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151 records in US in 2006
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2006
10 by 10 Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to make it unlawful after December 31, 2009, for any person to sell, supply, offer for sale or supply, dispense, transport, or introduce into commerce, for use in any motor vehicle, any gasoline with less than 10% renewable fuel by volume.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2006
Instructs the Secretary of Energy to implement a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application regarding: (1) materials to be added to alternative biobased fuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuels to make them more compatible with existing infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels to the point of final sale; and (2) portable, low-cost, and accurate methods and technologies for testing of sulfur content in fuel, including Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Low Sulfur Diesel. Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a physical properties data base and standard reference materials for alternative fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2006
Project SeaHawk Implementation Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commandant of the Coast Guard, to establish or designate an interagency operational center for maritime and port security in each region designated by the Commandant as a Coast Guard sector. Declares that the purpose of each center is to facilitate day-to-day operational coordination, interagency cooperation, unity of command, and the sharing of intelligence information in a common mission to provide greater protection for port and intermodal transportation systems against acts of terrorism. Sets forth certain center requirements, including that each center be modeled on the Charleston Harbor Operations Center (popularly known as Project SeaHawk) administered by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina for the Port of Charleston located in Charleston, South Carolina. Requires the head of each center to: (1) assist in the implementation of maritime transportation security plans and transportation security incident response plans; (2) conduct short- and long-range vessel tracking and other maritime intelligence activities; and (3) be incorporated into the screening and high-risk cargo inspection programs carried out by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2006
Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act - Amends federal transportation law to revise corporate average fuel economy standards (CAFE Standards) for automobiles to exclude light trucks (currently, only passenger automobiles are excluded) from such standards. Prescribes graduated increased average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and light trucks beginning in model year 2009 in order to achieve a combined average fuel economy standard of at least 35 miles per gallon (or such other number of miles per gallon as the Secretary may prescribe) beginning in model year 2017. Prohibits such regulations from making any distinction between passenger automobiles and light trucks by not later than model year 2011 (effectively eliminating the SUV loophole). Sets forth minimum CAFE standards for domestic and foreign passenger automobiles manufactured in a model year prior to enactment of this Act. Prescribes maximum CAFE standards for: (1) work trucks manufactured beginning in model year 2011; and (2) light trucks manufactured beginning in model year 2009. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue a motor vehicle safety standard to reduce vehicle incompatibility and agressivity between passenger vehicles and non-passenger vehicles. Revises federal test procedures used to determine fuel economy values for labeling purposes to require such process to take into consideration certain current factors like speed limits, acceleration rates, and driving patterns for passenger automobiles by model year 2015. Requires passenger automobiles and light trucks be equipped with fuel economy indicators and devices beginning with model year 2013. Establishes a CAFE credit trading program to allow manufacturers whose automobiles exceed CAFE standards to earn credits to be sold to manufacturers whose automobiles fail to achieve such standards. Revises fuel economy labeling requirements to require labels attached to passenger automobiles and light trucks to also include greenhouse gas and other emissions consequences information.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2006
Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise the prohibition on importing convict-made goods into the United States to make it unlawful to: (1) import into, or export from, the United States any sweatshop good; or (2) introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell, or transport or distribute in U.S.commerce, any sweatshop good. Grants the President, for reasons of national interest, authority to recommend waiver of the applications set forth in this Act in connection with the goods of any country with respect to one or more of the principles and rights defined in this Act as a core labor standard. Sets forth procedures for consideration of such a waiver. Makes it unlawful for persons to introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell or transport or distribute in commerce any sweatshop good. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce this prohibition as if it were an unfair or deceptive act or practice proscribed under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Allows specified persons with standing to bring a civil action in U.S. district courts against sellers of goods, wares, articles, or merchandise on grounds of a violation of such prohibition. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and federal law regarding the Armed Forces to prohibit executive agencies from entering into procurement contracts for sweatshop goods.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2006
Screening Applied Fairly and Equitably to Truckers Act of 2006 or the SAFE Truckers Act of 2006 - Amends the Homeland Security Act 2002 to prohibit an individual from operating a motor vehicle in commerce while transporting a security sensitive material, unless the operator of the motor vehicle holds a security sensitive material permit issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Prohibits a person from offering a security sensitive material for transportation by motor vehicle or causing the transportation of such material by motor vehicle, unless the operator of the motor vehicle holds a security sensitive material permit issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Requires the Secretary to conduct a fingerprint-based background records check before issuing a security sensitive material permit to an individual. Allows the Secretary to issue a security sensitive material permit to an individual as an integrated component of a transportation security card. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for persons who violate the requirements of this Act. Prohibits a motor vehicle registered in Mexico or Canada from transporting security sensitive material in U.S. commerce until the operator of the motor vehicle has undergone a similar background records check. Establishes task forces on: (1) highway security; (2) disqualifying crimes; and (3) redundant background checks.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2006
Amends federal naval law to grant the U.S. Coast Guard primary responsibility in the federal government for the naval defense of nuclear power facilities located on U.S. navigable waters, including to provide vessels capable of intercepting and destroying waterborne threats to such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2006
National Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2006 - Establishes the National Commission on the Infrastructure of the United States to ensure that U.S. infrastructure meets current and future demand and facilitates economic growth. Requires the Commission to study the state of U.S. infrastructure, including such matters as: (1) the capacity of infrastructure improvements to sustain economic development and competitiveness; (2) the age and condition of public infrastructure; (3) the methods used to finance the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, and maintenance of public works improvements; (4) investment requirements needed to maintain and to improve facilities and the projected share of investment requirements and expenditures on infrastructure facility improvements by federal, state, and local governments; and (5) estimates of the return to the economy from public works investment. Establishes an advisory group to provide assistance and advice on request of the Commission. Directs the Commission to develop recommendations regarding: (1) a federal infrastructure plan that will detail national infrastructure program priorities; (2) public works improvements and methods of delivering and providing for public work facilities; (3) analysis or criteria and procedures that may be used by federal agencies and state and local governments in inventorying existing and needed public works improvements, assessing the condition of improvements, and developing uniform criteria and procedures; and (4) proposed guidelines for the uniform reporting by federal agencies of data regarding infrastructure improvements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2006
