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Bill· SS. 3824 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2010
Strengthening Pipeline Safety and Enforcement Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to increase the number of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) personnel by at least 100 full-time employees to carry out the pipeline safety program. Defines the term "major consequence violation" to mean a violation that contributed to any incident resulting in: (1) one or more deaths or injuries or illnesses requiring hospitalization; (2) environmental harm exceeding $250,000 in damage, including property loss; or (3) a pipeline release of gas or hazardous liquid that ignites or presents a safety threat to the public or the environment in a high consequence area. Subjects to a civil penalty of $250,000 any person who has committed a major consequence violation of a pipeline marking or excavation notification requirement, pipeline safety standard or regulation, or order. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on a person who obstructs or prevents an inspection or investigation of a gas pipeline or hazardous liquid pipeline. Prescribes a maximum civil penalty of $2.5 million for a related series of major consequence violations. Authorizes the Secretary to collect geospatial, technical, or other pipeline data on transportation-related oil flow lines (pipelines transporting oil off production grounds across areas not owned by the producer). Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring the installation in pipelines of remotely or automatically controlled valves capable of shutting of the flow of gas in the event of an accident. Requires the Secretary to establish standards for natural gas pipeline leak detection equipment and methods. Repeals the exemption from federal pipeline safety standards of the movement of gas and hazardous liquid through unregulated gathering lines in rural areas. Revises the definition of "hazardous liquid" to include non-petroleum fuels and biofuels. Directs the Secretary to prescribe additional standards to require, at least once every five years, the inspection by an instrumented internal device ("smart pig") of each gas and hazardous liquid pipeline located in a high-density population area or an environmentally sensitive area. Requires such standards to require the use of another inspection method meeting specified criteria where "smart pigs" cannot be used in a segment of a pipeline. Directs the Secretary to prescribe minimum safety standards for the pipeline transportation of carbon dioxide in gaseous form. (Under current law, the Secretary is required to prescribe minimum standards for the pipeline transportation of carbon dioxide in liquefied form.) Prescribes requirements to authorize the Secretary to require persons proposing the construction, expansion, or operation of a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline (including construction inspections and oversight) to pay the costs of pipeline design safety reviews the Secretary conducts. Requires the Secretary to prescribe a fee structure, assessment methodology, and collection procedures with respect to the costs of providing such reviews. Establishes in the Treasury the Pipeline Safety Design Review Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to engage in activities supporting the exchange of information with domestic and international organizations about the public and environmental risks from pipelines, as well as efforts to develop and improve safety standards and requirements for pipeline transportation in interstate or foreign commerce. Sets forth certain factors the Secretary shall consider in granting a pipeline operator's application for a waiver of pipeline standards in nonemergency situations. Limits the waiver of one or more pipeline standards to no more than five years, renewable for successive five year periods. Requires the Secretary to establish reasonable fees for processing waiver applications. Establishes in the Treasury the Pipeline Safety Special Permit Fund. Revises national pipeline mapping system requirements to require each pipeline operator to provide the Secretary certain geospatial, technical, or other pipeline data, including preconstruction design reviews and compliance inspection prioritization. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the transportation of non-petroleum hazardous liquids by pipeline, including the extent to which the safety of such lines is unregulated by states, as well as whether the pipeline transportation of such chemicals across public areas would present significant risks to public safety, property, or the environment in the absence of regulation.
Bill· HRH.R. 6167 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2010
Shipping Act of 2010 - Requires the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to: (1) maintain an Office of Dispute Resolution and Customer Advocate; and (2) establish an Ocean Shipping Advisory Committee. Defines "efficiency and service-enhancing agreement" as one between ocean common carriers that: (1) is likely to produce efficiencies and improve ocean common carrier service (i.e., share vessels or space on voyages between ports), while maintaining adequate trade or service competition; and (2) gives agreement members the right to withdraw from it without financial or other penalty. Revises purposes of ocean shipping regulation. Allows competition and the demand for services to determine fair and efficient market rates and charges for transportation by ocean common carriers. Treats certain FMC orders as investigative orders to specific individuals or entities rather than a collection of information from a category or class of individuals or entities. Subjects certain kinds of efficiency and service-enhancing agreements to federal ocean common carrier regulation. Revises certain ocean common carrier agreement restrictions. Prohibits such agreements from allowing agreement members to: (1) discuss, fix, or negotiate service rates or charges; (2) discuss or agree on capacity rationalization; (3) establish a joint service, or pool or divide cargo traffic, earnings, revenues, or losses; (4) allocate customers or markets; or (5) discuss or agree with another member on any service contract matter. Requires the FMC after preliminary review to reject an ocean common carrier agreement that it finds is not an efficiency and service-enhancing agreement. Requires FMC approval of ocean common carrier agreements before they can become effective. Revises the exemption from U.S. antitrust laws of certain ocean common carrier agreements approved before June 18, 1984. Limits the exemption to published service rates, fares, or charges, or classification or explanatory regulation implementing such an agreement, but only to the extent that the agreement is approved by the FMC after January 1, 2011. Requires each ocean common carrier to maintain for public inspection in an automated tariff system on the Internet all of its service rates, classifications, and practices between all ports on its own route. Requires rates to state separately carrier charges for providing or handling equipment as well as to describe any surcharges clearly. Directs the FMC to: (1) establish a database of service complaints; and (2) require ocean common carriers to report frequency and duration of shipment delays, as well as other appropriate reliability indicators, and post such reports on its website. Requires the FMC to prescribe regulations establishing a binding arbitration process to resolve service complaints. Permits the award of damages, with a limit of $250,000 per year for no more than two years. Repeals the prohibition against denial by a conference or group of two or more ocean common carriers of a member's right to take independent action on any level of compensation paid to an ocean freight forwarder. Revises certain other prohibitions for common carriers. Prohibits such carriers from: (1) refusing or threatening to refuse cargo space accommodations when available, (2) engaging in certain unfair or deceptive practices or unfair methods of competition, (3) discriminating against a shipper, or (4) imposing an unreasonable surcharge. Increases civil penalties for violations of a FMC regulation or order. Directs the FMC to study ocean transportation practices, including delay of cargo, surcharges, penalties, demurrage, accessorial charges, and availability of containers for exports from the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 6181 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2010
American Infrastructure Investment Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend until January 1, 2013, the period for issuing Build America Bonds and for credits allowable to issuers of such bonds. Allows funding through such bonds for capital expenditures for levees and flood control projects. Exempts private activity bonds for sewage and water supply facilities from the state volume caps applicable to such bonds. Allows Indian tribal governments to issue tax-exempt private activity bonds to provide water or sewage facilities. Extends through 2011 the exemption from alternative minimum tax (AMT) treatment of interest on certain tax-exempt bonds. Extends through 2011 the period for issuing recovery zone economic development bonds and recovery zone facility bonds. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate 2010 national limitations on recovery bonds based upon state unemployment statistics. Allows a full offset against the AMT for new market tax credit amounts. Extends through 2011: (1) the tax exemption allowed for interest on bonds guaranteed by a federal home loan bank; and (2) small issuer rules for the allocation of tax-exempt interest expense by financial institutions.
