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Bill· HRH.R. 915 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2009
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Reauthorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2012 for: (1) airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning programs; (2) air navigation facilities and equipment; (3) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations; and (4) FAA research, engineering, and development. Authorizes additional authorizations of appropriations from the general fund of the Treasury for aviation programs through FY2012. Amends the airport improvement program (AIP) to increase passenger facility charges that can be imposed by an eligible agency to finance an eligible airport-related project. Makes projects for construction of airport bicycle storage facilities and an intermodal ground access pilot project eligible airport-related projects. Specifies FAA services for which user fees may be charged. Requires adjustment of overflight fees by expedited rulemaking. Prescribes certain registration fees. Revises requirements for the airport improvement program (AIP). Increases the allotment of discretionary funds in a fiscal year for the airport security program. Expresses the sense of Congress that the modernizing of the U.S. air transportation system, through implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), is a national priority. Requires the FAA Administrator to report to Congress on the program and schedule for integrating automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) technology into the national airspace system. Prescribes other requirements for development of the NextGen System. Directs the FAA Administrator to develop a monitoring system for flight service specialist staffing and training under service contracts for flight service stations. Establishes a NextGen research and development center of excellence. Directs the FAA Administrator to: (1) develop a strategic runway safety plan, including systems to alert controllers and/or flight crews to potential runway incursions; (2) prescribe standards for the occupational safety and health of flight attendants; (3) establish a pilot program to provide surveillance for aircraft flying outside of radar coverage in mountainous areas; and (4) review off-airport, low-altitude aircraft weather observation technologies. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to develop a plan for the safe integration of commercial unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system. Establishes in the FAA an Aviation Safety Whistleblower Investigation Office. Increases from 24 to 34 the number of slots exempt from specified requirements and prohibitions concerning operation of an aircraft nonstop in air transportation between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and another airport more than 1,250 statute miles away (Perimeter Rule limit). Increases additional funding and revises requirements for the Essential Air Service program. Requires certain air carriers and airport operators to submit for the Secretary's approval emergency contingency plans for passenger service during grounded aircraft flight delays. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Department of Transportation (DOT): (1) an Office of Rural Aviation; and (2) an advisory committee for aviation consumer protection. Prohibits voice communications using mobile communications devices on scheduled flights. Requires the FAA Administrator to enter into a cooperative agreement with an institution, entity, or consortium to carry out a program for the development, maturing, and certification of CLEEN (continuous lower energy, emissions, and noise) engine and airframe technology for aircraft over the next 10 years. Prohibits operating certain aircraft weighing 75,000 pounds or less that do not comply with stage 3 noise levels. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a pilot program to carry out up to six environmental mitigation demonstration projects at public-use airports; and (2) an aircraft departure queue management pilot program. Revises FAA personnel management system requirements with respect to the mediation, alternative resolution, and binding arbitration of disputes between the FAA Administrator and FAA employees about implementation of proposed changes to the system. Directs the FAA Administrator to: (1) increase the number of aviation safety inspectors in the Flight Standards Service; (2) assess training programs for FAA air traffic controllers; and (3) establish an FAA Task Force on Air Traffic Control Facility Conditions. Extends the Secretary's authority to provide insurance and reinsurance against loss or damage arising out of any risk from the operation of a domestic or foreign aircraft. Authorizes the FAA Administrator to access the criminal history records or databases systems of specified federal law enforcement agencies. Establishes within the FAA a working group to make recommendations for the realignment of FAA services and facilities to assist in the transition to next generation facilities. Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a pilot program for redevelopment of airport properties. Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a research initiative to assess the impact of aviation on the climate and, if warranted, to evaluate approaches to mitigate such impact. Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a Center for Excellence in Aviation Employment.
Bill· HRH.R. 925 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2009
Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act - Amends the Colorado River Storage Project Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) create and operate within the available capacity of Navajo Reservoir (the reservoir created by the impoundment of the San Juan River at Navajo Dam) a top water bank; and (2) construct, operate, and maintain the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project. Establishes in the Treasury a Reclamation Water Settlements Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to expend from the Fund up to a specified amount to implement a settlement agreement approved by Congress that resolves litigation involving the United States if the agreement or implementing legislation requires the Bureau of Reclamation to provide financial assistance for, or plan, design, and construct: (1) water supply infrastructure; or (2) a project to rehabilitate a water delivery system to conserve water or to improve environmental conditions associated with an existing reclamation project. Requires the Secretary to expend specified sums for completion of the Navajo-Gallup water supply project and other New Mexico and Montana settlements. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) design, construct, operate, and maintain the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project in substantial accordance with the draft environmental impact statement prepared by the Bureau; and (2) construct, operate, and maintain specified Project facilities to provide for the delivery of San Juan River water to Gallup, New Mexico, the Navajo Nation, and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. Directs the Secretary to: (1) reserve up to 26 megawatts of power for Project use; and (2) identify projects recommended to repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct Non-Navajo Irrigation District diversion and ditch facilitites to improve water use efficiency. Approves, ratifies, and confirms the Agreement among New Mexico, the Navajo Nation, and the United States setting forth a stipulated and binding agreement signed by New Mexico and the Navajo Nation on April 19, 2005. Directs the Secretary to enter into that agreement to the extent that it does not conflict with this Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 924 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2009
Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation Infrastructure Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to: (1) conduct a study of irrigation infrastructure for 18 Rio Grande Pueblos in New Mexico; and (2) develop a list of projects recommended to be implemented over a 10-year period to repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct such infrastructure. Directs the Secretary, in developing that list, to prioritize the projects recommended for implementation based on consideration of specified factors, including the extent of disrepair of the infrastructure, economic and cultural impacts of such disrepair, and overall benefits of the project to efficient water operations. Authorizes the Secretary (subject to specified limitations) to provide grants to the Pueblos to plan, design, construct, or otherwise implement recommended projects to repair, rehabilitate, reconstruct, or replace Pueblo irrigation infrastructure to: (1) increase water use efficiency and agricultural productivity for the benefit of a Pueblo; (2) conserve water; or (3) otherwise enhance water management or help avert water supply conflicts in the Rio Grande Basin. Sets the federal share of the project's cost at 75%, with an exception based on financial hardship. Provides that nothing in this Act shall affect existing project-specific authority, U.S. responsibilities to any such Pueblo, Pueblo water rights, state water law, or an interstate compact governing water.
Bill· HRH.R. 894 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2009
Ensuring Safe Facilities and Equipment for American Troops Overseas Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense, in order to ensure the safe utilization by the Armed Forces of expeditionary facilities, infrastructure, and equipment supporting U.S. military operations overseas, to certify to the congressional defense committees that: (1) generally accepted industry safety standards are incorporated into military regulations establishing requirements for such facilities, infrastructure, and equipment; (2) each contract or task or delivery order for the construction, installation, repair, maintenance, or operation of overseas expeditionary facilities incorporates such industry standards; and (3) such standards apply in all current and future U.S. military operations overseas.
Bill· HRH.R. 861 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2009
Strategic Targeted American Recovery and Transition Act - Designates: (1) each amount in this Act as an emergency requirement, necessary to meet certain emergency needs in accordance with the FY2008-FY2009 congressional budget resolutions; and (2) as an emergency for Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) principles. Establishes use-it-or-lose-it requirements for grantees. Requires them to enter into contracts or other binding commitments within one year after enactment of this Act, or within nine months after the grant is awarded, whichever is later, to make use of 100% of such funds. Requires agency recovery or deobligation and redistribution of uncommitted funds. Makes all funds appropriated by this Act available for obligation through FY2010, unless expressly provided otherwise. Makes additional appropriations to specified federal agency and departmental Offices of Inspector General. Appropriates additional amounts to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Prohibits the use of funds for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron and steel used in the project is domestic, except in certain circumstances. Requires publication on the website Recovery.gov of: (1) all federal agency plans for using funds made available in this Act; and (2) all federal, state, or local agency public notices regarding funds obligated to particular infrastructure investments. Prescribes review and reporting requirements for inspectors general of federal departments or executive agencies, the GAO, and the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. Establishes the Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board to: (1) coordinate and conduct oversight of federal spending under this Act to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse; and (2) establish the Recovery.gov website. Places limitations on the length of certain noncompetitive contracts. Grants the Comptroller General and the Offices of Inspector General access to certain contractors' or subcontractors' records or employees. Prohibits reprisals against state and local government and contractor whistleblowers. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 to: (1) the Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration; (2) the Department of Education; and (3) the Department of Transportation (DOT). American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase: (1) to 45% the rate of the earned income tax credit in 2009 or 2010 for taxpayers with three or more qualifying children; (2) the threshold amount for the phase-out of such credit for married couples filing jointly; and (3) the refundable portion of the child tax credit in 2009 and 2010. Extends for one year the 50% bonus depreciation allowance for specified types of depreciable property and through 2009 the increased expensing allowance ($125,000) for depreciable business assets. Allows a work opportunity tax credit for unemployed veterans and disconnected youth (certain youth who are not regularly employed or attending school) hired in 2009 or 2010. Repeals the requirement that federal, state, and local governmental entities withhold 3% of payments to contractors who provide goods and services to such entities.
