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Bill· SS. 1020 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005
Collaborative Opportunities to Mobilize and Promote Education, Technology, and Enterprise Act of 2005 - COMPETE Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax incentives for research and education by: (1) extending a research credit; (2) increasing rates of an alternative incremental credit for research; (3) establishing an alternative simplified credit for qualified research expenses; (4) providing a credit for information and communications technology education; and (5) setting an alternative percentage limitation for corporate charitable contributions to the mathematics and science partnership program. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to award grants to partnerships of institutions of higher education (IHEs) and other entities to establish 10 regional training and research Making America Competitive (MAC) Centers to help maintain U.S. workforce and education investment and infrastructure in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make partnership bonus grants annually to a certain number of elementary and of secondary schools in each state that show the most improvement in mathematics and in science, respectively. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Science of the Department of Energy to award matching grants to IHEs to: (1) provide stipends or other financial assistance for students enrolled in graduate programs in the sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics; and (2) support outreach and mentoring activities to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics at all or any level of education, including elementary, secondary and postsecondary education. Amends federal patent law to require the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, for any fiscal year when estimated fee collections exceed appropriations to the Office, to reduce fees under the Trademark Act of 1946 for that fiscal year or its remainder so that estimated collections equal the amount appropriated.
Bill· SS. 1032 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005
United States Seaport Multiyear Security Enhancement Act - Authorizes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to make grants to seaports to enhance security if the TSA determines that the grant will improve security at a seaport or improve the efficiency of the seaport without lessening security.
Bill· SS. 1013 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005
Funding Our Risks With Appropriate Resource Disbursement Act of 2005 or the Homeland Security FORWARD Funding Act of 2005 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to set forth provisions governing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant funding for first responders pursuant to the State Homeland Security Grant Program, the Urban Area Security Initiative, the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program, and the Citizen Corps Program. Makes eligible for a covered grant any state, region, or directly eligible tribe. Sets forth grant application procedures and requirements. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a Homeland Security Grants Board. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) clearly defined essential capabilities for state and local government preparedness for terrorism (sets forth factors to address in establishing such capabilities and lists critical infrastructure sectors and types of threats to specifically consider); and (2) a Task Force on Essential Capabilities. Directs the Secretary to promulgate national voluntary consensus standards for grant-funded first responder equipment and training. Lists authorized and prohibited uses of covered grants. Requires each covered grant recipient to submit quarterly and annual reports on homeland security spending. Establishes penalties for states that fail to pass through to local governments, first responders, and other local groups funds or resources as required by this Act within 45 days of receipt. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding interoperable communications and Citizen Corps councils. Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure coordination of federal efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to acts of terrorism and other major disasters and emergencies among DHS divisions; and (2) study the feasibility of implementing a nationwide emergency telephonic alert notification system.
Bill· HRH.R. 2351 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005
Rail Security Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to: (1) develop a security assessment of railroad transportation identifying critical railroad assets and infrastructures, including threats and vulnerabilities specific to the rail transportation of hazardous materials; (2) use the security assessment to develop a transportation modal security plan that establishes a strategy for minimizing terrorist threats to railroad transportation systems; (3) develop prioritized recommendations for improving railroad security; (4) carry out a research and development (R&D) program to improve railroad security; (5) develop guidance for a rail worker security traning program to prepare rail workers for potential threat conditions; and (6) develop a national plan for public outreach and awareness to increase awareness of measures that the general public and railroad passengers and employees can take to increase railroad system security. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to freight and passenger railroad carriers (including shippers of hazardous materials) for security upgrades to prevent or respond to acts of terrorism or sabotage. Authorizes appropriations to Amtrak for fire and life-safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to certain tunnels in New York, New York, Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Sets forth certain whistleblower protections for rail employees or other persons providing information about perceived security threats. Directs the Secretary to analyze the cost and feasibility of requiring security screening for passengers, baggage, and cargo on passenger trains. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) issue emergency responder training standards; and (2) provide grants to Operation Respond Institute. Amends Federal transportation law to require the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as soon as practicable after a rail passenger accident involving a major loss of life, to: (1) designate and publicize a NTSB employee who shall be a director of support services for the families of passengers involved; and (2) designate an independent, experienced nonprofit organization with primary responsibility for coordinating the emotional care and support of such families. Directs each rail passenger carrier to submit to the Secretary of Transportation and the Chairman of the NTSB a plan for addressing the needs of such families. Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to develop a model plan to assist passenger rail carriers in responding to passenger rail accidents.
Bill· HRH.R. 2358 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005
Aeronautics Research and Development Revitalization Act of 2005 - Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator to establish, and provide Congress a plan for the implementation of, certain initiatives to develop technologies that would: (1) significantly reduce aircraft noise, fuel consumption, and harmful emissions; (2) enable overland flight of supersonic civil transport aircraft with certain performance characteristics; and (3) create significantly safer, quieter, and more environmentally compatible operation of rotorcraft and other runway independent air vehicles from a wider range of airports and under a wider range of weather conditions. Directs the Administrator to arrange with the National Research Council to assess federal wake turbulence research and development programs. Directs the Administrator to award grants to institutions of higher education to establish one or more Centers for Research on Aviation Training.
Bill· HRH.R. 2342 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005
Ferry Safety Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends Federal shipping law to treat as a passenger vessel any vessel that carries more than 399 passengers. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to: (1) prescribe regulations that require such passenger vessels be equipped with a voyage data recorder; and (2) require vessel pilots to submit their annual physical examination results to the Coast Guard. Sets forth a criminal penalty for persons who falsify physical examination reports.
