jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-06-02 00:00:00

Maritime Workforce Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a maritime career training loan program. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Maritime Administration, to make maritime career training loans available to eligible students at federal, state, and commercial maritime training institutions, including state maritime academies, and nonprofit training organizations. Makes undergraduate students at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy ineligible for such loans. Allows loans to a student of up to $15,000 in a calendar year or $60,000 in the aggregate. Establishes certain student eligibility and loan requirements. Requires the Secretary to establish a revolving loan fund consisting of receipts from the repayment of loans to cover the administrative costs of the program. Authorizes appropriations for this loan program for FY2010-FY2015. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to publish in the Federal Register, a plan that describes the demonstration, research, and multistate project priorities of the Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding merchant mariner recruitment, training, and retention for the three-year period following the publication of the plan. Requires the Secretary to submit copies of the plan to Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to maritime training institutions to carry out demonstration projects and other eligible projects that implement DOT priorities in a way to address merchant mariner recruitment, training, and retention issues. Establishes certain grant and project eligibility requirements. Authorizes appropriations for this grant program for FY2010-FY2015.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Private legislation
Date: 2009-06-02 00:00:00

Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, notwithstanding specified provisions of federal shipping law, to issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the vessel M/V GEYSIR.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Private legislation
Date: 2009-06-03 00:00:00

Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, notwithstanding specified provisions of federal shipping law, to issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the vessel GULF DIVER IV.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-06-04 00:00:00

Exempts residents or nonresidents who assist, accompany, transport, guide, or aid persons in the taking of fish for monetary or other consideration on Lake Texoma (located on the border between Texas and Oklahoma): (1) who are licensed by the state in which they are operating from any related requirement established or administered by the Coast Guard; and (2) who are licensed by the Coast Guard from state regulation so long as the Coast Guard license remains valid. Prohibits an individual with a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariners document and serving under the authority of such license, certificate, or document on a vessel that is required to have a vessel security plan from entering an area designated as a secure area in such a plan unless the individual has (or is accompanied by an individual who has) a biometric transportation security card issued by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. (Current law contains the same prohibition, but without referring to serving under the authority of such license, certificate, or document.) Removes a provision prohibiting an individual engaged on a towing vessel that pushes, pulls, or hauls alongside a tank vessel from entering a secured area without having (or without being accompanied by an individual who has) such a card.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-06-04 00:00:00

National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009 - Establishes: (1) national transportation objectives to provide a 21st century vision for the national surface transportation system, including to promote energy efficiency and achieve energy security, ensure environmental protection and safety for all transportation users, improve economic competitiveness and transportation system conditions, and provide equal access to transportation in urban, suburban, and rural communities; and (2) national transportation performance targets to meet such objectives, including to reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled by 16% and transportation-generated carbon dioxide levels by 40%, triple walking, biking, and public transportation use, increase freight transportation provided by railroad and intermodal services by 20%, and improve public safety and lower congestion costs by reducing traffic crashes by 50%. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) develop baseline levels and appropriate data collection systems for meeting the national transportation performance targets; and (2) develop and implement a National Surface Transportation Performance Plan.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-06-08 00:00:00

Expands the urbanized area formula grants program to include public transit projects: (1) in urbanized areas with a population of at least 200,000, and urbanized areas with a population of between 200,000 and 400,000, if the state or regional authority that provides public transportation for the area operates less than 100 buses in fixed-route service in the area during peak service hours; and (2) in urbanized areas with graduated populations of between 400,000 and capping out at 1 million or more. Establishes certain grant limits for such projects. Revises grant eligibility requirements for FY2010-FY2015 for such projects in urbanized areas with a population of at least 200,000.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-06-09 00:00:00

Requires states, at a minimum, to cooperate with affected nonmetropolitan local officials responsible for transportation through regional transportation planning organizations to develop and implement long-range statewide transportation plans and statewide transportation improvement programs, with emphasis on addressing the transportation needs of nonmetropolitan areas of the state. Defines a regional transportation planning organization as a multi-jurisdictional organization composed of nonmetropolitan local officials (or their designees) and representatives of local transportation systems who all volunteer for such organization.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2009-06-12 00:00:00

Amends the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for FY2011-FY2012 for use to acquire (1) hydrographic data, provide hydrographic services, and conduct coastal change analyses necessary to ensure safe navigation, and to improve the management of coastal change in the Arctic; and (2) hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services in the Arctic necessary to delineate the U.S. extended continental shelf.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-06-16 00:00:00