Bill· HRH.R. 852 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2009
Re-Build America Bond Act of 2009 - Establishes the Re-Build America Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue Re-Build America Bonds. Makes appropriations to the Trust Fund of amounts equivalent to all revenues derived from proceeds from the sale and issuance of such bonds, in order to make expenditures for rail, transit, water, highway, bridge, or road infrastructure projects.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 124 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2009
Provides amounts for the expenses of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 111th Congress.
Bill· HRH.R. 831 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2009
Directs the Comptroller General to study legal requirements and policies followed by the Department of Transportation in deciding whether to: (1) approve cooperative agreements between an air carrier and a foreign air carrier (international alliances) to provide foreign air transportation; and (2) exempt such alliances from the U.S. antitrust laws. Requires: (1) the Comptroller General to report to the Secretary and Congress study results, including any recommendations for authority or policy changes with respect to approving such alliances and granting such exemptions; and (2) the Secretary to issue a determination, after public comment, whether such changes will be adopted.
Bill· HRH.R. 803 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2009
Green Transit Act - Requires long-range transportation plans and transportation improvement programs for public transportation and highways to: (1) be developed after metropolitan planning organizations have considered emissions of greenhouse gases as defined by the Clean Air Act; and (2) provide for reductions in such emissions.
Bill· HRH.R. 826 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2009
Cluster-Based Economy Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to a state or local government, an institution of higher education, or a nonprofit economic development organization to: (1) assess the potential for the development or enhancement of business clusters (geographic concentrations of business entities that are in competing, complementary, or interdependent firms and industries, that do business with one another, and that have common needs for talent, technology, and infrastructure); (2) establish cluster development programs in regions determined by the Secretary to qualify for a grant or which have been designated by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 as areas in which regional development commissions have been established; and (3) promote cluster development programs in such regions and support the staff who operate such programs. Limits: (1) the federal share of the cost of projects carried out using funds authorized by this Act to 50%; and (2) the portion of the non-federal share of project costs that may be provided through in-kind contributions to 50%.
Bill· SS. 358 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2009
Ensuring Safe Facilities and Equipment for American Troops Overseas Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense, in order to ensure the safe utilization by the Armed Forces of expeditionary facilities, infrastructure, and equipment supporting U.S. military operations overseas, to certify to the congressional defense committees that: (1) generally accepted industry safety standards are incorporated into military regulations establishing requirements for such facilities, infrastructure, and equipment; (2) each contract or task or delivery order for the construction, installation, repair, maintenance, or operation of overseas expeditionary facilities incorporates such industry standards; and (3) such standards apply in all current and future U.S. military operations overseas.
Bill· SS. 350 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow individual taxpayers a refundable tax credit through 2010 for the lesser of 6.2% of earned income or $500; (2) increase in 2009 or 2010 the earned income tax credit, the refundable portion of the child tax credit, and the Hope scholarship tax credit; (3) allow payment of purchases of computer technology or equipment from qualified tuition plans in 2009 or 2010; (4) extend until September 1, 2009, the first-time home buyer tax credit and waive repayment of credit amounts; (5) exclude from gross income in 2009 the first $2,400 of unemployment compensation; (6) extend through 2009 exemptions from the alternative minimum tax; (7) extend for three years the tax credit for production of electricity from renewable resources; (8) increase allocations of new clean renewable energy and qualified energy conservation bonds; (9) modify and extend the tax credits for nonbusiness energy property and residential energy efficient property; (10) increase and extend through 2010 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property; (11) allow an increased research tax credit in 2009 or 2010 for energy research expenditures; (12) allow a five-year carryback of general business tax credits and a 100% offset of such credits against income tax liabilities; (13) expand the alternative motor vehicle tax credit for the purchase of plug-in electric drive motor vehicles; (14) extend through 2009 bonus depreciation provisions and the increased expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; (15) allow a five-year carryback period for net operating losses, including operating losses of insurance companies, incurred in 2009 or 2010; (16) allow a work opportunity tax credit for the hiring of disconnected youth (certain youth who are not regularly employed or attending school) and certain unemployed veterans in 2009 or 2010; (17) allow the deferral of the recognition of income from the discharge of indebtedness in connection with the repurchase of a debt instrument after 2008 and before 2011; (18) increase the tax exclusion of gain for certain small business stock acquired in 2009 or 2010; (19) allow an investment tax credit for broadband expenditures in rural and underserved areas; and (20) expand tax-exempt bond financing in 2009 or 2010 to include facilities for manufacturing intangible property. Limits the applicability of Treasury Notice 2008-83 (suspending restrictions on the offset of net operating losses and unrealized built-in losses against the taxable income of certain corporate entities that acquire or merge with other entities) to periods prior to January 16, 2009. Provides for the issuance of tax-exempt recovery zone economic development, recovery zone facility, and tribal economic development bonds. Increases the national limitation for allocations of the new markets tax credit. Disregards in 2009 or 2010: (1) certain limitations on the tax deductibility of interest payments made by financial institutions; and (2) interest earned on tax-exempt private activity bonds for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Delays until 2012 the requirement for withholding 3% of payments made to contractors who provide goods or services to governmental entities. Allows a new tax credit for investment in school construction bonds and build America bonds. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make a one-time $300 economic recovery payment to recipients of specified social security and other federal benefits. Extends through 2010 provisions of the trade adjustment assistance program. Prohibits the Secretary of Homeland Security from collecting certain payments of antidumping or countervailing duties made under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000. Applies federal wage rate requirements for public building and works to certain energy conservation and other projects financed with the proceeds of tax-exempt bonds. Increases the public debt limit to $12.14 trillion. Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program. Provides for federal-state agreements for increased regular unemployment compensation payments to individuals. Requires federal payments to states to cover 100% of such additional payments. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Labor to make special transfers to state accounts in the Unemployment Trust Fund for unemployment compensation modernization incentive payments and for administration. Amends the SSA to deem, for a specified period through December 31, 2010, that interest payments otherwise due from a state for federal advances to its unemployment fund have been made by the state. Prohibits accrual of interest on such advances during such period. Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the SSA to establish in the Treasury the Emergency Contingency Fund for State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Programs. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants from such Fund related to: (1) caseload increases; (2) increased expenditures for non-recurrent short term benefits; and (3) increased expenditures for subsidized employment. Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, as amended by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to extend TANF supplemental grants. Authorizes a state or tribe to use a TANF grant to provide, without fiscal year limitation, any benefit or service that may be provided under the state or tribal program funded under TANF. Reinstates for a specified period the authority of the Secretary of HHS to provide federal matching payments for state spending of child support incentive payments. Provides for payment of a portion of an individual's premiums for any COBRA coverage (health insurance continuation benefits). Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to extend transitional medical assistance (TMA) through December 31, 2010. Gives states the option of simplifying TMA eligibility determinations. Requires each state to collect and submit to the Secretary of HHS information on: (1) average monthly enrollment and average monthly participation rates for adults and children; and (2) the number and percentage of children who become ineligible for medical assistance whose medical assistance is continued under another eligibility category, or who are enrolled under the state's child health plan under SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP). Extends the qualifying individual program from December 2009 to December 2010, as well as the total amount under such program available for allocation. Prohibits state Medicaid programs from imposing cost-sharing requirements on an Indian when the beneficiary is receiving an item or service directly from an Indian health care provider or through referral from a Contract Health Services provider. Requires that states disregard certain tribal property in determining the Medicaid or SCHIP eligibility of Indians. Requires that the procedures used by state Medicaid programs for estate recovery exempt certain income, resources, and property that are exempt from related federal requirements because of the federal responsibility for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Establishes special rules applicable under Medicaid and SCHIP to managed care entities with respect to Indian enrollees and Indian health care providers and Indian managed care entities. Directs the Secretary to maintain within the Centers for Medicaid & Medicaid Services a Tribal Technical Advisory Group. Requires state Medicaid and SCHIP programs to seek advice on a regular, ongoing basis from Indian Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations on all matters likely to have a direct effect on them, including plan amendments, waiver request, and proposals for demonstration projects. Requires a state plan to apply prompt pay requirements to nursing facilities. Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act or the HITECH Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Sets forth provisions governing the development and adoption of a nationwide health information technology infrastructure that allows for the electronic use and exchange of information. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to establish incentive payments for certain eligible physicians and hospitals that adopt and use certified electronic health record (EHR) technology meaningfully, beginning in FY2011. Directs the Secretary of HHS to recompute payments for certain inpatient hospital discharges without applying the phased-out indirect medical education adjustment factor. Directs the Secretary of HHS to study and report to Congress on: (1) the application of EHR payment incentives for providers not receiving other incentive payments; and (2) the availability of open source health information technology systems. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to establish incentive payments to encourage the adoption and use by Medicaid providers of qualified electronic health records. Establishes a temporary increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) with respect to Medicaid payments, as well as payments under SSA title IV part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance), for FY2009-FY2011 for eligible states, with FMAP increases authorized for specified U.S. territories. Extends from FY2008 through FY2013 the special rule for increase of Medicaid disproportionate share (DSH) allotments for low DSH states. Directs the Secretary of HHS to work with each state to reach an agreement on the amount of a payment for the state related to the Medicare program liability as a result of the Special Disability Workload project. Makes appropriations to the HHS Inspector General. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on the period of national economic downturn in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, as well as previous periods of national economic downturn since 1974, for the purpose of developing recommendations for addressing the needs of states during such periods.