Bill· HRH.R. 2331 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005
Restore Open Government Act of 2005 - Revokes the "Memorandum for Heads of all Federal Departments and Agencies on The Freedom of Information Act" and "Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Department and Agencies on Action to Safeguard Information Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction and Other Sensitive Documents Related to Homeland Security." Directs the Archivist of the United States to: (1) report on the use of psuedo-classification designations; and (2) promulgate regulations banning unnecessary psuedo-classification designations. Provides for standards for information control designations related to the classification of national security information, if needed. Revokes specified executive orders limiting access to presidential records. Requires publishing the names of Presidential interagency advisory committee members. Requires public disclosure of non-governmental committee contacts. Permits the Archivist to charge an agency a specified fee to cover costs required for activities of the Public Interest Declassification Board, if funds appropriated for the Board are insufficient. Restricts the availability of a record under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) pertaining to the vulnerability of and threats to critical infrastructure that is furnished voluntarily to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Amends the FOIA concerning additional matters to be included in agency reports to the Attorney General. Prohibits aggregating public information requests with information on individuals in reports. Amends the FOIA to permit assessing the United States reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in any case seeking information under any other Federal law in which the complainant has substantially prevailed.
Bill· HRH.R. 2347 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005
Suburban Core Opportunity, Restoration, and Enhancement (SCORE) Act of 2005 - Defines "SCORE project area" as any area that: (1) is ineligible for renewal community designation under the Internal Revenue Code (the Code); (2) is not smaller than a census-designated place; and (3) includes some of the following, proximity to existing development and infrastructure (including mass transit), substandard or underutilized residential, commercial, and industrial properties, or an economically obsolescent regional mall (Greyfield mall), has an average housing cost-burden of at least 50 percent of gross income, or a 30 percent higher than average commercial vacancy rate. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to: (1) designate SCORE project areas from among local government entity-designated areas; (2) make SCORE project area planning and revitalization grants. Requires a local government grantee to establish a SCORE Reinvestment Fund. Sets forth provisions respecting housing units, businesses, and economic development projects in SCORE project areas that are receiving community development block grant funds. Amends the Code to: (1) include SCORE project areas within the work opportunity tax credit; and (2) permit an additional first-year depreciation amount for certain SCORE project area residential real property or residential rental property.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 151 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005
Urges the Commandant of the Coast Guard to name an appropriate Coast Guard vessel after Petty Officer Third Class Nathan Bruckenthal.
Bill· SS. 995 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005
Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to designate the La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor in Texas as a high priority corridor on the National Highway System.
Bill· HRH.R. 2308 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005
Clinical Research Act of 2005 - Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to award clinical investigator advancement grants to eligible academic health centers to: (1) establish career development programs for new and mid-level clinician-investigators who are fully committed to academic clinical research careers; (2) support the translation of basic science to patient care by implementing and conducting all aspects of their clinical research mission; and (3) support activities leading to innovative ways to achieve such purposes in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Requires that health centers receive a proportionate share of the total grant money awarded based on the amount invested by the grantee in clinical research compared to the total clinical research investment of all grantees. Requires the Director to award clinical research infrastructure grants to eligible academic health centers to: (1) foster the use of information technology to facilitate the transformation of basic research findings on disease mechanisms into the development of new methodologies for diagnosis, therapy, and prevention; (2) address the obstacles impeding the expeditious application of new science, including a lack of up-to-date information technology systems and an underrepresentation of some populations in clinical research; and (3) share clinical research infrastructure across academic health centers to enable and facilitate cross-center clinical research collaborations. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make up to five grants to eligible academic health centers to form partnerships with health care providers for carrying out clinical human subject research to demonstrate how academic research centers may collaborate with the practicing health care community.
Bill· HRH.R. 2284 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005
Transportation Empowerment Act - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the interstate maintenance program, the interstate and Indian reservation bridge program, the Federal lands highways program, highway safety programs, and transportation research programs. Authorizes a state, upon determining that excess funds have been made available, to transfer the excess funds to, and use such funds for, any surface transportation purpose (including mass transit and rail) in the state. Revises requirements regarding state apportionments under the interstate maintenance component for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to: (1) extend the availability of HTF funds for authorized expenditures; (2) set a essential programs financing rate for gasoline, special motor fuels, kerosene, and diesel fuel; (3) establish in the HTF an Infrastructure Special Assistance Fund; and (4) provide for the return of excess tax receipts to states for transportation purposes. Directs the head of each executive agency to: (1) assist state and local governments in efforts to privatize their transportation infrastructure assets; and (2) approve requests from such governments to privatize such assets and waive or modify conditions relating to the original Federal program that funded the asset under specified circumstances. Amends the IRC to reduce taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and special fuels funding the HTF.
Bill· HRH.R. 2234 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2005
21st Century Health Information Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to regional health information organizations to develop and implement regional health information technology plans. Requires the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to establish and maintain a national technical assistance center to provide assistance to physicians to facilitate adoption of health information technologies and participation in such regional plans. Requires the Secretary to establish a program of accrediting health information networks. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the progress of regional health information organizations in realizing the purposes of this Act. Prohibits federal funds available under this Act from being used for the purchase of a health information technology product unless such product has been certified as incorporating interoperability data standards and compliance criteria. Allows the Secretary to make loans to any accredited regional health information organization to finance investments in network infrastructure and technology acquisition, training, and workflow engineering for physicians. Amends the Social Security Act to exclude the provision of equipment or services for the development of such a regional plan from illegal remuneration provisions and limitations on physician compensation arrangements. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a methodology for making adjustments in Medicare payments to providers participating in an accredited network; and (2) make matching Medicaid payments to states for the development and implementation of a regional plan under certain circumstances.
Bill· HRH.R. 2211 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2005
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, with respect to abatement actions because of the release of recycled oil and liability for costs or damages resulting from such oil's release in the course of disposal or transport, to limit liability of a service station dealer with respect to any period between November 8, 1986, and the effective date of certain corrective action regulations or standards promulgated under the Solid Waste Disposal Act if the dealer complied with all applicable laws and regulations relating to disposal.
