United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow purchasers of a single-family principal residence a one-time tax credit for up to $15,000 of the purchase price. Requires such a residence to be purchased after February 29, 2008, and before March 1, 2009, and that it be: (1) a new previously unoccupied residence for which a building permit has been issued and construction began on or before September 1, 2007; (2) an owner-occupied residence with a mortgage indebtedness in default on or before March 1, 2008; or (3) in foreclosure and owned by the mortgagor or the mortgagor's agent.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Recognizes the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that recognizes the vital contributions of thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States. Commends Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers for their ongoing contributions to education and the future of this country.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2008
Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to reduce in 2008 the rate of certain loan fees imposed under the Small Business Act. Appropriates, as an emergency requirement, additional funds in FY2008 for: (1) loan subsidies under the SBA Business Loans Program Account; and (2) direct loans and assistance under the SBA Microloan Program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase to $200,000 in 2008 the expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; and (2) extend through 2008 the five-year carryback of certain unused net operating losses.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2008
Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase to $200,000 the expensing allowance for depreciable business assets in 2008; (2) extend through 2008 the five-year carryback allowed for certain unused net operating losses; and (3) extend through 2008 the tax credit for increasing research activities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to establish in the Treasury a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund available to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance to states, Indian tribes, insular areas, and participating local jurisdictions to increase the supply of decent quality affordable housing, especially for low-income, extremely low-income, and very poor families. Prohibits the use of appropriations to the Fund for a fiscal year unless the amount equal to the net increase in the negative credit subsidy for specified mortgage insurance programs is first made available for: (1) single family housing mortgage insurance; (2) housing counseling; and (3) mortgage insurance technology, procedures, processes, program performance, and salaries. Limits Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance premium increases. Specifies affordable housing eligibility criteria for a rental dwelling unit and one- to four-family owner-occupied housing, including a priority to families on section 8 rental assistance or public housing waiting lists. Requires the Secretary to establish a green housing clearinghouse for Fund grantees and recipients. Declares that nothing in this Act allows any payments under it for any individual or head of household that is not a legal U.S. resident.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007
Grants a federal charter to the Military Officers Association of America (a nonprofit corporation and incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia).
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to waive, in whole or in part, matching fund requirements applicable to the grant program for the purchase of armor vests for law enforcement officers.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007
Cytology Proficiency Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise national quality assurance standards to assure consistent performance by laboratories of valid and reliable cytology services, to include requirements that each clinical laboratory: (1) ensure that all individuals involved in screening and interpreting cytological preparations participate annually in an approved continuing medical education program in gynecologic cytology that provides each participant with gynecologic cytological preparations designed to improve locator, recognition, and interpretive skills; (2) maintain a record of program results; (3) require the laboratory director to consider such results and other performance metrics in reviewing the performance of individuals involved in screening and interpreting cytological preparations; and (4) submit the continuing education program results for each individual and plans for corrective action or remedial training in a timely manner to the laboratory's accrediting organization for purposes of review and ongoing monitoring. Requires the Secretary to terminate individual proficiency testing that was in effect before enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007
Declares that the Senate notes with deep appreciation the retirement of Chester Trent Lott (a Senator from the state of Mississippi). Extends its best wishes to Trent Lott and his family. Honors the integrity and outstanding work Trent Lott has done in service to his country.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2007
Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National Government Act of 2007 or the OPEN Government Act of 2007 - Amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to revise requirements for federal agency disclosures of requested information. Defines "representative of the news media" and "news" for purposes of request processing fees. Redefines "record" to include any information maintained by an agency contractor. Provides that, for purposes of awarding attorney fees and litigation costs, a FOIA complainant has substantially prevailed in a legal proceeding to compel disclosure if such complainant obtained relief through: (1) a judicial order or an enforceable written agreement or consent decree; or (2) a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the agency if the complainant's claim is not insubstantial. Directs the Attorney General to notify the Special Counsel of, and report to Congress on, civil actions taken for arbitrary and capricious rejections of requests for agency records. Sets forth provisions concerning the tolling of the 20-day period during which an agency must determine whether to comply with a FOIA request. Prohibits an agency from assessing search fees if it fails to comply with time limits, provided that no unusual or exceptional circumstances apply. Requires each agency to make available its FOIA Public Liaison to assist in resolving requester disputes. Requires agencies to establish a system to assign tracking numbers for FOIA requests and a telephone line or Internet service that provides status information. Revises agency reporting requirements for FOIA requests. Establishes within the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) an Office of Government Information Services to review FOIA compliance, recommend policy changes, and offer mediation services between requesters and agencies. Requires each agency to designate a Chief FOIA Officer. Sets forth responsibilities of the Officer and FOIA Public Liaison. Sets forth requirements to describe exemptions authorizing deletions of material provided under FOIA.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2007
Welcomes the commitment of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reform its judicial system. Condemns sexual violence in all forms. Urges the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to: (1) address the problem of violence against women in Saudi society, to promote equal treatment of women in the country's legal system, and to ensure that victims of sexual violence are not punished for the crimes committed against them; and (2) overturn the sentence of the "Girl of Qatif."
