zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Criminal Code Improvement Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish a default mens rea standard (i.e., a state of mind requirement) for a federal criminal offense whose defining statute does not specify a required state of mind. A conviction for such federal criminal offense requires proof that a defendant acted knowingly.

Additionally, if the offense consists of conduct that a reasonable person would not know or have reason to believe was unlawful, then a conviction requires proof that the defendant knew or had reason to believe such conduct was unlawful.

The bill establishes definitions for the terms "state" and "serious bodily injury" that are generally applicable with respect to federal criminal law. It eliminates various repeated definitions of such terms.

(Sec. 5) It eliminates references to the Canal Zone (i.e., the Panama Canal Zone).

(Sec. 6) The bill amends the federal judicial code to require the Department of Justice to develop and update, index, and publish an inventory of all federal criminal offenses, including violations of agency rules or regulations that constitute or define federal criminal offenses.

Date: 2015-11-16
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Interstate Swatting Hoax Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to use a telecommunications system, the mails, or another facility of interstate or foreign commerce to knowingly report false or misleading information with the intent to cause an emergency law enforcement response.

A violator is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

Date: 2015-11-18
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Police Agency Investigation Improvement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to create within the Special Litigation Section of the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Civil Rights Division an Office of Police Agency Investigations to investigate alleged patterns or practices of police conduct that violate constitutional rights.

Additionally, it amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand the allowable use of grant funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to include complying with a judgment or consent decree pursuant to a pattern-or-practice investigation. DOJ may award additional grants to COPS grant recipients to comply with such judgments or consent decrees.

Date: 2015-12-15
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Historic Routes Preservation Act

This bill requires that any person, including a state, local government, company, or individual, that asserts public acceptance of a right-of-way granted for the construction of highways over public lands must file a claim within a 25-year period.

The bill sets forth a procedure for conclusively verifying, proving, and establishing the acceptance of such rights-of-way.

Date: 2016-01-05
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Cybercrime Enforcement Training Assistance Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to state and local governments to prevent, enforce, and prosecute cybercrimes against individuals. A cybercrime against an individual is a criminal offense that involves use of a computer, including a computer network or interactive electronic device, to harm an individual.

DOJ must also award a grant to a nonprofit private cybercrime organization to establish and maintain the National Resource Center on Cybercrimes Against Individuals. It must provide technical assistance and training resources, maintain a resource library, and conduct research to improve the capacity of governments, communities, and individuals to prevent, enforce, and prosecute cybercrimes against individuals.

Date: 2016-03-15
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Firearm Due Process Protection Act

This bill amends the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act to establish a 60-day time limit for the Department of Justice to make a final disposition of a request to correct a record in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. With respect to violations of that limit, the bill establishes a private right to action.

Date: 2016-04-18
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
This bill directs the President to submit to Congress a comprehensive strategy to combat cybercrime, including recommendations for a definition of cybercrime and a federal agency to lead cybercrime investigations.

Date: 2016-04-21
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
DUE PROCESS Act of 2016 or the Deterring Undue Enforcement by Protecting Rights of Citizens from Excessive Searches and Seizures Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions related to federal civil forfeiture cases. Specifically, the bill:

 raises the evidentiary standard in such cases from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence"; with respect to property owners who are indigent, provides for the appointment of counsel; provides for recovery of attorney's fees with respect to settled claims in which the claimant prevails; adds specified notice requirements; and expedites and otherwise modifies certain procedures. The Department of Justice must: (1) annually audit federal civil forfeiture cases, and (2) establish a publicly available database with respect to seizures in such cases.

Date: 2016-05-19
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Stopping Mass Hacking Act

This bill rejects an amendment to rule 41 (Search and Seizure) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure adopted by the U.S. Supreme Court and transmitted to Congress for review on April 28, 2016. (The amendment allows a federal magistrate judge to issue a warrant to use remote access to search computers and seize electronically stored information located inside or outside that judge's district in specific circumstances.)

Date: 2016-05-25
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Stop Tobacco Smuggling in the Insular Areas Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam trafficking in contraband cigarettes and contraband smokeless tobacco. "Contraband" means items for which the applicable taxes have not been paid.

