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United States · Official source
1,771 records where Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2008
Designates November 2008 as National Methamphetamine Awareness Month to increase awareness of methamphetamine abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2008
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Russian Federation's disproportionate military response on the sovereign territory of Georgia, including the South Ossetian Autonomous Region and the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, is in violation of international law and commitments of the Russian Federation; (2) the United States recognizes significant common interests with the Russian Federation which can serve as the basis for improved long-term relations; (3) the Russian Federation should comply with the cease-fire agreement; (4) the Russian Federation and Georgia should refrain from the future use of force to resolve the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and work with interested countries and international organizations to reach a political settlement; and (5) the United States should provide humanitarian and economic assistance to Georgia, continue to support democracy in Georgia, and work to support the free flow of energy to Europe and the operation of communication and trade routes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008
Pacific Salmon Stronghold Conservation Act of 2008 - Establishes the Salmon Stronghold Partnership Board with members from federal, state, tribal, and non-governmental organizations, and other entities with significant resources regionally dedicated to the protection of wild salmon ecosystems, including representatives of specified organizations and Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, and Alaska. Requires the Assistant Administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out specific information and assessment functions associated with the network of salmon strongholds. Provides for: (1) the establishment of a salmon stronghold watershed grants and technical assistance program; and (2) agency coordination. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) conditions relating to salmon stronghold conservation projects; (2) project funding; and (3) project accountability. Prohibits acquiring private property without the owner's consent.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008
Child Care Investment Act of 2008 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) of title IV of the Social Security Act to increase appropriations for child care assistance grants for FY2009-FY2014. Makes appropriations for FY2009-FY2014 for grants to states to establish: (1) a Quality Rating and Improvement System (or maintain such a system) for center-based child care providers, group home child care providers, family child care providers, and other early childhood education providers; (2) a statewide network of infant and toddler specialists to train such providers; (3) standards that require at least 40 hours of appropriate health, safety, and child development training for an individual before employment with or as a licensed or registered child care provider; and (4) requirements that licensed or registered providers are visited by monitoring staff at least twice a year. Requires the use of such appropriations also to pay reimbursement rates at or above the 75th percentile of market rates for providers of child care services assisted under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2008
Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating or attempting or conspiring to operate by any means, or for embarking in, any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to avoid detection. Imposes an additional civil fine of up to $1 million for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2008
Affordable Coverage for Small Employers Act of 2008 - Establishes the National Health Coverage Policy Board as an independent agency to oversee a program to provide health insurance coverage to small employers and their employees. Directs the Policy Board to: (1) determine a comprehensive, quality, and affordable standard benefit package similar to that provided under specified large federal employees health benefits (FEHB) plans; (2) apportion the United States into regions with no less than two states each; (3) establish a Regional Health Coverage Exchange for each region to serve as a central purchasing site for health coverage, to provide information about plans, to facilitate enrollment, and to ensure health plan compliance with requirements; and (4) establish the Regional Health Coverage Exchange Board. Requires the Regional Board to develop common rating guidelines relating to the health insurance market for small employers. Directs each state to enact laws necessary to regulate its small group insurance market in accordance with such guidelines. Authorizes states to permit sole proprietors and individuals to purchase coverage through the Exchange. Sets forth requirements for a health insurance issuer to offer health care coverage through an Exchange. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a refundable tax credit for taxpayer premiums for qualified health insurance purchased through an Exchange; (2) allow a refundable tax credit for small employer contributions toward the cost of such employee health insurance; and (3) provide for advance payment of such tax credits.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2008
Giving Incentives to Volunteers Everywhere Act of 2008 or the GIVE Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the standard mileage rate for use of a passenger automobile for charitable purposes to a rate not less than the rate used for the tax deduction for medical transportation expenses; and (2) exclude from the gross income of charitable volunteers reimbursements paid to them for the use of a passenger automobile for the benefit of a charitable organization.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2008
Calls on private and public employers to support workplace wellness and to implement voluntarily worksite health promotion programs to help maximize employees' health and well being and lower health care costs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2008
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 · 18 September 2008
Commends AARP for 50 years of outstanding service.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2008
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to revise the formula for Tier-1 amounts a state credits to an applicant's emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA) for a benefit year. Increases the figures in the formula (the lesser of which shall be the amount credited) from: (1) 50% to 80% of the total amount of regular compensation (including dependents' allowances) payable to the individual during the benefit year; and (2) 13 to 20 times the individual's average weekly benefit amount for the benefit year. Provides an additional Tier-2 period for deposits to an individual's EUCA, using the current formula, if, at the time that the amount established under this 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-2 period augmentation to be applied to the individual's EUCA only once. Prohibits a Tier-2 augmentation under this Act to an individual's account after March 31, 2009, if the account is exhausted after such date. Extends the period of emergency unemployment compensation. Exempts weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and December 8, 2009, 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 of such state provides for payment (at any time or under any circumstances) of regular compensation to an individual for his first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.)