Bill· HRH.R. 2230 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2005
Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations for all light passenger vehicles to: (1) require that power windows and panels automatically reverse direction when they detect an obstruction to prevent children from being trapped, injured, or killed; (2) require a system of driver notification or a reminder system once the ignition switch is in the off position if passengers remain in any of the rear seating positions of the vehicle; and (3) require a rearward visibility performance standard to prevent backing incidents. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a database of, and collect data on, injuries and deaths in nontraffic, noncrash events involving motor vehicles; and (2) either supplement a consumer information program on child safety or create a new program with information about hazards to children in nontraffic, noncrash incident situations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2210 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2005
Save Every Child Using Restraints Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations establishing a safety standard requiring school buses with a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds, as the Secretary determines appropriate, to be equipped with three-point safety belts on all seats. Requires the Secretary to establish an elementary and secondary school traffic safety program, including education on the use and misuse of three-point safety belts on all school buses.
Bill· HRH.R. 2124 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2005
Clinical Research Act of 2005 - Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to award clinical investigator advancement grants to eligible academic health centers to: (1) establish career development programs for new and mid-level clinician-investigators who are fully committed to academic clinical research careers; (2) support the translation of basic science to patient care by implementing and conducting all aspects of their clinical research mission; and (3) support activities leading to innovative ways to achieve such purposes in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Requires that health centers receive a proportionate share of the total grant money awarded based on the amount invested by the grantee in clinical research compared to the total clinical research investment of all grantees. Requires the Director to award clinical research infrastructure grants to eligible academic health centers to: (1) foster the use of information technology to facilitate the transformation of basic research findings on disease mechanisms into the development of new methodologies for diagnosis, therapy, and prevention; (2) address the obstacles impeding the expeditious application of new science, including a lack of up-to-date information technology systems and an underrepresentation of some populations in clinical research; and (3) share clinical research infrastructure across academic health centers to enable and facilitate cross-center clinical research collaborations. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make up to five grants to eligible academic health centers to form partnerships with health care providers for carrying out clinical human subject research to demonstrate how academic research centers may collaborate with the practicing health care community.
Bill· HRH.R. 2185 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2005
Congestion Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) to provide that 80 percent of specified funds apportioned to a State (currently, 62.5 percent of the remaining 80 percent) shall be obligated in urbanized areas of the State with populations of over 200,000 and in other areas of the State, in proportion to their relative share of the State's population. Modifies: (1) the allocation formula under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program; and (2) the Minimum Guarantee regarding programmatic distribution of funds. Directs that the funds apportioned to a State for a fiscal year for the National Highway System (NHS) be allocated between urbanized areas with a population of over 200,000 in the State and other areas in the State as follows: (1) 75 percent in the ratio that the total lane miles on the NHS in such urbanized areas in the State bears to the total lane miles on the NHS in all areas in the State; and (2) 25 percent in the ratio that the total vehicle miles traveled on the NHS in such urbanized areas in the State bears to the total vehicle miles traveled on the NHS in all areas in the State. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) establish a metropolitan congestion relief program; and (2) establish and implement an operational improvement program. Increases the percentage set aside for metropolitan planning.
Bill· HRH.R. 2129 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2005
Great Lakes Environmental Protection and Restoration Programs Reauthorization Act - Amends the Water Resources Development Acts of 2000, 1990, and 1996, respectively, to reauthorize appropriations for: (1) Great Lakes fishery and ecosystem restoration; (2) Great Lakes remedial action plans and sediment remediation projects; and (3) the development of a tributary sediment transport model for the Great Lakes. Reauthorizes appropriations under: (1) the Food Security Act of 1985 for the Great Lakes basin program for soil erosion and sediment control; (2) the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Act of 2002 for research and development; and (3) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act for the Great Lakes National Program Office. Directs such Office and the Great Lakes Research Office to submit the joint research plan to the Executive Committee of the Regional Collaboration. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Great Lakes Coordination Office; (2) research on fisheries and ecosystems in the Lower Great Lakes; and (3) the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, for use by the Great Lakes Science Center. Reauthorizes national programs for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution and authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in carrying out such programs, to provide technical assistance to rural and small municipalities to help in planning, developing, and acquiring financing for wastewater infrastructure assistance. Extends the payment period for water pollution control revolving loan funds. Authorizes a State to provide additional subsidization to benefit a municipality that meets specified requirements. Codifies: (1) the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force within EPA (as originally established by Executive Order 13340); and (2) the Framework for the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.
Bill· HRH.R. 2101 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2005
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and implement an emergency telephonic alert notification system (the Responsive Emergency Alert and Dissemination of Information Call System or READICall System) to: (1) alert persons of imminent or current hazardous events caused by terrorist acts, other man-made disasters, natural disasters, or any combination of such events; and (2) provide information to individuals regarding measures to alleviate or minimize threats to their safety and welfare. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make use of national private sector networks, technology, personnel, and infrastructure to develop and implement the System; (2) develop coordinated infrastructure for the System that will be able to provide immediate notification and warning to all telephone subscribers in the United States in a national crisis resulting from a terrorist act and to target specific locations and warn just the affected areas; and (3) collaborate with other Federal, State, and local agencies to allow interoperability between different sources of terrorist threat information, allow the immediate dissemination of information from all levels of governmental sources, and develop standards, protocols, procedures, and terminology to minimize inconsistencies and miscommunication with intelligence information. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct research and pilot programs as may be necessary for improving the effectiveness of such System.
Bill· HRH.R. 2105 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2005
Amends Federal highway law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to transfer a specified percentage of Federal-aid highway program funds apportioned to a State to its apportionment of highway safety program funds, if the State has not enacted a child safety restraint law. Requires the State to use such transferred funds to implement a statewide comprehensive child and other passenger protection education program to promote child and other passenger safety, including education programs about proper seating positions for children in air bag-equipped motor vehicles and instruction that increases the proper use of child restraint systems.
Bill· HRH.R. 2044 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2005
Air Cargo Security Act - Requires the inspection of all cargo transported in aircraft operated by domestic and foreign air carriers. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) develop a plan to implement such inspection; (2) monitor and evaluate new cargo screening technologies; (3) establish a system for the regular inspection of shipping facilities (including foreign facilities) for shipments of air cargo; and (4) establish a training and evaluation program for air cargo handlers.
