United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Prosthetics and Custom Orthotics Parity Act of 2010 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act to require a group health plan that provides medical and surgical benefits and also provides benefits for prosthetics and custom orthotics to offer such prosthetics and custom orthotics in the same manner as applicable to medical and surgical benefits. Prohibits separate financial requirements or more restrictive treatment limitations. Requires a health plan that does not provide coverage for benefits outside of a network to ensure that such provider network is adequate to ensure enrollee access to prosthetic and custom orthotic devices and related services provided by appropriately credentialed practitioners and accredited suppliers. Limits coverage for required benefits for prosthetics and custom orthotics to the most appropriate device or component that adequately meets the medical requirements of the patient. Requires benefits to include repair and replacement due to normal wear and tear, irreparable damage, a change in the condition of the patient, or as otherwise determined appropriate by the treating physician. Prohibits any annual or lifetime dollar limitation on benefits for prosthetics and custom orthotics unless such limitation applies in the aggregate to all benefits. Directs the Comptroller General to study the effects of the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2010
Recognizes the ultimate sacrifice made by the 29 coal miners lost at the Upper Big Branch Mine-South in Raleigh County, West Virginia. Extends the deepest condolences of the Senate to the families of the fallen coal miners. Honors the survivors of the tragedy. Recognizes all coal miners for enduring the immeasurable loss of co-workers and maintaining courage in the aftermath of the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine-South. Commends the valiant efforts of the emergency response workers searching for the missing coal miners. Honors the many volunteers who provided support and comfort for the missing coal miners' families during the rescue and recovery operations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2010
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) expand the newborns and infants hearing loss program to include diagnostic services among the services provided; and (2) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to assist in the recruitment, retention, education, and training of qualified personnel and health care providers to implement the program. Revises program purposes to include: (1) developing and monitoring the efficacy of statewide programs and systems for hearing screening of newborns and infants, prompt evaluation and diagnosis of children referred from screening programs, and appropriate education, audiological, and medical interventions for children identified with hearing loss; (2) developing efficient models to ensure that newborns and infants who are identified with a hearing loss through screening receive follow-up by a qualified health care provider; and (3) ensuring an adequate supply of qualified personnel to meet the screening, evaluation, and early intervention needs of children. Amends the definition of "early intervention" to require that families be given the opportunity to obtain the full range of appropriate early intervention services, educational and program placements, and other options for their child from highly qualified providers. Requires the Secretary to establish a postdoctoral fellowship program to foster research and development in the area of early hearing detection and intervention.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2010
Expresses sympathy to the people of Poland and the families of those who perished for their profound loss resulting from the April 10, 2010, airplane crash that killed the country's President, First Lady, and 94 other high ranking government, military, and civic leaders. Expresses: (1) solidarity with the people of Poland and Polish-American communities in the United States; and (2) support for the Polish government as it addresses the loss of many key officials.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2010
Recognizes March 2010 as National Women's History Month. Recognizes and honors the women and organizations in the United States that have fought for and continue to promote the teaching of women's history.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2010
Small Business Community Partner Relief Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act relating to the Microloan program (loans to intermediaries to provide small-scale loans to startup, newly-established, and growing small businesses) to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), at the request of a loan intermediary, to waive the requirement that the intermediary obtain a percentage of the loan amount in cash or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources. Allows such waiver for up to two years. Provides conditions to be considered by the Administrator in determining whether to exercise such waiver, including economic conditions affecting the intermediary as well as the impact the waiver would have on the program. Provides an identical waiver, with the same conditions, with respect to: (1) grants made to intermediaries for small business marketing, management, and technical assistance; and (2) the SBA's women's business center program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2010
Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain landowners whose property contains the habitat of an endangered or threatened species and who enter into a habitat protection agreement a tax credit for costs relating to habitat protection easements and restoration. Places limits on the amount of such credit for calendar years 2011 through 2015. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the effectiveness of such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2010
Congratulates the people of Greece as they celebrate the 189th anniversary of the independence of Greece. Supports the principles of democratic governance to which the people of Greece are committed. Notes the important role that Greece has played in the wider European region and in the community of nations since gaining its independence.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2010
Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) make public and report biannually to Congress on international monetary policy and currency exchange rates; and (2) appear, if requested, before certain congressional committees to testify regarding such reports. Prescribes report contents, including: (1) an analysis of currency market developments and the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the currencies of major economies and trading partners of the United States; (2) a review of the economic and monetary policies of major economies and trading partners of the United States and an evaluation of how such policies impact currency exchange rates; and (3) a list of currencies designated as fundamentally misaligned currencies. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) analyze semiannually the prevailing real effective exchange rates of foreign currencies; (2) determine whether any such currency is in fundamental misalignment; and (3) designate it for priority action if the issuing country engages in specified behavior, including excessive and prolonged official or quasi-official accumulation of foreign assets for balance of payments purposes. Prescribes procedures for: (1) negotiations and consultations; and (2) actions in response to failure, including persistent failure, to adopt appropriate policies, or take identifiable action to eliminate the fundamental misalignment. Requires the Secretary, before the United States approves a proposed change in the governance arrangement of any international financial institution, to determine whether any member of the international financial institution that would benefit from the proposed change, in the form of increased voting shares or representation, has a currency designated for priority action. Requires U.S. opposition to the proposed change if the Secretary renders an affirmative determination. