jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2008-03-13 00:00:00

Clean Boating Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to provide that no permit shall be required by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the national pollutant discharge elimination system for the discharge from a recreational vessel of graywater, bilge water, cooling water, weather deck runoff, oil water separator effluent, or effluent from properly functioning marine engines or for any other discharge that is incidental to the normal operation of such vessel.Defines a "recreational vessel" as any vessel that is leased, rented, or chartered to a person for that person's pleasure or that is manufactured or used primarily for pleasure, excluding vessels that are subject to Coast Guard inspection and that are engaged in commercial use or that carry paying passengers.Requires the Administrator to: (1) determine the discharges that are incidental to the normal operation (excluding sewage) of a recreational vessel for which it is reasonable and practicable to develop management practices to mitigate adverse impacts on U.S. waters within a year of this Act's enactment and to review such determinations every five years; and (2) develop management practices for recreational vessels to mitigate the adverse impacts of such discharges on U.S. waters. Directs the Administrator, in determining what discharges are incidental to normal operations, to consider: (1) the nature of the discharge; (2) its environmental effects; (3) the practicability of using a management practice; (4) the effect that such practice would have on the operation, operational capability, or safety of the vessel; (5) applicable federal and state law and international standards; and (6) the economic costs of the use of the management practice. Requires the Administrator to: (1) promulgate federal standards of performance (which may distinguish among vessel types) for each discharge for which such a management practice is developed; and (2) review them every five years. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to promulgate regulations governing the design, construction, installation, and use of management practices for recreational vessels as necessary to meet such standards. Prohibits a recreational vessel from operating in or discharging in U.S. waters if such owner or operator is not using applicable management practices in compliance with such regulations.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2008-04-10 00:00:00

Marine Emergency Protocol and Hull Requirement Act of 2008 - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to authorize the Coast Guard's appropriate sector commander, during a time of a terrorist or enemy attack, dangerously low visibility at sea or in port, an oil spill over 5,000 gallons, or any other period of enhanced danger as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, to assume direct authority over all vessels within the area and to issue any orders to ensure the health and safety of the individuals located in, and the environment of, the sector. Declares that nothing in the amendments made by this Act limits or otherwise preempts any state from establishing a more stringent law or regulation. Prohibits certain cargo vessels that carry a significant (as determined by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating) quantity of oil or petroleum-based fuel to power the vessel from operating in the navigable waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the United States without fuel tanks that have a double hull, or a double containment system as effective as a double hull, for the prevention of a fuel discharge. Phases in the prohibition over a specified period of years, based on vessel age and tonnage.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2008-04-10 00:00:00

Beach Protection Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to include among eligible grant activities the development and implementation of programs for source tracking, sanitary surveys, and prevention efforts to address the identified sources of beach water pollution. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY2008-FY2013.(Sec. 3) Amends the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations to carry out such Act through FY2013.(Sec. 5) Requires grant recipients to identify: (1) the use of a rapid testing method; (2) measures for communication within 24 hours of the results of a water sample concerning pollutants to specified officials and all state agencies with authority to require the prevention or treatment of the sources of beach water pollution; (3) measures to develop and implement a beach water pollution source identification and tracking program for the coastal recreation waters that are not meeting applicable water quality standards for pathogens; (4) a publicly accessible and searchable global information system database with information updated within 24 hours of its availability, organized by beach and with defined standards, sampling plan, monitoring protocols, sampling results, and number and cause of beach closing and advisory days; and (5) measures to ensure that closures or advisories are made or issued within 24 hours after a state government determines that its coastal recreation waters are not meeting applicable water quality standards for pathogens.Requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to: (1) publish a revised list of rapid testing methods; and (2) validate such methods no later than two years after this Act's enactment and periodically thereafter.(Sec. 8) Sets forth provisions requiring: (1) a review by the Administrator of state and local compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements and grant conditions, including compliance with public health and safety performance criteria and state and local program content requirements; (2) corrective actions by such governments not in compliance; and (3) a review by the Comptroller General of such compliance review and corrective action. (Sec. 9) Directs the Administrator to study and report to Congress on the formula for the distribution of grants for coastal recreation water quality monitoring under the Clean Water Act for the purpose of identifying potential revisions of that formula. Requires the Administrator to consider the emphasis and valuation placed on the length of beach season and to revise the distribution formula in accordance with the study's recommendations.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2008-04-16 00:00:00