Bill· HRH.R. 2047 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2005
Railroad Competition Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 - 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. Prohibits the Surface Transportation Board (STB) from issuing a certificate authorizing construction and operation of railroad lines, or exempting a person, class of persons, or a transaction or service from the certificate requirement, if such an activity involves a transfer of interest in a line of railroad from a Class I rail carrier to a Class II or III rail carrier, and the activity directly or indirectly would restrict: (1) the ability of the Class II or Class III rail carrier to interchange traffic with other carriers; or (2) competition of rail carriers in the region affected by the activity in a manner 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 ten years. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the STB's authority to require: (1) a rail carrier's terminal facilities to be used by another rail carrier subject to certain conditions; and (2) rail carriers to enter into reciprocal switching agreements. Prohibits the STB, in either instance, from requiring evidence of anticompetitive conduct by a rail carrier from which such access is sought. Requires the STB to designate any state or substantial part of a state as an area of inadequate rail competition after finding that: (1) it encompasses rail shipping origins and destinations served exclusively by one Class I railroad; and (2) persons that ship by rail or receive rail shipments in it pay rates exceeding a certain mark, or have experienced competitive disadvantage in the marketplace or other economic adversity because of high cost or poor rail service quality. Specifies actions the STB may take to resolve such anti-competitive conditions. Requires submission to arbitration of rail rate disputes. Requires the STB to adopt new methods for determining the reasonableness of rail rates. Establishes within the Department of Transportation (DOT) the Office of Rail Customer Advocacy. Requires the STB, in a proceeding involving the merger or control of at least two Class I railroads, to consider among other things the safety and environmental effect of the proposed transaction on local communities and rail passenger transportation.
Bill· HRH.R. 1995 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2005
Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe a vehicle theft standard requiring automobile dealerships to verify ownership of a vehicle (including vehicle registration and driver's license) before providing a spare or replacement key for it. Sets forth a penalty for violation of such requirement.
Bill· SS. 918 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2005
E-85 Fuel Utilization and Infrastructure Development Incentives Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) 50 percent of the cost of installing residential or commercial alternative fuel vehicle refueling property to store or dispense E-85 fuel (alternative vehicle fuel consisting of at least 85 percent ethanol); and (2) the retail sale of E-85 fuel for use in an alternative fuel motor vehicle.
Bill· SS. 913 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2005
Southwest Bridge Research Center Establishment Act of 2005 - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to provide grants to New Mexico State University, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Transportation Center, to establish the Southwest Bridge Research Center to contribute at a national level to a systems approach to improving the overall performance of bridges.
Bill· SS. 919 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2005
Railroad Competition Act of 2005 - 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 directly or indirectly 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 ten 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. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to make mandatory the Secretary's authority to provide direct loans and loan guarantees to State and local governments, approved agreements or interstate compacts, sponsored authorities and corporations, railroads, and joint ventures that include at least one railroad for railroad rehabilitation and improvement projects.
Bill· SS. 907 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2005
Federal Public Transportation Act of 2005 - Amends Federal transportation law to revise requirements for the development and revitalization of U.S. public transportation systems. Requires: (1) metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to develop transportation plans and transportation improvement programs for metropolitan planning areas; and (2) States to develop statewide transportation plans and statewide transportation improvement programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide urbanized area formula grants: (1) for planning (including mobility management), transit enhancements, and certain operating costs; and (2) to sub-recipients (State or local governmental authority, nonprofit organization, or private operator of public transportation service) in financing transportation projects. Directs the Secretary to establish a Planning Capacity Building Program to support innovative practices and enhancements in transportation planning. Requires the Secretary to enter into project construction grant agreements with grantees receiving less than $75 million for a new fixed guideway or corridor improvement capital project. Revises requirements with respect to the formula grant program for the needs elderly persons and persons with disabilities to authorize the Secretary to award such grants to States for capital public transportation projects for such individuals, with priority given to the needs of these individuals to access necessary health care. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to a national not-for-profit organization for the establishment of a national technical assistance center for senior transportation programs. Requires the Secretary to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Homeland Security to define the respective roles of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security regarding public transportation security. Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant or enter into a contract to carry out a qualified project to provide alternative transportation in parks and public lands.
Bill· HRH.R. 1818 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2005
Airport Screener Technology Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends Federal transportation law to increase for FY 2006 and 2007 the amount of security service fees (passenger fees) that are collected from passengers of air carriers and foreign air carriers in air transportation and intrastate air transportation and deposited into the Aviation Security Capital Fund. Increases amounts made available from such Fund for FY 2006 and 2007 for discretionary grants (with priority given to fulfill obligations under letters of intent to airport sponsors for airport security improvement projects). Establishes the Checkpoint Screening Security Fund in the Department of Homeland Security. Makes a specified amount from the Aviation Security Capital Fund available for deposit into the Checkpoint Screening Security Fund. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to impose a passenger fee and deposit amounts collected into such Fund.
