United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Supporting Emergency Responders Volunteer Efforts Act of 2008 or the SERVE Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a $1,000 refundable tax credit for individuals who are bona fide volunteer members of a qualified volunteer emergency response organization who provide firefighting, ambulance, or emergency medical services.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2008
Innovation Tax Credit Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax credit for increasing research activities by: (1) phasing in increases in the alternative simplified tax credit rate through 2009; (2) establishing a 20% alternative simplified tax credit rate in 2010 in lieu of the standard research tax credit rate; (3) increasing the amount of basic and contract research expenses eligible for such tax credit; and (4) making such tax credit permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2008
Recognizes the historic significance of the journey to, and successful crossing of, the North Pole by the USS Nautilus. Commends its officers and crew on the 50th anniversary of such achievement. Recognizes the Nautilus's journey as not only a military and scientific accomplishment, but also in confirming America's long-standing interest in that vital region. Commends the role of the Nautilus and the U.S. submarine force in protecting the interests of the free world during the Cold War. Supports the continuing role of the U.S. submarine force in defending our country in the 21st century.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2008
Honors the service and achievements of women in the Armed Forces and female veterans. Expresses support for groups that raise awareness about the service and achievements of such women.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 - Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Appropriations Act, 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on implementation of a proposed rule ("Medicaid Program; Cost Limit for Providers Operated by Units of Government and Provisions To Ensure the Integrity of Federal-State Financial Partnership") relating to the federal-state financial partnerships under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act. Extends until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on any action by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to restrict Medicaid payments for graduate medical education (GME). Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on certain restrictions relating to Medicaid coverage or payment for rehabilitation services or school-based administration and school-based transportation, including specified proposed regulations, if such restrictions are more restrictive in any aspect than those applied to such areas as of July 1, 2007. Establishes additional moratoria until April 1, 2009, on specified regulatory actions concerning Medicaid: (1) treatment of optional case management services; (2) outpatient hospital services; and (3) allowable provider taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2008
States that the House of Representatives: (1) makes a stronger commitment to reducing maternal mortality both at home and abroad through greater financial investment and participation in global initiatives; and (2) recognizes maternal health as a human right.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Toxic Chemical Exposure Reduction Act of 2008 or the TCE Reduction Act of 2008 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish a health advisory, including cancer risks, for trichloroethylene that fully protects, with an adequate margin of safety, the health of susceptible populations (including pregnant women, infants, and children), taking into consideration body weight, exposure patterns, and all routes of exposure. Requires the Administrator to promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation for trichloroethylene: (1) that is protective of susceptible populations; and (2) the maximum contaminant level of which is as close to the maximum contaminant level goal for trichloroethylene, and as protective of those susceptible populations, as is feasible. Requires consumer confidence reports to disclose the presence of, and the potential health and cancer risks to susceptible populations from exposure to, trichloroethylene in drinking water. Requires the Administrator to: (1) publish a health advisory (including cancer risks) for trichloroethylene that fully protects the health of susceptible populations from vapor intrusion; (2) establish an integrated risk information system reference concentration of trichloroethylene vapor that is protective of susceptible populations; and (3) apply such reference concentration with respect to any potential vapor intrusion-related investigations or actions to protect public health with respect to trichloroethylene exposure carried out pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Establishes within the House of Representatives an independent House Ethics Commission. Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House to revise the duties of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to conform with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Expresses support for: (1) the designation of a Global Entrepreneurship Week; and (2) the goals and ideals of that week to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination, and creativity and to train the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2008 - Amends the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 to require the head of each federal agency to: (1) annually review all agency programs and identify those programs and activities that may be susceptible to significant improper payments; and (2) report on agency actions to reduce and recover improper payments. Defines "improper payment" as any payment that should not have been made, that was made in an incorrect or duplicate amount, or that was made to an ineligible recipient. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) provide guidance to agencies for reducing improper payments, addressing risks, and establishing appropriate prepayment and postpayment internal controls; and (2) prepare an annual report with an identification of the compliance status of each agency in identifying improper payments and the delinquent programs responsible for the agency's status. Requires federal agencies with outlays of $1 million or more to conduct a recovery audit of all programs and activities to assist in recouping improper payments. Requires: (1) each agency's Inspector General to report each fiscal year on agency compliance with the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 and this Act; (2) the head of an agency determined not to be in compliance for two consecutive fiscal years to reprogram available funds to achieve compliance; and (3) an agency determined not to be in compliance for three consecutive fiscal years, with a delinquent program reported for two of those years consecutively, to transfer 5% of the appropriations for each of delinquent program to the Treasury. Suspends appropriations to agencies that have a program that reports an improper payment rate greater than 15% for three consecutive fiscal years until the agency's Inspector General certifies that sufficient changes have been implemented to warrant resumed authorization of appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to suspend, during calendar year 2008, petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) through the royalty-in-kind program or any other acquisition method. Authorizes resumption of such acquisition during calendar 2008 not earlier than 30 days after the Secretary notifies Congress that the weighted average price of petroleum in the United States for the most recent 90-day period is $50 or less per barrel.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Recognizes the 69th Infantry Regiment, or the Fighting 69th, as one of the great regiments in American military history that has continually participated in the Global War on Terror since the attack on September 11, 2001, as it deploys to Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Honors the goals and ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. Encourages early diagnosis and access to high-quality care for people with cystic fibrosis. Expresses support for research to find a cure by fostering an enhanced research program through a strong federal commitment and expanded public-private partnerships.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2008 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from using certain adverse information, including information in a consumer report or any change in a consumer's credit score, as the basis for increasing any annual percentage rate (APR) of interest on the consumer's outstanding balance under an open end consumer credit plan, except for actions or omissions of the consumer directly related to such account. (Thus eliminates the universal default for credit already outstanding.) Bars a creditor from changing any term of the contract or agreement of an open end consumer credit plan until contract renewal, except for specific material reasons already contained in the contract or agreement. Requires advance notice of credit card account rate increases. Authorizes a consumer who receives such notice to: (1) cancel the credit card without penalty or the imposition of any fee; and (2) pay any outstanding balance that accrued before the effective date of the increase at the APR and in the repayment period in effect before notice was received. Prohibits a creditor from imposing interest on credit repaid within the interest-free repayment time period. (Thus prohibits double cycle billing). Prohibits the imposition of fees on any outstanding balance on a credit card account attributable only to accrued interest on previously repaid credit. Requires each periodic statement of account to provide specified information on obtaining the payoff balance. Prohibits a creditor from furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency concerning a newly opened credit card account until the consumer has used or activated the credit card. Details mandatory pro rata payment allocations by a creditor. Authorizes a consumer to opt-out of creditor authorization of over-the-limit transactions if fees are imposed. Restricts the frequency of over-the-limit fees. Specifies the contents of credit card price and availability information the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System must collect and make public semiannually. Prescribes a standard for the initial issuance of subprime or "fee harvester" cards (accounts requiring first-year fee payments in excess of 25% of the total amount of credit authorized).
