zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Preserving Crime Victims' Restitution Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to establish guidelines for cases in which a defendant in a criminal prosecution dies prior to the final adjudication of guilt. Sets forth rules for restitution to victims, appeals, motions, petitions, and civil forfeiture in such cases.Provides, as a general rule, that the death of a defendant who has been convicted of a federal criminal offense shall not be the basis for abating or otherwise invalidating a plea of guilty or nolo contendere accepted, a verdict returned, a sentence announced, or a judgment entered prior to the death of such defendant, or for dismissing or otherwise invalidating the indictment, information, or complaint, except as provided by this Act.

Date: 2007-11-07
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Criminal Code Modernization and Simplification Act of 2007 - Revises and reorganizes the federal criminal code. Incorporates into such code all major federal crimes, including national security and related crimes, drug crimes, immigration crimes, transportation related crimes, and regulatory crimes. Consolidates civil and criminal forfeiture provisions related to federal crimes. Sets forth uniform definitions applicable to the entire criminal code. Provides for the punishment of attempts and conspiracies to commit a crime on the same basis as the completed offense, as a general rule.

Date: 2007-11-08
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) exempt officers, agents, or employees of a foreign government, or contractors of such a government, from the prohibition against the manufacture, distribution, and possession of wiretap devices (subject to U.S. export control laws); and (2) permit the advertisement for sale of such devices to a foreign government authorized to use them.

Date: 2007-11-15
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Free Competition in Currency Act of 2007 - Repeals provisions of the federal criminal code relating to uttering coins of gold, silver, or other metal for use as current money and making or possessing likenesses of such coins. Abates any current prosecution under such provisions and nullifies any previous convictions.

Date: 2007-12-13
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
False Claims Act Correction Act of 2007 - Amends the False Claims Act to revise requirements and procedures governing civil actions for false claims (qui tam actions) brought by private persons. Repeals the requirement that a false or fraudulent claim for payment must be presented directly to a federal employee or member of the Armed Forces (thus tying liability for such claims directly to federal money and property, regardless to whom the claim is presented). Revises requirements for alternate remedies affecting qui tam actions and related qui tam plaintiff awards. Allows dismissal of a private action based upon prior public disclosures only upon timely motion to dismiss by the Attorney General. Revises the prohibition of retaliatory action against whistleblowers to include material hindering of the person in obtaining new employment or other business opportunities. Requires the government to pay from the proceeds of an action for financial losses suffered by administrative beneficiaries (thus permitting actions for fraud instituted against nontaxpayer funds under federal trust and administration). Expands from six years to ten years the statute of limitations for bringing a civil action. Requires the government, if it elects to intervene and proceed with an action, to file its own complaint, or amend the complaint of a person who brought a civil action, but in any event to relate back to the filing date of the original qui tam complaint to the extent that such claim arises out of the same set of facts. Declares that a person bringing a private qui tam action shall not be required to identify specific claims that result from an alleged course of misconduct if: (1) the facts alleged in the complaint, if ultimately proven true, would provide a reasonable indication that one or more false claims are likely to have occurred; and (2) the allegations in the pleading provide adequate notice of the specific nature of the alleged misconduct to permit the government effectively to investigate and defendants fairly to defend such allegations. Declares void any contracts, agreements, or private terms or conditions of employment that limit or circumvent the rights of a person to bring a qui tam action. Declares further that no court-ordered seal on a qui tam action shall prevent the government or the person bringing the action from serving the complaint or related documents upon state or local law enforcement authorities. Modifies procedures for civil investigative demands. Cites circumstances in which the government may move to dismiss a qui tam action by a federal employee (who has, in effect, not exhausted administrative procedures for addressing the allegations in the false claim complaint).

Date: 2007-12-19
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Law
The Guard and Reserves Are Fighting Too Act of 2008 - Recodifies under federal veterans' benefits provisions former federal armed forces provisions relating to educational assistance programs for members of the Ready Reserve ordered to active duty by reason of war or national emergency. Revises the amount of assistance available for licensing or certification tests. Includes under such recodification provisions concerning an educational assistance allowance for members of the Ready Reserve for flight training. Repeals the authority for accelerated payment of such assistance. Provides for program administration through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for FY2010 and thereafter (with transition provisions). Extends the time limitation for the use of the Ready Reserve educational assistance entitlement to ten years after separation from the Ready Reserve.