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2008
Telehealth for America Act of 2008 - Amends provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 relating to universal service to require a telecommunications carrier, on request, to provide telecommunications services, advanced telecommunications services and information services, and network management services (currently, only telecommunications services) to any public or nonprofit health care provider serving rural areas at rates that are up to 60% less than (currently, reasonably comparable to) urban areas in that state. Includes 14 specific types of providers, facilities, agencies, and organizations under the terms "rural health clinics and rural health care providers" (as part of the definition of "health care provider").
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2008
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Darfur, Sudan; and (2) supports U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1556 and 1591 imposing an arms embargo on all belligerents in Darfur.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2008
Hospice Protection Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from phasing out or eliminating the budget neutrality adjustment factor in the Medicare hospice wage index before October 1, 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2008
Serve America Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to create two new service-learning programs: (1) a Youth Engagement Zones to Strengthen Communities program, providing competitive grants to partnerships between local educational agencies that serve high-need, low-income communities and certain community-based or state entities to engage students and out-of-school youth in service-learning addressing specific challenges faced by their communities; and (2) a Campus of Service program, which annually grants up to 30 institutions of higher education (IHEs) with exemplary service-learning programs the funds to assist their students' pursuit of public service careers, and the right to nominate additional individuals for ServeAmerica Fellowships. Directs the Corporation for National and Community Service (Corporation) to contract for a 10-year, longitudinal service-learning impact study. Establishes the Commission on Cross-Sector Solutions to America's Problems to study ways in which the federal government and businesses can more effectively collaborate with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations to address pressing national and local challenges. Creates a Community Solutions Funds Pilot program awarding competitive matching grants to grantmaking institutions or partnerships between such institutions and state or local governmental entities which will use the grants to provide competitive matching subgrants to community organizations for use in replicating or expanding proven solutions to specifically identified community challenges. Establishes an Innovation Fellowships Pilot program awarding competitive grants to individuals who are veterans, or have completed at least one period of national service, to establish innovative nonprofit organizations that address national and local challenges. Creates a ServeAmerica Corps program providing formula grants to states and awarding competitive grants to states and nonprofit organizations to fund national service in low-income communities by: (1) Clean Energy Service Corps that improve certain clean energy indicators, including energy efficiency and conservation measures; (2) Education Corps that improve certain education indicators, including student engagement, achievement, and graduation; (3) Healthy Futures Corps that improve certain health indicators, including health care access; (4) Opportunity Corps that improve certain opportunity indicators, including financial literacy and access to housing, and employment-related services; and (5) Encore programs designed to take advantage of the skills of participants age 50 and older. Creates additional incentives for national service participation by individuals age 50 and older. Makes ServeAmerica Corps participants eligible for national service educational awards. Directs the Corporation to create a Civic Health Index enabling states and communities to assess their civic health. Establishes the ServeAmerica and Encore Fellowships program providing ServeAmerica Fellowships to IHE-nominated individuals and Encore Fellowships to individuals age 50 or older who agree to be placed with nonprofit organizations to carry out projects in specified areas of national need. Makes ServeAmerica fellows eligible for national service educational awards. Creates a Volunteer Generation Fund program awarding competitive matching grants to states and nonprofit organizations to increase the availability and capacity of volunteers to address state priorities with regard to areas of national need or work with nonprofit civic entities, including faith-based organizations, to address such needs. Establishes a National Service Reserve Corps of individuals who have completed a term of national service to respond to national disasters and other emergencies. Directs the Corporation, within 180 days of this Act's enactment, to conduct a nationwide Call to Service Campaign. Requires the Office of Volunteers for Prosperity (VfP) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to implement a VfPServe program providing skilled professionals with fixed-amount stipends to offset their costs of volunteering abroad to address specified VfP objectives aimed at ameliorating living conditions in developing countries.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2008
