lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2008-09-26 00:00:00

National Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise provisions governing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. Designates the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as the lead agency for Program planning, management, and coordination. (Repeals provisions regarding the existing Interagency Working Group responsible for Program planning, management, and coordination.)Establishes the Interagency Working Group on Wind Impact Reduction (IWG) to coordinate activities and facilitate communication among Program agencies in reducing the impacts of windstorms. Requires the Director of NIST to: (1) establish a Program Office to ensure coordination and synergy across Program agencies; (2) prepare the Program's annual budget; (3) facilitate preparation of the IWG's biennial report to Congress and the National Science and Technology Council; (4) support research and development for building codes and standards; (5) promote implementation of research results; (6) support deployment of interagency teams to investigate major windstorm events and data collection and analysis; and (7) participate in, coordinate, or support other Program mitigation activities.Sets forth: (1) the duties of the Program Office and of the IWG (including preparation of an interim working plan for Program operations and a strategic plan for achieving Program objectives); and (2) supportive roles of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Army Corps of Engineers. Authorizes appropriations for the Program for FY2009-FY2013.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Date: 2008-09-29 00:00:00

Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish an emergency management performance grants program to address domestic preparedness and collective response to a catastrophic incident. Limits the federal share of the cost of a program funded activity to 50%. Sets forth guidelines for the Administrator to apportion funds to carry out the program among the states on the basis of population. Authorizes appropriations.Revises the program providing grants to states for emergency operations centers to provide that such centers are to be equipped, upgraded, and constructed for domestic preparedness and collective response to a catastrophic incident.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2008-11-19 00:00:00

Public Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to allow flood insurance coverage for structures used in protecting public safety and new structures constructed in flood hazard zones that replace flood-damaged or destroyed structures, even though the property involved has been declared in violation of state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances intended to discourage or otherwise restrict land development or occupancy in flood-prone areas.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Date: 2008-12-10 00:00:00

Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to revise the definition of "major disaster" to include a catastrophic incident. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish an emergency management performance grants program to address domestic preparedness and collective response to major disasters. Limits the federal share of the cost of a program funded activity to 50%. Sets forth guidelines for the Administrator to apportion funds to carry out the program among the states on the basis of population.Revises the program providing grants to states for emergency operations centers to provide that such centers are to be equipped, upgraded, and constructed for domestic preparedness and collective response to a major disaster.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2007-01-04 00:00:00

Sets forth a special rule for the tax treatment of amounts received by a taxpayer from the Louisiana Recovery Authority or the Mississippi Development Authority for the repair or reconstruction of such taxpayer's primary residence due to hurricane damage in 2005.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2007-01-04 00:00:00

Law Enforcement Assistance Force Act of 2007 or the LEAF Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a Law Enforcement Assistance Force (Force) to facilitate the contributions of retired law enforcement officers and agents during major disasters. Outlines Force eligibility requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to request eligible participants to assist efforts of federal, state, or local government law enforcement agencies in responding to such disasters.Requires a participant to remain in an assignment for the lesser of: (1) the period during which the law enforcement agency needs such services; or (2) 30 days.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2007-01-04 00:00:00

Amends the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005 to permit the cancellation of certain loans under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. (Makes this Act effective as if enacted as part of the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005.)
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2007-01-10 00:00:00

Disaster Loan Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005 and the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to repeal provisions that prohibited the cancellation of certain loans under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to assist local governments in providing essential services and to assist local governments affected by Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season, respectively. (Makes this Act effective on the enactment date of the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005.)
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Social welfare
Date: 2007-01-12 00:00:00

Extends through September 30, 2008, the period in which states may spend funds from the additional allotments provided to them under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act under the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2007-02-07 00:00:00

Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to extend the authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide funds to state and local governments for utility costs resulting from the provision of temporary housing units to evacuees from Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season where the state or local government has previously arranged to pay for such utilities on behalf of the evacuees, to cover the term of any leases for up to 24 months (currently, 12 months) contracted by or prior to February 7, 2006.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2007-02-08 00:00:00

Gulf Coast Back to Business Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce for grants to appropriate state government agencies in Louisiana and Mississippi for small businesses located in disaster areas caused by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to defer for a conditional period the payment of principal and interest on disaster loans made to small businesses affected by such hurricanes in the case of loans made before December 31, 2006. Prohibits an increased collateral requirement with respect to the deferred loans. Includes as a HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) any area in which the President has declared a major disaster as a result of such hurricanes. Amends the Small Business Competitive Demonstration Program Act of 1988 to make the small business competitive demonstration program (to test innovative small business procurement methods and procedures) inapplicable, for a conditional period, to any contract related to relief or reconstruction from such hurricanes.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2007-02-14 00:00:00