Bill· HRH.R. 734 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2009
Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to Congress on the minimum level of sound that is necessary to be emitted from a motor vehicle, or some other method, to alert blind and other pedestrians of the presence of operating motor vehicles while traveling.
Bill· HRH.R. 759 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2009
Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to set forth provisions governing food safety, including requiring for each food facility: (1) a hazard analysis of facilities that manufacture, process, pack, transport, or hold food for consumption in the United States; (2) identification and implementation of preventive controls; and (3) a written food safety plan. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) issue science-based performance standards to significantly minimize, prevent, or eliminate the occurrence of such hazards; (2) establish science-based minimum standards for the safe production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables as necessary; (3) establish a risk-based inspection schedule; and (4) establish a program to expedite the movement of certified food through the importation process. Provides for: (1) an accreditation system for food facilities; and (2) certification of laboratories to conduct sampling and testing of food. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish an active surveillance system for food. Sets forth provisions governing drug and device safety, including: (1) providing for risk-based inspection schedules; (2) requiring quality risk management plans for establishments; (3) requiring country of origin labeling; and (4) providing for the recall of drugs. Sets forth provisions governing cosmetic safety, including requiring cosmetic establishments to: (1) submit to the Secretary a cosmetic and ingredient statement for each cosmetic; (2) report any serious and unexpected adverse event in the United States associated with the use of the cosmetic; and (3) conform with good manufacturing practices. Sets forth provisions governing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including provisions: (1) regarding the reorganization of FDA; and (2) authorizing the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to issue subpoenas for any proceeding regarding a violation of the FFDCA.
Bill· HRH.R. 760 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2009
Advanced Broadband Infrastructure Bond Initiative of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for investment in qualified advanced broadband infrastructure bonds. Limits the issuance authority for such bonds in 2009, 2010 and 2011 to $1 billion for state and local government issuers and $10 billion for all other issuers. Requires the use of bond proceeds to finance broadband infrastructure projects to provide residential or small business consumers with high-speed access to the Internet. Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in the Department of Commerce to: (1) approve requests for qualified advanced broadband infrastructure projects; (2) monitor the implementation of such projects; and (3) make determinations regarding increases in the transmission speed requirements of the advanced broadband infrastructure bond program.
Bill· SS. 336 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 to: (1) the Department of Agriculture; (2) the Department of Commerce; (3) the Department of Justice (DOJ); (4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); (5) the National Science Foundation; (6) the Department of Defense (DOD); (7) the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers - Civil; (8) the Department of the Interior; and (9) the Department of Energy. Makes additional appropriations for FY2009 to the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a temporary increase in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Amends the Crop Insurance Act and the Trade Act of 1974 to provide 2008 transition assistance to certain farmers for lost income due to natural disasters and other unforeseen events. Instructs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to establish a national broadband service development and expansion program in conjunction with the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. Makes additional borrowing authority available to the Bonneville Power Administration. Amends the Hoover Power Plant Act of 1984 to authorize the Western Area Power Administration to borrow funds from the Treasury for: (1) new or upgraded electric power transmission lines and related facilities; and (2) the delivery of power generated by renewable energy resources after enactment of this Act. Makes technical corrections to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Revises requirements with respect to smart grid regional demonstration initiatives. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a smart grid information clearinghouse. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary to make loan guarantees for rapid deployment before FY2012 of renewable energy and electric power transmission projects. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to increase the income eligibility level for the Weatherization Assistance Program, as well as the maximum amount of financial assistance. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009: (1) to the Department of the Treasury; (2) for federal payments to the District of Columbia; (3) to the General Services Administration (GSA); (4) to the Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board; and (5) to Small Business Administration (SBA). Provides temporary elimination of SBA fees on: (1) small-business loans; (2) state and local development program loans; and (3) lender oversight fees. Provides increased SBA loan leverage and investment limits. Authorizes the SBA to refinance certain loans to state and local development companies. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 to: (1) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); (2) the Department of the Interior; (3) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); (4) the Department of Agriculture; (5) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); (6) the Smithsonian Institution; (7) the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities; (8) the National Endowment for the Arts; (9) the Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration; (10) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); (11) the Department of Education; (12) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (13) the National Service Trust; (14) the Social Security Administration (SSA); (15) the Government Accountability Office (GAO); (16) the DOD; (17) the Department of Veterans Affairs; (18) the DOD - Civil; (19) the Department of State; (20) the Department of Transportation; and (21) the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Requires the President to establish an arbitration panel under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) public assistance program to expedite the recovery efforts from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike within the Gulf Coast Region. Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to require GAO (currently, the Secretary of Labor) to report on the impact of past and future minimum wage increases in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands regarding living standards and rates of employment. Establishes the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research. Provides grants for higher education facility modernization, renovation, and repair. Amends the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to revise the exclusion from the meaning of "employee in the recreational marine industry" of any individuals employed to repair a recreational vessel or to dismantle any part of it in connection with its repair. Amends the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 to expand temporarily the homeowners assistance plan to respond to mortgage foreclosures and the credit crisis with respect to: (1) acquisition of property at or near military installations that have been ordered to be closed; (2) homeowner assistance for wounded members of the Armed Forces and DOD and U.S. Coast Guard civilian employees and their spouses; and (3) temporary homeowner assistance for members of the Armed Forces permanently reassigned during a specified period involving a mortgage crisis. Provides for payments to eligible persons who served in the Armed Forces in the Far East during World War II. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to invest in the infrastructure necessary to allow for and promote the electronic exchange and use of health information for each individual in the United States, consistent with the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan developed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Establishes a State Stabilization Fund which the Secretary of Education is to use to provide grants to states: (1) to restore state funding for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education; (2) to supplement school improvement funds provided to local educational agencies (LEAs) under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (3) for public safety and other government services. Reserves a portion of such Fund for: (1) awarding grants to states that make significant progress in addressing inequities in teacher distribution, establishing longitudinal education data systems, and improving educational assessments; and (2) establishing an Innovation Fund to award states, LEAs, and schools that make significant progress in closing student achievement gaps. Establishes the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board. Designates each amount in this Act as an emergency requirement, necessary to meet certain emergency needs in accordance with the FY2008-FY2009 congressional budget resolutions. Makes all funds appropriated in this Act available for obligation in such current fiscal year, unless expressly expressly provided otherwise. Prohibits the use of funds for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron and steel used in the project is domestic, except in certain circumstances. Prohibits a state or local agency from receiving infrastructure investment funding from funds made available under this Act unless its chief executive certifies that: (1) such investment funding has been reviewed and vetted; and (2) the investment is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to revise contracting requirements to include individuals with disabilities and businesses owned by such persons.