Requires automobile dealers to disclose to each consumer at the time of purchase of a new automobile, and to include in the automobile's owner's manual, information on: (1) the presence and location of an event data recorder (EDR) in such automobile; and (2) the type of information recorded by the EDR, how such information is recorded, and the possible use of such information in law enforcement proceedings. Requires the EDR and any data recorded to be considered the property of the vehicle owner. Prohibits the retrieval of EDR data by anyone other than the vehicle owner, except : (1) with the owner's consent; (2) in response to a court order; (3) by a vehicle dealer or an automotive technician for servicing the vehicle; or (4) for improving vehicle safety, provided the identity of the registered owner or driver is not disclosed. Prohibits persons from manufacturing automobiles for sale in the United States after 2008 (bearing a model year of 2009 or later) that are equipped with EDRs, unless those EDRs can be disabled by the consumer. Treats a violation of EDR requirements of this Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Rural Hospital and Provider Equity (HoPE) Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment for rural hospitals; (2) extension of the temporary increase in payments to certain rural hospitals (Medicare hold harmless provision) under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services; (3) the definition of low-volume hospital for purposes of the Medicare inpatient hospital payment adjustment; (4) critical access hospitals; (5) extension of the Medicare incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas; (6) extension of the 1.00 floor on Medicare work geographic adjustment to payments for physician services; (7) Medicare home health care planning; (8) rural health clinics; (9) use of medical conditions for coding ambulance services; (10) extension of increased Medicare payments for ground ambulance services in rural areas; and (11) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 with respect to the extension of: (1) Medicare wage index reclassifications for certain hospitals; and (2) Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to hospital patients in certain rural areas. Amends the Public Health Service Act with respect to: (1) a capital infrastructure revolving loan program; and (2) community health center collaborative access. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct pilot projects to provide incentives to home health agencies to utilize remote home monitoring and communications technologies; and (2) facilitate the provision of telehealth services across state lines.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
New National Defense Education Act of 2006 - Amends the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act to require a biennial national assessment of student achievement and grade 12 student preparedness in reading, mathematics, and science. Requires that national academic content and student achievement standards be competitive with rigorous international standards and set at a level that prepares students for non-remedial higher education, participation in the 21st century workforce, and the Armed Forces. Authorizes prekindergarten through grade 16 student preparedness council grants to states to ensure that a state's academic content and student academic achievement standards and assessments meet the national benchmarks. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the student loan forgiveness available to elementary and secondary school teachers of science, engineering and technology education, critical-need foreign languages, or special education. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income compensation provided to teachers of such subjects in high-need schools and principals of such schools. Increases funding for National Science Foundation (NSF) education and human resources programs, and mathematics and science education partnerships. Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to provide for summer professional development institutes for elementary and secondary school teachers. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1963 to require competitive grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to improve the recruitment of teachers from students majoring in mathematics, science, engineering, technology, a critical-need foreign language, special education, or teaching English to students with limited English proficiency. Requires an eligible state to provide contract for educational opportunity (CEO) grants to low-income students who complete CEO requirements and enroll in a two-or four-year degree-granting institution of higher education. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to: (1) improve mathematics, science, and engineering and technology education infrastructure in public elementary schools and secondary schools; and (2) provide scholarships to make higher education tuition free for low-income and middle-income undergraduate and graduate students to earn degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and critical-need foreign languages. Directs the Secretary to award grants to: (1) IHEs to develop summer institute programs to improve teachers' knowledge of foreign cultures and expose public elementary and secondary school, undergraduate, and graduate students to foreign languages and cultures; and (2) eligible partnerships to provide literacy, technology, and technical skills training for workers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2006
Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise the prohibition on importing convict-made goods into the United States to make it unlawful to: (1) import into, or export from, the United States any sweatshop good; or (2) introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell, or transport or distribute in U.S.commerce, any sweatshop good. Grants the President, for reasons of national interest, authority to recommend waiver of the applications set forth in this Act in connection with the goods of any country with respect to one or more of the principles and rights defined in this Act as a core labor standard. Sets forth procedures for consideration of such a waiver. Makes it unlawful for persons to introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell or transport or distribute in commerce any sweatshop good. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce this prohibition as if it were an unfair or deceptive act or practice proscribed under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Allows specified persons with standing to bring a civil action in U.S. district courts against sellers of goods, wares, articles, or merchandise on grounds of a violation of such prohibition. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and federal law regarding the Armed Forces to prohibit executive agencies from entering into procurement contracts for sweatshop goods.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2006
Professional Driver Background Check Efficiency Act of 2006 - Amends federal transportation law to revise background records check requirements with respect to the issuance of a motor vehicle license for the transportation of hazardous materials to: (1) impose a fee of not more than $50 upon the applicant to cover the costs of the background check; and (2) authorize the costs for such background checks be reimbursed to the state. Prohibits an applicant from being subjected to an additional background records check or having to pay a fee in connection with applying for a transportation security card.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2006
Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act - Prohibits the federal government from purchasing any product derived from a covered animal used or intended for use as food or fiber or to produce food or fiber unless the animal is raised with: (1) adequate shelter which allows the animal to stand, lie down, walk, and turn around completely and fully extend all limbs or wings without touching any part of an enclosure; (2) daily access to adequate food and water; and (3) adequate veterinary care. States that this Act shall not apply to a covered animal: (1) during lawful transport; (2) in lawful rodeo exhibitions, state or county fair exhibitions, or other similar exhibitions; (3) in lawful scientific or agricultural research; or (4) undergoing veterinary care. Defines "covered animal" as any non-aquatic farm animal, including a pig, head of cattle, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, goat, horse, mule, sheep, rabbit, ostrich, emu, or rhea.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2006
Warning, Alert, and Response Network Act - Establishes: (1) a voluntary National Alert System to provide a public communications system capable of alerting the public to emergency situations on a national, regional, or local basis; and (2) the National Alert Office within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to administer, operate, and manage the System. Sets forth System functions and capabilities, including: (1) enabling federal, state, tribal, or local government officials with credentials issued by the Office to alert the public to imminent threats that present a significant risk of injury or death; and (2) incorporating multiple communications technologies without interfering with existing alerts or communications systems employed by emergency response personnel. Requires the Office to establish a process for issuing credentials to enable officials responsible for issuing safety warnings to access the System. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate proceedings to: (1) allow licensees providing commercial mobile service to elect to transmit System alerts to subscribers; and (2) require public broadcast television licensees to install necessary equipment to enable transmitters to receive and retransmit System alerts. Requires the Director of the Office to: (1) establish a National Alert System Working Group to develop recommendations for protocols, procedures, guidelines, and standards and to work with the operators of nuclear power plants and other critical infrastructure facilities to integrate emergency alert systems; and (2) establish an extramural research and development program to support the development of technology that will enable all existing and future providers of communications services and devices to be utilized effectively with the System.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Instructs the Secretary of Energy to report to Congress on the Secretary's review of the fuel supply plan components of state evacuation plans and the National Capitol region. Prescribes report contents. Authorizes the Secretary, during any federally declared emergency or disaster, to provide direct assistance to private sector entities that operate critical energy infrastructure, including refineries. Allows such assistance to include emergency preparation and recovery assistance, particularly power generation equipment, other protective or emergency recovery equipment, assistance to restore access to water, power, or other raw materials, and transportation and housing for critical employees. Establishes in the Treasury the Critical Energy Assurance Account.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Commends: (1) the counterterrorism cooperation of Italy, Sweden, and Bosnia-Herzegovina; and (2) the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for increasing U.S. and European security through counterterrorism operations and for decreasing the likelihood of terrorist attacks. Condemns the European Parliament for criticizing CIA and allied counterterrorism efforts. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Temporary Committee of the European Parliament's declarations on the alleged CIA use of European countries for transport and illegal detention of prisoners decrease the security of European and American citizens and increase the likelihood of terrorist acts.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2006
Ensuring Implementation of the 9/11 Commission Report Act - Homeland Emergency Response Operations Act or the HERO Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete assignment of the electromagnetic spectrum for public safety services to permit operation by January 1, 2007. Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2005 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant program to assist state and local governments in achieving essential capabilities for terrorism preparedness. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish an Office of the Comptroller within the Office for Domestic Preparedness, a First Responder Grants Board, and a Task Force on Terrorism Preparedness for First Responders; and (2) promulgate national voluntary standards for first responder equipment. Requires reports by: (1) DHS on a unified incident command system, a national critical infrastructure risk and vulnerabilities assessment, the comprehensive screening system, a biometric entry and exit data system, international collaboration on border and document security, and standardization of secure identification; (2) the Comptroller General on private sector preparedness, federal first responder training programs, and terrorist watch list consolidation; (3) the Secretary of Transportation on a national strategy for transportation security and on airline passenger screening; (4) the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center on collection and analysis of intelligence on terrorist travel; and (5) the Commissioner of Social Security on social security card security enhancements. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require fingerprints in passports. Requires specified reports on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and the policy goals of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Requires certification by the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense as to whether the federal government has implemented the policy goals and the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States regarding homeland and airspace defense. Requires semiannual reports by the Secretary of Defense describing the plans and strategies of the U.S. Northern Command. 9/11 Commission Civil Liberties Board Act - Revises provisions concerning the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Provides for the designation of privacy and civil liberties officers. Revises provisions concerning the House and Senate intelligence committees. Requires public disclosure by the President of certain intelligence funding. Expresses the sense of Congress respecting: (1) Afghanistan; (2) Pakistan; (3) Saudi Arabia; (4) coalition strategy against Islamic terrorism; (5) the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI); (6) the Proliferation Security Initiative; and (7) nuclear weapons and materials security standards. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) terrorist sanctuary elimination; (2) standards for detention and humane treatment of captured terrorists; (3) economic policies to combat terrorism; (4) terrorist financing; and (5) public diplomacy, scholarship, exchange, and library programs in the Islamic world, and international broadcasting; Omnibus Nonproliferation and Anti-Nuclear Terrorism Act of 2006 - Establishes the Office of Nonproliferation Programs in the Executive Office of the President. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) removal of certain restrictions on cooperative threat reduction and energy nonproliferation programs, and modification of such programs' fund use outside the former Soviet Union; (2) the Global Threat Reduction Initiative; (3) Russia's nuclear weapons; (4) research and development of alternative use of weapons of mass destruction expertise; and (5) strengthening the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2006
Establishes in the Treasury a Fuel Economy Fund to be used by the Secretary of Energy to carry out a grant program for the construction or expansion of infrastructure necessary to increase the availability to consumers of alternative fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2006
Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Promotion Act of 2006 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to add among the projects eligible for Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantees large-scale coal-to-liquid facilities that use domestic coal resources to produce at least 10,000 barrels a day of liquid transportation fuel. Sets forth: (1) loan guarantee limitations; and (2) a loan guarantee program for coal-to-liquid facilities. Directs the Secretary of Energy to promulgate regulations to support the development of coal-to-liquid manufacturing facilities and associated infrastructure on DOE and other federal lands, military bases, and military installations closed or realigned under the defense base closure and realignment. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide an investment tax credit for coal-to-liquid fuels projects; (2) permit taxpayer election to treat the cost of any qualified coal-to-liquid fuels process property as a deductible expense; and (3) extend the alternative fuel credit for fuel derived from coal through the Fischer-Tropsch process. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to instruct the Secretaries of Energy and of Defense to study and report to certain congressional committees on the feasibility and suitability of maintaining coal-to-liquid products in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Authorizes the Secretary Energy to construct storage facilities: (1) in the vicinity of pipeline infrastructure and at least one military base; but (2) outside the boundaries of any state on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Authorizes appropriations for the Air Force Research Laboratory to continue support efforts to test, qualify, and procure synthetic fuels developed from coal for aviation jet use. Amends federal law governing Armed Forces fuel procurement to authorize the Secretary of Defense to enter into agreements to develop and operate coal-to-liquid facilities on or near military installations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Railroad Retirement Disability Earnings Act - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to increase the amount of employment income that an individual may earn while continuing to receive an annuity due to a disabling permanent physical or mental condition.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should seek to achieve complete energy independence by 2015 by taking specified measures, including: (1) investing in the production infrastructure necessary to increase the use of renewable and alternative fuels; (2) increasing the number of domestic refineries; (3) revising and streamlining the permitting process for constructing and operating energy production facilities; (4) promoting small businesses and entrepreneurs to further develop the use of renewable and alternative energy; and (5) encouraging gasoline servicing stations to become capable of supplying new sources of energy for automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Future Investment to Lessen Long-term Use of Petroleum Act, or the FILL UP Act - Sets forth investment requirements for a company that: (1) produces, refines, distributes, or sells petroleum products in the United States; and (2) reported at least $1 billion in net income, for all domestic and international operations, to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first quarter of 2006. Requires each such company to expend not less than 1% of its total reported profits for the first quarter of 2006 to install infrastructure to dispense E-85 fuel or other alternative fuels at domestic gasoline service stations. Sets a three-year deadline to complete installation of such infrastructure. Directs the Secretary of Energy to ensure compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Meeting Authorization Requirements for the Coast Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out specified projects for hurricane and storm damage reduction and flood control in Louisiana. Amends the Flood Control Act of 1948 to increase the amount that the Secretary may allot for flood control for a small flood control project at any single locality. Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to: (1) authorize the Secretary to carry out specified projects to transport and place, and to develop plans for regional management of, sediment obtained in conjunction with water management projects associated with flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, aquatic plant control, and environmental protection and restoration; and (2) permit to be carried out at federal expense specified projects to protect, restore, or create aquatic and ecologically-related habitat located in a disadvantaged community or projects located in coastal communities impacted by 2005 hurricanes. Modifies specified projects and requires or authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified studies, programs, and projects in Louisiana and Mississippi. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress: (1) reports recommending specified modifications to the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, near-term ecosystem restoration measures for the Chenier Plain, Louisiana, and a framework for developing a long-term program to protect, conserve, and restore specified wetlands, estuaries, and barrier islands; and (2) a feasibility study recommending a comprehensive long-term plan for the coastal Louisiana ecosystem. Establishes the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force to make recommendations to the Secretary to protect, conserve, and restore the coastal Louisiana ecosystem. Sets forth requirements regarding project costs, monitoring, audits, and justification.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Railroad Competition Act of 2006 - Amends federal transportation law to specify the primary objectives of U.S. rail transportation policy. Requires a rail carrier, upon shipper request, to establish a rate for transportation and provide requested service between any two points on the carrier's system where traffic originates, terminates, or may reasonably be interchanged. Specifies matters the carrier must disregard when establishing such rate. Prohibits the Surface Transportation Board (STB) from issuing a certificate authorizing construction and operation of railroad lines, or exempt from such certificate requirement any related activity, that involves a transfer of interest in a line of railroad, from a Class I rail carrier to a Class II or III rail carrier, if the activity would result in a restriction of: (1) the ability of the Class II or Class III rail carrier to interchange traffic with other carriers; or (2) competition between or among rail carriers in the region affected by the activity in a manner or to an extent that would violate federal antitrust laws. Prescribes a procedure for shipper petition and STB review of any activity alleged to have resulted in a restriction of competition for at least 10 years. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the STB to require rail carriers to enter into reciprocal switching agreements. Prohibits the STB from requiring evidence of anticompetitive conduct by a rail carrier from which access is sought. Requires the STB to designate any state or part of a state as an area of inadequate rail competition after making certain findings. Requires the STB to post rail service complaints on its website. Requires submission to arbitration of certain rail rate, service, and other disputes. Requires the STB, with respect to the filing of a complaint, to adopt an alternative method of determining the reasonableness of rail rates using the railroad's actual costs. Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish within the Department of Agriculture an Office of Rail Customer Advocacy with respect to rail transportation of agricultural and forestry commodities or products.