Bill· SS. 3815 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2010
Promoting Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles Act of 2010 - Establishes within the Department of Energy (DOE) a Natural Gas Vehicle and Infrastructure Development Program. Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) a rebate program for owners who convert or repower a conventionally fueled vehicle to a vehicle that operates on compressed or liquefied natural gas or to a mixed-fuel vehicle or a bi-fuel vehicle; (2) an infrastructure deployment program and a manufacturing development program to provide grants for installing natural gas refueling property and developing engines with reduced emissions, improved performance, and lower cost; and (3) a direct loan program to provide loans to manufacturers for the cost of reequipping, expanding, or establishing a facility that will be used for producing new alternative fuel motor vehicles or vehicle components. Establishes within DOE a national plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment program. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) provide technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments to create deployment programs for such vehicles; (2) make available to the public information regarding the cost, performance, usage data, and technical data regarding such vehicles and associated infrastructure; (3) carry out a national assessment and develop a national deployment plan; and (4) award grants for preparing a community deployment plan and for implementing programs that support such deployment. Directs the Secretary to develop and publish guidance for: (1) model building codes for charging infrastructure in new construction and major renovations of private residences, buildings, or other structures; (2) model construction permitting or inspection processes that allow for the expedited installation of charging infrastructure for purchasers of plug-in electric drive vehicles; and (3) model zoning, parking rules, or other local ordinances that facilitate the installation of, and allow for access to, publicly available charging infrastructure. Requires the Secretary to award grants to educational institutions to: (1) provide training and education for vocational workforce development to ensure that the workforce has the skills needed to work on and maintain plug-in electric drive vehicles and the infrastructure required to support them; and (2) establish programs to provide training and education in designing plug-in electric drive vehicles, components, and infrastructure to ensure U.S. leadership in this field. Directs: (1) the Federal Energy Management Program and the General Services Administration (GSA) to assess and report to Congress on the conversion of federal government fleets to plug-in electric drive vehicles; and (2) the Administrator of General Services to acquire plug-in electric drive vehicles and the requisite charging infrastructure to be deployed in a range of locations in the federal governmental fleets during a five-year period. Establishes within the national deployment program a targeted plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment communities program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to fund research and development in advanced batteries, plug-in electric drive vehicle components, plug-in electric drive infrastructure, and related technologies; (2) implement a study on recycling of materials from plug-in electric drive vehicles; and (3) establish the Advanced Batteries for Tomorrow Prize for a 500-mile vehicle battery. Establishes in the Treasury the 500-mile Battery Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to Congress on: (1) the raw materials needed for the manufacture of components for plug-in electric drive vehicles; and (2) the infrastructure needed to support such vehicles. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to require each electric utility to develop a plan to support the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles in its service area. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary of Energy to guarantee loans for the aggregate purchase of not fewer than 200 qualified automotive batteries in a calendar year that have a total minimum power rating of 1 megawatt and that use advanced battery technology. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary to make loan guarantees for charging infrastructure for plug-in drive electric vehicles if the infrastructure will be operational before December 31, 2016. Requires an advanced battery from a plug-in electric drive vehicle to be disposed of in accordance with the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Establishes the Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Technical Advisory Committee. Directs the President to establish the Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Interagency Task Force to ensure awareness, coordination, and integration of the activities of the federal government relating to plug-in electric drive vehicles. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate to 21 cents a barrel.
Bill· SS. 3806 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2010
Supporting Employee Competency and Updating Readiness Enhancements for Facilities Act of 2010 or the SECURE Facilities Act of 2010 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to set forth provisions governing the Federal Protective Service (FPS), the Interagency Security Committee (ISC), and the security of federal facilities. Requires the Director of FPS to: (1) secure federal facilities protected by FPS and safeguard all occupants; (2) provide adequate numbers of trained personnel to ensure that federal security standards are met; (3) ensure that areas in and around such facilities are regularly patrolled by FPS officers; and (4) ensure that FPS maintains not fewer than 1,200 full-time equivalent employees at any time and not fewer than 1,350 in FY2011, 1,500 in FY2012, 1,600 in 2013, and 1,700 in FY2014. Requires the Director to: (1) establish minimum training requirements for all armed guards procured by FPS; (2) establish a program to periodically assess the training of guards and the security of federal facilities; (3) update the Security Guard Information Manual and post orders within 180 days and every 2 years thereafter; (4) establish a database to monitor all contracts for guard services; and (5) increase the number of infrastructure security canine teams by up to 10 canine teams in each of FY2011-FY2014. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Director, to designate three federal facilities protected by FPS for the deployment of advanced imaging technology and, one year after implementation, to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the readiness or use of automatic detection technology for building security; and (2) the Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate to develop performance-based standards for checkpoint detection technologies for explosives and other threats at federal facilities. Authorizes the Director to assess and collect: (1) fees and security charges from agencies for the costs of providing protective services to agency facilities; and (2) additional charges for the costs of necessary security countermeasures for facilities determined to be in noncompliance with ISC standards. Directs the ISC to: (1) prescribe regulations for determining federal facility security levels and to establish risk-based performance standards for facility security; (2) establish protocols for testing facility compliance with such standards; (3) prescribe regulations to determine minimum levels of training and certification of contract guards and to establish a list of prohibited items for entry into federal facilities; (4) establish minimum requirements and a process for providing basic security training for members of Facility Security Committees (FSCs); and (5) take necessary actions to enhance the quality and effectiveness of federal facility protection. Requires the ISC to establish: (1) an appeals board to consider appeals from any FSC of a facility security level determination, of FPS or designated security organization recommendations for countermeasures, or of a determination of noncompliance with security standards; and (2) a process under which the Secretary may authorize an agency to provide protective services for a facility instead of FPS. Requires agencies that are tenants at a federal facility and that are not authorized to provide protective services at that facility to maintain an FSC. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations regarding the carrying of firearms by FPS law enforcement officers while off-duty. Includes such FPS officers as federal employees for purposes of civil service retirement and federal employee retirement system provisions. Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) FPS personnel needs; (2) how retention rates within the FPS contract guard workforce affect FPS operations and federal facility security; and (3) converting the FPS contract workforce into full-time federal employees.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 630 (111th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2010
Designates November 28, 2009, Drive Safer Sunday.
