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Bill· SS. 2111 (112th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2012
Cyber Crime Protection Security Act - Amends the federal criminal code to make fraud in connection with the unauthorized access of personally identifiable information (in electronic or digital form) a predicate for instituting a prosecution for racketeering. Increases penalties for fraud and related activity in connection with computers. Expands the prohibition against trafficking in passwords to include trafficking through any means by which a protected computer may be accessed without authorization. Imposes criminal penalties for attempts and conspiracies to commit fraud and related activity in connection with computers. Modifies criminal and civil forfeiture provisions, including requiring certain civil forfeiture seizures and forfeitures to be performed by persons designated for that purpose by the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Attorney General (DOJ). Prohibits, during and in relation to a felony violation of provisions regarding fraud and related activity in connection with computers, intentionally causing or attempting to cause damage to a critical infrastructure computer if such damage results in (or, in the case of an attempt, would, if completed have resulted in) the substantial impairment of the operation of that computer or of the critical infrastructure associated with the computer. Imposes a prison term of between 3 and 20 years, a fine, or both. Prohibits probation for any person convicted of such a violation. Provides for concurrent sentences under specified circumstances. Excludes from the definition of "exceeds authorized access" for purposes of the prohibition against fraudulent use of computers, access in violation of a contractual obligation or agreement, such as an acceptable use policy or terms of service agreement, with an Internet service provider, Internet website, or nongovernment employer, if such violation constitutes the sole basis for determining that access to a protected computer is unauthorized.
Bill· SS. 2105 (112th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2012
Cybersecurity Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with owners and operators of critical infrastructure, the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council, and other federal agencies and private sector entities, to: (1) to conduct a top-level assessment of cybersecurity risks to determine which sectors face the greatest immediate risk, and beginning with the sectors identified as having the highest priority, conduct, on a sector-by-sector basis, cyber risk assessments of the critical infrastructure; (2) establish a procedure for the designation of critical infrastructure; (3) identify or develop risk-based cybersecurity performance requirements; and (4) implement cyber response and restoration plans. Sets forth requirements for securing critical infrastructure, including notification of cyber risks and threats and reporting of significant cyber incidents affecting critical infrastructure. Defines "critical infrastructure" as systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, or national public health or safety. Amends the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA) to revise information security requirements for federal agencies and provide for continuous monitoring of, and streamlined reporting of, cybersecurity risks. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to consolidate existing DHS resources for cybersecurity within a National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications. Sets forth the duties of the Center, including managing efforts to secure, protect, and ensure the resiliency of the federal information infrastructure, supporting private sector efforts to protect such infrastructure, prioritizing efforts to address the most significant risks to the information infrastructure, and ensuring privacy protections. Requires: (1) the DHS Secretary to implement outreach and awareness programs on cybersecurity; (2) the DHS Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to identify, develop, and recruit talented individuals to work in cybersecurity; (3) the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a program to stimulate innovation in basic cybersecurity research and development and to recruit and train cybersecurity professionals; and (4) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to assess the readiness and capacity of the federal workforce to meet cybersecurity needs and to establish a cybersecurity awareness and education curriculum for all federal employees and contractors. Requires the Secretary of Education to develop model curriculum standards to address cybersecurity issues for elementary school students and for students in institutions of higher education and career and technical institutions. Requires federal agencies to adopt OPM best practices for motivating employees to demonstrate leadership in cybersecurity. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a national cybersecurity research and development plan to advance the development of new technologies to protect against evolving cyberthreats. Requires the DHS Secretary to coordinate with private sector and academic experts, the Secretaries of Defense (DOD), Commerce, and State, the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), and other federal agencies to develop and periodically update an acquisition risk management strategy to ensure the security of the federal information infrastructure. Authorizes private entities to disclose or receive lawfully obtained cybersecurity threat information to protect an information system. Establishes a process to designate cybersecurity exchanges for distributing, receiving, and exchanging cybersecurity threat information. Allows a non-federal entity to disclose lawfully obtained cybersecurity threat information to an exchange. Provides legal protections for entities engaged in cybersecurity monitoring activities, including a good faith defense. Directs the DHS Secretary and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to report to Congress annually on major cyber incidents involving networks of executive agencies and military departments. Requires the Attorney General and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to report on investigations and prosecutions of cybercrimes. Requires the Attorney General to report on the ability of federal courts to grant timely relief in matters relating to cybercrime. Requires the DHS Secretary to report on: (1) available technical options to enhance the security of critical infrastructure, (2) legal or other impediments to public awareness of cybersecurity threats, and (3) the national security implications of a disruption of the U.S. electric grid caused by a cyber attack. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to engaging in international cooperation to advance U.S. cyberspace objectives and combat cybercrime. Authorizes the Secretary of State to designate a senior State Department official to coordinate diplomatic efforts on the full range of international cyber issues. Requires the Secretary to assess and report on significant global issues, trends, and actors with respect to cybercrime and to give priority in foreign assistance to programs designed to combat cybercrime.
Bill· HRH.R. 4028 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2012
Senior Transportation and Mobility Improvement Act of 2012 - Amends the program providing formula grants to states for the special public transportation needs of older individuals and the disabled to allow states to use a portion of those grants to operate and maintain the capital assets acquired under that program. Sets the federal share of the costs of the mobility management activities such grants may cover at 90%. (Mobility management activities are designed to improve coordination among public and other transportation service providers.) Requires the National Transit Database to include information on the public transportation formula grant program for older individuals and the disabled, and the public transportation formula grant program for nonurban areas. Requires metropolitan planning organizations and states to involve older individuals and the disabled in metropolitan and statewide transportation planning. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to enter into a cooperative agreement with the National Center on Senior Transportation to: (1) provide technical assistance to transit and human services organizations, (2) disseminate best practices regarding transportation for older individuals, and (3) make grants to nonprofit organizations to test innovative and replicable approaches for addressing the mobility needs of older individuals. Requires the FTA to make grants to nonprofit aging services organizations to offer mobility management services, and develop and implement enhanced technology to support those services.
