United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2010
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 - Provides for repeal of the current Department of Defense (DOD) policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, to be effective 60 days after the Secretary of Defense has received DOD's comprehensive review on the implementation of such repeal, and the President, Secretary, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) certify to the congressional defense committees that they have considered the report and proposed plan of action, that DOD has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by such repeal, and that implementation of such policies and regulations is consistent with the standards of military readiness and effectiveness, unit cohesion, and military recruiting and retention. Provides that, until such time as the above conditions are met, the current policy shall remain in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2010
Amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to reauthorize appropriations, through FY2016, for programs that: (1) promote the economic and social self-sufficiency of Native Americans; (2) improve the capability of their governing bodies to regulate environmental quality pursuant to federal and tribal environmental laws; and (3) assist Native Americans in ensuring the survival and continuing vitality of their languages.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2010
Recognizes November 2010 as National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. Celebrates the heritage and culture of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Honors their contributions to this country.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2010
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month, including encouraging people to fight diabetes through public awareness about prevention and treatment options, and increasing education about the disease; and (2) decreasing the prevalence of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes in the United States through increased research, treatment, and prevention. Recognizes the importance of early detection, awareness of the symptoms, and the risk factors that often lead to the development of diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010
Establishes the Emergency Trade Deficit Commission to examine, and report to the President and Congress on, the causes of the U.S. trade deficit, together with recommendations to address and reduce trade imbalances, such as the U.S. merchandise trade deficit, in order to promote sustainable economic growth that provides broad-based income and employment gains.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010
Designates the week beginning on Monday, November 8, 2010, as National Veterans History Project Week. Calls on the people of the United States to interview at least one veteran in their families or communities according to guidelines provided by the Veterans History Project. Encourages national, state, and local organizations along with federal, state, city and county governmental institutions to participate in support of the effort to document, preserve, and honor the service of U.S. veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010
Clean Sports Protection Act - Provides that a covered sports league's or association's policies designed to detect and prevent the use of steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs shall preempt any less stringent provision of a state or local civil law. Defines "covered sports league or association" as Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, the National Football League, the Arena Football League, the National Basketball Association, the Women's National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, and Major League Soccer .
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2010
Designates the week beginning on Monday, November 8, 2010, as National Veterans History Project Week. Recognizes National Veterans Awareness Week. Calls on the people of the United States to interview at least one veteran in their families or communities according to guidelines provided by the Veterans History Project. Encourages local, state, and national organizations along with federal, state, city, and county governmental institutions to participate in support of the effort to document, preserve, and honor the service of U.S. veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2010
Renewable Electricity Promotion Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to establish a standard that requires electric utilities to obtain an increasing percentage of their base quantity of electricity that they sell to consumers from renewable energy or energy efficiency (3% in 2012-2013, 6% in 2014-2016, 9% in 2017-2018, 12% in 2019-2020, and 15% in 2021-2039). Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish a renewable energy credit trading program and an energy efficiency credit trading program, under which utilities will submit credits to comply with such standard. Provides for the issuance, duration, transfer, trading, tracking, and reporting of credits. Sets forth civil penalties for utilities that fail to meet such requirements. Allows the Secretary to delegate to: (1) a market-making entity the administration of a national renewable energy credit market and a national energy efficiency credit market to create a transparent national market for the sale or trade of such credits, and (2) regional entities the tracking of dispatch of renewable energy generation;. Authorizes: (1) a state public utility commission or electric utility to request a variance from such renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements, and (2) a utility to meet such requirements by submitting alternative compliance payments. Allows: (1) a governor to expend amounts in a state renewable energy escrow account solely for increasing the quantity of electric energy produced from a renewable energy source in the state, promoting deployment and use of electric drive vehicles in the state, and offsetting the costs of carrying out this Act paid by consumers in the state through direct grants to electric consumers or energy efficiency investments; and (2) states to adopt or enforce laws concerning renewable energy or energy efficiency or the regulation of electric utilities. Exempts from renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements an electric utility that sold less than 4 million megawatt hours of electric energy to electric consumers during the preceding year or that is located in Hawaii. Requires the Secretary, when petitioned by the governor of a state or the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the case of TVA's power service area, to allow up to 26.67% of the renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements associated with the sales of electricity of a utility to be met by submitting federal energy efficiency credits. Requires: (1) the Secretary to promulgate regulations regarding the measurement and verification of electricity savings; and (2) the increment of electricity output of a new combined heat and power system that is attributable to the higher efficiency of the combined system to be considered electricity savings. Requires the Secretary to make loans available to electric utilities to: (1) construct a renewable energy generation facility; and (2) install an energy efficiency or electricity demand reduction technology. Terminates the authority provided by this Act on December 31, 2039.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2010