Water Essential Storage To Enhance Regions in Need Act or the WESTERN Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to require the Secretary of the Army, not later than 90 days after the receipt of an application for a permit for a water storage project, to provide to the applicant a statement that describes: (1) whether the Secretary concurs with the assessment of, and alternatives for, the purposes and needs of such project as proposed by the applicant; and (2) if the Secretary doesn't concur, the Secretary's assessment.Requires the Secretary, before issuing a permit, to provide to applicants records of decisions describing applicable conditions that will apply to such permits.Requires the Secretary to establish the Corps of Engineers Board of Appeals to make determinations on all appeals relating to permits issued pursuant to such Act for water storage projects, including appeals regarding a purpose and need statement, a record of decision, and the Secretary's final decisions on permit approval. Sets forth factors for the Board to consider in making a determination on an appeal.Provides that a determination by the Board supersedes other Corps of Engineers' appellate determinations regarding permits.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2008-05-02 00:00:00

Climate Change Drinking Water Adaptation Research Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and provide funding for a program of directed and applied research, to be conducted through a nonprofit water research foundation and sponsored by drinking water utilities, to assist suppliers of drinking water in adapting to the effects of climate change.Requires research areas to include: (1) water quality and quantity impacts and solutions; (2) impacts on groundwater supplies from carbon sequestration; (3) infrastructure impacts and solutions; (4) desalination, water reuse, and alternative supply technologies; (5) energy efficiency and greenhouse gas minimization; (6) regional and hydrological basin cooperative water management solutions; (7) utilities management, decision support systems, and water management models; (8) greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy demand management; (9) water conservation and demand management; and (10) communications, education, and public acceptance.Authorizes appropriations.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2008-05-08 00:00:00

Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to include among activities that the Great Lakes National Program Office is authorized to carry out for the remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern: (1) demonstration or pilot projects that use innovative approaches, technologies, or techniques for the remediation of sediment contamination; and (2) activities to restore aquatic habitat after remediation. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide additional consideration to projects that are funded by potentially responsible parties (individuals or entities that may be liable under federal or state environmental remediation laws with respect to a project carried out under such Act) and determined to be of greater environmental significance than competing proposals. Revises provisions concerning the nonfederal share of the costs of such projects. Authorizes the Administrator, Acting through the Program Office, to enter into agreements with nonfederal sponsors to implement projects under which such sponsors may pay in advance their share of the project costs and receive reimbursement for such costs from the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to implement a public information and participation program relating to the remediation of contaminated sediment in areas of concern in the United States.Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for: (1) such remediation; (2) the public information and participation program; and (3) research on the development and use of innovative approaches, technologies, and techniques for such remediation.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2008-05-15 00:00:00

Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prohibit the sale in the United States of residential dishwashing detergent that contains phosphorus in any form in excess of 0.5% (by weight expressed as elemental phosphorus) beginning July 1, 2010.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Economics and public finance
Date: 2008-06-12 00:00:00

