2) a project to rehabilitate a water delivery system to conserve water or to improve environmental conditions associated with an existing reclamation project. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) design, construct, operate, and maintain the New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project in substantial accordance with the draft environmental impact statement prepared by the Bureau; and (2) construct, operate, and maintain specified Project facilities to provide for the delivery of San Juan River water to Gallup, New Mexico, the Navajo Nation, and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. Directs the Secretary to: (1) reserve up to 26 megawatts of power for Project use; and (2) identify projects recommended to repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct Non-Navajo Irrigation District diversion and ditch facilitites to improve water use efficiency. Approves the agreement among New Mexico, the Navajo Nation, and the United States setting forth a stipulated and binding agreement signed by New Mexico and the Navajo Nation on April 19, 2005. Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into that agreement to the extent that it does not conflict with this Act; and (2) prepare a hydrographic survey to identify and quantify any historic or existing diversion or use of water by the Navajo Nation from the San Juan River Basin. Establishes in the Treasury the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture conduct a study of hunger in the United States and develop recommendations on reducing domestic hunger. Directs the Secretary to make: (1) hunger-free communities collaborative grants to eligible public food program service providers or nonprofit organizations; (2) hunger-free communities infrastructure grants to eligible emergency feeding organizations; and (3) hunger-free communities training and technical assistance grants to eligible national or regional nonprofit organizations. (States that such grants' federal share shall not exceed 80%.) Sets forth grant priorities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2007
Specialty Crops Competition Act of 2007 - Defines "specialty crop" as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, nursery crops, floriculture, and horticulture. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act to provide for marketing order specialty crop food safety programs. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) carry out fruit and vegetable market news activities; (2) make grants to states to enhance specialty crop competitiveness; (3) prepare a foreign market access strategy plan; (4) establish in the Department of Agriculture an office for the protection of intellectual property rights in plants and plant-derived materials; (5) make grants for market analysis of antidumping and countervailing duty cases; (6) establish a program of specialty crop research and grants; (7) establish an invasive pest threat identification and mitigation program; (8) establish the national clean plant network to provide diagnostic and pathogen elimination services; (9) establish the nutrition education program review committee; (10) carry out an integrated pest management initiative; and (11) carry out a specialty crop census every five years. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to obligate funds for specialty crop operating loans. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) increase and extend specialty crop technical assistance; (2) make nursery tree growers eligible for tree program assistance; (3) provide for increased fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop purchases; and (4) remove the income limitation from the environmental quality incentives program. Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to increase and extend funding for value-added agricultural market development grants. Revises specified plant patent provisions. Amends the Plant Protection Act to revise compensation provisions. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to restore import and entry agricultural inspection functions to the Department of Agriculture. Establishes the international agricultural inspection program within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Amends the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to direct the Secretary to provide emergency assistance to specialty crop producers who suffer qualifying losses in disaster-designated counties. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to expand the fresh fruit and vegetable program. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to include food stamp nutrition education (as defined by this Act) within the scope of the food stamp program. Establishes a food stamp fruit and vegetable electronic benefit transfer pilot program. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make transportation infrastructure grants to eligible state and local governments, shippers, and specialty crop producers; and (2) carry out food safety initiatives. Establishes in the Department an Office of Pest Management Policy. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to provide loans and grants for housing farm laborers admitted for temporary residence (H-2A visas).
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2007
Designates April 20, 2007 as National and Global Youth Service Day. Recognizes and commends the significant contributions of the youth of the United States and encourages the cultivation of a common civic bond between young people dedicated to serving their neighbors, their communities, and the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2007
Preventive Medicine and Public Health Training Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants to or enter into contracts with certain eligible entities to provide training to graduate medical residents in preventive medicine specialties. Requires grant funds to be used for: (1) residency programs for preventive medicine or public health; (2) financial assistance to resident physicians who plan to specialize in preventive medicine or public health; (3) preventive medicine or public health program costs, including curriculum development and practicum costs; and (4) the improvement of academic administrative units.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2007
More Water, More Energy, and Less Waste Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to conduct a study to identify: (1) the obstacles to reducing the quantity of produced water (water from an underground source that is brought to the surface as part of the exploration for or development of oil, natural gas, coal-bed methane, or any other substance to be used as an energy source) and to increasing the extent to which produced water can be used for irrigation or other purposes without adversely affecting water quality or the environment; and (2) the actions that could reduce or eliminate such obstacles and the associated costs and benefits. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance for the development of facilities, technologies, and processes to demonstrate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of: (1) optimizing energy resource production by reducing the quantity of produced water generated; or (2) increasing the extent to which produced water may be recovered and made suitable for specified purposes. Requires such assistance to be provided for at least one project in: (1) each of the Upper Basin States (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming); and (2) each of the Lower Basin States (Arizona, California, and Nevada). Prohibits such assistance from exceeding $1 million per project, from being used to pay more than 50% of the total project cost, or from being used for facility operation or maintenance.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2007
Energy Efficiency Promotion Act of 2007 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act with respect to advanced lighting technologies. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act with respect to the expediting of new energy efficiency standards. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 with respect to high efficiency vehicles, advanced batteries, and energy storage. United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) implement a research, development, and demonstration program to support the ability of the United States to remain globally competitive in energy storage systems for motor transportation and electricity transmission and distribution; and (2) establish an Energy Storage Advisory Council. Instructs the Secretary to develop a strategic plan to achieve specified national goals to reduce gasoline usage. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, the Energy Conservation and Production Act, and the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act with respect to: (1) federal fleet conservation requirements; (2) requirements for federal purchase of renewable energy-generated electricity; (3) energy savings performance contracts; (4) energy management requirements for federal buildings; (5) combined heat and power and district energy installations at federal sites; (6) federal building energy efficiency performance standards; and (7) application of the International Energy Conservation Code to public and assisted housing. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 with respect to utility energy efficiency programs. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance regarding implementation of the energy efficiency and demand response programs to state energy offices, public utility regulatory commissions, and nonregulated utilities; and (2) award grants to institutions of higher education to implement projects to improve energy efficiency on institution grounds. Declares that Congress encourages each local educational agency receiving certain federal funds to develop a policy to reduce the incidence of school bus idling.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2007
Expresses the heartfelt condolences of the Senate to the victims and their families, and to students, faculty, administration and staff and their families who have been deeply affected by the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Expresses its hope that the tragedy will lead to a shared national commitment to take steps that will help our communities prevent such tragedies in the future. Recognizes that Virginia Tech has served as an exemplary institution of teaching, learning, and research for well over a century and will continue these proud and historic traditions.
![Official portrait of Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000407_200.jpg)