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Bill· SS. 2374 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2006
Foreign Investment Transparency and Security Act of 2006 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to permit a foreign government controlled entity to acquire, own, or otherwise control or manage any critical infrastructure of the United States only through the establishment or operation of a foreign owned general business corporation that has a board of directors, the majority of which is comprised of U.S. citizens, and a chief security officer who is a U.S. citizen.
Bill· HRH.R. 4880 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2006
Maritime Terminal Security Enhancement Act of 2006 - Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard (CG) to require: (1) the security plan for a maritime facility that the Secretary of the department in which the CG is operating believes may be involved in a transportation security incident to be resubmitted for approval by the Secretary upon the transfer of ownership or operation of such facility; and (2) the qualified individual having full authority to implement security actions for the facility be a U.S. citizen.
Bill· SS. 2367 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2006
Local Port Security Act of 2006 - Authorizes the owner of a U.S. port to file an action seeking relief (including nullification of any contractual obligation with any marine terminal operator) in U.S. district court if a merger, acquisition, or takeover would result in the ownership of a marine terminal operator being controlled by a foreign entity. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) review any such proposed change to determine any potential security concerns; and (2) transmit such review to the marine terminal operator and to the President for purposes of a certain mandatory investigation to determine the effects on national security of such mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers which could result in the ownership of a marine terminal operator within a U.S. port being controlled by a foreign entity.
Bill· SS. 2361 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Honest Leadership and Accountability in Contracting Act of 2006 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose fines and penalties on war profiteering and fraud. Requires revision of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to provide that no prospective contractor shall be considered to have a satisfactory record of integrity and ethics if it has a pattern of either overcharging the government or failing to comply with the law. Provides for the disclosure to Congress of audit reports issued by executive agencies. Requires the Federal Procurement Data System to be modified to include publication of information on specified federal contractor penalties and violations. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to prohibit awarding of certain monopoly federal contracts. Requires revision of the FAR to require competition for certain multiple award contracts. Denies protest rights for certain awards. Prohibits an agency from contracting for the performance of: (1) any inherently governmental function; or (2) acquisition functions closely associated with inherently governmental functions. Prescribes minimum requirements for political appointees holding public contracting and safety positions. Includes as a protected disclosure by a Federal employee: (1) any lawful disclosure an employee or applicant reasonably believes is credible evidence of waste, abuse, or gross mismanagement, without restriction as to time, place, form, motive, context, or prior disclosure; and (2) the disclosure of information required to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs that the employee or applicant reasonably believes is direct evidence of waste, abuse, or gross mismanagement if such disclosure is made to a Member or employee of Congress who is authorized to receive information of the type disclosed. Sets forth provisions concerning review and appeal of actions concerning such disclosures. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide that, for purposes of provisions regarding the protection of voluntarily shared critical infrastructure information, a permissible use of independently obtained critical infrastructure information includes any lawful disclosure an employee or applicant reasonably believes is credible evidence of waste, fraud, abuse, or gross mismanagement, without restriction as to time, place, form, motive, context, or prior disclosure. Requires agencies to inform employees on how to make a lawful disclosure of information.
