zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Rural America Job Assistance and Creation Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make matching grants to regional consortia meeting specified criteria to improve the job skills necessary for employment in specific industries. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to establish and support entities that provide business incubator services (necessary to initiate and sustain operations of a newly established business, including legal, intellectual property, and technology services and planning) for small- and medium-sized businesses. Directs the Comptroller General to study how rural infrastructure, venture capital, and federal programs can enhance rural areas. Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to require employer notification of federal and state elected officials (as well as local ones) before dislocation of workers. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require submission of H-1B labor condition applications at same time as H-1B nonimmigrant classification petitions.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude certain amounts of severance payments from gross income; and (2) expand the work opportunity tax credit to include qualified small business employees.

Date: 2007-05-22
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Green Jobs Act of 2007 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to: (1) establish an energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program that targets certain persons (including individuals in need of updated training related to the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, veterans, unemployed workers, and at-risk youth) and sectors of the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries; and (2) establish a national research program to collect and analyze labor market data to track workforce trends resulting from energy-related initiatives under this Act. Directs the Secretary to award: (1) National Energy Training Partnerships Grants on a competitive basis to nonprofit partnerships to carry out training programs that lead to economic self-sufficiency and develop an energy efficiency and renewable energy industries workforce; (2) grants to states to administer, in coordination with a one-stop delivery system, labor market and labor exchange programs that include funding to state agencies to identify job openings, administer skill and aptitude testing, and provide counseling and case management services; (3) energy training partnership program grants to states to administer renewable energy and energy efficiency workforce development programs; and (4) at least 10 Pathways Out of Poverty Demonstration Program competitive grants to community based nonprofit organizations to carry out training that leads to impoverished families gaining economic self-sufficiency. Applies certain worker protection and nondiscrimination requirements to the programs carried out in this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the training program established by this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2007-06-25
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Energy
Forewarn Act of 2007 - Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the Act) to redefine the terms "employer," "plant closing," and "mass layoff" for purposes of the Act to, among other things, make the Act applicable to employers of 50 or more employees (under current law, 100 employees). Requires an employer to: (1) give 90-day written notice (under current law, 60-day) to employees and appropriate state and government officials before ordering a plant closing or mass layoff; and (2) give notice of such closing or layoff to the Secretary of Labor (including the number of employees), to U.S. and state Senators and Representatives who represent the area in which the plant is located, and to the Governor of the state in which the plant is located and to the chief elected official of the unit of local government within such closing or layoff is to occur. Revises criteria used in determining whether a plant closing or mass layoff has occurred or will occur. Makes an employer who violates such notice requirements liable to the employee for two days of pay multiplied by the number of days short of the 90-days notice provided before such closing or layoff (under current law, for back pay) for each day of the violation for up to 90 days (under current law, 60 days). Authorizes the Secretary to bring a civil action on behalf of one or more employees for certain relief under the Act. Directs the Secretary to make educational materials concerning employee rights and employer responsibilities available to the general public and employers.

Date: 2007-09-25
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) to revise requirements and reauthorize appropriations for: (1) WIA title I, workforce investment systems for job training and employment services; and (2) WIA title II, adult basic skills and family literacy education programs (renamed as the Adult Education, Basic Skills, and Family Literacy Education Act). Revises and reauthorizes workforce investment systems with respect to: (1) state and local planning, allocation, work force investment board membership, and performance accountability; (2) one-stop centers; (3) consolidated funding for adult program activities, including job training, dislocated worker retraining, the employment service system, and reemployment grants; (4) training programs for both out-of-school and in-school youth, including challenge grants; and (5) national job training programs, including the Job Corps and programs for Native Americans, migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and veterans. Exempts religious organizations, with respect to their employment of individuals of a particular religion, from WIA nondiscrimination requirements. Sets forth provisions for the approval of state Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) plans for the carrying out of certain workforce development activities. Repeals Wagner-Peyser Act provisions relating to the U.S. Employment Service. Revises requirements and reauthorizes appropriations for: (1) vocational rehabilitation services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and (2) the Helen Keller National Center Act.