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to collectively honor the American soldiers who were prisoners of war in Bataan, Philippines, during World War II, in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service to their country. Provides for the Medal's display at the Smithsonian Institution. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Medal should be made available for display elsewhere, particularly at locations associated with the prisoners of war at Bataan.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008
Montgomery GI Bill Educational Assistance Transferability Act of 2008 - Amends the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to authorize the Secretary of the military department concerned to permit any member of the Armed Forces (currently, only members with critical military skills) entitled to basic educational assistance to elect to transfer a portion of such assistance to one or more dependents. Removes the 18-month limitation on the number of months of entitlement authorized to be transferred. Provides similar eligibility for the transfer of educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve who have completed at least six years of service and enter into an agreement to remain a member of such Reserve for at least four more years.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Nursing and Allied Health Education Preservation Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from denying provider-operated status for a nursing and allied education program that substantially meets certain requirements pertaining to the cost of approved activities for such programs, in effect as of October 1, 2006, on the basis of an organizational structure, contractual arrangements, or legal structure of the program, or a change in such a structure or arrangement, so long as a hospital, hospitals, or health system continues to substantially control the nursing or allied program. Prohibits denial of payments for the costs of approved educational activities for a nursing or allied health education program. Requires restoration to a hospital of any recoupment or denial effected for a previous cost reporting year.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Delays until April 1, 2009, implementation of proposed changes to payment rules under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for case management and targeted case management services. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, before such date, from taking any action to restrict coverage or payment under Medicaid if such action is more restrictive than the administrative action, policy, or practice that applies to coverage of, or payment for, such services under Medicaid on December 3, 2007. Makes null and void any such action taken by the Secretary between December 4, 2007, and March 31, 2009, that is based in whole or in part on such interim final rule.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Immediate Financial Assistance for America's Seniors Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow social security recipients with earned income less than $3,000 a $300 refundable tax credit ($600 for married couples filing a joint tax return) in 2008. Reduces the amount of such credit by 5% of the amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $75,000.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Condemns the ongoing Iranian-enabled rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and places responsibility for launching the attacks on Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza. Supports the government of Israel's right to defend its territory. Recognizes the difficult balance Israel faces with the competing pressures of being the primary supplier of numerous necessities for Palestinian civilians, even while rockets are being fired at Israel from Palestinian areas. Supports Palestinian civilians who reject Hamas and all forms of terrorism. Reaffirms the friendship between the governments and the people of Israel and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008
Giving Resources and Opportunities to the Workforce Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a five-year carryback for net operating losses incurred in 2007, 2008, or 2009; and (2) increase to $250,000 in 2008 the expensing allowance for certain depreciable business assets.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2008
Provides that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2009 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the statutory pay system (thus eliminating the pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2008
Fairness in Autism Treatment Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits to also provide coverage for pervasive developmental disorders, including coverage for therapeutic, respite, and rehabilitative care for participants or beneficiaries who have not attained 22 years of age. Applies the requirements of this Act separately with respect to benefits provided in-network and out-of-network. Prohibits a group health plan from: (1) imposing any annual or lifetime dollar limitation on benefits for pervasive developmental disorders unless such limitation applies to all medical and surgical benefits as well; (2) imposing a deductible, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing for such disorders that is greater than the cost-sharing imposed for medical and surgical benefits; or (3) denying eligibility, or continued eligibility, to enroll or renew coverage under the term of the plan solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this Act. Considers the requirements of this Act a material change for the purpose of notice requirements. Excludes from the requirements of this Act: (1) a group health plan of a small employer; or (2) a group health plan if the application of this Act results in an increase in the cost under the plan of at least 1%. Provides that this Act shall not be construed to preempt any state law that at least meets the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct studies on: (1) the economic and trade impact of exports of food products from cloned animals; (2) Department of Agriculture programs to monitor products from cloned animals in the food supply; (3) the health effects and costs attributable to milk from cloned animals in the food supply; and (4) the safety of food products derived from cloned animals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