Bill· SS. 2357 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Right Time to Reinvest in America's Competitiveness and Knowledge Act or Right TRACK Act - Amends specified federal laws to establish: (1) the Presidential Research and Development Advisory Committee to advise the President on the allocation of federal resources in education and technology development; and (2) an interagency working group to develop collaborative research in biomedical, science, engineering, and technology research. Makes permanent the extension of a research and development (R&D) tax credit. Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2013 to increase funding of R&D activities of certain federal agencies. Allows a tax credit for the purchase of nanotechnology developer stocks. Establishes a national broadband policy for improving and expanding broadband access in the United States by 2010. Sets forth reauthorizations for Amtrak. America's Better Classroom Act of 2005 - Allows a tax credit to holders of qualified public school modernization bonds. New National Defense Education Act - Requires a biennial national assessment of student achievement and grade 12 student preparedness in reading, mathematics, and science. Authorizes prekindergarten through grade 16 student preparedness council grants to states to ensure a state's academic content and student academic achievement standards and assessments meet certain benchmarks. Makes competitive grants to institutions of higher education to improve the recruitment of teachers from students majoring in mathematics, science, engineering, technology, or a critical-need foreign language. Requires an eligible state to provide contract for educational opportunity (CEO) grants to low-income students who complete CEO requirements and enroll in a two-or four-year degree-granting institution of higher education. Provides for grants to: (1) improve mathematics, science, and engineering and technology education infrastructure in public elementary schools and secondary schools and to provide scholarships to make higher education tuition free for low-income and middle-income undergraduate and graduate students to earn degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and critical-need foreign languages; and (2) develop programs that expose public elementary and secondary school, undergraduate, and graduate students to foreign languages and cultures. Requires an employer to give 90-day notice before ordering the offshoring of jobs. Defines as foreign base company income and taxable as subpart F income any imported property income derived by a foreign corporation in a taxable year. United States Workers Protection Act of 2006 - Prohibits: (1) outsourced federal government work or a contract for the procurement of goods or services from being performed outside the United States unless certain requirements are met; and (2) the disbursement of federal funds to a state if any of the funds will be spent for goods or services performed outside the United States. Limits the application of certain trade authorities procedures implementing bilateral or regional trade agreements unless such agreements prohibit forced and compulsory labor and child labor. Imposes an additional duty on any article from a country that manipulates the rate of exchange between its currency and the U.S. dollar unless the President certifies to Congress that such country is no longer manipulating the rate to gain an unfair competitive advantage in international trade. Global Worker Fairness Act - Establishes a wage insurance program for workers displaced due to unfair trade competition. Trade Adjustment Assistance Equity for Service Workers Act of 2006 - Extends trade adjustment assistance (TAA) to workers in a service sector firm or a public agency. Authorizes the payment of amounts for training of adversely affected workers due to unfair trade competition through FY2012. Workers Equity Act - Permits TAA where an employer has shifted production of like articles to a foreign country that has been extended permanent normal trade relations by the United States. Establishes an Office of Community Trade Adjustment in the Department of Commerce to coordinate the federal response to economic dislocation. Employee Free Choice Act - Certifies a bargaining representative without directing an election if a majority of the bargaining unit employees have authorized designation of the representative and there is no other currently certified or recognized exclusive employee representative. Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2006 - Sets forth graduated increases of the federal minimum wage up to $7.25 an hour.
Bill· HRH.R. 4858 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Katrina Health Access, Recovery, and Empowerment Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide low-interest loans to small business concerns located in a Hurricane Katrina-affected area for the restoration of health care and health care services. Provides for tax credits, deductions, and grants for medical malpractice insurance and medical liability insurance for providers located in such areas. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to make payments from the Health Safety Net Infrastructure Trust Fund (established under this Act) for capital financing assistance to eligible health care facilities located in such an area for replacement, modernization and renovation projects, and capital equipment acquisition. Requires the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements to enable higher education institutions in such an area to resume health care-related programs. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Director of the Office of Minority Health, to designate as medically needy Katrina recovery zones areas located in a Hurricane Katrina-affected area that experience disproportionate racial and ethnic disparities in health status and health care. Provides for grants to: (1) such recovery zones; (2) public health facilities for constructing, modernizing, or repairing health facilities damaged as a result of Hurricane Katrina; and (3) organizations in a Hurricane Katrina-affected area seeking to improve health of minorities and reduce health disparities. Requires states to provide Disaster Relief Medicaid Assistance to Katrina survivors as a condition of participation in the Medicaid program.