Date: 2007-10-04
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Early Warning and Health Care for Workers Affected by Globalization Act - Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the Act) to redefine the terms "employer," "plant closing," "mass layoff", and "employees" for purposes of the Act. Requires an employer to: (1) give 90-day written notice (under current law, 60-day) to employees (including part-time employees) and appropriate state and local governments before ordering a plant closing or mass layoff; (2) notify the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) of such closing or layoff; and (3) provide affected employees with information regarding benefits and services available to them, including unemployment compensation, trade adjustment assistance, COBRA benefits, and certain other services. Requires the Secretary to notify the appropriate U.S. Senators and Members of the House of Representatives who represent the area where such closing or mass layoff is to occur. Makes an employer who violates such notice requirements liable to the employee for, among other things, two days pay (under current law, back pay for each day of violation) multiplied by the number of days short of the required 90 day notice that was not given, including interest on such pay. Authorizes an affected employee to file a complaint against the employer individually and/or with the Secretary alleging a violation of the notice requirements. Requires the Secretary to investigate and attempt to resolve complaints of violations committed by an employer. Authorizes the Secretary to bring an action in court to recover on behalf of an affected employee any backpay, interest, benefits, and liquidated damages due to the employee. Requires an employer to post conspicuously upon its premises pertinent provisions of this Act and information on the filing of a complaint. Sets forth a civil penalty for willful violation of such requirement. Provides that the rights and remedies provided in this Act can't be waived. Requires the Secretary to maintain a guide on the benefits and services available to affected employees. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to extend COBRA continuation coverage for certain qualified Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) eligible employees.

Date: 2007-10-10
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Private Sector Whistleblower Protection Streamlining Act of 2007 - Sets forth whistleblower protections for private sector, state, and municipal employees who are retaliated or discriminated against by an employer for disclosing threats to public safety or violations of federal law. Authorizes a whistleblower who has been discharged or discriminated against by an employer to seek appropriate relief either by: (1) filing a complaint with the Secretary of Labor; or (2) bringing an action at law or equity in the appropriate U.S. district court. Prohibits restrictions on whistleblowing and relief provided under this Act. Establishes the Whistleblower Protection Office within the Employment Standards Administration of the Department of Labor. Makes conforming whistleblower amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

Date: 2007-11-01
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Gulf Coast Civic Works Act - Establishes the Gulf Coast Recovery Authority (Corporation). Requires the Corporation to: (1) administer a Gulf Coast Civic Works Project that employs a minimum of 100,000 Gulf Coast region residents and evacuees for public works projects to rebuild, sustain, and develop the Gulf Coast region; (2) establish job training programs and apprenticeships to recruit and train qualified workers, including from the Gulf Coast region, for specific vacancies in recovery, rebuilding, and development projects; and (3) ensure that all workers are paid wages at not less than the prevailing locality rate (Davis-Bacon Act). Authorizes the Corporation to provide grants to Gulf Coast region residents that possess certain skills for: (1) artistic and cultural projects which reflect the history and culture of the Gulf Coast region; and (2) projects that chronicle the story of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Date: 2007-11-01
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Maximizing the Use of Federal Funds for Job Creation Act of 2007 - Authorizes a state with an unemployment rate equal to or greater than 125% of the national unemployment rate to transfer, without limitation, any Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) amounts apportioned to the state to any state apportionments for certain named federal-aid highway programs (except, amounts for highway safety improvement programs).

Date: 2007-11-01
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Maximizing the Use of Federal Funds for Job Training Act - Authorizes states with unemployment rates that equal or exceed 125% of the national unemployment rate to consolidate or transfer, without limitation, any funds made available to them under specified job training programs.

Date: 2008-01-23
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Pathways Advancing Career Training Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make formula matching grants to states with approved plans for programs that provide preparatory and supportive services, information on career and technical education, training, pre-apprenticeship assistance, and related services, including tuition assistance, to: (1) single parents and displaced homemakers; and (2) individuals pursuing nontraditional training and employment in fields where individuals from one gender compose less than 25% of workers. Requires the Secretary, through the award of competitive grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with an independent institution of higher education, public or private nonprofit organization, or state agency, to conduct at least one multi-site evaluation of such programs. Requires eligible state agencies to administer such programs, make competitive subgrants to eligible entities, and identify certain core indicators of performance.

Date: 2008-04-10
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Prohibits any individual from purchasing or leasing any housing (or any dwelling unit in housing) acquired using federal loan or grant funds Congress appropriates for the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed housing under the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008, if he or she has been convicted under federal or state law of a felony drug-dealing offense (within the five-year period preceding the purchase or lease transaction date), a sex offense, or mortgage fraud.

