jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2008-04-15 00:00:00

Fisheries Capital Construction Fund Enhancement Act of 2008 - Adds withdrawals for the acquisition of gear or equipment required for safety of life at sea or to comply with conservation measures within a fishery to the list of qualified withdrawals from a vessel capital construction fund. Declares that specified capital acquisition, construction, or reconstruction minimum cost requirements do not apply to withdrawals for such purposes.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2008-06-10 00:00:00

Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2008 - Amends federal copyright law to specify that the design of a vessel's hull, deck, or combination of a hull and deck, including a plug or mold are protected (currently, only the design of the vessel hull is protected, including a plug or mold and the definition of hull includes the deck). Requires that Department of Defense rights in a registered design, including the right to build to such a design, be determined solely by provisions of federal Armed Forces law relating to rights in technical data or by the instrument under which the design was developed for the U.S. government. Redefines "useful article" and "hull." Defines "deck" as the horizontal surface of the vessel that covers the hull, including exterior cabin and cockpit surfaces, and exclusive of masts, sails, yards, rigging, hardware, fixtures, and other attachments.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2008-06-25 00:00:00

Amends federal law relating to maritime drug law enforcement to prohibit knowingly or intentionally operating by any means, or embarking in, any semi-submersible vessel or any manned or unmanned submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2008-07-22 00:00:00

Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or a state with an approved National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, from requiring an NPDES permit for a covered vessel for the next two years for any discharge: (1) of effluent from properly functioning marine engines; (2) of laundry, shower, and galley sink wastes; or (3) that is incidental to the normal operation of a covered vessel. Defines "covered vessel" to mean a vessel that is less than 79 feet in length or a fishing vessel. Requires the Administrator to evaluate the impacts of such discharges, excluding discharges: (1) from a vessel of the Armed Forces; (2) of sewage from a vessel, other than the discharge of graywater from a vessel operating on the Great Lakes; and (3) of ballast water. Requires the Administrator to: (1) provide for public comment on a draft of such evaluation; and (2) submit a final report to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Provides that such prohibition does not apply with respect to: (1) rubbish, trash, garbage, or other such materials discharged overboard; (2) other discharges when the vessel is operating in a capacity other than as a means of transportation; (3) ballast water discharges; or (4) any discharge that contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or poses an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2008-09-16 00:00:00

Extends, through November 1, 2018, the exemption from the requirement that certain vessels operating within the Boundary Line be constructed of fire-retardant materials.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-01-06 00:00:00

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold specified graduated percentages of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highways funds for FY2010 and thereafter if driver licenses or personal identification cards issued by the state do not meet with certain minimum federal standards to be accepted by a federal agency.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Private legislation
Date: 2009-01-08 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 ZIPPER.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-01-22 00:00:00

Short Sea Shipping Promotion Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the harbor maintenance tax cargo contained in intermodal cargo containers and loaded by crane on a vessel, or cargo loaded on a vessel by means of wheeled technology, that is: (1) loaded at a U.S. port and unloaded at another U.S. port or a port in Canada located in the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System; or (2) loaded at a port in Canada located in the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System and unloaded at a U.S. port. Defines the "Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System" as the waterway between Duluth, Minnesota, and Sept Iles, Quebec, Canada, encompassing the five Great Lakes, their connecting channels, and the Saint Lawrence River.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-02-10 00:00:00

Our Nation's Trade, Infrastructure, Mobility, and Efficiency Act of 2009 or the ON TIME Act of 2009 - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to: (1) address major transportation investment needs in national trade gateway corridors; (2) reduce freight congestion along current and future trade corridors along surface transportation routes that are or will be congested as a result of current or future growth in international trade; and (3) develop corridors that will increase freight transportation system reliability. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to assess and collect a national trade gateway corridor fee on each article imported into, and exported from, the United States. Requires collected fees to be deposited in the National Trade Gateway Corridor Fund for projects in the transportation trade corridors for the Customs port of unloading of imported, or loading of exported, articles. Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the allocation of Fund amounts in the form of grants to state departments of transportation to carry out eligible projects in the corridors for the Customs ports of entry; and (2) project selection and eligibility. Requires the Secretary to establish a transportation trade corridor for each Customs port of entry where fees are collected.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Private legislation
Date: 2009-02-12 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 vessel MAYA (United States official number 1107319).
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-02-13 00:00:00

Vessel Navigation and Safety Improvement Act - Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to authorize the Coast Guard's Commandant to issue regulations requiring: (1) any pilot serving on a covered vessel operating in regulated waters to carry and use a portable electronic navigation device capable of being connected to an Automatic Identification System; and (2) related pilot training. Defines "covered vessel" as a self-propelled, commercial vessel of at least 300 gross tons without a prescribed electronic chart.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-03-12 00:00:00

Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 - Sets forth cruise vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) vessel design and construction; (2) crew access to passenger staterooms; (3) log book entry and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, and alleged crimes; (4) a database of crewmembers terminated due to commission of a crime; (5) maintenance of rape kits on board; (6) crime scene investigation training and certification for vessel crewmembers; (7) video surveillance to monitor crime; and (8) posting of certain safety information. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to revise the authority of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (Secretary) to dispatch Coast Guard personnel on vessels to deter or respond to terrorism or transportation security incidents. Authorizes use of such personnel to act as: (1) environmental observers to monitor compliance with federal laws regarding the discharge of waste into U.S. waters; and (2) public safety officers to assist vessel passengers and crew with reporting and investigation of crimes, securing of suspects, and collection of crime evidence. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the security needs of a passenger vessel depending on the number of passengers on the vessel, with recommendations for security improvements. Amends the Death on the High Seas Act to extend from 3 to 12 miles from the U.S. shore the high seas jurisdiction wherein a death by a wrongful act, neglect, or default of a person or vessel will allow the personal representative of the decedent to bring a civil action in admiralty.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2009-03-19 00:00:00

Putting Our Resources Towards Security (PORTS) Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, between FY2010-FY2014, to increase the number of full-time Customs and Border Protection officers, agriculture specialists, and border security support personnel for U.S. ports of entry by not fewer than 5,000, 1,200, and 350, respectively, above the number of such personnel for which funds were made available during FY2009. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) for each of FY2010-FY2014 to make improvements to existing U.S. ports of entry to improve border security. Directs the Administrator to give priority to ports determined to be in most need of repair in accordance with required infrastructure assessment studies.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-03-26 00:00:00

Great Lakes Icebreaker Replacement Act - Authorizes appropriations for the design, acquisition, and construction of a combined buoy tender-icebreaker to replace icebreaking capacity on the Great Lakes.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-04-02 00:00:00

Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act of 2009 - Terminates certain authorities under the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel management system with respect to TSA employees under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act and related law, including all authority to establish or adjust a human resources management system. Subjects TSA employees (including screeners) to the protections of the federal civil service system, including the right to collective bargaining, compensation, leave, health, and other employee rights. Prohibits any reduction in rate of pay or certain other rights of TSA employees upon conversion from the TSA personnel system to the federal civil service system. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, within 14 days after enactment of this Act, to: (1) inform the TSA employees' qualified labor organization in writing of the conversion plans; and (2) afford the organization a reasonable opportunity to present its views and recommendations. Requires the Secretary to consider such views or recommendations before taking final action and give the organization a written statement of the reasons for such final actions. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be considered to repeal or otherwise affect specified federal laws prohibiting strikes against the U.S. Government. Authorizes appropriations.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-04-02 00:00:00

Border Wait Times Study Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to Congress on the traffic patterns of commercial and passenger vehicles that enter and exit U.S. international land ports of entry along the northern and southern borders. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to study and report to Congress on the negative economic impact, if any, on the United States of wait times at such ports of entry.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-04-21 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and in cooperation with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, to update the FHWA's research report entitled "Reduced Lighting On Freeways During Periods Of Low Traffic Density," FHWA/RD-86/018, dated August, 1985. Requires the Secretary, based on the updated report, to issue guidance to states on reducing lighting on the federal-aid system during low traffic density periods.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-04-27 00:00:00

Surface Transportation Safety Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to modify certain federal regulations to: (1) allow fire services personnel to wear high visibility apparel meeting certain requirements; and (2) ensure that positive protective measures (including temporary longitudinal traffic barriers) are used to separate workers on highway construction projects from motorized traffic. Directs the Secretary to approve the use of federal-aid highway funds by a state for patented or proprietary items that further the goals of state strategic highway safety plans. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to revise the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to include a standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity that must be maintained for pavement markings, which shall apply to all roads open to public travel. Revises requirements for the highway safety improvement program to count installation, replacement, and upgrade of highway signs and pavement markings as a highway safety improvement project. Authorizes: (1) states to obligate highway safety improvement program funds apportioned to them for projects to maintain minimum levels of retroreflectivity in highway signs or pavement markings on public roads, whether or not such projects are included in state plans; and (2) a federal share of costs of 100% for such projects. Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a program to improve traffic signs and pavement markings for older drivers and pedestrians in all states; (2) review the safety of all highway-rail grade crossings in the United States and, based on such review, compile a list of the ten highway-rail grade crossings having the greatest need for safety improvements; (3) establish a national database of information on the safety of highway-rail grade crossings in the United States; and (4) allocate $20 million to each state with a population density of less than 20 persons per square mile for each fiscal year beginning with FY2010 for rural highway safety improvement projects.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-04-29 00:00:00

Fast Starts Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to state and local government authorities for eligible new fixed guideway streetcar capital projects that are electricity- and rail-based. Requires such an authority to submit by March 1, 2010, a grant application that certifies that a project has a sufficient degree of local financial commitment, meets certain environmental requirements, and can begin construction by March 1, 2012.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-04-29 00:00:00