Bill· HRH.R. 732 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2009
Targeting Homeland Security Resources Effectively Against Terrorism Act of 2009 or the THREAT Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out a program of discretionary grants for use in high-threat, high-density urban areas. Directs the Secretary to make grants to not more than 15 areas in a fiscal year after considering the population, presence of critical infrastructure, and credibility of the terrorism-related threat for an area. Requires amounts awarded to be disbursed directly to local governments.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 92 (111th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2009
Sets forth the rule for consideration of H.R. 1 (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009). Requires the chair of the Committee on Appropriations to insert in the Congressional Record by February 4, 2009, such material as he may deem explanatory of appropriations measures for FY2009. Authorizes the chair of the Committee on Ways and Means to file, on behalf of the Committee, a supplemental report to accompany H.R. 598 (providing for a portion of the economic recovery package relating to revenue measures, unemployment, and health).
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 28 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2009
Calls for the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive strategy to increase and encourage investigation and prosecution of sexual assault and rape cases in the military. Sets forth elements to be included in such strategy, including: (1) requiring commanders to be held accountable for sexual assaults and rapes in their units and for disposition of such cases; (2) developing prevention and response programs to create a culture that prevents sexual assault and rape in the military and encourages more reporting by victims; (3) reviewing the capacity of the legal infrastructure in the military to investigate and prosecute effectively sexual assault cases; (4) examining any barriers on military facilities to conducting effective investigations of sexual assault and rape cases; and (5) ensuring that the command affords an alleged sexual assault victim an opportunity for a base transfer should a military protection order be issued.
Bill· SS. 323 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2009
Rural Revitalization Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow the issuance, through December 31, 2010, of tax-exempt facility bonds to finance qualified electric transmission facilities; and (2) extend issuance authority for qualified zone academy bonds and permit bond proceeds to be used for construction. Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the Secretary of Energy's authority to designate national interest electric transmission corridors. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer funds for: (1) electrification loans and loan guarantees; (2) Indian reservation roads and bridge and highway projects; (3) water projects; (4) utilities programs; (5) community facilities programs; (6) business enterprise grants and microenterprise assistance; (7) telemedicine and distance learning services; (8) public works and economic development; and (9) energy programs. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary of Energy to make loan guarantees for renewable fuel pipelines. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer funds for the: (1) emergency food assistance program; (2) commodity supplemental food program; (3) emergency food program infrastructure grant program; and (4) supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC). Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use specified Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for the Doug Bereuter section 502 single family housing loan guarantee program. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer funds for National Health Service Corps programs. Amends the Social Security Act to extend: (1) increased payments for certain ground ambulance services; and (2) assistance for rural providers providing services in low population density areas. Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, as amended by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, to extend the payment increase for certain rural home health services. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to extend certain hospital reclassification authority.
Bill· HRH.R. 687 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2009
Highway Trust Fund Reform Act of 2009 - Repeals the Davis-Bacon Act (which requires that the locally prevailing wage rate be paid to laborers and mechanics working on federal-aid highway construction projects and public transportation construction projects).
Bill· HRH.R. 693 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2009
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate a rail right-of-way as a corridor for inter-suburban commuter rail based on certain qualifying factors and after a 30-day congressional review period; (2) provide technical assistance to expedite completion of inter-suburban rail service; and (3) prohibit increased usage of such corridor except to increase the availability of inter-suburban commuter rail.
Bill· HRH.R. 679 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Establishes use-it-or-lose-it requirements for grantees using funds in specified accounts who have not entered into contracts or other binding commitments and used 50% of the funds awarded. Provides for redistribution of such uncommitted funds by the appropriate federal agency. Makes all funds appropriated by this Act available for obligation through FY2010, unless expressly provided otherwise. Makes additional appropriations to specified federal agency and departmental Offices of Inspector General. Appropriates additional amounts to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) casino or other gambling establishments, aquariums, zoos, golf courses, or swimming pools; or (2) a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron and steel used in the project is domestic, except in certain circumstances. Designates each amount in this Act as an emergency requirement, necessary to meet certain emergency needs in accordance with the FY2008-FY2009 congressional budget resolutions. Prohibits the use of funds to enter into a contract with an entity that does not participate in the E-verify program of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Requires publication on the website Recovery.gov of: (1) all federal agency plans for using funds made available in this Act, as well as all related grant announcements; and (2) all federal, state, or local agency public notices regarding funds obligated to particular infrastructure investments. Prescribes review and reporting requirements for inspectors general of federal departments or executive agencies, the GAO, and the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. Establishes the Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board, which shall establish the Recovery.gov website. Places limitations on the length of certain noncompetitive contracts. Grants the Comptroller General and the Offices of Inspector General access to certain contractors' or subcontractors' records or employees. Prohibits reprisals against state and local government and contractor whistleblowers. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 to: (1) the Department of Agriculture; (2) the Department of Commerce; (3) the Department of Justice (DOJ); (4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); (5) the National Science Foundation; (6) the Department of Defense (DOD); (7) the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers - Civil; (8) the Department of the Interior; and (9) the Department of Energy. Makes additional appropriations for FY2009 to the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a temporary increase in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to repeal the limitation of the afterschool feeding program for at-risk children to eight states. Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to develop and maintain a map showing where broadband service is deployed and available in each state. Authorizes NTIA to award grants for wireless deployment and broadband deployment. Makes technical corrections to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Revises requirements with respect to smart grid regional demonstration initiatives. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a smart grid information clearinghouse. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary to make loan guarantees for rapid deployment before FY2012 of renewable energy and electric power transmission projects. Amends the Hoover Power Plant Act of 1984 to authorize the Western Area Power Administration to borrow funds from the Treasury for: (1) new or upgraded electric power transmission lines and related facilities; and (2) the delivery of power generated by renewable energy resources after enactment of this Act. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to increase the income eligibility level for the Weatherization Assistance Program, as well as the maximum amount of financial assistance. Makes additional borrowing authority available to the Bonneville Power Administration. Instructs the Secretary to include specified analyses within the 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study. Appropriates funds for: (1) the General Services Administration (GSA) for the Federal Buildings Fund and the acquisition of energy-efficient motor vehicles; and (2) the Small Business Administration (SBA) for small business loan programs. Permits the SBA to guarantee up to 95% of qualifying small business loans made by eligible lenders. Authorizes the SBA to establish: (1) the SBA Secondary Market Lending Authority; and (2) the SBA Secondary Market Guarantee Authority. Authorizes the SBA to refinance: (1) SBA and non-SBA loans made to small businesses; and (2) loans made under the SBA's local development business loan program. Provides increased SBA loan leverage and investment limits. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 to: (1) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); (2) the Department of the Interior; (3) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); (4) the Department of Agriculture; (5) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); (6) the Smithsonian Institution; (7) the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities; (8) the National Endowment for the Arts; and (9) the Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to extend employment eligibility confirmation pilot programs (including the E-Verify basic pilot program). Directs the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Homeland Security to enter into a fiscal year agreement to provide funds to the Commissioner for the full costs of such programs in quarterly advances. Requires GAO studies regarding: (1) erroneous tentative nonconfirmations under the E-Verify program; and (2) the effects of such program on small entities. Amends the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to revise the exclusion from the meaning of "employee in the recreational marine industry" of any individuals employed to repair a recreational vessel or to dismantle any part of it in connection with its repair. Establishes a Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to invest in the infrastructure necessary to allow for and promote the electronic exchange and use of health information for each individual in the United States, consistent with the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan developed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Makes supplemental appropriations available to the Department of Education for: (1) education of the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) innovation and improvement activities; (5) special education; (6) rehabilitation services and disability research; (7) certain student financial assistance programs, as well as federal administrative expenses for such programs; (8) teacher quality partnership grants; (9) the Institute of Education Sciences; and (10) school modernization, renovation, and repair. Sets the maximum individual Pell Grant amount at $4,860 for award year 2009-2010. Establishes grant programs for the modernization, renovation, and repair of: (1) public elementary and secondary school facilities; and (2) higher education facilities that are primarily used for instruction, research, or student housing. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the amount authorized and appropriated for Pell Grants for FY2009-FY2010. Increases annual and aggregate student loan limits under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program. Alters, on a temporary basis, the formula for calculating special allowance payments made to FFEL lenders to compensate them for the difference between FFEL interest rates and market rates. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 to: (1) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (2) the National Service Trust; (3) the Social Security Administration (SSA); (4) the DOD; (5) the Department of Veterans Affairs; (6) the Department of State; (7) the Department of Transportation; and (8) the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Sets forth maintenance of effort and reporting requirements for a state or its agency awarded funds appropriated in this Act for a covered program. Establishes loan limits for calendar 2009 for: (1) the Federal Housing Administration (FHA); (2) the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae); (3) the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac); and (4) the FHA reverse mortgage. Establishes a State Stabilization Fund which the Secretary of Education is to use to provide grants to states: (1) to restore state funding for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education; (2) to supplement school improvement funds provided to local educational agencies (LEAs) under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (3) for public safety and other government services. Reserves a portion of such Fund for: (1) awarding grants to states that make significant progress in addressing inequities in teacher distribution, establishing longitudinal education data systems, and improving educational assessments; and (2) establishing an Innovation Fund to award states, LEAs, and schools that make significant progress in closing student achievement gaps. Bars the use of such Fund to provide financial assistance to students to attend private elementary or secondary schools.