Toxic Right-to-Know Protection Act - Amends the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 to repeal provisions authorizing the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to modify the frequency of submitting toxic chemical release forms. Requires the Administrator to establish the eligibility threshold regarding the use of a form A certification statement under the Toxics Release Inventory Program at not greater than 500 pounds for nonpersistent bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. Prohibits the use of such form with respect to any chemical of special concern identified by the Administrator.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2007-02-15 00:00:00

Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), not later than one year after the enactment of this Act, to: (1) establish voluntary guidelines, based on the best currently available scientific knowledge, for the remediation of former methampehtamine laboratories, including guidelines regarding preliminary site assessment and the remediation of residual contaminants; (2) consider relevant federal, state, and local requirements in developing the guidelines, the varying types and locations of former methamphetamine laboratories, and the cost of carrying out such guidelines; (3) work with state and local governments and other relevant non-federal agencies in adopting the voluntary guidelines; (4) periodically update such guidelines; and (5) establish a research program to support the development and revision of such guidelines.Directs the Administrator: (1) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act and every third year thereafter, to convene a conference of appropriate state agencies, individuals, and organizations involved in research and other activities directly relating to the environmental or biological impact of former methamphetamine laboratories; (2) to submit a report to Congress that summarizes the proceedings of the conference, including a summary of recommendations and concerns of non-federal participants; and (3) to make such report widely available to the general public.Directs the Administrator to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for a study of the status and quality of research on the residual effects of methamphetanmine laboratories and to report to Congress on the uses of such study.Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to support a research program to develop: (1) new methamphetamine detection technologies, with an emphasis on field test kits and site detection; and (2) appropriate standard reference materials and validation procedures for methamphetamine detection testing. Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2008.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2007-02-15 00:00:00

National Guard and Reserve Retirement Modernization Act - Amends federal law concerning receipt of retired pay for non-regular service to provide that, in the case of a member of the Ready Reserve who serves on active duty after September 11, 2001, in support of a contingency operation or in response to a national emergency, retirement eligibility age shall be reduced below 60 by three months for each aggregate of 90 days during which the member so performs in any fiscal year after such date. Prohibits such retirement eligibility date from being reduced below age 50. Continues age 60 as the minimum eligibility age for DOD-authorized health care for such retirees.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2007-02-16 00:00:00

Local Government Disaster Relief Act of 2007 - Provides that the federal share of assistance provided under provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for the repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities because of Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita shall be 100%. Makes this Act applicable to assistance provided on or after August 28, 2005.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2007-03-01 00:00:00

Gulf Coast Export Recovery Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to hire one additional full-time international trade specialist for the United States Export Assistance Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, to provide export promotion services to specified Louisiana parishes. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to hire to the Office of International Trade of the SBA an additional full-time international finance specialist who shall be located at the Center to carry out export promotion activities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2007-03-08 00:00:00

Deems $1.2 billion of unexpended amounts, previously made available to the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) under the Hazard Mitigation Grants program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to have been made available to the LRA pursuant to specified terms and approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for use under the Road Home Program.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2007-03-13 00:00:00

Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 30 years for: (1) knowingly falsifying, concealing, or covering up by any trick, scheme, or device any material fact; or (2) making any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation, or making or using any false writing or document in any matter involving any benefit authorized, transported, transmitted, transferred, disbursed, or paid in connection with a major disaster or emergency declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, or in connection with the procurement of property or services by a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier during a major disaster or emergency declaration.Imposes a maximum fine of $1 million and/or prison term of 30 years for engaging in wire, radio, television, or mail fraud during a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to: (1) promulgate sentencing guidelines or amend existing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of fraud or theft offenses in connection with a major disaster or emergency declaration; and (2) submit to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees an explanation of its guidelines and additional recommendations for combating such fraud or theft offenses.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2007-03-20 00:00:00

Policyholder Disaster Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow insurance companies (other than life insurance companies) to make tax deductible contributions to a tax-exempt policyholder disaster protection fund established by this Act for the payment of policyholders' claims arising from certain catastrophic events, such as windstorms, earthquakes, fires, or floods.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2007-03-20 00:00:00