Bill· SS. 3793 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2010
Job Creation and Tax Cuts Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend expiring tax expenditure provisions relating to infrastructure financing, energy, individuals, housing, businesses, health care, and disaster relief. Requires a report to Congress on each tax expenditure extended by this Act. Makes technical corrections and other amendments to laws relating to pension funding. Sets forth tax rules for the treatment of partnership interests transferred in connection with the performance of services. Treats as ordinary income or loss net income or loss from an investment services partnership interest. Extends through 2020 the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate and increases such rate to 78 cents a barrel. Increases from $1 billion to $5 billion the per incident limitation on expenditures from such Trust Fund. Denies a tax deduction for the payment of punitive damages. Includes in taxpayer gross income punitive damages paid by an insurer. Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Social Security Act, and other statutes relating to health care assistance to individuals. Provides additional funding for: (1) grants to states for youth activities, including summer employment; and (2) the Housing Trust Fund for low-income housing programs. Individual Indian Money Account Litigation Settlement Act of 2010 - Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Class Action Settlement Agreement dated December 7, 2009, in the case entitled Elouise Cobell et al. v. Ken Salazar . Establishes in the Treasury the Trust Land Consolidation Fund and the Indian Education Scholarship Holding Fund to carry out terms of the Settlement Agreement. Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture to carry out the terms of a settlement agreement to resolve claims raised in the cases consolidated in In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation , including Pigford claims (relating to a racial discrimination action against the Department of Agriculture). Amends the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010 to authorize expenditures from the Highway Trust Fund for allocations of infrastructure funding to states. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend through 2013 duty suspensions on certain cotton fabrics. Authorizes transfers from the Treasury to restore payment levels from the Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund. Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2010 - Amends the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009 to extend through 2012 trade adjustment assistance programs. Extends through FY2011, and makes appropriations for, activities authorized by part A of title IV (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act (SSA), other than the Emergency Contingency Fund for State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Programs, in the manner authorized for FY2010, subject to the amendments made by this Act. Increases and extends through FY2011 grant funding to state courts to assess and improve handling of proceedings relating to foster care and adoption. Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to unemployment compensation program integrity. Extends: (1) through December 31, 2019, fees for customs services in connection with processing of merchandise; and (2) through September 30, 2019, fees for custom services in connection with commercial vehicles. Foreign-Held Debt Transparency and Threat Assessment Act - Requires: (1) the President to report to Congress quarterly on the risks posed by foreign holdings of debt instruments of the United States; (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually on such risks; and (3) the Comptroller General to report annually on risks to the United States posed by the federal debt. Requires the President to formulate and implement a plan of action to reduce the risk posed by foreign holdings of debt instruments to U.S. long-term national security or economic stability. Establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Office of the Homeowner Advocate to assist homeowners, housing counselors, and housing lawyers in resolving problems with the Home Affordable Modification Program. Provides for compliance of the budgetary effects of this Act with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.
Bill· SS. 3797 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2010
Education for All Act of 2010 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to state that it is U.S. policy to work with foreign countries and international and civil society organizations to achieve universal basic education by: (1) assisting developing countries and nongovernmental and multilateral organizations to provide all children with a quality basic education; and (2) promoting education as the foundation for communities' development. Directs the President to develop a comprehensive U.S. strategy to promote quality universal basic education by 2015. Authorizes the President to provide funds and other assistance to qualifying foreign countries to create the policies, processes, and infrastructure to develop national basic quality education plans. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish within the Department of State a Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Provide Basic Education Assistance who shall have primary responsibility for the oversight and coordination of all U.S. government resources and international activities to promote quality universal basic education.
Bill· HRH.R. 6150 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2010
Increases from $200 million to $500 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. (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.) Increases from $200 million to $500 million per accident or incident the mandatory total minimum insurance or self-insurance liability coverage Amtrak must maintain.
Law· HRH.R. 6080 (111th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 2010
Appropriates additional FY2010 amounts to remain available until September 30, 2011, to: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection for salaries and expenses related to staffing on the Southwest Border of the United States, construction of up to two Border Patrol forward operating bases along the Southwest Border, and border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology along the Southwest border; (2) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for salaries and expenses for law enforcement activities along the Southwest Border; and (3) Federal Law Enforcement Training Center training for new U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents. Appropriates additional FY2010 amounts to remain available until September 30, 2012, for acquisition and deployment of unmanned aircraft systems. Rescinds from unobligated balances certain funds for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology. Appropriates additional FY2010 amounts to remain available until September 30, 2011, for Department of Justice (DOJ) law enforcement activities related to the Southwest Border. Appropriates additional FY2010 amounts to remain available until September 30, 2011, for courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services. States that funding shall be available for transfer between Judiciary accounts to meet increased workload requirements resulting from immigration and other law enforcement initiatives. Designates each amount made available under this Act as an emergency requirement and necessary to meet emergency needs. Increases, for the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on September 30, 2014: (1) the L visa (intracompany transfer) nonimmigrant application filing fee and fraud prevention and detection fee by $2,250 for applicants that employ 50 or more employees in the United States if more than 50% of the applicant's employees are L visa or H-1b visa (nonagricultural specialty worker) nonimmigrants; and (2) the H-1b visa application filing fee and fraud prevention and detection fee by $2,000 for applicants that employ 50 or more employees in the United States if more than 50% of the applicant's employees are H-1b or L visa nonimmigrants. Provides that during such period all amounts collected pursuant to such fee increases shall be deposited in the General Fund of the Treasury.
Bill· SS. 3755 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Fairness in Admiralty and Maritime Law Act - Expands a shipowner's liability to claims not subject to limitation to include: (1) personal injury claims; (2) wrongful death claims; and (3) claims relating to oil drilling or exploration or the discharge of oil from a vessel or offshore facility. Excepts the owner of a fishing vessel from such limitation for claims for personal injury or wrongful death, unless the claim involves the privity or knowledge of the owner. Allows punitive damages to be assessed without regard to the amount of compensatory damages assessed in a civil maritime action for damages arising out of a maritime tort, subject to exception. Amends the Death on the High Seas Act to permit the personal representative of a decedent to bring a civil action in admiralty or law (limited to admiralty under current law) against the person or vessel responsible for the decedent's death when the death was caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas beyond three nautical miles from the shore of the United States. Allows recovery in such an action for fair compensation for nonpecuniary loss (limited to pecuniary loss under current law), plus a fair compensation for the decedent's pain and suffering. Defines "nonpecuniary loss" as loss of care, comfort, and companionship. Amends provisions concerning commercial aviation accidents to include general aviation accidents. Amends the Jones Act to allow recovery for the loss of care, comfort, and companionship of a seaman in a claim by the seaman's representative relating to oil drilling or exploration or the discharge of oil when the seaman died as the result of such oil drilling or exploration or the discharge of oil.
Law· SS. 3729 (111th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Authorizes programs, activities, and reports respecting NASA, including those with regard to the International Space Station (ISS), the Space Shuttle, commercial crew and cargo transportation, earth and space science, aeronautics and space technology, space traffic management, near-Earth object threats, space weather and national and international orbital debris mitigation. Requires NASA to initiate development of a space launch system as a follow-on launch vehicle to the Space Shuttle. Establishes a NASA launch support and infrastructure modernization program, a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) commercial orbital platform program, and an information security awareness and education program at NASA.
Bill· SS. 3745 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Rural Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2010 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide that if the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) applies a median income requirement to communities for determining community facilities programs and water, waste disposal, and wastewater program eligibility in a state where the state nonmetropolitan median income is at least 90% of the national average nonmetropolitan median income, the Secretary shall use an amount equal to 95% of the national average nonmetropolitan median income in applying the median income requirement for any community in such state. Terminates such authority on September 30, 2012.
Bill· SS. 3743 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Requires states, at a minimum, to cooperate with affected nonmetropolitan local officials responsible for transportation through regional transportation planning organizations to develop and implement long-range statewide transportation plans and statewide transportation improvement programs, with emphasis on addressing the transportation needs of nonmetropolitan areas of the state. Defines a regional transportation planning organization as a multi-jurisdictional organization composed of nonmetropolitan local officials (or their designees) and representatives of local transportation systems who all volunteer for such organization.
Bill· SS. 3749 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a tax credit for 25% of the cost of new qualified freight rail infrastructure property and qualified locomotive property; and (2) a taxpayer election to expense the cost of qualified freight rail infrastructure property (i.e., deduct all costs in the current taxable year). Terminates such credit and expensing election after 2015.