Date: 2007-12-19
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the display, sale, or purchase of Social Security numbers without the affirmatively expressed consent of the individual, except in specified circumstances. Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on all the uses of Social Security numbers permitted, required, authorized, or excepted under any federal law, including the impact of such uses on privacy and data security.Establishes a public records exception to the prohibition. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on Social Security numbers in public records. Grants the Attorney General rulemaking authority to enforce this Act's prohibition and to implement and clarify the permitted uses occurring as a result of an interaction between businesses, governments, or business and government. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit: (1) the use of Social Security numbers on checks issued for payment by governmental agencies; and (2) inmate access to Social Security account numbers.Prohibits a commercial entity from requiring an individual to provide a Social Security number when purchasing a commercial good or service or denying an individual the good or service for refusing to provide that number, with exceptions. Establishes civil and criminal penalties.Extends civil monetary penalties for misuse of a Social Security number.Provides for: (1) criminal penalties under SSA title II for the misuse of a Social Security number; (2) civil actions and civil penalties against persons who violate this Act; and (3) federal injunctive authority with respect to any violation by a public entity.

Date: 2008-02-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Sex Offender Mandatory Registration Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) apply registration requirements to sex offenders regardless of the date of their offense or the date of their travel in interstate commerce; and (2) make failure to register or update a sex offender registration a continuing offense for as long as such failure exists.

Date: 2008-02-19
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Child Sexual Slavery Prevention Act of 2008 - Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend its sentencing guidelines and policy statements to enhance penalties for crimes involving human trafficking and slave trading, smuggling, transporting, or harboring an unlawful alien, and sex trafficking of children.

Date: 2008-03-14
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Safe Homes Safe Families Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties for engaging in a home invasion while possessing a weapon that has moved in or affected interstate or foreign commerce.

Date: 2008-05-14
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) authorize criminal restitution orders in identity theft cases to compensate victims for the time spent to remediate the intended or actual harm incurred; (2) expand identity theft and aggravated identity theft crimes to include offenses against organizations (currently, only natural persons are protected); (3) include conspiracy to commit a felony within the definition of "felony violation" for purposes of aggravated identity theft crimes; (4) include making, uttering, or possessing counterfeited securities, mail theft, and tax fraud as predicate offenses for aggravated identity theft; (5) enable prosecution of computer fraud offenses for conduct not involving an interstate or foreign communication; (6) eliminate the requirement that damage to a victim's computer aggregate at least $5,000 before a prosecution can be brought for unauthorized access to a computer; (7) make it a felony, during any one-year period, to damage 10 or more protected computers used by or for the federal government or a financial institution; (8) expand the definition of "cyber-extortion" to include a demand for money in relation to damage to a protected computer, where such damage was caused to facilitate the extortion; (9) prohibit conspiracies to commit computer fraud; (10) expand interstate and foreign jurisdiction for prosecution of computer fraud offenses; and (11) impose criminal and civil forfeitures of property used to commit computer fraud offenses.Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review its guidelines and policy statements for the sentencing of persons convicted of identity theft, computer fraud, illegal wiretapping, and unlawful access to stored information to reflect increased penalties for such offenses. Sets forth criteria for updating such guidelines and policy statements.

Date: 2008-05-14
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2008 - Provides that a pre-dispute arbitration agreement between a long-term care facility and a resident (or anyone acting on the resident's behalf) shall not be valid or specifically enforceable.

Date: 2008-05-22
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Law
Accountability in Deferred Prosecution Act of 2008 - Requires the Attorney General to: (1) issue public written guidelines for deferred prosecution agreements and nonprosecution agreements; (2) establish rules for the selection of independent monitors for deferred prosecution agreements; and (3) place the text of deferred prosecution agreements on the public website of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Defines "deferred prosecution agreement" as an agreement between a federal prosecutor and an organization to conditionally defer criminal prosecution of that organization. Defines "nonprosecution agreement" as an agreement between a federal prosecutor and an organization to conditionally decide not to file criminal charges against the organization. Requires a deferred prosecution agreement to be filed in an appropriate U.S. district court. Requires such court to approve an agreement if it is consistent with the guidelines for such agreements and is in the interests of justice.