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Community Water Treatment Hazards Reduction Act of 2006 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) compile a list of all high-consequence facilities; and (2) notify each owner and operator of a water facility that is included on the list. Requires the Administrator, in determining whether a facility is a high-consequence water facility, to consider: (1) the number of people located in the vulnerability zone for each substance of concern that could be released at the water facility; (2) the critical infrastructure served by the facility; (3) any use by the facility of large quantities of one or more substances of concern; and (4) the quantity and volume of annual shipments of substances of concern to or from the facility. Defines "vulnerability zone" as a geographic area that would be affected by a worst-case release of certain hazardous substances. Requires the Administrator to classify high-consequence water facilities into three tiers and give priority to matters relating to the security of high-consequence water facilities based on the classification. Makes mandatory the designation as a high-consequence facility of those whose vulnerability zone contains more than 10,000 individuals. Prohibits the Administrator from reclassifying such a facility into a tier with a lower priority. Requires the owner or operator of a high-consequence water facility to submit to the Administrator an options feasibility assessment (including a cost estimate) concerning the use of inherently safer technologies no later than 90 days after receiving notice that such facility is listed. Requires the Administrator, subject to the availability of grant funds, to issue an order requiring a facility to eliminate the use of substances of concern and to adopt safer technologies. Authorizes the Administrator to seek enforcement of an order. Directs the Administrator to provide grants to high-consequence facilities for use in paying capital expenditures directly required to complete the transition of such facility to the use of safer technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2007, including for: (1) the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General; (2) the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology project; (3) customs and border protection; (4) immigration and customs enforcement, including for the Federal Protective Service; (5) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); (6) the Coast Guard; (7) the Secret Service; (8) the Offices of the Under Secretary for Preparedness, the Chief Medical Officer, and National Capital Region Coordination; (9) grants and training, including firefighter assistance grants and emergency management performance grants; (10) the U.S. Fire Administration; (11) infrastructure protection and information security; (12) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); (13) citizenship and immigration services; (14) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; (15) the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology; and (16) the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. Transfers to DHS the authority of the Office of Personnel Management to conduct personnel security and background investigations for specified DHS positions. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act: (1) for deployment or implementation, on other than a test basis, of the Secure Flight Program or other passenger prescreening program until specified requirements have been met; (2) to amend the oath of allegiance required for naturalization; or (3) to maintain the Secret Service as anything but a distinct entity within DHS. Directs: (1) the Secretary of DHS to develop standards for increasing the use of explosive detection equipment to screen air cargo; and (2) TSA to utilize existing checked baggage explosive detection equipment and screeners to screen cargo carried on passenger aircraft to the greatest extent practicable at each airport and to report air cargo inspection statistics quarterly. Requires the Secretary to: (1) make specified revisions to DHS MD 11056; and (2) issue interim final regulations that establish requirements for chemical facilities that present the greatest security risk and that are not currently regulated for homeland security purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Amends federal transportation law to repeal, as of April 1, 2006, provisions prohibiting the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from implementing any proposed change to the FAA personnel management system, in cases where the services of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service do not lead to an agreement between the Administrator and FAA employees, until 60 days after the Administrator has transmitted the proposed change (along with the objections of the exclusive bargaining representatives to the change, including the reasons for such objections) to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce, upon the request of a state Governor, to establish a regional economic transition program to provide disaster relief to fishermen, charter fishing operators, U.S. fish processors, and owners of related fishery infrastructure affected by a catastrophic regional fishery disaster.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Louisiana Hurricane and Flood Protection Council Act of 2006 - Establishes the Louisiana Hurricane and Flood Protection Council. Directs the Council to: (1) manage and oversee the implementation of a system-wide, comprehensive plan for Corps of Engineers projects that addresses hurricane protection, flood control, coastal and ecosystem restoration, storm surge damage reduction, or navigation in any area along the Louisiana coast in which a major disaster relating to Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita was declared by the President on or after August 29, 2005, in accordance with the comprehensive hurricane protection program authorized by Congress during 2005; (2) establish and carry out a 20-year demonstration program for the study, design, integrated implementation, and system-wide management of any project or component of a Corps project in such disaster area; and (3) develop recommendations for an emergency strategy to repair infrastructure relating to projects under the plan and to supplement the Corps' authority in any Louisiana area affected by a major disaster or emergency declared by the President to exist during the demonstration program period. Requires each Corps' study in the disaster area authorized during the period of such program to be conducted in accordance with it. Prohibits the Corps from implementing a report or recommendation of the Council until it is approved by specified congressional committees. Terminates the Council on December 31, 2026.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Amends the International Air Transportation Competition Act of 1979 to add Nebraska to the number of specified states outside Texas in which an air carrier is authorized to provide air transportation between Love Field, Texas, and one or more points within such states. Authorizes such air carrier to offer to provide or provide through or connecting service or ticketing with another air carrier or foreign air carrier air transportation between Love Field, Texas and any point outside of such states on a through or connecting basis.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2006
Corporate Average Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2006 - Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe minimum corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for passenger automobiles, including standards that are based on one or more vehicle attributes that relate to fuel economy. Requires the Secretary of Transportation, when deciding maximum feasible average fuel economy for passenger automobiles, to consider (in addition to current considerations) motor vehicle safety, emissions, and the need of the United States to reduce its dependence on oil for transportation. Solicits comment from the Department of Energy (DOE) (currently) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before the Secretary issues a notice for a proposed or amended CAFE standard. Allows manufacturers to earn credits which may be applied to any five (currently, three) consecutive model years after the year in which they were earned if the average fuel economy of passenger automobiles manufactured by a manufacturer in a particular model year exceeds an applicable established average fuel economy standard. Permits trading credits between passenger-automobile production and non-passenger-automobile production. Requires civil penalties assessed by the Secretary or by a Court against a person who violates CAFE standards to be credited to a Department of Transportation (DOT) account and made available to carry out a program of research and development into fuel saving automotive technologies and to support the CAFE program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2006
