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United States · Official source
5,925 records where Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2007
Amends the Small Business Act to allow loans to be made under the Express Loan Program for purchasing a renewable energy system or for an energy efficiency project for an existing business.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2007
Small Business Venture Capital Act of 2007 - Amends the Small Business Act to reauthorize through FY2010 the venture capital program under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (a program under which small business investment companies (SBICs) provide capital financing to small businesses). Amends the latter Act to increase the maximum amounts of outstanding leverage made available to: (1) two or more SBICs that are commonly controlled; and (2) SBICs that invest in women-owned and minority businesses and in businesses in low-income areas. Requires each SBIC, as a condition of an application for leverage, to certify that not less than 25% of the aggregate dollar amount of its financings shall be provided to smaller enterprises.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2007
Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act - Directs the Secretary of State (Secretary) to establish processing facilities in Iraq and in countries in the region for eligible Iraqis to apply and interview for U.S. admission as refugees or as special immigrants. Includes among refugees of special humanitarian concern: (1) Iraqis who were employed by, or worked for or directly with the U.S. government in Iraq; (2) Iraqis who were employed in Iraq by a U.S.-based media or nongovernmental organization or an organization that has received a grant from, or entered into a cooperative agreement or contract with the U.S. government; (3) spouses, children, sons, daughters, siblings, and parents of Iraqis who worked for the U.S. government or who are special immigrants; and (4) Iraqis who are members of a religious or minority community and have close family members in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to identify other priority groups in Iraq. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide special immigrant status to an otherwise admissible Iraqi national (and spouse and children) who was employed by, or worked for or directly with the U.S. government in Iraq for at least one year in or after 2003. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish in the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, a Minister Counselor for Iraqi Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons; and (2) designate in the U.S. embassies in Cairo, Egypt; Amman, Jordan; Damascus, Syria; and Beirut, Lebanon a Minister Counselor to oversee U.S. resettlement of persons considered refugees of special humanitarian concern. Directs the Secretary, with respect to each country with a significant population of displaced Iraqis, including Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, and Lebanon, to: (1) consult with other countries regarding resettlement of the most vulnerable members of such refugee populations; and (2) develop mechanisms in and provide assistance to countries with a significant population of displaced Iraqis to ensure their well-being and safety in their host environments. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit a qualifying Iraqi applicant for asylum or withholding of removal whose claim was denied on the basis of changed country conditions to file for reopening of his or her claim.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2007
Small Business Energy Efficiency Act of 2007 - Sets a deadline for final rules establishing a small business education and assistance program regarding energy efficiency. Creates in the Small Business Administration (SBA) the position of Assistant Administrator for Small Business Energy Policy. Establishes a Small Business Energy Efficiency Pilot Program to provide energy efficiency assistance to small businesses through small business development centers. Makes centers selected for the program eligible for grants. Creates a pilot program to provide information regarding telecommuting to small businesses and to encourage the businesses to offer telecommuting options to employees, including outreach regarding individuals with disabilities. Amends the Small Business Act to require the SBA Administrator, in carrying out duties related to Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) solicitations by federal agencies, to ensure that the agencies give priority to small businesses that participate in or conduct energy efficiency or renewable energy system research and development projects. Allows loans to be made under the Express Loan Program for purchasing a renewable energy system or for an energy efficiency project for an existing business.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2007
Federal Judicial Salary Restoration Act of 2007 - Increases the salaries of certain federal judges and Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Vessel Conveyance Act - Subjects the conveyance of a U.S. government vessel to an eligible entity for use as an educational, cultural, historical, charitable, or recreational or other public purpose to conditions that such vessel will be maintained and used for such purposes. Requires a vessel that is not maintained and used for such purposes to revert to the United States. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to convene a working group composed of representatives from the Maritime Adminsitration, the Coast Guard, and the U.S. Navy to review and make recommendations on a common set of conditions for the conveyance of U.S. vessels to eligible entities. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Protection against United Nations Taxation Act of 2007, PUNT Act of 2007, or Helms-Biden Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Requires the withholding of 20% of U.S. contributions to the regular budget of the United Nations and other applicable international organizations until the President certifies that neither the United Nations (or U.N. agencies) nor any other international organization has authority under U.S. law to impose, or has imposed or proposed, taxes or fees on the U.S. government, states, or U.S. corporations or nationals. States that such provision shall not apply to: (1) fees for publications or other fees that are not tantamount to a tax on U.S. citizens; (2) the World Intellectual Property Organization; or (3) staff assessment costs of the United Nations and its agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Empowerment Zone and Renewal Community Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to tax-preferred empowerment zones, rural enterprise communities, and renewal communities to: (1) extend the period of designation for such areas through 2015; (2) provide a safe harbor standard for employee residency requirements in empowerment zones; (3) eliminate certain residency requirements for the empowerment zone employment tax credit; (4) grant authority to expand the boundaries of empowerment zones and enterprise communities, including those located in rural areas; (5) allow carryovers of unused expensing allowances for enterprise zone businesses; (6) allow certain empowerment zone businesses to elect to receive payments in lieu of tax benefits; (7) allow federal guarantees and tax exemptions for enterprise zones and renewal communities; and (8) allow the issuance of tax-exempt rural enterprise community bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a proceeding not later than June 1, 2008, to reevaluate and reconfigure its band (spectrum) plans for the upper 700 megahertz band and the unauctioned portions of the lower 700 megahertz band, requiring the reconfiguration to include spectrum to be licensed for small geographic areas.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Approves the renewal of certain import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Supports the goals and ideals of the National Anthem Project which re-teaches Americans to sing the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." Commends those who have participated in such Project. Encourages learning the national anthem and about its proud history.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Designates July 1, 2007, as National Boating Day. Recognizes the value of recreational boating. Commemorates the boating industry for its environmental stewardship and contributions to the economy and to the health of those who enjoy boats.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2007
Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment for rural hospitals; (2) revision of the temporary increase in payments to certain rural hospitals (Medicare hold harmless provision); (3) the definition of low-volume hospital for purposes of the Medicare inpatient hospital payment adjustment; (4) Medicare wage index reclassifications for certain hospitals; (5) Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to hospitals in certain rural areas; (6) critical access hospitals; (7) the capital infrastructure revolving loan program; (8) the Medicare incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas; (9) the 1.00 floor on Medicare work geographic adjustment to payments for physician services; (10) Medicare home health care planning; (11) rural health clinics; (12) community health center collaborative access; (13) the temporary Medicare payment increase for home health services furnished in a rural area; (14) increased Medicare payments for rural ground ambulance services; and (15) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 to provide for the extension of treatment of certain physician pathology services under Medicare. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct pilot projects to provide incentives to home health agencies to utilize remote home monitoring and communications technologies; and (2) facilitate the provision of telehealth services across state lines.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2007
Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to military personnel to: (1) extend the limitation period for filing tax refund claims resulting from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability determinations; (2) make permanent the taxpayer election to treat combat zone compensation as earned income for purposes of the earned income tax credit; (3) treat differential wage payments made to active duty members of the uniformed services as wages for retirement plan purposes; (4) make permanent the exemption from the 10% penalty for premature retirement plan distributions made by active duty military personnel; (5) treat state payments to members of the uniformed services as qualified military benefits for purposes of the tax exclusion of such benefits; (6) make permanent the authority of the Social Security Administration to disclose tax return information to the VA for purposes of determining eligibility for certain veterans benefit programs; (7) extend through 2010 mortgage bond financing exemption rules for certain veterans; (8) make permanent the tax exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence by certain members of the Intelligence Community; (9) allow unlimited tax-free rollovers of military death gratuities to Roth individual retirement accounts (Roth IRAs); (10) allow employers a tax credit for differential wage payments made to active duty military personnel; and (11) set forth tax rules for U.S. citizens and certain permanent residents (expatriates) who relinquish their citizenship or residency to avoid U.S taxation.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2007
Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation and Surgery Act or the CARES Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan that covers surgical benefits to also cover outpatient and inpatient diagnosis and treatment of a child's congenital or developmental deformity, disease, or injury. Requires that such coverage: (1) be subject to pre-authorization or pre-certification requirements of the plan or issuer; and (2) include any surgical treatment deemed by the treating physician to be medically necessary to approximate a normal appearance. Defines "treatment" to include reconstructive surgical procedures that are performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease, including: (1) procedures that do not materially affect the function of the body part being treated; and (2) procedures for secondary conditions and follow-up treatment. Excludes cosmetic surgery performed to reshape normal structures of the body to improve appearance or self-esteem.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2007