Bill· SS. 2094 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2012
Clean Water Affordability Act of 2012- Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) make grants to states for the purpose of providing grants to local or regional authorities or municipalities for use in planning, designing, and constructing treatment works to intercept, transport, control, or treat municipal combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows; and (2) make grants directly to local or regional authorities or municipalities for such purposes. Requires the Administrator to establish a comprehensive and integrated planning approach to the obligations under the national pollutant discharge elimination system of a publicly owned treatment work (POTW) or a municipal separate storm sewer system. Authorizes states to approve a permit to discharge into navigable waters with a term of more than 5 years but fewer than 25 years if a permittee has an approved interrelated plan. Requires the Administrator to: (1) amend the CSO control policy to allow a POTW that has an approved long-term control plan to modify the plan to incorporate green infrastructure and energy-efficient technologies on a showing that the use of such technologies can cost-effectively help to meet the terms of the POTW's CSO compliance obligations, and (2) allow for 30 years to meet compliance obligations under such modified plans. Requires the Administrator to: (1) ensure that EPA's Office of Water, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Office of Research and Development, and Office of Policy promote the use of green infrastructure in, and coordinate the integration of green infrastructure into, permitting programs, planning efforts, research, technical assistance, and funding guidance; (2) direct EPA's regional offices to promote and integrate the use of green infrastructure within the region; (3) promote sharing of green infrastructure information and provide technical assistance regarding green infrastructure approaches for reducing water pollution, protecting water resources, complying with regulatory requirements, and achieving other environmental, public health, and community goals; and (4) establish a voluntary green infrastructure portfolio standard to increase the percentage of annual water managed by eligible entities that use green infrastructure. Allows loans from a state water pollution control revolving fund to have a term of the lesser of 30 years or the design life of the project to be financed with the proceeds of the loan. (Currently the term of the loan is capped at 20 years.) Requires the Administrator, no later than December 31, 2010 (currently, 2003) and periodically thereafter, to report to Congress on recommended funding levels for sewer overflow control grants. Requires the Administrator to update the guidance entitled "Combined Sewer Overflows -- Guidance for Financial Capability Assessment and Schedule Development," dated February 1997, to ensure that the evaluations by the Administrator of financial capability assessment and schedule development meet specified criteria, including criteria used in assessing financial capability of a community to make investments necessary to make water quality-related improvements and in implementing water quality-related improvements. Requires such updated guidance to indicate that it is appropriate for the reconsideration and modification of financial capability determinations and implementation schedules to be based on such criteria.
Bill· SS. 2084 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2012
Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish accelerated licensing procedures to assist Armed Forces veterans to acquire commercial driver's licenses. Requires such procedures to apply to any veteran attempting to acquire a commercial driver's license who, during military service, obtained driving experience that makes the use of accelerated licensing procedures appropriate.
Bill· HRH.R. 4000 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2012
Energizing America through Employment Act - Authorizes TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain pipeline facilities for the import of crude oil and other hydrocarbons at the United States-Canada Border at Phillips County, Montana, in accordance with a certain application filed with the Department of State on September 19, 2008. Declares that no permit pursuant to Executive Order 13337 or any other similar Executive Order regulating such activities at the U.S. border, and no additional environmental impact statement (EIS), shall be required for such Pipeline. Deems a certain EIS issued by the Department of State to satisfy all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) as well as any other law requiring federal agency consultation or review regarding such cross-border facilities. Sets forth conditions governing construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of the cross-border facilities in connection with the Pipeline. Deems sufficient for the purposes of this Act any route and construction, mitigation, and reclamation measures for the Pipeline in the state of Nebraska that is identified by Nebraska and submitted to the Secretary of State. States that any action taken to implement this Act does not constitute a major federal action requiring an EIS under NEPA. Restricts to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit any federal judicial review over actions and facilities implemented under this Act. Instructs the Secretary of State, for purposes of making a national interest determination under Executive Order 13337 (or any successor Executive Order) regarding a pipeline application, to solicit the views of specified congressional committees regarding such application and pertinent information.
Bill· HRH.R. 4001 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2012
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) treat income and gains from the use, sale, or exchange of infrastructure property as qualifying income for purposes of the tax treatment of publicly-traded partnerships; (2) exempt publicly-traded partnerships from the limitation on the tax deduction for income attributable to oil-related qualified production activities; (3) allow accelerated depreciation of infrastructure property (i.e., classify such property as five-year property); and (4) treat exchanges of infrastructure property as like-kind exchanges (thus exempting gain from such exchanges from tax). Defines "infrastructure property" as property which is part of: (1) roads and related improvements; (2) train tracks and related improvements; (3) airports; (4) docks and wharves; (5) facilities for sewage, solid waste disposal, the furnishing of water, the transmission and distribution of natural gas, or the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; or (6) communications facilities.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 543 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2012
Honors and remembers the victims of the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 and their families. Marks the third anniversary of the crash in Clarence Center, New York, on February 12, 2009. Calls on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement expeditiously the will of Congress as expressed through pending flight safety reforms required by the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act.