Federal Streetcar Revitalization Act of 2009 - Revises small starts program requirements to increase the ceiling amounts of federal funding under a grant to state and local governments which will subject a new fixed guideway streetcar capital project to such requirements. Increases the maximum total federal funding for such a project from $75 million to $100 million, and the maximum total estimated net capital cost from $250 million to $300 million. Revises selection criteria for such projects to require that a project be justified based on a review of its effect on local economic development and land use (as under current law), as well as travel patterns and greenhouse gas reduction potential. Repeals the requirement for review also of a project's cost effectiveness. Requires the Secretary, in making a project justification, to determine the reduction in per capita auto travel demand and in greenhouse gas emissions that will result from the completed project. Repeals certain other requirements.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-04-29 00:00:00

United States Ferry Systems Investment Act of 2009 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for FY2010-FY2015 for construction of ferry vessels and ferry terminal facilities. Revises general requirements and the formula for the allocation of such funds to ferry systems and public entities responsible for developing ferries. Includes ferries within the federal clean fuels program. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish within the Department of Transportation a Ferry Joint Program Office to: (1) coordinate federal programs affecting ferry vessel and ferry facility construction, maintenance, operations, and security; and (2) promote ferry service as a component of the U.S. transportation system. Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that the national ferry database is consistent with the national transit database maintained by the Federal Transit Administration; and (2) award a grant to a college to establish a National Ferry Transportation Institute for research, development, and training programs relating to U.S. ferry transportation systems.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2009-04-30 00:00:00

Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide loans to motor vehicle dealers for the purchase of inventory. Sets the maximum loan limit at $20 million.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-05-04 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish: (1) a national highway tunnel inspection program, including standards for the proper safety inspection and evaluation of all highway tunnels; (2) a training and certification program for highway tunnel inspectors; and (3) a national inventory of highway tunnels. Includes tunnel construction, rehabilitation, and operational improvements (including safety inspection of such tunnels) as eligible projects under the federal surface transportation program.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-05-13 00:00:00

Highway Trust Fund Fairness Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) requirements for payments from the Highway Trust Fund for certain repayments and credits; and (2) the prohibition against interest-bearing obligations in the Highway Trust Fund.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

American Shipping Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal shipping investment withdrawal tax rules; and (2) allow U.S. corporate shareholders an election to deduct dividends attributable to foreign base company shipping income received from a controlled foreign corporation.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act of 2009 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to establish a Working Waterfront Grant Program to make a grant, through a regionally equitable, competitive funding process, to any coastal state to implement a plan to preserve and expand access to coastal waters for persons engaged in commercial fishing, recreational fishing, aquaculture, boatbuilding, or other water-dependent coastal-related business. Authorizes the Secretary to award planning grants to coastal states to develop or revise comprehensive working waterfront plans.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-06-02 00:00:00

Next Generation Homes Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the dollar limits on the new energy efficient home tax credit and revise the energy savings requirements for such credit; and (2) allow a new tax credit for the purchase of an energy efficient principal residence.
Topic: Transportation — Maritime
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-06-02 00:00:00

Coast Guard Modernization Act of 2009 - Title I: Coast Guard Leadership - (Sec. 101) Revises provisions concerning the leadership of the Coast Guard, including: (1) allowing more than one admiral; (2) requiring that the Coast Guard Vice Commandant, while so serving, have the rank of admiral; and (3) replacing the current area commanders with vice admirals and revising their responsibilities. Title II: Marine Safety Administration - (Sec. 201) Requires the Commandant to promote maritime safety according to specified priorities. (Sec. 202) Requires the Commandant to: (1) designate Coast Guard positions constituting the marine safety workforce; (2) report annually on the adequacy of the current marine safety workforce to meet the anticipated workload; and (3) establish a management information system for that workforce. Requires there to be a chief of marine safety in each Coast Guard sector. Authorizes the Commandant to establish and operate one or more Centers of Expertise for Marine Safety. Requires the Commandant, by policy, to establish a program under which a Coast Guard officer, member, or employee may be assigned to a private entity to further Coast Guard interests regarding marine safety, including to train the person. Requires a related annual report. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to develop a long-term strategy for improving vessel safety and the safety of individuals on vessels, including annual issuance of a plan and schedule for achieving specified goals. (Sec. 204) Provides for a principal advisor to the Commandant regarding marine safety. (Sec. 205) Requires, except for the Commandant, that any individual adjudicating an appeal or waiver of a marine safety decision either have certain training, experience, and qualifications or be advised by a senior staff member who meets those requirements and concurs in the decision on appeal. (Sec. 206) Requires a marine safety curriculum at the Coast Guard Academy and during other officer accession programs. (Sec. 207) Requires the Commandant to report on the Coast Guard's efforts to recruit and retain civilian marine inspectors and investigators and the impact of such recruitment and retention efforts on Coast Guard organizational performance.