Date: 2008-07-15
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Tracking Registered And Convicted Known (TRACK) Sex Offenders Act - Amends title IV (Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families with Children and for Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to disclose to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) information in the National Directory of New Hires to assist in the enforcement of a federal or state law requiring the registration of sex offenders. Authorizes the FBI to disclose such information to state or local law enforcement agencies for purposes of enforcing sex offender registration laws.

Date: 2008-07-17
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Electronic Device Privacy Act of 2008 - Prohibits any person acting under U.S. authority, derived from a sovereign's power to search at its border, from searching the electronic contents of a laptop computer or other similar device of a person entering the United States. Allows searches based on lawful authority other than a sovereign's power to search at its border. Defines "laptop computer or other similar device" to include any electronic device normally used for electronic mail or messaging or for storing electronic data.

Date: 2008-07-23
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Law
Enemy Combatant Detention Review Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to grant the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction of, and make it the exclusive venue for consideration of, all habeas corpus applications by or on behalf of any enemy combatant held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident (covered individual) that are pending on or filed on or after the enactment of this Act. Prescribes related procedures, including restrictions on oral testimony. Stays any such application until all Military Commission proceedings regarding the covered individual have been resolved. Requires release of a covered individual, for whom the District Court grants a writ of habeas corpus and orders release, into the custody of the Secretary of Homeland Security for transfer to the individual's country of citizenship or another country.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Law
David Ray Ritcheson Hate Crime Prevention Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow victims of hate crimes to claim unemployment insurance for loss of employment directly resulting from their experience as victims of such crimes.Prohibits health care insurers from taking into account whether a person is or has been a victim of a hate crime when making a determination as to eligibility for insurance coverage, the rate or premium of an insurance plan or policy, and the amount of insurance coverage provided. Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow a victim of a hate crime to take family and medical leave.Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to award grants to provide housing to victims of a hate crime, homeless individuals who require housing assistance as a result of being a victim of a hate crime, and individuals for whom emergency shelter services are unavailable or insufficient. Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to: (1) provide counseling and related assistance to victims of hate crimes and their dependents; (2) establish and operate a national clearinghouse and resource center for information and statistics relating to the incidence and prevention of hate crimes; and (3) establish and operate a national, toll-free telephone hotline and a website to provide information and assistance to victims of hate crimes.Requires the head of each federal agency to establish prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs and services relating to hate crimes for employees. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to local educational agencies and institutions of higher education to improve and provide programs relating to hate crimes.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2008- Repeals death penalty provisions for a wide range of homicide-related offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act, and other statutes relating to aircraft hijacking, espionage and treason, and offenses punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.Prohibits the sentencing to death or execution of any person for any violation of federal law after the enactment of this Act. Commutes death penalties imposed prior to the enactment of this Act to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Date: 2008-09-11
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Clinical Social Workers' Recognition Act of 2007 - Amends federal law concerning federal workers' compensation to authorize the use of clinical social workers to conduct evaluations to determine work-related emotional and mental illnesses.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Preserving Crime Victims' Restitution Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to establish guidelines for cases in which a defendant in a criminal prosecution dies prior to the final adjudication of guilt. Sets forth rules for restitution to victims, appeals, motions, petitions, and civil forfeiture in such cases.Provides, as a general rule, that the death of a defendant who has been convicted of a federal criminal offense shall not be the basis for abating or otherwise invalidating a plea of guilty or nolo contendere accepted, a verdict returned, a sentence announced, or a judgment entered prior to the death of such defendant, or for dismissing or otherwise invalidating the indictment, information, or complaint, except as provided by this Act.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Attorney-Client Privilege Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit any U.S. agent or attorney, in any federal investigation or criminal or civil enforcement matter, from demanding, requesting, or conditioning treatment on the disclosure by an organization (or affiliated person) of any communication protected by the attorney-client privilege or any attorney work product.Prohibits a U.S. agent or attorney from conditioning a civil or criminal charging decision relating to an organization (or affiliated person) on one or more specified actions, or from using one or more such actions as a factor in determining whether an organization or affiliated person is cooperating with the government.Numbers among the actions a U.S. agent or attorney may not use as a charging decision condition or a cooperation-determining factor: (1) any valid assertion of the attorney-client privilege or privilege for attorney work product; (2) the provision of counsel to, or contribution to the legal defense fees or expenses of, an employee of the organization; (3) entry into a joint-defense, information-sharing, or common-interest agreement with an employee of the organization if the organization determines it has a common interest in defending against the investigation or enforcement matter; (4) the sharing of relevant information with an employee; or (5) a failure to terminate an employee's employment, or otherwise sanction an employee, because of the employee's decision to exercise his or her constitutional rights or other legal protections in response to a government request.Prohibits a U.S. agent or attorney from demanding or requesting that an organization or an affiliated person not take any such action.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Congressional Pension Accountability Act - Prohibits a Member of Congress, or a survivor or beneficiary, from receiving an annuity or retired pay if such Member is: (1) convicted of bribery of public officials and witnesses, conspiracy either to commit any offense against the United States or to defraud the United States, perjury, or subornation of perjury; or (2) indicted or has outstanding charges for such offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Date: 2007-01-08
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Congress
Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the display, sale, or purchase of Social Security numbers without the affirmatively expressed consent of the individual, except in specified circumstances. Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on all the uses of Social Security numbers permitted, required, authorized, or excepted under any federal law, including the impact of such uses on privacy and data security. Establishes a public records exception to the prohibition. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on Social Security numbers in public records. Grants the Attorney General rulemaking authority to enforce this Act's prohibition and to implement and clarify the permitted uses occurring as a result of an interaction between businesses, governments, or business and government. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit: (1) the use of Social Security numbers on checks issued for payment by governmental agencies; and (2) inmate access to Social Security account numbers. Prohibits a commercial entity from requiring an individual to provide a Social Security number when purchasing a commercial good or service or denying an individual the good or service for refusing to provide that number, with exceptions. Establishes civil and criminal penalties. Extends civil monetary penalties for misuse of a Social Security number. Provides for: (1) criminal penalties under SSA title II for the misuse of a Social Security number; (2) civil actions and civil penalties against persons who violate this Act; and (3) federal injunctive authority with respect to any violation by a public entity.