Bill· SS. 2066 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2012
Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act - Requires a federal public land management official, in cooperation with the respective state and fish and wildlife agency, to exercise the authority of the official under law, including regarding land use planning, to facilitate the use of, and access to, federal public land for hunting, recreational fishing, and recreational shooting, except as described in this Act. Requires the heads of federal public land management agencies to exercise their discretion in a manner that supports and facilitates hunting, recreational fishing, and recreational shooting opportunities, to the extent authorized under applicable law. Requires that Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service land, excluding land on the Outer Continental Shelf, be open to hunting, recreational fishing, or recreational shooting unless the managing agency acts to close lands to such activity. Permits closures or restrictions on such land for purposes including resource conservation, public safety, energy or mineral production, energy generation or transmission infrastructure, water supply facilities, national security, or compliance with other law. Allows federal agencies to: (1) lease or permit use of federal public land for recreational shooting ranges, and (2) designate such specific land for recreational shooting activities. Requires annual reports on closures of federal public lands to hunting, recreational fishing, or recreational shooting. Sets forth requirements for specified closures or significant restrictions involving 640 or more contiguous acres of federal public land or water to hunting or recreational fishing or related activities. Instructs federal agencies to consult with respective advisory councils as specified in Executive Orders 12962 (relating to recreational fisheries) and 13443 (relating to the facilitation of hunting heritage and wildlife conservation) in carrying out this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3882 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2012
Mid-Atlantic Energy and Jobs Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to include: (1) Lease Sale 220 off the coast of Virginia in the proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas leasing program for the 2012-2017 period, and (2) the OCS off the coast of Virginia in the leasing program for each 5-year period after the 2012-2017 period. Directs the Secretary to implement within one year after enactment of this Act: (1) Lease Sale 220; and (2) lease sales for any other OCS areas in the Mid-Atlantic planning area as a result of the map revision specified in this Act. Prohibits oil or natural gas exploration, development, or production off the coast of Virginia that would conflict with any military operation. Prescribes revenue sharing procedures that require the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit 50% of qualified revenues in: (1) the general fund of the Treasury, and (2) 50% of qualified revenues in a special Treasury account. Requires disbursement of: (1) 75% of such qualified revenues to the Mid-Atlantic state from the administrative planning area that generated the qualified revenues; and (2) 25% at the discretion of the governor of such state for environmental cleanup, restoration, and enhanced public access to public lands. Instructs the Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, to revise a specified map to make the best effort to ensure that the northern and southern boundaries of the OCS administrative planning area of each Mid-Atlantic state extends from the coastal shoreline at the northern and southern borders, respectively, of the state to the outer boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone. Directs the Secretary to: (1) require that any applicant seeking to conduct an offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring project on the OCS obtain a permit and right-of-way; (2) determine whether to issue such a permit and right-of-way within 30 days after receiving an application; (3) provide an opportunity for submission of comments by the public; (4) consult with the Secretary of Defense (DOD), the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the heads of other federal, state, and local agencies affected by issuance of the permit; and (5) provide an applicant the opportunity to remedy deficiencies in a permit application that was denied. Exempts projects determined by the Secretary to be an offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring project from environmental impact statement requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Defines an "offshore meteorological site testing and monitoring project" as a project administered by the Department of the Interior and carried out on or in the waters of the OCS to test or monitor weather (including wind, tidal, current, and solar energy) using towers, buoys, or other temporary ocean infrastructure and that: (1) causes less than one acre of surface or seafloor disruption at the location of each meteorological tower or other device and no more than five acres of surface or seafloor disruption within the proposed area affected by for the project (including hazards to navigation); (2) is decommissioned within five years of its commencement; and (3) provides meteorological information to the Secretary.
Bill· SS. 2053 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2012
Jumpstarting Transit-Oriented Development Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to award grants to transit agencies, state or local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, tribal governments, or partnerships among them to establish a specific, implementable strategy for mixed-income, mixed-use development projects that lead to successful transit-oriented development within one-half mile of an existing or planned major transit facility. Defines "major transit facility" to mean: (1) a station that is part of a fixed-guideway public transportation system, (2) a high-speed rail or intercity rail station, (3) a transit hub, or (4) a transit center located in a nonurbanized area. Authorizes the Secretary to make or guarantee loans to eligible borrowers to carry out such projects.
Bill· HRH.R. 3864 (112th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2012
American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Financing Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through September 30, 2016, the expenditure authority for the Highway Trust Fund; and (2) extend through September 30, 2018, current excise tax rates on motor fuels (i.e., gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene, and special motor fuels), excise taxes on heavy highway vehicles and highway tires, and the use tax on heavy vehicles. Appropriates to the Highway Trust Fund amounts equivalent to the net increase in revenues from onshore and offshore domestic energy leasing and production resulting from the Alaskan Energy for American Jobs Act, the PIONEERS Act, and the Energy Security and Transportation Jobs Act. Terminates the authority for transfers of motor fuel tax revenues to the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund. Renames such Account as the Alternative Transportation Account and makes a one-time appropriation to such Account.
Bill· HRH.R. 3867 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2012
Travel Transparency Act - Makes it an unfair or deceptive practice for an air carrier (including an indirect air carrier), foreign air carrier, a carrier agent, or a ticket agent to advertise or solicit air passenger transportation without disclosing the base airfare ticket costs and user taxes imposed for it. Requires the disclosure of any other government imposed taxes and fees paid on a per passenger basis to be clear and separate from the base airfare ticket cost in any such advertisement or solicitation.
Bill· SS. 2044 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2012
Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to arrange for an independent study of the effects on human health caused by the use of backscatter x-ray machines at airline checkpoints operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Directs the TSA Administrator to ensure that large, readable signs or equivalent electronic displays are placed at the front of airline passenger check points where backscatter advanced imaging technology machines are used for screening to inform airline passengers that they may request undergoing alternative screening procedures.
Bill· HRH.R. 3854 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2012
Transit Related Investment Improvement Act of 2012 - Amends the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) to make eligible for TIFIA funding any projects to improve or construct public infrastructure located within one-half mile of the station area of a fixed-guideway transit facility, including improvements to mobility and parking, rehabilitation or construction of streets, transit stations, structured parking, or walkways and bikeways.