Creating American Jobs and Ending Offshoring Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt from employment taxes for a 24-month period employers who hire a employee who replaces another employee who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and who performs similar duties overseas; (2) deny any tax deduction, deduction for loss, or tax credit for the cost of an American jobs offshoring transaction (defined as any transaction in which a taxpayer reduces or eliminates the operation of a trade or business in connection with the start-up or expansion of such trade or business outside the United States); and (3) eliminate the deferral of tax on income of a controlled foreign corporation attributable to property imported into the United States by such corporation or a related person, except for property exported before substantial use in the United States and for agricultural commodities not grown in the United States in commercially marketable quantities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2010
Designates the week beginning on November 8, 2010, as National School Psychology Week. Recognizes the contributions of school psychologists to the success of students in schools across this country.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 2010
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Theodore "Ted" Fulton Stevens, former member of the U.S. Senate from Alaska. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on August 12, 2010, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Stevens.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Makes available amounts from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5) appropriated for the Bureau of Indian Affairs--Indian Guaranteed Loan Program Account that were rescinded by a section of P.L. 111-226.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Health Information Technology Extension for Behavioral Health Services Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the definition of "health care provider" for purposes of health information technology provisions to include a behavioral or mental health professional, a substance abuse professional, a psychiatric hospital, a community mental health center, a mental health treatment facility, and a substance abuse treatment facility. Adds community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, behavioral and mental health professionals, substance abuse professionals, mental health treatment facilities, and substance abuse treatment facilities to the list of entities with priority for receiving direct assistance from regional extension centers to effectively adopt, implement, and utilize health information technology. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include qualified clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, mental health treatment facilities, and substance abuse treatment facilities within the health professionals, hospitals, and Medicaid providers eligible for incentive payments for the meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Applies Medicare hospital market basket adjustments for such incentives applicable to inpatient hospitals to psychiatric hospitals. Makes this Act effective as if included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require personnel who perform or plan the technical component of either medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy procedures for medical purposes to possess, effective January 1, 2013: (1) certification in each medical imaging or radiation therapy modality and service they plan or perform from a certification organization designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS); or (2) state licensure or certification where such services and modalities are within the scope of practice as defined by the state for such profession and where the requirements for licensure, certification, or registration meet or exceed the standards established by the Secretary. Exempts physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants from the requirements of this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish minimum standards for personnel who perform, plan, evaluate, or verify patient dose for medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy procedures; (2) establish a program for designating certification organizations after consideration of specified criteria; (3) provide a process for individuals whose training or experience are determined to be equal to, or in excess of, those of a graduate of an accredited educational program in that specialty to demonstrate that their experience meets the educational standards for qualified personnel in their imaging modality or radiation therapy procedures; and (4) publish a list of approved accrediting bodies for such certification organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to develop alternative standards for rural or health professional shortage areas as appropriate to ensure access to quality medical imaging. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow Medicare payment for medical imaging and radiation therapy services, only if the examination or procedure is planned or performed by an individual who meets this Act's requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Indian Energy Parity Act of 2010 - Authorizes an Indian tribe or tribal energy development organization to submit to the Secretary of the Interior, and to applicable federal agencies, a plan to fully integrate into a single, coordinated, comprehensive program federally funded energy-related activities and programs, including programs for employment training, energy planning, financing, construction, and related physical infrastructure and equipment. Requires a plan to meet specified requirements and prohibits an agency from imposing additional requirements. Prohibits any other federal funding from being reduced, denied, or withheld as a result of plan participation by an Indian tribe or tribal energy development organization. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 with respect to: (1) Indian tribal energy resource development, including to direct the Secretary to provide assistance to interested Indian tribes or tribal energy resource development organizations in developing an energy resource development program; and (2) tribal energy resource agreements. Amends the Federal Power Act to include Indian tribes, along with states and municipalities, as having preference for the receipt of preliminary hydroelectric licenses. Amends the Indian Land Consolidation Act: (1) to revise the definition of "parcel of highly fractionated Indian land"; (2) with respect the purchase of trust, restricted, or controlled lands at no less than fair market value and the partition of highly fractioned Indian lands; (3) with respect to tribal authority to apply revenue against liens; and (4) to revise provisions concerning owner-managed interests. Amends the Indian Financing Act of 1974 concerning loan guarantees and insurance to direct the Secretary to consider more favorable equity terms or allow an increase in loan guarantees from 90% up to 95% of the unpaid principal and interest due on any loan made for energy development or manufacturing carried out on Indian land or within a tribal service area recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Amends provisions concerning leases on Indian land with respect to: (1) access, including access under the Indian Mineral leasing Act of 1938; (2) the Long-Term Leasing Act; and (3) leases on restricted land, including concerning tribal approval of leases. Amends provisions concerning oil and gas leases on Indian land, including to prohibit the collection of any oil or gas inspection fees. Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to conduct at least 10 distributed energy demonstration projects to increase the energy resources available to Indian tribes for use in homes and community or government buildings. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide for: (1) a competitive process for making grants for an Indian energy efficiency program; and (2) direct grants to Indian tribes for the weatherization of Indian homes. Amends the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 to provide for at least four demonstration projects to promote biomass energy production on Indian forest land and in nearby communities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive matching grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to: (1) promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in secondary schools; (2) support the participation of secondary school students in nonprofit robotics or STEM competitions; and (3) broaden secondary school students' access to STEM careers. Allows secondary schools to apply for such grants if their LEA does not. Gives priority to grant applications that address the needs of: (1) rural or urban schools; (2) low-performing schools or school districts; or (3) LEAs or schools that serve at least 10,000 poor children or a student population at least 20% of which is poor. Authorizes the Secretary to waive all or part of the matching requirement for financially-strapped LEAs or schools. Directs the Secretary to: (1) publicize the grant program and nontraditional STEM teaching methods; and (2) evaluate the efficacy of the grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Designates September 9, 2010, as National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day. Calls upon the people of the United States to observe a moment of reflection on the ninth hour of September 9, 2010, to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should not consume alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Students Taking Action for Road Safety Act of 2010 or STARS Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a teen traffic safety grant program to award formula grants to states to implement statewide programs to improve the traffic safety of teen drivers. Authorizes a state to use grant funds to implement such statewide program to improve the traffic safety of teen drivers, including activities to support peer-to-peer education and prevention strategies in schools and communities to increase safety belt use and reduce speeding, impaired and distracted driving, underage drinking, and other destructive teen driver decisions that lead to injuries and fatalities. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with a national, nonprofit organization to establish a technical assistance center to provide training and technical assistance to state and local officials, student leaders, school advisors, and other entities associated with the grant program. Authorizes the center to operate a national teen traffic safety clearinghouse. Directs the Secretary to establish the National Teen Driver Advisory Council to study and develop an education and prevention strategy to reduce teen driver injuries and fatalities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Commemorates the 50th anniversary of the National Council for International Visitors and its efforts to promote excellence in citizen diplomacy. Commends the achievements of the thousands of citizen diplomats who have worked for generations to share the best of the United States with foreign leaders, specialists, and scholars. Designates February 16, 2011, as Citizen Diplomacy Day.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2010
Designates September 2010 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that steps should be taken to: (1) raise awareness about prostate cancer screening and treatment; (2) increase research funding commensurate with the burden of the disease; and (3) improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating it.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2010
Pick-Sloan Tribal Commission Act of 2010 - Establishes the Pick-Sloan Tribal Commission for Comprehensive Resolution to consult with Indian tribes affected by the Pick-Sloan Program and to conduct a study of: (1) the impacts of the Program on the affected Indian tribes and the federal government measures attempting to address those impacts; (2) other proposed measures addressing the impacts of the Program on such Indian tribes; (3) the results of any other studies regarding those impacts and potential solutions, including any related studies conducted by the Joint Tribal Advisory Committee; and (4) comparisons involving other situations in which federal hydroelectric projects or federally licensed hydroelectric projects have resulted in the taking or occupation of Indian land and the compensation or other measures Indian tribes have been or are being provided in those situations. Requires the Commission to: (1) maintain an information website beginning on the date of its first meeting; (2) hold at least three hearings; (3) develop a proposal that comprehensively resolves the Program's impacts on, and provides for full and final compensation to, the affected Indian tribes; and (4) issue a report.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2010
