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530 records in US in 2011
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2011
Extends to all portions of the Interstate Highway System in the states of Maine and Vermont the application of their respective state vehicle weight limit laws and regulations in lieu of federal vehicle weight limits.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2011
Cyber Security and American Cyber Competitiveness Act of 2011 - Calls for the enactment of bipartisan legislation to secure the United States against cyber attack, enhance American competitiveness and create jobs in the information technology industry, and protect the identities and sensitive information of American citizens and businesses by: (1) enhancing the security and resiliency of U.S. government communications and information networks against cyber attack; (2) incentivizing the private sector to quantify, assess, and mitigate cyber risks to networks; (3) promoting investments in the American information technology sector; (4) improving the capability of the government and the private sector to assess cyber risks and prevent, detect, and respond to cyber attacks; (5) preventing and mitigating identity theft; (6) enhancing U.S. diplomatic capacity and international cooperation to respond to emerging cyber threats; (7) protecting and increasing the resiliency of U.S critical infrastructure and assets against cyber attacks; (8) expanding resources for investigating and prosecuting cyber crimes in a manner that respects privacy rights and civil liberties and promotes American innovation; and (9) maintaining robust protections of the privacy of American citizens and their on-line activities and communications.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2011
Make America the World's Leader in Clean Energy Act - Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should: promote investment in clean energy jobs and industries; free the United States from dependence on oil, especially foreign oil; reduce costs and pollution by promoting energy efficiency; promote clean energy by retooling the infrastructure and workforce of the United States; ensure the government is a leader in reducing pollution, promoting the use of clean energy sources, and implementing energy efficient practices; reduce harmful energy-related air, land, and water pollution; eliminate wasteful tax subsidies that promote pollution.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2011
Middle Class Success Act - Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should: (1) support middle class tax relief; (2) help families afford the cost of college and improve opportunities for a secure retirement; (3) invest in infrastructure and other measures to create good, well-paying jobs; (4) help ensure that families have access to affordable child and elder care; (5) preserve and improve affordable health care; (6) ensure that all workers earn enough to meet basic living standards and do not live in poverty; (7) ensure that tax dollars do not support companies that break the law or mistreat their workers; (8) keep Social Security's promise and block proposals to privatize the program; (9) ensure that families have access to a healthy and clean environment, including access to safe drinking water; (10) ensure that workers can secure representation without employer obstruction; (11) ensure that our streets and communities are safe; and (12) address the serious housing problems facing many American families.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2011
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should: eliminate tax loopholes that encourage companies to ship American jobs overseas; expand markets for United States exports; promote the development of new, innovative products bearing the inscription "Made in America"; modernize and improve U.S. highways, bridges, and transit systems; modernize and upgrade U.S. rail, levees, dams, and ports; place computers in classrooms; ensure that U.S. small businesses and households have access to high-speed broadband; invest in critical new infrastructure; and streamline U.S. regulatory policies.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2011
Leave Ethanol Volumes at Existing Levels Act or the LEVEL Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program, including by: (1) redefining "renewable fuel"; (2) reducing the percentage of renewable fuel that is required to be in gasoline sold or introduced into commerce in the United States (from 9% to 5.4% in 2008, 11.1% to 6.1% in 2009, 12.95% to 6.8% in 2010, 13.95% to 7.4% in 2011, and 15.2% to 7.5% in 2012); (3) revoking the renewable fuel standard for 2013-2022; (4) requiring the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to provide to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an estimate of the volumes of gasoline (currently of transportation fuel, biomass-based diesel, and cellulosic biofuel) projected to be sold or introduced into commerce in the following year; (5) making one gallon of cellulosic biomass ethanol or waste derived ethanol equivalent to 2.5 gallons of renewable fuel; (6) repealing provisions concerning cellulosic biofuel and biomass-based diesel; and (7) repealing a requirement that the Administrator of EPA promulgate fuel regulations to implement measures to mitigate adverse impacts on air quality as the result of renewable fuel requirements. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions requiring EPA to report to Congress on current and future impacts of the renewable fuel requirements on environmental issues, resource conservation issues, and the growth and use of cultivated invasive or noxious plants and their impacts on the environment and agriculture. Prohibits the Administrator from permitting or authorizing (including by granting a waiver through the fuels and fuel additives waiver process) the introduction into commerce of an ethanol-gasoline blend containing greater than 10% ethanol by volume that is intended for general use in conventional gasoline-powered vehicles or engines. Requires the Administrator to study: (1) the effects of the introduction into commerce of an ethanol-gasoline blend on consumer products; (2) the impact of such blend on engine performance of conventional gasoline-powered vehicles and nonroad engines, emissions from the use of the blend, and materials compatibility and consumer safety issues associated with the use of such blend; and (3) the ability of wholesale and retail gasoline distribution infrastructure to introduce such blend into commerce without widespread misfueling by consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2011