Date: 2007-01-10
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2007 - Repeals death penalty provisions for a wide range of homicide-related offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act, and other statutes relating to aircraft hijacking, espionage and treason, and offenses punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.Prohibits the sentencing to death or execution of any person for any violation of federal law after the enactment of this Act. Commutes death penalties imposed prior to the enactment of this Act to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Date: 2007-01-31
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Effective Homeland Security Management Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security for Management (who shall assume many responsibilities of the current Under Secretary for Management), to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve as the Chief Management Officer and principal advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters related to management. Includes among the Deputy Secretary's responsibilities the integration and transformation process to ensure an efficient and orderly consolidation of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) functions and personnel, including the development of a management integration strategy.

Date: 2007-02-12
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Emergency management
Fair Arbitration Act of 2007 - Requires a contract containing an arbitration clause, in order to be binding on the parties, to: (1) have a heading "ARBITRATION CLAUSE" printed in bold, capital letters; (2) state explicitly whether participation in arbitration is mandatory or optional; (3) identify a source that a consumer or employee can contact for additional information regarding the arbitration program; and (4) provide notice that all parties retain the right to resolve a dispute in a small claims court for a claim of $50,000 or less. Entitles each party under arbitration to: (1) a competent, neutral arbitrator and independent, neutral administration of the dispute; (2) representation by an attorney or other representative at such party's expense; (3) a fair arbitration hearing; (4) a face-to-face hearing; (5) the right to present evidence and cross examine witnesses; (6) a written explanation of the basis for the arbitrator's decision; and (7) the right to opt out of binding arbitration and into the small claims court (for claims of $50,000 or less). Prescribes procedures for complaints by any party of denial of rights by the other party or the arbitrator.

Date: 2007-04-17
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Law
Fairness in Drug Sentencing Act of 2007 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase (by a factor of five) the amount of a controlled substance or mixture containing a cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine) required for the imposition of mandatory minimum prison terms for trafficking in such controlled substance.Eliminates the five-year mandatory minimum prison term for first-time possession of crack cocaine.Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend, if appropriate, its sentencing guidelines for trafficking in a controlled substance to reflect the use of a dangerous weapon or violence in such crime and the culpability and role of the defendant in such crime.