Community Water Treatment Hazards Reduction Act of 2006 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) compile a list of all high-consequence facilities; and (2) notify each owner and operator of a water facility that is included on the list. Requires the Administrator, in determining whether a facility is a high-consequence water facility, to consider: (1) the number of people located in the vulnerability zone for each substance of concern that could be released at the water facility; (2) the critical infrastructure served by the facility; (3) any use by the facility of large quantities of one or more substances of concern; and (4) the quantity and volume of annual shipments of substances of concern to or from the facility. Defines "vulnerability zone" as a geographic area that would be affected by a worst-case release of certain hazardous substances. Requires the Administrator to classify high-consequence water facilities into three tiers and give priority to matters relating to the security of high-consequence water facilities based on the classification. Makes mandatory the designation as a high-consequence facility of those whose vulnerability zone contains more than 10,000 individuals. Prohibits the Administrator from reclassifying such a facility into a tier with a lower priority. Requires the owner or operator of a high-consequence water facility to submit to the Administrator an options feasibility assessment (including a cost estimate) concerning the use of inherently safer technologies no later than 90 days after receiving notice that such facility is listed. Requires the Administrator, subject to the availability of grant funds, to issue an order requiring a facility to eliminate the use of substances of concern and to adopt safer technologies. Authorizes the Administrator to seek enforcement of an order. Directs the Administrator to provide grants to high-consequence facilities for use in paying capital expenditures directly required to complete the transition of such facility to the use of safer technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2006
Amends the International Air Transportation Competition Act of 1979 to add Nebraska to the number of specified states outside Texas in which an air carrier is authorized to provide air transportation between Love Field, Texas, and one or more points within such states. Authorizes such air carrier to offer to provide or provide through or connecting service or ticketing with another air carrier or foreign air carrier air transportation between Love Field, Texas and any point outside of such states on a through or connecting basis.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2006
Border Health Security Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary), acting through the U.S. members of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, to award grants to improve border residents' health. Requires the Secretary to award grants to states, local or tribal governments, or public health entities for bioterrorism preparedness in the border area. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act. Allows the Secretary to coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security in establishing a health alert system that: (1) alerts clinicians and public health officials of emerging disease clusters and syndromes along the border area; and (2) is alerted to signs of health threats or bioterrorism along the border area. Requires the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine for the study of binational public health infrastructure and health insurance efforts. Authorizes any member or staff of the Commission to provide advice or recommendations to Congress concerning issues that are considered by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2006
Border Health Security Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary), acting through the U.S. members of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, to award grants to improve border residents' health. Requires the Secretary to award grants to states, local or tribal governments, or public health entities for bioterrorism preparedness in the border area. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act. Allows the Secretary to coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security in establishing a health alert system that: (1) alerts clinicians and public health officials of emerging disease clusters and syndromes along the border area; and (2) is alerted to signs of health threats or bioterrorism along the border area. Requires the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine for the study of binational public health infrastructure and health insurance efforts. Authorizes any member or staff of the Commission to provide advice or recommendations to Congress concerning issues that are considered by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2006
Makes revisions to the codification of title 46 ("Shipping") of the United States Code, as proposed by H.R. 1442.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Public Transportation Terrorism Prevention Act of 2006 - Requires the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration to submit all public transportation security assessments to the Secretary of Homeland Security to review and augment such assessments. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish and update annually security improvement priorities; (2) conduct security assessments of all public transportation agencies considered to be at greatest risk of a terrorist attack; (3) conduct security assessments to determine the specific needs of local bus-only public transportation systems and of selected rural transportation systems; and (4) use information collected to establish the process for developing security guidelines. Directs the Secretary to award grants: (1) directly to public transportation agencies for allowable capital security improvements; and (2) to public or private entities to conduct research into, and demonstrate, methods to reduce and deter terrorist threats or mitigate damages resulting from terrorist attacks against public transportation systems. Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that DOT receives timely notification of all credible terrorist threats against U.S. public transportation assets; and (2) award grants for research, development, and demonstration of technologies and methods to reduce and deter terrorist threats or mitigate damages resulting from such attacks. Rail Security Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to complete, and make prioritized recommendations regarding, a vulnerability and risk assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation for identification of: (1) critical assets and infrastructures, and vulnerabilities and risks, to such assets and infrastructures; (2) vulnerabilities and risks specific to the transportation of hazardous materials via railroad; and (3) security weaknesses in passenger and cargo security, transportation infrastructure, protection systems, procedural policies, communications systems, employee training, emergency response planning, and any other area. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for certain system-wide Amtrak security upgrades. Directs the Secretary to require rail carriers transporting high hazardous materials to develop high hazard material security threat mitigation plans containing appropriate measures (including alternative routing and temporary shipment suspension options) to address assessed risks to high consequence targets. Maritime Security Improvement Act of 2006 - Establishes interagency operational centers to provide greater protection against terrorism at high priority ports. Directs the Secretary to identify foreign assistance programs that could facilitate implementation of port security antiterrorism measures in foreign countries.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Emergency Preparedness and Response Security, Accountability, and Flexibility Enhancement Act or the SAFE ACT - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise provisions relating to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies preparedness grants, including to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop measurable critical benchmarks and performance standards. Authorizes the Secretary to develop a real-time surveillance program for collecting and reporting information on notifiable diseases and conditions (infectious diseases, environmental exposures or poisons, and other conditions, the real-time surveillance and control of which in the United States constitute a critical public health need). Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish a national electronic surveillance program for such diseases. Provides for a health alert in the case of a public health emergency or other circumstance requiring active surveillance. Requires the Secretary to award grants to enable states to conduct surveillance and report with respect to notifiable diseases. Makes ineligible for certain funding states or health care providers that do not report notifiable diseases. Allows grantees to use grant funds to develop benchmarks for meeting critical capacity for food or water borne disease detection and response. Requires the Director to provide for the evaluation of the progress made by state and local governments in meeting the benchmarks established under this Act. Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for the inspection, screening, and quarantine of live animals entering the United States for commercial purposes. Requires the federal agency partners of the National Disaster Medical System to conduct a review of the National Disaster Medical System infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