Recognizes September 11, 2008, as a day of solemn commemoration of the events of September 11, 2001. Offers condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Honors the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of first responders, law enforcement personnel, state and local officials, volunteers, and others who aided the victims and, in doing so, risked and often gave their own lives. Recognizes the service, actions, and sacrifices of U.S. personnel who have given so much to support our freedom and defend our security. Reaffirms that the people of the United States will never forget the challenges our country endured on and since September 11, 2001, and will work to defeat those who attacked us.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the owner of a telecommunications business to defer for three years the tax on the gain, up to $350 million, from a sale of such business to a business owned by a member or members of a socially or economically disadvantaged group (e.g., Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, or Asian Pacific Americans) or to reduce the basis of property held by such seller by the amount of gain realized from a sale. Defines "telecommunications business" as any business providing communication services by wire, cable, radio, satellite, or other technology if governed by the Communications Act of 1934 or the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee loans for the purchase of a telecommunications business under this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to audit the administration of the tax deferral provisions of this Act, to report on such audit every five years, and to include in such report an assessment of the small business loan guarantee program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Giving Incentives to Volunteers Everywhere Act of 2008 or the GIVE Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the standard mileage rate for use of a passenger automobile for charitable purposes to 70% of the current rate for business usage; and (2) exclude from the gross income of charitable volunteers reimbursements paid to them for the use of a passenger automobile for the benefit of a charitable organization.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Urges the Dalai Lama or his representatives and the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to begin negotiations for a solution that addresses the legitimate grievances of, and provides genuine autonomy for, the Tibetan people. Affirms that the human rights of Tibetans and their right to practice religion free of government regulation is not an internal matter of any one country. Calls on the U.S. government to press the PRC to: (1) respect freedom of speech and freedom of association and to release those who have committed no crime other than peaceful protest; and (2) allow Tibetans to practice their religion freely.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Designates September 18, 2008, as National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day. Recognizes Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as a major public health concern. Encourages Americans to find out more about ADHD, support ADHD mental health services, and seek treatment and support. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the government has a responsibility to: (1) raise awareness about ADHD; and (2) consider ways to improve mental health services for children and adults with ADHD.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
ADA Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to redefine the term "disability," including by defining "major life activities" and "being regarded as having such an impairment." Sets forth rules of construction regarding the definition of "disability," including that: (1) such term shall be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals under the Act; (2) an impairment that substantially limits one major life activity need not limit other major life activities in order to be a disability; (3) an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active; and (4) the determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity shall be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of specified mitigating measures. Prohibits employment discrimination against a qualified individual on the basis of disability. (Current law prohibits employment discrimination against a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability.) Prohibits the use of qualification standards, employment tests, or other selection criteria based on an individual's uncorrected vision unless the standard, test, or other selection criteria, as used by the covered entity, is shown to be related to the position and is consistent with business necessity. Declares that nothing in the Act: (1) alters the standards for determining eligibility for benefits under state worker's compensation laws or under state and federal disability benefit programs; (2) alters the requirement to make reasonable modifications in policies or procedures, unless such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, facilities, or accommodations involved; or (3) provides the basis for a claim by an individual without a disability that the individual was subject to discrimination because of the individual's lack of disability. Declares that the authority of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations includes the authority to issue regulations implementing the definitions of this Act. Makes conforming amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Federal Aviation Administration Employee Retention Act - Revises requirements for the dispute resolution process of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding negotiations with the exclusive bargaining representative of FAA employees over proposed changes to the FAA personnel management system. Requires submission of issues in controversy to the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP) for binding arbitration if the services of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS, required by current law) have led to an impasse between the FAA and its employees in reaching an agreement. Prescribes a procedure for the appointment of a three-member arbitration board by the FSIP Executive Director. Repeals the current requirement that, if the services of the FMCS do not lead to an agreement, the