Date: 2016-07-13
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Resource Management Practices Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to bar prosecution in cases involving damage to or destruction of federal property by fire if:

 the fire is set by a person to the person's own property, either to prevent an imminent threat of damage to the property or as part of any generally accepted practice for managing vegetation on timber, grazing, or farm land; the fire neither results in death or serious bodily injury nor poses a serious threat of bodily injury or damage to any building, dwelling, or vehicle of the United States; and no individual under 16 years of age is used in setting the fire.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Securing American Families by Educating and Training You (SAFETY) Through Nonviolence Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to eligible entities for the purpose of preventing or alleviating the effects of community violence by providing education, mentoring, and counseling related to principles of nonviolence in conflict resolution. "Eligible entities" include state or local government entities, educational institutions, nonprofit communities, and faith-based organizations.

In awarding grants under the program, DOJ shall give priority to applicants that agree to use the grant funds in at least one community that can certify: (1) an increased or sustained level of violence or tension in the community; or (2) a lack of resources to adopt innovative, integrated, community-based violence prevention programs.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Education
Bettering Resources in Guarding from Human Trafficking Act of 2016 or the BRIGHT Act of 2016

 This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish a five-year mandatory minimum prison term for certain offenses related to peonage, slavery, involuntary servitude, forced labor, and trafficking.

Date: 2016-09-08
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Help Communities Fight Violent Crime Act 

This bill authorizes appropriations to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for Violent Crime Reduction Partnerships in the most violent U.S. cities.

It permits the ATF to transfer appropriated funds to another agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government for the purpose of conducting activities under such a partnership.

Date: 2016-09-22
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Reducing Gangs and Recidivism Act of 2016

This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) to report to Congress on recidivism.

Additionally, the bill directs the BJS to provide technical assistance for states to implement best practices to combat gangs.

DOJ must establish a definition for the term "gang." DOJ must also evaluate and report to Congress on the effectiveness of DOJ programs in combating gangs.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Review the Rule Act of 2016

This bill delays the effective date of an amendment to rule 41 (Search and Seizure) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure adopted by the U.S. Supreme Court and transmitted to Congress for review on April 28, 2016. (The amendment allows a federal magistrate judge to issue a warrant to use remote access to search computers and seize electronically stored information located inside or outside that judge's district in specific circumstances.)

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish a process to expunge an individual's records related to a nonviolent criminal offense. A nonviolent criminal offense is a federal misdemeanor or felony offense that: (1) does not include, as an element, the use of a weapon or violence; and (2) does not involve violence in its commission.

To be eligible for expungement, an individual must: be a first-time offender; avoid drug or alcohol dependency or abuse; obtain a high school diploma; complete one year of community service; and fulfill the requirements of a court-ordered sentence, such as complete a prison term, meet the conditions of supervised release, and pay fines.

Date: 2016-12-08
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Due Process Guarantee Act of 2015

Amends the federal criminal code to expand provisions prohibiting the United States from imprisoning or otherwise detaining a citizen except pursuant to an Act of Congress, to: (1) prohibit such imprisonment or detention of a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident except consistent with the Constitution and pursuant to an Act of Congress that expressly authorizes such imprisonment or detention; and (2) prohibit construing a general authorization to use military force, a declaration of war, or any similar authority, on its own, to authorize the imprisonment or detention without charge or trial of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident apprehended in the United States.

Date: 2015-01-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Justice Safety Valve Act of 2015 

This bill authorizes a federal court to impose a sentence in a criminal proceeding that is below the minimum sentence required by statute if the court finds that a lower sentence is necessary to avoid violating statutory factors that the court must consider in imposing a sentence. The court must give parties to the proceeding notice of its intent to impose a lower sentence and state in writing the factors requiring such a sentence. This bill does not limit any right to appeal that would otherwise exist.

Date: 2015-02-03
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation Act of 2015 or the SAVE Act of 2015

 Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly: (1) advertising commercial sex acts involving a minor or an individual engaged in such an act through force, fraud, or coercion; or (2) benefitting financially or otherwise from such advertising knowing that the individual involved was a minor or victim of force, fraud, or coercion.

Date: 2015-02-25
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment Act of 2015 or the REDEEM Act

Amends the federal criminal code to provide a process for the sealing or expungement of records relating to nonviolent criminal or juvenile offenses.

Requires a court considering a petition to seal a nonviolent offense to balance factors including the harm of the protected information to the ability of the petitioner to secure and maintain employment.

Sets forth limitations on involuntary room confinements at juvenile detention facilities.

Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) to remove offenses relating to possession or use of a controlled substance from the categories of drug offenses that result in the convicted individual being ineligible for assistance under: (1) a state program funded with temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) grants under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act; or (2) the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly the food stamp program) or any state program carried out under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

Prohibits the denial of such assistance and benefits if the convicted individual: (1) has completed, is participating in, or agrees to enroll in a substance abuse treatment program; (2) is a custodial parent; (3) is suffering from a serious illness; (4) is pregnant; or (5) is in compliance with the terms of a sentence imposed for the conviction. Includes employment services among the categories of federal benefits that are not to be denied under PRWORA.