Bill· SS. 3721 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Appropriates additional FY2010 amounts to remain available until September 30, 2011, to: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection for salaries and expenses related to staffing on the Southwest Border of the United States, construction of up to two Border Patrol forward operating bases along the Southwest Border, and border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology along the Southwest border; (2) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for salaries and expenses for law enforcement activities along the Southwest Border; and (3) Federal Law Enforcement Training Center training for new U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents. Appropriates additional FY2010 amounts to remain available until September 30, 2012, for acquisition and deployment of unmanned aircraft systems. Rescinds from unobligated balances certain funds for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology. Appropriates additional FY2010 amounts to remain available until September 30, 2011, for Department of Justice (DOJ) law enforcement activities related to the Southwest Border. Appropriates additional FY2010 amounts to remain available until September 30, 2011, for courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services. States that funding shall be available for transfer between Judiciary accounts to meet increased workload requirements resulting from immigration and other law enforcement initiatives. Designates each amount made available under this Act as an emergency requirement and necessary to meet emergency needs. Increases, for the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on September 30, 2014: (1) the L visa (intracompany transfer) nonimmigrant application filing fee and fraud prevention and detection fee by $2,250 for applicants that employ 50 or more employees in the United States if more than 50% of the applicant's employees are L visa or H-1b visa (nonagricultural specialty worker) nonimmigrants; and (2) the H-1b visa application filing fee and fraud prevention and detection fee by $2,000 for applicants that employ 50 or more employees in the United States if more than 50% of the applicant's employees are H-1b or L visa nonimmigrants. Provides that during such period all amounts collected pursuant to such fee increases shall be deposited in the General Fund of the Treasury.
Bill· SS. 3714 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Coal Energy Bridge Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow seven-year amortization of mechanical or electronic systems that are installed on a coal-fired electric generation unit and that reduce carbon dioxide emissions; (2) allow a new 30% tax credit for investment in carbon dioxide capture, transport, and storage property which is part of a qualified coal-fired electric generation unit; (3) expand the tax credit for carbon dioxide sequestration to allow for uses other than as tertiary injectants; and (4) allow a tax credit for investment in clean energy coal bonds.
Bill· SS. 3758 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act limit the somatic cell count in all dairy products sold, transported, or offered for sale or transport in interstate commerce to a maximum of 400,000 cells per milliliter of fluid milk, or equivalent, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Authorizes the Secretary to lower the maximum somatic cell count after consideration of any recommendations submitted by the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to require that the calculation of a herd average somatic cell count under this Act be made using a geometric, rather than an arithmetic, mean. Subjects any person that sells, transports, or offers for sale or transport in interstate commerce any dairy product in violation of this Act to a civil penalty.
Bill· SS. 3710 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Broadband Program Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Amends provisions of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 concerning access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas to authorize appropriations to cover the costs of grants, loans, and loan guarantees for broadband infrastructure in any area of the United States. Gives priority in making such grants, loans, and loan guarantees to projects that provide service to the highest proportion of rural residents that do not have access to broadband service and to project applications that will expand broadband opportunities in rural and tribal areas. Permits, under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, entities that have received waiver authority from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use the 763-768/793-798 MHz (700 MHz) public safety broadband spectrum to apply for funding. Authorizes appropriations for such Program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the expensing and 60-month amortization of intangible drilling costs; (2) repeal percentage depletion for oil and gas properties; and (3) deny the deduction for income attributable to the domestic production of oil, natural gas, or its primary products.
Bill· SS. 3752 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Indian Energy Parity Act of 2010 - Authorizes an Indian tribe or tribal energy development organization to submit to the Secretary of the Interior, and to applicable federal agencies, a plan to fully integrate into a single, coordinated, comprehensive program federally funded energy-related activities and programs, including programs for employment training, energy planning, financing, construction, and related physical infrastructure and equipment. Requires a plan to meet specified requirements and prohibits an agency from imposing additional requirements. Prohibits any other federal funding from being reduced, denied, or withheld as a result of plan participation by an Indian tribe or tribal energy development organization. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 with respect to: (1) Indian tribal energy resource development, including to direct the Secretary to provide assistance to interested Indian tribes or tribal energy resource development organizations in developing an energy resource development program; and (2) tribal energy resource agreements. Amends the Federal Power Act to include Indian tribes, along with states and municipalities, as having preference for the receipt of preliminary hydroelectric licenses. Amends the Indian Land Consolidation Act: (1) to revise the definition of "parcel of highly fractionated Indian land"; (2) with respect the purchase of trust, restricted, or controlled lands at no less than fair market value and the partition of highly fractioned Indian lands; (3) with respect to tribal authority to apply revenue against liens; and (4) to revise provisions concerning owner-managed interests. Amends the Indian Financing Act of 1974 concerning loan guarantees and insurance to direct the Secretary to consider more favorable equity terms or allow an increase in loan guarantees from 90% up to 95% of the unpaid principal and interest due on any loan made for energy development or manufacturing carried out on Indian land or within a tribal service area recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Amends provisions concerning leases on Indian land with respect to: (1) access, including access under the Indian Mineral leasing Act of 1938; (2) the Long-Term Leasing Act; and (3) leases on restricted land, including concerning tribal approval of leases. Amends provisions concerning oil and gas leases on Indian land, including to prohibit the collection of any oil or gas inspection fees. Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to conduct at least 10 distributed energy demonstration projects to increase the energy resources available to Indian tribes for use in homes and community or government buildings. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide for: (1) a competitive process for making grants for an Indian energy efficiency program; and (2) direct grants to Indian tribes for the weatherization of Indian homes. Amends the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 to provide for at least four demonstration projects to promote biomass energy production on Indian forest land and in nearby communities.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 610 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2010
Recognizes the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) days. Acknowledges the critical role of freight and passenger rail in our nation's intermodal transportation system. Commends efforts of the state governments of Colorado and New Mexico, the C&TSRR Commission, the C&TSRR Management Company, and Friends of the C&TSRR for their efforts to maintain this historic and scenic railroad.
Bill· SS. 3705 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2010
Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2010 - Allows a state to authorize a vehicle with a maximum gross weight (including enforcement tolerances) exceeding certain federal weight limitations to operate on Interstate Highway System (IHS) routes in the state if: (1) the vehicle is equipped with at least six axles; (2) the weight of any single axle does not exceed 20,000 pounds; (3) the weight of any tandem axle does not exceed 34,000 pounds; (4) the weight of any group of 3 or more axles does not exceed 51,000 pounds; and (5) the gross weight of the vehicle does not exceed 97,000 pounds. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a safe and efficient vehicle bridge infrastructure improvement program. Requires the Secretary to apportion amounts from the Safe and Efficient Vehicle Trust Fund to states for eligible bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose an overweight vehicle tax on any vehicles that exceed federal weight limitations operating on the IHS; and (2) establish the Safe and Efficient Vehicle Trust Fund.
