United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2009
International Climate Change Investment Act of 2009 - Requires the President to establish the Strategic Interagency Board on International Climate Investment to assess, monitor, evaluate, and report on the progress and contributions of departments and agencies in supporting funding for international climate change activities and the goals and objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Bali Action Plan. Requires the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish a program to provide assistance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from deforestation in developing countries. Establishes program objectives, including achieving emissions reductions of at least 720 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2020, a cumulative amount of at least 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by December 31, 2025, and additional emissions reductions in subsequent years. Requires the Administrator to establish a publicly accessible registry of the emissions reductions achieved with such assistance. Requires the Administrator to develop and implement a program that addresses noncompletion or reversal with respect to any GHG emissions that were not, or are no longer, sequestered in the international deforestation reduction program. Requires: (1) the Secretary of State to establish the International Clean Energy Deployment Program to provide assistance to qualifying entities to implement clean technology activities that will contribute to reductions, sequestration, or avoidance of GHG emissions in eligible countries; and (2) the President to establish an interagency group to administer such program. Establishes an expert panel to provide guidance on technology deployment and programs to such group. Requires the Secretary to establish an International Climate Change Adaptation and Global Security Program to provide assistance to the most vulnerable developing countries for adapting and promoting resilience to climate change and its impacts. Requires the Secretary, working with the Board, to report biannually on climate change and energy policy for the five highest GHG emitting countries that are not members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2009
Helping Unemployed Workers Act - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA), as amended by the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 and the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act. Extends the final date for entering a federal-state agreement under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through December 1, 2010. Postpones the termination of the program until May 31, 2011. Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until January 1, 2011: (1) federal-state agreements increasing regular unemployment compensation payments to individuals; and (2) requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC. Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and May 30, 2011, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.) Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to modify EUC eligibility requirements to disregard an individual's right to regular compensation for a subsequent benefit year when determining such individual's eligibility to receive EUC if such individual: (1) has exhausted his or her rights to regular compensation for any benefit year; and (2) does not file a claim for such regular compensation. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income in 2010 for up to $2,400 of unemployment compensation. Defines "short-time compensation program," for Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) purposes, as one in which: (1) participation of an employer is voluntary; (2) an employer reduces the number of hours worked by employees through certifying that such reductions are in lieu of temporary layoffs; (3) an employee whose workweek that has been reduced by at least 10% is eligible for unemployment compensation; (4) an eligible employee may participate in an employer-sponsored job skills training program; and (5) an employer is required to certify that continuation of employee health and retirement benefits will not be affected by participation in the program. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make payments to a state's unemployment compensation trust fund for the payment of unemployment compensation if the Secretary approves a state's application for certification to operate a short-time compensation program that requires the maintenance of health and retirement employee benefits. Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress and the President on the EUC program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2009
Endocrine Disruption Prevention Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to establish the Endocrine Disruption Prevention Program, under which the Director shall: (1) conduct and support multidisciplinary research to improve the understanding of endocrine disruption; and (2) conduct workshops and fora on health effects associated with environmental agents that may affect the endocrine system. Requires the Director to establish an Endocrine Disruption Program Panel, which shall: (1) provide advice to the Director on the conduct and support of research; (2) evaluate existing population-level biomonitoring and biobanking surveillance and research programs and recommend changes needed to develop data on human exposures and effects to support the Program; and (3) develop a list of chemicals of concern for endocrine disruption effects and make findings with respect to such chemicals. Authorizes individuals to petition the Panel to determine whether a chemical should be listed or to revise a finding or determination based on new information. Requires the Director, if the Panel finds that data are sufficient to determine that there is at least a minimal level of concern associated with a chemical's potential to disrupt the human endocrine system, to transmit the finding, including the routes and sources of exposure to the chemical, to each federal agency with authority to regulate the chemical. Requires each federal agency that receives such a transmission: (1) to reply to the Director describing the agency's regulatory authority, past actions in connection with the chemical, and proposed action to protect human health from the potential endocrine disruption effects of exposure to the chemical; and (2) within one year, to report on the actions taken and future actions proposed by the Agency in response to the Panel's finding. Requires the Director to establish a program to support graduate and postdoctoral training in fields related to the prevention of endocrine disruption.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2009