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930, for purposes of an antidumping investigation or review, to require an adjustment in the price used to establish export (and constructed export) prices, in the case of a fundamentally misaligned currency designated for priority action, by reducing such price by the percentage by which the domestic currency of the producer or exporter is undervalued in relation to the U.S. dollar. Requires the administering authority, upon the filing of a petition by an interested party, to initiate a countervailing duty investigation or review to determine whether currency undervaluation by the government of, or any public entity within, a foreign country is providing, directly or indirectly, a countervailable subsidy to its exporters or products. Requires the same kind of countervailing duty investigation upon the designation of a foreign currency as a fundamentally misaligned currency for priority action. Adds as a factor the administering authority must take into account in determining whether a foreign country is a nonmarket economy country the question of whether its currency is designated, or has been designated at any time over the five years before review of any nonmarket economy status, for priority action under this Act. Establishes the Advisory Committee on International Exchange Rate Policy. Repeals the Exchange Rates and International Economic Policy Coordination Act of 1988. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable purposes, and charitable deductions for corporate contributions to charitable organizations of: (1) food inventory; (2) book inventories to public schools; and (3) computer technology and equipment for educational purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2010
Promote Nanotechnology in Schools Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a nanotechnology in the schools program awarding matching grants to certain eligible institutions to: (1) purchase nanotechnology equipment and software; (2) service and upgrade such equipment; and (3) provide nanotechnology education to students and teachers. Lists as eligible grantees: (1) public, private, parochial, and charter secondary schools that offer advanced or international baccalaureate science courses; (2) community colleges; (3) institutions of higher education; and (4) informal learning science and technology centers.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2010
Honors the life and heroism of Harriet Tubman. Recognizes the great contributions she made throughout her lifelong service and commitment to liberty, justice, and equality for all.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2010
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week. Recognizes: (1) the efforts of public health professionals, the federal government, states, municipalities, local communities, and individuals in improving the health of the people of the United States; and (2) the role of public health programs in preventing disease, promoting good health, protecting the food supply, protecting worker health and safety, ensuring access to clean air and water, promoting nutrition for children, and achieving the many other benefits of public health programs that promote the health of people of the United States. Encourages: (1) efforts to increase access to clinical and community-based preventive services, and to strengthen the public health system of the United States; (2) community planners to consider the health implications of planning decisions and to plan communities and transportation systems that enable all residents to access safe, affordable housing, nutritious foods, clean air and water, public transportation, safe sidewalks, streets, and public health services; and (3) each person in the United States to learn about the role of public health programs in improving the health of the people of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2010
Small Business Job Creation Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend an increase in expensing of certain depreciable business assets; and (2) provide an increased exclusion from realized gain for certain small business stock. Repeals: (1) the minimum tax preference for gains on the sale of certain small business stock; and (2) the 28% capital gains rate on qualified small business stocks. Increases the aggregate asset limitation for qualified small businesses. Small Business Job Creation and Access to Capital Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase maximum amounts of loans under the following Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs: (1) the section 7(a) (general small business loans) guaranteed loan program; (2) the section 504 (state and local development company) program; and (3) the Microloan (small-scale loans to start-up, newly-established, and growing small businesses) program. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to apply single-business investment limits to SBA-recognized new markets venture capital companies. Directs the SBA Administrator to establish for prospective borrowers an alternative small business size standard that uses maximum tangible net worth and average net income as an alternative to the use of industry standards. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Administrator should establish a website that lists SBA lenders and provides loan rate information, and allows prospective borrowers to compare rates on SBA-guaranteed loans. Amends provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 relating to the local development business loan program to allow a small business borrower to refinance a qualifying previous business debt or the financing of certain business expenses. Allows the Administrator to provide additional financing under such program for a borrower that meets certain job creation or retention goals. Provides an alternate job retention goal for which a borrower may qualify. Small Business Export Enhancement and International Trade Act of 2010 - Revises provisions concerning the establishment within the SBA of the Office of International Trade (Office) to, among other things: (1) make the Associate Administrator for International Trade the head of the Office; (2) require the Associate Administrator to carry out all SBA responsibilities regarding international trade; and (3) revise Associate Administrator duties with respect to maintaining a trade distribution network, promoting export sales opportunities and establishing export goals, and disseminating export information and assistance to small businesses. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish an export and trade counseling certification program to certify employees providing export assistance to small businesses; and (2) develop performance measures to support small business export goals; and (3) carry out a program for the resolution of trade disputes or unfair international trade practices. Provides for the establishment of export finance specialists within export assistance centers. Increases loan limits and participation levels under international trade finance and export programs. Directs the Associate Administrator to establish the State Trade and Export Promotion Grant Program. Requires a report from the Administrator to the congressional small business committees on small business rural export promotion. Job Impact Analysis Act of 2010 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), for each bill or joint resolution of a public character, to prepare and submit to the committee a statement containing specified information regarding potential job creation or job loss as a result of mandates in the bill or resolution. Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require: (1) each initial regulatory flexibility analysis to estimate the economic impact of the proposed rule on small businesses; (2) an agency to notify the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy of any draft rules that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses; (3) each final regulatory flexibility analysis to include the agency's response to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel in response to the proposed rule; and (4) the agency to publish the final regulatory flexibility analysis on its website. Requires each agency to place on its website its plan for the periodic review of rules. Directs the agency, in reviewing the rules, to consider specified factors, including the continued need for the rule, the nature of complaints received, and the rule's complexity and current impact. Requires: (1) the SBA's Office of Advocacy to carry out responsibilities concerning the analysis of regulatory functions; (2) each federal budget to include a separate statement of amounts requested for the Office; and (3) the SBA Administrator to provide the Office with appropriate and adequate office space, budget, equipment, and services. Appropriates funds for SBA small business development centers through 2011. Authorizes the Administrator to waive through 2011 the requirement that women's business centers obtain non-federal funds for technical assistance and counseling activities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2010
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Reaffirms the U.S. people's commitment to combating multiple sclerosis by promoting awareness about its causes and risks, promoting new education programs, supporting research, and expanding access to medical treatment. Recognizes people living with multiple sclerosis and salutes the health care professionals and medical researchers who assist those living with multiple sclerosis and continue to work to find cures and improve treatments.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010
Deepwater Offshore Wind Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a general business tax credit for the production of energy from a deep water offshore wind facility. Makes such credit equal to the product of 3.04 cents and the kilowatt hours of electricity produced at a facility during a 10-year period and sold by a taxpayer to an unrelated person during the taxable year. Defines "deep water offshore wind facility" as facility that uses wind to produce electricity, operates in 60 meters or more of water, is located within the internal or territorial waters of the United States, and is placed in service after the enactment of this Act and before January 1, 2030.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits through 2019 for investment in an offshore facility using wind to produce electricity. Defines "offshore facility" to mean any facility located in the inland navigable waters of the United States, including the Great Lakes, or in the coastal waters of the United States, including the territorial seas, exclusive economic zone, and the outer Continental Shelf of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010
Supports the goals of International Women's Day. Recognizes: (1) the link between the economic growth and empowerment of women and the potential of nations to generate economic growth and democracy; and (2) the women in the United States and around the world who have worked to ensure that women are guaranteed equality and basic human rights. Reaffirms the commitment to end gender-based discrimination and to end violence against women and girls.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2010
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2012-FY2016 for: (1) type I diabetes research; and (2) diabetes prevention and treatment through Indian health facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Engineering Education for Innovation Act or E 2 for Innovation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award planning grants and matching implementation grants to states to integrate engineering education into kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) instruction and curricula. Requires each state that desires an implementation grant to develop quantifiable benchmarks for activities supported by such grants and submit them to the Secretary for approval. Requires states to use implementation grants to: (1) establish assessment tools and challenging academic content and achievement standards for engineering education; (2) develop or obtain effective engineering education curricula; (3) develop or improve engineering teacher training programs; (4) recruit qualified engineering teachers for needy schools; (5) facilitate distance learning and online education in engineering; and (6) invest in after-school engineering education programs. Directs the Institute of Education Sciences to support engineering education research and an evaluation of this Act's grant programs. Requires the Secretary to use the evaluation's findings to provide information to the public and technical assistance to states on best practices and promising innovations in K-12 engineering education.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Directs the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to complete a study of the technical policy decisionmaking and technical personnel at the FCC.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2010
National Alzheimer's Project Act - Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Office of the National Alzheimer's Project to: (1) accelerate the development of treatments that would prevent, halt, or reverse the course of Alzheimer's; (2) create and maintain an integrated national plan to overcome Alzheimer's; (3) help to coordinate the health care and treatment of citizens with Alzheimer's; (4) ensure the inclusion of ethnic and racial populations that are at higher risk for Alzheimer's or that are least likely to receive care in clinical, research, and service efforts with the purpose of decreasing health disparities; (5) coordinate with international bodies to integrate and inform the fight against Alzheimer's globally; and (6) provide information and coordination of Alzheimer's research and services across all federal agencies. Sets forth the duties of the Director of the Office, including to use discretionary authority to evaluate all federal programs concerning Alzheimer's. Establishes in the Office an Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research and Treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2010
Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2010