Bill· SS. 3703 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2010
Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) establish the National Pulmonary Fibrosis Advisory Board; (2) develop a system to collect data on pulmonary fibrosis and other interstitial lung diseases; and (3) establish the National PF Registry. Requires the Secretary, in developing the Registry, to: (1) expand and coordinate existing data and surveillance systems, surveys, registries, and other federal public health and environmental infrastructure; and (2) provide for research access to pulmonary fibrosis data. Directs the Secretary to ensure that epidemiological and other types of information are made available to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires the Director of CDC to prepare the National Pulmonary Fibrosis Education and Awareness Plan, which shall: (1) focus on strategies to increase public education and awareness of pulmonary fibrosis; (2) address the need for new physician education strategies to improve diagnosis and treatment standards; and (3) assess and monitor the costs of pulmonary fibrosis and its burden on patients and families. Encourages the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to expand, intensify, and coordinate Institute pulmonary fibrosis research activities.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 606 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2010
Designates August 29, 2010, as Railroad Retirement Day.
Bill· SS. 3690 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2010
Drug Safety and Accountability Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require each registered drug producer to have in effect and implement a quality management plan to ensure the quality and safety of: (1) each drug; (2) each active and inactive ingredient of each drug; and (3) materials used in the manufacture of each active ingredient. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to order an establishment to promptly revise its quality management plan in response to a significant threat to public health. Requires each registered drug producer to report on each producer, manufacturer, distributor, and shipper involved in the production of a drug or the production or transport of the active ingredients of a drug. Requires the Secretary to develop and maintain information systems to track and assess every establishment that is involved in the manufacturing, preparation, propagation, compounding, or processing of a drug or active ingredient of a drug. Deems a drug to be adulterated if it was produced in an establishment that does not comply with the requirements of this Act. Gives the Secretary authority to: (1) order an immediate cessation of distribution, or a recall, of a drug; and (2) administer oaths and issue subpoenas. Revises provisions regarding civil penalties for FFDCA violations related to drugs for human use, including to consider each day a violation continues to be a separate violation. Authorizes the Secretary to share information subject to a trade secret exemption with: (1) other federal, state, or local agencies, foreign government agencies, and relevant international organizations; and (2) the public, as necessary to protect the public health. Sets forth whistleblower protection provisions.
Bill· SS. 3679 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Students Taking Action for Road Safety Act of 2010 or STARS Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a teen traffic safety grant program to award formula grants to states to implement statewide programs to improve the traffic safety of teen drivers. Authorizes a state to use grant funds to implement such statewide program to improve the traffic safety of teen drivers, including activities to support peer-to-peer education and prevention strategies in schools and communities to increase safety belt use and reduce speeding, impaired and distracted driving, underage drinking, and other destructive teen driver decisions that lead to injuries and fatalities. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with a national, nonprofit organization to establish a technical assistance center to provide training and technical assistance to state and local officials, student leaders, school advisors, and other entities associated with the grant program. Authorizes the center to operate a national teen traffic safety clearinghouse. Directs the Secretary to establish the National Teen Driver Advisory Council to study and develop an education and prevention strategy to reduce teen driver injuries and fatalities.
Bill· HRH.R. 6003 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
National Fab Lab Network Act of 2010 - Establishes the National Fab Lab Network (NFLN), as a non-profit entity, to facilitate the construction of a network of connected labs. Defines "Fab Lab" or "Fabrication Laboratory" to mean a facility containing a variety of manufacturing and other fabrication tools operable by digital input as well as the software and computers required to design and operate those tools. States that these labs serve a broad range of purposes, but each allow for how members of the local community, businesses, and academic or educational purposes can be pursued with the lab's resources. Authorizes and empowers the NFLN to receive real or personal property and to hold it absolutely or in trust, and to invest, reinvest, and manage it, and to apply such property and the income arising therefrom to the objects of its creation and according to the instructions of its donors. Sets forth the functions of the NFLN. Requires the NFLN to: (1) facilitate the construction of a new type of information and digital fabrication infrastructure; and (2) promote the goals of greater science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, workforce development in manufacturing and product design, increased innovation in the private sector, as well as scientific and academic discovery through the use of distributed digital fabrication tools. Permits acceptance by the NFLN of donations from private individuals, corporations, government agencies, or other organizations.
Bill· HRH.R. 6064 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Commuter Bill of Rights Act of 2010 - Establishes the Commuter Transit Rights Commission. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation in the form of a Commuter Bill of Rights which includes: (1) a list of situations in which a provider of public transportation will implement its contingency plan during an emergency; (2) recommendations for minimum standards that a plan must meet, including the provision of food, water, restrooms, ventilation, and medical services, as well as the distribution of certain critical information to commuters on a disabled or delayed train or other transit vehicle; and (3) recommendations for federal regulations on commuter safety during emergencies. Authorizes the Secretary to provide competitive grants to providers of public transportation to develop and implement contingency plans that fulfill the Bill of Rights. Requires the Secretary to review the Bill of Rights and issue regulations to require providers of public transportation to comply with the Bill's recommended standards. Requires the Secretary to use the Bill of Rights to develop related federal policies. Authorizes the Secretary to assess penalties or sanctions against providers of public transportation who fail to submit, obtain approval of, or adhere to its contingency plan. Requires the Secretary to establish a consumer hotline telephone number for public transportation complaints.
Bill· HRH.R. 6023 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Deauthorizes a portion of the project for navigation, Chicago Harbor, Illinois, authorized by the Acts of March 3, 1899, and March 2, 1919.
Bill· HRH.R. 6041 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Bringing Business Back Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income for a specified 10-year period, for income tax purposes, income or gain from real property that is certified as zoned for commercial use, that has been undeveloped and vacant for a 2-year period, and that is located in a qualified census tract. Defines "qualified census tract" as any census tract that has an average poverty and unemployment rate exceeding the national rate and that exhibits another condition of distress, such as high crime, deteriorating infrastructure, or population decline.
Bill· HRH.R. 6008 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Corporate Liability and Emergency Accident Notification Act or CLEAN Act - Requires an owner or operator of a pipeline facility to provide immediate telephonic notice to the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) and the National Response Center within one hour following the discovery of a release of a hazardous liquid or another substance or gas. Subjects to a civil penalty any person who has obstructed or prevented the Secretary from carrying out an inspection or investigation with respect to a gas or liquid pipeline accident. Increases the maximum civil penalty: (1) from $100,000 to $250,000 for each violation of a federal pipeline safety requirement or order (including one-call notification and related requirements); and (2) from $1 million to $2.5 million for a related series of violations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) maintain on the DOT website a database of all reportable releases involving gas or hazardous liquid pipelines; and (2) allow the public to search the database for incidents by pipeline facility owner or operator.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1601 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2010
Condemns the extremist violence, lack of religious freedom, and human rights violations committed against Kashmiri Pandits. Insists that terrorist infrastructure in the region must be dismantled and terrorists should be held accountable for their actions.
Bill· SS. 3670 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Safe Highway Markings Act of 2010 - Prescribes standards for glass beads used in pavement markings, limiting the arsenic or lead content to 200 parts per million. Requires states that receive certain federal-aid highway funds to ensure that each glass bead used in pavement markings on or along federal-aid highway roads or highways does not contain more than 200 parts per million arsenic or lead. Requires the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to withhold up to 5% of the apportionment of funds for any state that does not comply with such standards.
Bill· HRH.R. 5944 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Railroad Hours of Service Employees Technical Corrections Act - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 to consider that a railroad employee, subject to hours of service under federal law, meets the hours of service eligibility requirement under FMLA if: (1) the employee has worked for or been paid for at least 60% of the applicable total guarantee, or the equivalent, for the previous 12-month period, by the employer with respect to whom FMLA leave is requested; and (2) the employee has worked for or been paid by that employer for at least 504 hours (not counting personal commute time or time spent on vacation leave or medical or sick leave) during such period. Defines "applicable guarantee" for an employee, as established in the applicable collective bargaining agreement or, if none exists, in the employer's policies as: (1) the minimum number of hours for which an employer has agreed to schedule a nonreserve status employee for any given period; and (2) the number of hours for which an employer has agreed to pay a reserve status employee for any given period.