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011 - Makes appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for FY2011. Appropriates funds to the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers-Civil, for: (1) civil functions pertaining to rivers and harbors, flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, and aquatic ecosystem restoration (including the Mississippi River alluvial valley below Cape Girardeau, Missouri); (2) the regulatory program pertaining to navigable waters and wetlands; (3) the formerly utilized sites remedial action program for clean-up of early atomic energy program contamination; and (4) the Office of Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). Makes appropriations for FY2011 to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Central Utah Project; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation, including for water and related natural resources; (3) the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund; (4) the California Bay-Delta Restoration; and (5) the Office of the Commissioner, the Denver office, and offices in the five regions of the Bureau of Reclamation. Makes appropriations for FY2011 to the Department of Energy (DOE) for energy and science programs, including: (1) energy efficiency and renewable energy; (2) electricity delivery and energy reliability; (3) nuclear energy; (4) fossil energy research and development; (5) naval petroleum and oil shale reserves; (6) the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve; (7) the Energy Information Administration; (8) non-defense environmental cleanup activities; (9) the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund; (10) advanced research projects agency--energy; (11) the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Loan Program; (12) the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program; (13) departmental administration; (14) Office of the Inspector General; (15) the National Nuclear Security Administration and atomic energy defense weapons activities; (16) defense nuclear nonproliferation activities; (17) naval reactors activities; (18) Office of the Administrator in the National Nuclear Security Administration; (19) defense environmental cleanup; and (20) other defense activities. Approves specified expenditures from the Bonneville Power Administration Fund. Makes FY2011 appropriations for operation and maintenance of: (1) the Southeastern Power Administration; (2) the Southwestern Power Administration; (3) the Western Area Power Administration; (4) the Falcon and Amistad Operating and Maintenance Fund; and (5) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Makes FY2011 appropriations to: (1) the Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; (3) the Delta Regional Authority; (4) the Denali Commission; (5) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), including the Office of Inspector General; (8) the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board; and (9) the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2010
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income payments under the federal veterinary medicine loan repayment program or any other state loan repayment or forgiveness program that is intended to provide for increased access to veterinary services in such state.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2010
Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Pledges to continue to work on a bipartisan basis to identify and address the remaining barriers that undermine the nation's goals of equality of opportunity, independent living, economic self-sufficiency, and full participation for Americans with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2010
United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Marshals Service, to mint and issue $5 gold and $1 silver coins emblematic of the 225 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of the U.S. Marshals Service. Requires all such coin sales to include a surcharge of: (1) $35 per $5 coin; and (2) $10 per $1 coin. Requires distribution of the first $5 million to the Director of the United States Marshals Service National Museum, for the preservation, maintenance, and display of artifacts and documents of the U.S. Marshals Service. Requires distribution of: (1) $1 million to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; (2) $1 million to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in support of the National Law Enforcement Museum and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial; (3) $1 million to the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association; (4) $500,000 to the William "Bill" Degan Scholarship Fund (provides scholarships for spouses and children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty); (5) $500,000 to the Robert D. May Scholarship Fund (provides scholarships for spouses and children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty); (6) $500,000 to the Community Oriented Policing Service; and (7) $500,000 to the Retired United States Marshals Service Association. Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the $5 gold coins.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2010
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Robert C. Byrd, late a Senator from West Virginia. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on June 28, 2010, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2010
Native American Small Business Assistance and Entrepreneurial Growth Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) the Office of Native American Affairs, headed by an Associate Administrator, to implement SBA programs for the development of business enterprises by Native Americans. Requires the Office to assist Native American entrepreneurs to: (1) develop small businesses; (2) develop management and technical skills; (3) seek federal procurement opportunities; (4) increase Native American employment opportunities; and (5) increase Native American access to capital markets. Requires: (1) SBA to provide financial assistance to tribal colleges, certain nonprofit organizations, and small business development or women's business centers to create Native American business centers; (2) each business center to conduct five-year projects for business education aid to such entities; and (3) each assistance applicant to submit a five-year plan on proposed assistance and training activities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2010