National Guardsmen and Reservists Parity for Patriots Act - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to back-date to September 11, 2001, the period of active duty or performed active service, in support of a contingency operation or in other emergency situations, for which members of Ready Reserve components of the armed forces shall receive credit in determining eligibility for early receipt of non-regular service retired pay.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise the civil penalties for violations of firearms law and the procedures for assessing such penalties. Revises the definition of "willfully" for purposes of firearms violations and standards for criminal violations of firearms recordkeeping requirements. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) make preliminary determinations on firearms license applications and notify applicants in writing of a proposed denial; and (2) establish guidelines for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) inspections, examinations, or investigations of possible firearms violations. Prohibits ATF from disclosing information on firearms purchasers other than to a court, law enforcement agency, or prosecutor. Permits an owner of a firearms business whose license is expired, surrendered, or revoked 60 days to liquidate inventory. Requires any state agency that stores or keeps explosive materials to report to the Attorney General on the location and amount of such materials. Allows the transfer and possession of machineguns for use by federal security contractors. Prohibits taxes or user fees for background checks under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. Eliminates the requirement of written permission for the use of a handgun for lawful purposes by a minor (under age 18) where a parent or legal guardian is present at all times during such use. Restricts the disclosure of information in the ATF firearms trace system database. Increases penalties for possession of firearms by felons with prior convictions of a crime of violence or a serious drug offense.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Recognizes: (1) the 230th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga; and (2) that Saratoga National Historical Park is hosting the commemoration of the 230th Anniversary. Encourages all Americans to learn how the Battles of Saratoga have left a lasting legacy about our Nation's beginnings.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the United States, in concert with its international partners, should strengthen its commitment to stabilizing Afghanistan and contribute the necessary levels of economic, civilian, and military resources to achieve that end; and (2) the United States should redeploy to Afghanistan military forces in Iraq not essential for targeted counterterrorism activities, training and equipping Iraqi security forces, or protection of U.S. citizens and facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2007 - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of gold medals to Native American code talkers of specified Indian tribes. Defines "code talker" as a Native American who served in the Armed Forces during a foreign conflict and who participated in military communications using a native language. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Indian tribes, to identify code talkers eligible for a gold medal.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Congratulates the Army Reserve on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the enactment of its original authorizing law on April 23, 1908. Recognizes and commends the Army Reserve for the service of its past and present citizen-soldiers whose personal courage, contributions, and sacrifices have helped preserve the freedom and advance the national security and homeland defense of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her courageous and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and democracy in Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007
Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety Protection (E-MEDS) Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) make incentive payments for physician use of an electronic prescription drug program (E-prescribing); and (2) reduce by 10% the fee schedule amount for failure to use E-prescribing. Directs the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to report to Congress on progress on implementing E-prescribing under the Medicare electronic prescription drug program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Mail Network Protection Act of 2007 - Requires the U.S. Postal Service to bargain with unions representing career Postal Service employees before entering into a contract for mail processing, mail handling, or surface transportation of mail if the contract, in a 12 month period, would involve work that would otherwise be performed by those employees and either: (1) involve more than a specified amount of work time; or (2) cost over $5 million.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national minimum payment amount for CPT code 77080 (relating to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, or DXA, the most widely accepted method of measuring bone mass to predict fracture risk) and CPT code 77082 (relating to vertebral fracture assessment, or VFA), and any successor to such codes as identified by the Secretary (bone mass scans). Directs the Secretary to arrange with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to conduct a study for a report to the Secretary and Congress on: (1) the ramifications of Medicare reimbursement reductions for DXA and VFA on beneficiary access to bone mass measurement benefits; and (2) the methods to increase use of bone mass measurement by Medicare beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Strengthening the Transition and Reintegration of the National Guard and Reserves Act or STRONGR Act - Provides an additional 180-day period of military mental health care coverage for members of the reserves separated from service following active duty of more than 30 days in support of a contingency operation. Increases the amount of basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel supporting contingency operations. Entitles a federal employee who is a member of a reserve component to receive the difference in pay between military compensation and civilian compensation during periods of active duty exceeding 30 days. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to reimburse states or local governments for 50% of the civilian compensation paid by such governments to equalize military and civilian pay. Increases the reimbursement rate to 100% if active duty extends beyond nine months. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an active-duty reserve component employee credit for employers who provide compensation to employees on active duty.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that because of serious readiness shortfalls within the Army, Marine Corps, National Guard, and Reserves, Congress should restore and maintain ground forces at the highest levels of readiness in the interest of national security and to ensure the integrity of the entire military force.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007
Prevention of Unsafe Licensing Act - Amends the REAL ID Act of 2005 to prohibit a state from issuing a driver's license or identification document to a person unless the state has satisfied certain citizenship or lawful immigration status verification requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007