Date: 2007-06-25
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
National Security with Justice Act of 2007 - Prohibits, with specified exceptions, a U.S. officer or agent from: (1) engaging in the extraterritorial (outside of the United States) detention of any individual; or (2) rendering (transferring to another legal jurisdiction) or participating in the rendition of any individual. Authorizes a U.S. officer or agent to apply for an order of rendition, and a judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court) to issue such an order, under specified procedures. Provides for: (1) authorizations and orders for emergency detention; (2) uniform standards for the interrogation of individuals detained by the U.S. government; (3) protection of government officials engaged in interrogations; (4) monitoring and reporting regarding the treatment, conditions of confinement, and status of legal proceedings of individuals rendered to foreign governments; and (5) additional judges and other personnel for the Court. Revises the definition of "unlawful enemy combatant" for purposes of military commissions. Extends statutory habeas corpus to persons detained by the United States who have been: (1) determined to have been properly detained as an enemy combatant; or (2) detained for more than 90 days without such a determination.

Date: 2007-07-25
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to add a new section concerning the prevention of violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism. Establishes within the legislative branch the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism to: (1) examine and report on facts and causes of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence in the United States; (2) survey methodologies implemented by foreign nations to prevent such radicalization and terrorism; and (3) build upon, bring together, and avoid unnecessary duplication of related work done by other entities toward such goal. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish or designate a university-based Center of Excellence for the Study of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the United States to assist federal, state, local, and tribal government homeland security officials in preventing violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in the United States. Requires the Secretary to ensure that activities to prevent ideologically based violence and homegrown terrorism do not violate the constitutional rights, civil rights, and civil liberties of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a six year limitation period on assessment and collection of tax for tax returns involving offshore secrecy jurisdictions (defined as foreign jurisdictions which unreasonably restrict information required to enforce U.S. tax laws and which have ineffective information exchange practices); (2) suspend the limitation period for assessment and collection of tax while a summons for tax records involving a foreign jurisdiction is pending; (3) extend the limitation period during any failure by a taxpayer to give notice of certain foreign transactions; and (4) extend the period for collection of tax after assessment in the case of a willful attempt to evade or defeat payment of tax to 10 years after such attempt.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Taxation
False Claims Act Correction Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends False Claims Act liability provisions to eliminate the requirement that a false or fraudulent claim for government money or property must be presented to an officer or employee of the U.S. Government (thus creating liability where a false or fraudulent claim is presented to a contractor or grantee of a federal program).(Sec. 3) Allows the government, under specified circumstances, to move to dismiss from a civil action for false claims a qui tam relator (i.e., whistleblower) that is an employee of the federal government or a family member of a federal employee.(Sec. 4) Declares that: (1) no claim for a violation of the False Claims Act may be waived or released by any action of any person, except as part of a court approved settlement of a false claim civil action; and (2) nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the ability of the United States to decline to pursue any claim or to require court approval of a settlement.Requires the dismissal of a civil action for false claims if substantially the same matters in the action were contained in a criminal proceeding or were disclosed in a news media report or public congressional hearing, report, or investigation.Expands the authority of a court to reduce an award under the False Claims Act if the court finds that knowledge of the claims in the civil action came primarily from specific information relating to allegations or transactions (other than information provided by the person bringing the action) that the government publicly disclosed or that the government disclosed privately to the person bringing the action in the course of its investigation into potential violations.(Sec. 5) Includes government contractors or agents under provisions granting relief from retaliatory actions taken against government employees for lawful acts taken to stop false claim violations.(Sec. 6) Establishes a 10-year limitation period for bringing a civil action under the False Claims Act. Allows the government to intervene in a civil action by filing its own complaint or amending the complaint of an individual who has brought a claim under the Act. Provides that the filing date of any such complaint or amended complaint shall relate back to the filing date of the complaint brought by the person filing the original complaint, for statute of limitation purposes. (Sec. 7) Allows: (1) a designee of the Attorney General to issue a civil investigative demand in an action under the False Claims Act; and (2) the sharing of information obtained by a civil investigative demand with any qui tam relator if the Attorney General or designee determines such sharing to be a necessary part of a False Claim Act investigation. Expands the definition of "official use" to facilitate Department of Justice (DOJ) use and sharing of false claim information.

