Records whose title is actually about this topic. Use a country filter if the list is still too broad.
Records
Question· writtenPQ 277asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 December 2009
289 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will defend the spend of taxpayers’ money on such additional expertise, as provided by special advisers, when resources are scarce; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[47539/09]
Question· writtenPQ 276asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 December 2009
288 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the total cost of pension contributions associated with the retention of special advisers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[47524/09]
Question· writtenPQ 275asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 December 2009
287 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the annual salaries in cash amount, and not merely in grade level, of special advisers in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[47509/09]
Question· writtenPQ 274asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 December 2009
286 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the name, title and number of special advisers in his Department between 1 January to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[47494/09]
Question· writtenPQ 273asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 December 2009
285 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of dogs licensed in 2008; the income from these licences; the cost of the scheme; the number of dogs here; his views on the need to have a more efficient dog licence collection system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[47262/09]
Question· writtenPQ 272asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 December 2009
284 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a decision will be made by a housing association (details supplied).
[47247/09]
Bill· SS. 2889 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014 for the Surface Transportation Board. Increases Board membership from three to five members. Removes the Board from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish it as an independent U.S. agency. Grants the DOT Inspector General authority to review only Board financial management, property management, and business operations to determine compliance with applicable federal laws and detect fraud and abuse. Revises member composition of the Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council. Revises the objectives of U.S. rail transportation policy, including protection of rail shippers. Requires the Board to: (1) maintain an Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Compliance; and (2) appoint a rail customer advocate to resolve rail customer complaints. Authorizes the Board to investigate rail carrier and pipeline carrier violations on its own initiative as well as on complaint (as under existing law). Requires proceedings to determine the reasonableness of a rate charged by a carrier be initiated only upon complaint. Requires the Board to: (1) establish a database of rail service complaints it has received; and (2) post a quarterly report of such complaints on its website. Authorizes the Board to revoke class exemptions to rail carrier requirements to protect rail shippers from the abuse of market power. Requires Board studies on: (1) class exemptions; (2) the Uniform Railroad Costing System; (3) use of a replacement cost approach to value rail facility assets; (4) rail practices; and (5) rail interchange rules. Directs the Board to require Class I railroad carriers and other railroad carriers to report regularly on railroad service metrics and other performance data as prescribed by the Board. Delineates requirements regarding proof and admissibility of evidence of rail carrier interline rate agreements. Prohibits the Board from issuing a person (other than a rail carrier) a certificate to acquire a railroad line or extended or additional railroad line that includes interchange commitments or other mechanisms restricting the ability of the purchaser or tenant to interchange traffic with another carrier unless they are reasonable and in the public interest. Delineates a process for persons to challenge existing interchange commitments as well as certain rights and remedies with respect to them. Directs the Secretary to make grants available to assist any Class III rail carrier under Board jurisdiction with the credit risk premium of a direct loan or loan guarantee made to purchase or lease a rail line. Requires a Class I rail carrier to establish, upon rail customer request, reasonable bottleneck and terminal switching rates for single line movement or interline movement rail transportation over a bottleneck rail segment in which the carrier has market dominance. Revises criteria authorizing the Board to require a rail carrier to make its terminal available to another rail carrier. Authorizes the Board to require a Class I rail carrier (including any other rail carrier deemed appropriate) to make its terminal facilities available for use by another carrier in cases where it has market dominance in a terminal area. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Board to establish reasonable rail rate standards for terminal use. Requires the Board to establish a binding arbitration process to resolve rail rate, practice, and common carrier service disputes. Revises maximum rates of relief that the Board may provide to railroad shippers in certain rail rate reasonableness cases. Sets forth time limits for Board review of such cases. Revises requirements with respect to the approval or denial of the consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control of rail carriers to authorize the Board to take into consideration significant effects of the transaction on public health, safety, and the environment as well as intercity rail passenger transportation and commuter rail passenger transportation. Exempts from Board authority pipeline transportation of natural or artificial gases used primarily as fuel or other energy purposes. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the federal and state regulatory framework to support the development of carbon dioxide pipelines.