Outer Continental Shelf Reform Act of 2010 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prescribe a program of structural reform for management of the Outer Continental Shelf, including establishing two bureaus to carry out leasing, permitting, and safety and environmental regulatory functions. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish: (1) an office to carry out the royalty and revenue management functions; and (2) an Outer Continental Shelf Safety and Environmental Advisory Board. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) recruit and directly appoint highly qualified critical technical personnel, upon a determination that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for particular positions; and (2) approve reemployment of civilian retirees to carry out a critical functions under this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe and amend rules and regulations addressing operational safety and protection of the marine and coastal environment; (2) review bond and surety amounts every five years; (3) review royalty and rental rates; (4) review and report on the federal offshore oil and gas fiscal system; and (5) implement research and development to improve methodologies for characterizing resources of the Outer Continental Shelf and conditions affecting the ability to develop and use resources in a safe, sound, and environmentally responsible manner. Instructs the Secretary to develop and implement programs for: (1) analysis and dissemination of environmental and other resource data; (2) risk assessment to address technology and development issues associated with Outer Continental Shelf energy and mineral resource activities, including safety, environmental protection, and spill response; (3) review of alleged safety violations; and (4) the collection of a non-refundable inspection fee for deposit into the Ocean Energy Enforcement Fund (established under this Act). Cites conditions under which bids for a lease may be disqualified. Revises requirements governing explorations plans and drilling permits.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2010
Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2010 - Establishes within the Department of Energy (DOE) a national plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment program. Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to: (1) provide, upon local request, technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments with the deployment of plug-in electric drive vehicles; (2) make available to the public information regarding the cost, performance, usage data, and technical data regarding plug-in electric drive vehicles and associated infrastructure; (3) carry out a national assessment and develop a national plan for plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment; and (4) award grants to state, local, and tribal governments to assist them in preparing a community deployment plan, and in preparing and implementing programs that support the such deployment. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and publish model building codes for the inclusion of separate circuits for charging infrastructure in new construction and major renovations of private residences, buildings, or other structures; and (2) award grants to institutions to provide training and education for vocational workforce development to ensure skills needed to work on and maintain plug-in electric drive vehicles and the infrastructure required to support them. Directs the Federal Energy Management Program and the General Services Administration to assess and report to Congress on federal government fleets with respect to conversion to plug-in electric drive vehicles. Instructs the Administrator of General Services to acquire plug-in electric drive vehicles and the requisite charging infrastructure to be deployed in a range of locations in the federal fleet during a five-year period. Establishes within the national deployment program a targeted plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment communities program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to fund research and development in advanced batteries, plug-in electric drive vehicle components, plug-in electric drive infrastructure, and related technologies; (2) implement a study on recycling of materials from plug-in electric drive vehicles and their batteries; and (3) establish the Advanced Batteries for Tomorrow Prize for a 500-mile vehicle battery. Establishes in the Treasury the 500-mile Battery Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to Congress on: (1) the raw materials needed for the manufacture of components for plug-in electric drive vehicles; and (2) the infrastructure needed to support such vehicles. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each electric utility to develop a plan to support the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles in its service area. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary of Energy to guarantee loans to eligible entities for the aggregate purchase of not fewer than 200 qualified automotive batteries (designed for use in qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles but purchased for nonautomotive applications) in a calendar year with a total minimum power rating of one megawatt and advanced battery technology. Establishes the Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Technical Advisory Committee. Directs the President to establish the Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Interagency Task Force.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2010
Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2010 - Establishes within the Department of Energy (DOE) a national plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment program. Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to: (1) provide, upon local request, technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments with the deployment of plug-in electric drive vehicles; (2) make available to the public information regarding the cost, performance, usage data, and technical data regarding plug-in electric drive vehicles and associated infrastructure; (3) carry out a national assessment and develop a national plan for plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment; and (4) award grants to state, local, and tribal governments to assist them in preparing a community deployment plan, and in preparing and implementing programs that support the such deployment. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and publish model building codes for the inclusion of separate circuits for charging infrastructure in new construction and major renovations of private residences, buildings, or other structures; and (2) award grants to institutions to provide training and education for vocational workforce development to ensure skills needed to work on and maintain plug-in electric drive vehicles and the infrastructure required to support them. Directs the Federal Energy Management Program and the General Services Administration to assess and report to Congress on federal government fleets with respect to conversion to plug-in electric drive vehicles. Instructs the Administrator of General Services to acquire plug-in electric drive vehicles and the requisite charging infrastructure to be deployed in a range of locations in the federal fleet during a five-year period. Establishes within the national deployment program a targeted plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment communities program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to fund research and development in advanced batteries, plug-in electric drive vehicle components, plug-in electric drive infrastructure, and related technologies; (2) implement a study on recycling of materials from plug-in electric drive vehicles and their batteries; and (3) establish the Advanced Batteries for Tomorrow Prize for a 500-mile vehicle battery. Establishes in the Treasury the 500-mile Battery Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to Congress on: (1) the raw materials needed for the manufacture of components for plug-in electric drive vehicles; and (2) the infrastructure needed to support such vehicles. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each electric utility to develop a plan to support the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles in its service area. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary of Energy to guarantee loans to eligible entities for the aggregate purchase of not less than 200 qualified automotive batteries in a calendar year with a total minimum power rating of one megawatt and advanced battery technology. Establishes the Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Technical Advisory Committee. Directs the President to establish the Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Interagency Task Force.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2010
Rural Mobility and Access for America Act - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program for the allocation of federal funds for surface transportation program projects in rural states. Defines "rural state" as any of the 50 states that: (1) has a population density of 45 or fewer individuals per square mile of land area; or (2) does not include an urbanized area with a population of more than 500,000 individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2010
Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Act of 2010 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish and implement a birth defects prevention and public awareness program, which includes: (1) a nationwide media campaign to increase awareness among health care providers and at-risk populations about pregnancy and breastfeeding information services; (2) grants for the provision of, or campaigns to increase awareness about, pregnancy and breastfeeding information services; and (3) grants for the conduct or support of surveillance of or research on maternal exposures that may influence the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal exposures that may influence health risks to a breastfed infant, or of networking to facilitate such surveillance or research.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2010
Native American Employment Act of 2010 - Amends the Indian Financing Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a tier system of guaranteed or insured loans to Indian tribes for energy development or manufacturing jobs carried out on Indian lands. Allows the Secretary to guarantee up to 100% of surety bonds issued to cover construction, renovation, or demolition work performed by an Indian individual or Indian economic enterprise. Amends the Indian Employment, Training, and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992 to revise requirements regarding Indian tribe or tribal organization plans to integrate employment, training, and related services programs. Requires their integration into a single, coordinated, comprehensive program. Amends the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to require the Administrator of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund to establish the Native Initiatives as a component of the Fund. Declares the purposes of the Native Initiatives are to assist Native community development financial institutions to provide access to credit, capital, and financial services in Native communities. Amends the Buy Indian Act to direct the Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, to require that: (1) Indian labor be employed; and (2) any contract to fulfill requirements for goods or services, manufacturing, or construction, renovation, or demolition work be awarded competitively to an Indian organization or economic enterprise. Requires the Secretary to establish an Indian Economic Enterprise Data Center. Amends the Small Business Act to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) the Office of Native American Affairs. Directs the SBA Administrator to appoint an Associate Administrator of the Office to administer the Native American small business development program. Requires the SBA, acting through the Associate Administrator, to establish Native American business centers to overcome obstacles impeding the establishment, development, and expansion of Native American small businesses and other underserved small businesses located on or near tribal land. Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to require either the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Secretary of the Interior, or both, to establish a qualified school construction bond escrow account to which shall be allocated specified funds derived from qualified school construction bonds for construction, rehabilitation, and repair of schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2010