Bill· HRH.R. 7 (112th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2012
American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012 - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) (other than the Alternative Transportation Account) equal to current federal highway funding levels for FY2013-FY2016 for: (1) certain core federal-aid highway programs, and (2) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administrative expenses. Authorizes appropriations out of the HTF Alternative Transportation Account equal to such levels for FY2013-FY2016 for certain other core federal-aid highway programs. Prescribes ceiling obligations for: (1) federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and (2) the Alternative Transportation Account. Directs the Secretary of Transportation of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to apportion the remainder of federal-aid highway funds to the states for the National Highway System (NHS), the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement (CMAQ), the surface transportation, and the highway safety improvement programs. Directs the Secretary to identify deficient highway bridges in each state and determine their replacement and rehabilitation costs. Requires states to develop and implement a risk-based state asset management plan identifying actions for the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of NHS infrastructure and that lead to the achievement of the national goals for infrastructure condition and performance. Replaces the interstate maintenance program with the NHS program. Revises NHS program, surface transportation program, and CMAQ eligibility requirements. Revises formulae for the state apportionment of federal-aid highway funds in urbanized areas with populations over 200,000 as well as in other areas. Authorizes a state to obligate the apportionment of CMAQ funds for projects: (1) resulting in new capacity for single occupant vehicles only if it will contribute to the mitigation of congestion or improvement of air quality, and (2) for PM-10 nonattainment areas. Revises the equity bonus program. Requires the Secretary to ensure that a state's apportionment of funds for specified federal-aid highway programs is at least 94% (currently, 92%) of the amount obtained from a specified formula involving estimated highway use taxes paid into the HTF by a state. Reauthorizes and revises the emergency relief fund program. Revises program eligibility requirements to include the costs of debris removal as an eligible disaster project cost only in certain cases. Authorizes the Secretary to obligate fund amounts for the repair or reconstruction of disaster-affected tribal roads, federal lands highways, and other federally-owned roads open to public travel, whether or not they are federal-aid highways. Revises the apportionment of funds to states for the construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities (excluding ferry maintenance facilities). Revises the highway bridge program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) inventory all highway bridges and tunnels, (2) identify structurally deficient or functionally obsolete bridges or tunnels, (3) assign a risk-based priority for replacement or rehabilitation of each structurally deficient bridge or tunnel, (3) establish national inspection standards for evaluating all highway bridges and tunnels, and (4) establish a training program for highway bridge and tunnel inspectors. Makes 10% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway funds available only for National Highway System (NHS) bridge replacement projects. Amends the federal-aid highway program to modify the minimum penalties states are required to impose on motorists convicted multiple times for driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol. Requires repeat offenders to have: (1) all their driving privileges (currently, only a driver's license) suspended for at least one year; or (2) their unlimited driving privileges suspended for one year, with limited driving privileges permitted, if an ignition interlock device is installed for at least one year on each of the motor vehicles they own or operate. Amends the the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) to revise DOT's TIFIA program of direct loans, loan guarantees, and credit for surface transportation projects. Makes eligible for TIFIA program assistance: (1) a program of related transportation projects coordinated to achieve a common transportation goal and meet certain other requirements; and (2) a highway, transit, or pedestrian project that improves mobility within the station area of a transit, passenger rail, or intercity bus station. Authorizes a state, local government, state or local government agency, or public authority to apply to the Secretary for assistance under a master credit agreement. Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for processing such applications. Increases from 33% to 49% the maximum amount of direct loans, loan guarantees, and credit for project costs. Revises the state infrastructure bank program. Revises the toll roads, bridges, tunnels, and ferries program. Allows a state, interstate compact of states, or public entity to: (1) reconstruct, restore, or rehabilitate a Interstate System (IS) high occupancy vehicle (HOV) highway, bridge, or tunnel toll facility over which it has jurisdiction provided certain requirements are met, and (2) levy tolls on vehicles (excluding HOVs). Requires all federal-aid highway toll facilities to implement technologies or business practices that provide for the interoperability of electronic toll collection programs. Revises the highway safety improvement program. Requires state strategic highway safety plans to be updated biannually and meet certain requirements. Prohibits a state from obligating highway safety improvement program funds to purchase, operate, or maintain an automated traffic enforcement system. Requires states to report to the Secretary on: (1) the 10 railway-highway crossings with the greatest need for safety improvement; and (2) an action plan that identifies projects to improve safety at those railway-highway crossings. Directs the Secretary to develop a five-year National Freight Policy for the expansion and improvement of freight transportation infrastructure in the United States. Requires the Secretary to encourage states to develop freight plans. Prescribes certain federal weight limitations requirements for trucks operating on the IS. Authorizes tribal transportation and federal lands transportation programs for various transportation planning and highway improvement projects. Repeals specified federal-aid highway programs. Authorizes the governor of a state to use the state's apportionment of federal-aid highway funds for the repair or replacement of transportation facilities in the event of an emergency. Directs the Secretary to conduct a survey to evaluate the capacity of each state to provide adequate parking and rest facilities for commercial motor vehicles. Encourages the Secretaries of Labor and of Education to use funds to develop training and employment education programs for transportation-related careers and trades. Public Transportation Act of 2012 - Revises capital investment grant requirements for new fixed-guideway capital projects. Requires the Secretary to enter into full funding grant agreements for new fixed-guideway capital projects under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) New Starts and Small Starts programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make bus and bus facilities formula grants to assist states and local governments in financing capital projects to: (1) replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment; and (2) construct bus-related facilities. Directs the Secretary to apportion a specified percentage of rural area formula grants to states to develop and support public transportation and intercity bus transportation in rural areas. Authorizes the Secretary to make competitive coordinated access and mobility program formula grants to states, local governments, nonprofits organizations, or private operators of public transportation services for: (1) public transportation projects to meet the special needs of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities; (2) job access and reverse commute projects to transport welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals to and from jobs; and (3) new public transportation services and public transportation alternatives for individuals with disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake, or make grants and contracts for, programs that provide training and technical assistance to providers of public transportation services. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants or enter into contracts with a public university to establish a National Transit Institute to support training and educational programs for federal, state, and local transportation employees engaged in government-aid public transportation work. Revises the apportionment of appropriations for job access and reverse commute formula grants for certain urbanized areas with populations less than 200,000. Reauthorizes and revises the fixed guideway modernization program. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) formula and bus grants; (2) capital investment grants; (3) transit research, training and outreach, and technical assistance activities; and (4) administration. Prescribes procedures for expediting the environmental review of surface transportation projects. Revises and makes permanent the surface transportation project delivery pilot program. Requires the Secretary to establish an alternative relocation payment process for the payment of relocation assistance to persons displaced by federally-assisted programs and projects. Amends the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 to provide increases in payments made by a displacing agency for: (1) relocation expenses for displaced farms, nonprofit organizations, or small businesses; and (2) replacement housing for displaced homeowners and certain other tenants. Revises metropolitan transportation planning requirements. Requires the designation of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for an urbanized area with a population of more than 100,000 individuals. Requires MPOs, in cooperation with state and public transportation operators, to develop metropolitan long-range transportation plans and transportation improvement programs (TIPs) that provide for the development and operation of transportation systems and facilities (including environmental mitigation activities) for metropolitan planning areas (i.e. urbanized areas and nonattainment areas for ozone or carbon monoxide). Requires the Secretary to identify as a transportation management area each urbanized area with a population over 200,000 individuals. Requires the selection of congestion mitigation projects for a metropolitan planning area serving a transportation management area from an approved metropolitan long-range transportation plan and TIP. Requires states to develop statewide strategic long-range transportation plans and statewide TIPs. Directs the Secretary to develop a national strategic transportation plan for transportation projects (including major roadways, public transportation facilities, intercity bus facilities, multimodal and intermodal facilities, and intermodal connectors) that facilitate the development of: (1) a national transportation system, and (2) an integrated regional transportation system. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a national performance management system, and (2) certain core performance measures. Authorizes appropriations for NHTSA for: (1) highway safety programs, (2) the National Driver Register, and (3) administrative expenses. Revises highway safety program requirements. Revises the formula for the apportionment to states of highway safety funds to require specified percentages of funds going only to states that have enacted and are enforcing: (1) a primary safety belt use law, (2) an ignition interlock law, and (3) a graduated drivers licensing law. Directs the Secretary to require the governor of each state to develop for DOT approval a highway safety plan that includes: (1) certain quantifiable performance targets for traffic crashes and resulting fatalities and serious injuries; and (2) the state's strategy for using its funds apportionment for projects and activities that will allow the state to meet those performance targets. Repeals specified highway safety programs. Motor Carrier Safety, Efficiency, and Accountability Act of 2012 - Authorizes appropriations from the HTF (other than the Alternative Transportation Account) for FY2013-FY2016 for the Secretary to: (1) make grants to states for the development of commercial motor vehicle safety programs, and (2) pay administrative expense of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the commercial driver's license (CDL) improvement grant program, and (2) the commercial vehicle information systems and networks deployment grant program. Revises commercial motor vehicle registration requirements. Requires the Secretary to issue a distinctive registration number to persons registered to provide transportation or service as a motor carrier, freight forwarder, or broker. Requires the Secretary to register a person to provide motor carrier services if, in addition to meeting other criteria, that person has also: (1) completed a DOT proficiency examination demonstrating knowledge of motor carrier safety regulations and requirements; (2) disclosed any relationship involving common stock, common ownership, common control, common management, or common familial relationship between the carrier and any other motor carrier in the three-years preceding the filing of an application for registration; and (3) been issued a DOT number. Authorizes the Secretary to register a person to provide transportation of household goods as a household goods motor carrier only after that person demonstrates: (1) the ability to comply with the DOT household goods consumer protection rules, and (2) knowledge of household goods motor carrier safety regulations and requirements through completion of a DOT proficiency examination. Requires the Secretary to register a person to provide service as a freight forwarder or to be a broker for transportation of property if that person is qualified by experience to act as one. Revises requirements for the registration as a motor carrier of freight forwarders and brokers. Authorizes the Secretary to deny, suspend, amend, or revoke the registration of a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder for failure to disclose in its application a material fact with respect to its ability to comply with federal law, regulations, or a registration condition. Prohibits two or more employers from using common ownership, common management, common control, or common familial relationship to avoid compliance, or conceal noncompliance or a history of noncompliance with commercial motor vehicle safety regulations or a DOT order. Revises financial security requirements for brokers and freight forwarders. Authorizes the Secretary to register a person as a broker or freight forwarder only if that person files with the Secretary a surety bond, proof of trust fund, or other financial security (or combination of them) to ensure financial responsibility of $100,000. Prohibits certain persons, including certain ocean freight forwarders, customs brokers, or indirect air carriers holding an approved Standard Security Program from providing interstate brokerage services unless the person: (1) is registered and in compliance with federal broker registration requirements, and (2) has satisfied federal financial security requirements. Authorizes an employer (or employee) to operate a commercial motor vehicle only if that employer is registered by the Secretary and receives a DOT number. Requires the Secretary to administer a motor carrier safety assistance program to make grants to states to develop motor carrier safety improvement programs and enforce federal and state commercial motor vehicle safety and hazardous materials transportation safety regulations, standards, and orders. Requires state plans to establish performance targets for enforcement activities and other benchmarks to reduce commercial motor vehicle fatalities and crashes. Requires the Secretary to carry out a performance and registration information systems management program to link federal motor carrier safety information systems with state commercial vehicle registration and licensing systems. Revises commercial motor vehicle driver safety fitness requirements. Directs the Secretary to require a safety review of newly registered commercial motor vehicle owners or operators that: (1) transport hazardous materials (hazmat) within 9 months after the beginning of operations, and (2) transport passengers within 90 days after the beginning of operations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) determine the safety fitness and assign a rating for each registered motorcoach owner and operator; and (2) establish a process for monitoring regularly the safety performance of each owner or operator following the assignment of a rating. Revises medical examiner requirements. Requires the Secretary to establish a national registry of medical examiners. Requires a medical examiner to pass an examination developed by the Secretary in order to be listed in the national registry. Directs the Secretary to issue safety standards for new motorcoaches with respect to: (1) occupant protection systems (including seatbelts) to protect against collisions and rollovers, (2) roof strength, (3) fire prevention and mitigation, and (4) emergency passenger evacuation. Directs the Secretary to revise window glazing standards for new motorcoaches to prevent passenger ejection. Directs the Secretary to establish a national clearinghouse for verified positive alcohol and controlled substance test results and test refusals or failures to comply with testing program requirements. Prohibits an employer from hiring an individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle or perform any other safety sensitive function unless the employer requests information from the clearinghouse that indicates, during the preceding three-year period, the individual: (1) did not violate testing program requirements; or (2) is eligible to return to safety sensitive duties, pursuant to an established return-to-duty process, after violating such requirements. Prescribes new and revises current penalties for violations of certain commercial motor vehicle drug and alcohol prohibitions and specified other requirements. Directs the Secretary to issue final regulations establishing minimum training requirements for commercial motor vehicle operators. Requires states to request information from the CDL information system concerning a CDL applicant from the drug and alcohol clearinghouse before renewing or issuing a CDL. Requires states to submit plans for complying with specified CDL program requirements to avoid the withholding of the state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway funds. Requires states to have approved CDL program plans to receive a CDL program improvement grant. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring individuals with class A CDLs to obtain a hazmat endorsement to operate a truck carrying diesel fuel of 1,000 gallons or less if: (1) the fuel tank is clearly marked with a placard reading "Diesel Fuel," and (2) the individual is acting within the scope of employment as an employee of certain farm-related service industries. Directs the Secretary to establish accelerated licensing procedures to assist veterans to acquire CDLs. Directs the Secretary to conduct a field study of the efficacy of FMCSA's 2011 restart rule (the 34-hours of service [HOS] restart rule) with respect to commercial motor vehicle operators subject to federal maximum driving time requirements. Requires any regulations the Secretary issues regarding electronic logging devices to monitor compliance with HOS requirements to include specified performance standards. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to extend through FY2017 FMCSA's Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee. Amends the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 to revise exemptions from federal maximum driving and on-duty time motor carrier regulations for drivers transporting agricultural commodities and farm supplies during planting and harvest periods. Extends such exemptions to drivers transporting agricultural farm supplies between specified points within a 150-mile radius. Extends these exemptions also to drivers transporting grapes: (1) during a harvest period, and (2) to an area within 175 air-miles radius from the location where the grapes are picked or distributed. Exempts certain covered farm vehicles from commercial motor vehicle safety requirements relating to CDLs, drug testing, medical certificates, and HOS. Requires the Comptroller General to study the impact of federal motor carrier safety regulations on small trucking companies. Directs the Secretary to issue a rule to improve the daytime and nighttime visibility of agricultural equipment that may be operated on a public road. Prohibits the transportation of horses in a motor vehicle containing two or more levels stacked on top of each other. Authorizes appropriations for FY2013 and FY2016 for specified transportation research and education programs. Replaces the Surface Transportation Research Program with the Surface Transportation Research, Development, and Technology Program. Replaces the National Technology Deployment Program with the Research and Development Program. Authorizes the Secretary to establish centers for surface transportation excellence. Directs the Secretary to carry out a technology and innovation deployment program. Revises the intelligent transportation system (ITS) program. Directs the Secretary to carry out an ITS program to research and develop intelligent vehicles and intelligent infrastructure systems for application to U.S. surface transportation systems. Repeals the national university transportation centers grant program, as well as grants to specified Tier II centers. Extends the regional university transportation research center grant program through FY2013-FY2016. Repeals or revises certain intercity passenger rail capital grant programs. Amends the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 to authorize appropriations for FY2012-FY2013 for National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) operations. Prohibits Amtrak from using federal funds to hire or contract with any outside legal professional to pursue any cause of action in federal or state court against a passenger rail service provider, including any action against a provider arising from a competitive bid process in which Amtrak and the provider participated. Allows Amtrak to provide food and beverage service on its trains only if the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) selects a qualified bidder whose bid would result in the lowest cost, or the greatest source of revenue, to Amtrak. (Under current law, Amtrak may provide such services on its trains only if revenues from the services each year at least equal the cost of providing them.) Authorizes the FRA to exempt Amtrak from such requirement if no qualified bidder responds to FRA requests for proposals. Prescribes an environmental review process for freight or intercity passenger rail capital project development decisionmaking. Authorizes the federal lead agency (DOT), at project sponsor request, to adopt and use a planning product (decisionmaking process) that integrates the planning and environmental review process of a rail project in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) proceedings. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to eliminate duplicative state and federal environmental reviews and approvals of rail projects. Directs the Secretary to treat a rail project as a class of action categorically excluded (because not involving significant environmental impact) from environmental review requirements promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality, if specified circumstances apply. Directs the Secretary to carry out a rail project delivery program. Makes high-speed rail facilities eligible for railroad rehabilitation and improvement direct loans and loan guarantees. Requires the Secretary to give priority to projects that enhance the installation of positive train control systems. Revises the railroad safety risk reduction program. Extends from December 31, 2015, to December 31, 2020, the deadline for submission to DOT by each Class I railroad carrier and each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation of a plan for implementing a positive train control system on certain of its tracks. Authorizes such plans, in lieu of installing positive train control, to provide an alternative risk reduction strategy that would reduce the risk of release of poison- or toxic-by-inhalation hazmat to the same extent such risk of release would be reduced if positive train control were installed. Prescribes requirements for improving regulations issued by Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Hazardous Material Transportation Safety, Efficiency, and Accountability Act of 2012 - Revises hazmat transportation safety requirements. Eliminates training grants for training instructors to train hazmat employees in the safe loading, unloading, handling, storing, and transporting of hazmat. Directs the Secretary to review implementation of the hazmat safety permit program. Authorizes the Secretary to make hazmat planning and training grants to states or Indian tribes in a fiscal year only if they certify that they are in compliance with certain fairness requirements for fees charged to transport hazmat. Prohibits the Secretary from denying an application for a modification or renewal of a special permit granting a variance from regulations for the safe transport of hazmat, or an application for party status to an existing special permit, for the sole reason that the applicant has a greater than national average hazmat out-of-service percentage. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to implement the Uniform Motor Carrier Permit Program. Authorizes a designated DOT officer, employee, or agent to inspect a package for transportation if the officer, employee, or agent reasonably believes that the package may contain an undeclared hazmat and the inspection takes place at a properly equipped DOT-designated facility. Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2016 for specified hazmat transportation safety programs. Directs the Secretary to establish pilot projects to evaluate the feasibility and cost effectiveness of electronic shipping paper systems. Requires DOT studies: (1) of the transportation of flammable liquids in the external product piping of cargo tank motor vehicles (wetlines); and (2) on whether it is necessary to continue to designate any amount or form of finished pharmaceutical, finished cosmetic, or similar product containing ethyl alcohol as a hazmat. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is not being used for its intended purpose, (2) the Administration should request full use of the Fund for operating and maintaining the nation's navigation system, and (3) Congress should fully expend amounts in the Fund to operate and maintain such system. Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2012 - Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to continue through FY2016 the authorized distribution of funds under such Act for coastal wetlands, recreational boating safety, projects under the Clean Vessel Act of 19921, boating infrastructure projects, and the National Outreach and Communications Program. Extends the set-aside for administrative expenses for carrying out such projects. Earmarks amounts allocated to the Secretary for recreational boating safety programs for: (1) payment of expenses of the Coast Guard for personnel and related activities, and (2) National Boating Safety Advisory Council activities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through FY2016 authority for expenditures from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012 - Amends the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, Part II to continue through FY2012, and authorizes appropriations through that date for, specified federal-aid highway programs under SAFETEA-LU, the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Includes among extended funds those for: (1) the surface transportation research, development, and deployment program; (2) training and education; (3) the Bureau of Transportation Statistics; (4) university transportation research; and (5) intelligent transportation systems (ITS) research. Subjects funding for such programs generally to the same manner of distribution, administration, limitation, and availability for obligation as funds authorized to be appropriated for such programs and activities out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for FY2011. Subjects contract authority for such programs, however, to the same limitation on obligations included in any Act making appropriations for FY2012 or a portion of that fiscal year. Waives this obligation limitation, though, for emergency relief and for the equity bonus program. Extends the allocation of certain transportation program funds to: (1) states for specific programs, including the Interstate and National Highway System program, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program, the highway safety improvement program, the Surface Transportation program, and the Highway Bridge program; and (2) the territories and Puerto Rico. Authorizes appropriations for administrative expenses of the federal-aid highway program through FY2012. Amends SAFETEA-LU to extend through that date the authorization of appropriations for specified NHTSA safety programs and FMCSA programs (including NHTSA and FMCSA administrative expenses). Extends through FY2012 the funding for hazmat research projects. Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to continue through that date the authorized distribution of funds under such Act for coastal wetlands, recreational boating safety, projects under the Clean Vessel Act of 19921, boating infrastructure projects, and the National Outreach and Communications Program. Extends the set-aside for administrative expenses for carrying out such projects. Extends through FY2012 the allocation of capital investment grant funds for federal transit programs, including the metropolitan planning program and the state planning and research program. Extends the special rule authority of the Secretary to award urbanized area formula grants to finance the operating cost of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation in an urbanized area with a population of at least 200,000. Allocates through FY2012 certain amounts for formula and bus grants and capital investment grants for: (1) certain new fixed guideway capital projects; (2) new fixed guideway ferry systems and extension projects in Alaska and Hawaii; (3) payments to the Denali Commission for docks, waterfront development projects, and related transportation infrastructure; (4) ferry boats or ferry terminal facilities; (5) a set-aside for the national fuel cell bus technology development program; (6) projects in nonurbanized areas; (7) intermodal terminal projects; and (8) bus testing. Extends the apportionment of nonurbanized area formula grants for public transportation on Indian reservations. Eliminates the special rule for the apportionment for October 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012, of capital investment grant funds for certain fixed guideway modernization projects. Extends through FY2012 the authorization appropriations from the HTF Mass Transit Account for: (1) formula and bus grant projects, (2) capital investment grants, (3) transit research, and (4) administration expenses. Extends through FY2012 certain SAFETEA-LU programs, including: (1) the contracted paratransit pilot program, (2) the public-private partnership pilot program, (3) project authorizations for final design and construction and preliminary engineering of specified fixed guideway projects, and (4) the elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities pilot program. Extends certain allocations for national research and technology programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 3834 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2012
Advancing America's Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2012 - Amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to rename the National High-Performance Computing Program as the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program. Directs the federal agencies participating in the Program to: (1) periodically assess the contents and funding levels of program component areas and restructure the Program when warranted; and (2) ensure that the Program includes large-scale, long-term, interdisciplinary research and development (R&D) activities, including such activities in networking and information technology in areas having the potential for significant contributions to national economic competitiveness and for other societal benefits. Requires the participating federal agencies to develop, and update every three years, a five-year strategic plan to guide activities provided for under the Program, to be accompanied by milestones and road maps for establishing the national research infrastructure required to support the Program. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to encourage and monitor the efforts of participating agencies to allocate the resources and management attention necessary to ensure that the strategic plan is executed effectively and that Program objectives are met. Requires the Program, in addition to its current requirements, to provide for: (1) increased understanding of the scientific principles of cyber-physical systems and improve the methods available for the design, development, and operation of such systems; and (2) research and development on human-computer interactions, visualization, and big data. Requires continuation of a National Coordination Office and requires the Director of the Office to convene: (1) a task force to explore mechanisms for carrying out collaborative R&D activities on cyber-physical systems; and (2) through the National Science and Technology Council, an interagency working group to examine issues around funding mechanisms and policies for the use of cloud computing services for federally-funded science and engineering research.
Bill· HRH.R. 3838 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2012
Port Opportunity Reinvestment and Training Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to award renewable one-year grants to ports to provide summer jobs to high school students who live within each port's Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Requires the Secretary, when considering grant applications and amounts, to favor ports located in cities with high unemployment rates and also consider each port's cargo volume and the size of its MSA. Allows ports to use the grants to provide job training to such students, provided no more than 15% of the students' time is spent training and they are compensated at their normal pay rate while training.
Bill· HRH.R. 3837 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2012
Bridge to Jobs Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to provide grants to states to repair or replace bridges the Federal Highway Administration has found to be structurally deficient. Allows states to use the grants to cover costs directly or indirectly related to the repair or replacement of such bridges, including administrative expenses and job training costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 3833 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2012
Driving Research through Innovative Viable Economic Solutions Act of 2012 or DRIVES Act of 2012 - Amends federal transportation law related to: (1) surface transportation research, (2) technology deployment, (3) transportation training and education, (4) intelligent transportation systems, (5) University Transportation Centers, and (6) the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Reauthorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for up to 80% of the costs of those programs and entities for FY2013-FY2016. Allows the Secretary to carry out surface transportation research and development activities to: (1) improve highway safety; (2) improve infrastructure integrity; (3) reduce congestion, improve highway operations, and enhance freight productivity; and (4) assess policy and system financing alternatives. Eliminates the Long-Term Pavement Performance, Seismic Research, and Long-Term Bridge Performance programs. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) implement a competitive prize program to stimulate surface transportation innovations, and (2) establish up to four Centers for Surface Transportation Excellence to assist states in implementing surface transportation programs. Requires the Secretary to implement a technology deployment program relating to all aspects of highway transportation. Eliminates the Innovative Bridge Research and Construction, Innovative Pavement Research and Deployment, and Safety Innovation Deployment programs. Directs the Secretary to implement the recommendations of the Future Strategic Highway Research program administered by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). Sets the federal share of the costs of local technical assistance center activities at 50%. Requires amounts provided to institutions of higher education (IHEs) under the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship program to be used for student expenses. Eliminates the authority of states to use for surface transportation workforce development, training, and education certain federal funds they received to maintain the Interstate Highway System or replace or rehabilitate highway bridges. Repeals the International Highway Transportation Outreach and Surface Transportation-Environmental Cooperative Research programs. Requires the Secretary to develop a strategic five-year plan to guide federal transportation research and development activities. Repeals the National Cooperative Freight Transportation Research and Future Strategic Highway Research programs. Requires the Secretary to develop a five-year National Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) program plan. Amends SAFETEA-LU to require the Secretary to ensure that ITS programs conform with regional ITS architecture and standards. Authorizes the Administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, with a 50% federal share, to carry out collaborative research and development with non-federal entities, federal laboratories, and other federal agencies. Revises the university transportation centers program to establish competitive grants to IHEs to establish and operate university transportation centers for 65% of the costs to: (1) improve highway safety; (2) improve infrastructure integrity; (3) reduce congestion, improve highway operations, and enhance freight productivity; and (4) assess policy and system financing alternatives.
Bill· HRH.R. 3824 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2012
Airline First Responder Workplace Fairness Act - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish an Aviation Rulemaking Committee to develop recommendations for the Administrator to include in a final rule to minimize flight attendant fatigue. Requires the Committee to comprise aviation safety experts, labor representatives, and industry stakeholders. Directs the Administrator to issue regulations to minimize flight attendant fatigue.