Bill· HRH.R. 4363 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Office of Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture in the National Marine Fisheries Service at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) headquarters and at satellite offices in each of NOAA's regional fisheries offices. Requires the Office to establish a Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Advisory Board. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and maintain in the Office an aquaculture database; and (2) make the database available to the public but protect proprietary information of owners and operators of offshore aquaculture facilities. Requires, for permit issuance, a regional programmatic environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for each Regional Fishery Management Council and a separate environmental review under NEPA. Prohibits engaging in offshore aquaculture without a permit under this Act and authorizes the Secretary to issue such permits. Requires the Secretary to: (1) assess application and annual fees with respect to such permits that are sufficient to pay the costs of issuing, monitoring, and enforcing such permits; and (2) assess resource rental fees to recover from permittees a reasonable portion of the value of the use under the permits of ocean resources held in public trust. Directs the Secretary to establish and conduct a research program to guide the sustainable development of offshore aquaculture, including regarding: (1) industry expansion that ensures ecological sustainability and functional ecosystems and fisheries; and (2) cost-effective solutions to environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Requires a related competitive, peer-reviewed grant program. Prohibits permit issuance: (1) for a species having a fishery management plan under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act) or in a Regional Fishery Management Council's jurisdiction unless all relevant Councils recommend approval; or (2) if opposed by the nearest coastal state. Regulates the relationship of this Act to the Magnuson Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and the Coastal Zone Management Act. Regulates the assessment and liability for natural resource damages associated with offshore aquaculture.
Bill· HRH.R. 4394 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Decabromine Elimination and Control Act of 2009 - Makes it unlawful, beginning January 1, 2013, to produce for distribution in commerce, distribute in commerce, import, or export decabromodiphenyl ether, CAS No. 1163-19-5, either pure or in commercial mixtures which are predominantly decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) or decaBDE mixtures or products. Phases in such ban through a series of annual quotas through 2012. Requires each entity that engaged in such decaBDE activities during 2009 to report on them, including the amount of decaBDE and decaBDE mixtures used, and to then report annually. Requires an entity that engages in decaBDE activities to: (1) disclose to any entity that receives decaBDE, decaBDE mixtures, or decaBDE products that these contain decaBDE; and (2) disclose to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) any articles that contain decaBDE. Applies to violations of this Act the enforcement procedures applicable to violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Allows citizens' civil actions to restrain violations. Provides exceptions from the restrictions imposed by this Act relating to critical uses, recycled articles, resale, and low-concentration articles. States as policy that decaBDE shall be replaced by safer alternatives and prohibits use of any alternative determined to contain a chemical substance that is a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemical. Directs the Administrator to: (1) require any entity that produces a chemical substance that is a substitute for decaBDE to provide all existing information about the hazard and exposure characteristics of the chemical substance that is known to, in the possession or control of, or reasonably ascertainable by the entity and that has not previously been submitted; and (2) require any such entity to notify the Administrator at least 90 days before new or existing chemicals are introduced into interstate commerce for significant new uses as decaBDE substitutes.
Bill· HRH.R. 4344 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from obligating any amounts to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide.
Bill· HRH.R. 4396 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Save Our Energy Jobs Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress did not intend the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs); (2) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should not have the authority to promulgate rules to regulate GHG emissions without explicit authority from Congress; (3) rules that regulate GHG emissions will have a significant impact on the U.S. economy and should not be left to administrative rulemaking in the absence of congressional action; and (4) comprehensive regulations to address global climate change must only be enacted at the direction of Congress. Amends the Clean Air Act to amend the definition of "air pollutant" to exclude carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or sulfur hexafluoride.
Bill· HRH.R. 4368 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Social Investment and Economic Development for the Americas Act of 2010 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and working with governments and civil society in the Americas (the countries of North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean), to provide assistance to reduce poverty, expand the middle class, and foster increased economic opportunity. Directs the Secretary of State to establish an advisory group to consider the feasibility of establishing a public-private Fund for Social and Economic Development in the Americas. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) assistance to Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico; (2) debt and equity financing for a Microfinance Growth Fund for the Americas; (3) the Fund for Social and Economic Development in the Americas; and (4) USAID for labor and environmental capacity building activities relating to the implementation of trade promotion agreements.