Law· HRH.R. 1 (111th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Designates: (1) each amount in this Act as an emergency requirement, necessary to meet certain emergency needs in accordance with the FY2008-FY2009 congressional budget resolutions; and (2) as an emergency for Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) principles. Establishes use-it-or-lose-it requirements for grantees using funds in specified accounts who have not entered into contracts or other binding commitments and used 50% of the funds awarded. Provides for redistribution of such uncommitted funds by the appropriate federal agency. Makes all funds appropriated by this Act available for obligation through FY2010, unless expressly provided otherwise. Makes additional appropriations to specified federal agency and departmental Offices of Inspector General. Appropriates additional amounts to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) casino or other gambling establishments, aquariums, zoos, golf courses, or swimming pools; or (2) a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron and steel used in the project is domestic, except in certain circumstances. Requires publication on the website Recovery.gov of: (1) all federal agency plans for using funds made available in this Act, as well as all related grant announcements; and (2) all federal, state, or local agency public notices regarding funds obligated to particular infrastructure investments. Prescribes review and reporting requirements for inspectors general of federal departments or executive agencies, the GAO, and the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. Establishes the Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board, which shall establish the Recovery.gov website. Places limitations on the length of certain noncompetitive contracts. Grants the Comptroller General and the Offices of Inspector General access to certain contractors' or subcontractors' records or employees. Prohibits reprisals against state and local government and contractor whistleblowers. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 to: (1) the Department of Agriculture; (2) the Department of Commerce; (3) the Department of Justice (DOJ); (4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); (5) the National Science Foundation; (6) the Department of Defense (DOD); (7) the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers - Civil; (8) the Department of the Interior; and (9) the Department of Energy. Makes additional appropriations for FY2009 to the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a temporary increase in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Amends the Hoover Power Plant Act of 1984 to authorize the Western Area Power Administration to borrow funds from the Treasury for: (1) new or upgraded electric power transmission lines and related facilities; and (2) the delivery of power generated by renewable energy resources after enactment of this Act. Makes additional borrowing authority available to the Bonneville Power Administration. Appropriates funds for: (1) the General Services Administration (GSA) for the Federal Buildings Fund and the acquisition of energy-efficient motor vehicles; and (2) the Small Business Administration (SBA) for small business loan programs. Permits the SBA to guarantee up to 95% of qualifying small business loans made by eligible lenders. Authorizes the SBA to establish: (1) the SBA Secondary Market Lending Authority; and (2) the SBA Secondary Market Guarantee Authority. Authorizes the SBA to refinance: (1) SBA and non-SBA loans made to small businesses; and (2) loans made under the SBA's local development business loan program. Provides increased SBA loan leverage and investment limits. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 to: (1) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); (2) the Department of the Interior; (3) the Environmental Protection Agency; (4) the Department of Agriculture; (5) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); (6) the Smithsonian Institution; (7) the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities; (8) the National Endowment for the Arts; (9) the Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration; and (10) the Department of Health and Human Services. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to extend employment eligibility confirmation pilot programs (including the E-Verify basic pilot program). Directs the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Homeland Security to enter into a fiscal year agreement to provide funds to the Commissioner for the full costs of such programs in quarterly advances. Requires that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct studies regarding: (1) erroneous tentative nonconfirmations under the E-Verify program; and (2) the effects of such program on small entities. Amends the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to revise the exclusion from the meaning of "employee in the recreational marine industry" of any individuals employed to repair a recreational vessel or to dismantle any part of it in connection with its repair. Establishes a Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to invest in the infrastructure necessary to allow for and promote the electronic exchange and use of health information for each individual in the United States, consistent with the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan developed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Makes supplemental appropriations available to the Department of Education for: (1) education of the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) innovation and improvement activities; (5) special education; (6) rehabilitation services and disability research; (7) certain student financial assistance programs, as well as federal administrative expenses for such programs; (8) teacher quality partnership grants; (9) the Institute of Education Sciences; and (10) school modernization, renovation, and repair. Sets the maximum individual Pell Grant amount at $4,860 for award year 2009-2010. Establishes grant programs for the modernization, renovation, and repair of: (1) public elementary and secondary school facilities; and (2) higher education facilities that are primarily used for instruction, research, or student housing. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the amount authorized and appropriated for Pell Grants for FY2009-FY2010. Increases annual and aggregate student loan limits under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program. Alters, on a temporary basis, the formula for calculating special allowance payments made to FFEL lenders to compensate them for the difference between FFEL interest rates and market rates. Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 to: (1) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (2) the National Service Trust; (3) the Social Security Administration (SSA); (4) the DOD; (5) the Department of Veterans Affairs; (6) the Department of State; (7) the Department of Transportation; and (8) the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Sets forth maintenance of effort and reporting requirements for a state or its agency awarded funds appropriated in this Act for a covered program. Establishes loan limits for calendar 2009 for: (1) the Federal Housing Administration (FHA); (2) the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae); (3) the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac); and (4) the FHA reverse mortgage. Establishes a State Stabilization Fund which the Secretary of Education is to use to provide grants to states: (1) to restore state funding for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education; (2) to supplement school improvement funds provided to local educational agencies (LEAs) under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (3) for public safety and other government services. Reserves a portion of such Fund for: (1) awarding grants to states that make significant progress in addressing inequities in teacher distribution, establishing longitudinal education data systems, and improving educational assessments; and (2) establishing an Innovation Fund to award states, Leas, and schools that make significant progress in closing student achievement gaps. American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow through 2010 a refundable tax credit for the lesser of 6.2% of earned income or $500 ($1,000 for married couples filing jointly); (2) allow through 2010 increases in the earned income tax credit, the refundable portion of the child tax credit, and the Hope Scholarship tax credit; (3) allow a waiver of the the first-time home buyer tax credit repayment requirement for residences purchased after December 31, 2008, and before July 1, 2009; (4) extend through 2009 bonus depreciation and the increased expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; (5) extend from two to five years the carryback period for net operating losses; and (6) allow a work opportunity tax credit for certain unemployed veterans and disconnected youth hired in 2009 or 2010. Limits the applicability of Treasury Notice 2008-83 (suspending restrictions on the offset of net operating losses and unrealized built-in losses against the taxable income of certain corporate entities that acquire or merge with other entities) to periods prior to January 16, 2009. Suspends in 2009 or 2010 certain limitations on the tax deduction allowed to financial institutions for interest expense related to investments in tax-exempt bonds. Exempts interest earned on tax-exempt private activity bonds from the alternative minimum tax. Allows a new tax credit for investment in bonds for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of public school facilities or for the acquisition of land for building a public school facility. Increases in 2009 and 2010 the issuance limitation for qualified zone academy bonds. Allows state or local governments to elect to receive direct federal payments equal to tax credit amounts for investment in tax-exempt bonds issued in 2009 and 2010. Allows a new tax credit for investment in recovery zone economic development and recovery zone facility bonds issued in 2009 and 2010. Repeals the 3% withholding requirement on payments by federal, state, or local governmental entities to individuals who provide property or services to such entities. Extends the tax credit for the production of electricity from wind facilities (through 2012) and from other renewable facilities (through 2013). Allows an election to claim an investment tax credit for renewable facilities placed in service in 2009 or 2010. Repeals limitations on the investment tax credit for energy property financed by subsidized energy financing or industrial development bonds. Increases the limitation amount on the issuance of new clean renewable energy bonds and qualified energy conservation bonds. Modifies and extends through 2010 the tax credit for improvements to energy-efficient residences. Increases through 2010 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures. Increases through 2010 the tax credit for qualified energy research expenses. Requires the application of certain federal labor standards to projects financed with clean renewable energy and conservation bonds, zone academy bonds, school construction bonds, and recovery zone economic development bonds. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make grants in 2009 to states for low-income housing projects in lieu of low-income housing credit allocations. Directs the Secretary of Energy to make grants in 2009 or 2010 in lieu of tax credits to investors in specified energy property (e.g., renewable energy property, fuel cell property, solar property, wind energy property, geothermal property, microturbine property, combined health and power system property, and geothermal heatpump property). Directs the Comptroller General to submit a report to the House Committee on Ways and Means on the economic, employment, and other effects of this Act. Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program. Provides for federal-state agreements for increased regular unemployment compensation payments to individuals. Requires federal payments to states to cover 100% of such additional payments. Amends Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Labor to make special transfers to state accounts in the Unemployment Trust Fund for unemployment compensation modernization incentive payments and for administration. Health Insurance Assistance for the Unemployed Act of 2009 - Provides for payment of a portion of an individual's premiums for any COBRA coverage (health insurance continuation benefits). Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and the Public Health Service Act to allow COBRA coverage to continue past required termination dates for an employee who has attained age 55 or has completed ten or more years of service. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to allow states to provide coverage to individuals who are receiving unemployment compensation benefits or who have exhausted such benefits. Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act or the HITECH Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Sets forth provisions governing the development and adoption of a nationwide health information technology infrastructure that allows for the electronic use and exchange of information. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to establish incentive payments for certain eligible physicians and hospitals that adopt and use certified electronic health record (EHR) technology meaningfully, beginning in FY2011. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to establish incentive payments to encourage the adoption and use by Medicaid providers of qualified electronic health records. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program to enhance the meaningful use of certified electronic health records in nursing facilities. Sets forth provisions governing the privacy and security of health information, including requiring notifications for any breach of protected health information. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from phasing out or eliminating the budget neutrality adjustment factor in the Medicare hospice wage index before October 1, 2009. Requires the Secretary to recompute and apply the final index for FY2009 as if there had been no reduction in the budget neutrality adjustment factor. Provides for non-application of the phased-out indirect medical education adjustment factor for FY2009. Makes technical corrections to the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 with respect to long-term care hospitals. Establishes a temporary increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) with respect to Medicaid payments, as well as payments under SSA title IV part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance), for FY2009-FY2011 for eligible states, with optional FMAP increases authorized for specified U.S. territories. Extends from March 31, 2009, through June 30, 2009, the current moratoria on implementation of specified Medicaid and SCHIP regulations relating to cost limits for government-operated providers, the integrity of the federal-state Medicaid financial partnership, graduate medical education (GME) payments, Medicaid provider taxes, rehabilitative services, optional state plan case management services, and school-based administration and school-based transportation services. Imposes a moratorium through June 30, 2009, on implementation of a final regulation published on November 7, 2008, relating to Medicaid outpatient hospital services. Extends transitional medical assistance (TMA) from June 30, 2009, through December 31, 2010. Gives states the option of providing, during a presumptive eligibility period, Medicaid coverage for family planning services and supplies to individuals who are not pregnant and whose income does not exceed the highest income eligibility level for pregnant women established under the state's Medicaid or SCHIP programs. Prohibits state Medicaid programs from imposing cost-sharing requirements on Indians or Alaska Natives when the beneficiary is receiving an item or service directly from an Indian health care provider or through referral from a Contract Health Services provider. Amends SSA title XI to repeal establishment of the National Commission on Children. Directs the Secretary of HHS to maintain within the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services a Tribal Technical Advisory Group. Prescribes a temporary increase in state allotments for payments to Medicaid disproportionate share (DSH) hospitals. Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to develop and maintain a map showing where broadband service is deployed and available in each state. Provides for grants for wireless deployment and broadband deployment. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report on a national broadband plan. Makes technical corrections to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). Revises requirements with respect to smart grid regional demonstration initiatives. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a smart grid information clearinghouse. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to make loan guarantees for rapid deployment before FY 2012 of renewable energy and electric power transmission projects. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to increase the income eligibility level for the Weatherization Assistance Program, as well as the maximum amount of financial assistance. Instructs the Secretary to include specified analyses within the 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study. Sets forth conditions for additional grants under the State Energy Program.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 88 (111th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2009
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1) making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 84 (111th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2009
Applauds the skill, quick thinking, and bravery of Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III and First Officer Jeffrey B. Skiles of U.S. Airways Flight 1549. Commends the quick response by flight attendants Doreen Welsh, Donna Dent, and Sheila Dail to prepare passengers for impact and rapid evacuation. Praises the quick response from the boats, first responders, and private citizens that aided in the rescue of the passengers of Fight 1549.
Bill· HRH.R. 666 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2009
Military Valor Roll of Honor Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish the Military Valor Roll of Honor registry which shall: (1) contain the names and citations of all members of the Armed Forces, members of the U.S. merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service), and civilians affiliated with the Armed Forces who have been awarded the medal of honor or any other medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces, the U.S. merchant marine, or affiliated civilians; and (2) be a publicly available database.
Bill· SS. 309 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2009
Nationwide Freight and Personal Mobility Act - Specifies a formula for the automatic authorization of additional appropriations for National Highway System (NHS) improvement projects, starting FY2010, if apportionments fall below a certain level. Revises the federal share of non-Interstate highway projects to make it: (1) 80% for non-NHS projects; and (2) 85% for NHS projects.
Bill· SS. 297 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2009
Charter and Recreational Fishing Collective Marketing Act of 2009 - Authorizes persons engaged in the fishery industry as charter boat or recreational fishermen catching aquatic products to act together in associations in collectively catching, producing, and marketing such aquatic products, including implementing a vessel capacity reduction program, improving the operational and economic efficiency of a fishery, undertaking research, and improving the conservation and management of a fishery resource.
Bill· SS. 308 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2009
Rural Opportunity and Development Act or the ROAD Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a rural opportunity and development (ROAD) program to promote opportunity and economic development in rural states through projects for the preservation and improvement of highways.
Bill· HRH.R. 645 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2009
National Emergency Centers Establishment Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish at least six national emergency centers on military installations to use existing infrastructure to provide: (1) temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance to individuals and families dislocated due to an emergency or major disaster; and (2) centralized locations for the training of first responders and the coordination of preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Lists minimum requirements for sites for such centers, including that they be capable of: (1) meeting for an extended period the housing, health, transportation, education, public works, humanitarian, and other transition needs of a large number of individuals affected; (2) being scaled up or down to accommodate major disaster preparedness and response drills, operations, and procedures; (3) housing existing permanent structures necessary to meet training and first responders coordination requirements during non-disaster periods; and (4) hosting the infrastructure necessary to rapidly adjust to temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance needs. Sets forth center location requirements, including requiring the Secretary to designate closed military installations as sites whenever possible and to designate portions of existing military installations as centers otherwise.
Bill· HRH.R. 629 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2009
Energy and Commerce Recovery and Reinvestment Act - Directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to: (1) develop a broadband inventory map of the United States; and (2) award Wireless Deployment Grants and Broadband Deployment Grants. Amends the Energy Independence Act to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a smart grid information clearinghouse. Provides for matching grants for qualifying Smart Grid investments. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to make guarantees for certain commercial technology projects that are renewable energy systems that generate electricity or electric power transmission systems, including upgrading and reconductoring projects. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to revise the definition of "low income" for purposes of weatherization assistance. Health Insurance Assistance for the Unemployed Act of 2009 - Provides for payment of a portion of an individual's premiums for any COBRA coverage (health insurance continuation benefits). Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and the Public Health Service Act to allow COBRA coverage to continue past required termination dates for an employee who has attained age 55 or has completed ten or more years of service. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide coverage to individuals who are receiving unemployment compensation benefits or who have exhausted such benefits. Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act or the HITECH Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Sets forth provisions governing the development and adoption of a nationwide health information technology infrastructure that allows for the electronic use and exchange of information. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for incentive payments to physicians and inpatient hospitals that meaningfully use certified electronic health record technology. Sets forth provisions governing the privacy and security of health information, including requiring notifications for any breach of protected health information. Provides for a federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) increase and an additional increase for a state with high unemployment. Delays any action on certain regulations related to Medicaid. Allows states to cover family planning services for certain individuals. Sets forth provisions regarding the treatment of Indians under Medicaid.