National Infrastructure Development Bank Act of 2011 - Establishes the National Infrastructure Development Bank as a wholly owned government corporation. Makes the Bank's Board of Directors responsible for monitoring and overseeing energy, environmental, telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure projects. Authorizes the Board to: (1) issue public benefit bonds and provide financing to infrastructure projects; and (2) borrow on the global capital market and lend to entities and commercial banks for funding infrastructure projects. Requires the Board to establish criteria for determining project eligibility for financial assistance under this Act. Sets forth the duties of the Bank's executive committee and audit committee. Requires the Bank to establish a risk management committee, which shall: (1) create financial, credit, and operational risk management guidelines for the Bank; (2) set standards to ensure diversification of lending activities by both region and infrastructure project type; and (3) create conforming standards for infrastructure finance securities. Exempts all notes, debentures, bonds or other such obligations issued by the Bank, and the interest on or credits with respect to such bonds or other obligations, from state or local government taxation. Terminates the Bank after 15 years.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2011
Renewable Fuels for America's Future Act of 2011- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require a reduction in the income and excise tax credits for alcohol used for fuel by the amount of alcohol used to meet the taxpayer's renewable fuel obligation under the Clean Air Act; and (2) extend such credits and payments for alcohol fuel mixtures through 2016. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend until 2017 the additional tariff on ethyl alcohol blends (ethanol) used as fuel. Requires automobile manufacturers to ensure that at least 50% of 2013 and 2014 model year automobiles and light duty trucks manufactured for sale in the United States are dual fueled. Increases the minimum to 90% for later model years. (Excludes automobiles and light duty trucks that operate only on electricity.) Requires the Secretary of Energy to make grants to eligible facilities to pay the federal share of: (1) installing blender pump fuel infrastructure, including infrastructure necessary for the direct retail sale of ethanol fuel blends (including E-85 fuel) and to directly market such fuels to gas retailers; and (2) providing subgrants to direct retailers of such fuels for the installation of fuel infrastructure for the direct retail sale of such fuels. Defines: (1) "E-85 fuel" as a blend of gasoline at least 85% derived from ethanol; and (2) "ethanol fuel blend" as a blend of gasoline and ethanol, with a minimum of 0% and maximum of 85% derived from denatured ethanol. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure that each major fuel distributor that sells or introduces gasoline into commerce in the United States through majority-owned stations or branded stations installs one or more blender pumps that dispense E-85 fuel and ethanol fuel blends at specified minimum percentages of such stations for specified years in each state. Allows major fuel distributors to earn and sell credits if they exceed such percentages.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2011
Airport Master Plan Customer Convenience Enhancement, Security, and Sustainability Act of 2011 or ACCESS Act 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to encourage (including through Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] advisory circulars) airport sponsors and state and local officials in the development of their airport master plans to consider as additional goals: (1) customer service, and (2) access to airport grounds and airport facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2011
Safety, Efficiency, and Accountability in Transportation Projects Through Public Inspection Act of 2011 - Requires public employees to perform construction inspections on all surface transportation projects receiving federal funding.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2011
Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration from requiring the replacement of street and highway signs that are in upper case letters with signs that are in mixed case lettering with the initial letter in upper case followed by lower case lettering.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2011
Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2011 or TIFIA of 2011 - Revises terms of secured loans and lines of credit used to finance certain transportation infrastructure projects to increase the maximum loan amount for such projects from the lesser of 33% to the lesser of 49% of the eligible project costs or, if the loan does not receive an investment grade rating, the amount of the senior project obligations. Increases the total amount of the line of credit for such projects from 33% to 49% of the reasonably anticipated eligible project costs. Declares that, in the event of the obligor's bankruptcy, insolvency, or liquidation, a direct loan from the Secretary of Transportation for an infrastructure project shall not be subordinated to the claims of any holder of project obligations entered into after (not including such obligations issued to refund prior project obligations), or not contemplated by the parties at the time, the Secretary's agreement to provide the line of credit is entered into. Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2016 for such projects.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2011
Elects specified named Members to the following House Committees: (1) Agriculture; (2) Armed Services; (3) Education and the Workforce; (4) Financial Services; (5) Foreign Affairs; (6) Homeland Security; (7) the Judiciary; (8) Natural Resources; (9) Oversight and Government Reform; (10) Science, Space, and Technology; (11) Transportation and Infrastructure; and (12) Veterans' Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2011