Bill· HRH.R. 4352 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Small and Rural Communities Wastewater Infrastructure Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to allocate at least 5%, 10%, or 15% of funds received by a state in capitalization grants to provide assistance to publicly owned treatment works that serve populations of 5,000 or fewer persons, 5,001 to 20,000 persons, or 20,001 to 50,000 persons, respectively. Authorizes a state to use funds received in capitalization grants for making preloans (financial assistance from the state's water pollution control revolving loan fund) to municipalities or intermunicipal, interstate, or state agencies for costs incurred in connection with project development, environmental studies, legal and administrative expenses, and project design for construction of a public owned treatment works that will regularly serve 50,000 or fewer persons. Prohibits a preloan from being used for costs related to land acquisition. Authorizes a state agency to provide additional assistance in connection with a state water pollution control revolving loan if a project is to benefit a disadvantaged community with a population of 50,000 persons or fewer by: (1) forgiving all or a portion of the principal of the loan; (2) not requiring or reducing interest to be paid in connection with the loan; and (3) extending the loan repayment period to not to exceed 30 years. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify, implement, and make further recommendations regarding ways to expedite and improve the application and review process for obtaining financing from a state water pollution control revolving loan fund.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 66 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 15, 2009, relating to endangerment and cause or contribute findings for greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 985 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to transmit to the House of Representatives copies of all documents in the possession of the Administrator relating to nutrient management of the Illinois River Watershed, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Bill· Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)Bill 582open
United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 16 December 2009
A Bill to empower the Environment Agency to prevent development on flood plains to which the Agency objects; to require planning authorities to comply with Environment Agency advice when considering development on flood plains; and for connected purposes.
Question· writtenPQ 341asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
360 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the percentage of REPS 4 applications year one and year two from County Mayo on which all administrative checks have been completed; his plans to expedite this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46711/09]
Question· writtenPQ 319asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
338 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received the submission from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on turf cutting; his plans to address the issues raised in this correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[47162/09]
Question· writtenPQ 318asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
337 Deputy Christy O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the Bandon sewerage and drainage works, County Cork..
[47012/09]
Question· writtenPQ 317asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
336 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when it is planned to commence the roll-out of domestic water meters; the funding that has been made available to local authorities; the anticipated average cost per house; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46975/09]
Question· writtenPQ 316asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
335 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be provided in 2010 for the development of a regeneration scheme (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46951/09]
Question· writtenPQ 315asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
334 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to facilitate persons who purchased houses under the affordable housing scheme to re-mortgage their property.
[46948/09]
Question· writtenPQ 314asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
333 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46914/09]
Question· writtenPQ 313asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
332 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46907/09]
Question· writtenPQ 312asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
331 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to revise the nitrates regulations; his plans to review the inspection regime of the local authorities and of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46797/09]
Question· writtenPQ 311asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
330 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of sewage facilities in Broadford, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46775/09]
Question· writtenPQ 310asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
329 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of sewage facilities at Carrigaholt, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46774/09]
Question· writtenPQ 309asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
328 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make regulations under the Control of Dogs Acts in relation to dog breeding establishments; if hunt kennels will be included in such regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46760/09]
Question· writtenPQ 308asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
327 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford must confirm in writing every year that she is not working for a local authority, and have the letter countersigned by an authorised person, to be paid a widow’s pension; and if he will make a statement on this waste of public money and harassment of this person.