Bill· HRH.R. 651 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2009
Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland.
Bill· SS. 291 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2009
Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility Safe Closure Act of 2009 - Directs the President to notify the congressional defense and appropriations committees at least 90 days before taking any action associated with the closure of the Department of Defense (DOD) detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the transfer of any persons detained there to a new detention facility in the United States. Requires the notification to include a: (1) study addressing the legal ramifications and the security, infrastructure, and other support requirements associated with such closure and transfer of persons detained; and (2) plan for the relocation of the persons detained.
Bill· HRH.R. 624 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2009
Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009 - Requires each air carrier and airport operator to submit for approval by the Secretary of Transportation a proposed contingency plan meeting minimum standards established by the Secretary. Requires an air carrier to provide passengers on a departure- or arrival-delayed grounded aircraft with: (1) adequate food, water, restrooms, ventilation, and medical services; as well as (2) a time frame under which passengers may deplane a delayed aircraft after three hours, except in specified circumstances. Requires an airport operator plan to describe: (1) how passengers will be deplaned following a long tarmac delay; and (2) how facilities will be shared and gates made available to aircraft that experience such delays. Authorizes the Secretary to assess a civil penalty against air carriers and airport operators that fail to submit, obtain approval of, or adhere to a contingency plan. Requires public access to such plans. Directs the Secretary to establish a consumer hotline telephone number for air passenger complaints.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 75 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2009
Honors Chesley B. Sullenberger III as the "Hero of the Hudson" and commends him for his display of courage. Praises Chesley B. Sullenberger III, not only for his commitment to the safety of the passengers of US Airways Flight 1549, but for his safety-related efforts with respect to the airline industry.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 17 (111th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2009
Recognizes and honors Chesley Sullenberger III, Jeffrey Skiles, the crewmembers and passengers of U.S. Airways Flight 1549, and the first responders, ferry operators, and tugboat drivers of New York City for their heroic efforts in saving 155 lives in the safe emergency landing of U.S. Airways Flight 1549.
Bill· HRH.R. 598 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow through 2010 a refundable tax credit for the lesser of 6.2% of earned income or $500 ($1,000 for married couples filing jointly); (2) allow through 2010 increases in the earned income tax credit, the refundable portion of the child tax credit, and the Hope Scholarship tax credit; (3) allow a waiver of the the first-time home buyer tax credit repayment requirement for residences purchased after December 31, 2008, and before July 1, 2009; (4) extend through 2009 bonus depreciation and the increased expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; (5) extend from two to five years the carryback period for net operating losses; and (6) allow a work opportunity tax credit for certain unemployed veterans and disconnected youth hired in 2009 or 2010. Limits the applicability of Treasury Notice 2008-83 (suspending restrictions on the offset of net operating losses and unrealized built-in losses against the taxable income of certain corporate entities that acquire or merge with other entities) to periods prior to January 16, 2009. Suspends in 2009 or 2010 certain limitations on the tax deduction allowed to financial institutions for interest expense related to investments in tax-exempt bonds. Exempts interest earned on tax-exempt private activity bonds from the alternative minimum tax. Allows a new tax credit for investment in bonds for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of public school facilities or for the acquisition of land for building a public school facility. Increases in 2009 and 2010 the issuance limitation for qualified zone academy bonds. Allows state or local governments to elect to receive direct federal payments equal to tax credit amounts for investment in tax-exempt bonds issued in 2009 and 2010. Allows a new tax credit for investment in recovery zone economic development and recovery zone facility bonds issued in 2009 and 2010. Repeals the 3% withholding requirement on payments by federal, state, or local governmental entities to individuals who provide property or services to such entities. Extends the tax credit for the production of electricity from wind facilities (through 2012) and from other renewable facilities (through 2013). Allows an election to claim an investment tax credit for renewable facilities placed in service in 2009 or 2010. Repeals limitations on the investment tax credit for energy property financed by subsidized energy financing or industrial development bonds. Increases the limitation amount on the issuance of new clean renewable energy bonds and qualified energy conservation bonds. Modifies and extends through 2010 the tax credit for improvements to energy-efficient residences. Increases through 2010 the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures. Increases through 2010 the tax credit for qualified energy research expenses. Requires the application of certain federal labor standards to projects financed with clean renewable energy and conservation bonds, zone academy bonds, school construction bonds, and recovery zone economic development bonds. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make grants in 2009 to states for low-income housing projects in lieu of low-income housing credit allocations. Directs the Secretary of Energy to make grants in 2009 or 2010 in lieu of tax credits to investors in specified energy property (e.g., renewable energy property, fuel cell property, solar property, wind energy property, geothermal property, microturbine property, combined health and power system property, and geothermal heatpump property). Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program. Provides for federal-state agreements for increased regular unemployment compensation payments to individuals. Requires federal payments to states to cover 100% of such additional payments. Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Labor to make special transfers to state accounts in the Unemployment Trust Fund for unemployment compensation modernization incentive payments and for administration. Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the SSA to establish in the Treasury the Emergency Contingency Fund for State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants from the Fund to requesting states for purposes related to: (1) caseload increases; (2) increased expenditures for non-recurrent short-term benefits; and (3) increased expenditures for subsidized employment. Limits the total amount payable to a single state for a fiscal year to 25% of the state family assistance grant. Revises the formula for determining the caseload reduction credit for FY2008 and FY2009 under requirements for the pro rata reduction of the TANF mandatory work participation rate due to caseload reductions not required by federal law and not resulting from changes in state eligibility criteria. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to make a one-time emergency payment in calendar 2009 to eligible individuals under SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI). Suspends for FY2008-FY2010 the prohibition against payments to states with respect to their plans for child and spousal support collection under SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) on account of amounts expended by a state from support collection performance incentive payments received from the Secretary of HHS (thus allowing such additional payments during such period). Health Insurance Assistance for the Unemployed Act of 2009 - Provides for payment of a portion of an individual's premiums for any COBRA coverage (health insurance continuation benefits). Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and the Public Health Service Act to allow COBRA coverage to continue past required termination dates for an employee who has attained age 55 or has completed ten or more years of service. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the SSA to allow states to provide coverage to individuals who are receiving unemployment compensation benefits or who have exhausted such benefits. Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act or the HITECH Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Sets forth provisions governing the development and adoption of a nationwide health information technology infrastructure that allows for the electronic use and exchange of information. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to establish incentive payments for certain eligible physicians and hospitals that adopt and use certified electronic health record technology meaningfully, beginning in FY2011. Amends SSA title XIX to establish incentive payments to encourage the adoption and use by Medicaid providers of qualified electronic health records. Requires determination of the maximum amount of such payments using a specified formula involving computation of an overall hospital health information technology amount. Sets forth provisions governing the privacy and security of health information, including requiring notifications for any breach of protected health information. Prohibits the Secretary of HHS from phasing out or eliminating the budget neutrality adjustment factor in the Medicare hospice wage index before October 1, 2009. Requires the Secretary to recompute and apply the final Medicare hospice wage index for FY2009 as if there had been no reduction in the budget neutrality adjustment factor. Provides for non-application of the phased-out indirect medical education adjustment factor for FY2009. Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 with respect to long-term care hospitals.