Date: 2008-05-12
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Housing and community development
Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, upon the request of a public housing agency (PHA) which has a Moving to Work agreement (under the demonstration program authorized by the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996), to extend it for a 12-month period under such terms as are or were in effect upon the agreement's expiration. Provides that, for a PHA that previously received an extension of its agreement and entered into a subsequent agreement after January 1, 2008, the Secretary shall, upon the PHA's request, invalidate such subsequent agreement and extend any agreement that was in effect as of such date also for a 12-month period under such terms as were in effect as of that date. Prohibits the Secretary from extending a Moving to Work agreement if a PHA is noncompliant with its agreement's terms. Expresses the sense of Congress that the maximum number of PHAs authorized to participate in the Moving to Work demonstration program should not be expanded until the demonstration program has been reformed and permanently authorized through enactment of a federal law.

Date: 2008-05-20
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Housing and community development
End the Pain at the Pump Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an excise tax credit between June 1, 2008, and May 30, 2011, for individuals commuting to work in a vehicle fueled primarily by gasoline or diesel fuel; (2) treat the income of partners performing investment management services as ordinary income and set forth tax rules for the treatment of partnership acquisition indebtedness and other partnership interests; and (3) require the inclusion in gross income for income tax purposes of employee compensation deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan of a nonqualified entity when there is no substantial risk of forfeiture of the rights to such compensation.Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), upon request of a state governor, to provide financial assistance to hire additional personnel with expertise in federal refinery authorizations.Directs the President to: (1) appoint a federal coordinator to implement federal refinery authorizations; and (2) designate certain closed military installations as potentially suitable refinery construction sites.Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program in the Coastal Plain of Alaska.Repeals the prohibition against producing oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.Sets forth requirements for the sale of oil and natural gas leases in the Coastal Plain, environmental protection, and transportation easements. Establishes the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance to specified jurisdictions in Alaska.Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to revise the outer Continental Shelf leasing program.Federal Energy Natural Resources Enhancement Act of 2008 - Authorizes appropriations for a natural resources enhancement program for the management of fish, wildlife, and natural resources. Terminates existing federal laws prohibiting the spending of appropriated funds to conduct oil and natural gas leasing or the issuance of a lease to any individual for any area of the outer Continental Shelf.Rigs to Reefs Act of 2008 - Amends the OCSLA to authorize the Secretary to use decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms for artificial reef and scientific research.Allows the cancellation and exchange of certain oil and gas leases within 100 miles of the coastline within the California or Florida Adjacent Zones.Repeals: (1) the requirement to conduct a comprehensive inventory of outer Continental Shelf oil and natural gas resources; (2) the coastal impact assistance program; and (3) the Oil Shale, Tar Sands, and Other Strategic Unconventional Fuels Act of 2005.Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal emission requirements with respect to the procurement and acquisition of alternative fuels.

Date: 2008-05-22
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Energy
Green Jobs Improvement Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to make nonunion training programs eligible for federal funding under the energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program (Green Jobs program). Applies certain worker protections and nondiscrimination requirements to such programs.

Date: 2008-06-10
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Online Job Training Act of 2008 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Labor to make: (1) grants to states to assist them in implementing workforce investment programs that enable individuals to take courses on the Internet to enhance employment opportunities within the state workforce investment system; and (2) a grant to an eligible postsecondary educational institution to provide technical assistance to such states in implementing such programs.

Date: 2008-06-12
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the Secretary of Labor to certify an adversely affected secondary group of workers in a subdivision of a firm as eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) if the Secretary determines that: (1) a significant number of workers have become, or are threatened to become, totally or partially separated; (2) the workers' subdivision is a seller of articles of the firm (or another subdivision) that employed a group of workers who received a certification of TAA eligibility and such sales are related to the article that was the basis for such certification; and (3) a loss of business by the workers' subdivision with the firm (or another subdivision) contributed to the workers' separation or threat of separation.

Date: 2008-07-08
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations for FY2010-FY2017 for activities under the youth employment, adult employment and training, and dislocated worker employment and training programs.