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to allow the Department of Justice (DOJ), in awarding public safety and community policing grants, to give preferential consideration to an applicant in a state with laws similar to this Act.

Directs DOJ to establish procedures for the prompt release of accurate records exchanged for employment-related purposes through the Federal Bureau of Investigation's background check system. Requires DOJ to: (1) obtain the consent of an individual to whom a record pertains as a condition to exchanging records with an entity requesting the information for employment, housing, or credit application purposes; and (2) allow individuals to challenge the accuracy and completeness of their records.

Prohibits exchanges of records regarding: (1) an arrest more than two years before a record request if the record does not also include the disposition of that arrest; (2) non-serious offenses, such as drunkenness, vagrancy, loitering, disturbing the peace, or curfew violations; or (3) circumstances that are not clearly arrests or dispositions.

Date: 2015-03-09
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
A Voice for Victims Act of 2015

This bill makes unenforceable any agreement between an employer and an employee to arbitrate a dispute with respect to a tort claim arising out of rape.

This declaration applies to:

 any "employer" engaged in an industry affecting commerce who has 15 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks (excluding the United States, a corporation owned by the U.S. government, or any agency of the District of Columbia subject to competitive service, or a bona fide private membership club [other than a labor organization] which is exempt from federal taxation); and any "employee" except individuals elected to state public office, personal staff of such an officer, or policy-making appointees or immediate advisers to the office.

Date: 2015-03-24
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Labor and employment
National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2015

 Establishes the National Criminal Justice Commission.

Directs the Commission to: (1) undertake a comprehensive review of all areas of the criminal justice system, including federal, state, local, and tribal governments' criminal justice costs, practices, and policies; (2) submit to the President and Congress recommendations for changes in federal oversight, policies, practices, and laws designed to prevent, deter, and reduce crime and violence, reduce recidivism, improve cost-effectiveness, and ensure the interests of justice at every step of the criminal justice system; and (3) disseminate to the federal government and to state, local, and tribal governments a report that details its findings and supplemental guidance regarding the criminal justice system at all levels of government.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Commission should work toward unanimously supported findings and supplemental guidance.

Date: 2015-04-28
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Thin Blue Line Act

 This bill amends the federal criminal code to expand the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty determinations to also include killing or targeting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder.

Date: 2015-09-15
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Hide No Harm Act of 2015

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a business entity or business executive to knowingly conceal information about its business practices or products that pose an imminent risk of death or serious physical injury to consumers and workplace danger.

 Specific requirements are set forth for what a business entity or business executive must do after acquiring knowledge of a serious danger associated with its business practices or products. If such an entity or executive fails to warn affected employees and other individuals of a serious danger, they are subject to a fine and/or prison term of five years.

The bill makes it unlawful to knowingly discriminate or retaliate against an employee (i.e., a whistleblower) who warns other agencies or individuals of a serious danger associated with a product or service.

Date: 2015-10-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Sixth Amendment Preservation Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to limit the detention authority of the United States.

Current law prohibits the indefinite detention of a U.S. citizen by the United States unless it is authorized by an act of Congress. This bill prohibits the indefinite detention of any person by the United States unless it is consistent with the Constitution.

Additionally, it specifies that a general authorization to use military force or similar measure, on its own, does not authorize the indefinite detention of a person who is arrested in the United States.

Finally, the bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to repeal a provision that affirms the authority of the Armed Forces to detain individuals captured in connection with hostilities pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force pending the end of hostilities.

Date: 2015-10-22
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Mens Rea Reform Act of 2015

This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish a default intent (state of mind)standardfor a federal criminal offense, unless the provision of law that defines such offense specifically provides otherwise.

A federal criminal offense conviction under the default standard requires proof beyond a reasonable doubtthat a defendant acted intentionally and willfully with respect to each element of the offense.If a state of mind is not specified for an element of the offense, it must be shown that the defendant acted willfully. A person who acts "willfully" does so with the knowledge that the conduct is unlawful. The bill sets forth certain exceptions where the default standard shall not apply.

Additionally, the bill requires that when a provision of lawidentifies an intentstandard but does not specify which elements of the offense the standard applies to, the identified standard must apply to all elements of the offense.

