United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2009
Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009 - Includes as part of the Republic of Vietnam, for purposes of the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure by veterans to certain herbicide agents while in Vietnam, such Republic's inland waterways, ports, and harbors, waters offshore, and airspace above. Includes as veterans eligible for such presumption those who: (1) served on Johnston Island during the period beginning on April 1, 1972, and ending on September 30, 1977; or (2) received the Vietnam Service Medal or the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2009
Credit Card Rate Freeze Act of 2009 - Prohibits a creditor, during a specified nine-month period, from: (1) increasing any annual percentage rate (APR), fee, or finance charge applicable to any outstanding balance of any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan; or (2) changing the terms governing repayment of any outstanding balance, except as permitted by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe implementing regulations.
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
Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require all election-related designations, statements, and reports required to be filed under the Act to be filed directly with the Federal Election Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2009
Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009 - Amends the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (Credit CARD Act of 2009) to move up the effective date of the Act from February 20, 2010, to December 1, 2009. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to move up also to December 1, 2009: (1) the deadline by which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System must issue final implementing rules for required creditor reviews of changes in factors considered in past consumer annual percentage interest rate (APR) increases when determining whether to reduce the APR; and (2) the effective date of the creditor review requirement. Moves up to the same date: (1) the effective date of the requirement that any penalty fee or charge that a credit card issuer may impose, including a late payment fee, over-the-limit fee, or any other penalty fee or charge, be reasonable and proportional to the omission or violation to which it relates; and (2) the deadline for the Board to issue final implementing rules establishing standards for assessing whether any such penalty fee or charge is reasonable and proportional. Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to move up to December 1, 2009, as well the effective dates of the Act's: (1) prohibition against the imposition of a dormancy fee, an inactivity charge or fee, or a service fee with respect to general use prepaid cards, certificates, and store gift cards; and (2) the deadline by which the Board must issue final implementing regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2009
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Cliff Hansen, a former Senator of Wyoming. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on October 21, 2009, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Hansen.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2009
Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution - Calls upon the President: (1) to ensure that U.S. foreign policy reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues documented in the U.S. record related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide with respect to the Armenian Genocide and the consequences of the failure to realize a just resolution to such events; and (2) in the President's annual message commemorating the Armenian Genocide to accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1,500,000 Armenians as genocide and to recall the proud history of U.S. intervention in opposition to the Armenian Genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2009
Fairness and Accountability in Receiving Overdraft Coverage Act of 2009 or FAIR Overdraft Coverage Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a depository institution from engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with overdraft coverage, or in acts designed to evade the provisions of this Act. Requires each depository institution that provides overdraft coverage for transaction accounts to clearly and conspicuously disclose overdraft coverage fees. Subjects to the consumer's written, electronic, or other consent overdraft coverage fees for withdrawals from either automated teller machines or from debit card transfers. Requires a depository institution to provide specified consumer disclosures regarding its overdraft protection program, including: (1) periodic statements for any transaction account that has an overdraft coverage program feature; and (2) prompt notification of the account's overdraft status. Prescribes overdraft coverage fee limits. Prohibits an overdraft coverage fee if the overdraft results solely from a debit hold amount that exceeds the actual dollar amount of the transaction. Requires a depository institution to provide consumers who have not consented to participate in an overdraft coverage program transaction accounts with the same terms as those provided to consumers who have consented to participate in such program. Prohibits a depository institution from charging a non-sufficient fund fee for any transaction at an automated teller machine or any debit card transaction. Prohibits a depository institution from reporting negative information regarding consumer use of overdraft coverage to any consumer reporting agency when the overdraft amounts and coverage fees are paid under the terms of an overdraft coverage program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 2009
Dairy COOL Act of 2009 - Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to extend mandatory country of origin labeling to dairy products (fluid milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter, and other dairy products). Requires a dairy product retailer to designate the product's origin as: (1) each country in which or from the one or more dairy ingredients were produced or originated, and each country in which the product was processed; and (2) if a U.S.-produced dairy product, the state, region, or locality where the product was produced.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Servicemember Student Loan Interest Relief Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty in hostile areas to benefit from the provision barring the accrual of interest on their student loans under the Federal Direct Loan program regardless of the date their loan was first disbursed. (Currently, their loan must be disbursed on or after October 1, 2008, to qualify for such treatment.) Eliminates the restriction of such benefit on direct consolidation loans to that portion of the loan which is used to repay direct loans.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week, 2009. Encourages: (1) children and teens to live drug-free lives; and (2) people in the United States to promote drug-free communities and to participate in drug prevention activities.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2009