Authorizes the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, or any subcommittee or member of the Commission, as considered advisable in consultation with the Attorney General, to: (1) hold hearings, meet and act, take testimony and receive evidence, and administer oaths; and (2) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, documents, tapes, and materials. Authorizes, in the case of contumacy or failure of a person to obey a subpoena, a U.S. district court for the district in which the subpoenaed person resides, is served, or may be found to issue an order requiring appearance at any designated place to testify or to produce documentary or other evidence. Deems failure to obey such an order to be contempt of court.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Electric Vehicle Deployment Act of 2010 - Establishes within the Department of Energy (DOE) a national electric drive vehicle deployment program. Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to: (1) develop a national plan for electric drive vehicle deployment; and (2) provide, upon local request, technical assistance to communities with the deployment of plug-in electric drive vehicles. Establishes a targeted plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment communities program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the income tax credit for each new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicle placed in service during the taxable year. Allows a refundable personal credit for a qualified deployment community taxpayer. Extends the credit for modification of new qualified hybrid motor vehicles. Revises requirements for the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit. Allows a tax credit for qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicle refueling property bonds. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary to make loan guarantees for certain charging infrastructure and networks of charging infrastructure for plug-in drive electric vehicles. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each electric utility to develop a plan to support the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles in its service area. Declares electricity consumed by federal agencies to fuel plug-in electric drive vehicles an alternative fuel subject to federal fleet management reporting requirements. Directs the Administrator of General Services to acquire plug-in electric drive vehicles and the requisite charging infrastructure for deployment in the federal fleet. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) an Advanced Batteries for Tomorrow Prize to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of a 500-mile vehicle battery; and (2) a program to fund research and development in advanced batteries, electric drive vehicle components, electric drive infrastructure, and other related technologies. Establishes in the Treasury the 500-mile Battery Fund. Directs the Secretary to: (1) implement a research, development, and demonstration program pertaining to the secondary uses of vehicle batteries; (2) provide grants for development of a secondary market for batteries; and (3) study the recycling of materials from plug-in electric drive vehicles and their batteries. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to Congress on the supply of raw materials needed to manufacture such vehicles, batteries, and other related components, as well as the infrastructure needed to support them. Establishes a Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Technical Advisory Committee. Directs the President to establish a Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Interagency Task Force. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary to guarantee loans to eligible entities for the aggregate purchase of at least 200 qualified automotive batteries in a calendar year with a total minimum power rating of 1 megawatt and advanced battery technology. Directs the Secretary to develop and publish: (1) model building codes for the inclusion of charging infrastructure in new construction and major renovations of private residences, buildings, or other structures; and (2) related model construction permitting or inspection processes, as well as model zoning, parking rules, or other local ordinances. Directs the Secretary to award grants to educational institutions and qualified training programs for vocational workforce development, through centers of excellence, of skills needed to maintain plug-in electric drive vehicles and associated infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2010
Designates June 27, 2010, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day. Urges the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to continue working to educate servicemembers, veterans, their families, and the public about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2010
Medical Debt Relief Act of 2010 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit a consumer reporting agency from making any report containing information related to a fully paid or settled medical debt that had been characterized as delinquent, charged off, or in collection which, from the date of payment or settlement, antedates the report by more than 45 days.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2010
Student Nondiscrimination Act of 2010 - Prohibits public school students from being excluded from participating in, or subject to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates. Considers harassment to be a form of discrimination. Prohibits retaliation against anyone for opposing conduct they reasonably believe to be unlawful under this Act. Authorizes federal departments and agencies to enforce these prohibitions by cutting off the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating them. Allows an aggrieved individual to assert a violation of this Act in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees should they prevail. Deems a state's receipt of federal educational assistance for a program to constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity for conduct prohibited under this Act regarding such program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2010
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the government of Taiwan should be accorded observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); and (2) the U.S. government should take a leading role in gaining international support for granting Taiwan observer status in the ICAO.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2010
FEHBP Dependent Coverage Extension Act - Extends eligibility for coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to a federal employee's, annuitant's, or former spouse's dependent child (currently, unmarried dependent child) who is under age 26 (currently, under age 22) or incapable of self-support because of mental or physical disability which existed before age 26 (currently, before age 22).