Increases from $200 million to $275 million the aggregate allowable amount that can be awarded (liability cap) for a single passenger rail accident or incident that was proximately caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct of a defendant (except a defendant that is governmental entity such as Amtrak). (Current law limits to $200 million the aggregate allowable award to all rail passengers, against all defendants, for all claims, including claims for punitive damages, arising from a single accident or incident.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2011
Medical Liability Procedural Reform Act of 2011 - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to states to develop, implement, and evaluate health care tribunals. Defines "health care tribunal" to mean a trial court or administrative tribunal: (1) the sole function of which is to adjudicate disputes over injuries allegedly caused by health care providers; (2) to which all or a portion of such disputes within a jurisdiction are assigned; and (3) the judges for which have health care expertise and render decisions about the standard of care in dispute adjudication, with reliance on independent expert witnesses commissioned by such court or tribunal. Permits the Attorney General to provide technical assistance to states to: (1) develop common definition, formats, and data collection infrastructure for states to use in reporting in order to facilitate aggregation and analysis of data within and between states; and (2) provide guidance about the identification and selection of heath care tribunal judges and independent expert witnesses, compensation of injured patients, and clinical resources relating to the standard of care. Requires the Attorney General to contract with a research organization to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of grants awarded, to include an analysis of the effect of such grants on: (1) the number, nature, and costs of health care liability claims; (2) the liability environment; (3) health care quality; and (4) patient safety.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2011
Elects specified named Members to the following House Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Armed Services; (3) Energy and Commerce; (4) Financial Services; (5) Rules; and (6) Transportation and Infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2011
Commute LESS Act of 2011 or Commute-Leveraging Employer Support and Successes Act of 2011 - Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to revise the composition of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to include at least one representative designated by an employer advisory council established by this Act. Revises contents of MPO transportation plans prepared for metropolitan planning areas to include proposed activities and strategies to provide outreach to employers in the region to create and expand alternative commuting and commuter benefit programs (i.e. carpools, transit benefit, and telework programs). Requires each MPO to establish an employer advisory council consisting of representatives of employers within the MPO's boundaries. Requires an MPO transportation improvement program (TIP) to be developed in coordination with the advisory council and to include projects identified by it. Requires the advisory council to: (1) review how long-range transportation plans and TIPs will affect commuting habits; and (2) develop a commuter trip reduction plan. Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to create and expand employer investment in transportation and commuter benefit programs. Requires a state receiving funding, in coordination with MPOs, to establish statewide goals for achieving reductions in vehicle miles traveled. Requires a recipient receiving federal-aid highway funding for a project with a value of $100 million or more or that will reduce traffic flow for more than 120 days to prepare, in coordination with the advisory council, a congestion mitigation plan for the project that includes funding for projects that reduce peak hour vehicle miles traveled along an impacted corridor. Requires the Secretary, when approving a major capital investment grant of $75 million or more for a major new fixed guideway capital project, to consider, among other things, the ability of the grant recipient to work with employers to get commuters to utilize the project. Directs the Secretary to require the grant applicant to include in its request a plan on how it intends to work with local employers and transportation management organizations to create and expand a commuter benefit program for the project.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2011
Cut Unsustainable and Top-Heavy Spending Act of 2011 or CUTS Act - Rescinds 15% of the budget authority provided for any discretionary account in appropriations to the legislative branch for FY2011, except for the Capitol Police. Prohibits the total amount of funds appropriated to the Executive Office of the President for FY2012-FY2013 from exceeding the total amount for FY2011 after applying the rescission. Eliminates automatic cost-of-living adjustments for Members of Congress during FY2012-FY2014. Freezes the total costs for salaries of federal employees (including Department of Defense [DOD] civilian employees, but not members of the Armed Forces) for FY2011-FY2013 at the FY2010 level. Directs each federal agency head to reduce the number of full time federal employees (FTEs) by 10% by FY2020. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to take specified steps to reduce federal printing and travel costs. Rescinds 20% of amounts made available to the General Services Administration (GSA) for acquiring new vehicles for the federal fleet for FY2011, and limits federal vehicle costs and new vehicle purchases for FY2012 and subsequent fiscal years. Requires the Director of OMB to dispose of a quantity of real property worth at least $15 billion that is unused, and will not be used, to meet federal government needs for FY2010-FY2015. Authorizes the transfer of such property to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) if it is suitable to assist the homeless. Prohibits the use of federal funds to pay unemployment compensation to millionaires. Prescribes requirements for eliminating duplicative government programs. Requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to coordinate with the Department of Treasury and the hiring agency of any federal employee with a seriously delinquent tax debt in order to collect such taxes by withholding a portion of the employee's salary over a certain period. Prohibits federal voluntary contributions to the United Nations (UN) out of FY2011 funds from exceeding 10% less than the amount provided in FY2010. Terminates the authority of the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out low-priority construction projects. Rescinds all preexisting unobligated amounts made available for such projects. Reduces FY2011 funding for international development and humanitarian assistance by 10% of FY2010 funding. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESE Act of 1965) to repeal the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program. Rescinds all unobligated balances held for the Program before enactment of this Act. Rescinds: (1) all unobligated amounts made available for programs, activities, and grants of the Economic Development Administration (of the Department of Commerce), (2) 5% of all unobligated balances held by the Attorney General, and (3) all unobligated amounts made available for the Hollings Manufacturing Partnership Program and the Baldridge Performance Excellence Program. Terminates the authority of Secretary of Energy (DOE) to carry out fossil fuel applied research. Rescinds all unobligated amounts made available for it. Rescinds all federal unobligated amounts made available for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of federal appropriations by the Corporation. Reduces DOD FY2011 funding for: (1) procurement by 15%; and (2) research, development, test, and evaluation by 10%. Requires the Secretary of DOD to reduce obligations or expenditures in support of military installations through the reduction or elimination of related waste, fraud, and abuse. Rescinds 10% of funding for State Department diplomatic and consular programs. Amends the ESE Act of 1965 to repeal authority to pay institutions of higher education for administrative expenses relating to the student aid program. Rescinds any unobligated balances held by the Secretary for such program. Eliminates grants to large and medium hub airports under the Airport Improvement Program. Rescinds any unobligated funds made available for such grants. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to consolidate all fire management programs. Reduces by at least 10% the amounts made available for such programs. Rescinds any remaining unobligated funds. Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to repeal the high-energy cost grant program. Rescinds any unobligated funds made available for the program. Terminates the authority to carry out the resource conservation and development program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture. Rescinds any unobligated funds made available for the program. Amends the ESE Act of 1965 to repeal the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP). Rescinds any unobligated balances held for LEAP. Amends the Higher Education Amendments (HEA) of 1992 to repeal the B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships program. Rescinds any unobligated balances held for the program. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. Rescinds any unobligated balances held for the Program. Amends the ESE Act of 1965 to repeal the Educational, Cultural, Apprenticeship, and Exchange Programs for Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Their Historical Whaling and Trading Partners in Massachusetts. Rescinds any unobligated balances held for such Programs. Amends the HEA of 1998 to repeal the Underground Railroad educational and cultural program. Rescinds any unobligated balances held for such program. Prohibits the HUD Secretary from making competitive economic development grants for Brownfields redevelopment projects. Rescinds any unobligated amounts made available for such grants. Terminates the: (1) authority to make requirements payments to states under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, and (2) the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) established under such Act. Rescinds any unobligated amounts for such payments and the EAC. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to repeal the emergency operations center grant program. Rescinds any unobligated balances held for such program. Rescinds unobligated balances held by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for health care facilities and construction. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to repeal the authorization and funding for specified high priority surface projects. Rescinds such unobligated funds. Amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to repeal the Save America's Treasures Program and the Preserve America Program. Rescinds any unobligated funds for such Programs. Terminates the Targeted Watershed Grants Program and the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Rescinds any unobligated funds for such Programs. Terminates the authority for Department of the Interior Challenge Cost Share Program grants. Rescinds any unobligated funds for such Program. Rescinds all unobligated balances held by the Secretary of HHS to carry out the Delta Health Initiative. Terminates the authority to carry out any health care services grant program of the Department of Agriculture. Rescinds any unobligated funds for such program. Amends the HEA of 1965 to repeal the student loan Repayment for Civil Legal Assistance Attorneys program. Rescinds all unobligated balances held for the program. Terminates the EPA Targeted Air Shed Grant Program. Rescinds all unobligated funds for such Program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2011
Michael Jon Newkirk Transportation Safety Enhancement Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to withhold a graduated percentage of federal-aid highway funds of states for FY2014 and thereafter that do not enact or enforce a law that requires the annual inspection of registered motor vehicles so that they meet or exceed state motor vehicle standards (including the operability of vehicle seatbelts and speedometers).