Date: 2008-07-29
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Incumbent Worker Development Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Labor to establish a program of grants to states to assist employers to provide incumbent worker training to enhance the knowledge and skills of an employee in order to improve his or her job performance.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Metro Economies Green Act or MEGA - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a metro area green zone grant program to make grants to local government units to support and establish green job programs that: (1) target low-income, difficult-to-employ, and formerly incarcerated persons; and (2) involve local business, academia, trade associations, nonprofits, and other stakeholders in energy-efficient economic development and green job training and creation. Authorizes the Secretary also to establish competitive programs to make grants to local government units to support and establish: (1) a similar mini-metro green program that engages smaller communities in green economic and workforce development; and (2) an alternative green academies program that provides green job training, employment opportunities, and other life skills to high school dropouts, formerly incarcerated youth, and individuals unable to attend traditional institutions of higher education. Directs the Secretary to select one unit of general local government or nonprofit organization designated by such a unit to establish and operate a Metro Area Green Institute to serve as a national resource center to support municipally based, green economic and workforce development efforts.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Housing and community development
Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1988 to authorize a federal agency to make noncompetitive appointments of Job Corps graduates that lead to conversion to career or career-conditional employment.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Tax Incentives for Growth, Expansion and Revitalization Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers in a high-job loss area a tax deduction for 50% of the income attributable to trade or business activities conducted in such area. Designates an area as a high-job loss area based upon standards relating to employment, annual payroll, and business establishments. Makes such tax deduction applicable to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2014.

Date: 2008-09-25
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Encouraging Work Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the combined work opportunity and welfare-to-work tax credit to: (1) make such credit permanent; (2) make individuals age 18 through 39 residing in an empowerment zone, enterprise community, or renewal community (designated community residents) eligible for such credit; (3) allow vocational rehabilitation referrals under such credit after completion of certain individual work plans; and (4) allow an increased credit for the hiring of certain veterans with service-connected disabilities incurred after September 10, 2001.

Date: 2007-01-10
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Taxation
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect U.S. Armed Forces members who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq; and (2) Congress disapproves of President George W. Bush's decision announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to Iraq. Amends the United States Policy in Iraq Act to require reports every 30 days on specified aspects of U.S. policy and military operations in Iraq until all U.S. combat brigades have been redeployed from Iraq.

Date: 2007-02-13
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: International affairs
Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act of 2007 - Directs the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security (Under Secretary) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) increase, during FY2008-FY2012, the number of agents and inspectors in the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the DHS; and (2) provide such agents and inspectors new technology training to a level of proficiency acceptable to protect U.S. borders. Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to update, and submit to Congress, the Port of Entry Infrastructure Assessment Study. Directs the Under Secretary to prepare annually, and submit to Congress, a National Land Border Security Plan that includes a vulnerability assessment of each port of entry located on the U.S. northern and southern borders. Authorizes the Under Secretary to establish one or more port security coordinators at such ports of entry. Directs the Commissioner of the United States Customs and Border Protection of the DHS to: (1) develop a plan to expand Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programs along the U.S. northern and southern borders; and (2) establish a demonstration program to develop a cooperative trade security system to improve supply chain security. Directs the Under Secretary to carry out a technology demonstration program to test and evaluate new port of entry technologies that enhance port of entry inspections and the detection of weapons of mass destruction, and to train personnel in its use.

Date: 2007-02-13
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
FOREWARN Act of 2007 - Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the Act) to to revise the terms "employer," "plant closing," and "mass layoff" for purposes of the Act. Requires an employer to: (1) give 90-day written notice (under current law, 60-day) to employees and appropriate state and local governments before ordering a plant closing or mass layoff; and (2) notify the Secretary of Labor within 60 days of such closing or layoff (including the number of employees involved). Makes an employer who violates such notice requirements liable to the employee for double the back pay (under current law, for back pay) for each day of the violation for up to 90 days (under current law, 60 days). Authorizes the Secretary to bring a civil action on behalf of one or more employees for certain relief under the Act. Directs the Secretary to make educational materials concerning employee rights and employer responsibilities available to the general public and employers.

Date: 2007-07-16
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Supporting Training and Employment Potential for Underemployed Populations Act, or the STEP UP Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to revise Youth Opportunity Grant Program requirements to direct the Secretary of Labor to make grants to local boards and eligible entities to carry out programs that provide job training and employment activities and related services to youth and young adults (allows up to 25% of funds to be made available for hard-to-serve young adults) as defined in this Act who live in empowerment zones, enterprise communities, or high poverty areas. Earned Income Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to revise requirements with respect to the earned income tax credit, including to increase the maximum earned income tax credit amount for certain taxpayers without qualifying children. Allows the unused portion of an eligible taxpayer's standard deduction and personal exemption deductions that exceeds his or her adjusted gross income to be carried back to the preceding taxable year and carried forward to each of the two taxable years following the unused deduction year. Allows an employment tax credit and an advanced employment tax credit of $500, respectively, for members of targeted groups as defined under the IRC. Expands the work opportunity credit for employers who hire: (1) a youth opportunity program participant; (2) a qualified Workforce Investment Act (WIA) youth activity participant; or (3) a qualified young offender. Allows an additional work opportunity credit of $500 for each retained employee of a targeted group.