National Emergency Management Reform and Enhancement Act of 2006 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for the establishment within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of a Directorate of Emergency Management (DEM) (replacing the Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response). Requires DEM to be headed by an Under Secretary for Emergency Management and to include Deputy Under Secretaries for: (1) Emergency Preparedness and Mitigation; and (2) Emergency Response and Recovery. Directs the Under Secretary to serve as a Cabinet Officer during an Incident of National Significance. Establishes within DEM: (1) an Office of State, Local, and Tribal Government Coordination and an Office of Public and Community Preparedness; (2) a National Citizen Corps Council; (3) a National Incident Management System and National Response Plan Integration Center; and (4) a National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. Establishes in DHS Offices of Grants and Planning, Training and Exercises, Emergency Communications, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity and Telecommunications. Establishes the Emergency Communications Preparedness Center. Directs the Secretary of DHS to: (1) regularly update, revise, or replace essential capabilities for state, local, and tribal government emergency preparedness; (2) require any state or urban area that applies for federal homeland security assistance to maintain a catastrophic emergency plan; (3) establish the National Advisory Council on Emergency Management, a System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders Program, a Homeland Security Education Program in the National Capital Region, a Prepositioned Equipment Program, and a National Asset Inventory Program; (4) develop an integrated national public alert and warning system; and (5) establish within DHS a Gulf Coast Long-Term Recovery Office. Redesignates the Directorate for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection as the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that all programs within DEM administering federal assistance maintain proper internal management controls to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse; and (2) annually certify that such controls are in place. Provides for the establishment within DHS of a Deputy Inspector General for Response and Recovery.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Bioenergy Innovation, Optional Fuel Utilization, and Energy Legacy (BIOFUEL) Act of 2006 - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the schedule for the volume of renewable fuels, the volume for cellulosic biomass, and the volume of biodiesel. Amends federal transportation law to require manufacturers of new dual fueled automobiles to ensure that the percentage of the total of such automobiles, manufactured and distributed in commerce for sale in the United States, meets prescribed percentages for specified model years. Directs the Secretary of Energy to require motor fuel retailers in each geographic region the Secretary establishes, when flexible-fuel vehicle market penetrations reach a certain level, to install an E-85 fuel pump or pumps at their retail fuel facilities. Establishes in the Treasury a Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Fund to implement a related grant program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a renewable energy strategic feedstock reserve program to purchase and store agricultural commodities with their producers. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) redefine bioenergy as ethanol derived from cellulosic feedstocks; and (2) reauthorize the Department of Agriculture bioenergy program. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to enable eligible farmers, ranchers, and certain domestic entities controlled by them to create or expand facilities designed to convert agricultural commodities into fuel. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a lender to obtain an unsubordinated interest in a borrower's farming or ranching operation as a prerequisite to a federal loan guarantee. Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to declare eligible for credit assistance certain associations of farmers, producers, or harvesters of aquatic products engaged in commercial activities related to renewable energy products. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research and development program related to: (1) ethanol production; (2) extraction of energy from biological sources; (3) biomass gasification; and (4) new vehicle efficiency technologies. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a biofuels production facility grant program. Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress should enact policies that: (1) reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and (2) encourage systems that compensate American agricultural producers for the beneficial role that they play in reducing greenhouse gases and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel; (2) increase tax credits for refueling property for ethanol and biodiesel; and (3) increase the small ethanol producer credit. Revises requirements for infrastructure bonds for facilities producing motor vehicle fuel from biomass.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Nuclear Fuel Management and Disposal Act - Withdraws specified land (as generally depicted on the Yucca Mountain Project Map) in Nye County, Nevada, from all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws. Transfers to the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) the land covered by such withdrawal. Reserves the land covered by the withdrawal for use by the Secretary for specified activities associated with the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Subjects the use of the land covered by the withdrawal to conditions the Secretary deems necessary to conduct activities related to the Yucca Mountain Project. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, governing Yucca Mountain site application procedures, to provide that an application for construction authorization shall not be required to contain information relating to surface facilities other than those necessary for initial repository operation. Revises requirements governing Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) actions on construction applications and infrastructure activities. Declares specified federal, state, or local regulatory requirements inapplicable to: (1) material owned by the Secretary that is transported or stored in an NRC-certified container; or (2) material located at the Yucca Mountain site for disposal if its management and disposal is subject to an NRC license. Prohibits a state or local governmental entity from issuing, administering, or enforcing a new or existing air quality permit or requirement affecting a federal facility or activity subject to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. Authorizes the Secretary to determine the extent to which certain transportation regulated under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Authorization Act of 1994 shall instead be regulated exclusively under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Deems the use of water from any source to implement this Act to be: (1) beneficial to interstate commerce; and (2) non-detrimental to the public interest. Requires the NRC, in deciding whether to permit the construction or operation of a nuclear reactor or any related facilities, to deem that sufficient capacity will be available in a timely manner to dispose of the spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste resulting from the operation of the reactor and related facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Amends federal transportation law to revise passenger automobile fuel economy standards (CAFE standards) to require that average fuel economy standards in effect for the preceding model year for a passenger automobile shall apply to such model year and beyond if the Secretary of Transportation does not prescribe new average fuel economy standards for a given model year. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations amending average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles to a maximum feasible average fuel economy level that the Secretary decides automobile manufacturers can achieve in a model year based on one or more vehicle attributes related to fuel economy. (Currently, the Secretary can prescribe average fuel economy standards that the Secretary decides are the maximum feasible average fuel economy level for that model year). Eliminates the congressional approval requirement if the Secretary prescribes an amendment that makes an average fuel economy standard more stringent. Directs the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to conduct a study, and report the results to Congress and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, on the effects of the requirement of separate fuel economy calculations for domestic and foreign automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2006