Law· HRH.R. 1815 (109th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2005
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY 2006. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) procurement, including for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, and shipbuilding and conversion; (2) research, development, test, and evaluation; (3) operation and maintenance, including for defense working capital funds, the Armed Forces Retirement Home, the Defense Health Program, and chemical agents and munitions destruction; and (4) active and reserve military personnel, including end strengths. Extends certain bonus, special, and incentive pay authorities. Provides bonus repayment requirements with respect to unserved periods. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) active and reserve military personnel, including a special pay incentive for Selected Reserve personnel qualified in a critical military skill or unit, and bonuses for certain military medical officers; (2) military justice, including establishing an unlimited period for prosecution of murder or rape, extending the period for prosecution of child abuse cases, and establishing the offense of stalking; (3) acquisition policy and management, including the revitalization of DOD laboratories; (4) DOD organization and management, including exempting operational files of the Defense Intelligence Agency from public disclosure laws; (5) budget and financial matters; (6) transportation-related matters, including authority to transport family members incident to the repatriation of military personnel or civilians held captive, and a reserve civilian mariners pilot program; (7) DOD civilian personnel, including a science, mathematics, and research for transformation (SMART) defense education program, and a priority placement program for displaced civilian employees; and (8) matters relating to other nations, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Global War on Terrorism. Authorizes U.S. military personnel and DOD civilian employees to provide assistance relating to the detection and clearance of landmines and explosive remnants of war. Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 - Authorizes the Secretaries of Defense and the military departments to acquire real property and carry out specified military construction projects. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; and (3) National Guard and reserve forces facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 1817 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2005
Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY 2006. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to submit: (1) a DHS Terrorism Prevention Plan to specified congressional committees; and (2) a detailed analysis of the proposed DHS budget to Congress. Directs the Secretary to establish a consolidated process for conducting security screening and background checks. Homeland Security Information Sharing and Analysis Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to expand the responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection (Under Secretary), including with regard to dissemination of information involving the use of nuclear or biological terrorism to inflict mass casualties or other catastrophic consequences. Requires alternative analysis of such information. States that the Secretary shall be the executive branch official responsible for disseminating homeland security related information. Establishes the Tom Ridge Homeland Security Fellows Program. Requires the Under Secretary to: (1) implement a Homeland Security Advisory System; and (2) ensure the full and efficient use of open-source information by specified officials. Directs the Secretary: (1) through the Office for Domestic Preparedness, to establish a National Terrorism Exercise program; (2) to complete establishment of the Technology Clearinghouse; (3) to establish a homeland security technology transfer program; and (4) to conduct a risk assessment of each foreign seaport being considered for designation under the Container Security Initiative (CSI). Authorizes designation of a port under the CSI only if a significant level of risk exists. Addresses the deployment of inspection equipment and personnel to CSI ports and cargo container screening at U.S. ports of entry. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2005 - Establishes in the DHS Directorate for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection a National Cybersecurity Office. Requires the Secretary to evaluate the organizational structure of the DHS and to submit a report to specified congressional committees addressing the current division of immigration functions. Requires the Comptroller General to submit a report to Congress on the effectiveness of the DHS's structure in meeting counter-terrorism missions.
Bill· SS. 888 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2005
Homeland Security Information Guidance and Training Act of 2005 - Requires the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection to establish best practices for State and local governments in making determinations regarding the public disclosure and sharing among emergency management personnel of sensitive non-Federal homeland security information. Requires the Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness to: (1) establish a training curriculum based on such best practices; and (2) provide training to State and local governments. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish detailed guidance for State and local governments on the management of information relating to homeland security grants.
Bill· SS. 887 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2005
Climate Change Technology Deployment and Infrastructure Credit Act of 2005 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a national strategy to promote greenhouse gas intensity reducing technologies and practices developed through research and development programs conducted by National Laboratories, other Federal research facilities, universities, and the private sector. Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to establish: (1) an Interagency Coordinating Committee on Climate Change Technology (Committee) to coordinate Federal climate change activities and programs; (2) the Climate Change Technology Program; and (3) Climate Change Technology Working Group. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the Department of Commerce the Climate Change Science Program. Directs the Committee to develop and propose standards and best practices for calculating, monitoring, and analyzing greenhouse gas intensity. Directs the Secretary to make financial assistance available to eligible project developers and project owners to supplement private sector financing for eligible projects. Instructs the Secretary to establish a Energy Climate Credit Board to implement the greenhouse gas intensity reducing technology deployment program. Sets forth parameters regarding Board assistance, determination of eligibility and project selection.
Bill· SS. 889 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2005
Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2005 - Specifies increased average fuel economy standards for certain light trucks, automobiles (up to 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight), and certain classes of vehicles in the Federal fleet that are manufactured or purchased after specified dates.
Bill· HRH.R. 1770 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2005
Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require employers at critical infrastructure sites to participate in the basic pilot (employment eligibility verification) program. Defines such employers as those employing individuals in a location that: (1) is a Federal, State, or local government building, a military base, a nuclear energy site, a weapon site, or an airport; or (2) contains critical infrastructure as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Makes it unlawful for such employers to: (1) authorize an alien employee's access to critical infrastructure after receiving a notification of nonconfirmation from the commissioner of Social Security; or (2) fail to notify any other person or entity that has or may issue documentation authorizing the alien's access of such notification. Authorizes the use of information obtained pursuant to the basic pilot program for enforcement of the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Social Security Act. Allows the Secretary to authorize or require any person or entity responsible for granting access to, protecting, securing, operating, administering, or regulating critical infrastructure to use the basic pilot program for individuals seeking access if doing so will assist in protecting such infrastructure. Establishes enforcement procedures for noncompliance.
Bill· HRH.R. 1793 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2005
Fueling the U.S.A. Through Unlimited Reliable Energy Act of 2005 - Declares that it shall be the policy of the United States to conduct research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities to provide for the scientific, engineering, and commercial infrastructure necessary to ensure that the United States is competitive with other nations in providing fusion energy for its own needs and the needs of other nations, including by demonstrating electric power or hydrogen production for the United States energy grid utilizing fusion energy at the earliest date possible. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to transmit to Congress a plan meeting specified requirements for carrying out such policy. Authorizes the Secretary, subject to certain guidelines, to negotiate an agreement for U.S. participation in ITER (international burning plasma fusion research project). Directs the Secretary to develop a plan for the participation of U.S. scientists in ITER that includes the U.S. research agenda for ITER, methods to evaluate whether ITER is promoting progress toward making fusion a reliable and affordable source of power, and a description of how work at ITER will relate to other elements of the domestic fusion program. Directs the Secretary to send to Congress a plan for implementing a domestic burning plasma experiment such as Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE), if at any time during the negotiations on ITER the Secretary determines that construction and operation of ITER is unlikely or infeasible.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 224 (109th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2005
Makes amounts available for expenses, including staff salaries, of the following committees of the House of Representatives in the 109th Congress: (1) Agriculture; (2) Armed Services; (3) Budget; (4) Education and the Workforce; (5) Energy and Commerce; (6) Financial Services; (7) Government Reform; (8) Homeland Security; (9) House Administration; (10) Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; (11) International Relations; (12) Judiciary; (13) Resources; (14) Rules; (15) Science; (16) Small Business; (17) Standards of Official Conduct; (18) Transportation and Infrastructure; (19) Veterans' Affairs; and (20) Ways and Means. Sets forth first and second session limitations on such amounts.