Date: 2008-02-14
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Act of 2008 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide for: (1) preparation and approval of state Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) plans for carrying out certain workforce development activities; (2) the integration of workforce development programs and community and economic development programs included as part of an approved plan; and (3) the award of supplementary grants to entities to implement approved WIRED plans and to states to carry out WIRED activities.

Date: 2008-03-11
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Employment Access for Recidivism Reduction Nationwide or the EARN Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) promote the work opportunity tax credit program by reducing backlogs of employer applications for certifications under such program and by increasing awareness of the availability of such credit; and (2) increase the number of fidelity bonds purchased and issued by states through the Federal Bonding Program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the work opportunity tax credit for employers who employ ex-felons hired under certain federal programs.

Date: 2008-04-02
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Incentives for Older Workers Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to prohibit a reduction in benefits for an employee under a defined benefit pension plan who has begun a phased retirement and was employed on a substantially full-time basis during the previous 12-month period before phased retirement. Defines "phased retirement" as the period when an employee is employed on substantially less than a full-time basis or with substantially reduced responsibilities after reaching age 50 or completing 30 years of creditable service under the plan. Amends the Social Security Act to raise from 70 to 72 the age up to which inidividuals are allowed to earn delayed retirement credits for purposes of the calculation of increased old-age insurance benefit payments. Revises federal old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits requirements to eliminate the 50% reduction in such benefits due to an individual who claims benefits before reaching 66 years old and who continues to work. (Retains the 33 1/3% offset.) Directs the Secretary of Labor to award a grant to establish a National Resource Center on Aging and the Workforce to act as a national information clearinghouse on workforce issues, challenges, and solutions for older workers. Revises Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) annuity computation requirements for retiring CSRS employees whose employment service includes part-time service. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) to revise the composition of state and local workforce investment boards to include representatives of older individuals. Sets aside 5% of WIA funds allocated to local areas for certain adult employment and training activities for activities for older workers. Amends the IRC to expand eligibility for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to qualified older workers (age 55 or older whose income does not exceed 125% of the poverty line). Allows certain defined benefit pension plans to define normal retirement age as the earlier of the attainment of: (1) a specified allowed age; or (2) at least 30 years of service.

Date: 2008-04-29
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Electronic Employment Verification Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to make the employment eligibility confirmation pilot programs permanent. Redesignates the basic pilot program as the E-verify program (program). Requires that any person or employer that enters into a federal contract participate in the program. Requires that an employer electing to verify the employment eligibility of existing employees do so not later than 10 days after notifying the Secretary of Homeland Security of such election. Authorizes the Secretary to require an employer or class of employers to participate in the program if the Secretary has reasonable cause to believe that the employer has engaged in material employment violations under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Requires that an employer participating in the program use the confirmation system to reverify an individual's work authorization not later than three days after the date on which such individual's employment authorization is scheduled to expire. Requires that the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services establish in a rural setting or in an area with fewer than 10,000 residents a demonstration program to assist small businesses verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees.