Welcomes the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on his official state visit. Expresses the belief that the governments of India and the United States can bring immense benefits to their people and make enormous contributions to addressing the global challenges of the 21st century. Looks forward to continuing progress in U.S.-India relations. Appreciates the contributions of Americans of Indian descent and desires closer relations between the people of the United States and the people of India.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2009
Rosa's Law - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Public Health Service Act, the Health Professions Education Partnership Act of 1968, the National Sickle Cell Anemia Act, Cooley's Anemia, Tay-Sachs, and Genetic Diseases Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, and other federal enactments and regulations to change references to mental retardation to references to an intellectual disability.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2009
Small Business Health Information Technology Financing Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee up to 90% of the amount of a loan, up to specified loan amounts, to a small business health professional to be used for the acquisition and installation of health information technology for the professional's medical practice. Defines the term "health information technology" to mean computer hardware, software, and related technology that supports the meaningful electronic health record use requirements of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and is purchased by an eligible professional to aid in the provision of health care, including electronic medical records, but excludes information technology whose sole use is financial management, maintenance of inventory of basic supplies, or appointment scheduling.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2009
Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend until December 31, 2014 (under current law, until December 31, 2009), the authorization for a multichannel video programming distributor to retransmit the signal of a broadcasting station if the subscriber receiving the signal is outside the station's local market and resides in an unserved household. Applies provisions relating to satellite retransmissions of significantly viewed broadcast signals only to retransmissions to subscribers who receive local-into-local service. Allows a satellite carrier to retransmit in high definition (HD) the signal of a significantly viewed station only if the carrier also retransmits in HD (when available) the signal of a station located in the local market of the subscriber and affiliated with the same network. Allows satellite carriers to retransmit local-into-local signals in digital and HD to two separate reception antennas. Revises the rules governing: (1) the reception of distant signals by certain grandfathered and nongrandfathered subscribers; (2) reception predictive models; and (3) on-location reception testing. Requires each eligible satellite carrier providing any local-into-local HD secondary transmissions before enactment of this Act to carry the HD signals of qualified noncommercial educational television stations in that local market according to a specified time schedule. Defines "eligible satellite carrier" as any satellite carrier that does not have a carriage contract, in effect at enactment of this Act, with a qualified noncommercial educational television station that governs carriage of more than 30 such stations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2009
Medical Foods Equity Act of 2009 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to include coverage of: (1) medically necessary food and food modified to be low protein; and (2) pharmacological doses of vitamins and amino acids used for the treatment of inborn errors of metabolism. Provides for similar coverage under the TRICARE program (military health care). Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to provide coverage in group and individual plans of such food and vitamins and amino acids. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to determine the minimum yearly coverage for all health insurance plans based upon the expanded coverage provided by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2009
Increases and extends through FY2010 the annual authorization of appropriations for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2009
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the U.S. delegation to the 21st Regular Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas should: (1) seek the adoption of all revisions to the multi-annual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean that will conform the plan to the scientific advice provided by the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics; (2) seek to expand time and area closures of spawning areas in the Mediterranean in conformity with the scientific advice provided by the Standing Committee; (3) pursue the continued review and assessment of compliance; (4) seek to address noncompliance; (5) pursue the commitment by the Commission and its parties to fund additional research on the western Atlantic and eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna stocks including, but not limited to, the extent to which they mix; and (6) defend U.S. interests with regard to Atlantic bluefin tuna, Atlantic swordfish, and other species managed by the Commission, including the protection of U.S. quota shares.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act of 2009 - Amends the the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to increase reimbursement rates for free, reduced price, and paid meals and snacks served under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) at nonresidential child care centers and family or group day care homes. Allows such providers to be reimbursed for the service of three meals and a snack. (Currently, reimbursement is provided for two meals and a snack.) Lowers the percentage of children or school children in an area that must be eligible for free or reduced price meals under the school lunch or breakfast programs to make family or group day care homes in the area eligible for higher CACFP reimbursement rates as tier I homes. Increases the maximum monthly administrative payment per home provided to sponsors of family or group day care homes. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to improve the ability of the CACFP to reach low-income families by streamlining program and paperwork requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act of 2009 - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to make permanent the authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Makes monies covered into the Fund available for expenditure to carry out the purposes of the Act without further appropriation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Small Business and Military Family Assistance Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010 the tax credit for differential wages paid to employees while on active duty in the uniformed services for a period of more than 30 days.