Bill· SS. 853 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2005
North American Cooperative Security Act - Directs the Secretary of State to provide a framework for enhanced security management, communication, and coordination among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Directs the Secretary to: (1) negotiate border-related information sharing agreements with Mexico; (2) establish a program to improve Mexico's southern border security, including U.S., Canadian, and Mexican financial and technical assistance to Belize and Guatemala to help secure their borders; (3) establish a database to track Central American gangs; (4) examine the feasibility of an agreement with Panama and other Central American countries regarding the aerial interdiction program (Airbridge Denial); and (5) negotiate with other countries to accept the International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 9 one-time travel document in lieu of official travel documents if an inadmissible immigrant has not presented official travel documents or has presented fraudulent ones, and facilitate the removal and repatriation of inadmissible aliens from the United States, with a focus on criminal aliens who are dangerous or potential terrorists. Directs the Secretary of Defense to examine the feasibility of strengthening institutions for consultations on intelligence sharing and defense and border issues among the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees every six months regarding: (1) security, cargo security, and the movement of goods; (2) border infrastructure and wait times; (3) security clearances and document integrity; (4) immigration and visa management; (5) visa policy coordination and immigration security; (6) North American visitor overstay program; (7) terrorist watch lists; (8) money laundering, income tax evasion, currency smuggling, and alien smuggling; (9) counterterrorism programs; (10) law enforcement cooperation; (11) biosecurity cooperation; (12) protection against nuclear and radiological threats; (13) emergency management cooperation; (14) cooperative energy policy; and (15) feasibility of a common external tariff and development assistance with Mexico.
Bill· HRH.R. 1713 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2005
Passenger Rail Investment Reform Act - Amends Federal transportation law to require the restructuring of Amtrak into successor corporations named the Passenger Rail Service Provider (Provider) and the Passenger Rail Infrastructure Manager (Manager). Reorganizes the Board of Directors into a transition board, which shall prepare the restructuring plan. Grants the Provider the exclusive right for three years to continue to provide intercity passenger rail service currently provided by Amtrak; but after three years only under a contract. Grants the Manager the exclusive right for six years to continue to provide the dispatching, maintenance, and infrastructure services currently provided by Amtrak; but after six years only under a contract. Authorizes the States and the District of Columbia that constitute the North East Corridor (NEC) to enter into a multistate North East Corridor Compact, subject to congressional approval, to provide passenger rail service and conduct related activities in the NEC. Establishes a North East Corridor Compact Commission to prepare such compact, which shall provide for full authority for 99 years to succeed to the responsibilities of Amtrak as NEC operator, subject to a 99-year lease from the Department of Transportation. Prescribes general requirements of the compact to protect employee interests. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to develop a program for employee transition assistance. Authorizes the Secretary, after the first fiscal year following enactment of this Act, to make grants for operating assistance, according to a specified formula, to reimburse operators of long-distance routes and corridor feeder routes for their intercity passenger rail operating expenses. Specifies conditions and limitations on the availability of grants to Amtrak, including preparation of a capital spending plan, before its successor corporations are established and commence operations. Prescribes procedures for redemption and disposition of Amtrak stock and the transfer of assets to the successor corporations and/or the Compact, as well as real estate, facilities, and secured debt. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to an applicant State, interstate compact, or public agency to assist in financing the capital costs of facilities and equipment necessary to provide intercity passenger rail transportation. Authorizes interested States to enter into interstate compacts for corridor development.
Bill· HRH.R. 1708 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2005
Clean Water Investment and Infrastructure Security Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from State volume caps private facility bonds for sewage and water supply facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 1686 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2005
Requires U.S. assistance for repair, maintenance, or construction of the transportation infrastructure of Iraq to be provided in the form of loans subject to repayment in full to the U.S. Government.
Law· HRH.R. 6 (109th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2005
Energy Policy Act of 2005 - Sets forth an energy research and development program, including: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) oil and gas; (4) coal; (5) Indian energy; (6) nuclear matters and security; (7) vehicles and motor fuels, including ethanol; (8) hydrogen; (9) electricity; and (10) energy tax incentives. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to: (1) institute grant programs for low-income community energy efficiency and energy efficient public buildings; and (2) revise energy conservation standards for additional consumer products. Amends the National Housing Act and related Federal law regarding affordable housing, assisted housing, and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance incentives for energy efficient housing. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe incentive payments for renewable energy production facilities. Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for hydroelectric licensing proposals for alternative conditions and requirements governing project works within a Federal reservation. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments to promote hydroelectric production. Amends the Natural Gas Act to prescribe authorization procedures governing: (1) construction, expansion, or operation of liquefaction or gasification natural gas terminals; and (2) natural gas market transparency. Prescribes procedural guidelines for the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding regarding oil and gas leasing on Federal lands. United States Refinery Revitalization Act of 2005 - Prescribes procedural guidelines for: (1) designation of refinery revitalization zones; and (2) coordination and expeditious review of permitting process for such zones. Sets forth a Clean Coal Power Initiative campaign that includes grants to universities to establish Centers of Excellence for Energy Systems of the Future. Authorizes Federal loan guarantees for designated coal gasification projects. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe implementation guidelines for a clean air coal program. Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2005 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs to promote Indian tribal energy resource development through a program of grants and loans. Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2005 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify and extend indemnification authority and liability limits for Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensees and Department of Energy (DOE) contractors. Prohibits assumption by the U.S. Government of liability for certain foreign incidents. Directs the NRC to establish a training and fellowship program for individuals with critical nuclear safety regulatory skills. Revises requirements for: (1) uranium sales; (2) special demonstration projects for the uranium mining industry; (3) whistleblower protection prescriptions; (4) medical isotope production; (5) uranium enrichment facilities; and (6) the national uranium stockpile. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project. Provides for disposal of: (1) Fernald uranium processing facility byproduct material; and (2) greater-than-class C radioactive waste. Sets forth programs to promote: (1) hybrid vehicles; (2) hybrid retrofit and electric conversion technologies for combustion engine vehicles; and (3) alternative fuels for dual-fueled vehicles. Sets forth implementation guidelines for pilot programs that target: (1) alternative fueled vehicles; (2) fuel cell buses and alternative fuel and altra-low sulfur diesel fuel (clean) school buses; (3) advanced vehicles; and (4) hybrid vehicles. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to conduct programs that address: (1) production of hydrogen from diverse energy sources; and (2) solar and wind technologies. Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2005 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) conduct research and development programs in specified sciences; and (2) maintain within the Department of Energy the Office of Scientific and Technical Information. Directs the Secretary to conduct: (1) a secondary electric vehicle battery use program; and (2) a Next Generation Lighting Initiative. Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement initiatives regarding: (1) energy efficiency; (2) distributed energy and electric energy systems; (3) renewable energy; (4) nuclear energy; (5) nuclear energy research programs; (6) Next Generation Nuclear Plant Program; (7) fossil energy; (8) ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas, and other petroleum resource exploration and production; (9) coordination of civilian science and technology programs; and (10) Department of Energy management. Electric Reliability Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Power Act to grant FERC regulatory jurisdiction over an Electric Reliability Organization. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to: (1) require electric utilities to make net metering and smart metering available upon consumer request; and (2) terminate mandatory purchase and sale requirements pertaining to cogeneration and small power production utilities. Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Amends the Federal Power Act to: (1) direct FERC to promulgate market transparency rules governing wholesale electric energy and transmission services; and (2) prohibit round trip trading. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue rules that prohibit in the absence of consumer consent: (1) the change of selection of an electric utility ("slamming"); and (2) the sale of goods and services to an electric consumer ("cramming"). Requires a study of Federal agency review authorities over mergers to determine if duplicative authorities exist. Revises Federal Power Act requirements for electric utility mergers. Directs FERC to convene a joint board to study the issue of security constrained economic dispatch for a market region. Enhanced Energy Infrastructure and Technology Tax Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish energy infrastructure tax incentives, including: (1) new property depreciation; (2) tax credits for certain residential and business property and equipment; and (3) alternative minimum tax relief. Retains the effect of Department of Energy Order No. 202-03-2 (August 28, 2003) regarding transmission security. Extends the attainment date for certain downwind ozone nonattainment areas. Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator) to promulgate regulations ensuring that domestic motor vehicle fuel consumption includes renewable fuel containing ethanol. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to provide assistance to merchant producers of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in making the transition from producing MTBE to producing iso-octane, iso-octene, alkylates, or renewable fuels. Prohibits the use of MTBE in motor vehicle fuel by December 31, 2014, in any State that does not specifically authorize it. Authorizes the President to determine by June 30, 2014, that this prohibition against the use of MTBE in motor vehicle fuel shall not take place and that the legal authority to prohibit its use in motor vehicle fuel shall become null and void. Eliminates the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline. Conditions the Administrator's approval of State fuel restrictions upon a finding that they will neither cause fuel supply or distribution interruptions nor have a significant adverse impact on fuel producibility. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to: (1) make loan guarantees for private sector construction of facilities for the processing and conversion of municipal solid waste and cellulosic biomass into fuel ethanol and other commercial byproducts; and (2) provide grants for construction of ethanol production facilities. Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act of 2005 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator to distribute specified fund percentages from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund to States to pay costs for regulation of underground storage tanks (USTs). Amends the Clean Air Act to cite conditions under which the Administrator may waive the prohibition against the use of extreme and unusual fuel or fuel additive supplies ("boutique fuels"). Establishes a grant program to improve the commercial value of forest biomass for electric energy, useful heat, transportation fuels, petroleum-based product substitutes, and other commercial purposes. John Rishel Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 2005 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to revamp guidelines governing leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands, including those withdrawn for military purposes. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to make adjustments in Bureau of Reclamation water pumping facilities to minimize the amount of electric power consumed for such pumping during periods of peak electric power consumption. Sets forth a program of production incentives, including: (1) oil and gas royalties in kind; (2) marginal property production; (3) natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico; and (4) oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Directs the President to establish the Office of Federal Energy Project Coordination. National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program. Transfers from the Secretary of Energy to the Secretary of the Interior administrative jurisdiction and control over certain public domain lands within Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 2 (Kern County, California), in order to implement production of hydrocarbon resources. Conveys a portion of Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 2 to the City of Taft, California. Sets forth royalty relief provisions affecting certain leases for offshore oil or gas production under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Establishes the Secure Energy Reinvestment Fund to fund a domestic offshore energy reinvestment program. Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 2005 -Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to modify statutory requirements governing Federal coal leases affecting acreage limitations, mining plans, and advance royalty payments. Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2005 - Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary of the Interior shall establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- ANWR). Set America Free Act of 2005 or the SAFE Act - Establishes the United States Commission on North American Energy Freedom to make recommendations for a coordinated and comprehensive North American energy policy that will achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2025 within the three contiguous North American nation area of Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Grand Canyon Hydrogen-Powered Transportation Demonstration Act of 2005 - Instructs the Secretaries of Energy and of the Interior to jointly: (1) establish a research and development program, in partnership with the private sector, relating to hydrogen-based transportation technologies suitable for operations in national parks; and (2) conduct a demonstration of hydrogen-based public transportation technology at Grand Canyon. Shields from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 such actions by the Secretary of the Interior that involve activities on the public lands conducted for exploration or development of a domestic Federal energy source (including oil and gas pipelines and drilling).
