jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Immigration
Date: 2009-04-23 00:00:00

Border Security and Responsibility Act 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary), the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with tribal, state, and local officials, to submit to Congress a border protection strategy for the international land borders of the United States. Specifies strategy elements. Amends the the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to revise international land border security provisions, including: (1) eliminating existing southwest border fencing requirements; (2) requiring that border control actions be in accordance with the border strategy required under this Act; and (3) giving priority to the use of remote cameras, sensors, removal of nonnative vegetation, incorporation of natural barriers, additional manpower, unmanned aerial vehicles, or other low impact border enforcement techniques. Prohibits construction of border fencing, physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, sensors, or other tactical infrastructure prior to 90 days after such border strategy's submission to Congress. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of appropriate state and tribal wildlife agencies, to implement a comprehensive monitoring and mitigation plan to address the ecological and environmental impacts of security infrastructure and activities along the international land borders of the United States. Specifies plan requirements.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Animals
Date: 2009-05-06 00:00:00

Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Improvement Act of 2010 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2023 to provide for the annual base funding for the intergovernmental recovery implementation program for the endangered fish species in the Upper Colorado River and the San Juan River, above and beyond the continued use of power revenues collected under the Colorado River Storage Project Act to fund the operation and maintenance of capital projects and monitoring.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2009-05-12 00:00:00

Making Opportunities Via Efficient and More Effective National Transportation Act of 2009 or the MOVEMENT Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a National Goods Movement Improvement Program to provide funding for projects to improve the movement of goods in interstate commerce, to provide security for such goods in transit, and to mitigate environmental damage caused by the movement of goods. Terminates such program after FY2018. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish the National Goods Movement Improvement Fund to finance the projects authorized by this Act; and (2) impose the harbor maintenance excise tax on commercial cargo entering the customs territory of the United States other than by port use following foreign port use.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2009-05-18 00:00:00

Amends the Whale Conservation and Protection Study Act to rename it as the International Whale Conservation and Protection Act of 2009. Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), in cooperation with the Secretary of State, to: (1) restate strong U.S. opposition to commercial whaling and to refuse to engage in any negotiation or reinterpretation of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling that would weaken the moratorium on commercial whaling, create new categories of whaling, condone lethal scientific whaling, or weaken whale conservation and protection; and (2) support subsistence whaling and the development of the Aboriginal Whaling Management Scheme. Sets forth provisions concerning the International Whaling Commission. Requires the Secretary, in cooperation with the United States Coast Guard, to: (1) pursue the establishment of guidelines for minimizing the introduction of incidental noise from commercial shipping operations into marine environments to reduce the potential adverse affects on whales and other marine life; and (2) promote the use of areas to be avoided by commercial vessels and other navigational measures to minimize the threat of injury to whales. Requires the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior, to encourage nations that hold any reservations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to the great whales listed in Appendix I to withdraw such reservations and terminate commercial trade in whale meat and products. Provides for international cooperation and compliance with regulations governing trade in or takings of whales. Requires the Secretary to: (1) negotiate with the government of Canada with the goal of concluding a North Atlantic Whale Conservation Agreement within 18 months; (2) develop international action plans to reduce threats to whales and other cetaceans through the establishment of new International Marine Protected Areas (IMAs) and IMA networks; and (3) establish whale research initiatives to enhance whale conservation efforts. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of State to support efforts to study and reduce the adverse effects of anthropogenic noise on whales and other marine life.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

National Fish Habitat Conservation Act - Establishes a National Fish Habitat Board to: (1) promote, oversee, and coordinate the implementation of this Act and the existing National Fish Habitat Action Plan; (2) establish aquatic habitat conservation goals and priorities; and (3) review and recommend fish habitat conservation projects. Authorizes the Board to designate Fish Habitat Partnerships to: (1) coordinate Plan implementation at a regional level; (2) identify strategic priorities; (3) recommend habitat projects; and (4) develop and carry out fish habitat conservation projects. Establishes Partnership approval criteria, including that a Partnership: (1) include representatives of a diverse group of public and private partners focused on conservation of aquatic habitats to achieve results across jurisdictional boundaries and public and private land; and (2) is able to address issues and priorities on a nationally significant scale. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to fund, from amounts appropriated under this Act, up to 50% of the cost of approved fish habitat conservation projects on nonfederal and 100% of projects on federal land or water. Requires the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to: (1) establish the National Fish Habitat Conservation Partnership Office within the Service; and (2) develop the Office's interagency operational plan. Requires the Director, the Assistant Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to provide technical and scientific assistance to the Partnerships, the project participants, and the Board.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2009-06-10 00:00:00