Date: 2008-06-05
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Immigration
National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the 21st Century Nanotechology Research and Development Act to expand the scope of the National Nanotechnology Program (the Program), including directing the Program to utilize the perspectives of the industrial community to promote the rapid commercial development of nanoscale-enabled devices, systems, and technologies. Requires issuing guidance to agencies that describes a strategy for transitioning research into commercial products and technologies. Revises requirements regarding the Program's triennial strategic plans. Requires participating agencies to support the activities of the committees of standards setting bodies involved in the development of standards for nanotechnology. Requires the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office to be supported by funds from each participating agency. Makes the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel a distinct entity. Instructs the Panel to establish a subpanel to enable it in assessing whether societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and workforce concerns are adequately addressed by the Program. Rewrites provisions for triennial external review of the Program. Designates a Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology, who shall convene a panel to develop a research plan. Establishes an Education Working Group to coordinate, prioritize, and plan the educational activities supported under the Program. Provides for one or more grants to establish Nanotechnology Education Partnerships to recruit and help prepare secondary school students to pursue postsecondary level courses in nanotechnology. Requires agencies supporting nanotechnology research facilities to provide access to companies that are developing prototypes of nanoscale products, devices, or processes. Sets forth provisions concerning nanotechnology related projects under existing nanotechnology transfer programs. Makes it an objective of the Program to establish industry liaison groups. Requires coordination and leveraging of federal investments with nanotechnology research, development, and technology transition initiatives. Requires the Program to include support for nanotechnology research and development in areas of national importance. Requires the Program to support nanomanufacturing research, including in green nanomanufacturing, energy production, water purification, agriculture, and health care. Requires specified reviews by the Advisory Panel of certain program component areas and nanotechnology research facilities. Sets forth provisions regarding nanoscale characterization and metrology. Requires: (1) a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study of nanotechnology related codes, standards, and regulations; and (2) public outreach.

Date: 2008-07-16
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Strengthening Employment Clusters to Organize Regional Success Act of 2008 or the SECTORS Act of 2008 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require the Secretary of Labor to award competitive industry or sector partnership grants to eligible entities to develop strategies that: (1) encourage growth and competitiveness through work with high road employers within a targeted industry cluster; (2) help workers move toward economic self-sufficiency and ensure that they have access to supportive services; (3) address the needs of firms with limited human resources or in-house training capacity, including small- and medium-sized firms; and (4) coordinate with entities that carry out state and local workforce investment, economic development, and education activities. Requires federal agency coordination with the Secretary in carrying out such program.

Date: 2008-07-30
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Skills Standards Certification Evaluation Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) evaluate skills certification programs for employees; (2) rank such programs or determine best practices models for them; and (3) make recommendations on the merits of a unified national approach to such programs, and ways to streamline duplicative and similar programs into a single, widely recognized certification. Requires the Secretaries to post evaluation results on the Internet and make them available to Congress and to interested parties.

Date: 2008-09-10
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Prohibits the Secretary of Labor from issuing, administering, or enforcing any rule, regulation, or requirement derived from the proposal submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) entitled Requirements for DOL Agencies' Assessment of Occupational Health Risks.

Date: 2008-09-24
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Online Job Training Act of 2009 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Labor to make: (1) grants to states to assist them in implementing workforce investment programs that enable individuals to take courses on the Internet to enhance employment opportunities within the state workforce investment system; and (2) a grant to an eligible postsecondary educational institution to provide technical assistance to such states in implementing such programs.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Social Work Reinvestment Commission to provide independent counsel to Congress on policy issues associated with the recruitment, retention, research, and reinvestment in the profession of social work. Directs the Commission to study and report to Congress on issues facing the social work profession, including: (1) fair market compensation, high social work educational debt, social work workforce trends, translating social work research to practice, and social work safety; and (2) state-level social work licensure policies and reciprocity agreements for providing services across state lines. Requires such study to assess the professional capacity of the social work workforce to serve and respond successfully to the increasing biopsychosocial needs of individuals, groups, and communities in certain areas, including aging and child welfare. Authorizes the Secretary to award: (1) workplace improvement grants to eligible entities and individuals to address workplace concerns for the social work profession, including caseloads, compensation, social work safety, supervision, and working conditions; and (2) research grants, education and training grants, and community-based programs of excellence grants. Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract with a national social work research entity to serve as a coordinating center and clearinghouse for information on activities funded under the grants; and (2) develop a multi-media outreach campaign and issue public service announcements that advertise and promote the social work profession.

Date: 2009-02-03
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Social welfare
Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009 - Waives a state's sovereign immunity with respect to the enforcement of uniformed services members' employment or reemployment rights or benefits under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). Makes unenforceable agreements between an employer and employee requiring arbitration of disputes arising under USERRA. Provides exceptions. Requires the validity and enforceability of such an agreement to be determined by a court (as opposed to the arbitrator). Provides increased liquidated damages, and authorizes punitive damages, against state or private employer violations of USERRA. Provides a right to a jury trial in such cases. Requires (under current law, authorizes) the award of attorney fees in actions to enforce USERRA. Defines "successor in interest" for USERRA purposes. Prohibits wage discrimination against members covered under USERRA. Requires (under current law, authorizes) a court to use equitable relief, including injunctions and restraining orders when appropriate, for USERRA violations. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require federal procurement contracts to include a notice that the contractor may have USERRA obligations. Requires a Comptroller General study on the effectiveness of federal education and outreach programs on employer obligations under USERRA.