Bill· HRH.R. 4871 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Tribal Government Homeland Security Coordination and Integration Act - Establishes the Office of Tribal Government Homeland Security (Office) within the Department of Homeland Security. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to appoint a Director to head the Office. Prescribes the Secretary's and the Director's duties of coordination, infrastructure and equipment readiness, training, and inclusion of Indian tribes in homeland security preparedness. Requires the Secretary to treat Indian tribes as states, as appropriate for the purpose of homeland security. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate to Indian tribes primary responsibility for homeland security activities within their respective jurisdictions. Requires the Secretary to integrate the roles of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services with regard to homeland security. Requires the Secretary to provide assistance to enhance information technology capabilities of tribes and ensure the participation of Indian tribes in the coordination with federal, state, and local governments and the private sector as related to Homeland Security activities. Declares Indian tribes to be eligible to apply for, receive, direct, and supervise any homeland security-related federal grant program. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to Indian tribes for specified homeland security purposes. Requires the Secretary to provide Indian tribes with: (1) technical assistance in developing, implementing, and managing emergency response plans; (2) Department of Homeland Security expertise and programs; (3) the cooperation of the heads of appropriate Federal agencies; and (4) any other activity the Secretary considers appropriate to provide homeland security technical assistance to Indian tribes.
Bill· HRH.R. 4870 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Declares that a certain decision of the Surface Transportation Board (Docket Number 34734) shall be the final decision regarding the application of Northeast Interchange Railway with respect to the rail line in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. Prohibits the Board from approving a lease and operation exemption application: (1) by a company operating less than 1,700 feet of track to haul waste unless the Board holds a public hearing; and (2) by a company to haul waste without a majority vote of the full Board. Directs the Board to require a company that becomes rail carrier to haul waste to comply with all applicable state and local zoning laws.
Bill· HRH.R. 4849 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Amends federal aviation safety and security law to replace language requiring airport security screeners to be U.S. citizens with a provision that any individual eligible to join the U.S. armed forces is eligible to become a security screener.
Bill· HRH.R. 4840 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2006
Plan to Restore Excellence and Professional Accountability in Responding to Emergencies Act or the PREPARE Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): (1) be headed by a Director appointed by the President from individuals who possess demonstrated ability in, knowledge of, and extensive background in emergency or disaster-related management; and (2) have one Deputy Director appointed by the Director from individuals with such qualifications. Replaces the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response with an Under Secretary of Preparedness and Response, who shall be responsible for: (1) FEMA and service as the Director of FEMA; (2) the Chief Medical Officer; (3) the Assistant Secretary for Grants and Training; (4) the U.S. Fire Administration; and (5) functions performed by the Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security and Telecommunications, the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, and the Director of the Office of National Capital Region Coordination. Requires the Under Secretary to report directly to the President during the effective period of an Incident of National Significance declared by the Secretary of Homeland Security under the National Response Plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 4833 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2006
Americans Securing American Ports (ASAP) Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to require that only U.S. persons may: (1) control security operations at any U.S. seaport; or (2) enter into any agreement to conduct such operations. Prohibits any individual from carrying out such operations unless the Secretary has conducted a background check of, and approved, the individual. Subjects violators of this Act to penalties imposed for violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Bill· SS. 2335 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Smart and Secure Foreign Investment Act - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to require the Director of National Intelligence to: (1) assist the President in conducting investigations in instances in which an entity controlled by or acting on behalf of a foreign government seeks to engage in any merger, acquisition, or takeover ("takeover," for purposes of this Act) which could result in control of a person engaged in interstate commerce in the United States that could affect national security; (2) serve as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS); and (3) certify to the President and CFIUS, before review by CFIUS, that there are no national security implications of such proposed action. Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to require an entity controlled by or acting on behalf of a foreign government to notify the President at least 60 days before a proposed takeover of an entity that has energy assets valued at $1 billion or more or that operates a critical infrastructure if the action could result in control of a person engaged in interstate commerce that could affect national security. Requires the President to: (1) transmit to the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House, and appropriate state officials written notification as soon as the President receives a notification described in this Act; and (2) hold public hearings on any proposed takeover action described in this Act. Adds to the factors considered, when the President takes into account national security requirements, the following: (1) the defense capabilities of the country in which the acquiring entity is located; and (2) the nature of the relationship of the United States with such country.
Bill· HRH.R. 4820 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Port Operations Require Tough Scrutiny (PORTS) Act of 2006 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 relating to investigations of proposed corporate mergers, acquisitions, or takeovers (transactions) in the United States by a foreign interest which could affect U.S. national security to: (1) extend from 30 to 60 days after notification of the proposed transaction the period in which such investigation must be commenced by the President, if it is determined that there should be an investigation; and (2) allow an extension of such deadline by up to ten additional days if determined appropriate. Requires the investigation of a transaction which could result in foreign control of a person engaged in interstate commerce in the United States that could affect U.S. critical infrastructure. States with respect to certain mandatory investigations that if the President determines that the transaction should be approved or does not otherwise object to the transaction and the President does not suspend or prohibit such transaction, then the President, within 30 days after such decision, shall notify Congress of the decision. Allows Congress 45 days after such notification to enact into law a joint resolution disapproving the decision of the President and requiring the President to prohibit the proposed transaction, or, if the transaction has been completed, directing the Attorney General to seek divestment. Requires annual reports from the President to the congressional homeland security and intelligence committees on actions taken with regard to such investigations. Directs the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) verify on-site the security measures of each individual and entity participating in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program and the Free And Secure Trade (FAST) program; and (2) establish policies for non-compliance with requirements of the C-TPAT program, including probation and expulsion.
Bill· HRH.R. 4821 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Solid Waste Environmental Regulation Clarification Affecting Railroads Act of 2006 - Amends the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 to exclude from the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board: (1) solid waste management facilities; and (2) the processing or sorting of solid waste.
Bill· HRH.R. 4817 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Prohibits any entity owned or controlled by a foreign government (including any agency or instrumentality) from: (1) conducting operations at any seaport in the United States (including commonwealths, territories, or possessions); or (2) entering into any contract or other agreement to conduct such operations. Directs the President to promulgate regulations necessary to enforce this prohibition, including requiring any person to furnish information necessary to enforce it. Subjects any person who violates this prohibition to certain civil and criminal penalties prescribed by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Bill· SS. 2318 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2006
Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act of 2006 or the 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 intermediate stage; (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; (4) a prohibition (during the learner's permit and intermediate stages) on the use of a cellular telephone or any communications device in non-emergency situations; and (5) 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. 4754 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2006
Sudanese Diaspora Loan Forgiveness Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish education loan forgiveness programs for Sudanese citizens who have become naturalized U.S. citizens or who are lawfully residing in the United States if they commit to returning to Southern Sudan for five or more years to help repair damage to infrastructure caused by the Sudanese civil war.
Bill· HRH.R. 4765 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2006
High Threat Helicopter Flight Area Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to designate an area at high risk for an attack by one or more terrorists as a high threat helicopter flight area. Directs the Secretary to provide screening of all passengers and property transported from a high threat flight helicopter area on a passenger helicopter equivalent to that provided for passengers and property carried aboard a domestic passenger aircraft. Requires the Secretary to develop a plan for acquiring and training personnel, including acquiring equipment, to provide such screening. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to take necessary action to ensure that: (1) no passenger helicopter flies in a high threat flight area, except on approach for landing, or departure after takeoff, in such area; (2) a passenger helicopter when flying in such area, to the maximum extent practicable, flies over water; and (3) a helicopter pilot when in flight over such area remains in contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding its flight path, irrespective of its altitude. Exempts from such requirement helicopters carrying out military, police, medical, or other operations as the Secretary of Transportation deems appropriate.
Bill· HRH.R. 4755 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2006
Federal Aviation Administration Fair Labor Management Dispute Resolution Act of 2006 - Amends federal transportation law to revise certain federal aviation administration personnel management system requirements to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from implementing any proposed change to the FAA personnel management system in cases where the services of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service do not lead to an agreement between the Administrator and FAA employees unless a bill is enacted into law by Congress that authorizes the change during the 60-day period beginning from the time Congress received the proposed change. (Current law does not require congressional action.) Requires the Administrator and FAA employee bargaining representatives to submit the proposed change to binding arbitration if Congress does not enact a bill into law within the 60-day period.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 678 (109th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2006
Elects minority Members to the House Committees on: (1) International Relations; (2) Transportation and Infrastructure; and (3) Veterans' Affairs.