America's Wildlife Heritage Act - Sets forth requirements concerning the maintenance of viable populations of existing native and desired non-native species within each planning area in the National Forest System's or the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) public lands. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to adopt and implement a strategically targeted monitoring program for determining the status and trends of native and desired non-native species populations on System and BLM lands. Defines: (1) native species to mean species of plants and animals indigenous to a planning area; and (2) desired non-native species to mean those wild species of plants and animals that are not indigenous to a planning area but are valued for their contribution to species diversity or their social, cultural, or economic value. Requires the Secretaries to coordinate the management of planning areas of the System and the BLM with the management of the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Park System, other federal agencies, state fish and wildlife agencies, other state agencies responsible for management of natural resources, tribes, local governments, and non-governmental organizations engaged in species conservation. Requires the Secretaries to issue regulations implementing this Act within one year of its enactment.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2009-06-10 00:00:00

Amends the federal criminal code to add the Burmese Python of the species Python molurus bivittatus and the African Rock Python of the species Python sebae to the list of injurious species that are prohibited from being shipped or imported into the United States.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-06-25 00:00:00

American Family Farm and Ranchland Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase to $5 million the limitation on the estate tax exclusion for land subject to a qualified conservation easement and to increase the percentage of the value of such land that is excludable.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Animals
Date: 2009-06-26 00:00:00

Global Wildlife Conservation, Coordination, and Enhancement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish within the United States Fish and Wildlife Service an Institute for International Wildlife Conservation, headed by an Assistant Director for International Wildlife Conservation. Directs the Assistant Director to create, submit to specified congressional committees, and publish in the Federal Register an International Wildlife Conservation Action Plan. Directs the Secretary, through the Institute, to: (1) coordinate international conservation efforts and enhance wildlife species conservation; (2) carry out a Wildlife Without Borders Program to provide international wildlife conservation assistance; (3) develop and conduct a multifaceted program to increase public understanding and appreciation of global wildlife resources and biodiversity, the threats confronting wildlife populations globally, and activities that can be undertaken to address specified threats; (4) develop and implement an educational outreach program to increase public awareness of international wildlife conservation; (5) provide fellowships to U.S. and foreign students in disciplines related to fish and wildlife conservation; and (6) establish a Center for International Wildlife Recovery Partnerships. Authorizes the Assistant Director to establish a Global Wildlife Conservation Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on international wildlife conservation programs. Establishes: (1) an International Wildlife Conservation Fund in the Treasury; and (2) a Global Wildlife Coordination Council to assist other nations in preserving and managing wildlife resources and their habitats. Directs the Secretary, through the Office of Law Enforcement of the Wildlife Service, to strengthen and enhance law enforcement efforts relating to wildlife conservation and trade.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Animals
Date: 2009-07-14 00:00:00

Wildlife Without Borders Authorization Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a Wildlife Without Borders Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide international wildlife conservation assistance through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of locally adapted wildlife management and conservation programs in coordination with non-governmental organizations, governments, private businesses, and community leaders. Specifies the species, regional, and global program components that shall be included in the Wildlife Without Borders Program. Permits the Secretary, in the administration of the Wildlife Without Borders Program, to accept donated funds and to use them for capacity building, grants, and other on-the-ground uses carried out under the regional and global program components authorized by this Act.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2009-07-14 00:00:00

Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to support investments in clean water and drinking water infrastructure. Imposes through 2015: (1) an excise tax on the sale of containers of water-based beverages, water disposal products, and pharmaceutical products; and (2) a clean water tax on corporations. Appropriates revenues raised from such taxes to the Trust Fund. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allocate amounts from the Trust Fund for specified clean and safe drinking water programs. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act to: (1) expand the types of projects eligible for funding by state revolving loan funds; and (2) set forth additional criteria for states in developing priorities for assistance under such Acts; and (3) provide for technical assistance to community water systems and small water treatment works. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to: (1) increase the security of community water systems and water treatment works; (2) hire certified wastewater treatment operators; and (3) control sewer overflow. Requires the Administrator to make grants to: (1) support efforts by water systems to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate the impacts of climate change; (2) establish a national water infrastructure research, development, and demonstration program and regional university water research centers; and (3) take back and dispose of prescription and over-the-counter drugs in an environmentally sound manner.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-07-22 00:00:00

Community Forestry Conservation Act of 2009 - Provides for the treatment of qualified forest conservation bonds as tax-exempt facility bonds under the Internal Revenue Code. Defines "qualified forest conservation bonds" as bonds issued for certain forestry organizations within 48 months after the enactment of this Act. Requires 95 percent or more of the net proceeds of such bonds to be used for specified forestry project costs, including the acquisition of forest lands subject to a conservation restriction. Exempts from income tax income, gains, and other tax incidents generated by certain harvesting activity on forest lands purchased with qualified forest conservation bonds.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Animals
Date: 2009-07-29 00:00:00

Protect America's Wildlife Act of 2009 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to impose criminal penalties on anyone who knowingly violates any regulation prohibiting the shooting or harassing of birds, fish, or other animals from aircraft (airborne hunting). Increases the monetary penalty for airborne hunting from $5,000 to $50,000. Expands the exceptions to the prohibition against airborne hunting to include enhancing the propagation and survival of wildlife or preventing the extinction of a species threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2009-07-31 00:00:00