Administrator's proposed change to the personnel management system shall not take effect until 60 days have elapsed after the Administrator has transmitted the proposed changes, along with the objections of the employees to the changes, and the reasons for such objections, to Congress. Provides a dispute resolution process alternative to the existing requirement to use FMCS services. Authorizes the FAA Administrator and the exclusive bargaining representative of FAA employees, by mutual agreement, to adopt alternative procedures for the resolution of disputes or impasses arising in the negotiation of a collective-bargaining agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Healing Our Nation's Heroes Act of 2008 - Establishes a commission on veterans and members of the Armed Forces (members) with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or other mental health disorders caused by military service. Requires the commission to: (1) oversee the monitoring and treatment of veterans and members with such disorders; and (2) conduct a study of the long-term adverse consequences of such disorders for such veterans and members. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to carry out a program, to be known as the Heroes-to-Healers Program, to assist veterans and members separating from service to: (1) obtain certification as mental health care providers; and (2) find employment with federal, state, and local agencies and nongovernmental organizations that provide mental health care to members, veterans, and their families. Requires participants, following certification, to work for at least five years in such mental health care capacity, but authorizes the Secretary to waive such requirement when considered appropriate. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to pay a bonus of up to $10,000 to a Program participant who agrees to such service. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to establish a program to award grants to encourage state and local mental health agencies and other entities to establish, expand, or enhance mental health provider recruitment and retention efforts. Requires participants who receive training through the program to serve at a high-need medical facility or agency for at least three years.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Timber Revitalization and Economic Enhancement Act II of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent: (1) the reduction in the rate of tax on the net timber gain of corporations; and (2) rules for the treatment of timber real estate investment trust (REIT) gains, mineral royalty income, and prohibited transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2008
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend from three to four years the lookback timeframe for recognition of certain designations and certification with respect to rural health clinics under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2008
Recognizes July 30, 2008, as the 40th anniversary of the enactment of the resolution establishing the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, the substantial contributions the Committee made in ensuring that effective and efficient federal food assistance programs were accessible to those most in need, and that hunger continues to be an issue plaguing the United States. Supports the continued efforts of federal, state, and local governments and private non-profit organizations to eradicate U.S. hunger.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2008
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the U.S. Infantry, in commemoration of the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. Expresses the sense of Congress that the coins should be struck at the U.S. Mint at West Point, New York, to the greatest extent possible. Restricts coin issuance to calendar year 2012. Requires a $10 surcharge per coin, and payment of all surcharges received to the National Infantry Foundation to establish an endowment to support the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2008
American Shipping Reinvestment Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal shipping investment withdrawal tax rules; and (2) allow U.S. corporate shareholders a tax deduction for dividends attributable to foreign base company shipping income received from a controlled foreign corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2008
Welcomes Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves home to the United States after being held for over five years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Expresses gratitude to the government and military of Colombia for rescuing the hostages and applauds the U.S. government's contribution to this effort. Calls for the release of all hostages held by FARC and other terrorist groups in Colombia. Urges FARC to reject terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2008
Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act of 2008 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) authorize, in lieu of a criminal action, civil copyright enforcement by the Attorney General; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; and (3) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information. Amends the Trademark Act to: (1) revise treble damages provisions and double statutory damages in counterfeiting cases; and (2) prohibit the transshipment and exportation of goods bearing infringing marks. Prohibits the importation (current law), transshipment, or exportation, without the authority of the owner of copyright, of copies or phonorecords. Revises civil and criminal forfeiture provisions, including under the Economic Espionage Act. Directs the President to appoint an Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator who shall: (1) chair the interagency intellectual property enforcement advisory committee established by this Act; and (2) coordinate the development, and assist in the implementation, of the Joint Strategic Plan against counterfeiting and piracy by such advisory committee. Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to allow existing grants to combat computer crime to be used for activities relating to infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet. Requires the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants for training, prevention, enforcement, and prosecution of intellectual property theft and infringement crimes. Requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to: (1) create an operational unit to work with the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property section of the DOJ on the investigation and coordination of complex intellectual property crimes; and (2) implement a comprehensive intellectual property crime program. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) create a task force to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to investigate and prosecute international organized crime syndicates engaging in crimes relating to intellectual property theft; and (2) subject to appropriations, deploy five additional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators in foreign countries.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2008
Domestic Film Production Equity Act of 2008 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the tax deduction for domestic film and television production activities to: (1) include within the income base for such deduction compensation for services performed in the United States by actors, production personnel, directors, and producers and any copyrights, trademarks, or other intangibles with respect to a film production; and (2) allow a deduction for partners or S corporation shareholders who own at least a 20% interest in a film project.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2008
Tribal Law and Order Act of 2008 - Amends the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to submit to Congress a long-term plan to address incarceration in Indian country. Authorizes each U.S. Attorney serving a district that includes Indian country to appoint Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys to prosecute crimes in Indian country when the crime rate, or the rate at which criminal offenses are declined to be prosecuted, exceeds the national average. Establishes in the Department of Justice's (DOJ) criminal division an Office of Indian Country Crime. Requires the United States to maintain concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute serious crimes in Indian country under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Attorney General to provide assistance to state, tribal, and local governments that enter into cooperative agreements to improve law enforcement effectiveness and reduce crime in and around Indian country. Directs the Attorney General to ensure that tribal law enforcement officials that meet applicable requirements have access to national crime information databases. Establishes: (1) the Indian Law and Order Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of law enforcement and criminal justice in tribal communities and recommend improvements to justice systems at the tribal, federal, and state levels; and (2) within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), an Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Provides for: (1) the tracking of crimes committed in Indian country and grants to improve tribal data collection systems; (2) training in interviewing victims of domestic and sexual violence and collecting, preserving, and presenting evidence to prosecutors; (3) the development of victim services and victim advocate training programs; and (4) the development of standardized sexual assault policies and protocol.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2008
Honors and commemorates the selfless acts of heroism displayed by the late Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut and Detective John Michael Gibson of the U.S. Capitol Police on July 24, 1998. Expresses: (1) the condolences of the Senate to the wives, children, and other family members of Private First Class Chestnut and Detective Gibson on the 10-year anniversary of their passing; (2) gratitude and appreciation for the professional manner in which the U.S. Capitol Police carry out their diverse missions; and (3) appreciation for the dedication U.S. Capitol Police officers have for protecting the Capitol Complex. Commends the U.S. Capitol Police for their continued courage and professionalism in protecting the Capitol Complex and its employees and visitors.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2008
Good Neighbor Forestry Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements and contracts with state foresters to provide the forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration and protection services as specified below on National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management lands. Specifies that such authorized services include: (1) activities to treat insect infected trees; (2) activities to reduce hazardous fuels; and (3) any other activities to restore or improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health, including fish and wildlife habitat. Permits state foresters to enter into subcontracts to provide the restoration and protection services authorized under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) prohibit tax-exempt employer pension or benefit plans from making a loan to any plan beneficiary through the use of a credit card or other intermediary; and (2) limit to three the number of loans a plan can make to a plan participant or beneficiary without tax consequences.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2008
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services relating to requirements set forth in the State Health Official Letter 07-001, dated August 17, 2007, issued by the Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the State Health Official Letter 08-003, dated May 7, 2008, from such Center, requiring states that expand the income eligibility level for children under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) above 250% of the federal poverty level to adopt the five crowd-out strategies described in the August 17, 2007, letter and to provide certain assurances described in such letter.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2008