United States Coast Guard Servicemember Benefits Improvements Act - Establishes or modifies the housing-related authorities of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating regarding: (1) reconstruction and maintenance of military family housing or unaccompanied housing; (2) conveyance or lease of real property; and (3) the Coast Guard Housing Fund. Repeals the $40 million cap on the total value in budget authority of all contracts and investments undertaken using Coast Guard housing authorities. Repeals the expiration date for such authorities, thus making them permanent. Eliminates specified new housing demonstration projects. Authorizes the Coast Guard Commandant to: (1) use appropriated funds to provide child development services; and (2) collect and expend, for such services, fees based on family income. Raises from 62 to 64 the mandatory retirement age for flag officers. Allows deferral of the mandatory retirement age of any regular commissioned officer serving in a flag officer grade position (currently 62): (1) by the Secretary until age 66; and (2) by the President until age 68. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to: (1) detail Chaplain Corps personnel to the Coast Guard; and (2) provide support services (including transportation, food, lodging, child care, supplies, fees, and training materials) to chaplain-led programs to assist members of the Coast Guard on active duty and their dependents, and members of the reserve component in an active status and their dependents, in building and maintaining a strong family structure. Authorizes the President to award a Coast Guard cross and silver star medals to persons serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard for extraordinary heroism or gallantry in action while engaged in action against a U.S. enemy, or in other specified actions. Removes provisions excluding the Coast Guard from provisions relating to Armed Forces Retirement homes. (Authorizes Coast Guard participation in the Armed Forces Retirement Home system.) Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, subject to the availability of legal staff resources, to provide to members of Coast Guard reserve components legal assistance in connection with their personal civil legal affairs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that, during a public health emergency, Coast Guard members and assets remain under the command and control of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Economics and public finance
Date: 2009-06-18 00:00:00

Highway Trust Fund Reclamation Act - Rescinds, effective July 15, 2009, any unobligated balances of certain stimulus funds made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (excluding funds for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for highway infrastructure investment). Appropriates rescinded amounts to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF).
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-06-19 00:00:00

United States Mariner and Vessel Protection Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Coast Guard's Commandant to deploy a maritime safety and security team for up to six months to deter, protect against, and rapidly respond to acts of piracy against vessels in international waters. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue regulations establishing standards and circumstances under which an individual is authorized to use force (including lethal force) against an individual in the defense of a vessel against piracy. Limits the liability of the individuals, the federal government, and owners, operators, and masters of vessels in actions arising out of a use of force authorized under the regulations. Directs the Secretary to work through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish agreements to promote coordinated action among flag and port states to deter, protect against, and rapidly respond to acts of piracy against the vessels of, and in the waters under the jurisdiction of, those nations, and to ensure limitations on liability similar to those under this Act.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Private legislation
Date: 2009-06-26 00:00:00

Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, notwithstanding specified provisions, to issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the motor vessel EQUULEUS (IMO 5146914).
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-07-17 00:00:00

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt donations of motor vehicles to charities from the limitations and substantiation requirements applicable to such donations if: (1) the employees of the charity are solely responsible for, and perform substantially all of the services for, the daily operations of the charity's vehicle donation program; (2) the charity does not regularly use the property or services of a third party in carrying out its vehicle donation program; and (3) not more than 20% of the annual net proceeds from the sale of donated motor vehicles is paid to third parties for services used by the charity's vehicle donation program.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-07-21 00:00:00

Green Routes to Work Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) equalize and increase to $230 the tax exclusion for both transportation and parking fringe benefits; (2) make the increased transportation fringe benefit available to federal employees; (3) make self-employed individuals eligible for transit pass fringe benefits; (4) include employer-established parking cash-out programs as a qualified transportation fringe benefit; (5) allow a general business tax credit for 10% of the cost of a commuter van , with a seating capacity of between 8 and 15 adults that is placed in service before 2013; (6) allow employers a refundable tax credit for providing tax-free transit passes to employees; (7) allow a general business tax credit for expenditures to improve access for bicycle commuters; (8) allow employees to receive transit passes and reimbursements of bicycle commuting expenses as tax-exempt employer-provided fringe benefits in the same month; (9) allow an empoyer's election to expense the cost of removing architectural and transportation barriers to bicycle commuter access to employer facilities; and (10) allow a tax credit for teleworking expenses, up to $400 per year.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-07-27 00:00:00

Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety and Roadway Enhancement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to implement a roadway safety enhancement program for older drivers and pedestrians to: (1) improve roadway safety infrastructure in states that is consistent with recommendations of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the "Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians"; and (2) achieve significant reductions in roadway fatalities and serious injuries among drivers and pedestrians 65 years old or older on all public roads. Sets forth project eligibility requirements and project identification and selection priorities. Requires the Secretary to finalize revision of the Handbook for publication. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to repeal its program for roadway safety improvements for older drivers and pedestrians. Requires the Secretary to: (1) appoint a Special Assistant for Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety within the Office of the Secretary; and (2) establish national goals for increasing driver, passenger, and pedestrian safety for persons 65 years old or older. Requires the Secretary to revise the manual on uniform traffic control devices to include a standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity for pavement markings on all public roads.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-07-28 00:00:00

Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 - (Sec. 3) Delineates passenger vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) vessel design, equipment, construction, and retrofitting; (2) video surveillance to monitor crime; (3) access to security guide; (4) posting of U.S. embassy locations; (5) maintenance of equipment, medications, and medical personnel for sexual assaults on board; (6) confidentiality of sexual assault information; (7) restrictions on crew access to passenger staterooms; and (8) log book entry and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, thefts, and other crimes. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for persons who willfully violate such requirements. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to develop minimum training standards for the certification of passenger vessel security personnel, crew members, and law enforcement officials on methods for the prevention, detection, evidence preservation, and reporting of criminal activities in the international maritime environment. Prohibits a vessel carrying U.S. citizens from entering a U.S. port unless there is at least one crew member on board who has met such training and certification requirements. Subjects persons who violate such requirements to certain civil penalties. (Sec. 4) Repeals certain maritime reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard (CG) is operating to combine into a single annual report for FY2010 and thereafter the separate reports of the CG concerning: (1) its annual fisheries enforcement plans; and (2) steps it will take to improve significantly the detection and interdiction of illegal incursions by foreign fishing vessels into the U.S. exclusive economic zone.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-07-29 00:00:00

Vessel Repair Enhancement Act of 2009 - Expands, for capital construction fund provisions, the definition of "qualified vessel" to include: (1) a vessel documented under U.S. laws and maintained or repaired in a privately owned shipyard in the United States; and (2) any floating dry dock and related shipyard infrastructure (including marine railways) located in the United States and used to build, maintain, or repair U.S.-documented vessels. Amends federal merchant marine law and the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow capital construction funds to be used for maintenance or repair of vessels documented under the laws of the United States; (2) establish the order of withdrawal for purposes of the tax treatment of qualified withdrawals from such funds; and (3) disallow a basis reduction for maintenance or repair withdrawals.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-07-29 00:00:00

United States Mariner and Vessel Protection Act of 2009 - Shields an owner, operator, time charterer, master, or mariner who uses, or authorizes the use of, force to defend a vessel of the United States against piracy from liability for any resulting injury to or death of any person participating in the piracy. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to work through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish agreements to promote coordinated action among flag- and port-states to deter, protect against, and rapidly respond to acts of piracy against the vessels of, and in the waters under the jurisdiction of, those nations, and to ensure limitations on liability similar to those established by this Act.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-07-31 00:00:00

Clean Low-Emission Authorization Nationwide (CLEAN) Ports Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to award competitive grants to seaport governing bodies (including harbor commissions and port authorities) for the acquisition of fuel efficient and low-emission equipment and systems at port facilities, with a preference to seaport governing bodies that can demonstrate a pattern of successful implementation of energy use and pollution reduction activities. Sets aside up to 10% of federal funding to carry out this Act for research and development of fuel efficient port vehicle or vessel technologies that reduce carbon dioxide emissions, increase fuel efficiency in local port fleets, and lead to increased domestic production of fuel efficient or clean vehicles. Sets the federal share of costs for such activities at no more than 90%.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-07-31 00:00:00

Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to provide that amounts in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund shall be available for expenditures, without further appropriation. Requires the Secretary of the Army to submit to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works an annual report on expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and the economic benefits of harbor dredging projects.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-09-08 00:00:00

Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act of 2009 or the ALERT Drivers Act - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 25% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway program funds for the fiscal year if the state has not enacted or is not enforcing a law that: (1) prohibits, except in an emergency, an operator of a motor vehicle from writing, sending, or reading a text message using a hand-held mobile telephone (excluding a vehicle-integrated, voice-activated device); and (2) requires, upon conviction of a violation of such prohibition, the imposition of certain minimum penalties.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-10-15 00:00:00

Fighting Occupied Cell Use So Everyone Drives More Safely Act of 2009 or the FOCUS Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 25% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway program funds for the fiscal year if the state has not enacted or is not enforcing a law that: (1) prohibits, except in an emergency, an operator of a moving motor vehicle from using any communication device if he or she is under 21, and a hand-held communication device if he or she is 21 or older; and (2) requires, upon conviction of a violation of such prohibition, the imposition of certain minimum penalties. Defines "communication device" to mean any mobile telephone or other portable electronic communication device which a user engages in a call or writes, sends, or reads a message.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-10-29 00:00:00

Requires the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), if in periodic transportation safety investigative reports and studies it recommends replacement of major equipment or operating systems that require significant funding or time, to include, if available, alternative safe interim recommendations and corrective actions that a state or local government authority is able to afford and implement in a timely manner.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-11-18 00:00:00

Emergency Responders Highway Safety Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a highway emergency responders safety grant program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations for projects to: (1) increase awareness of state laws that require a motorist to change lanes or reduce speed if passing a highway emergency responder, including the penalties for noncompliance with such laws; and (2) provide highway emergency responders with training on the prevention of injuries and fatalities resulting from roadside collisions. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a multidisciplinary advisory group to make program recommendations; and (2) an incident reporting system to compile information on roadside collisions involving highway emergency responders.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2010-01-13 00:00:00

Replaces the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security in the Department of Transportation (DOT) with the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security as head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Increases the term of office of the Assistant Secretary from 5 to 10 years.