Salmon Solutions and Planning Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for scientific analysis of federal salmon recovery efforts, including a review of Snake River dam removal (Washington state) and other actions necessary to achieve recovery of endangered or threatened salmon and steelhead populations of the Columbia and Snake River Basin. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a peer-reviewed analysis of which rail, highway, and Columbia River barge infrastructure improvements would be necessary to ensure a cost-effective and efficient transportation system for shippers who currently use barge transportation between Lewiston, Idaho, and the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers and who would be unable to do so if the four lower Snake River dams were removed; (2) the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to conduct a peer-reviewed analysis of options to replace the power currently generated by such dams if they were removed; (3) the Army Corps of Engineers to analyze riverfront revitalization and restoration opportunities and costs in the event of such removal; and (4) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to conduct a peer-reviewed analysis of the options and costs regarding any needed modifications to affected irrigation systems, cooling systems, and private wells if the dams were removed. Sets forth the congressional determination that the Secretary of the Army may remove the four lower Snake River dams. Directs the Secretary to reevaluate and update the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Final Lower Snake River Juvenile Salmon Migration Feasibility Report/Environmental Impact Statement (February 2002) pursuant to new information.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Animals
Date: 2009-09-08 00:00:00

Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994 to: (1) require reports every five years on the status of the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program in each state; and (2) authorize appropriations for the administrative expenses of the Program through FY2015.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2009-09-09 00:00:00

Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study and report to Congress on the feasibility of establishing a national program for measuring, reporting, publicly disclosing, and labeling products or materials sold in the United States for their carbon content, including regarding: (1) whether such a program would be effective in achieving greenhouse gas reductions; (2) criteria for identifying and prioritizing sectors, products, and processes that should be covered; (3) an identification of products, processes, or sectors whose inclusion could have a substantial carbon impact; (4) suggested methodology and protocols for measuring the carbon content of products across their entire carbon lifecycle; (5) options for educating consumers about product carbon content and the program; (6) an analysis of the associated costs and timelines; and (7) an evaluation of incentives to determine whether reductions in emissions can be accelerated through encouraging more efficient manufacturing or by encouraging preferences for lower-emissions products over higher-emissions products whose level of performance is no better. Requires the Administrator, upon concluding the study, to establish a national product carbon disclosure program, participation in which shall be voluntary and which may involve a product carbon label with broad applicability to the wholesale and consumer markets to enable and encourage knowledge about carbon content by producers and consumers and to inform efforts to reduce energy consumption nationwide.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-09-22 00:00:00

Ponds and Water-Based Conservation Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 50% of qualified pond construction expenditures, up to $50,000 in a taxable year. Defines "qualified pond construction expenditures" as amounts, including labor costs, incurred to construct a body of water to promote stormwater management and conservation or foster expansion of water-based habitat for wildlife or fish.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2009-10-01 00:00:00

Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act - Amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to prohibit the use or possession of body-gripping traps in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Imposes on persons who possess or use such traps in the System: (1) for a first offense, a civil fine of up to $500 for each body-gripping trap possessed or used; and (2) for subsequent offenses, a civil fine of up to $1000 for each body-gripping trap possessed or used, imprisonment for up to 180 days, or both such a civil fine and imprisonment. Makes any body-gripping traps that are possessed or used in violation of this Act, and any wildlife captured by the use of such traps, including the pelts and raw fur, subject to civil forfeiture. Requires persons found to be in violation of such prohibition to pay all associated court costs.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2009-10-08 00:00:00

Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act - Amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to: (1) authorize a state to pay up to 90% of the costs of acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range; (2) authorize a state to elect to allocate 10% of a specified amount apportioned to it from the federal aid to wildlife restoration fund for such costs; (3) limit the federal share of such costs under such Act to 90%; and (4) require amounts provided for such costs under such Act to remain available for expenditure and obligation for five fiscal years. Shields the United States from any civil action or claim for money damages for injury to or loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by an activity occurring at a public target range that is funded by the federal government pursuant to such Act or located on federal land, except to the extent provided under the Federal Tort Claims Act with respect to the exercise or performance of a discretionary function. Urges the Chief of the Forest Service and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to cooperate with state and local authorities and other entities to carry out waste removal and other activities on any federal land used as a public target range in order to encourage its continued use for target practice or marksmanship training.
Topic: Environment — Species & Forest
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2009-10-13 00:00:00

Amends the Central Valley Project Improvement Act to limit the Secretary of the Interior's share of the costs associated with fish screens in the Patterson Irrigation District to 75% of the total cost of such activities to assist efforts in California to implement measures to avoid losses of juvenile anadromous fish resulting from unscreened or inadequately screened diversions on the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, their tributaries, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and the Suisun Marsh.