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Homeland Security Cyber and Physical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) an Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, which shall be headed by the Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications and which shall include: (1) the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team; (2) a Cybersecurity Compliance Division (established by this Act); and (3) other DHS components with primary responsibility for emergency or national communications or cybersecurity. Directs the Secretary of DHS, acting through the Assistant Secretary or the Director of such Division, to establish and enforce cybersecurity requirements for civilian nonmilitary and non-intelligence community federal systems to prevent, deter, respond to, and recover from cyber attacks and incidents. Requires the Assistant Secretary to chair an interagency working group, which shall: (1) develop risk- and performance-based cybersecurity requirements for civilian federal agency computer networks and federally owned critical infrastructure, to be enforced by the Assistant Secretary through the Director; (2) develop remedies for noncompliance with such requirements, to be executed by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); (3) recommend budgets for security of such networks; and (4) propose updates for the Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation. Requires all federal entities to report any cyber incidents on their networks to the Director and to the Team, which shall research each incident and report on the extent of any compromise, the attackers, the method of penetration, the ramifications, and recommended mitigation activities. Requires: (1) the Secretary, through the Director, to establish and enforce risk-based cybersecurity requirements for private sector computer networks within covered critical infrastructures; and (2) the Director to require entities determined to be covered critical infrastructures to comply with such requirements and to submit a proposed cybersecurity plan to satisfy such requirements to the first-party regulatory agency or sector-specific agency for approval and enforcement. Prescribes penalties for noncompliance. Requires the Assistant Secretary to: (1) share information regarding cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities and proposed actions to mitigate them with all federal agencies, appropriate state, local, or tribal authority representatives, and all covered critical infrastructure owners and operators; and (2) designate information received from and provided to federal agencies and critical infrastructure owners and operators under this Act as sensitive security information and enforce requirements for handling, storage, and dissemination of such information. Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to support research, development, testing, evaluation, and transition of cybersecurity technology, with an emphasis on research and development relevant to large-scale, high-impact attacks. Requires the Assistant Secretary to: (1) develop a strategic cybersecurity workforce plan as part of the federal agency performance plan; (2) establish a cybersecurity awareness and education curriculum that shall be required for all federal employees and contractors engaged in the design, development, or operation of civilian federal agency computer networks; and (3) implement a strategy to provide federal employees who work in cybersecurity-related areas with the opportunity to obtain additional education. Authorizes: (1) the appointment of up to 500 employees to carry out this Act's requirements without regard to the civil service laws upon certification to Congress that standard federal hiring processes have not resulted in the required number of critical cybersecurity positions being filled; and (2) payment of bonuses necessary to retain such an employee.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Damaged Vehicle Information Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to issue a regulation to require persons who terminate a motor vehicle contract due to flood or water damage, collision, fire damage, theft and recovery, or any circumstance that adversely affects the fair market value of the vehicle to disclose information of such vehicle damage to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Smart Housing in Disasters Act of 2011 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) to cover as a major disaster any "catastrophic incident" as defined by the Homeland Security Act, namely any natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster that results in extraordinary levels of casualties or damage or disruption severely affecting the population (including mass evacuations), infrastructure, environment, economy, national morale, or government functions in an area. Amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop, as an annex to the National Disaster Housing Strategy, a lifecycle and tracking plan for housing units provided to individuals and households affected by an emergency or major disaster that establishes policies for procurement, delivery, installation, maintenance, deactivation, and disposal of the units. Requires the plan to: (1) emphasize the acquisition of housing units that can be recycled and reused for multiple emergencies or major disasters; and (2) include a process for the Administrator to track each housing unit from its date of acquisition through its date of disposal. Amends the Stafford Act to direct the President, upon determining that a temporary housing unit purchased under such Act for housing disaster victims is unsuitable for habitation, to alter such unit in a manner that will prevent it from being used for habitation before it is disposed through sale to a recycler or other purchaser.