Date: 2009-03-12
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Renew Through Green Jobs Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to award grants to institutions of higher education for sustainability workforce training and education in industries and practices, such as: (1) clean energy; (2) green construction, retrofitting, and design; (3) green chemistry; (4) water and energy conservation; (5) recycling and waste reduction; (6) sustainable agricultural and culinary practices; (7) smart grid technology; (8) advanced vehicle technology; and (9) electric power transmission systems.

Date: 2009-03-30
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Education
Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2009 - Extends the period of eligibility for training and rehabilitation through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans with service-connected disabilities until the end of the 15 (under current law, 12) year period after the veteran's discharge from active-duty service. Allows a service-disabled veteran a subsistence allowance for six (under current law, two) months of full-time employment training following completion of a vocational rehabilitation program. Allows such a veteran who has unused VA educational assistance entitlement to use such assistance to pursue a program of education as part of a vocational rehabilitation program, as long as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs approves the educational, professional, or vocational objective chosen by the veteran. Directs the Secretary to provide reimbursement for child care to a veteran who is participating in a vocational rehabilitation program and is the sole caretaker of a child. Requires the Secretary to include in annual budget materials submitted to Congress information on veterans receiving vocational rehabilitation assistance who: (1) became employed; and (2) achieved independence in daily living.

Date: 2009-03-31
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Strengthening Employment Clusters to Organize Regional Success Act of 2010 or SECTORS Act of 2010 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require the Secretary of Labor to award renewable three-year competitive industry or sector partnership grants to eligible entities to develop strategies that: (1) encourage growth and competitiveness through work with employers within a targeted industry cluster; (2) help workers move toward economic self-sufficiency and ensure that they have access to supportive services; (3) address the needs of firms with limited human resources or in-house training capacity, including small- and medium-sized firms; and (4) coordinate with entities that carry out state and local workforce investment, economic development, and education activities. Sets the federal share of grant costs at up to 90% for the first year, 80% for the second year, and 70% for the third year. Authorizes the Secretary to require a federal share of 100% for an eligible recipient located in a state or local area receiving a national emergency grant.

Date: 2009-04-01
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Green Jobs Improvement Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to make nonunion training programs eligible for federal funding under the energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program (Green Jobs program). Applies certain worker protections and nondiscrimination requirements to such programs.

Date: 2009-04-22
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Alert Laid Off Employees in Reasonable Time Act - Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to require an employer to give 60-day written notice to employees and to appropriate state and local government officials before ordering a mass layoff that results in an employment loss for a single employer at more than one site of employment during a 30-day period for: (1) at least 33% of the employees (excluding part-time employees); and (2) at least 50 or 500 employees (excluding part-time employees). Makes an employer who violates such notice requirements liable to each aggrieved employee for double the back pay (under current law, only the back pay) for each day of the violation for up to 60 days.

Date: 2009-04-23
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that a nonimmigrant foreign student seeking to enter the United States to study at a language training program enroll at a language program that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education. Provides for a specified three-year exception to such requirement.

Date: 2009-05-12
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to permit the establishment of Job Corps centers in outlying areas (U.S. territories).

Date: 2009-07-10
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Labor and employment
Community-Based Health Care Retraining Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require the Secretary of Labor to establish and carry out a health professions training demonstration project that awards matching grants to eligible entities to train certain unemployed workers for employment as health care professionals in communities: (1) with a significant percentage decline in rates of employment and a health care professional shortage; or (2) that are underserved by the health care structure.

Date: 2009-07-16
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Health
Community College Energy Training Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, to create a program awarding grants to community colleges to provide workforce training and education in sustainable energy industries and practices, such as: (1) alternative energy; (2) energy efficient construction, retrofitting, and design; (3) sustainable energy technologies; (4) water and energy conservation; (5) recycling and waste reduction; and (6) sustainable agriculture and farming. Requires at least one-half of the grant funds to be awarded to community colleges with existing sustainability programs leading to certificates or degrees in one or more of the industries or practices listed above.

Date: 2009-10-06
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Energy
Repeals temporarily, for FY2011-FY2015, the requirement for employers to increase wages for veterans enrolled in on-the-job training programs.

Date: 2009-11-16
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Armed forces and national security