Bill· HRH.R. 4748 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
Louisiana Emergency Needs Corps of Engineers Authorization Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to report to Congress identifying: (1) activities to reconstruct hurricane and flood protection measures relating to canals adjacent to Lake Pontchartrain in the Jefferson and Orleans parishes in accordance with federally authorized levels of hurricane and flood protection; (2) activities to protect, restore, and reduce the risk of storm damage in Louisiana coastal areas in which a major disaster relating to Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita was declared by the President on or after August 29, 2005; (3) activities to fortify, strengthen, and improve hurricane protection and flood control infrastructure in existence on or before August 28, 2005; and (4) any activity included in the Chief's report dated August 23, 2002, that the Secretary determines to be integral to the protection of life and property in the disaster area. Authorizes the Secretary to implement such activities at full federal cost, absent a resolution of congressional disapproval, 30 days after the report is submitted. Directs the Secretary, in acquiring property to improve, reconstruct, or develop hurricane and flood protection measures relating to Hurricane Katrina or Rita, to compensate the owner without taking into consideration damage caused by the hurricane. Allows the Secretary to reduce the amount of compensation paid by the amount of any other payment received by the owner, including from an insurance claim or from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Bill· SS. 2263 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2006
Freedom From Foreign Oil Act of 2006 - Amends federal transportation law to require that passenger automobiles, automobiles capable of off-highway operation, or light trucks that are manufactured after model year 2007 be capable of operating on a flexible fuel mixture (mixture containing at least 85% of ethanol by volume with gasoline). Requires the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations requiring such automobiles or trucks to display prominently (including in the owner's manual of each vehicle) information indicating that such vehicles are capable of operating on a flexible fuel mixture. Directs the Secretary to promote the use of a mixture containing at least 85% of ethanol by volume with gasoline in motor vehicles in the United States.
Bill· SS. 2256 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2006
Internet and Universal Service Act of 2006 - Amends the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide advanced telecommunications infrastructure investment incentives to telecommunications carriers to invest in and deploy network facilities necessary to provide broadband service and broadband voice service to people in rural, insular, and high-cost areas. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require each eligible telecommunications carrier (a common carrier eligible for federal universal service support) to offer, in addition to other services, throughout its service area: (1) an approved affordable calling plan comparable to that offered by the eligible telecommunications carrier that is the incumbent local exchange carrier for such service area; (2) such services functions as are required of the incumbent eligible telecommunications carrier for such service area so as to protect customers and promote public health, safety, and welfare, including the quality and reliability of telecommunications services; and (3) such services substantially over its own facilities and commit to use any support received to achieve facilities-based coverage of the entire service area within two years of it being designated as eligible. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of federal universal service support payable to an eligible telecommunications carrier. Requires each eligible telecommunications carrier receiving federal universal service support to certify annually to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that it is using such support in compliance with service requirements, including for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which such support is intended. Revises provisions to require the FCC in administering federal universal service funding mechanisms and developing a contribution methodology for federal universal service support for rural, insular, and highcost areas to ensure that such mechanisms preserve and advance universal service and enable access to advanced telecommunications infrastructure and broadband services. Requires providers of broadband services (currently, only telecommunications providers) to contribute to federal universal service funding mechanisms. Requires contributions be non-discriminatory among all providers (including broadband service providers). Sets forth provisions requiring: (1) each telecommunications carrier to identify network traffic it transmits so that a terminating carrier can identify, measure, and charge for such traffic; (2) the appointment of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) as permanent Administrator of universal service support mechanisms established under this Act (including oversight authority over the Schools and Libraries Program); and (3) each telecommunications carrier (or other provider of communications services), upon receiving a request, to provide telecommunications services to health care providers in rural areas at a discounted rate that is 25% of the lowest rate available in the state (currently, must charge a rate that is reasonably comparable to rate charged for similar services in urban areas of the state).
Bill· HRH.R. 4726 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2006
Wired for Health Care Quality Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology to develop a nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish the public-private American Health Information Collaborative to recommend uniform national policies to support the widespread adoption of health information technology; and (2) provide for adoption by the federal government of any appropriate recommended standards. Prohibits any federal agency from expending federal funds to purchase any new health information technology that is inconsistent with adopted standards. Requires all federal agencies collecting health data to comply with such standards. Allows the Secretary to award grants for qualified health information technology systems, regional or local health information plans, and academic curricula integrating qualified health information technology systems in the clinical education of health professionals. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop measures for the quality of patient care; (2) disseminate recommendations and best practices derived from the analysis of quality measures; and (3) study methods to create efficient reimbursement incentives for improving health care quality. Requires the Comptroller General to report on the necessity and workability of requiring that patients be notified if their individually identifiable health information is wrongfully disclosed. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ), to develop a Health Information Technology Resource Center. Reauthorizes appropriations for grants to reduce statutory and regulatory barriers to telemedicine.