Bill· HRH.R. 5967 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Clean Ports Act of 2010 - Declares that federal preemption of state and local law relating to a price, route, or service of any motor carrier of property shall not apply to the authority of a state, local government, or the political authority of two or more states to adopt requirements for motor carriers providing services at port facilities that are reasonably related to the reduction of environmental pollution, traffic congestion, the improvement of highway safety, or the efficient utilization of such port facilities, provided such requirements are in accordance with federal law. Declares that nothing in this Act shall limit the authority reserved to any state or political subdivision of such state under the Clean Air Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 5951 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Corridor N Extension Act of 2010 - Designates as an addition to Corridor N of the Appalachian development highway system a 149-mile segment from Corridor M to Corridor T in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Bill· HRH.R. 5949 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Students Taking Action for Road Safety Act of 2010 or STARS Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a teen traffic safety grant program to make formula grants to states to implement statewide programs to improve the traffic safety of teen drivers. Authorizes a state to use grant funds to implement a statewide program to improve the traffic safety of teen drivers, including activities to support peer-to-peer education and prevention strategies in schools and communities to increase safety belt use and reduce speeding, impaired and distracted driving, underage drinking, and other destructive teen driver decisions that lead to injuries and fatalities. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with a national, nonprofit organization (center) to provide training and technical assistance to state and local officials, student leaders, school advisors, and other entities associated with the grant program. Authorizes the center to operate a national teen traffic safety clearinghouse. Directs the Secretary to establish the National Teen Driver Advisory Council to study and develop an education and prevention strategy to reduce teen driver injuries and fatalities.
Bill· HRH.R. 5930 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Consumer Protection in Airline Ticket Validity Act of 2010 - Makes it an unfair or deceptive practice for any air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent to: (1) sell an airline ticket that expires before the last day of the three-year period beginning upon the ticket's issuance; or (2) impose unreasonable restrictions, penalties, or fees on requests to reschedule an air passenger's itinerary that occur before the ticket expires.
Bill· HRH.R. 5935 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Building and Upgrading Infrastructure for Long-term Development Act of 2010 or BUILD Act of 2010 - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2010 to: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for state and tribal assistance grants; and (2) the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for highway infrastructure investment activities, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for transit capital assistance grants, and the Office of the Secretary of Transportation for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure. Subjects all funds made available under this Act to the Buy American Act. Rescinds a certain amount of unobligated discretionary appropriations made available by division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 as a required offset to appropriations made under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 5976 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2010
Focusing Resources, Economic Investment, and Guidance to Help Transportation Act of 2010 - Declares U.S. policy with respect to freight transportation. Establishes within the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) an Office of Freight Planning and Development. Directs the Secretary to develop a long-term National Freight Freight Transportation Strategic Plan to guide planning and investments in the national transportation system to move freight. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop new or improve existing tools to support an outcome-oriented, performance-based approach to evaluate proposed freight-related and other transportation projects; (2) facilitate the collection of transportation-related data to support a broad range of evaluation methods and techniques to assist in making transportation investment decisions; and (3) consider improvements to the Commodity Flow Survey that reduce identified freight data gaps and deficiencies and help evaluate forecasts of transportation demand. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a competitive grant program for capital investment projects that improve the efficiency of the national transportation system to move freight; and (2) give priority to projects with the highest system performance improvement relative to their benefit-cost analysis. Limits the federal share of project net capital costs at 80%. Requires a grant recipient to submit to the Secretary: (1) a project management plan and an annual financial plan for a project with a total cost of $500 million or more; and (2) an annual financial plan for a project with a total cost of $100 million or more. Repeals specified prohibitions against the transfer of amounts from the Highway Trust Fund to the Port Infrastructure Development Fund.
Bill· SS. 3663 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2010
Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act of 2010 - Big Oil Bailout Prevention Unlimited Liability Act of 2010 - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to: (1) remove limits on liability for offshore facilities; and (2) authorize the Coast Guard, in the case of a spill of national significance, to obtain advances from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Federal Research and Technologies for Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act of 2010 - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to: (1) revise the chairmanship of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research; (2) establish the Science and Technology Advisory Board; (3) modify the innovative oil pollution technology program; and (4) require the Secretary of the Interior to implement a program of research, development, and technology demonstration to address issues associated with the detection of, response to, and mitigation and cleanup of discharges of oil occurring on federal land managed by the Department of the Interior. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct deepwater, ultra deepwater, and other extreme environment oil discharge response demonstration projects; and (2) establish at institutions of higher education research centers of excellence for the research, development, and demonstration of technologies necessary to respond to, contain, mitigate, and clean up extreme-environment discharges of oil. Directs the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to establish at institutions of higher education research centers of excellence for research and innovation in the fate of, behavior and effects of, and damage assessment and restoration relating to discharges of oil. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a joint pilot program to conduct field tests of new oil discharge response, mitigation, and cleanup technologies in the waters of the United States. Outer Continental Shelf Reform Act of 2010 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to: (1) modify the national policy for the Outer Continental Shelf; (2) prescribe a program of structural reform for management of the Outer Continental Shelf, including leasing, permitting and regulation bureaus; and (3) increase civil penalties for violations. Authorizes the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), upon request of the Secretary, to conduct an independent investigation of any accident occurring in the outer Continental Shelf and involving activities under this Act. Establishes the Ocean Energy Enforcement Fund. Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to publish monthly and report to Congress an evaluation of the effect of the moratoria resulting from the blowout and explosion of the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon that occurred on April 20, 2010, and the effect of resulting hydrocarbon releases upon the environment, employment, and small businesses. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to implement a deepwater (in lieu of ultra-deepwater) technologies research and development program and establish a Program Advisory Committee. Establishes the National Commission on Outer Continental Shelf Oil Spill Prevention. Environmental Crimes Enforcement Act of 2010 - Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend Federal Sentencing Guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of offenses under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act), in order to reflect the intent of Congress on increased penalties for specified offenses. Fairness in Admiralty and Maritime Law Act - Amends the Shipowners' Liability Act of 1851 to repeal the limitation on liability regarding: (1) a claim for wages; or (2) a claim resulting from a discharge of oil from a vessel or offshore facility pursuant to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Securing Health for Ocean Resources and Environment Act, or SHORE Act - Directs the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to conduct a comprehensive review of: (1) the current capacity of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to respond to oil spills; and (2) the current ability of NOAA to observe, monitor, map, and track subsea hydrocarbons. Instructs the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to establish: (1) a hydrocarbon monitoring and assessment program; (2) a national information center on oil spills; and (3) an initiative on oil spills from aging and abandoned oil infrastructure. Directs such Under Secretary to develop an inventory of offshore abandoned or sunken vessels in the exclusive economic zone and identify priorities for potential preemptive removal of oil or other actions that may be effective to mitigate the risk of oil spills from offshore abandoned or sunken vessels. Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to make the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund available for preparedness, response, damage assessment, and restoration. Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to eligible coastal states to revise certain management programs to identify and implement new enforceable policies and procedures to ensure sufficient response capabilities to address the impacts of oil spills or other accidents resulting from Outer Continental Shelf energy activities. Requires the Secretaries of Commerce and of the Interior (Secretaries) and the EPA Administrator to implement a long-term marine environmental monitoring and research program for the marine and coastal environment of the Gulf of Mexico. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to direct research and take action to improve the ability of the United States to conduct oil spill prevention, response, and recovery in Arctic waters. Instructs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to assess and take action to reduce the risk and improve the capability of the United States to respond to a maritime disaster in the United States Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require that an area contingency plan for the national response system develop a framework for advance planning and decision making regarding the closing and reopening of fishing grounds following an oil spill. Directs the Secretaries and the EPA Admninistrator to establish a program for the formal evaluation and validation of oil pollution containment, removal methods, and technologies. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to increase the frequency and comprehensiveness of safety inspections of all U.S.- and foreign-flag tank vessels that enter a U.S. port or place. Directs the President to establish a Gulf of Mexico Regional Citizens' Advisory Council. Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to revise the limits on vessel liability. Amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to set forth an initiative for catastrophic incident planning. Grants subpoena and enforcement powers to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2010 - Amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Commerce to provide assistance to any state, local, or territorial government agency with jurisdiction over coral reef ecosystems to address unforeseen or disaster-related circumstances pertaining to such ecosystems; and (2) direct that Secretary to establish in the Damage Assessment Restoration Revolving Fund the Emergency Response, Stabilization, and Restoration Account. Subjects to liability to the United States persons who either engage in certain prohibited activities or create an imminent risk doing so. Establishes within DOE a Natural Gas Vehicle and Infrastructure Development Program. Directs the Secretary of Energy to promulgate an interim final rule establishing: (1) an infrastructure deployment program and a manufacturing development program; and (2) a program of direct loans to qualified manufacturers for the cost of reequipping, expanding, or establishing a domestic facility used to produce any new qualified alternative fuel motor vehicle or any eligible component. Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2010 - Establishes within DOE a national plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment program. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) develop and provide guidance for model building and construction codes that include consideration of smart grid integration; and (2) award grants to training and education institutions to provide training and education for vocational workforce development to ensure skills needed to work on and maintain plug-in electric drive vehicles and the infrastructure required to support them. Sets forth a pilot program to deploy plug-in electric drive vehicles in the federal fleet. Establishes a targeted plug-in electric drive vehicle deployment communities program. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a program to fund research and development in advanced batteries, plug-in electric drive vehicle components, plug-in electric drive infrastructure, and other related technologies; (2) implement a materials recycling study; and (3) establish the Advanced Batteries for Tomorrow Prize for a 500-mile vehicle battery. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study: (1) the raw materials needed for the manufacture of components for plug-in electric drive vehicles; and (2) the infrastructure needed to support plug-in electric drive vehicles. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 require electric utilities to develop a plan to support the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require the Secretary of Energy to guarantee loans to eligible entities for the aggregate purchase of not fewer than 200 qualified automotive batteries in a calendar year that have a total minimum power rating of 1 megawatt and use advanced battery technology. Establishes the Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Technical Advisory Committee. Directs the President to establish the Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Interagency Task Force, chaired by the Secretary of Energy. Home Star Retrofit Act of 2010 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) the Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program; and (2) a Federal Rebate Processing System Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Home Star Efficiency Loan Program. Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act of 2010 - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to authorize funding through FY2021 and subsequent fiscal years. National Wildlife Refuge System Resource Protection Act of 2010 - Makes any person that destroys, damages, causes the loss of, or injures any refuge system resource liable to the United States for response costs and damages resulting from the destruction, loss, or injury. Establishes the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. Amends the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 to authorize a state that permits oil and natural gas drilling to require any person using hydraulic fracturing for an oil or natural gas well to disclose the chemicals used in each hydraulic fracturing process. Instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a program of watershed restoration and job stabilization. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend to December 31, 2020, the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate; (2) increase the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate to 45 cents a barrel; and (3) increase the per incident limitation on expenditures.
Bill· HRH.R. 5897 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2010
Economic Revitalization and Innovation Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to extend funding for economic development assistance programs under such Act for FY2011-FY2015 and to revise grant program requirements and criteria to encourage regional development strategies, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. Extends technical assistance eligibility under such Act to economic development districts and university centers. Authorizes and encourages the Secretary of Commerce to consult and cooperate with federal, state, and local entities in supporting economic and workforce development and in promoting regional innovation clusters. Requires the Secretary to coordinate activities with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and other relevant entities to leverage and maximize the economic development potential of federal investments in high-speed rail projects and ensure that the activities of a university center include conducting research and providing technical assistance for such projects. Extends eligibility for grants for public works and economic development and for economic adjustment to business incubator facilities and science and research parks, as defined by this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) award grants and loan guarantees for the development of a feasibility study or development plan, or both, for a science and research park development project; and (2) provide technical and other assistance (in lieu of the Brightfields demonstration program) to promote energy efficiency to enhance the economic competitiveness of an area, increase the use of renewable energy technologies, support energy efficiency or alternative energy development plans, studies, or analysis, and support community efforts to relocate a technology or manufacturing business to the United States. Expands eligibility criteria for public works and economic development assistance or economic adjustment in a distressed area to include the loss of a substantial employer, substantial outmigration or population loss, substantial foreclosure rates and underemployment, military base realignments, natural disasters, and substantial negative effects resulting from changing trade patterns. Requires public works and economic development grant recipients to establish job creation goals and authorizes the Secretary to impose a penalty on grantees who fail to satisfy such goals.
Bill· HRH.R. 5892 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2010
Water Resources Development Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out, and directs the Secretary to conduct feasibility studies of, specified water resources development and conservation projects. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out: (1) the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration Project in Maryland; (2) the project for hurricane and storm damage reduction, Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program, in Mississippi; and (3) the project for hurricane and storm damage reduction, West Onslow Beach and New River Inlet, North Carolina. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies of, and if determined feasible, authorizes the Secretary to carry out: (1) flood damage reduction projects, in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin; (2) emergency streambank protection projects in Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island; (3) navigation projects in Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Wisconsin; (4) projects for improvement of the quality of the environment in California; (5) projects for aquatic ecosystem and estuary restoration in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Virginia; (6) shoreline protection projects in Florida, New Jersey, and New York; and (7) a project for aquatic nuisance plant control in Colorado. Modifies authorizations for the total and federal cost of, and revises federal funding limits for, various water resources projects, including navigation, flood control, flood damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, water conservation, environmental restoration, recreation, environmental quality improvement, and emergency streambank protection projects in Alaska, Arizona, California, the District of Columbia (DC), Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. Reauthorizes the Vincennes, Indiana, portion of the Wabash River basin flood control project in Illinois and Indiana (formerly deauthorized). Deauthorizes various water resources projects, including navigation, flood protection, and flood control projects in Arkansas, California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Directs the Secretary to conduct feasibility studies with respect to specified water resources projects, including projects for channel restoration and improvements, dredged material disposal or use, enhanced public access, environmental protection, environmental restoration, flood control and improvement, flood damage reduction, hydropower, inventorying of bulkheads and seawalls or federally constructed navigation jetties and breakwaters, navigational improvements, recreation, sediment transport parameter determination, sedimentation control, shoreline protection, streambank stabilization, storm damage reduction, stormwater management, water quality, water resource needs determination, water storage, watershed study, water supply, wetland restoration, and other water resource-related purposes in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, the Chesapeake Bay, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop at federal expense and submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to prioritize projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed; and (2) plan, design, and construct projects for aquatic ecosystem restoration within the coastal waters of the Northeastern United States from Virginia to Maine. Expresses the sense of Congress that Brigadier General Michael J. Walsh should be congratulated for his promotion to the rank of Major General.