Hate Crimes Against the Homeless Statistics Act of 2009 - Amends the Hate Crime Statistics Act to include crimes against the homeless in the crime data collected by the Attorney General under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2009
Medical Education Development Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a program of grants to newly accredited allopathic medical schools to support scholarships, develop residencies, build infrastructure, recruit and retain faculty, and develop research programs, for the purpose of increasing the supply of physicians. Directs the Secretary to: (1) give first priority to schools accredited to admit students from FY2009-FY2014; (2) provide increased funding to schools that enroll larger classes while maintaining competitive faculty-to-student ratios; and (3) allocate funds to only schools that provide accountability and transparency in expending such funds. Requires: (1) each school to report annually on the specific uses of funds received and on how the grant has benefited the region and the nation; and (2) the Secretary to report annually on the extent to which such grants have increased the supply of physicians, resulted in greater access to health care, enabled the creation of new care models, provided economic regional benefits, and increased the focus on medical students' communications skills.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009
Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to declare that a plaintiff establishes an unlawful employment practice if the plaintiff demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) an impermissible factor or authority was a motivating factor for the practice complained of, even if other factors also motivated that practice; or (2) the practice complained of would not have occurred in the absence of an impermissible factor. Specifies the types of: (1) evidence that a plaintiff may utilize; and (2) relief and damages available to a successful plaintiff.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
Green Taxis Act of 2009 - Allows states or political subdivisions to prescribe requirements for fuel economy for taxicabs and other automobiles if such requirements are at least as stringent as federal requirements and if such vehicles: (1) are automobiles that are capable of transporting not more than 10 individuals, including the driver; (2) are commercially available or are designed and manufactured pursuant to a contract with such state or subdivision; (3) are operated for hire pursuant to a license, permit, or other authorization issued by such state or subdivision; (4) provide local transportation for a fare determined on the basis of the time or distance traveled; and (5) do not exclusively provide transportation to and from airports. Amends the Clean Air Act to allow states or political subdivisions to adopt and enforce standards for the control of emissions from new motor vehicles that are taxicabs and other vehicles if such standards will be at least as protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal standards and if such vehicles meet the other criteria specified above.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
Enhancing Flight Crewmembers' Training - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prescribe regulations to require each air carrier to develop and implement standards and methods to ensure flight crewmembers have proper qualifications and experience to serve as crewmembers.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2009 - Prohibits road construction and road reconstruction in inventoried roadless areas of the National Forest System. Specifies exceptions, including because: (1) there is threat of a catastrophic event; (2) a natural resource restoration action is necessary; or (3) a federal-aid highway project is in the public interest or is consistent with the purposes for which the land was reserved or acquired. Prohibits timber from being cut, sold, or removed in an inventoried roadless area. Permits various exceptions, including for specified environmental reasons, if the responsible official determines that the cutting, sale, or removal of timber is expected to be infrequent. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to make modifications to roadless area maps to improve their accuracy or inclusiveness. Instructs the Secretary, in order to evaluate the effect of a modification to a roadless area map, to prepare an environmental impact statement or similar analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Declares that this Act does not: (1) revoke, suspend, or modify legal instruments and decisions concerning the use of NFS land made before January 12, 2001; (2) compel the amendment or revision of any land and resource management plan; or (3) apply to specified activities in the Tongass National Forest. States that the prohibitions and restrictions of this Act cannot be reconsidered, modified, or terminated under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act of 2009 - Provides permanent resident status adjustment for an applicant alien who: (1) was on September 10, 2001, the spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of an alien who died as a direct result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist activity against the United States; (2) was deemed to be a beneficiary of, and by, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001; (3) has no federal tax liability; (4) made a proffer of information to the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) between April 24, 2008, and August 15, 2008, in connection with a request for immigration relief; and (5) applies not later than one year from the date of enactment of this Act. Makes the provisions of this Act inapplicable to an alien who is inadmissible or deportable under criminal or security grounds, including September 11, 2001, terrorist activity.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act - Sets forth entitlement standards and implementation guidelines for employee use of emergency leave to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (domestic or sexual violence). Permits victims of domestic or sexual violence to substitute existing leave in lieu of emergency leave. Authorizes state use of funds under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) to provide nonrecurrent short-term emergency benefits for victims of domestic or sexual violence on emergency leave. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit denial of unemployment compensation to individuals separated from employment due to their experience of domestic or sexual violence. Amends the Social Security Act to require training of unemployment compensation and TANF personnel to provide necessary services to victims of domestic or sexual violence. Victims' Employment Sustainability Act - Prohibits certain discriminatory employer practices against victims of domestic or sexual violence. Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Act - Prohibits denial or restriction of insurance coverage (including termination of health insurance coverage) based on the status of the applicant or insured as a victim of domestic or sexual violence.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2009