Bill· HRH.R. 4712 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2006
Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 to state that if Buy America requirements are applicable to a component of a bridge project such requirements shall be applicable to the entire bridge project.
Bill· SS. 2232 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Louisiana Emergency Needs Corps of Engineers Authorization Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to report to Congress identifying: (1) activities to reconstruct hurricane and flood protection measures relating to canals adjacent to Lake Pontchartrain in the Jefferson and Orleans parishes in accordance with federally authorized levels of hurricane and flood protection; (2) activities to protect, restore, and reduce the risk of storm damage in Louisiana coastal areas in which a major disaster relating to Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita was declared by the President on or after August 29, 2005; (3) activities to fortify, strengthen, and improve hurricane protection and flood control infrastructure in existence on or before August 28, 2005; and (4) any activity included in the Chief's report dated August 23, 2002, that the Secretary determines to be integral to the protection of life and property in the disaster area. Authorizes the Secretary to implement such activities at full federal cost, absent a resolution of congressional disapproval, 30 days after the report is submitted. Directs the Secretary, in acquiring property to improve, reconstruct, or develop hurricane and flood protection measures relating to Hurricane Katrina or Rita, to compensate the owner without taking into consideration damage caused by the hurricane. Allows the Secretary to reduce the amount of compensation paid by the amount of any other payment received by the owner, including from an insurance claim or from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Bill· HRH.R. 4681 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to promote the emergence of a democratic Palestinian governing authority that denounces and combats terrorism, upholds human rights for all people, and has agreed to recognize Israel as an independent Jewish state. Amends the the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide assistance under such Act or any other provision of law to the Palestinian Authority (PA) only during a period for which a presidential certification has determined: (1) that no PA ministry, agency, or instrumentality is controlled by a foreign terrorist organization and no member of a foreign terrorist organization serves in a PA ministry, agency, or instrumentality; (2) that the PA has publicly acknowledged Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, and is adhering to all previous agreements and understandings with the government of the United States, the government of Israel, and the international community; and (3) that the PA has made demonstrable progress toward purging from its security services individuals with ties to terrorism, dismantling all terrorist infrastructure and cooperating with Israel's security services, halting anti-Israel incitement, and ensuring democracy and financial transparency. Directs the President to make and transmit such certifications to Congress every six months. Prohibits during a period in which a certification is is not in effect with respect to the PA.: (1) assistance to nongovernmental organizations for the West Bank and Gaza (exempts assistance for basic human health needs from such limitation.); (2) U.S. contributions to the United Nations intended for U.N. agencies providing assistance directly to the PA; (3) visa issuance to any PA official or affiliated person (with a case-by-case exemption for U.S. security needs); (4) travel outside of a 25-mile radius of the U.N. headquarters building for officials and representatives of the PA and of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) who are stationed at the United Nations in New York City; and (5) establishment of an office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities within U.S. jurisdiction at the direction of, or with funds provided by, the PA or the PLO. Requires the President to direct the executive director at each international financial institution to use U.S. influence to prohibit assistance to the PA during any such period. Directs the Secretary of State to audit and report respecting duplicative entities and functions of: (1) the United Nations Division for Palestinian Rights; (2) the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People; (3) the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority; (4) the NGO Network on the Question of Palestine; (5) the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories; and (6) any other entity the Secretary determines results in duplicative efforts or funding or fails to ensure balance in the approach to Israeli-Palestinian issues. Withholds specified U.S. contributions to the United Nations for such entities until the report's recommendations are implemented. Expresses the sense of Congress that during any such period the territory controlled by the PA should be deemed to be in use as a terrorist sanctuary for purposes of the Export Administration Act of 1979, and of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989. Prohibits funds to be used by any U.S. officer or employee to negotiate, attend official meetings, or have official contacts with members or official representatives of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, or any other Palestinian terrorist organization, until such organization: (1) recognizes Israel's right to exist; (2) renounces terrorism; (3) dismantles the terrorist infrastructure; and (4) recognizes all previous agreements and understandings between Israel and the PA.