Law· HRH.R. 5900 (111th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2010
Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through September 30, 2010: (1) excise taxes on aviation fuels and air transportation of persons and property; and (2) the expenditure authority for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Extends through September 30, 2010, project grant authority for the airport improvement program (AIP). Extends through September 30, 2010, various airport development projects, including: (1) the pilot program for passenger facility fees at nonhub airports; (2) small airport grants for airports located in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau; (3) the temporary increase to 95% in the government share of certain AIP project costs; and (4) the funding of Midway Island airport development. Extends through September 30, 2010: (1) state and local land use compatibility projects under the AIP program; (2) certain competitive access assurance requirements for large or medium hub airport sponsors applying for AIP grants; (3) the authority of the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority to apply for an airport development grant and impose a passenger facility fee; and (4) Department of Transportation (DOT) insurance coverage for domestic and foreign-flag air carriers, allowing further extension through December 31, 2010. Extends through December 31, 2010, air carrier liability limits for injuries to passengers resulting from acts of terrorism. Extends through FY2010 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations; (2) air navigation facilities and equipment; and (3) research, engineering, and development. Directs the FAA Administrator to establish an electronic pilot records database of pertinent information in FAA, air carrier, and other records that an air carrier shall access and evaluate before allowing an individual to begin service as a pilot. Requires the FAA Administrator to establish the FAA Task Force on Air Carrier Safety and Pilot Training to evaluate best practices in the air carrier industry and make recommendations on specified matters. Requires the DOT Inspector General to review and report to the FAA Administrator on FAA aviation safety inspectors and operational research analysts. Directs the FAA Administrator to study and report to Congress on aviation industry best practices with regard to flight crewmember pairing, crew resource management techniques, and pilot commuting. Treats as an unfair or deceptive trade practice for any ticket agent, air carrier, foreign air carrier, or other person to sell tickets for a flight on an air carrier without disclosing, before the purchase of the ticket, the name of the air carrier providing each flight segment. Requires the FAA Administrator to issue regulations to limit the number of flight and duty time hours allowed for pilots to address pilot fatigue problems. Requires air carriers to submit for FAA approval fatigue risk management plans. Requires the FAA Administrator to report to Congress on certain voluntary safety programs. Directs the FAA Administrator to develop a plan to facilitate the establishment of an aviation safety action program (ASAP) and a flight operational quality assurance (FOQA) program by all air carriers. Directs the FAA Administrator to conduct a rulemaking proceeding to require air carriers to: (1) implement a safety management system; and (2) develop methods for ensuring that flight crewmembers have proper qualifications and experience. Directs the FAA Administrator to conduct a rulemaking proceeding to modify minimum federal requirements for the issuance of airline transport pilot certificates. Requires a pilot to have at least 1,500 flight hours to qualify for a certificate.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1568 (111th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2010
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5893) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create jobs through increased investment in infrastructure, to eliminate loopholes which encourage companies to move operations offshore.
Bill· SS. 3659 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2010
SAFE Port Reauthorization Act - Authorizes appropriations for port security grants. Amends the SAFE Port Act to authorize appropriations for: (1) the automated targeting system for identifying and inspecting high-risk oceanborne container cargo; (2) the Container Security Initiative; and (3) the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). Permits: (1) unannounced inspections of a C-TPAT participant's security measures; and (2) provision of voluntary supply chain security training. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a program to promote sharing of private sector security-related information. Requires the Secretary, prior to entering into an agreement between the United States and a foreign government providing for mutual recognition of supply chain security programs, to: (1) notify Congress of such agreement's terms; and (2) determine that the foreign government's program provides a C-TPAT level of security. Sets forth exemptions to the requirement that a container loaded on a vessel in a foreign port not be allowed into the United States unless it was scanned by nonintrusive imaging and radiation detection equipment prior to loading. Directs the Secretary to establish the America's Waterway Watch Program to promote voluntary public and industry recognition and reporting of suspected terrorist activity or suspicious behavior against a vessel, facility, port, or waterway. Directs the Secretary to provide for maritime and cargo security research and development, as well as a maritime and cargo security demonstration project. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to provide a foreign government with port security and safety assistance.
Bill· HRH.R. 5875 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2010
Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 - Appropriates additional FY2010 amounts to remain available until September 30, 2012, to: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection for salaries and expenses related to staffing on the Southwest Border of the United States, acquisition and deployment of unmanned aircraft systems, construction of up to three Border Patrol forward operating bases along the Southwest Border, and border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology along the Southwest Border; (2) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for salaries and expenses for law enforcement activities along the Southwest Border; and (3) Department of Justice (DOJ) law enforcement activities related to the Southwest Border. Appropriates additional FY2010 amounts to remain available until September 30, 2011, for: (1) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Operation Stonegarden (enhancement of law enforcement operational readiness along the U.S. borders); and (2) Federal Law Enforcement Training Center training for new U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents. Rescinds from unobligated balances certain funds for: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection, border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology; (2) Transportation Security Administration (TSA), aviation security; (3) FEMA, administrative and regional operations; and (4) Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, periodic censuses and programs. Directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to pay in FY2010-FY2011 the full costs associated with deployment of the National Guard along the Southwest Border.
Bill· HRH.R. 5871 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2010
Supporting Entrepreneurial Economic Development Act or SEED Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to allow a recipient of an economic adjustment grant to directly expend or redistribute grant funds to public and private organizations in the form of non-debt financing of for-profit companies in business incubators. Defines: (1) "business incubator" to mean an organization or entity, including an academic institution, established to foster the startup of businesses or accelerate the growth of fledgling companies by providing entrepreneurs with resources and services to produce viable businesses that can help create jobs and restore vitality to distressed areas; and (2) "non-debt financing" to mean funding used to help business incubators develop an idea and create the first product to be brought to market for the first time.
Bill· HRH.R. 5867 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2010
Military Personnel Readiness Act of 2010 - Authorizes a state agency with jurisdiction over the operation of a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) facility to: (1) permit vehicles operated by active duty members of the Armed Forces, law enforcement officers, or emergency response personnel to use HOV lane highways; and (2) take necessary action to implement these exceptions, including establishing eligibility requirements for such operators and providing for the badging of vehicles. Directs the Comptroller General to study, and report to Congress on, the effects of traffic congestion on military readiness in metropolitan areas with high concentrations of military personnel.
Bill· HRH.R. 5861 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2010
Cancer Centers Assistance for Renovations and Expansion Act of 2010 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a program that provides loans to qualifying cancer centers for payment of the capital costs of projects for the improvement of research, prevention, or patient care infrastructure. Sets the maximum amount of such loans at: (1) $50 million for any cancer center or comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute; and (2) $100 million for any entity that is a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a cancer hospital meeting certain requirements for a subsection (d) hospital. (Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS] when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)