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to award grants to states and tribal governments to provide continued driver training courses for teenagers (between 16 and 20) who are licensed drivers. Requires the Secretary to give priority to applicants that: (1) maximize participation of teenage drivers in the proposed driver training course; and (2) supplement the grant funds from other sources.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Fighting Real Estate Fraud Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants on a competitive basis through the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to states, local governments, and Indian tribal governments to assist prosecutors in investigating and prosecuting real estate fraud. Defines "real estate fraud" to include crimes involving purposeful misrepresentations, forgeries, omissions to general applications, tax returns, financial statements, appraisals and valuations, verifications of deposit and employment, escrow and closing documents, credit reports, and any actions that may defraud a secured creditor. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the effectiveness of the grant program in investigating and prosecuting real estate fraud.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Henry Bellmon, a former member of the U.S. Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on September 29, 2009, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Bellmon.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2009
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Requires a further additional Tier-3 period for deposits to an individual's EUCA, using the current formula, if, at the time the amount added to such individual's account under the Act is exhausted or at any time thereafter, the individual's state is in an extended benefit period. Prescribes a formula for determining if a state is in an extended benefit period. Allows the Tier-3 period augmentation to be applied to the individual's EUCA only once. Authorizes a state to pay extended compensation to an otherwise eligible individual before any further additional emergency unemployment compensation (EUC), if such individual claimed extended compensation for at least one week of unemployment after the exhaustion of additional EUC. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend from 2009 through 2010 the 6.2% surtax on employers under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA). Delays the scheduled 2010 reduction in the surtax to 6% until 2011. Amends title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of the Social Security Act to require an employer to report to the state Directory of New Hires, in addition to other information, the date services for remuneration were first performed by a newly hired employee. Qualifies the requirement that an employer file new hire reports on a W-4 or equivalent form by adding the phrase "to the extent practicable." Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise conditions for state collection of unemployment compensation debts resulting from fraud. Repeals the limitation to residents of the state seeking such an offset of the requirement that the Secretary of the Treasury reduce an individual's overpayment of federal income tax to offset any covered unemployment compensation debt the individual owes such state. (Literally, repeals the requirement that the address shown on the federal tax return for the taxable year of the overpayment be an address within the state seeking the offset.) Permits the Secretary to make such an offset regardless of whether the person resides in the state seeking it.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2009
Energy Security Through Transparency Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) the establishment by foreign governments of requirements that companies under their jurisdiction publicly disclose any payments made to a government relating to the commercial development of oil, natural gas, and minerals; (2) the U.S. commitment to global leadership of transparency in extractive industries by supporting multilateral pro-transparency efforts, bilateral good governance efforts through U.S. missions and activities abroad, implementation of extractive industries reporting requirements for companies under U.S. jurisdiction, and efforts to persuade members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to adopt uniform legislation to ensure a coordinated regulatory approach; and (3) the need for the President to commit the United States to become a Candidate Country of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to disclose to the public any payment relating to the commercial development of oil, natural gas, and minerals on federal land made by any person to the government. Includes as a "payment" taxes, royalties, fees, licenses, production entitlements, bonuses, and other material benefits, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require the SEC to issue rules requiring each resource extraction issuer (an issuer that engages in the commercial development of oil, natural gas, or minerals) to include in its annual report information relating to any payment made by the issuer, a subsidiary or partner, or an entity under its control to a foreign government for the purpose of such commercial development. Requires such rules, to the extent practicable, to support the U.S. commitment to international transparency promotion efforts relating to such commercial development. Requires the SEC, to the extent practicable, to make publicly available online a compilation of the information required to be submitted under the disclosure rules issued pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2009
Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009 - Declares that nothing in the McCarran-Ferguson Act shall be construed to permit health insurance issuers or issuers of medical malpractice insurance to engage in any form of price fixing, bid rigging, or market allocations in connection with providing health insurance coverage or coverage for medical malpractice claims or actions. Makes this Act inapplicable to any information gathering and rate setting activities of any state commission of insurance or any other state regulatory entity with authority to set insurance rates.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the first-time homebuyer tax credit to: (1) extend such tax credit through May 31, 2010; (2) extend through December 31, 2009, the date until which purchases of a principal residence may be treated as made on December 31, 2008, for tax purposes; and (3) extend through May 31, 2010, the waiver of recapture requirements for residences purchased after December 31, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009