States that nothing in the Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq of 2002 (P.L. 107-243), any act that serves as the statutory authority for Executive Order 13382 or Executive Order 13224, any resolution previously adopted, or any other provision of law including Executive Order 13382 or Executive Order 13224 shall be construed to authorize, encourage, or in any way address the use of the U.S. Armed Forces against Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007
Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2007 or SAVE Act of 2007 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) increases in Border Patrol and investigative personnel; (2) recruitment of former military personnel; (3) use of Department of Defense (DOD) equipment; (4) infrastructure improvements; (5) aerial and other surveillance; (5) a national strategy to secure the borders; (6) emergency deployment of Border Patrol agents; and (7) expansion of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism along the northern and southern borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act and specified maritime law sections to revise alien smuggling provisions. Sets forth provisions respecting border security on certain federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior. Border Law Enforcement Act - Authorizes a border relief grant program for a tribal, state, or local law enforcement agency in a county within 25 miles of the southern border of the United States. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to make the basic employment eligibility confirmation pilot program permanent. Sets forth conditions for the mandatory use of the E-verify system. Requires: (1) employer/employee notification of social security number mismatches and multiple uses, and related information sharing with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); and (2) establishment of electronic birth and death registration systems. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) penalize specified employers for failure to correct information returns; and (2) prohibit employers from deducting from gross income wages paid to unauthorized aliens, with an exception for an employer participating in the basic employment eligibility confirmation program. Increases criminal alien program (CAP) personnel. Establishes within DHS a rewards program to assist in the elimination of commercial operations to produce or sell fraudulent immigration-related documents and to assist in the investigation, prosecution, or disruption of commercial alien smuggling operations. Provides for: (1) increased alien detention facilities; (2) additional district court judgeships; and (3) a media campaign to inform the public of changes made by this Act including a multilingual media campaign explaining noncompliance penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that states should not issue driver's licenses or other government-issued photo identification to aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007
Remembers, honors, and commends the achievements of the U.S. Marine Corps in serving and defending the United States on the 232nd anniversary of its creation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Amends the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 to prohibit the bankruptcy court from dismissing or converting a case based on means testing while the debtor: (1) is either on active duty or performing a homeland defense activity for at least 60 days; or (2) was either called to active duty or performed homeland defense activity as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces or a member of the National Guard after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Prevention Through Affordable Access Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the best price component of the formula for determination of the Medicaid rebate for a covered single source outpatient drug or a covered innovator multiple source outpatient drug. (Under current law, best prices shall not take into account prices that are merely nominal in amount.) Revises the list of entities to which sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price, or merely nominal in amount (and thus excluded from computation of the best price for such drugs). Adds to such list any entity that is: (1) operated by a health center of an institution of higher education, primarily for its students (university-based clinic); or (2) a public or private nonprofit entity that provides family planning services under the Public Health Service Act (safety-net clinic).
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007
Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act - Makes any children's consumer product containing more than specified amounts of lead a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Lowers the lead level at which paint is a banned hazardous product under the Consumer Product Safety Act. Requires independent third party testing of children's products. Provides for a variety of measures to facilitate identifying a product's source, intermediate parties, and end user. Requires replacing durable infant or toddler product voluntary standards with consumer product safety rules. Requires, in certain circumstances, that choking warnings be included in associated advertising. Authorizes appropriations: (1) to carry out the Consumer Product Safety Act and any other provision of law the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) carries out; and (2) for capital improvements to the Commission's research, development, and testing facility. Allows the CPSC to transact business with two members, if they are not of the same political party, until August 3, 2008. Modifies procedures for promulgating rules and regulations under the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Modifies procedures regarding the public disclosure by the CPSC of information regarding a consumer product. Allows the CPSC to prohibit product stockpiling. Requires notice to the CPSC if a consumer product fails to comply with a rule under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Flammable Fabrics Act, or the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Modifies requirements regarding action plans of manufacturers, distributors, or retailers to deal with products that present a substantial hazard. Requires manufacturers, distributors, or retailers to give public notice of a substantial product hazard on their Internet website and to third party Internet websites on which the product was for sale. Authorizes the CPSC to prohibit the export of, and makes it unlawful to sell, a product or substance that is not in conformity with applicable requirements. Increases the maximum civil penalties under the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act. Authorizes the forfeiture of assets associated with the violation of any Act enforced by the CPSC. Authorizes the CPSC, in certain circumstances, to make certain information obtained by the Commission available to any federal, state, local, or foreign government agency.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.