Recycling Investment Saves Energy or the RISE Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a first-year tax deduction of 50% of the adjusted basis of qualified reuse and recycling property; and (2) tax-exempt bond financing for recycling facilities. Defines "qualified reuse and recycling property" as property placed in service after December 31, 2006, which has a useful life of at least five years and which is used exclusively to collect, distribute, or recycle certain scrap materials.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2007
Coastal Zone Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to declare that it is the national policy to: (1) create and use a National Estuarine Research Reserve System; and (2) encourage innovative coastal management practices and coastal and estuarine environmental technologies to improve long-term conservation. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to coastal states for development of coastal zone management programs. Allows the use of state coastal zone management program grants to develop and implement coastal nonpoint pollution control program components. Revises the eligible uses of resource management improvement grants and resource management improvement grant requirements. Revises requirements for the Coastal Zone Management Fund. Requires state loan repayments to the Fund to be made available to make grants to states for intrastate as well as interstate projects. Requires such projects to apply an integrated, watershed-based management approach and advance the purpose of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to: (1) states for implementing coastal zone management program changes, or for projects that demonstrate significant potential for improving ocean resource management or integrated coastal and watershed management at the local, state, or regional level; and (2) coastal states to assist in specified community and local activities, including coastal resource protection and community revitalization. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a cooperative program to develop and apply innovative coastal and estuarine environmental technology and methodology and to support the development, application, training and technical assistance, and transfer of effective coastal management practices.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2007
Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to set forth findings and purposes for the Act. Revises the definitions of "hydrographic data" and "hydrographic services" to include shoreline surveying and water level observations. Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to promote safe, efficient, and environmentally sound marine transportation and to provide hydrographic services. Revises the Administrator's authorities, including providing hydrographic services to save and protect life and property and support the resumption of commerce in response to emergencies, natural and man-made disasters, and homeland security and maritime domain awareness needs. Modifies membership and compensation provisions regarding the Hydrographic Services Review Panel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2007
Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2007 or FOARAM Act - Establishes the Interagency Committee on Ocean Acidification to oversee the planning, establishment, and coordination of a plan to improve the understanding of the role of increased ocean acidification on marine ecosystems. Requires the Committee to develop a strategic research and implementation plan for coordinated federal activities. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish and maintain an ocean acidification program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to implement such strategic research and implementation plan.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2007
Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007 - Amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to make grants for projects for the conservation of coral reef ecosystems (under current law, conservation of coral reefs). Modifies various requirements of the grant program. Authorizes the Secretary to make agreements with nonprofit organizations (under current law, an agreement with a nonprofit organization) for public-private partnerships promoting coral reef ecosystem conservation. Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to provide assistance to any state, local, or territorial government agency for any unforeseen or disaster-related circumstance regarding coral reef ecosystems. (Current law does not mention FEMA.) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct activities, including with local, regional, or international programs and partners, to conserve coral reef ecosystems. (Current law does not mention local, regional, or international programs and partners.) Directs the Secretary to provide for the long-term stewardship of environmental data, products, and information. Directs the Secretary to establish the Emergency Response, Stabilization, and Restoration Account in the existing Damage Assessment Restoration Revolving Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for work with federal, state, and local entities to increase protection of coral reef areas identified by the community and scientific experts as high priorities. Authorizes the Secretary to maintain an inventory of all vessel reef grounding incidents, identify reef ecosystems with many impacts, and identify preventive measures. Authorizes the Secretary to issue permits for research and activities that would otherwise be prohibited by the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2007
Rural Aviation Improvement Act - Repeals the Essential Air Service Local Participation Program. Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from compensating an air carrier for providing essential air service to an eligible community in the 48 contiguous states if such community: (1) is located fewer than 70 miles from the nearest large or medium hub airport; or (2) is fewer than 210 miles from the nearest large or medium hub airport and requires a per passenger subsidy for such service in excess of $200 for calendar year 2008, including any increase for each ensuing calendar year. Authorizes a state or local government to submit a proposal to the Secretary to: (1) compensate an air carrier for essential air service to an eligible community above the $200 per passenger subsidy cap; (2) compensate a preferred air carrier for providing such service (i.e., an air carrier preferred by the affected community although it is not the lowest bidder); and (3) restore the eligibility of a community to receive subsidized essential air service. Requires the Secretary, in determining compensation (or eligibility for it) for essential air service based on highway mileage, to use the highway mileage of the most commonly used route between the eligible community and the nearest medium hub airport or large hub airport. Establishes within the Office of the Secretary the Office of Rural Aviation. Extends through FY2011 the Secretary's authority under the essential air service program to make agreements to provide assistance to underserved airports. Requires adjustment of compensation to air carriers for providing essential air service in order to take into account significant increases in fuel costs. Directs the Secretary to treat passenger boardings on aircraft operated by charter air carriers at airports receiving essential air service as passenger boardings for purposes of making apportionments of airport improvement grant funds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2007
Child Health Care Crisis Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to establish programs related to mental health services for children and adolescents, to include: (1) entering into contracts with qualified individuals to pay educational loans in exchange for providing mental health services to children and adolescents; (2) awarding scholarships to students who agree to work as child and adolescent mental health service professionals after graduation or completion of residency or fellowship; (3) awarding competitive grants to higher education institutions to establish or expand internship or other field placement programs for students receiving specialized training or clinical experience in child and adolescent mental health; (4) awarding grants to state-licensed mental heath organizations to pay for programs for preservice or in-service training of paraprofessional child and adolescent mental health workers; and (5) awarding grants to higher education institutions to establish or expand graduate child and adolescent mental health programs. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to adjust the graduate medical education program to: (1) exclude a reasonable number of residents or fellows in child and adolescent psychiatry when calculating the maximum number of residents in the field of allopathic or osteopathic medicine for which the hospital may be paid; and (2) extend the period of board eligibility for residents and fellows in child and adolescent psychiatry. Directs the Administrator to study and report to Congress on the distribution of, and need for, child mental health service professionals and on a comparison of such distribution and need on a state-by-state basis.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2007
HIV Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 to eliminate the HIV/AIDS abstinence-until marriage funding set-aside.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2007
Recognizes the men and women who served in the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program under the Civil Affairs and Military Government Sections of the U.S. Armed Forces for their heroic role in the preservation, protection, and restitution of monuments, works of art, and other artifacts of inestimable cultural importance in Europe and Asia during and following World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2007
National Geothermal Initiative Act of 2007 - Declares a national goal to achieve 20% of total electrical energy production in the United States from geothermal resources by 2030. Establishes a national geothermal initiative under which the federal government shall seek to achieve the national goal. Requires each federal agency to give priority to programs and efforts necessary to achieve such national goal. Specifies goals for the Secretaries of Energy and of the Interior. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to implement a geothermal research and development program to achieve such goals, and the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a related comprehensive nationwide geothermal resource assessment. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize appropriations for the Intermountain West Geothermal Consortium. Directs the U.S. Agency for International Development to support international and regional development to promote the use of geothermal resources, including the African Rift Geothermal Development Facility. Directs the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to: (1) support the national geothermal initiative; and (2) provide grants and other financial support for feasibility and resource assessment studies.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2007
Declares that the Senate: (1) has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Craig Thomas, a former Senator from Wyoming; (2) mourns the loss of one of its most esteemed members; and (3) expresses its condolences to the people of Wyoming and to his wife, Susan, and his four children. Declares that when the Senate adjourns June 5, 2007, it shall stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Thomas.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act of 2007 - Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (the Act) to state as the mission of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to develop and coordinate the implementation of a national strategy to prevent and end homelessness while maximizing federal government contributions toward such end. Adds to the membership of such Council the Commissioner of Social Security, the U.S. Attorney General, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Directs the Council to develop and submit to the President and Congress a National Strategic Plan to End Homelessness. Requires a collaborative applicant (a representative community homeless assistance planning body) to be established for a geographic area by its relevant parties to design a collaborative process for developing an application for homeless assistance funds. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make technical assistance available to such applicants. Directs the Secretary to make competitive grants for specified activities in community homeless assistance programs. Converts the rural homelessness grant program into a rural housing stability assistance program. Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to state or local governments or nonprofit organizations to implement programs to prevent homelessness and to stabilize housing for precariously housed individuals and families.