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Realize America's Maritime Promise Act or the RAMP Act - Requires the total budget resources for expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for harbor maintenance programs to equal the level of receipts plus interest credited to such Fund for that fiscal year. Limits the use of such resources to such programs only. Declares that it shall be out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that would cause total budget resources for the Fund in a fiscal year for harbor maintenance programs to be less than the level of receipts plus interest credited to the Fund for that fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2011 - Establishes in the Treasury the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund for payments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) of a monthly benefit of $1,000 to each individual who, between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, was a documented member of the U.S. merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was operated in U.S. waters by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation and under contract to, or the property of, the United States. Requires such individuals to: (1) apply for such benefit within one year after the enactment of this Act; and (2) not have received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. Requires the Secretary to include, in annual budget documents submitted to Congress, detailed information on the Fund's operation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Pipeline Safety and Community Empowerment Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to prescribe minimum standards to require: (1) a pipeline facility owner or operator to notify all property owners and residents located within 2,000 feet of a pipeline transmission line of the property's proximity to the line, including its specific location if located on private residential property; and (2) the notice to include a method for electronic access to such information through the Internet and a toll free telephone number, as well as information on how to obtain a map of the pipeline system through the National Pipeline Mapping System. Revises requirements for minimum standards for information a pipeline operator must maintain about a pipeline facility. Directs the Secretary to prescribe such standards requiring an operator to provide that information (including updates and changes), not only to the Secretary (as under current law), but also to state regulatory officials, state and local emergency responders, and other appropriate entities. Revises requirements for additional standards for periodic inspection of pipeline facilities in high-density population areas and environmentally sensitive areas. Directs the Secretary to prescribe standards requiring the mandatory periodic inspection of each pipeline facility with an instrumented internal inspection device ("smart pig") occur at least once every five years. Allows the use of an inspection method, subject to certain requirements, that is not a "smart pig" for any pipeline segment incompatible with a "smart pig." Requires the Secretary to prohibit a pipeline segment from operating under high pressure if that segment cannot be inspected: (1) with a "smart pig"; or (2) using an inspection method at least as effective as one. Directs the Secretary to prescribe minimum standards to require a pipeline facility owner or operator to install automatic or remote shut off valves to reduce risks in the event of a rupture. Requires a pipeline facility owner or operator to ensure that the pipeline facility is equipped with a leak detection system capable of promptly detecting a leak. Directs the Secretary to approve or disapprove modified public education programs submitted by pipeline facility owners or operators. Requires the Comptroller General to assess and report to Congress on the effectiveness of such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
FAMS Augmentation Act of 2011 - Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to increase the number of federal air marshals by at least an additional 1,750 above the number of such marshals as of January 31, 2010, to ensure increased transportation security for inbound international flights. Declares the goal of this Act is to increase the number of inbound flights with federal marshals onboard while maintaining federal marshal presence on domestic point-to-point flights at or above December 25, 2009, levels. Directs the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) to establish a policy requiring newly hired federal air marshals to complete as part of their basic training the criminal investigative training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Requires federal air marshals hired before enactment of this Act who have not completed such program to attend an alternative training program. Directs the Assistant Secretary to establish in FAMS an Office of the Ombudsman.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Northern Virginia Metrorail Extension Act of 2011 - Authorizes alternatives analysis and preliminary engineering for specified Metrorail new fixed guideway capital projects in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act - Revises requirements with respect to the consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control (transaction) involving rail carriers to require public hearings in the affected communities if public hearings on a proposed transaction are held. Requires the Surface Transportation Board, in a proceeding with respect to a transaction that involves at least one Class I railroad (under current law, merger or control of at least two Class I railroads), to consider the effect on the public interest, including the safety and environmental effect of the proposed merger on local communities, intercity rail passenger transportation, commuter rail passenger transportation, and the public interest. Prohibits the Board from approving mergers if their adverse impacts on safety and on affected communities outweigh their transportation benefits. Authorizes the Board to impose conditions to mitigate the effect of mergers on local communities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Elects specified Members to the House Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) the Budget; (5) Education and the Workforce; (6) Energy and Commerce; (7) Ethics; (8) Financial Services; (9) Foreign Affairs; (10) Homeland Security; (11) House Administration; (12) the Judiciary; (13) Natural Resources; (14) Oversight and Government Reform; (15) Rules; (16) Science, Space, and Technology; (17) Small Business; (18) Transportation and Infrastructure; (19) Veterans' Affairs; and (20) Ways and Means.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 2011
Elects specified Members to the House Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) the Budget; (5) Education and the Workforce; (6) Energy and Commerce; (7) Ethics; (8) Financial Services; (9) Foreign Affairs; (10) Homeland Security; (11) House Administration; (12) the Judiciary; (13) Natural Resources; (14) Oversight and Government Reform; (15) Rules; (16) Science, Space, and Technology; (17) Small Business; (18) Transportation and Infrastructure; (19) Veterans' Affairs; and (20) Ways and Means.