hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Kansas Disaster Tax Relief Assistance Act

Bill: 110-s-1423
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2007-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Capital gains tax
College costs
Commerce
Depreciation and amortization
Disaster relief
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Emergency Management
Health
Higher education
Home ownership
Housing and Community Development
Housing finance
Income tax
Individual retirement accounts
Kansas
Labor and Employment
Losses
Low-income housing
Medical economics
Rental housing
Rural economic development
Saving and investment
Scholarships
Small business
Social Welfare
Storms
Student loan funds
Tax credits
Tax deductions
Tax exclusion
Tax exemption
Tax-deferred compensation plans
Tornadoes

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: 
Kansas Disaster Tax Relief Assistance Act - Extends to businesses and individuals in certain Kansas counties declared by the President as major disaster areas under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (FEMA-1699-DR) by reason of severe storms and tornados beginning on May 4, 2007 (qualifying area) provisions of the Internal Revenue Code allowing: (1) suspension of certain limitations on personal casualty losses; (2) an extension of the period for replacing damaged property without recognizing gain; (3) an employee retention tax credit for affected businesses through 2007; (4) 50% bonus depreciation for affected businesses; (5) increased expensing of small business assets; (6) expensing of demolition and cleanup costs; (7) extended net operating loss carryback periods for losses attributable to storms and tornadoes and for public utility property disaster losses; (8) relaxed income verification requirements for tenants in low-income rental projects; and (9) penalty-free withdrawals and loans from individual retirement accounts and other tax-exempt pension plans. 

Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program of student loan repayment for college graduates residing or employed in a qualifying area.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to individuals in a qualifying area to allow: (1) a tax credit for the lesser of 10% or $5,000 of the purchase price of a principal residence; (2) a capital loss deduction for the sale or exchange of a principal residence; and (3) the establishment of tax-exempt homestead accounts for the payment of education, business, medical, and other expenses.

Allows: (1) business-related tax credits for investment in certain buildings and small businesses in rural areas; and (2) accelerated deprecation of investment property in rural areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to enhance the defense nanotechnology research and development program.

Bill: 110-s-1425
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2007-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congress
Congress and military policy
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Department of Defense
Executive reorganization
Government Operations and Politics
Military research
Nanotechnology
Research and development
Science, Technology, Communications
Strategic planning

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: 
Amends the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 relating to the defense nanotechnology research and development program (program) to: (1) revise program purposes; (2) replace the Director of Defense Research and Engineering with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics as program administrator; (3) outline program activities, including the development of a strategic plan for defense nanotechnology research and development that is integrated with the strategic plan for the National Nanotechnology Initiative; and (4) extend through 2011 program report requirements.
 
Requires a report from the Comptroller General to the congressional defense and appropriations committees on progress made by the Department of Defense (DOD) in achieving program purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6303)
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6302-6303)
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to reauthorize the market access program, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-s-1426
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2007-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural subsidies
Agriculture in foreign trade
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign trade promotion

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: 
Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to extend additional Commodity Credit Corporation authority for the use of funding and/or commodities for the: (1) market access program; and (2) foreign market development cooperator program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Emergency Management Improvement Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1427
Sponsor: Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY]
Introduced: 2007-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Advice and consent of the Senate
Cabinet officers
Congress
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Disaster relief
Executive reorganization
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal advisory bodies
Federal employees
Government Operations and Politics
Presidential appointments
Standards
Terrorism
Transfer of employees

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: 
Federal Emergency Management Improvement Act of 2007 - Reestablishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent establishment in the executive branch. Requires FEMA to be headed by a Director appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Designates the Director as the principal advisor to the President, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Homeland Security for all matters relating to emergency management in the United States. Directs the President to designate the Director to serve as a Cabinet member in the event of natural disasters, terrorist acts, or other man-made disasters.

Sets forth provisions regarding FEMA's primary mission and the Director's responsibilities. Provides for 10 regional offices in FEMA, each headed by a Regional Administrator. Requires each Regional Administrator to: (1) establish a Regional Advisory Council; and (2) oversee multi-agency strike teams. 

Establishes a National Integration Center as FEMA's principal operations center. Requires the Director to: (1) ensure that the National Response Plan provides for a clear chain of command to lead and coordinate the federal response to disasters; (2) enter into a memorandum of understanding with specified individuals to collaborate on developing standards for deployment capabilities, including credentialing of personnel and typing of resources; and (3) appoint a Disability Coordinator. 

Transfers specified functions and personnel to FEMA. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to make necessary determinations regarding such functions and incidental dispositions of personnel, assets, and property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6304-6308)
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6303-6304)
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize the provision of technical assistance to small public water systems.

Bill: 110-s-1429
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2007-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Authorization
Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid to water pollution control
Potable water
Water Resources Development

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: 
Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to authorize appropriations to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY2008-FY2012 for technical assistance to enable small public water systems to comply with national primary drinking water regulations.

action_date: 2007-12-12
text: 
Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to authorize appropriations to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY2008-FY2012 for technical assistance to enable small public water systems to comply with national primary drinking water regulations.

Requires the Administrator, in providing grants for such assistance, to give priority to qualified small systems organizations that will be most effective at assisting those small systems that have the greatest need (or a majority of need) in the states.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-12-12
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 534.
action_date: 2007-12-12
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer with an amendment. With written report No. 110-242.
action_date: 2007-12-12
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer with an amendment. With written report No. 110-242.
action_date: 2007-07-31
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Early Childhood Education Professional Development and Career System Grants Act

Bill: 110-s-1431
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2007-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional reporting requirements
Continuing education
Data banks
Economics and Public Finance
Educational accountability
Educational surveys
Elementary and secondary education
Federal aid to education
Government Operations and Politics
Higher education
Mentoring
Preschool education
Scholarships
Science, Technology, Communications
Teacher education
Teacher salaries

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: 
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to states for the establishment of a task force composed of state, higher education, and early childhood education representatives and tasked with planning and reviewing the implementation of statewide early childhood education professional development and career systems.

Includes among task force duties: (1) developing a professional development and career lattice that provides for a variety of early childhood professional roles with varying professional qualifications and responsibilities, including strategies that offer compensation commensurate with a individual's credentials and training support; (2) assisting institutions of higher education to develop articulation agreements that convert diverse training into academic credits; (3) supporting undergraduate and graduate degree programs in early childhood education; and (4) subjecting the system to quality assurance measures.

Directs state grantees to submit their statewide plans for such systems to the Secretary within one year of receiving a grant.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Food Outreach and Opportunity Development for a Healthy America Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1432
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2007-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Commerce
Conservation easements
Consumer behavior
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Environmental Protection
Farm lands
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Food relief
Food stamps
Fruit
Government Operations and Politics
Government procurement
Grants-in-aid
Health
Health education
Marketing of farm produce
Nutrition
Produce trade
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Range management
Real estate development
School lunch program
Social Welfare
Soil conservation
Vegetables

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: 
Food Outreach and Opportunity Development for a Healthy America Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to: (1) extend assistance for community food projects; and (2) obligate funds for food stamp nutrition education.
 
Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to: (1) extend the fresh fruit and vegetable program; (2) extend the farm-to-cafeteria program; and (3) authorize Department of Agriculture and Department of Defense (DOD) geographic preferences to purchase locally produced agricultural or food products. 
 
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to revise the farmland protection program. Gives priority to farm and ranchland with prime, unique, or other productive soils at risk of nonagricultural development. 
 
Provides for: (1) grants to eligible state or local entities to purchase conservation easements; and (2) grant agreements with eligible state or local entities to purchase conservation easements using a combination of their own funds and grant funds.
 
Amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to establish the Farmers' Market Promotion Program Plus to make grants to eligible entities to establish and promote direct farmer-to-consumer marketing opportunities.
 
Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend the seniors farmers' market nutrition program.
 
Amends the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Agricultural Marketing Service, to: (1) establish a grant program for eligible entities to conduct enterprise feasibility studies, including studies of consumer preference; and (2) provide loans and loan guarantees to eligible entities and individual producers to develop processing, distribution, and information infrastructure for locally or regionally produced food. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2007-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Thomas P. O'Hara Public Land Career Opportunity Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1433
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2007-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alaska
Employee rights
Employee selection
Federal employees
Government Operations and Politics
Promotions
Transfer of employees

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: 
Thomas P. O'Hara Public Land Career Opportunity Act of 2007 - Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to provide competitive status to certain permanent federal employees in Alaska after: (1) if the appointment is full-time, the completion of two years of competitive and satisfactory full time service; or (2) if the appointment is less than full time, the period that is equivalent to two years of competitive and satisfactory full time service. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 647.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment. With written report No. 110-295.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment. With written report No. 110-295.
action_date: 2008-01-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2007-09-20
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-216.
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6402)
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6401-6402)
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Building Renewal and Energy Savings Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1434
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2007-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Energy conservation
Energy consumption
Energy efficiency
Environmental Protection
Federal installations
Federal office buildings
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Internet
Performance measurement
Science, Technology, Communications
Water Resources Development
Water conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: 
Federal Building Renewal and Energy Savings Act of 2007 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to require each federal agency to: (1) complete a comprehensive energy and water evaluation for each of its buildings and facilities meeting minimum size or other criteria established by the Secretary of Energy; and (2) implement each energy and water efficiency measure identified in such evaluation.
 
Requires a federal agency to: (1) use a web-based tracking system to certify compliance with this Act; and (2) enter energy use data for each of its facilities and buildings into a building energy use benchmarking system, such as the Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
 
Instructs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to issue quarterly scorecards for energy management activities carried out by each federal agency.
 
Prohibits a federal agency from: (1) establishing a policy that limits the maximum term of an energy savings performance contract to a period shorter than 25 years; or (2) limiting the total amount of obligations under such contracts, or other private financing of, energy savings measures.
 
Repeals the termination date for authority to enter into new contracts (thus making such authority permanent).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6402)
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to increase the capacity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-s-1435
Sponsor: Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS]
Introduced: 2007-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Petroleum reserves
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Strategic materials

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: 
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to increase the capacity for storage of petroleum products in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve from 1 billion to 1.5 billion barrels.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6402)
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Agricultural Adjustment Act to add clementines to the list of fruits and vegetables subject to minimum quality import requirements issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Bill: 110-s-1436
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2007-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agriculture in foreign trade
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Fruit
Import restrictions
Marketing of farm produce
Marketing orders

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: 
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to subject imported clementines to applicable domestic grade, size, quality, or maturity requirements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin Act

Bill: 110-s-1437
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2007-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Black colleges
Charities
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Coins and coinage
Congress
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Educational associations
Federal aid to education
Higher education
Legislation
Minorities
Minority education
Scholarships
Silver
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue, during 2014, up to 350,000 one-dollar coins designed to be emblematic of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its contribution to civil rights in America. 

 Requires sales to include a $10 surcharge per coin, which shall be paid to the United Negro College Fund.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6402-6403)
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Railroad Crossing and Hazardous Materials Transport Safety Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1438
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2007-05-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Data banks
Department of Transportation
Disabled
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Federal aid to transportation
Federal employees
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Governmental investigations
Law
Railroad freight operations
Railroad safety
Traffic accidents and safety
Transportation and the disabled
Transportation of hazardous substances

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: 
Railroad Crossing and Hazardous Materials Transport Safety Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a review of the safety of all highway-rail grade crossings in the United States and to submit to Congress a priority list of highway-rail grade crossings most in need of safety improvements.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain a national database of information on the safety of highway-rail grade crossings; (2) investigate the cause of each fatal crossing accident; and (3) prescribe regulations for improving crossing safety, maintenance, and surveillance.
 
Establishes the position of Special Advisor for Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety in the office of the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy. 
 
 Requires annual safety reviews by crossing inspectors.
 
Increases civil penalties for crossing safety requirement violations.
 
 Authorizes grants for enforcement of crossing safety laws, rail infrastructure safety improvements, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
 
Increases civil penalties for violations of hazardous materials transportation requirements.
 
Requires revocation of any compliance order if a railroad carrier commits a gross violation of such order that results in a hazardous materials accident.
 
 Sets inspection requirements for tank cars carrying hazardous materials.
 
Requires a rail carrier to provide comprehensive lists of all hazardous materials scheduled to be transported through a state to a state homeland security coordinator if requested.
 
 Directs the Secretary to double the number of hazardous materials inspectors employed by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Introduced in Senate