Prohibits certain agency action authorizing the use of certain electronic devices banned for use onboard air born commercial airlines by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on December 15, 2004, until June 1, 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2006
Reform of National Security Reviews of Foreign Direct Investments Act - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to direct the President, upon receiving written notification by any party involved of a possible merger, acquisition, or takeover which could result in foreign control of any person engaged in interstate commerce in the United States (covered transaction), or upon a motion of a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), to review the covered transaction to determine whether it threatens to impair U.S. national security and whether such threat can be mitigated. Requires CFIUS, if it determines that the covered transaction is a foreign government-controlled transaction, to conduct its own investigation. Requires the President, in his investigation, to take necessary action to protect national security with respect to the covered transaction. Makes any review final and complete only after its findings and report are approved and signed by both the Secretaries of the Treasury and Homeland Security. Requires the Director of National Intelligence to carry out an analysis of the threat to national security of any covered transaction. Makes CFIUS a statutory committee under the Defense Production Act of 1950, with a revised membership. Requires the consideration, as additional factors in determining whether it should be investigated, of whether a covered transaction: (1) has a security-related impact on critical infrastructure; and (2) is a foreign government-controlled transaction. Authorizes CFIUS to: (1) negotiate, impose, and enforce any agreement or condition with any party to a covered transaction in order to mitigate any threat to national security; (2) track withdrawn notifications; and (3) monitor the enforcement of any agreements. Requires reports to Congress by the President and CFIUS concerning investigations of covered transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2006
Expresses gratitude to Mrs. Deloris Jordan and the James Jordan Foundation for improving the lives of inner city youth in the United States and initiating a public-private collaborative to establish a women's and children's hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Supports the current Nairobi Women's Hospital, including its operators, staff, and personnel, for its dedication and commitment to the residents of Nairobi. Encourages the development of the new Nairobi Women's Hospital to assist in the social development of Nairobi's health infrastructure and the economic development of the East Africa region.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
Government Fleet Fuel Economy Act of 2006 - Amends provisions relating to standards for executive agency automobiles to require each passenger vehicle purchased, or leased for at least 60 consecutive days, by an executive agency after enactment of this Act to be as fuel efficient as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
California State Route 91 Congestion Relief Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to carry out certain transportation projects to relieve congestion on State Route 91, California. Sets the federal share of project costs at 80%.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2006
Energy Production, Refining, Infrastructure, Conservation and Efficiency Act, or the Energy PRICE Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive leasing program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, ANWR). Establishes in the Treasury the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create an enhanced tax credit for oil recovery projects using qualified carbon dioxide in a method involving flooding or injection. Amends Armed Forces procurement law to extend to cap at 25 years the multiyear contract authority of the Department of Defense to procure fuel derived from coal, oil shale, and tar sands. Instructs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), upon request of a state or Indian tribe, to enter into an refinery permitting agreement to streamline the permit process for the construction and operation of a refinery. Amends the Clean Air Act to: (1) hold a state harmless and not require it to revise its implementation plan to account for the emissions from a waiver granted by the Administrator; and (2) revise boutique fuel requirements. Directs the EPA Administrator to: (1) conduct a research and demonstration program to evaluate the air quality benefits of ultra-clean Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuel, including diesel and jet fuel; and (2) evaluate the use of such fuel to reduce engine exhaust emissions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for full expensing of qualified refinery property; (2) treat certain oil and gas pipelines as five-year property for depreciation purposes; and (3) except tax-exempt financing of energy transportation infrastructure from the private business use test. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to repeal the prohibition against demolition of the Brightman Street Bridge (Massachusetts) and the requirement of its maintenance as an emergency service route. Amends federal transportation law to revise the considerations the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) must take into account when deciding maximum feasible average fuel economy standards. Directs the Secretary to issue new regulations setting forth increased average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles. Requires the Administrator of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to solicit applications for grants under the EPA Natural Gas STAR Program to pay the federal share of project costs for reduction of methane emissions in the oil and gas industries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Enhanced Energy Security Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Energy and other specified cabinet officials to promulgate regulations to implement a national oil savings plan. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to set forth federal fleet conservation requirements to achieve reduced petroleum consumption. Provides assistance to states to: (1) retire fuel-inefficient motor vehicles; and (2) reduce school bus idling. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for electric drive transportation technology; and (2) establish a research and development program for lightweight materials research and vehicle weight reduction. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to: (1) provide loan guarantees for fuel-efficient automobile manufacturers and suppliers; and (2) require that the federal government consume specified amounts of renewable energy. Establishes the Alternative Fueling Infrastructure Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary to: (1) deploy new technologies to reduce oil use in transportation, including fuel from cellulosic biomass; (2) competitively award financial incentives for the manufacture of high-efficiency consumer products; and (3) conduct a national media campaign to decrease oil and natural gas consumption. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to: (1) set forth a federal renewable portfolio standard; and (2) require state regulatory authorities to implement energy efficiency resource programs that include electric utilities and gas utilities. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to authorize a federal agency to: (1) enter into a separate contract for energy services and conservation measures; and (2) provide the financing necessary to implement such contract. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make disaster relief loans to small business concerns for substantial economic injury incurred because of a significant increase in heating oil prices. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to direct the Secretary to establish, within the Weatherization Assistance Program, a program to assist in the replacement of unsafe or highly inefficient heating and cooling units in low-income households.