National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the 21st Century Nanotechology Research and Development Act to expand the scope of the National Nanotechnology Program (the Program), including directing the Program to utilize the perspectives of the industrial community to promote the rapid commercial development of nanoscale-enabled devices, systems, and technologies. Requires issuing guidance to agencies that describes a strategy for transitioning research into commercial products and technologies. Revises requirements regarding the Program's triennial strategic plans. Requires participating agencies to support the activities of the committees of standards setting bodies involved in the development of standards for nanotechnology. Requires the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office to be supported by funds from each participating agency. Makes the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel a distinct entity. Instructs the Panel to establish a subpanel to enable it in assessing whether societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and workforce concerns are adequately addressed by the Program. Rewrites provisions for triennial external review of the Program. Designates a Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology, who shall convene a panel to develop a research plan. Establishes an Education Working Group to coordinate, prioritize, and plan the educational activities supported under the Program. Provides for one or more grants to establish Nanotechnology Education Partnerships to recruit and help prepare secondary school students to pursue postsecondary level courses in nanotechnology. Requires agencies supporting nanotechnology research facilities to provide access to companies that are developing prototypes of nanoscale products, devices, or processes. Sets forth provisions concerning nanotechnology related projects under existing nanotechnology transfer programs. Makes it an objective of the Program to establish industry liaison groups. Requires coordination and leveraging of federal investments with nanotechnology research, development, and technology transition initiatives. Requires the Program to include support for nanotechnology research and development in areas of national importance. Requires the Program to support nanomanufacturing research, including in green nanomanufacturing, energy production, water purification, agriculture, and health care. Requires specified reviews by the Advisory Panel of certain program component areas and nanotechnology research facilities. Sets forth provisions regarding nanoscale characterization and metrology. Requires: (1) a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study of nanotechnology related codes, standards, and regulations; and (2) public outreach.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2008
Affordable Housing Preservation Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a pilot program under which funds in the residual receipts account of an eligible multifamily housing property are transferred, at the time of a qualified sale or exchange, to preservation entities to facilitate the transfer of multifamily housing projects with expiring section 8 housing assistance payments contracts under the United States Housing Act of 1937. Defines "preservation entity" as a HUD-approved housing agency, organization, or entity (for profit or nonprofit) that has the capacity and commitment to successfully acquire and preserve an eligible multifamily housing property. Requires the Secretary to: (1) determine whether the preservation entity's plan for rehabilitation and operation maintains and restores the decent, safe, and sanitary condition of the eligible multifamily housing property, and is viable for at least 30 years; and (2) monitor the affordability and use restrictions for the property. Imposes penalties on preservation entities for noncompliance with this Act. Requires the Secretary to designate at least three states to participate in the pilot program. States that grants shall be used to: (1) pay for rehabilitation costs approved by the housing agency; (2) deposit funds into the property's replacement reserve account; and (3) pay for social and other services that directly benefit the tenants of such property, its associated acquisition costs, and any other costs that have been approved by the housing agency and will directly benefit such tenants.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2008
NIH Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute for FY2008 to support additional scientific research.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2008
Designates the week beginning September 8, 2008, as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. Recognizes the dedication and vital role of direct support professionals in enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2008
Expresses the sense of the Senate to: (1) condemn the Mugabe regime for its manipulation of the country's electoral process and reject the June 27, 2008, presidential runoff election as illegitimate; (2) encourage the President's efforts to expand sanctions on those individuals responsible for violations of human and political rights in Zimbabwe; (3) applaud the governments of Benin, Botswana, Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Zambia for condemning such election; (4) encourage the U.N. Security Council to authorize a United Nations Special Representative for Zimbabwe; (5) urge African leaders to engage in the political resolution effort; (6) urge the United States and the international community to assemble a comprehensive economic and political recovery package; and (7) support a democratic political solution that reflects the will and respects the rights of the people of Zimbabwe.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) an 10% energy tax credit for the installation of a qualified green roof; and (2) a residential energy efficient tax credit for 30% of qualified green roof property expenditures up to $2,000. Defines a "qualified green roof" as any green roof which is at least 40% vegetated. Defines "green roof" as any roof which consists of vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane and its associated components.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2008