Date: 2015-11-18
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Restoring Statutory Rights and Interests of the States Act of 2016

This bill amends the Federal Arbitration Act to invalidate arbitration agreements between parties in certain commercial contracts or transactions if they require arbitration of a claim for damages or injunctive relief brought by an individual or small business arising from the alleged violation of a federal or state statute, the U.S. Constitution, or a state constitution, unless the written agreement to arbitrate is entered into by both parties after the claim has arisen and pertains solely to an existing claim.

The grounds upon which a contract with an arbitration agreement is revocable shall include federal or state statutes or court findings that prohibit an agreement to arbitrate if the agreement is unconscionable, invalid because there was no meeting of the minds, or otherwise unenforceable as a matter of contract law or public policy.

A court, rather than an arbitrator, shall determine whether an arbitration agreement is enforceable.

Date: 2016-02-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Law
Interstate Threats Clarification Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the provision that prohibits transmitting in interstate commerce a communication that contains a threat to injure another person (i.e., the federal threat statute).

Specifically, it adds criminal intent as an element for a criminal offense under the federal threat statute. The government must prove that a defendant intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly transmitted a communication that contained a threat.

Additionally, the bill revises the manner of transmission with respect to such communication to include the mail or any facility or means of interstate commerce.

Date: 2016-02-11
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish statutory rights for sexual assault survivors, including the right to: (1) receive a forensic medical examination at no cost, (2) have a sexual assault evidence collection kit (i.e., rape kit) preserved for the maximum applicable statute of limitations, (3) receive written notification prior to destruction or disposal of a rape kit, and (4) be informed of the rights and policies under this section.

Additionally, it makes statutory crime victims' rights applicable to sexual assault survivors.

The bill amends the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 to include information about sexual assault services, programs, and providers in the description of services provided to victims.

The bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to authorize the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Office of Justice Programs to make grants to states to develop sexual assault survivors' rights and policies and to disseminate written notice of such rights and policies to medical centers, hospitals, forensic examiners, sexual assault service providers, law enforcement agencies, and other state entities.

DOJ and the Department of Health and Human Services must establish a joint working group to develop, coordinate, and disseminate best practices regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence.

It expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) DOJ should discourage prosecutions of sexual assault survivors for minor offenses (e.g., underage alcohol consumption), particularly if the evidence of such offense is discovered through a medical forensic examination, and (2) survivors should be informed that they will not be prosecuted for minor offenses discovered through a medical forensic examination.

For purposes of this bill, the term "sexual assault survivor" includes a deceased victim of sexual assault.

Date: 2016-02-23
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Extending Justice for Sex Crime Victims Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise the statute of limitations for a victim of a human trafficking offense or federal sexual offense to file a civil action to recover damages.

Under current law, the statute of limitations is 10 years from the date the cause of action arose. This bill sets a 10-year statute of limitations from the date the victim discovers the offense or injury.

Additionally, it extends the statute of limitations for a minor victim of a federal sex offense to file a civil action to 10 years (currently 3 years) from the date such individual reaches age 18.

Date: 2016-04-28
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Stopping Mass Hacking Act 

This bill rejects an amendment to rule 41 (Search and Seizure) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure adopted by the U.S. Supreme Court and transmitted to Congress for review on April 28, 2016. (The amendment allows a federal magistrate judge to issue a warrant to use remote access to search computers and seize electronically stored information located inside or outside that judge's district in specific circumstances.)

Date: 2016-05-19
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act

This bill prohibits a sanctuary jurisdiction from receiving grants under certain Economic Development Assistance Programs and the Community Development Block Grant Program. A sanctuary jurisdiction is a state or political subdivision that has a statute, policy, or practice in effect that prohibits or restricts: (1) information sharing about an individual's immigration status, or (2) compliance with a lawfully issued detainer request or notification of release request.

A state or political subdivision that complies with a detainer is deemed to be an agent of the Department of Homeland Security and is authorized to take actions to comply with the detainer.

The bill limits the liability of a state or political subdivision, or an officer or employee of such state or political subdivision, for actions in compliance with the detainer.

Date: 2016-06-27
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Immigration
Stalling Mass Damaging Hacking Act of 2016 

This bill delays the effective date of an amendment to rule 41 (Search and Seizure) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure adopted by the U.S. Supreme Court and transmitted to Congress for review on April 28, 2016. (The amendment allows a federal magistrate judge to issue a warrant to use remote access to search computers and seize electronically stored information located inside or outside that judge's district in specific circumstances.)