Job Impact Analysis Act of 2010 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to include in the statement submitted to an authorizing congressional committee for a public bill or joint resolution reported by that committee for which estimated direct costs of all federal intergovernmental mandates, or all federal private sector mandates, will equal or exceed $5 billion (adjusted annually for inflation) estimates of the potential job creation or job loss in state, local, and tribal governments, or in the private sector, as a result of such mandates. Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require: (1) each initial regulatory flexibility analysis to contain a detailed statement estimating the additional cumulative economic impact of the proposed rule on small businesses; (2) an agency to notify the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) of any draft rules that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses; (3) each final regulatory flexibility analysis to include the agency's response to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel in response to the proposed rule; and (4) the agency to publish the final regulatory flexibility analysis on its website. Requires each agency: (1) to place on its website its plan for the periodic review of rules, providing for the review of all agency rules at specified intervals; and (2) in reviewing the rules, to consider specified factors, including the continued need for the rule, the nature of complaints received, and the rule's complexity and current impact. Requires: (1) the Office of Advocacy of the SBA to carry out responsibilities concerning the analysis of regulatory functions; (2) each federal budget to include a separate statement of the amount requested for the Office, designated in a separate account in the General Fund of the Treasury; and (3) the SBA Administrator to provide the Office with appropriate office space and necessary equipment, operating budget, communications, and maintenance services.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2010
HUBZone Improvement Act of 2010 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure that the map used by the SBA to identify HUBZones (historically underutilized business zones) is accurate, up-to-date, and revised as new data is made available. Requires the Administrator to: (1) implement policies for ensuring that only qualified HUBZone small businesses are participating in the HUBZone program; (2) report to the congressional small businesses concerning qualification for, and recertification of, a HUBZone small business; and (3) develop measures and implement plans to assess HUBZone program effectiveness. Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the Administrator, during the period beginning on the date that a small business is determined qualified as a HUBZone small business and ending the day before a HUBZone program contract for which such small business submits a bid is awarded, from determining that the small business is no longer qualified based on a failure to meet the applicable employment percentage unless, among other things, the small business has not attempted to maintain such percentage.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2010
American Job Creation and Investment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a corporation to elect in 2010 and 2011 to increase its alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits by a specified credit adjustment amount for purposes of increasing its U.S. workforce and making investments in business equipment. Terminates such additional credit allowance after December 31, 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2010
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable John P. Murtha, late a Representative from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Declares that when the Senate adjourns or recesses on February 9, 2010, it stand adjourned or recessed as a further mark of respect to the memory of Representative Murtha.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010
Small Business Contracting Revitalization Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct each federal agency (agency) to include in each solicitation for any contract award above the substantial bundling threshold a provision soliciting bids by small business teams and joint ventures. Requires each agency head to publish on its website its policy on contract bundling and consolidation, as well as a rationale for any bundled contract solicited or awarded. Requires the: (1) Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of each agency to report every three years to the congressional small business committees regarding their procurement center and commercial market representatives; (2) Comptroller General (CG) to report to Congress regarding the procurement center representative program of the Small Business Administration (SBA); and (3) SBA Administrator to implement an electronic procurement center representative program. Directs each agency head to ensure that decisions regarding consolidation of contract requirements are made with a view toward providing small businesses with appropriate opportunities to participate as prime contractors and subcontractors. Limits agency use of acquisition strategies involving consolidations of contract requirements of more than $2 million. Requires the Administrator to establish a Center for Small Business Teaming to carry out a pilot program for federal contract teaming and joint ventures involving small businesses. States that it is the policy of Congress that certain contract oversight recommendations of the CG be implemented government-wide. Requires each agency head to issue a policy on small business subcontracting compliance. Directs the: (1) Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy and the SBA Administrator to jointly establish criteria for the reservation of certain federal prime contracts for award to small businesses; and (2) Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management to issue guidelines for small business participation in purchases in excess of the micro-purchase threshold. Requires: (1) procurement employees and program managers to communicate to subordinates the importance of achieving small business procurement goals; and (2) procurement contracting officers to consider prime contractor failure to make full and timely payments to a subcontractor when evaluating contractor performance. Repeals the small business competitiveness demonstration program. States that there shall be a presumption of loss to the United States whenever a contract, agreement, or grant intended for award to a small business is instead awarded to an entity that misrepresented itself as a small business. Requires a small business to annually certify its size and, if appropriate, small business status. Directs the: (1) Federal Acquisition Institute to develop personnel training concerning the proper classification of business size and status; and (2) head of each relevant federal agency and the SBA Inspector General to issue a government-wide policy on the prosecution of small business size and status fraud. Requires the: (1) Administrator to review and make appropriate adjustments to small business size standards; and (2) CG to conduct a study of the SBA mentor-protege program and other alliances pairing a larger business and a small business partner to gain access to federal contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010
Clean Air Act Amendments of 2010 - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require the Administrator of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a sulfur dioxide allowance trading program to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions for fossil fuel-fired combustion devices in the contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Directs the Administrator to issue allowances authorizing specified annual tonnage amounts of emissions of sulfur dioxide from such devices for 2012-2014, 2015-2017, 2018-2020, and 2021 and thereafter. Provides for the distribution of such allowances. Requires the Administrator to establish two nitrogen oxide allowance trading programs (for specified Zone One and Zone Two states) to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions for fossil fuel-fired electric generating facilities that served as generators with nameplate capacities greater than 25 megawatts on or after January 1, 1985, and that produce electricity for sale in the contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Directs the Administrator to issue allowances authorizing specified annual tonnage amounts of nitrogen oxide emissions from such facilities in Zone One and Zone Two states for 2012-2014, 2015-2019, and 2020 and thereafter. Provides for the distribution of such allowances. Requires the Clean Air Interstate Rule and related federal implementation plans promulgated and modified by the Administrator to remain in force and effect with respect to all provisions relating to nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emitted through 2011. Sets forth exceptions to the rule. Requires the Administrator to: (1) regulate coal- and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units under the CAA's regulations for sources of hazardous air pollutants; and (2) ensure that emission standards for the coal-fired electric utility steam generating units achieve at least a 90% reduction in mercury emissions when applied to the listed category as a whole. Requires electric utility steam generating units to meet maximum achievable control technology emission limitations by January 1, 2015, if the Administrator fails to promulgate nationally applicable emission limitations for such units by January 1, 2012. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring certification of continuous emission monitoring systems to measure the quantity of mercury emitted by electric coal utility steam generating units.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010
International Violence Against Women Act of 2010 - Directs: (1) the Secretary of State to designate an Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues; and (2) the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to designate a Women's Development Advisor. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent violence against women and girls; (2) prepare a public report on best practices for preventing and addressing violence against women and girls internationally; and (3) determine emergency response measures to identified critical or widespread incidents of violence against women and girls in situations of armed conflict. Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator to provide assistance to nongovernmental organizations, multilateral institutions, and foreign countries to implement such strategy and related activities. Requires that special efforts be made to award amounts appropriated under this Act to community-based and women's nongovernmental organizations in recipient countries. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to: (1) incorporate training on prevention and response into the basic training curricula of foreign military forces and judicial officials; and (2) ensure that U.S. assistance to units involved in regional or multilateral peacekeeping operations includes such training. Authorizes the Ambassador to provide guidance to the Administrator and the Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration. Authorizes the Secretary to provide guidance on preventing and responding to violence against women and girls to the Secretary of Defense when U.S. military personnel, military contractors, and military observers are to be deployed in humanitarian relief, conflict, and post-conflict settings. Directs the Secretary to make U.S. financial, material, human, and other resources available to assist U.N. efforts to: (1) implement training programs in prevention and response to violence against women and girls for peacekeeping and humanitarian personnel; (2) enhance the deployment of military and civilian women in peacekeeping missions; and (3) improve protection mechanisms at U.N. managed refugee and internally displaced persons camps.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010
Reevaluate and Redirect the Stimulus Act of 2010 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide Congress a list of: (1) programs that have unobligated stimulus funds provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA), including the amounts; and (2) such ARRA stimulus funds that the Director recommends be redirected toward more effective programs either to assist displaced workers or to spur job creation in 2010, with a breakdown of such amounts that could be reprogrammed by program.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2010
Expresses support for the designation of a National Data Privacy Day. Encourages: (1) educators and privacy professionals to discuss data privacy and protection issues with teens in high schools across the United States; (2) corporations to take steps to protect the privacy and security of the personal information of their clients and consumers, to design privacy into products they create where possible, and to promote trust in technologies; and (3) individuals across the nation to be aware of data privacy concerns and to take steps to protect their personal information.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2010
Blind Persons Return to Work Act of 2010 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to: (1) apply a specified earnings test in the determination of the amount of monthly insurance benefits for blind beneficiaries; (2) limit to once a year any review of a determination of disability based on blindness; and (3) reduce any excess earnings of blind beneficiaries by the amount of impairment related work expenses. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security, with respect to the mandatory annual report of earnings by an individual entitled to a monthly insurance benefit, to develop procedures to avoid paying less than the correct amount of benefits to any such individual as a result, during the year, of a termination of employment or a significant reduction in hours of work.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2010
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Charles McC. Mathias, Jr., former Member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on January 26, 2010, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Mathias, Jr.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010
Erasing our National Debt Through Accountability and Responsibility Plan Act of 2010 - Terminates the authorities granted the Secretary of the Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to purchase troubled assets from financial institutions. Lowers the public debt limit by the amount of all TARP assistance repaid by recipients on or after the enactment of this Act, along with dividends, profits, or other funds paid to the government based on such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2010
Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and implement a Pancreatic Cancer Initiative to assist in coordinating activities to address the high mortality rate associated with pancreatic cancer. Requires the Secretary to establish the Interdisciplinary Pancreatic Cancer Coordinating Committee to: (1) provide advice on overall research objectives and benchmarks for pancreatic cancer research; (2) develop and annually update a strategic plan for pancreatic cancer research awareness; and (3) conduct evaluations and make recommendations to the Secretary, the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Director of the National Cancer Institute regarding the prioritization and award of NIH research grants relating to pancreatic cancer. Requires the Secretary to develop a primary care provider education program on pancreatic cancer. Requires the Director of NIH and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a communication tool kit for patients and their families that focuses on specific pancreatic cancer issues relating to patient choices and patient care. Allows the Secretary to award grants to research institutions for use in developing innovative compounds or technologies for the prevention, early detection, or treatment of those cancers with five-year survival rates of less than 50%. Requires the Secretary to focus on pancreatic cancer during the initial five fiscal years of awarding such grants. Allows the Secretary to designate two additional Specialized Programs of Research Excellence focusing solely on pancreatic cancer research.