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Student-to-School Nurse Ratio Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make demonstration grants to states in which the student-to-school nurse ratio in public secondary schools, elementary schools, and kindergarten is 750 or more students to every school nurse to reduce such ratio.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Offers deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the innocent victims killed or wounded in the senseless attack that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009. Offers support and hope for a full recovery for those wounded there. Honors the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of law enforcement personnel, first responders, soldiers present at the scene, medical personnel, and countless others who aided the victims. Shares in the pain and grief felt by the people of the United States in the aftermath of this tragic event.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2009
Cold War Service Medal Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to issue the Cold War Service Medal to members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or released under honorable conditions after having: (1) served on active duty for at least 24 consecutive months during the Cold War (September 2, 1945, through December 26, 1991); (2) deployed outside the continental United States for at least 30 days during such period; or (3) performed other Cold War service as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should expedite the design of the Medal as well its issuance to eligible members.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
START I Treaty Inspections and Monitoring Protocol Continuation Act of 2009 - Authorizes the President, under conditions set forth by this Act, to accord to eligible officials of the Russian Federation the privileges and immunities provided for in Article II, paragraph 7 of the (July 1991) Protocol on Inspections and Continuous Monitoring Activities Relating to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms in order to facilitate continued application of the arrangements provided for in the period following the Protocol's termination on December 5, 2009. Terminates such authority on the earlier of June 5, 2010, or on the date of the entry into force of a U.S.-Russian agreement that supersedes the Protocol.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2009
Federal Judicial Fairness Act of 2009 - Repeals the requirement limiting salary increases for federal judges or Supreme Court Justices to those specifically authorized by Act of Congress. Amends the federal judicial code to apply the same automatic annual cost-of-living adjustment to judicial salaries as takes effect under the General Schedule for civilian federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2009
Child Care Lending Pilot Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to allow proceeds of loans made through the Small Business Administration (SBA) to be used by certified local development companies to assist a small, nonprofit child care business if: (1) the loan is used for a sound business purpose approved by the SBA; (2) each business meets eligibility requirements applicable to for-profit businesses; (3) one or more individuals has personally guaranteed the loan; (4) each business has clear title to the collateral for the loan; and (5) each business has sufficient cash flow to meet loan obligations and reasonable operating expenses. Prohibits more than 7% of the total number of loans guaranteed in any fiscal year for certified development companies from being awarded under such program.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2009
Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Celebrates 20 years of an undivided Europe. Honors the service and sacrifice of the people of Germany, the United States, and other countries who served in the Cold War to bring freedom to Central and Eastern Europe. Expresses appreciation to the people of Germany for their commitment to preserving the freedom of others in their leadership on international assistance, peacekeeping, and security efforts. Reaffirms the friendship between the government and people of the United States and the government and people of Germany.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2009
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on audio interface units for sound mixing, recording, and editing capable of full interface control by separate automatic data processing system using proprietary software protocol.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2009
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the temporary suspension of duty on aqueous dispersions of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (cationic), whether or not containing binder resin and organic solvent.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2009
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on cellular plastic membrane sheets of polytetrafluoroethylene resin.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2009
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the temporary suspension of duty on aqueous catalytic preparations based on iron (III) toluenesulfonate.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2009
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on certain plastic fittings composed of perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) resin.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2009
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on porous hollow filaments of perfluoralkoxy (PFA) copolymer resin.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2009
Authorizes the burial in a national cemetery of a parent of a deceased veteran who, at the time of the parent's death, does not have a spouse, surviving spouse, or child who has been interred, or who, if deceased, would be eligible to be interred, in a national cemetery. Provides additional conditions for such burial.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2009
Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and celebrates 20 years of an undivided Europe. Honors the service and sacrifice of the people of Germany, the United States, and other countries who served in the Cold War to bring freedom to Central and Eastern Europe. Expresses appreciation to the people of Germany for their leadership in international assistance, peacekeeping, and security efforts. Reaffirms the friendship between the government and people of the United States and the government and people of Germany.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2009
Same Day Registration Act - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require states to permit individuals to register to vote in a federal election on the date of the election itself (or on the day of voting under early voting).