Bill· HRH.R. 3816 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2012
Pilot's Bill of Rights - Requires National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) proceedings for the review of decisions of the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to deny, amend, modify, suspend, or revoke an airman's certificate to be conducted, to the extent practicable, in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Evidence. Requires the Administrator to: (1) advise the subject of an investigation involving the approval, denial, suspension, modification, or revocation of an airman certificate of specified information pertinent to the investigation; and (2) provide him or her with access to relevant air traffic data. Allows an individual to elect to file an appeal of a certificate denial, a punitive civil action, or an emergency order of revocation in the U.S. district court in which individual resides, in which the action in question occurred, or the district court for the District of Columbia. Allows an adversely affected individual who elects not to file an appeal in a federal district court to file such appeal with the NTSB. Directs the Administrator to begin a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Improvement Program to improve the system of providing airmen with pertinent and timely information before a flight in the national airspace system. Makes Flight Service Station briefings and other air traffic services performed by any government contractor available to airmen under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Requires the Administrator to review the FAA system for the medical certification of airmen in order to: (1) revise the medical application form, (2) align medical qualification policies with present-day qualified medical judgment and practices, and (3) publish objective medical standards to advise the public of the criteria determining an airman's medical certificate eligibility.
Law· HRH.R. 3800 (112th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2012
Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through February 17, 2012, increased excise taxes on aviation fuels, the excise tax on air transportation of persons and property, and the expenditure authority for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Extends through February 17, 2012: (1) the authorization of appropriations for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning projects (known as airport improvement projects [AIPs]), and (2) the authority of the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to make new AIP grants. Extends through February 17, 2012: (1) the pilot program for passenger facility fee authorizations at non-hub airports, and (2) disclosure requirements for large and medium hub airports applying for AIP grants. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary through February 17, 2012, to make agreements to provide small community air service assistance to underserved airports. Directs the Secretary to extend through February 17, 2012, the termination date of insurance coverage for domestic or foreign-flag aircraft. Grants the Secretary discretionary authority to further extend such coverage through May 17, 2012. Extends through May 17, 2012, the authority of the Secretary to limit air carrier liability for claims arising out of acts of terrorism. Extends through February 17, 2012: (1) grant eligibility for airports located in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau; (2) grants to state and local governments for land use compatibility AIPs; and (3) authority for approving an application of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for an airport development grant or for permission to impose a passenger facility fee. Amends the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act to extend through February 17, 2012: (1) the temporary increase to 95% of the federal government's share of certain AIP costs, (2) funding for airport development at Midway Island Airport, and (3) the effective period of final orders of the Secretary regarding the eligibility of small communities for essential air service subsidies. Authorizes appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the period from October 1, 2011, through February 17, 2012, for: (1) FAA operations; (2) air navigation facilities and equipment; and (3) civil aviation research, engineering, and development. Authorizes appropriations out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for the period from October 1, 2011, through February 17, 2012, for the essential air service (EAS) program.
Bill· HRH.R. 3810 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2012
Amends the federal-aid highway program to modify the minimum penalties states are required to impose on motorists convicted multiple times for driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol. Requires repeat offenders to have: (1) all their driving privileges suspended (currently, a driver's license suspension) for at least one year; or (2) their unlimited driving privileges suspended for one year, with limited driving privileges permitted, subject to restrictions and limited exemptions established under state law, if an ignition interlock device is installed for at least one year on each of the motor vehicles they own or operate. Eliminates the current alternative of a combination of suspension of all driving privileges for the first 45 days of the suspension period followed by a reinstatement of limited driving privileges for the purpose of getting to and from work, school, or an alcohol treatment program if an ignition interlock device is installed on each of the motor vehicles owned or operated, or both, by the individual.
Bill· HRH.R. 3793 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2012
Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2012 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into cooperative agreements with states to establish state and multistate infrastructure banks that make loans to local educational agencies, public libraries, and charter schools or their developers to construct or renovate public elementary or secondary schools and public libraries. Grants congressional consent to states for interstate compacts to establish multistate infrastructure banks. Directs the Secretary to make grants to such banks to provide initial capital for such loans. Requires states to contribute from nonfederal sources at least 25% of the amount of each federal capitalization grant made to the state and contributed to the bank. Lists types of projects eligible for such bank loans. Requires borrowers to use, to the maximum extent practicable, green construction or renovation practices that are consistent with: (1) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating standards, (2) Energy Star standards, (3) Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) criteria, (4) Green Building Initiative environmental design and rating standards (Green Globes), or (5) equivalent standards adopted by the entities that have jurisdiction over them.
Bill· HRH.R. 3780 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2012
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to elect, during the five-year period after the enactment of this Act, to treat any contribution to a qualified regional infrastructure improvement zone as a tax deductible ordinary and necessary business expense. Defines "qualified regional infrastructure improvement zone" as any zone created and designated by a multi-jurisdictional regional planning organization to undertake public infrastructure improvement projects.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 510 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2012
Honors: (1) those who lost their lives due to the tragic earthquake of January 12, 2010; and (2) the sacrifice of the men and women of the government of Haiti, the U.S. government, the United Nations (U.N.), and the international community for their response to the calamity. Expresses solidarity with the people of Haiti as they work to rebuild their neighborhoods, livelihoods, and country. Reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to support long-term Haitian reconstruction. Supports the Administration's efforts to prevent the spread of cholera, treat persons who contract the disease, provide technical assistance to the Haitian Ministry of Public Health, and improve water, sanitation, and health systems. Urges the President and the international community to: (1) focus assistance on Haiti's public sector capacity to provide basic services, (2) develop and improve communications and participatory mechanisms to more substantially involve Haitian civil society at all stages of the cholera and post-earthquake responses, and (3) give priority to programs that protect vulnerable populations. Urges the President to: (1) make necessary resources available to U.S. and U.N. agencies, nongovernmental organizations, private volunteer organizations, and regional institutions; (2) assess long-term needs for investing in public health and building water and sanitation infrastructure, particularly in relation to the cholera epidemic; (3) lead humanitarian and development efforts with the government of Haiti, the Haitian Diaspora, and international actors; and (4) work with Haitian authorities and private landowners to prevent the forced eviction of internally displaced person communities.