[46757/09]
Question· writtenPQ 307asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
326 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made regarding the setting up and implementation of the architectural registration body’s technical assessment board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46691/09]
Question· writtenPQ 306asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
324 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason residents of housing estates (details supplied) in County Longford are living in houses regarded as a fire hazard due the fact that they have no back door and bedroom windows do not open more that a couple of inches; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46670/09]
Question· writtenPQ 305asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
323 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether it is equitable that residents of estates (details supplied) in County Longford, suffering from health problems and disabilities are without heating due to high costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46669/09]
Question· writtenPQ 304asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
322 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason residents of housing estates (details supplied) in County Longford are without heating in view of the fact that it was stated by the council that the houses were fuel efficient but are costing more to heat than previous dwellings and the added monthly charge of €20 makes the bills unsustainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46668/09]
Question· writtenPQ 303asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
321 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason residents of housing estates (details supplied) in County Longford are obliged to pay a €20 monthly heating charge as well as a monthly heating bill when no notification of this charge was given at their tenancy meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46667/09]
Question· writtenPQ 302asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
320 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason residents of housing estates (details supplied) in County Longford are without heating, hot water and so on in view of the fact that wood pellets are running out despite a software system being in place to notify them when the supply is low; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46666/09]
Question· writtenPQ 301asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
319 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding his policy on incineration; if he plans to change this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46660/09]
Question· writtenPQ 300asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
318 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick has been deemed to be ineligible to qualify under the hen harrier farm plan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46640/09]
Question· writtenPQ 299asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
317 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the options available to local authorities regarding their applications for housing; if consideration will be given to persons whose homes have been repossessed in terms of their qualification for the rental accommodation scheme or a local authority house; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46624/09]
Question· writtenPQ 298asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
316 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support a matter (details supplied).
[46611/09]
Question· writtenPQ 297asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
315 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin City Council housing procedures have been breached; if he will investigate this matter and the role of politicians in this issue.
[46610/09]
Question· writtenPQ 296asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
314 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there are EU directives which require to be transposed into primary or secondary legislation; the directives; the date they were drafted by the Commission; when he intends to transpose them into domestic law; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46593/09]
Question· writtenPQ 295asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
313 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if section 2(1)( c ) of the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 does not exempt a building in the personal ownership of a Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46567/09]
Question· writtenPQ 294asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
312 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imposition of SI 268 on batteries and accumulators by his Department is costing jobs in this economy in view of the fact that no similar requirements apply in Northern Ireland; the number of companies that have been accredited as certified suppliers under the statutory instrument; his views on the damage caused to legitimate businesses here because of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46556/09]
Question· writtenPQ 293asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
339 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the implications of budgetary cuts and changes made under budget 2010 for the Limerick regeneration project; the amount of funding that will be made available to Limerick regeneration in 2010 for capital and current purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[47171/09]
Question· writtenPQ 292asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
311 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the portion of the allocation in his Department’s Estimates for local authority estate regeneration and remedial works and urban regeneration planning that is intended to be spent on regeneration in Limerick city; the amount that will be spent on regeneration in Limerick; if the Limerick northside and Limerick southside regeneration plans have been formally endorsed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[47382/09]
Question· writtenPQ 291asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