Economic Recovery Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax credit for up to $500 of the cost of replacing wood stoves in residences with stoves that meet certain energy efficiency standards; (2) extend through 2011 the tax credit for producing electricity from certain renewable resources; (3) extend through 2012 the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures; (4) increase and make permanent the expensing allowance for depreciable business property; (5) extend through 2009 the accelerated depreciation of qualified restaurant property; and (6) allow a tax credit for investment in Build America bonds.Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to increase funding for the weatherization program in FY2009-FY2011. Authorizes appropriations for the Energy Star program.Authorizes the establishment of the Transportation Finance Corporation to issue Build America bonds and finance transportation infrastructure projects. Commercial Truck Fuel Savings Demonstration Act of 2008 - Establishes a two-year program to allow certain heavy trucks to travel on the federal interstate highway system when diesel fuel prices are $3.50 or more per gallon without a reduction of federal highway funds to states.Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2010 for: (1) youth activities; (2) adult employment and training activities; and (3) dislocated worker employment and training activities. Amends the National Housing Act to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to insure any homeownership retention mortgage covering a one- to four-family residence made to pay or prepay outstanding obligations under an existing mortgage.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Education
Date: 2008-09-23 00:00:00

Investment in After-School Programs Act of 2008 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to award grants to local educational agencies, community-based organizations, or other entities to improve, expand, or establish rural after-school programs that provide students with a broad array of activities when school is not in session that improve their academic performance and promote their positive development. Requires eligible programs to be implemented in active collaboration with the schools the students attend and take place in safe and easily accessible facilities. Gives grant priority to partnerships between two or more entities eligible for such grants.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2008-09-24 00:00:00

Gulf of Mexico Restoration and Protection Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reestablish the Program Office of the Gulf of Mexico Program as an office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to be headed by a Director. Requires the Office to: (1) coordinate the actions of EPA and of other federal agencies and state and local authorities; (2) assist in developing specific action plans to carry out the program; (3) coordinate and implement priority state- and community-led restoration plans and projects and facilitate activities that support the program; (4) implement outreach programs to foster stewardship of the Gulf's resources; (5) develop and make available information about the environmental quality and living resources of the Gulf; (6) serve as the liaison with the Mexican members of the Gulf of Mexico States Accord and Mexican counterparts of the EPA; and (7) focus on activities that will result in measurable improvements to water quality and living resources of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.Authorizes the EPA Administrator to enter into interagency agreements to carry out this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to provide grants for use in: (1) monitoring the water quality and living resources of the Gulf ecosystem; (2) researching the effects of environmental changes on such water quality and resources; (3) developing cooperative strategies that address the water quality and needs of Gulf resources; (4) developing locally-based protection and restoration programs or projects within a watershed that complement those strategies; and (5) eliminating or reducing point sources that discharge pollutants that contaminate the Gulf ecosystem.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2008-09-25 00:00:00

Mortgage Origination Commission Act of 2008 - Establishes the Mortgage Origination Commission to develop criteria and a numerical rating system to evaluate, and periodically report to the public on, the effectiveness of: (1) state licensing, supervision, and enforcement systems regarding mortgage loan originators and mortgage companies; and (2) mechanisms to collect, evaluate, and respond to complaints against state-licensed mortgage loan originators and mortgage companies. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to declare that its consumer credit protections shall be enforced by: (1) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to bank holding companies; and (2) the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision with respect to savings and loan holding companies. Authorizes state agencies to enforce compliance with respect to requirements for extensions of credit secured by a consumer's dwelling (including residential mortgage transactions) against state-regulated or -licensed mortgage companies and mortgage loan originators. Amends the Bank Holding Company Act to grant the Board examination authority over bank holding companies and their mortgage company subsidiaries.Amends the Home Owners Loan Act to grant the Director examination authority over savings and loan holding companies and their mortgage company subsidiaries.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2008-10-01 00:00:00

Modifies the rate of accrual of annual leave for administrative law judges, contract appeals board members, and immigration judges to require accrual of one day of annual leave for each full biweekly pay period.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2007-04-17 00:00:00