Homeowners Protection Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the National Commission on Catastrophe Preparation and Protection to advise the Secretary regarding: (1) estimated loss costs associated with the contracts for reinsurance coverage; and (2) development of prevention, mitigation, recovery, and rebuilding standards that better prepare and protect the United States from catastrophes. Instructs the Secretary to implement a program designed to make homeowners protection coverage available through contracts for reinsurance. Prescribes guidelines governing: (1) qualified lines of coverage; (2) covered perils; (3) contracts for reinsurance coverage for eligible state programs; and (4) minimum level of retained losses and maximum federal liability. Establishes the Consumer HELP Fund for: (1) payments to covered purchasers under contracts for reinsurance coverage; and (2) operating and administrative costs.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2007-03-20 00:00:00

Hurricane and Tornado Mitigation Investment Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual and business taxpayers a tax credit for 25% of their qualified hurricane and tornado mitigation property expenditures up to $5,000 for any taxable year. Defines such expenditures as expenditures in a dwelling unit to improve the strength of a roof deck attachment, create a secondary water barrier, improve the durability of a roof covering, brace gable-end walls, reinforce the connections between a roof and supporting wall, protect against windborne debris, or protect exterior doors and garages.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2007-03-20 00:00:00

National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2007 - Requires the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the Department of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a National Hurricane Research Initiative and to cooperate with other specified federal agencies to carry it out. Requires such Initiative to set research objectives (based on a National Science Board report on the need for such Initiative) to: (1) make recommendations to the Board; (2) assemble the expertise of U.S. science and engineering capabilities through a multi-agency effort focused on infrastructure, the natural environment, and improving understanding of hurricane prediction, intensity, and mitigation on coastal populations; and (3) make grants for hurricane research, including regarding hurricane dynamics, modification, and observation, air-sea interaction, relationships between hurricanes and climate, predicting flooding and storm surge, coastal infrastructure, building construction, emergency communication networks, information utilization by public officials, and sharing computational capability. Directs the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, through the National Science and Technology Council, to coordinate U.S. activities related to the Initiative as a formal program with a well-defined organizational structure and execution plan. Directs the Under Secretary and the Director to: (1) establish a National Infrastructure Database to catalog infrastructure, provide information to improve information public policy related to hurricanes, and provide data to improve researchers' abilities to measure hurricane impacts in order to improve building codes and urban planning; and (2) develop a National Hurricane Research Model to conduct integrative research and facilitate the transfer of research knowledge to operational applications.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2007-03-29 00:00:00

Catastrophic Disaster Recovery Fairness Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), in providing SBA disaster relief assistance for any major disaster declared during the period beginning on August 29, 2005, and ending on October 24, 2005, to waive the prohibition on the duplication of benefits, including whether damage or destruction has been compensated by, credit is available from, activities are reimbursable through, or funds have been made available from any other source. Applies such amendment to any SBA assistance provided on or after August 29, 2005 (thereby ensuring applicability and retroactivity for victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma).
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Law
Date: 2007-04-16 00:00:00

James Zadroga Act of 2007 - Amends the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (Fund), part of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, to extend the current December 22, 2003, deadline for filing claims under the Fund for five years following enactment of this Act if the Special Master determines that the individual: (1) was unaware that he or she had suffered physical harm as the result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist-related aircraft crashes until after the deadline and before enactment of this Act; (2) was unaware of his or her eligibility to file a claim until after December 22, 2003; (3) suffered psychological harm as a result of the crashes; or (4) in the case of an individual who had previously filed a claim, suffered a significantly greater physical harm than was known to the individual as of the date the claim was filed, but did not know its full extent until after the claim was filed and before enactment of this Act. Allows the filing of a claim also during the five years after the individual first knew that he or she had suffered physical or psychological harm as the result of such crashes, if he or she did not know that until on or after enactment of this Act. Extends the same five-year filing allowance to anyone who did not know the full extent of the harm suffered until on or after the enactment of this Act, even though he or she had previously filed a claim and had suffered a significantly greater physical or psychological harm than was known to the individual as of the date the claim was filed. Waives the single claim requirement in such circumstances. Makes a claimant eligible for compensation based on the psychological harm suffered as a result of the crashes. Defines "immediate aftermath" for compensation eligibility purposes as any period of time after the crashes that was sufficiently close in time to them that there was a demonstrable risk to the claimant of resulting physical or psychological harm, including the period of time during which related rescue, recovery, and cleanup activities were conducted.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2007-04-24 00:00:00

Growth Opportunity Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to award grants to states to establish revolving loan funds to provide loans to small manufacturers (less than $50 million in annual sales) for new product development. Limits grants to $10 million each and requires states to contribute at least 25% of the grant funds provided.