Supports the ideals of Citizenship Day 2009. Recognizes: (1) that citizens from all backgrounds have made countless contributions to the strength of the United States; and (2) the initiative taken by immigrants to learn about the responsibilities and significance of U.S. citizenship.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009
Recognizes the goals and achievements of Hispanic-serving institutions across this country. Designates the week beginning September 20, 2009, as National Hispanic Serving Institutions Week.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Reaffirms congressional opposition to trade boycotts of Israel and calls on the President to take stronger steps to end all trade boycotts of Israel. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the United States Trade Representative to include in: (1) the annual trade barrier report a list of each country (and specified boycott-related information about such country) that participates in any trade boycott of Israel; and (2) the National Trade Estimate a report on U.S. steps taken at the World Trade Organization (WTO) or other international fora to end the trade boycott of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Recognizes the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15, 2009, through October 15, 2009. Esteems the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the American economy, culture, and identity.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Recognizes the contributions that former President of the AFL-CIO (1995-2009) John Sweeney has made to the U.S. labor movement. Congratulates and honors John Sweeney for his dedicated service and commitment to economic and social justice and tireless advocacy on behalf of U.S. working families.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) stable and affordable housing is an essential component of an effective strategy for HIV prevention, treatment, and care; and (2) the United States should make a commitment to providing adequate funding for developing housing as a response to the AIDS pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2009
Designates room 325 of the Russell Senate Office Building, commonly referred to as the "Caucus Room," as the "Kennedy Caucus Room," in recognition of the service to the Senate and the people of the United States of Senators Edward Moore Kennedy, Robert Francis Kennedy, and John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2009
Designates October 2009 as National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month. Urges communities to carry out appropriate programs and activities to educate parents and youth about the potential dangers associated with medicine abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2009
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into an agreement with a volunteer employees' beneficiary association (VEBA) established after enactment of this Act for the benefit of eligible separated employees of Delphi Corporation (and their dependents) in order to transfer amounts to the VEBA for purposes of establishing, or obtaining coverage under, a health care plan for the benefit of such employees (and dependents). Limits the application of this Act to employees with respect to whom the obligation of Delphi Corporation or General Motors Corporation to provide health care coverage has been discharged in a bankruptcy proceeding. Directs the Secretary to make available up to $3 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds, under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA), to provide health care coverage that is substantially the same as the coverage the obligation for which was so discharged.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2009
Federal Judgeship Act of 2009 - Directs the President to appoint specified additional: (1) permanent circuit judges for the first, second, third, sixth, and ninth circuit courts of appeals and temporary circuit judges for the third, eighth, and ninth circuits; and (2) permanent district judges for various districts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington and temporary district judges for Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, and Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2009
Condemns: (1) the August 2009 release from prison in Scotland of Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, the lone person convicted in connection with the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people, including 189 Americans; and (2) the lavish welcome home ceremony held in Libya to celebrate Mr. al-Megrahi's release. Calls on the government of Libya to apologize for the public celebration of Mr. al-Megrahi's release.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2009
Declares that the Senate has received with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the passing of the Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy, the great Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on September 8, 2009, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2009
Commemorates, on the quadricentennial celebration of the discovery of the Hudson River, the historic ties and friendship between the United States and the Netherlands. Recognizes the settlement and enduring values of New Netherland which continue to influence American society.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2009
Assistance for Unemployed Workers Extension Act - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008, as amended by the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 and the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act, with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through December 31, 2010. Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until January 1, 2011, federal-state agreements increasing regular unemployment compensation payments to individuals. Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008, as amended by the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008, to require a further additional Tier-3 period for deposits to an individual's EUCA, using the current formula, if, at the time the amount added to such individual's account under the Act is exhausted or at any time thereafter, the individual's state is in an extended benefit period. Prescribes a formula for determining if a state is in an extended benefit period. Authorizes a state to pay extended compensation to an otherwise eligible individual before any further additional EUC, if such individual claimed extended compensation for at least one week of unemployment after the exhaustion of additional EUC. Allows the Tier-3 period augmentation to be applied to the individual's EUCA only once. Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until January 1, 2011, the requirement that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC. Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008, as amended by such Act, to extend through May 30, 2011, federal matching for the first week of extended EUC for states with no waiting week. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2010, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service and for those with less than 10. Makes additional appropriations to cover such cost. Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to make additional appropriations to the Railroad Retirement Board to cover administrative expenses associated with such additional extended benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009