Bill· HRH.R. 4673 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2006
Fuel Security and Consumer Choice Act - Amends federal transportation law to require manufacturers of new automobiles that can operate on gasoline or diesel fuel (dual fueled automobiles) to manufacture such automobiles by increasing percentages for 10 model years and beyond. Allows manufacturers to earn credits which may be applied to any three consecutive model years after the year in which they were earned if the manufacturer exceeds the number of dual fueled automobiles required to be manufactured in a particular year. Authorizes a manufacturer to sell credits to another manufacturer to enable the purchaser to meet the percentage requirements under this Act. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to measure the fuel economy for each model of dual fueled automobile based on certain formulas.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 356 (109th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2006
Commends: (1) U.S. and international efforts to assist the victims of the October 2005 earthquake in South Asia; and (2) the governments of Pakistan and India for working together to save lives and provide humanitarian relief in the affected areas and encourages them to continue in this spirit of cooperation. Urges: (1) continued attention by international donors and relief agencies to the needs of vulnerable populations in the stricken areas, particularly children who have been left parentless and homeless by the disaster; and (2) the U.S. government to take the lead in encouraging the international community to commit to continue relief efforts in response to the earthquake and to help rebuild critical infrastructure in the affected area.
Bill· SS. 2201 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2006
Federal Aviation Administration Fair Labor Management Dispute Resolution Act of 2006 - Amends federal transportation law to revise certain federal aviation administration personnel management system requirements to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from implementing any proposed change to the FAA personnel management system in cases where the services of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service do not lead to an agreement between the Administrator and FAA employees unless a bill is enacted into law by Congress that authorizes the change during the 60-day period beginning from the time Congress received the proposed change. (Current law does not require congressional action.) Requires the Administrator and FAA employee bargaining representatives to submit the proposed change to binding arbitration if Congress does not enact a bill into law within the 60-day period.
Bill· SS. 2198 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2006
Protecting America's Competitive Edge Through Education and Research Act of 2006 - PACE-Education Act - Establishes programs to provide additional mathematics and science teachers in K-12 elementary and secondary education (teachers), including: (1) Department of Education (ED) grants to institutions of higher education (IHE's) for baccalaureate degree programs in mathematics, science, and engineering, with teacher certification, and for master's degree programs in mathematics and science education for teachers; (2) National Science Foundation (NSF) scholarships for recruiting and training new teachers, and fellowships for teachers; (3) ED grants to nonprofit entities to train additional teachers for Advanced Placement (AP), pre-AP, International Baccalaureate (IB), and pre-IB programs; (4) a National Clearinghouse on Mathematics and Science Teaching Materials; (5) Future American-Scientist Scholarships (ED); (6) Department of Energy graduate research fellowships in scientific areas of national need; and (7) NSF early-career research grants for scientists and engineers. Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy Matters to: (1) coordinate science, mathematics, and engineering education programs; (2) establish a National Coordination Office for Advanced Research Instrumentation and Facilities; (3) establish guidelines for federal agencies to allocate funds for high-risk, high-payoff research; and (4) award a President's Innovation Award. Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to award early-career research grants. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Department of Commerce to award grants for feasibility studies and plans for science parks, and for revolving loan funds to develop science park infrastructure. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) create a new visa category for doctorate students in mathematics, engineering, technology, or the physical sciences; and (2) exempt from numerical limitations on employment-based immigrants certain aliens who have received such advanced degrees and are working in a related field. Directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to award early-career research grants. Expresses the sense of Senate on: (1) policies to accelerate deployment of access to broadband Internet; (2) the visa process for foreign students at U.S. IHE's and foreign researchers engaging in scientific research in the United States; (3) patent reform; and (4) exemption of certain uses of technology from treatment as exports.