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., former Senator from North Carolina. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on July 7, 2008, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Helms.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Mentoring for All Act of 2008 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to direct the Corporation for National and Community Service to award competitive, matching, three-year grants to nonpartisan, collaborative, public-private partnerships at the state and local level for efforts to grow and strengthen direct-service youth mentoring programs in all forms and settings in their service areas. Requires partnership grantees to use at least 80% of their grant for competitive subgrants to mentoring programs: (1) operated by or being created by, nonprofit organizations, schools, or local governments; or (2) operated by local collaboratives that each include at least two experienced youth mentoring organizations and at least one entity that provides volunteer mentors. Allows partnership grantees to give subgrant priority to collaboratives. Requires each partnership grantee to participate in a collaborative national network of mentoring partnerships. Directs the Corporation to award competitive, matching, three-year grants to entities or collaboratives of entities enabling the entities or collaboratives to: (1) build the necessary infrastructure to create a state mentoring partnership; or (2) implement national mentoring projects. Requires the Corporation to evaluate this Act's programs and provide training and technical assistance to grant fund recipients that is based on support from the national network of mentoring partnerships.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
States that the Senate appreciates the efforts of those countries in Europe that have enacted legislation for the restitution of, or compensation for, private, communal, and religious property confiscated during the Nazi or Communist eras. Urges the governments of Poland and Lithuania and the governments of other European countries that have not already done so to enact legislation so that victims, and communities, of Nazi persecution whose private religious, or communal, property was confiscated by the Nazis and in turn seized by a Communist government are able to obtain restitution of, or compensation for, such property. Welcomes a country in Europe to host a 2009 follow-up international conference to the Washington Conference on Holocaust-Era Assets which would address issues relating to: (1) restitution or compensation; and (2) the opening of archives and the work of historical commissions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2008
Oregon Surplus Federal Land Act of 2008 - Requires transfer of administrative jurisdiction over Coast Guard lands in Coos County, Oregon (including Cape Arago Light Station on Chief's Island), in the areas commonly known as Gregory Point and Chief's Island, to the Secretary of the Interior to hold in trust for the benefit of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians and to be included in the reservation of those tribes. Allows the Coast Guard to retain easements for access to aids to navigation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2008
Amends federal law relating to maritime drug law enforcement to prohibit knowingly or intentionally operating by any means, or embarking in, any semi-submersible vessel or any manned or unmanned submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2008
Authorizes the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the Coquille Indian Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians of Oregon to obtain 99-year lease authority for trust land.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the harbor maintenance tax commercial cargo (other than bulk cargo) loaded at: (1) a port in the U.S. mainland and unloaded at another such port after transport solely by coastal route or river or unloaded at a port in Canada located in the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System; or (2) such a port in Canada and unloaded at a port in the U.S. mainland. Defines the "Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System" as the waterway between Duluth, Minnesota, and Sept Iles, Quebec, Canada, encompassing the five Great Lakes, their connecting channels, and the Saint Lawrence River.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2008
Healthy Transition Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants or cooperative agreements to states: (1) to develop plans for the statewide coordination of services to assist adolescents and young adults with a serious mental health disorder in acquiring the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to ensure their healthy transition to successful adult roles and responsibilities; and (2) for the coordination of such services. Requires the Secretary to designate a federal entity, or establish a Committee of Federal Partners, to coordinate programs providing such services. Directs such entity or committee to: (1) review how federal programs and efforts that address issues related to the transition of adolescents and young adults with serious mental health disorders may be coordinated to ensure the maximum benefit for the individuals being served; and (2) provide technical assistance to the states who are planning or implementing programs under this Act.