Bill· HRH.R. 578 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2009
Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress concerning Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons. Directs the Secretary of State, with respect to vulnerable populations in Iraq and with respect to countries containing a significant population of Iraqi refugees (including Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, and Egypt), to provide such countries or appropriate international organizations and nongovernmental organizations with specified humanitarian assistance. Directs the Secretary to make every effort to ensure that the humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations in Iraq and Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries are met. Authorizes appropriations: (1) for such humanitarian assistance; and (2) to Jordan for humanitarian assistance to Iraqi refugees and to provide the necessary infrastructure to support both the needs of Iraqi refugees and the Jordanian people. Requires that related fund monitoring mechanisms be established. Prohibits direct bilateral assistance to Syria. Increases FY2009-FY2011 refugee admission limitations for the purpose of admitting Iraqi citizens or nationals who became refugees on or after March 19, 2003. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary, by a specified date and subject to the availability of appropriations, to have increased by 100% the number of federal personnel in Iraq and in other appropriate countries who are conducting security reviews of Iraqi refugee applicants. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to work with the international community to provide: (1) financial assistance to vulnerable populations in Iraq and to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries; and (2) technical and financial assistance to international organizations in order to process refugees. Defines "vulnerable populations in Iraq."
Bill· HRH.R. 549 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2009
National Bombing Prevention Act of 2009 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish an Office for Bombing Prevention within the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Protective Security Coordination Division of the Office of Infrastructure Protection. Assigns the Office primary responsibility for enhancing the ability and coordinating the efforts of the nation to deter, detect, prevent, protect against, and respond to terrorist explosive attacks in the United States. Directs the Secretary to partner with other federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, nonprofit organizations, universities, and the private sector to: (1) develop a pilot program that includes a domestic breeding program for explosives detection canines; (2) increase the number of capability assessments of explosives detection canine units; (3) continue development of a scientifically-based training curriculum to enhance consensus-based national training and certification standards to provide for the effective use of explosives detection canines; and (4) continue engagement in explosives detection canine research and development activities through partnerships with the Science and Technology Directorate and the Technical Support Working Group. Directs the Secretary to develop and periodically update a national strategy to prevent and prepare for terrorist explosive attacks in the United States. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, to: (1) ensure coordination and information sharing regarding nonmilitary research, development, testing, and evaluation activities relating to the detection and prevention of, protection against, and response to terrorist attacks in the United States using explosives or improvised explosive devices and the development of tools and technologies necessary to neutralize and disable explosive devices; (2) coordinate with relevant federal department heads to ensure that military policies, procedures, activities, tools, and technologies to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks are adapted to nonmilitary uses; (3) establish a technology transfer program to facilitate the identification, modification, and commercialization of technology and equipment for use by agencies, emergency response providers, and the private sector against such attacks; and (4) establish a working group to advise and assist in the identification of military technologies developed by the Department of Defense (DOD) or the private sector to protect against and respond to explosive attacks. Amends the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to direct the Comptroller General to utilize explosives detection canine teams of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other DHS agencies to strengthen security and capacity. Directs the Secretary to submit a report to specified congressional committees on the administration of canine procurement activities by DHS to deter, prevent, detect, and protect against terrorist explosive attacks in the United States that includes consideration of the feasibility of reducing the price paid for the procurement of untrained canines.
Bill· SS. 238 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2009
Build America Bonds Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for any Build America bond issued by the Transportation Finance Corporation as part of an issue, if 100% of the available project proceeds from such issue are to be used for expenditures incurred for one or more qualified projects. Requires proceeds from the sale of bonds issued under this Act to be held in a Build America Bonds Trust Account. Defines "qualified project" as the capital improvements to any transportation infrastructure project (including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways) proposed by one or more states and approved by the Transportation Finance Corporation. Grants Congress' consent and recognition to the establishment by two or more state infrastructure banks of the Transportation Finance Corporation. Authorizes the Transportation Finance Corporation to: (1) issue Build America bonds for the financing of qualified projects; (2) establish and operate the Build America Bonds Trust Account; (3) leverage resources and stimulate public and private investment in transportation infrastructure; and (4) perform any other function the sole purpose of which is to carry out the financing of qualified projects through Build America bonds. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend certain customs fees for the processing of merchandise entered into the United States through specified dates in 2046.
Bill· HRH.R. 537 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2009
Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from state volume caps private facility bonds for sewage and water supply facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 528 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2009
Short Sea Shipping Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the harbor maintenance tax commercial cargo (other than bulk cargo) loaded at: (1) a port in the U.S. mainland and unloaded at another such port after transport solely by coastal route or river or unloaded at a port in Canada located in the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System; or (2) such a port in Canada and unloaded at a port in the U.S. mainland. Defines the "Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System" as the waterway between Duluth, Minnesota, and Nova Scotia, encompassing the five Great Lakes, their connecting channels, and the Saint Lawrence River.
Bill· SS. 224 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2009
Green Jobs and Infrastructure Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to provide loans to manufacturers to help finance the cost of: (1) re-equipping, expanding, or establishing (including applicable engineering costs) a manufacturing facility in the United States to produce clean technology products and the significant component parts of those products; and (2) improving the energy efficiency of the industrial processes of the manufacturers other than through the production of products and component parts. Applies such loans to: (1) facilities and equipment placed in service before December 30, 2012; and (2) costs that were incurred from this Act's enactment to December 30, 2020. Requires the Secretary to: (1) implement a program to provide up to $50 billion in loans to eligible individuals and entities for such costs; and (2) give priority to those facilities that are located in regions with the highest unemployment rates. Authorizes the Secretary to provide awards or loans to facilities that are idle. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to: (1) increase from 30% to 80% the portion of the manufacturing facility and engineering integration costs to be awarded under the advanced technology vehicles manufacturing incentive program; (2) require the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer $1 billion to carry out such program; and (3) require the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer $10 billion on October 1 of 2009, 2010, and 2011 to carry out the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants program (specifies how such funds are to be allocated). Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to include a Clean Energy Service Corps program among the types of national service programs eligible for assistance under such Act. Amends the Workforce Investment Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer $625 million to carry out the energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program.
Bill· HRH.R. 491 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2009
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to waive, through FY2009, any requirement that would otherwise require a state or local government to contribute non-federal funds toward the cost of a covered transportation program or activity authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFTETEA-LU) or an amendment made by that Act. Declares, however, that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit a state or local government from contributing non-federal funds toward the cost of a covered transportation program or activity.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 51 (111th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2009
Elects certain named Majority Members and ranking Members to the House Committees on House Administration and to Rules. Amends H.Res. 24 (electing Majority Members to specified House Committees) to replace Representative Bishop of Utah with Representative Bishop of New York on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Bill· SS. 213 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2009
Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009 - Requires each air carrier and airport operator to submit for approval by the Secretary of Transportation a proposed contingency plan meeting minimum standards established by the Secretary. Requires an air carrier to provide passengers on a departure- or arrival-delayed grounded aircraft with: (1) adequate food, water, restrooms, ventilation, and medical services; as well as (2) a time frame under which passengers may deplane a delayed aircraft after three hours, except in specified circumstances. Requires an airport operator plan to describe: (1) how passengers will be deplaned following a long tarmac delay; and (2) how facilities will be shared and gates made available to aircraft that experience such delays. Authorizes the Secretary to assess a civil penalty against air carriers and airport operators that fail to submit, obtain approval of, or adhere to a contingency plan. Requires public access to such plans. Directs the Secretary to establish a consumer hotline telephone number for air passenger complaints.
Bill· SS. 202 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2009
Passenger Vehicle Loss Disclosure Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to require all insurers and self-insurers of passenger motor vehicles to disclose to the public, in a commercially reasonable, electronically accessible manner, for each passenger motor vehicle declared or determined to be a total loss: (1) the vehicle identification number and odometer reading; (2) the date of and primary reason for the total loss determination; and (3) whether the airbags deployed.
Bill· SS. 198 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2009
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to waive, through FY2009, any requirement that would otherwise require a state or local government to contribute non-federal funds toward the cost of a covered transportation program or activity authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFTETEA-LU) or an amendment made by that Act. Declares, however, that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit a state or local government from contributing non-federal funds toward the cost of a covered transportation program or activity.
Bill· HRH.R. 366 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2009
Ocean Research and Exploration Enhancement Act of 2009 - Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to: (1) establish within NOAA a coordinated national ocean exploration program that promotes collaboration with other federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs; (2) convene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force; and (3) appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board. NOAA Undersea Research Program Act of 2009 - Requires the Administrator to establish and maintain an undersea research program to increase scientific knowledge essential for the informed management, use, and preservation of oceanic, marine, and coastal areas and the Great Lakes. Requires that the program be conducted through a national headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea research centers that represent all relevant NOAA regions, and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology. Requires that funding for projects conducted through the regional centers be awarded through a competitive, merit-reviewed process.