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2007
Community Building Code Administration Grant Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award grants, on a competitive basis and with federal matching funds, to qualified local building code enforcement departments to increase staffing, provide staff training, increase staff competence and professional qualifications, support individual certification or departmental accreditation, or for capital expenditures specifically dedicated to department administration. Sets forth criteria for rating and ranking of grant proposals.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2007
Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 1997 to extend by one year the moratorium on: (1) implementation of a specified rule relating to the federal-state financial partnership under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)) of the Social Security Act; and (2) the finalization of a certain proposed rule regarding the authority of states to make payments related to graduate medical education (GME payments). Imposes a one-year moratorium on finalization or implementation of a certain proposed rule regarding the scope of permissible Medicaid payments that redefines outpatient hospitals and specifies methodologies for calculation of the outpatient services upper payment limit.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2007
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the hanging of nooses for the purpose of intimidation is a reprehensible, and under certain circumstances, criminal act. Calls for thorough investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement of such conduct and vigorous prosecution of any criminal violations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
National Health Literacy Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to establish within the Agency a Health Literacy Implementation Center to enhance efforts to eliminate low health literacy by improving measurements, research, development, and information dissemination. Defines "health literacy" as an individual's ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health care decisions. Directs the Center to: (1) make health literacy resources available to researchers, health care providers, and the public; (2) sponsor demonstration and evaluation projects; (3) develop the next generation of health literacy interventions and tools; (4) identify and fill research gaps relating to health literacy that have direct applicability to quality improvement; (5) assist federal agencies in establishing specific objectives and strategies for carrying out the Center's purpose and in monitoring programs; (6) enter into implementation partnerships to promote adoption of literacy interventions and tools; and (7) enter into an interagency agreement to facilitate coordination of health literacy activities within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education. Requires: (1) the Center to convene at least one annual public meeting to help raise awareness about the problem of health literacy and federal and state efforts to address the issue; (2) the Director of the Center to award grants to states to provide for the establishment of a network of state or regional health literacy resource centers; (3) a state health literacy resource center to meet at least annually to share a model of best practices; and (4) the HHS Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to identify opportunities within HHS to improve the public's health literacy through the Medicare and Medicaid programs and at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
United States · United States Congress · 15 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 · 15 November 2007
Human-Animal Hybrid Prohibition Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and to set penalties for: (1) creating or attempting to create a human-animal hybrid (a being with human and non-human tissue as specified in this Act); (2) transferring or attempting to transfer a human embryo into a non-human womb, or a non-human embryo into a human womb; or (3) transporting or receiving for any purpose a human-animal hybrid.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Supports the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. Recognizes that every child should have a permanent and loving family. Encourages the citizens of the United States to consider adoption during the month of November and all throughout the year.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Case Management Services Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act that authorize the President to provide case management services for victims of major disasters to require private sector recipients to be nonprofit or faith-based organizations with experience in case management services. Makes this provision applicable to any major disaster declared on or after January 1, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Focusing Investments and Resources for a Safe Transition Act, or FIRST Act - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make competitive grants to and enter into contracts with states (or state partners) to enable them to establish Individual Development Accounts for qualified foster youth to assist them in achieving self-support for housing, education, vocational training, and specified other purposes after leaving foster care.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2007
Recognizes National Veterans Awareness Week. Supports the designation of a 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 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 American wartime veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007
Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007 - Establishes the National Catastrophe Risk Consortium as a nonprofit, nonfederal entity to: (1) maintain an inventory of catastrophe risk obligations held by state reinsurance funds, and state residual insurance market entities; (2) issue, on a conduit basis, securities and other financial instruments linked to catastrophe risks insured or reinsured through Consortium members; and (3) act as a centralized repository of state risk information accessible by certain private-market participants. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to implement a national homeowners' insurance stabilization program to make liquidity loans and catastrophic loans to qualified reinsurance programs to: (1) ensure their solvency; (2) improve the availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance; (3) provide incentive for risk transfer to the private capital and reinsurance markets; and (4) spread the risk of catastrophic financial loss resulting from natural disasters and catastrophic events. Authorizes the Secretary to establish and collect, from qualified and precertified reinsurance programs, a reasonable fee to offset expenses of the program. Instructs the Secretary to require full repayment of all loans made under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007
Recognizes the contributions of American citizens of Jewish descent who emigrated from the Soviet Union. Commemorates: (1) the 40th anniversary of the mass movement for freedom by and on behalf of Soviet Jewry; and (2) the 20th anniversary of the December 6, 1987, Freedom Sunday rally for Soviet Jews. Condemns incidents of anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and religious persecution in the independent states of the former Soviet Union and encourages the development of democracy, religious freedom, rule of law, and human rights in those states.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service known as the Southpark Station in Alexandria, Louisiana, as the "John 'Marty' Thiels Southpark Station."
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the 15-year recovery period for purposes of the tax deduction for depreciation of qualified restaurant property. Revises the term "qualified restaurant property" to include existing buildings as well as improvements to buildings.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2007
NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to mint and issue $50 gold and $1 silver coins emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of NASA. Requires all such coin sales to include a surcharge of $50 per $50 coin, and of $10 per $1 coin. Requires distribution of the first $4 million to the NASA Family Assistance Fund for financial assistance to the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries suffered in the performance of their official duties. Requires distribution of: (1) one-half of the next $1 million of the remaining amounts to the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Educational (D.R.E.M.E.) Science Literacy Foundation and the Challenger Center for Space Science Education; and (2) the remainder to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution for the preservation, maintenance, and display of space artifacts at the National Air and Space Museum (including the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center). Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the $50 gold coins.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Study Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to study, and report the results to Congress on, the feasibility of the construction and operation of: (1) pipelines for the transportation of carbon dioxide for sequestration or enhanced oil recovery; and (2) carbon dioxide sequestration facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
Advancing FASD Research, Prevention, and Services Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention and Services Program to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a research agenda for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD); (2) facilitate surveillance, public health research, and prevention of FASD; and (3) award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to states and other entities to provide services for individuals with FASD, to educate court, law enforcement, and adoption officials on how to treat and support individuals with FASD, and to provide transitional services for individuals affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. Requires: (1) the Secretary to provide for continuation of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; and (2) the Comptroller General to evaluate and make recommendations regarding appropriate federal FASD activities. Includes within the grant program for services to individuals with FASD: (1) respite care for caretakers of such individuals, (2) recruitment and training of mentors for such individuals; and (3) educational and supportive services to families of such individuals. Requires the Secretary of Education to direct the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to implement screening procedures and introduce curricula for educating children with FASD. Requires the Attorney General to direct the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to: (1) educate officials on how to treat individuals with FASD; (2) study the inadequacies of the current system for dealing with such individuals; and (3) develop transitional programs for such individuals who are released from incarceration.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2007
American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 silver coins in commemoration of disabled American veterans and emblematic of the design selected by the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Expresses the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent possible, the coins should be struck at the U.S. Mint at West Point, New York. Limits the period for coin issuance to calendar year 2010. Imposes a $10 surcharge per coin, to be distributed to the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation for the purpose of establishing an endowment to support the construction of American Veterans' Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2007
Preserving Access to Laboratory Services Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the mandate for a Medicare Competitive Bidding Demonstration Project for Clinical Laboratory Services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2007
Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) phase out the waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for benefits under SSA title XVIII (Medicare); and (2) eliminate the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions to become eligible for such benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to study the range of disability conditions that can be delayed or prevented if individuals receive access to health care services and coverage before a condition reaches disability levels.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2007
Recreational Boating Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (popularly known as the Clean Water Act) to redefine the term "pollutant" to exclude any deck runoff from a recreational vessel, any engine cooling water, gray water, bilge water effluent from a properly functioning recreational marine engine, laundry, shower, and galley sink waste from a recreational vessel, or any other discharge incidental to the normal operation of a recreational vessel. Declares that such exclusion does not apply to rubbish, trash, garbage, or any other similar material discharged overboard by a recreational vessel. Defines "recreational vessel" to mean a vessel that is: (1) manufactured for operation, or operated primarily for recreational purposes; or (2) leased, rented, or chartered to an individual for recreational purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2007
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a commemorative postage stamp honoring Rosa Louise McCauley Parks should be issued; (2) the provision requiring that an honoree must have died at least five years before this honor should be waived; and (3) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend that such a stamp be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2007
Disapproves a specified rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services within the Department of Health and Human Services relating to a cost limit for providers operated by units of government and other provisions under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Declares that such rule shall have no force or effect.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2007
Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 - Prohibits a federal entity from compelling a covered person (journalists and their employers, etc.) to testify or produce any document relating to protected information unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence, including that all reasonable alternative sources have been exhausted and that nondisclosure would be contrary to the public interest, taking into account both the public interest in compelling disclosure and the public interest in gathering news and maintaining the free flow of information. Requires the content of compelled testimony or documents to be limited and narrowly tailored. Creates exceptions relating to criminal or tortious conduct, prevention of death, kidnapping, or substantial bodily injury, prevention of terrorist activity, or prevention of national security harm. Applies this Act to communications service providers with regard to testimony or any record, information, or other communication that relates to a business transaction between such providers and covered persons. Sets forth notice requirements. Permits a court to delay notice to a covered person upon determining that such notice would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of a criminal investigation. Declares that this Act does not supersede, dilute, or preclude any law or court decision compelling or not compelling disclosure by a covered person or communications service provider of information identifying a source who provided information without a confidentiality promise made as part of engaging in journalism or records, communication data, documents, or information obtained without a confidentiality promise.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2007
Honors the Marquis de Lafayette on the 250th anniversary of his birth and commends the city of Lafayette, Louisiana, for engaging in a year-long celebration of such anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2007
Louisiana Road Home Act - Authorizes appropriations for the state of Louisiana to carry out the Road Home Program, provided that as of June 1, 2007, the state has provided at least $1 billion for the Program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2007
Declares that as Senator Tim Johnson returns to the Senate, his fellow Members of the Senate extend their warmest welcome and express their personal happiness at his return, and offer their very best wishes for his continued good health.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2007
Energy Efficient Lighting for a Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to establish new efficiency standards for incandescent lighting. Redefines the term "general service incandescent lamp." Requires general service incandescent lamps, intermediate base incandescent lamps, and candelabra base incandescent lamps to meet specified lamp efficacy, maximum wattage, and Color Rendering Index (CRI) standards. Requires a specified maximum wattage and CRI for certain frosted, clear, and soft white lamps and modified spectrum lamps. Authorizes any person to petition to the Secretary of Energy to: (1) exempt types of general service lamps from efficiency requirements; and (2) establish standards for lamp types that are excluded from the definition of general service lamps. Requires the Secretary, by specified dates, to initiate rulemakings concerning energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps, rough service lamps, vibration service lamps, three-way incandescent lamps, 150-watt general service incandescent lamps, and shatter-resistant lamps. Sets forth specific efficiency standards that become effective if the Secretary fails to complete such rulemakings on specified dates. Requires the Secretary to initiate rulemakings concerning lamp labeling. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct an annual assessment of the market for general service lamps and compact fluorescent lamps; and (2) carry out an awareness, information, and education program to help consumers understand lamp labels and make energy-efficient lighting choices. Provides for a state preemption rule for energy conservation standards for general service incandescent lamps, intermediate base incandescent lamps, and candelabra base lamps. Makes it unlawful for any manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or private labeler to distribute adapters that: (1) allow incandescent lamps that do not have medium screw bases to be installed into fixtures or lampholders with such base sockets; and (2) have a voltage range that includes 110 and 130 volts. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a lighting technology research and development program. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a report describing recommendations relating to the means by which the federal government may reduce or prevent the release of mercury during the manufacture, transportation, storage, or disposal of light bulbs. Sets forth requirements concerning metal halide lamp fixtures and ballasts. Provides for a preemption rule for regulations concerning such fixtures adopted by the California Energy Commission on or before January 1, 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Rate Payer Recovery Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to cite conditions under which the President is authorized to make disaster assistance contributions for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of private or investor-owned power transmission and distribution facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster. Cites conditions for large in-lieu contributions to a private or investor-owned power facility in any case in which the owner determines that the public welfare would not best be served by repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing the facility.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
Home Ownership Made Easier Act or the HOME Act - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to revise eligibility, qualifying population limit, guarantee fee, and refinancing requirements of the Doug Bereuter Section 502 Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee Program. Replaces the current 115% of area median income eligibility limit for families with three income tiers, including households of up to four members, of up to eight members, and of over eight members. Repeals the requirement that the loan applicant qualify for other specified federal housing loans as well. Requires the single-family residence acquired or constructed with such a loan to be located in a rural area (as under current law), but allows the area population to range up to 40,000. Increases from 1% to 2% of the principal obligation of a guaranteed loan the guarantee fee which the Secretary may collect from the lender. Permits the refinancing of a guaranteed loan to: (1) pay off any other loan (including a first or second purchase mortgage) not made or guaranteed under such Act; (2) repair mechanical or structural deficiencies to the borrower's residence; (3) pay for authorized closing costs, including a discount of up to 200 basis points and an origination fee of up to 100 basis points; (4) allow the borrower to consolidate debts of up to the greater of $10,000 or 10% percent of the loan amount; and (5) carry out other authorized purposes. Prohibits denial of a loan or loan guarantee to an eligible borrower solely because the borrower is not eligible (or is eligible and has not applied for) assistance under any other federal loan, housing, housing assistance, or other housing related program. Makes $2,400 the mandatory exclusion amount in the adjusted income of minors, students, and persons with disabilities under the farm housing financial assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
All Students Can Achieve Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to revise and augment programs created or amended under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Requires states to implement: (1) data systems capable of tracking individual student performance over time and linking such performance to teachers, programs, and services; and (2) highly effective teacher and principal rating systems based primarily on objective measures of student achievement. Allows states that meet these requirements to use a growth model in calculating students' adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward academic performance standards. Requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to: (1) provide professional development and support to teachers and principals not rated as highly effective; and (2) remove them if they fail to attain such rating over specified periods. Provides grants to states for innovative programs to: (1) reform teacher training, compensation, tenure, and assignment policies; and (2) implement school-based reward systems. Requires states to distribute equitably nonfederal funds and effective teachers and principals among their LEAs and schools. Targets increased school improvement grant funds to states on the basis of their share of schools not making AYP. Directs the National Assessment Governing Board to create voluntary: (1) American content and performance standards and assessments in language arts or reading, mathematics, and science for grades 3 through 12; and (2) high-quality alternative assessments for disabled and limited English proficient (LEP) students. Requires states to establish P-16 stewardship commissions to align state learning standards with college and workplace needs. Differentiates the reforms for schools needing comprehensive intervention and those needing focused intervention on the basis of whether the school is identified as needing improvement due to the failure of one-half or more, or