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2009
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise and add reporting and other requirements relating to income from assets held abroad, including by: (1) requiring foreign financial and nonfinancial institutions to withhold 30% of payments made to such institutions by U.S. individuals unless such institutions agree to disclose the identity of such individuals and report on their bank transactions; (2) denying a tax deduction for interest on non-registered bonds issued outside the United States; (3) requiring any individual who holds more than $50,000 in a depository or custodial account maintained by a foreign financial institution to report on such accounts; (4) imposing an enhanced tax penalty for underpayments attributable to undisclosed foreign financial assets; (5) extending the limitation period for assessment of underpayments with respect to assets held outside the United States; (6) requiring certain tax advisors who assist U.S. individuals in acquiring a direct or indirect interest in a foreign entity to file an information return disclosing the identity of the foreign entity and the individual investors; (7) requiring shareholders of a passive foreign investment company to file informational returns; (8) enhancing tax rules and penalties relating to foreign trusts with U.S. beneficiaries; and (9) requiring withholding of tax on dividend equivalent payments received by foreign individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2009
Post 9/11 Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act - Amends the Troops-to-Teachers program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (which provides veterans with teacher certification stipends in exchange for three years of service in a high-need local educational agency [LEA] or public charter school). Expands program eligibility to cover certain individuals: (1) who, on or after September 11, 2001, serve at least 90 continuous days on active duty in the Armed Forces before being honorably released from such service; or (2) who, on or after January 8, 2002, are separated or released from active duty after at least four (currently, six) years of continuous active duty immediately preceding such separation or release, and agree to serve in the Armed Forces Reserves for at least three years. Makes any LEA that is receiving school improvement funds eligible to host Troops-to-Teachers program participants. Directs the Secretary of Education to establish an Advisory Board, composed of federal, state, and veteran service organization representatives, to collect, study, and disseminate feedback from the program and report to Congress on how the program is operating and might be improved. Reserves specified funding to carry out the Troops-to-Teachers program through FY2014.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2009
Acknowledges and honors the achievements and contributions made by Edward W. Brooke, III, during his distinguished career of public service to the United States. Congratulates and expresses best wishes to the former Senator from Massachusetts on the celebration of his 90th birthday.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2009
Authorizes the burial in a national cemetery of a parent of a deceased veteran who, at the time of the parent's death, does not have a spouse, surviving spouse, or child who has been interred, or who, if deceased, would be eligible to be interred, in a national cemetery.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2009
Child Support Protection Act of 2009 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to repeal the exclusion from federal matching payments of any amounts expended by a state from child support incentive payments it has received from the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (Thus reinstates federal matching of state spending of child support incentive payments.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2009
Establishing a Network of Health-Advancing National Centers of Excellence for Depression Act of 2009 or the ENHANCED Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants on a competitive basis to institutions of higher education or public or private nonprofit research institutions to establish national centers of excellence for depression to engage in activities related to the treatment of depressive disorders. Lists priority criteria for grant recipients, including location in a geographic area with disproportionate numbers of underserved and at-risk populations in medically underserved areas and health professional shortage areas. Directs the Secretary to allocate appropriated funds so that up to 30 centers may be established by September 30, 2016. Authorizes the the Secretary to select centers to specialize in: (1) subspecialties such as prepartum and postpartum depression, traumatic stress disorder, suicidal tendency, bipolar disorder, and depression; and (2) providing mental health services to communities with problems of access. Sets forth required activities of such centers, including to: (1) integrate basic, clinical, or health services interdisciplinary research and practice in the development of evidence-based interventions; (2) provide training and technical assistance to mental health professionals, facilitate the communication of research findings and depressive disorder-related information to the public, and provide education about depressive disorders; (3) collaborate to develop and implement treatment standards, clinical guidelines, and protocols to improve the accuracy and timeliness of diagnosis of depressive