Bill· SS. 794 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2005
Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2005 - Amends Federal highway law to require each State transportation department to adopt a policy statement ensuring that the needs and safety of all road users (including the need for pedestrian and bicycle safety) are fully integrated into the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of the State's transportation system. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to take necessary actions to double the percentage of trips made by foot or bicycle while simultaneously reducing crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians by ten percent. Requires the Secretary to allocate certain funds for research that directly benefits the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of the transportation system for nonmotorized users. Requires metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to certify, as part of the certification review of their bicycle and pedestrian programs, that the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians (including people who use wheelchairs and people with impaired vision) have been adequately addressed by their respective long-range transportation plans, including a target level that doubles the percentage of trips made by foot and bicycle. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) a safe routes to school program for the benefit of children in primary and middle schools; and (2) a task force to study and develop a strategy for advancing such programs nationwide. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a nonmotorized transportation pilot program to construct, in four communities, a network of nonmotorized transportation infrastructure facilities (including sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian and bicycle trails) that connect directly with transit stations, schools, residences, businesses, recreation areas, and other community activity centers; and (2) develop specified statistical information on changes in motor vehicle, nonmotorized, and public transportation usage in those communities, and assess how such changes decrease congestion and energy usage, increase the frequency of biking and walking, and promote better health and a cleaner environment.
Bill· SS. 808 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2005
Establishes within the Department of Transportation the Conserve by Bicycling Program under which the Secretary of Transportation shall establish up to ten geographically dispersed pilot projects designed to conserve energy resources by encouraging the use of bicycles in place of motor vehicles. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to Congress on the feasibility of converting motor vehicle trips to bicycle trips.
Bill· SS. 805 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2005
Offshore Infrastructure Emergency Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to add the outer Continental Shelf to the definition of "United States" under that Act, thus authorizing inclusion of the outer Continental Shelf in presidentially declared disaster areas.
Bill· SS. 795 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2005
Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act of 2005 (STANDUP Act) - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to award incentive grants to States with graduated driver licensing laws that include for novice drivers under age 21: (1) a three-stage licensing process (including a learner's permit stage and an intermediate stage before an unrestricted driver's license is granted); (2) a prohibition on nighttime driving during the learner's permit and intermediate stages; (3) a prohibition (during the learner's permit and intermediate stages) against operating a motor vehicle with more than one non-familial passenger under age 21 if there is no licensed driver 21 years old or older present in the vehicle; and (4) any other requirement that the Secretary may require. Directs the Secretary to withhold a certain amount of Federal-aid highway funds from States that are not in compliance with the requirements of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 1631 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2005
Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century - Amends Federal rail transportation law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to designate high-speed rail infrastructure bonds if: (1) the bonds are issued by a State, or one or more of the States that have entered into an interstate compact under the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997, or by such compact; (2) they are for financing projects that make a substantial contribution to providing the infrastructure required to complete a railroad passenger transportation corridor for high-speed intercity rail passenger service, or for projects for the Alaska Railroad; (3) for a railroad passenger transportation corridor design that includes the use of freight railroad rights-of-way, a written agreement exists between the applicant and the freight railroad regarding such use and other conditions are met; (4) the corridor design eliminates all existing railroad grade crossings that would impede high-speed rail operations; (5) the applicant agrees to comply with certain labor standards with respect to such project; and (6) the applicant agrees not to pay the principal or interest on the bonds using funds derived directly or indirectly from the Highway Trust Fund, except as permitted by existing law. Excludes the interest on such bonds from an individual's gross income. Requires any entity providing high-speed intercity passenger railroad transportation to negotiate over hiring and working conditions with the collective bargaining agent or agents of the employees of any existing rail passenger service it might be replacing. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain tax credits to holders of qualified high-speed rail infrastructure bonds. Makes corridor development activities (including the acquisition of locomotives, rolling stock, track, and signal equipment) eligible for Federal assistance. Amends specified Federal law to change from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary's authority to provide direct loans and loan guarantees for rail rehabilitation and improvement projects to State and local governments, interstate compacts, government sponsored authorities and corporations, railroads, and joint ventures that include at least one railroad.
Bill· HRH.R. 1630 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2005
Amtrak Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for Amtrak for FY 2006 through 2008 for: (1) capital expenditures; (2) certain mandatory payments; and (3) Amtrak's contractual obligations for commuter and State-supported passenger rail service. Includes among mandatory Amtrak payments to the Treasury: (1) an amount equal to the tax Amtrak must pay as an employer under the Railroad Retirement Tax Act that is more than the amount needed for anticipated benefits for retirees and their beneficiaries; (2) amounts necessary to pay the contribution for employee unemployment benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act that are more than its obligations calculated on an experience-related basis; and (3) amounts necessary to pay railroad unemployment repayment taxes. Requires Amtrak to transmit to the Secretary of Transportation annually a comprehensive business plan, including targets for ridership and for each intercity train route (including Autotrain), revenues, and capital and operating expenses, and supplemental reports describing the work completed to date, any changes to the business plan, and the reasons for such changes. Prohibits the use of amounts appropriated under this Act to subsidize operating losses of commuter rail passenger or rail freight transportation.
Bill· HRH.R. 1659 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2005
Navajo Nation Higher Education Act of 2004 (sic) - Authorizes the Navajo Nation's Dine College to receive all Federal funding and resources under this Act and other laws for its operation, improvement, and growth. Authorizes the College to expend certain funds to undertake all renovations and repairs to its infrastructure, as identified by a strategic plan approved by it and submitted to the Secretary of the Interior. Allows funds to be treated as non-Federal, private funds of the College. Authorizes appropriations to the College for: (1) operation and maintenance, to be funded by the Secretary separately from funding institutions under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978; and (2) facilities and capital projects, to be funded through any of specified Federal agencies. Supersedes and repeals the Navajo Community College Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 1637 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2005
Intermodal Transportation Act of 2005 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to award grants to public or private entities for capital projects for: (1) acquiring, constructing, improving, or renovating a publicly or privately owned or operated intermodal passenger facility related to intercity bus service; and (2) establishing or enhancing coordination between such service and other specified transportation through a publicly or privately owned or operated integrated system of public transportation information. Sets the Federal share of project costs at 80 percent.