310 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on reinstating the disabled person’s grant for persons with disabilities with limited access in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46931/09]
Question· writtenPQ 290asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
325 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the role he will have in publishing final sale price statistics of residential property; the contact he has had with representatives of the residential property industry to overcome impediments; his views on the issue of over valued property; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46673/09]
Question· writtenPQ 289asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
309 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the impediments to publishing final sale price statistics of residential property; the contact he has had with representatives of the residential property industry to overcome impediments in addition to a proposed legislative solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46672/09]
Question· writtenPQ 288asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 15 December 2009
308 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action taken since the agreement of the revised programme for Government to amend the Data Protection Act to allow for a database of house sales prices; the Departments and agencies involved; when heads of a Bill will be agreed; when legislation is expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[46671/09]
Bill· HRH.R. 4321 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2009
Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform ASAP Act of 2009, or the CIR ASAP Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) (Secretary) to: (1) develop and submit to Congress a National Strategy for Border Security; (2) increase the number of Customs and Border Protection officers, agriculture specialists, and border security support personnel, and enhance related equipment, assets, and technology; (3) develop a comprehensive land and maritime border surveillance plan, including aerial and integrated surveillance demonstration programs; (4) issue a rule for electronic device searches and related agent training; (5) improve coordination efforts to combat human smuggling; (6) establish a Border Communities Liaison Office in every Border Patrol sector at the southern and northern borders; (7) carry out a ports of entry technology demonstration program; and (8) establish a Southern Border Security Task Force. Authorizes appropriations for border security improvements at U.S. ports of entry. Authorizes border relief grants for tribal, state, or local law enforcement and related agencies in proximity to the border or in a designated High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Provides reimbursement for state and county prosecutors in border states for prosecuting federally initiated and referred drug cases. Suspends the Operation Streamline program pending an evaluation of its viability. Expands resources for Project Gunrunner and for Operation Armas Cruzadas along the U.S.-Mexico border. Establishes the United States-Mexico Border Enforcement Commission. Prohibits the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard, from assisting in non-emergency federal, state, local, and civilian law enforcement of immigration laws. Directs the Secretaries of DHS, Interior, Agriculture, Defense, and Commerce to develop: (1) a land border protection strategy; and (2) a borderlands environmental monitoring plan. Provides for: (1) enhanced border cooperation with Mexico; and (2) expansion of Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programs. Sets forth detention conditions. Directs the Secretary to appoint an Immigration Detention Commission. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) immigration enforcement protections; (2) unlawful detentions; (3) protections for vulnerable populations; (4) apprehension procedures for families and family detention; (5) welfare requirements for children separated from detained or removed parents; (6) unaccompanied alien children; and (7) female detainees. Provides a stay of removal and work authorization for detained alien workers who are witnesses or necessary for workplace prosecution claims. Eliminates, with specified exceptions, DHS authority to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies to perform immigration law enforcement functions. Establishes in DHS an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Ombudsman. Eliminates the one-year asylun filing requirement. Provides for federal court review of DHS orders of removal currently exempt from such review. Establishes an alien employment verification system which requires employers to comply with: (1) document verification requirements; and (2) a phased-in electronic employment verification system. Sets forth backlog reduction provisions respecting family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant levels. Revises the definition of "immediate relative" to: (1) include the spouse and child of a lawful permanent resident; and (2) permit a qualifying widow/widower and the child or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to maintain such status while filing for permanent resident status. Increases: (1) per-country limits for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrants; and (2) specified family-unity exceptions to unlawful presence-based inadmissibility. Prohibits the removal from the United States of an individual who: (1) fled his or her homeland while under the age of 12 years old; and (2) was later admitted to the United States as a refugee, parolee, or asylee. Exempts the sons and daughters of certain naturalized Filipino World War II veterans from worldwide or numerical immigrant visa limits. Makes a minor child of an alien fiancee/fiance or of an alien spouse of a U.S. citizen eligible for derivative K-visa status under specified circumstances. Redefines "child" to include a stepchild under 21 years old. Amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to: (1) require determinations with respect to children to be made using the age and status of an individual on October 21, 1998; and (2) permit an application based upon child status to be filed by a parent or guardian if the child is present in the United States on such filing date. Permits new status adjustment applications to be filed for a limited time period. Reduces the required support level for immigrant sponsorship. Establishes the Prevent Unauthorized Migration Visa (PUM Visa) program which shall provide for: (1) 100,000 PUM conditional permanent resident visas annually, for three years, to persons from countries (transitional visa admission states) which represent at least 5% of the total unauthorized migration population to the United States for the past five years; and (2) a process to adjust to permanent resident status. Exempts specified categories of U.S.