Date: 2007-09-12
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Law
Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) authorize criminal restitution orders in identity theft cases to compensate victims for the time spent to remediate the intended or actual harm incurred; (2) expand identity theft and aggravated identity theft crimes to include offenses against organizations (currently, only natural persons are protected); (3) include conspiracy to commit a felony within the definition of "felony violation" for purposes of aggravated identity theft crimes; (4) include making, uttering, or possessing counterfeited securities, mail theft, and tax fraud as predicate offenses for aggravated identity theft; (5) enable prosecution of computer fraud offenses for conduct not involving an interstate or foreign communication; (6) eliminate the requirement that damage to a victim's computer aggregate at least $5,000 before a prosecution can be brought for unauthorized access to a computer; (7) make it a felony, during any one-year period, to damage 10 or more protected computers used by or for the federal government or a financial institution; (8) expand the definition of "cyber-extortion" to include a demand for money in relation to damage to a protected computer, where such damage was caused to facilitate the extortion; (9) prohibit conspiracies to commit computer fraud; (10) expand interstate and foreign jurisdiction for prosecution of computer fraud offenses; and (11) impose criminal and civil forfeitures of property used to commit computer fraud offenses.Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review its guidelines and policy statements for the sentencing of persons convicted of identity theft, computer fraud, illegal wiretapping, and unlawful access to stored information to reflect increased penalties for such offenses. Sets forth criteria for updating such guidelines and policy statements.

Date: 2007-10-16
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and to establish penalties for knowingly making available a computer-assisted remote hunt (i.e., using a computer or other device, equipment, or software to allow a person remotely to control the aiming and discharge of a weapon to kill or injure an animal while not in the physical presence of the weapon).

Date: 2007-12-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Reasonable Notice and Search Act - Amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions governing search warrants authorized under the USA PATRIOT ACT to: (1) limit the authority to delay notice of the issuance of such search warrants to cases involving danger to the life or physical safety of an individual, flight from prosecution, destruction of or tampering with evidence sought by such warrants, or intimidation of potential witnesses; (2) require notification of the issuance of such warrants within seven days (currently, within a "reasonable period not to exceed 30 days") after execution; and (3) allow extensions of the delay in notification for additional periods of up to 21 days if the court finds that the execution of a warrant will endanger the life or physical safety of an individual or result in flight from prosecution, destruction of or tampering with evidence sought by the warrant, or intimidation of potential witnesses.Terminates the authority to delay notification of USA PATRIOT ACT search warrants on December 31, 2009.

Date: 2007-12-07
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Requires the Attorney General to modify the National Incident Based Reporting System, the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, and the Law Enforcement National Data Exchange Program to list cruelty to animals as a separate offense category.

Date: 2007-12-10
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Applies statutory license requirements to secondary transmissions by a satellite carrier to subscribers in certain counties of primary transmissions of a network station located in a state in which there are located four such counties that, on January 1, 2004, had a specified combined number of television households and that were in local markets principally comprised of counties in another state, if the satellite carrier or any cable operator was making such secondary transmissions to any subscribers in such a county on that date.

Date: 2007-12-11
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Commerce
Amends the Federal Rules of Evidence with respect to the disclosure of a communication or information covered by the attorney-client privilege and work product protection. Provides that, when such a disclosure is made in a federal proceeding or to a federal office or agency, and waives the attorney-client privilege or work-product protection, the waiver extends to an undisclosed communication or information in a federal or state proceeding only if: (1) the waiver is intentional; (2) the disclosed and undisclosed communications or information concern the same subject matter; and (3) they ought in fairness to be considered together. States that, when the disclosure is made in a federal proceeding or to a federal office or agency, it does not operate as a waiver in a federal or state proceeding if: (1) the disclosure is inadvertent; (2) the holder of the privilege or protection took reasonable steps to prevent disclosure; and (3) the holder promptly took reasonable steps to rectify the error. Declares that, when the disclosure is made in a state proceeding and is not the subject of a state-court order concerning waiver, it does not operate as a waiver in a federal proceeding if the disclosure: (1) would not be a waiver under this rule if it had been made in a federal proceeding; or (2) is not waived under law of the state where the disclosure occurred.