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2010
Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require that all customer premises equipment used with advanced communications services designed to provide two-way voice communication via a built-in speaker intended to be held to the ear in a manner functionally equivalent to a telephone must provide internal means for effective use with hearing aids that are designed to be compatible with telephones which meet established technical standards for hearing aid compatibility. Defines "advanced communications" as Internet-based protocol, or any successor protocol, based devices and services that transmit voice, video conferencing, and text communications, and any application or service accessed over the Internet that provides for voice, video conferencing, or text communications. Requires each interconnected VoIP service provider to participate in, and contribute to, the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund. Requires a manufacturer of equipment used for advanced communications to ensure that the equipment and software it designs, develops, and fabricates is accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities, where such requirement is achievable. Requires the FCC to authorize Lifeline and Linkup assistance programs and other federal universal service support mechanisms to be used for those telecommunications services, Internet access services, and advanced communications needed by qualified individuals with disabilities to engage in communication with other individuals in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of individuals without disabilities. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) enforcement and reporting; (2) deaf-blind individuals; and (3) emergency access. Establishes the Emergency Access and Real-time Text Advisory Committee. Requires every provider of Internet access service and every manufacturer of Internet access equipment to, where achievable, make user interfaces for such service and equipment accessible to individuals with disabilities. Sets forth provisions concerning closed captioning decoder and video description capability, user interfaces, and video programming guides and menus.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2010
Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act or the DISCLOSE Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to prohibit: (1) independent expenditures and payments for electioneering communications by government contractors if the value of the contract is at least $50,000; and (2) recipients of assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) from making any contribution to any political party, committee, or candidate for public office, or to any person for any political purpose or use, or from making any independent expenditure or disbursing any funds for an electioneering communication. Applies the ban on contributions and expenditures by foreign nationals to foreign-controlled domestic corporations. Treats as contributions: (1) any payments by any person (except a candidate, a candidate's authorized committee, or a political committee of a political party) for coordinated communications; and (2) political party communications made on behalf of candidates if made under the control or direction of a candidate or a candidate's authorized committee. Revises the definition of independent expenditure to mean, in part, an expenditure that, when taken as a whole, expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or is the functional equivalent of express advocacy. Requires any person making independent expenditures exceeding $10,000 to file a report within 24 hours. Increases the period before a general election during which a communication shall be considered an electioneering communication. Requires corporations, labor organizations, and other covered organizations to include specified additional information in reports on independent expenditures of at least $10,000. Sets forth special rules for the use of general treasury funds by covered organizations for campaign-related activity. Authorizes covered organizations to make optional use of a separate Campaign-Related Activity Account for making disbursements for campaign-related activity. Prescribes additional information to be included in certain radio or television communications by persons (including significant funders of campaign-related communications of a covered organization) other than a candidate, a candidate's authorized committee, or a political committee of a political party. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require registered lobbyists to report information on independent expenditures or electioneering communications of at least $1,000 to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Amends FECA to require Senate candidates to file all designations, statements, and reports with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), instead of the Secretary of the Senate, as under current law. Requires certain covered organizations to disclose to shareholders, members, or donors information on disbursements for campaign-related activity. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) extend the equal opportunities requirement and censorship prohibition applicable to candidates for public office to national committees of political parties; (2) grant political parties reasonable access to purchase broadcasting time at the lowest unit charged; (3) limit to the lowest unit charge the charges for the use during certain periods before an election of any broadcasting station by any person who is a legally qualified candidate for any federal office; and (4) require covered organizations to notify the FEC and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) when aggregate disbursements first equal or exceed $50,000. Directs the FCC to conduct random audits of designated market areas to ensure that broadcasting stations are allocating broadcasting time for legally qualified candidates for federal office in accordance with this Act. Authorizes judicial review of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2010
Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act of 2010 - Amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 to exclude from consideration as income any amounts received by a member of a family as veterans' disability compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act of 2010 or HEARTH Act of 2010 - Extends to any Indian tribe the discretion granted under current law only to the Navajo Nation to lease restricted lands without the approval of the Secretary of the Interior in specified circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2010
Grow Renewable Energy from Ethanol Naturally Jobs Act of 2010 or the GREEN Jobs Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2015 the income and excise tax credits for alcohol used as fuel, the cellulosic biofuel producer tax credit, and the reduced credit for ethanol blenders. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend until 2016 the additional tariff on ethyl alcohol blends (ethanol) used as fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Recognizes the ultimate sacrifice made by the 29 coal miners lost at the Upper Big Branch Mine-South in Raleigh County, West Virginia. Extends the deepest condolences of the Senate to the families of the fallen coal miners. Honors the survivors of the tragedy. Recognizes all coal miners for enduring the immeasurable loss of co-workers and maintaining courage in the aftermath of the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine-South. Commends the valiant efforts of the emergency response workers searching for the missing coal miners. Honors the many volunteers who provided support and comfort for the missing coal miners' families during the rescue and recovery operations.
![Official portrait of Rep. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND-At Large]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000432_200.jpg)