United States · United States Congress · 22 December 2009
Boys & Girls Clubs Centennial Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the Economic Espionage Act of 1966 to reauthorize through FY2015 the mandate for an annual grant to the Boys & Girls Club of America from the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the Department of Justice. Repeals the limitation on the use of such grants to expansion of the organization to 1,500 additional Boys and Girls Clubs for a total number of at least 5,000 Boys and Girls Clubs of America facilities in operation before January 1, 2010. Replaces the expansion requirement with a goal of improving the quality of youth development and educational programs, health, physical fitness, and prevention services for youth at existing and new Boys & Girls Clubs facilities, with special emphasis on reducing high school dropout rates.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 2009
Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to increase the total permissible amount of member business loans by an insured credit union (excluding those made to nonprofit religious organizations) to a limit of 25% of the credit union's total assets. Increases from $50,000 to $250,000 the maximum total extensions of credit a borrower or associated member of an insured credit union may have before any extension of credit shall be considered a member business loan. Directs the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board to report semiannually to Congress on the status of member business lending made by insured credit unions during the reporting period.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2009
Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act - Requires emergency contraception in drug form to be included on the basic core formulary of the uniform formulary of pharmaceutical agents for the pharmacy benefits program of the Department of Defense. Allows emergency contraception in other-than-drug form to also be so included. States that prior authorization shall not be required for such contraception.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2009
FCC Commissioners' Technical Resource Enhancement Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to permit each commissioner to appoint an electrical engineer or computer scientist to provide technical consultation and to interface with the Office of Engineering and Technology and other Federal Communications Commission (FCC) bureaus and technical staff. Requires such engineer or scientist to hold an undergraduate or graduate degree in his or her respective field of expertise.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2009
Broadband Opportunity and Affordability Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement a two-year pilot program to expand the Lifeline program to reduce the cost of broadband service for low-income consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2009
Small Business Job Creation and Access to Capital Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase maximum amounts of loans under the following Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs: (1) the section 7(a) (general small business loans) guaranteed loan program; (2) the section 504 (state and local development company) program; and (3) the Microloan (small-scale loans to start-up, newly-established, and growing small businesses) program. Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to extend through 2010 SBA authority to reduce or eliminate loan fees on section 7(a) and 504 loans. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to apply single-business investment limits to SBA-recognized new markets venture capital companies. Directs the SBA Administrator to establish for prospective borrowers an alternative small business size standard that uses maximum tangible net worth and average net income as an alternative to the use of industry standards. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Administrator should establish a website that: (1) lists SBA lenders and provides loan rate information; and (2) allows prospective borrowers to compare rates on SBA-guaranteed loans. Amends provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 relating to the local development business loan program to allow a small business borrower under such program to refinance a previous business debt: (1) that was incurred no less than two years before application for the SBA loan; (2) that is a commercial loan; (3) that is not guaranteed by a federal agency; (4) the proceeds of which were used to acquire a fixed asset for the benefit of the small business; (5) that is collateralized by fixed assets; and (6) for which the borrower has been current on all payments for at least one year. Allows the Administrator to provide financing under such program for a borrower that meets certain job creation or retention goals. Provides an alternate job retention goal for which a borrower may qualify.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2009
International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to enforce specified laws concerning fisheries and fish products, as applicable to specified provisions of this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) civil and criminal penalties; (2) search, inspection, shipment detention, arrest, and subpoena authorities; and (3) prohibited actions. Amends the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to direct the Secretary to identify nations or certain entities that are engaged or have been engaged during the preceding three years in illegal or unregulated fishing, or that have violated related conservation and management measures. Prohibits certain activities under specified fishing and marine Acts, including: (1) refusing, resisting, or interfering with searches, investigations, inspections, or observers; (2) importing, exporting, transporting, selling, or purchasing fish or fish products in violation of a treaty or any binding conservation measure to which the United States is a party; or (3) falsifying records, accounts, labels, or product identification. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) identify vessels and vessel owners engaged in illegal or unregulated fishing; and (2) take appropriate action against such vessels and vessel owners in accordance with U.S. and international law. Applies any action restricting port privileges to all U.S. and territorial ports. Directs the Secretary to establish an International Fisheries Enforcement Program in the Office of Law Enforcement of the National Marine Fisheries Service to investigate illegal or unregulated fishing activity and enforce the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to establish an international cooperation and assistance program to provide assistance for international capacity building efforts. Authorizes information disclosure to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, international fishery management organizations, or arrangements made under an international fishery agreement, if those organizations or arrangements have unauthorized information disclosure safeguards. Amends the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act to revise high seas fishing permit provisions. Antigua Convention Implementing Act of 2009 - Amends the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 to revise provisions regarding: (1) the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission; (2) the General Advisory Committee; (3) the Scientific Advisory Subcommittee; (4) prohibited acts; and (5) enforcement. Repeals the Eastern Pacific Tuna Licensing Act of 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2009
Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a national coral reef ecosystem action strategy. Directs the Secretary to make grants for projects for the conservation of coral reef ecosystems. (Current law refers to conservation of coral reefs.) Authorizes the Secretary to make agreements with nonprofit organizations for public-private partnerships promoting coral reef ecosystem conservation. (Current law refers to a nonprofit organization.) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) execute contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative agreements to carry out the Act, including agreements with universities and research centers; (2) use the resources of any domestic or foreign governmental entity, tribal government, or international organization; and (3) utilize grants from any federal source operating competitive grant programs. Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to any state, local, or territorial government agency for any unforeseen or disaster-related circumstance regarding coral reef ecosystems. (Current law refers to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA].) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct activities, including with local, regional, or international programs and partners, to conserve coral reef ecosystems. (Current law does not does not provide for the inclusion of local, regional, or international programs and partners.) Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for the long-term stewardship of environmental data; (2) establish the Emergency Response, Stabilization, and Restoration Account in the existing Damage Assessment Restoration Revolving Fund; and (3) conduct a study of the trade in corals. Directs the Secretary to carry out international coral reef conservation activities in waters outside the U.S. jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress regarding an international coral reef ecosystem strategy; and (2) establish an international coral reef ecosystem partnership program. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants to work with federal, state, and local entities to increase protection of priority coral reef areas; and (2) maintain an inventory of all vessel reef grounding incidents and identify reef ecosystems with a high incidence of vessel impacts. Makes it unlawful to destroy, take, cause the loss of, or injure any coral reef or part except if caused by: (1) permitted fishing gear use; (2) a federally or state permitted use; (3) bona fide marine scientific research; (4) certain federal emergency activity; or (5) a vessel master's actions to ensure vessel safety or to save a life at sea. Makes anyone who engages in an activity that injures a coral reef ecosystem liable for response costs and damages, costs of seizure, forfeiture, storage, disposal, and related interest. Provides for in rem liability. Bars the commencement of a civil action for response costs and damages unless filed within three years after the date on which the Secretary completes a damage assessment and restoration plan for the coral reef. Provides for enforcement, including through civil administrative and judicial penalties and denial, suspension, amendment, or revocation of any permit involved. Provides for in rem jurisdiction, criminal and civil forfeiture, and injunctive relief. Authorizes the Secretary to issue permits for research and activities that would otherwise be prohibited by the Act. Directs the Secretary and other federal members of the Coral Reef Task Force to work in coordination with other federal agencies, states, and U.S. territorial governments to implement the strategies developed under this Act to address multiple threats to coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2009
Small Business Trade Representation Act of 2009 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to establish within the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) the position of Assistant USTR for Small Business to promote the trade interests of small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2009
Small Business Export Enhancement and International Trade Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) require the Office of International Trade of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to implement small business export promotion programs that increase the number of small businesses that export as well as the volume of their exports; and (2) establish an Associate Administrator for International Trade as the head of the Office. Repeals the five-person limit on the number of additional Associate Administrators the SBA Administrator may appoint. Requires Export Assistance Centers (one-stop shops for U.S. exporters) to aid the Associate Administrator in promoting export assistance programs through SBA district and regional offices, the small business development center network, Export Assistance Centers, the network of women's business centers, chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), state and local export promotion programs, and partners in the private sector. Requires the Associate Administrator to establish annual goals to enhance the export capabilities of small businesses and small manufacturers to compete against foreign entities. Directs the Associate Administrator, in order to provide small businesses access to certain export financing programs, to appoint at least one trade financial specialist within the SBA to oversee international loan programs and assist SBA employees with trade finance issues. Directs the SBA Administrator to establish an export and trade counseling certification program for employees of lead small business development centers and lead women's business centers in providing export assistance to small businesses. Requires the Associate Administrator to develop performance measures to support export growth goals for Office activities to promote exports by small businesses. Directs the SBA Administrator to carry out a comprehensive program to help small businesses to resolve international trade disputes. Directs the SBA Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, to ensure that the number of export finance specialists assigned to the Export Assistance Centers is at least the number that