Gulf of Mexico Restoration and Protection Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reestablish the Program Office of the Gulf of Mexico Program as an office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to be headed by a Director. Requires the Office to: (1) coordinate the actions of EPA and of other federal agencies and state and local authorities; (2) assist in developing specific action plans to carry out the program; (3) coordinate and implement priority state- and community-led restoration plans and projects and facilitate activities that support the program; (4) implement outreach programs to foster stewardship of the Gulf's resources; (5) develop and make available information about the environmental quality and living resources of the Gulf; and (6) serve as the liaison with the Mexican members of the Gulf of Mexico States Accord and Mexican counterparts of the EPA. Authorizes the EPA Administrator to enter into interagency agreements to carry out this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to provide grants for use in: (1) monitoring the water quality and living resources of the Gulf ecosystem; (2) researching the effects of environmental changes on such water quality and resources; (3) developing cooperative strategies that address the water quality and needs of Gulf resources; (4) developing locally-based protection and restoration programs or projects within a watershed that complement those strategies; and (5) eliminating or reducing point sources that discharge pollutants that contaminate the Gulf ecosystem.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2009-01-06 00:00:00

Eradicating Asian Carp in the Great Lakes Study Act of 2009- Requires the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to study and report to Congress on methods for eradicating Asian carp from the Illinois Waterway System, including harvesting them from the Illinois River, and repopulating the River with native species.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2009-01-06 00:00:00

Great Lakes Water Protection Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (popularly known as the Clean Water Act) to prohibit publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) from intentionally diverting waste streams to bypass any portion of the treatment facility if the diversion results in a discharge into the Great Lakes unless: (1) the bypass is unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage; (2) there is no feasible alternative; and (3) the treatment works provides notice; or (4) the bypass does not cause effluent limitations to be exceeded and is for essential maintenance to ensure efficient operation of the treatment facility.Requires: (1) such notice to be provided to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (or to a state with an approved permit program) prior to an anticipated bypass or within 24 hours of becoming aware of an unanticipated bypass; and (2) follow-up notice regarding the cause and duration of, volume of discharge resulting from, and public access areas affected by an unanticipated bypass. Includes among prohibited bypasses those resulting in discharges from a POTW that consist of effluent routed around treatment units and blended with effluent from treatment units prior to discharge.Directs the Administrator to establish procedures to ensure that permits issued to POTWs under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System include requirements to implement this Act. Provides an increased maximum civil penalty for violations occurring on or after January 1, 2029. Applies the prohibition on diverting waste streams to a bypass occurring after the last day of the one-year period beginning on the date of this Act's enactment.Establishes the Great Lakes Cleanup Fund from which amounts shall be provided for improving wastewater discharges.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2009-01-06 00:00:00

Removes the temporary reservation for park, scenic, or other public purposes of certain rocks, pinnacles, reefs, and islands in the Pacific Ocean within a mile of the coast of Orange County, California. Makes such rocks, pinnacles, reefs, and islands part of the California Coastal National Monument and requires that they be administered as part of the Monument. Repeals the lighthouse reservation with respect to the San Juan and San Mateo Rocks and the two rocks in the vicinity of Laguna Beach, off the coast of Orange County.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2009-01-07 00:00:00

Drug Free Water Act of 2009 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to convene a task force to develop: (1) recommendations on the proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals to prevent or reduce the detrimental effects caused by introducing such materials into water systems and for limiting the disposal of unused pharmaceuticals through treatment works in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act); and (2) a strategy for educating the public on such recommendations. Requires a report by the task force to Congress containing the recommendations and strategy required by this Act.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2009-01-14 00:00:00

Marine Turtle Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Expands marine turtle conservation assistance under the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 to include the United States and its territories. Authorizes appropriations to the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund for FY2009-FY2014. Authorizes an increase in the amount available from the Fund for administrative expenses. Limits funds made available for projects relating to the conservation of marine turtles in the United States to no more than 20% of the Fund for any fiscal year.
Topic: Environment — Drinking Water
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2009-01-27 00:00:00

Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize appropriations for the pilot program for alternative water source projects. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in making grants under the program, to consider whether a project is located in an area which is served by a public water system serving 10,000 individuals or fewer.