disorders and treatment standards that emphasize early intervention and treatment for, prevention of, and recovery from depressive disorders; (4) incorporate principles of chronic care coordination and integration of services that address physical, mental, and social conditions in the treatment of depressive disorders; and (5) demonstrate effective use of a public-private partnership to foster collaborations among centers and community-based organizations and social and human services providers. Requires the Secretary to designate one grant recipient as a coordinating center, which shall establish and maintain a national, publicly available database to improve prevention programs, evidence-based interventions, and disease management programs for depressive disorders. Directs the Secretary, through the Administrator, to: (1) establish performance standards; and (2) issue a report card for each center to the coordinating center and periodically to Congress. Urges that the knowledge and research developed by the centers be disseminated broadly within the medical community and the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2009
Small Business Venture Capital Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act to reauthorize for FY2010-FY2013 the venture capital program under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (a program under which small business investment companies (SBICs) provide capital financing to small businesses). Increases the maximum amounts of outstanding leverage made available to SBICs that invest in women-owned or minority businesses. Allows SBICs who were licensed as participating securities SBICs prior to October 1, 2004, to obtain leverage based on Small Business Administration (SBA)-approved commitments rather than paid-in capital. Increases from 20% to 30% of total available private capital the maximum authorized SBIC investment in a single business (absent specific SBA approval). Requires the SBA Administrator, in selecting investment companies to participate in the New Markets Venture Capital program (NMVC program) (investment in small businesses in low-income areas), to select at least one company from each SBA geographic region. Requires the Administrator to have as a goal to enter into at least one NMVC program agreement with a company engaged primarily in the development of and investment in small manufacturers. Establishes in the Investment Division of the SBA the Office of New Markets Venture Capital. Modifies the definition of low-income geographic area to reflect the new markets tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code. Requires the Administrator to prescribe standard documents for an application for final approval of a company under the NMVC program. Allows NMVC companies to receive operational assistance grants. Requires the Administrator to grant each conditionally-approved NMVC company up to two years to raise the $5 million in private capital required for participation. Reauthorizes the NMVC program for FY2010-FY2013. Reduces the authorization for operational assistance grants.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2009
Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase maximum loan amounts under the following Small Business Administration (SBA) programs: (1) the section 7(a) (general small business loans) loan program; (2) the Microloan (small-scale loans to start-up, newly-established, and growing small businesses) program; and (3) the section 504 (state and local development company) program. Amends provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 relating to the local development business loan program to allow a small business borrower under such program to refinance a previous business debt, under specified conditions. Applies single-business investment limits to SBA-recognized new markets venture capital companies. Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to earmark certain Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funds for specified programs of the National Institutes of Health. Repeals as of October 1, 2010: (1) the increase in section 7(a) loan amounts; and (2) the business debt refinancing authority under the local development business loan program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2009
Bank On Our Communities Act of 2009 - Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to provide that the needs and viability of insured depository institutions with total assets of less than $5 billion (small financial institutions) may be taken into account by the Secretary of the Treasury when exercising authority under EESA. Establishes within the Treasury the Community Credit Renewal Fund to provide up to $15 billion in assistance to community banking institutions. Prescribes the manner in which a community banking institution may establish its long-term viability by demonstrating receipt of capital from investors other than the Secretary. Subjects a community banking institution to penalties if has failed by December 31, 2010, to: (1) increase its total amount of commercial, industrial, and consumer loans by a dollar amount equal to the amount of capital received from the Secretary; or (2) increase its total amount of commercial and industrial loans by a dollar amount at least 5 % greater than the smallest amount of such loans held by the community banking institution as of any quarter end of the first three quarters in calendar year 2009. Prescribes lending incentives to spur commercial and industrial loans by a community banking institution.
![Official portrait of Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000148_200.jpg)