Livable Communities Act of 2009 - Establishes in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) an Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (OSHC). Establishes in the executive branch an independent Interagency Council on Sustainable Communities. Requires the OSHC Director to establish a program to make comprehensive planning grants and sustainability challenge grants to eligible entities (partnerships between a consortium of units of general local government and an eligible partner, which may be a metropolitan planning organization, a rural planning organization, a regional council, or a state). Requires the use of a comprehensive planning grant to carry out a project to: (1) coordinate land use, housing, transportation, and infrastructure planning processes across jurisdictions and agencies; (2) identify potential regional partnerships for developing and implementing a comprehensive regional plan; (3) conduct or update housing, infrastructure, transportation, energy, and environmental assessments to determine regional needs and promote sustainable development; (4) develop or update a comprehensive regional plan or goals and strategies to implement an existing comprehensive regional plan; and (5) implement local zoning and other code changes necessary to implement a comprehensive regional plan and promote sustainable development. Requires the use of a sustainability challenge grant to: (1) promote integrated transportation, housing, energy, and economic development activities carried out across policy and governmental jurisdictions; (2) promote sustainable and location-efficient development; and (3) implement projects identified in a comprehensive regional plan. Directs the OSHC Director to study and report to specified congressional committees on incentives for encouraging lenders to make, and homebuyers and homeowners to participate in, energy-efficient mortgages and location-efficient mortgages.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009
Investments for Manufacturing Progress and Clean Technology Act of 2009 or the IMPACT Act of 2009 - Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to: (1) direct the Secretary of Commerce to award grants to states to establish revolving loan funds to provide loans to small and medium-sized manufacturers for producing clean energy technology and energy efficient products and for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing facilities; and (2) include within the activities of Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology the establishment of a clean energy manufacturing supply chain initiative.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the tax deduction for donations of fractional interests in tangible personal property to: (1) permit donors to claim an increased deduction based upon the market value of subsequent gifts of fractional interests; (2) extend to 20 years the period in which donors of fractional interests must contribute their entire interest in donated property; and (3) require donors of fractional interests greater than $1 million to attach a statement of value obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to their tax returns.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009
Community College Technology Access Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to community colleges for the maintenance, administration, and improvement of computer labs to enhance student and public access to information technology training. Allows grantees to use grant funds to expand or build a computer lab facility if they ask and receive the Secretary's authorization to do so. Requires grantees to keep their computer labs open to the public for specified minimum periods and to offer the public free computer-related training while open.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009
Safeguarding Social Security Numbers Act of 2009 - Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to issue uniform standards for the method for truncation of Social Security account numbers in order to facilitate their protection from use in fraud or identity theft. Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the display of Social Security account numbers to the general public on the Internet by state and local governments, except in compliance with such truncation standards. Directs the Attorney General to award grants to state and local governments to come into compliance with such prohibition or the exception to it.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009
Child Protection Improvements Act of 2009 - Amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to direct the Attorney General to: (1) establish policies and procedures for a program for national criminal history background checks for child-serving organizations; (2) assist such organizations in obtaining access to nationwide background checks; (3) establish procedures for insuring the accuracy of criminal history records; (4) identify individuals convicted of serious misdemeanors or felonies involving children; and (5) collect demographic data relating to individuals and organizations covered by this Act and make reports to Congress on such data. Limits the liability of a child-serving organization for failure to conduct criminal background checks or to take adverse action against employees with a criminal history. Imposes limitations on the disclosure or use of criminal history records. Amends the PROTECT Act to provide for an extension of the Child Safety Pilot Program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009
Calls upon all people in the United States to: (1) observe, annually, a National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of those who lost their lives or were injured in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and in tribute to those who came to the aid of those in need; and (2) continue to live their lives throughout the year with the same spirit of unity, service, and compassion that was exhibited following the attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2009
Designates September 26, 2009, as National Estuaries Day. Expresses the intent of the Senate to continue working to protect and restore U.S. estuaries.
![Official portrait of Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000148_200.jpg)