less than one-half of its students, respectively. Makes students at schools needing comprehensive intervention or in failing subgroups that are the subject of focused intervention eligible for supplemental educational services when intervention begins. Requires students to meet state proficiency standards in science by the 2019-2020 school year. Permits states to: (1) use alternative academic achievement standards for disabled students; and (2) determine AYP for LEP students by excluding new arrivals and including former LEP students. Establishes an Adjunct Teachers Corps grant program to recruit and train professionals and individuals with subject-matter expertise to teach secondary school courses in core subjects. Allows low-income students from schools in need of comprehensive intervention to transfer (with federal funds to follow) to schools served by other LEAs if they are unable to transfer to schools that are not in need of such intervention within their current LEA service area. Requires public charter schools to receive funding commensurate with that provided to other public schools. Requires each state to designate an office or position to oversee the implementation of parental involvement requirements. Provides for the incorporation of universal design for learning principles in the choice of educational standards, assessments, curricula, methods, materials, and technology. Increases funding for research and development on primary and secondary education reform. Awards grants to states and, through them, subgrants to LEAs for specified activities designed to facilitate participation in the mainstream school environment by homeless and foster care students. Includes the graduation rate of each secondary school subgroup in AYP determinations. Requires LEAs to implement districtwide school improvement plans if at least one-half of their: (1) students failed to make AYP in the preceding year; or (2) schools failed to make AYP for such year and suffer from low attendance rates.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2007
REIT Investment Diversification and Empowerment Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to real estate investment trusts (REITs) to: (1) treat passive foreign exchange gains attributable to overseas real estate investment as qualifying REIT income; (2) increase from 20 to 25% the the maximum value of a REIT's total assets thay may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries; (3) revise safe harbor rules for the excise tax penalty on certain REIT sales activities; (4) treat rental payments made by a health care facility to a REIT as qualifying REIT income; and (5) treat income from, and interests in, foreign-qualified REITs as qualifying REIT income and assets.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2007
Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007 - Directs the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission, not later than September 30, 2009, to conduct a plebiscite in Puerto Rico on the question of its status and relationship with the United States. Requires the ballot to provide for voters to choose: (1) to continue the present status and relationship; (2) independence; (3) nationhood in free association with the United States; or (4) admission as a state.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2007
Medicare Long-Term Care Hospital Patient Safety and Improvement Act of 2007 - Creates a cross reference to provisions in the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 and the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 for the prospective payment of long-term care hospitals. Makes the base rate for a long-term care hospital for the rate year 2008 the same as that used for discharges in the previous rate year. Defines "long-term care hospital" and establishes new patient criteria for long-term care hospital prospective payment. Requires the Secretary to approve distinct part rehabilitation units in certain long-term care hospitals if rehabilitation services are not included within one of the major diagnostic categories. Requires the Secretary to recommend to Congress and, after rulemaking, implement national long-term care hospital facility and patient criteria. Directs the Secretary to contract with one or more appropriate utilization and quality control peer review organizations to review the medical necessity of long-term care admissions and continued stays for individuals entitled to benefits under Medicare part A. Creates a separate classification for certain long-stay cancer hospitals, including satellites or remote locations if certain requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2007
Addressing the Disaster Needs of Children Act of 2007 - Establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on Children and Disasters, which shall: (1) assess facts and causes relating to the needs of children before, during, and after all hazards, disasters, and emergencies, including child health and welfare, housing, and juvenile justice needs and emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities; (2) evaluate relevant laws and past events regarding the mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, coordination, and service delivery policies of federal, state, and local governments and nongovernmental entities relative to addressing such needs; and (3) report to the President and Congress. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Resource Center on Children and Disasters, which shall: (1) establish a clearinghouse for information and resources on issues relating to such needs; and (2) develop and maintain a website and related systems for disseminating information on such issues. Directs the Secretary to: (1) collaborate with any executive department and specified parties responsible for policies and regulations relevant to such needs; and (2) enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation and the Attorney General to collaborate on the functions of the Center.
![Official portrait of Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000550_200.jpg)