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Bright Idea Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish technical standards for general service lamps that provide levels of illumination equivalent to those provided by lamps generally available in 2007, but with a lumens per watt rating of at least: (1) 30 by calendar 2013; and (2) 45 by calendar 2018. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) carry out a lighting technology research and development program regarding lamps and related technologies made available in the United States; and (2) assist manufacturers in the manufacturing of general service lamps that achieve the lumens per watt ratings prescribed by this Act. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) implement a national program consumer education program about the benefits of using light bulbs with improved efficiency ratings; and (2) report to Congress recommendations regarding the means by which the federal government may reduce or prevent the release of mercury during the manufacture, transportation, storage, or disposal of light bulbs. Directs the Commissioner [ sic ] of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report to Congress regarding current lamp labeling practices by lamp manufacturers, with recommendations for a national labeling standard.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
21st Century Skills Incentive Fund Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to states to establish statewide 21st Century Skills initiatives. Conditions grant eligibility on a state's: (1) developing a comprehensive plan for such initiative; (2) showing a commitment to advancing such skills within standards and assessments, curriculum, professional development, and the learning environment; (3) achieving broad support for the initiative among state education, business, and civic leaders; and (4) being approved as a 21st Century Partner state by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Directs the Secretary to establish a 21st Century Skills Incentive Fund from which grants shall be awarded. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require that the percentage limitation on corporate charitable contributions be applied separately to cash contributions to state 21st Century Skills initiatives and all other corporate charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Requires major integrated oil companies (i.e., companies with annual gross receipts over $1 billion and average daily worldwide production of crude oil of at least 500,000 barrels) to revalue their LIFO inventories of crude oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product according to a specified formula. Exempts such companies from any penalties for underpayment of estimated tax resulting from the revaluation of their LIFO inventories.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for: (1) type I diabetes research; and (2) diabetes prevention and treatment through Indian health facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to restore Medicare treatment of ownership of oxygen equipment that existed prior to the enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Repeals the limitation of Medicare payment to the supplier for such equipment (including portable oxygen equipment) to 36 months of continuous use.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Super-Efficient Appliance Incentives and Market Transformation Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the applicable amount of the tax credit for energy efficient appliances (i.e., dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, and dehumidifiers that restrict water and energy consumption) produced after 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow any business that produces general service incandescent lamps a tax credit for investment in manufacturing facilities in the United States that produce lamps that meet certain requirements under the Bright Idea Act of 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Broadband Data Improvement Act - Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revise the definitions of advanced telecommunications capability, or broadband, establish a new definition of second generation broadband, and revise certain reporting requirements to require reporting of broadband and second generation broadband connections by zip code plus 4 location. Requires the FCC to determine certain demographic data for geographical areas that are not served by any provider of advanced telecommunications capability. Requires expansion of the American Community Survey to elicit information to determine whether persons subscribe to Internet service and, if so, by dial-up or broadband. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study to evaluate additional broadband metrics or standards that may be used to provide users with more accurate information about the cost and capability of their broadband connection and to better compare the deployment and penetration of broadband in the United States with other countries. Requires the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy to conduct a study on the impact of broadband speed and price on small businesses. Provides for grants to develop and implement statewide initiatives to identify and track the availability and adoption of broadband services within each state.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Milk Import Tariff Equity Act - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to impose tariff-rate quotas (quantitative import limits) and provide various duty rates on certain casein, caseinates, milk protein concentrate, and other casein derivatives and glues imported into the United States (except imports from Mexico). Authorizes the President to: (1) enter into a trade agreement with a foreign country to grant new concessions as compensation in order to maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions; and (2) proclaim any necessary modification or continuance of any existing duty, or continuance of existing duty-free or excise treatment, or any quantitative limitation. Sets forth certain limits on the reduction of duties on such products.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2007- Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) a marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy research program; and (2) an Adaptive Management and Environmental Fund to lend funds to approved applicants to cover the costs of projects that produce marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy. Instructs the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior to prepare jointly programmatic environmental impact statements regarding the impacts of the deployment of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies in U.S. navigable waters. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a tax credit for electricity produced from marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy; and (2) an investment credit and five-year depreciation for equipment which produces electricity from marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy. Denies a tax credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source (dual benefit) with respect to a marine and hydrokinetic facility for which an investment credit under this Act is claimed by the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