Date: 2007-12-11
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Law
Emergency Port of Entry Personnel and Infrastructure Funding Act of 2007 - Directs the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for FY2009-FY2012 to hire, train, and assign additional customs and border protection personnel (with an additional allotment for Texas) for the Northern and Southern U.S. borders. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to ensure such personnel are equipped with secure two-way communication devices and that existing personnel and new hires receive law enforcement training. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) construct additional ports of entry along the Northern and Southern U.S. borders; and (2) determine the location for new U.S. ports of entry. Requires expansion of the vehicle, cargo, and pedestrian inspection lanes at Eagle Pass, Texas, and Laredo, Texas. Exempts the provisions of this Act from: (1) the Administrative Procedures Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act; and (2) federal competitive contracting and hiring requirements. Authorizes appropriations, including for continued implementation of: (1) the Secure Border Initiative, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and the US-VISIT program; and (2) the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism.

Date: 2007-12-13
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to modify the reference to the New Orleans, Louisiana, project to construct New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal intermodal facilities in Orleans Parish. Revises the project name to Union Passenger Terminal Planning and Master Plan and Infrastructure Improvements in Orleans Parish, Louisiana.

Date: 2008-05-07
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Transportation and public works
DNA Felony Collection Act of 2008 - Directs the Attorney General to require states to: (1) collect a DNA sample from each individual convicted of a felony under the laws of such states; and (2) include DNA analysis results from such samples in a federal or state index of DNA analysis records.

Date: 2008-06-10
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Putting the Brakes on Human Smuggling Act - Disqualifies from operating a commercial motor vehicle any individual who uses a commercial motor vehicle to assist in the entry of illegal aliens into the United States. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to impose a lifetime disqualification from operating such a vehicle on any individual convicted under federal criminal law of assisting in such entry or in the harboring of illegal aliens. Revises content requirements of the commercial driver's license information system to include whether a commercial motor vehicle operator has been temporarily or permanently disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for violation of this Act. Requires a state to notify the Secretary of Transportation or the operator of the information system of disqualifications, revocations, suspensions, or cancellations of licenses to operate a commercial motor vehicle because of such a violation.

Date: 2008-07-10
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Requires any claim of the United States to certain property relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his family, or staff to be treated as having been waived and relinquished on the day before any person makes a gift of such property to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Describes such property as any part of the collection of documents, papers, and memorabilia relating to Roosevelt or any member of his family or staff that was originally in the possession of Grace Tully, that was retained by her at the time of her death, and that was included in her estate.

Date: 2008-07-28
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Enemy Combatant Detention Review Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to grant the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction of, and make it the exclusive venue for consideration of, all habeas corpus applications by or on behalf of any enemy combatant held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident (covered individual) that are pending on or filed on or after the enactment of this Act. Prescribes related procedures, including restrictions on oral testimony. Stays any such application until all Military Commission proceedings regarding the covered individual have been resolved. Requires release of a covered individual, for whom the District Court grants a writ application and orders release, into the custody of the Secretary of Homeland Security for transfer to the individual's country of citizenship or another country.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Law
Requires each automobile manufacturer to ensure that at least 50% of 2011 and 2012 model year automobiles manufactured for sale in the United States are dual fueled automobiles. Increases the minimum to 90% for later model years. (Excludes automobiles that operate only on electricity.)

Date: 2008-09-12
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Military Commissions Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2009 - Amends the federal judicial code to repeal the restriction on the jurisdiction of courts, justices, and judges to hear or consider applications for writs of habeas corpus filed by or on behalf of aliens: (1) properly detained by the United States as enemy combatants; or (2) awaiting a determination of whether their detention as enemy combatants is proper.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Noose Hate Crime Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to two years on anyone who, with intent to harass or intimidate any person because of that person's race, religion, or national origin, displays a noose in public.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Prohibits federal funds from being used to transfer any enemy combatant detained by the United States at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United States Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Law Enforcement Officers Flag Memorial Act - Allows the family of a deceased law enforcement officer to request, and the Attorney General to provide, a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol in honor of the officer, to be supplied by the Architect of the Capitol. Directs that the family pay the cost of such flag, including shipping.

Date: 2009-01-07
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 or David's Law - Amends the federal criminal code to impose penalties for willfully causing bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive device, attempting to cause such injury, whether or not acting under color of law, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes and, if appropriate, to amend the federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for such an offense.Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to state and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles.Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ for FY2009-FY2011 to increase the number of personnel to protect against criminal interference with federally-protected activities.

Date: 2009-01-07
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement