hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Research and Development Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2884
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2008-04-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Income tax
Research and development tax credit
Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: 
 Research and Development Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax credit for increasing research activities by: (1) phasing in increases in the alternative simplified tax credit rate through 2009; (2) establishing a 20% alternative simplified tax credit rate in 2010 in lieu of the standard research tax credit rate; (3) increasing the amount of basic and contract research expenses eligible for such tax credit; and (4) extending such credit through 2012.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3155)
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the availability of industrial development bonds to facilities manufacturing intangible property.

Bill: 110-s-2885
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2008-04-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bonds
Commerce
Finance and Financial Sector
Income tax
Industrial buildings
Manufacturing industries
Tax exemption

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) qualify manufacturing facilities that create intangible property for tax-exempt bond financing; and (2) revise the definition of &quot;manufacturing facility&quot; for purposes of certain limitations on tax-exempt bond financing to include facilities which are functionally related and subordinate to a manufacturing facility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3156)
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3155-3156)
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Firefighter Fatality Reduction Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2887
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2008-04-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Employee training
Equipment and supplies
Fire departments
Fire fighters
Governmental investigations
Health
Labor and Employment
Occupational health and safety
Standards
Surveys

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: 
Firefighter Fatality Reduction Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) conduct a survey of and report to Congress on the compliance of fire departments in the United States with national consensus standards for staffing, training, safe operations, personal protective equipment, and fitness relating to fire department operations and firefighting practices; and (2) establish a Task Force to Enhance Firefighter Safety to develop a plan to enhance firefighter safety by increasing compliance with such standards and to consider ways in which the federal government, states, and local governments can promote, encourage, or require compliance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2888
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2008-04-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Commerce
Consultants
Consumer education
Contracts
Crime and Law Enforcement
Finance and Financial Sector
Foreclosure
Fraud
Home ownership
Law
Legal fees
Liens
Mortgages
Power of attorney
Punitive damages
Restrictive trade practices
Surety and fidelity

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: 
Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Act of 2008 - Prohibits a foreclosure consultant from: (1) receiving compensation from a homeowner for services performed regarding residential real property until such consultant has fully performed each service contracted for; (2) holding power of attorney from any homeowner, except to inspect documents; (3) receiving consideration from a third party in connection with services rendered to a homeowner by such third party with respect to the foreclosure, unless such consideration is fully disclosed in writing before such services are rendered; (4) accepting any wage assignment, lien, or other security to secure compensation for services rendered regarding foreclosure of the residential real property; or (5) acquiring any interest in the residence of a homeowner with whom the consultant has contracted.
 
Sets forth contract requirements. Permits a homeowner to cancel such contract without penalty or obligation.
 
Declares void and unenforceable: (1) any waiver by a homeowner of the protections provided in this Act; and (2) any contract that does not comply with this Act.
 

 
Requires a loan servicer to notify a homeowner of the dangers of fraudulent activities associated with foreclosure if the servicer finds that the homeowner has failed to make two consecutive payments on a residential mortgage loan and such loan is at risk of foreclosure.
 
Subjects any foreclosure consultant who fails to comply with this Act to liability for actual and punitive damages and attorneys' fees.
 
Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the states to enforce this Act.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3160)
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Health Care Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2889
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2008-04-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: AIDS (Disease)
Administrative procedure
Afghanistan
Brain
Clothing
Coinsurance
Collection of accounts
Continuing education
Dentists
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disabled
Education
Families
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Head injuries
Health
Higher education
Human immunodeficiency viruses
Income
Iraq
Iraq compilation
Labor and Employment
Law
Medical education
Medical records
Medical tests
Middle East and North Africa
Military dependents
Physicians
South Asia
Survivors' benefits
Terminal care
Trauma care
Veterans' disability compensation
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions
Veterans' rehabilitation
War casualties

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: 
Veterans Health Care Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to contract to provide specialized residential care and rehabilitation services to a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom who suffers from a traumatic brain injury, has an accumulation of deficits in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living and, because of these deficits, would otherwise require nursing home admission even though such care would generally exceed the veteran's nursing needs.
 
Directs the Secretary to provide full-time board-certified physicians and dentists the opportunity to continue their professional education through VA sponsored continuing education programs. Authorizes (currently, directs) the Secretary to reimburse such physicians or dentists up to $1,000 per year for continuing professional education not available through VA sources.
 
Exempts hospice care from requirements to pay a copayment in connection with hospital or nursing home care or medical services.
 
Repeals a provision that prohibits the Secretary from performing widespread human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing but does allow voluntary testing of certain individuals.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to disclose the name and address of present or former Armed Forces members and their dependents to collect charges for care or services provided for a non-service-connected disability.
 
Removes provisions ending, on September 30, 2008, the Secretary's authority to obtain information from the Secretary of the Treasury or the Commissioner of Social Security under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
 Directs the Secretary to increase certain disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation amounts. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3160-3161)
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3160, S3161)
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a highway fuel tax holiday.

Bill: 110-s-2890
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2008-04-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Diesel motor
Economics and Public Finance
Energy
Energy prices
Excise tax
Gasoline
Government trust funds
Highway finance
Petroleum industry
Tax rates
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels between May 26, 2008, and September 1, 2008. Provides for reimbursement from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in Trust Fund receipts resulting from such suspension.

Expresses the policy of Congress that: (1) consumers immediately receive the benefit of the reduction in taxes resulting from this Act; and (2) transportation motor fuels producers and other dealers take necessary actions to reduce fuel prices to reflect such reduction in taxes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3161-3162)
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Teaching and Research Assistant Collective Bargaining Rights Act

Bill: 110-s-2891
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2008-04-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Collective bargaining
College teachers
Education
Higher education
Student employment

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: 
Teaching and Research Assistant Collective Bargaining Rights Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide collective bargaining rights for students enrolled at a private institution of higher education who perform work for remuneration at the institution's direction, regardless of whether the work relates to their courses of study (teaching and research assistants).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3162)
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Wartime Enforcement of Fraud Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2892
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2008-04-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Afghanistan
Armed Forces and National Security
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congress and military policy
Defense contracts
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
International Affairs
Iraq
Iraq compilation
Law
Limitation of actions
Middle East and North Africa
Military operations
President and foreign policy
Prosecution
South Asia
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-18
text: 
Wartime Enforcement of Fraud Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions that suspend the statute of limitations for wartime frauds against the United States by: (1) making such provisions applicable to an authorization for the use of Armed Forces (currently, applicable only if a war has been declared); (2) extending such limitation period from three to five years after the termination of hostilities; and (3) requiring a presidential proclamation, with notice to Congress, to signal the end of hostilities and thus end the suspension of the statute of limitations.

action_date: 2008-07-25
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Wartime Enforcement of Fraud Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions that suspend the statute of limitations for wartime frauds against the United States by: (1) making such provisions applicable to an authorization for the use of Armed Forces (currently, applicable only if a war has been declared); (2) extending such limitation period from three to five years after the termination of hostilities; and (3) requiring a presidential proclamation, with notice to Congress, to signal the end of hostilities and thus end the suspension of the statute of limitations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-25
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 899.
action_date: 2008-07-25
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy without amendment. With written report No. 110-431. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2008-07-25
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy without amendment. With written report No. 110-431. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2008-04-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3175)
action_date: 2008-04-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3174-3175)
action_date: 2008-04-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Ludlow Massacre National Historic Landmark Act

Bill: 110-s-2893
Sponsor: Sen. Salazar, Ken [D-CO]
Introduced: 2008-04-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Coal
Colorado
Commemorations
Energy
Historic sites
History
Labor and Employment
Labor disputes
Miners

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-18
text: 
Ludlow Massacre National Historic Landmark Act - Designates the Ludlow Tent Colony Site (a site where striking miners and their families lived during the 1913-1914 Colorado coal strike) in Las Animas County, Colorado, as the &quot;Ludlow Massacre National Historic Landmark.&quot; 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-04-18
text: Introduced in Senate
PLUS Loan Borrower Protection Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2895
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2008-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Foreclosure
Higher education
Housing and Community Development
Loan defaults
Mortgages
Student loan funds

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-21
text: 
PLUS Loan Borrower Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, with respect to eligibility for a PLUS Federal Family Education Loan, to specify an extenuating circumstance for purposes of determining if a borrower has an adverse credit history on the basis of a mortgage loan delinquency or foreclosure.
 
Declares that an extenuating circumstance exists if, at any time from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2112, the borrower is 90 or more days delinquent on mortgage loan payments, or foreclosure proceedings have been initiated, with respect to the borrower's primary residence.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3208-3209)
action_date: 2008-04-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3208)
action_date: 2008-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Diesel Tax Parity Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2896
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2008-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Diesel motor
Economics and Public Finance
Energy
Excise tax
Fuel
Government trust funds
Highway finance
Tax rates
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-21
text: 
Diesel Tax Parity Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax on diesel fuel for a specified period ending on December 31, 2008. Provides for reimbusement from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in Trust Fund receipts resulting from this reduction in diesel fuel taxes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Ross E. Lay of Haiku, Hawaii.

Bill: 110-s-2897
Sponsor: Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2008-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Claims

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-21
text: Provides for the relief of Ross E. Lay of Haiku, Hawaii.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2008-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Orchard Detention Basin Flood Control Act

Bill: 110-s-2898
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2008-04-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Emergency Management
Flood control
Nevada
Water Resources Development
Wilderness areas

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-22
text: 
Orchard Detention Basin Flood Control Act - Provides for the release of approximately 65 acres of land known as the Orchard Detention Basin in the Sunrise Mountain Instant Study Area, Clark County, Nevada, from wilderness designation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-572.
action_date: 2008-04-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3259-3260)
action_date: 2008-04-22
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3259)
action_date: 2008-04-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Suicide Study Act

Bill: 110-s-2899
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2008-04-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Governmental investigations
Health
Iraq compilation
Mental health
Suicide
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-22
text: 
Veterans Suicide Study Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs conduct a study to determine the number of veterans who died by suicide between January 1, 1997, and the date of the enactment of this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-04-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Partnership for Children and Families Act

Bill: 110-s-2900
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2008-04-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Adoption
Child welfare
Employee training
Family services
Foster home care
Government Operations and Politics
Labor and Employment
Local employees
Social Welfare
State employees
Welfare eligibility

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-22
text: 
Partnership for Children and Families Act - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise the eligibility requirements for adoption assistance and foster care maintenance payments, eliminating certain income criteria.

Allows each state with an approved part E plan to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) receive foster care maintenance payment savings achieved (in a &quot;child welfare reinvestment fund&quot;) by reducing the total number of days children in the state experience in foster care during the fiscal year; and (2) use the savings to provide children with family preservation services, family support services, time-limited family reunification services, and adoption promotion and support services, and to train the staff of state and local child welfare agencies in effective service practices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3901-3902)
action_date: 2008-04-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Encouraging Mortgage Modifications Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2901
Sponsor: Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA]
Introduced: 2008-04-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Finance and Financial Sector
Foreclosure
Investors
Law
Liability (Law)
Loan defaults
Losses
Mortgage banks
Mortgage interest rates
Mortgages
Secondary mortgage market

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-23
text: 
Encouraging Mortgage Modifications Act of 2008 - Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to set forth duties of mortgage servicers regarding certain loan modifications or workout plans that affect pooled qualified residential mortgages.
 
Specifies among such duties the duty to: (1) determine if the net present value of the payments on the modified loan is likely to be greater than the anticipated net recovery that would result from foreclosure to all investors and parties having a direct or indirect interest in the pooled loans or securitization vehicle; and (2) act in the best interests of all such investors and parties, if the servicer agrees to or implements a qualified loan modification or workout plan for a qualified residential mortgage, or takes other reasonable loss mitigation actions, including accepting partial payments or short sale of the property, if such efforts are unsuccessful or infeasible.
 
Shields from liability a servicer who enters into a qualified loan modification or workout plan if the servicer acts in a manner consistent with such duties.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3307)
action_date: 2008-04-23
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3306-3307)
action_date: 2008-04-23
text: Introduced in Senate