-educated aliens from employment-based immigration limits. Permits a nonimmigrant alien whose employer has petitioned for an employment-based green card for such alien to file an application for adjustment of status regardless of whether an immigrant visa is immediately available. (Requires visa availability before such application may be approved.) Return of Talent Act - Establishes the Return of Talent Program to permit an eligible alien (and certain family members) to return to the alien's country of citizenship for up to two years in order to contribute to such country's postconflict or natural disaster reconstruction activities. (During such absence the alien and family members shall be considered to be continuously present and residing in the United States for naturalization purposes.) Establishes a conditional nonimmigrant status for qualifying aliens and their dependents who are illegally present or out of status in the United States and who register and meet the requirements for such status. Authorizes: (1) adjustment from conditional to permanent resident status at the earlier of six years after enactment of this Act or 30 days after specified immigrant visas become available (with exceptions to such time frame for certain students, military personnel, and employed individuals); and (2) naturalization three years after permanent resident status adjustment. Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2009 or the AgJOBS Act of 2009 - Confers "blue card status" upon an alien who: (1) during the 24-month period ending on December 31, 2008, has performed specified lengths of, or earned a specified amount from, agricultural employment in the United States; (2) applied for such status during the 18-month application period; (3) is otherwise admissible to the United States; and (4) has not been convicted of specified felonies or misdemeanors. Limits the number of blue cards that may be issued during the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. Provides for adjustment of blue card status to permanent resident status based upon completed periods of agricultural employment. Revises H-2A visa (agricultural labor or temporary or seasonal services) provisions. Replaces the existing labor certification requirement with a labor attestation requirement containing: (1) a description of the nature and location of the job; (2) the job's expected beginning and ending dates; (3) the number of jobs; and (4) specified labor assurances respecting job opportunities covered by collective bargaining agreements and non-covered job opportunities. Establishes: (1) the Commission on Immigration and Labor Markets; and (2) the Security and Prosperity Account in the Treasury. Requires each State Workforce Agency (SWA) to establish an Internet-based American Worker Recruit and Match program. Requires employers and foreign labor contractors to provide workers recruited abroad with specified employment-related information. Amends H-1B visa (specialty occupation) employer application requirements to: (1) revise wage determination requirements; (2) require Internet posting and description of employment positions; (3) lengthen U.S. worker displacement protection; (4) apply certain requirements to all H-1B employers rather than only to H-1B dependent employers; (5) prohibit employer advertising that makes a position available only to, or gives priority to, H-1B nonimmigrants; and (6) limit the number of H-1B and L-1 visa (intracompany transfer) employees that an employer of 50 or more workers in the United States may hire. Authorizes the Department of Labor (DOL) to: (1) investigate applications for fraud; and (2) conduct H-1B compliance audits. Prohibits an employer from hiring an L-1 nonimmigrant for more than one year who will: (1) serve in a capacity involving specialized knowledge; and (2) be stationed primarily at the worksite of another employer. Specifies L-1: (1) employer petition requirements for employment at a new office; (2) wage rates and working conditions; and (3) employer penalties. Authorizes: (1) DOL to enforce federal labor laws with respect to employers of H-2B nonagricultural temporary workers; and (2) a private right of action against such employers. Specifies employer actions to recruit U.S. workers prior to filing for H-2B admissions. Sets forth H-2B and U.S. worker protections. Amends EB-5 visa (alien investor) provisions to: (1) increase EB-5 eligibility; (2) make the regional center program permanent; (3) establish $2,500 regional center designation and premium processing fees; (4) permit concurrent filing for EB-5 petitions and status adjustment applications; (5) establish in the Treasury the Immigrant Entrepreneur Regional Center Account; and (6) increase employment creation-related visas. Revises provisions regarding: (1) immigration service fees; (2) the naturalization age-based English language proficiency exemption; and (3) citizenship application background checks. Establishes the New Americans Initiative grants program to to assist lawful permanent resident aliens to become citizens. Authorizes grants for: (1) public education and community training regarding the provisions of this Act; (2) community-based organizations to assist naturalization applicants (initial entry, adjustment, and citizenship assistance grants); and (3) states to form New American Councils. Provides for the naturalization of certain graduates of U.S. high schools who are under 25 years of age on the date of application for naturalization. Establishes: (1) a tax credit and a deduction for certification expenses for teachers of English language learners; and (2) a tax credit for employer-provided adult English literacy and basic education programs. Makes funds available for oath of allegiance ceremonies.