State Child Well-Being Research Act of 2007 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop comprehensive indicators to assess child well-being in each state. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory panel to make recommendations regarding the appropriate measures and statistical tools necessary for making such assessment.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2007
Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a plan for the prevention, control, and management of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) implement programs to increase awareness of HCV; and (2) support activities to promote the early detection of HCV infection, identify risk factors for infection, and conduct surveillance of HCV infection trends. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to: (1) conduct epidemiologic research to identify best practices for HCV prevention; (2) establish a Hepatitis C Clinic Research Network to conduct research related to the treatment and medical management of HCV; and (3) conduct basic research to identify new approaches to prevent and treat HCV. Requires the Secretary to: (1) promote state, local, and tribal programs to provide referrals for medical evaluation and management to HCV-positive individuals; and (2) develop benchmarks for evaluating the programs and activities conducted under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to states, political subdivisions of states, Indian tribes, or nonprofit entities to carry out activities under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2007
Housing Assistance Council Authorization Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide financial assistance to the Housing Assistance Council to develop the capacity of community-based housing development organizations to undertake community development and affordable housing projects and programs in rural areas. Authorizes the Council to use such assistance for rural community-based housing development organizations to acquire: (1) technical assistance, training, support, and advice to develop business and administrative capabilities; and (2) loans, grants, or other financial assistance to carry out community development and affordable housing activities for low- and moderate-income families.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2007
Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue, during 2014, up to 350,000 one-dollar coins designed to be emblematic of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its contribution to civil rights in America. Requires sales to include a $10 surcharge per coin, which shall be paid to the United Negro College Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2007
Grants the consent of Congress to the International Emergency Management Assistance Memorandum of Understanding entered into between the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut and the provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2007
United States Commitment to Global Child Survival Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance to improve the health of newborns, children, and mothers in developing countries, including activities relating to: (1) newborn care and treatment; (2) childhood illness and immunization services; (3) child and maternal nutrition; (4) maternity and obstetric services; (5) safe water, hygiene, and environmental toxins such as lead; (6) health services and health information systems; and (7) HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and child spacing. Directs the President to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve the health of newborns, children, and mothers, including reducing newborn, child, and maternal mortality in developing countries. Establishes the Interagency Task Force on Child Survival and Maternal Health in Developing Countries.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2007
Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Access Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from awarding any contracts under the competitive durable medical equipment items and services acquisition program unless: (1) the quality standards have been implemented; and (2) the Secretary has received advice from the program oversight committee. Requires the Secretary (who currently is authorized), in carrying out competitive acquisition programs, to exempt: (1) rural areas and areas with low population density within urban areas that are not competitive, unless there is a significant national market through mail order for a particular item or service; and (2) items and services for which the application of competitive acquisition is not likely to result in significant savings. Adds to such exemptions smaller metropolitan statistical areas. Modifies requirements for the protection of small suppliers in bidding and contracting. Requires the Secretary to permit suppliers classified as small businesses to continue to participate as suppliers at the single payment amount so long as they submit bids at less than the fee schedule amount otherwise applicable to the items and they otherwise comply with applicable program requirements. Provides for appeal rights (currently denied). Requires the Secretary to exempt from competitive acquisition requirements items and services for which the application of competitive acquisition is not likely to result in significant savings of at least 10%. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing a program with respect to an item or service unless the Secretary demonstrates a probability of achieving significant savings of at least 10%, compared to the fee schedule in effect on January 1, 2006, by including the item or service in the program. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing certain requirements for the payment basis for covered items furnished after January 1, 2009, with respect to the application of rates in an area that is not a competitive acquisition area, unless the Secretary has completed and published in the Federal Register a comparability analysis to ensure the application is appropriate. Requires application of the comparability analysis requirement to certain other part B items and services.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2007
Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) publish biannually in the Federal Register a list of each person, whether within or outside of the United States, that has an investment of more than $20 million in the energy sector in Iran; and (2) maintain on the website of the Department of the Treasury the names of the persons on such list. States it is the policy of the United States to support the decision of state and local governments and educational institutions to divest from, and to prohibit the investment of assets they control in, persons included on the most recent list. Authorizes a state or local government to adopt and enforce measures to divest its assets from, or prohibit investment of assets in, persons included on the most recent list. Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to shield any registered investment company from civil, criminal, or administrative action based upon its divesting from, or avoiding investing in, securities issued by companies included on such most recent list. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to shield from treatment as breaching a fiduciary duty any person divesting plan assets from, or avoiding investing plan assets in, persons included on such most recent list. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board should: (1) initiate efforts to provide a terror-free international investment option among the funds of the Thrift Savings Fund; and (2) initiate similar efforts to provide a genocide-free international investment option.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2007
Declares that the United States should continue to promote the elimination of harmful foreign fishing subsidies that promote overcapitalization, overfishing, and illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2007
Polar Bear Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to prohibit issuing permits for the importation of polar bear parts taken in a sport hunt.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2007
Health Information Technology Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to award grants to eligible health care entities to offset costs related to clinical health care informatics systems and services designed to improve quality in health care and patient safety, including costs for the purchase, lease, or installation of computer software and hardware. Requires the Secretary to conduct studies to: (1) evaluate the use of clinical health care informatics systems and services to measure and report quality data; and (2) assess the impact of such systems and services on improving patient care, reducing costs, and increasing efficiencies. Directs the Secretary to establish a methodology for making adjustments in Medicare payment amounts for providers of services and suppliers who use health information technology and technology services with patient-specific applications that improve the quality and accuracy of clinical decision-making, compliance, health care delivery, and efficiency. Requires the Secretary to provide for the development and adoption of national data and communication health information technology standards that promote the efficient exchange of data between varieties of provider health information technology systems. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an eligible entity to elect to expense qualified health care informatics system expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2007
Cancer Screening, Treatment, and Survivorship Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make matching grants to states or Indian tribes for: (1) cancer screening and referrals; (2) developing and disseminating public information and education programs for the detection and control of certain cancers; (3) improving the education, training and skills of health professionals in detecting certain cancers; and (4) establishing mechanisms to monitor the quality of screening procedures. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide coverage under Medicaid for individuals not otherwise eligible who are under the age 65 and who: (1) have been screened for cancer and have been referred for treatment; or (2) have been diagnosed or treated for cancer. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acting through the Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), to expand research programs to identify and improve cancer screening and testing protocols and tools, with particular emphasis on those cancers with the highest incidence of mortality and disability. Directs the Secretary to award grants for activities to raise public awareness to ensure widespread use of cancer screening programs and access to the best available screening and testing services. Requires the Director of NIH to: (1) expand cancer survivorship research activities at NCI-designated cancer centers; and (2) provide assistance to such centers for research to evaluate models of survivorship care.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2007
Federal Government Greenhouse Gas Registry Act of 2007 - Amends the Clean Air Act to establish within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the Federal Emissions Inventory Office. Sets forth the Offices' duties, including: (1) developing and using a greenhouse gas emission inventory or other system to measure and verify direct emissions (emissions directly from a source owned or controlled by the federal government), energy indirect emissions (emissions resulting from the production of electricity purchased and used by the federal government), indirect emissions (emissions resulting from the conduct of a project or activity by the federal government), and offsets of those emissions; and (2) establishing an emission baseline for the federal government.