were assigned on January 1, 2003. Requires that there are at least three specialists in each SBA region. Increases the total outstanding amount of a loan guaranteed by the SBA under the Export Working Capital Program. Caps SBA participation in an international trade loan at 90%. Authorizes the SBA to make a guaranteed loan for working capital that will allow an eligible small business concern engaged in or adversely affected by international trade to improve its competitive position. Allows such loan to be secured by a second lien position on the property or equipment financed by the loan or on other assets of the small business concern. (Currently, a first lien position or first mortgage on the property, equipment, or other business assets is required.) Names the foreign market development loan guarantee program the Export Working Capital Program. Establishes the Export Express Program to authorize the SBA Administrator to guarantee loans to small businesses for export development activities. Directs the Associate Administrator to establish a three-year State Trade and Export Promotion Grant (pilot) Program to make grants to states to carry out export promotion programs for small businesses, including those owned and controlled by women and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Requires the SBA Administrator to report to Congress on rural export promotion programs for small businesses. Requires a small business development center that counsels a small business concern on international trade issues to: (1) consult with state trade agencies and Export Assistance Centers to provide appropriate services to the small business concern; and (2) refer the small business concern to a State trade agency or an Export Assistance Center, as necessary, for further counseling or assistance. Requires: (1) the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to notify the SBA Administrator at least 90 days before entering into trade agreement negotiations with a foreign country; and (2) the SBA Administrator to present recommendations relating to small business exporter concerns to the USTR at least 30 days before negotiations begin.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2009
Renewable Energy Environmental Research Act of 2009 - Requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere in the Under Secretary's capacity as Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a plan to: (1) define requirements for a comprehensive and integrated ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmosphere science program to support renewable energy development; (2) identify and describe current climate, weather, and water data programs, products, services, and authorities within NOAA relevant to such development; (3) provide targeted research, data, monitoring, observation, and other information, products, and services concerning climate, weather, and water in support of renewable energy and smart grid technology; (4) provide research, data, monitoring, and other information, products, and services to inform renewable energy decisions concerning coastal and marine habitats, living marine resources and the ecosystems on which they depend, and coastal and marine planning; (5) reduce duplication and leverage the resources of existing NOAA programs; and (6) facilitate public-private cooperation. Requires the Administrator to establish a program to develop and implement an integrated and comprehensive ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmosphere research and operations program, based on such plan, to support renewable energy development. Enumerates program components. Requires the program to be designed to collect, synthesize, and distribute data in a manner that can be used by marine resource managers responsible for making decisions about marine renewable energy projects. Requires the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Commerce, Minerals Management Service, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and Department of Energy (DOE) to consider this information when making planning, siting, and permitting decisions for marine renewable energy. Requires the Administrator to establish a renewable energy information library and data portal. Gives the Administrator the discretion to allow any offshore exploration and production facility to execute a memorandum of understanding authorizing the use of offshore platforms and infrastructure for the placement of meteorological and oceanographic observation sensors of a type to be designated by the Administrator in support of the Integrated Ocean Observing System. Requires information collected by such sensors to be readily available for use in spill response as well as available to the National Weather Service, other NOAA programs, and the general public.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2009
International Fisheries Agreement Clarification Act - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to recognize the United States-Canada Transboundary Resource Sharing Understanding (and other similar fishery management Understandings) as an international agreement under such Act. States that: (1) annual fishing level recommendations for fishery stocks under such Understandings may be exceeded as long as the fishing mortality level allows for progress toward rebuilding affected fish stocks; (2) the 10-year fishery rebuilding requirement shall not apply to stocks covered by such Understandings; and (3) this Act shall apply to fishing years beginning after April 30, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2009
Asset Management Improvement Act of 2009 - Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from imposing restrictions or limitations on the amount of management and related fees for a public housing project which the public housing agency (PHA) determines reasonable, unless such restriction or limitation: (1) is determined pursuant to a negotiated rulemaking convened by the Secretary no earlier than April 1, 2010, with representatives from interested parties; and (2) is effective only on or after January 1, 2012. Allows any PHA that owns or operates fewer than 500 public housing units under the United States Housing Act of 1937 to elect to be exempt from asset management requirements imposed by the Secretary. Prohibits the Secretary from imposing any requirement relating to asset management restricting the use by PHAs of amounts for Capital Fund assistance for costs of any PHA central office. Requires the Secretary to ensure that PHAs encourage the reasonable efforts of residents to organize.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2009
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Paula F. Hawkins, former member of the U.S. Senate from Florida. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on December 4, 2009, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Hawkins.
![Official portrait of Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000663_200.jpg)