Date: 2016-11-30
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
This bill amends the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 to extend the waiver of limitations on credits or refunds related to the exclusion from gross income of certain civil damages, restitution, or other monetary awards received by wrongfully incarcerated individuals.

Date: 2016-12-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Criminal & Civil Code)
Subject: Taxation
Right to Know About Airport Pollution Act of 2005 [sic] - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study, and report to Congress on: (1) the feasibility of regulating air, noise, water, and solid waste pollution from all sources in and around airports using airport bubbles; and (2) the feasibility and desirability of strengthening EPA air pollutant emissions standards for airplane engines. Defines an "airport bubble" as an area: (1) in and around an airport (or other facility using aircraft) within which sources of pollution and levels of pollution from those sources are to be identified and reduced; and (2) containing a variety of types of air, noise, water, and solid waste sources of pollution in which the aggregate of each type of pollutant from the respective sources is regulated as if the various sources were a single source. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring each airport that regularly serves commercial or military jet aircraft to report, under toxic chemical release reporting provisions of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 and source reduction and recycling data collection provisions of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, releases and other waste management activities associated with the manufacturing, processing, or other use of toxic chemicals listed under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Environment (Other)
Subject: Environmental protection
Protect America's Wildlife Act of 2007 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to add to airborne hunting offenses a prohibition against any person shooting or attempting to shoot any bird, fish, or other animal before 3:00 a.m. following a day on which the person has traveled by aircraft other than on a regularly scheduled commercial aircraft. Increases the fine for such offenses to not more than $50,000 (currently, $5,000).Prohibits a state from authorizing or undertaking any action otherwise prohibited under such Act for the purpose of increasing any game population or sport hunting. Authorizes a state to shoot predators from an aircraft to prevent a biological emergency, if: (1) the head of the state's fish and wildlife agency determines that such an emergency is imminent and there is no other means available to eliminate the emergency; (2) the shooting is conducted by an officer or employee of such agency or of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); (3) the shooting occurs only in the area where the emergency exists; and (4) the shooting removes only the minimum number of predators necessary to eliminate the emergency.Allows the Secretary of the Interior to authorize an otherwise prohibited action to prevent the extinction of any endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 if there is no other means available to address the threat of extinction.Authorizes citizen suits under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956.

Date: 2007-09-25
Topic: Environment (Other)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act - Reestablishes in the Department of Commerce the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), headed by an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, who shall serve as the Administrator of NOAA. Maintains within NOAA: (1) the National Weather Service; (2) programs to support efforts, on a continuing basis, to collect data and provide information and products regarding satellites, observations, and coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes information; and (3) programs to conduct and support research and education and the development of technologies relating to weather, climate, and the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes. Establishes a Science Advisory Board within NOAA. Terminates the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (the executive order that established NOAA). Requires the Administrator to develop and submit to Congress a NOAA reorganization plan. Prohibits the Administrator from closing, consolidating, relocating, subdividing, or establishing a facility of NOAA unless there has been specified prior public and congressional notification, and an assessment, of any proposed changes. Prohibits, except as provided, a NOAA activity or function that is converted to contractor performance under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 from being performed by the contractor or any subcontractor at a location outside of the United States.

Date: 2009-01-08
Topic: Environment (Other)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to delay the implementation of the final rules entitled "Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program; Lead Hazard Information Pamphlet; Notice of Availability; Final Rule" (published on April 22, 2008) and "Lead; Amendment to the Opt-out and Recordkeeping Provisions in the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program" (signed by the Administrator on April 22, 2010) in each state until accredited certified renovator classes to train contractors in practices necessary for compliance with such rules have been held in such state for at least a year. Requires the Administrator to: (1) monitor each state to determine when such classes are offered; and (2) notify each Member of Congress about the location and time of each such class held in their state and the date on which the classes have been held for one year.

Date: 2010-05-04
Topic: Environment (Other)
Subject: Environmental protection
Regulatory Openness, Accountability, and Disclosure to Jobs Act of 2011 or the ROAD to Jobs Act of 2011 - Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to require the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), no later than December 31 of each year, to report on: (1) the number of federal permits applied for but not issued during that year because an environmental impact statement (EIS) was not issued; and (2) descriptions of the federal permits for which EISs were issued that were rejected or otherwise disapproved in that year. Requires such report to include a description of the economic impact of not issuing each permit. Defines "permit" to mean any license, certificate, approval, registration, charter, membership, exemption, or other form of permission required by federal law for the conduct of activity.

Date: 2011-03-11
Topic: Environment (Other)
Subject: Environmental protection
Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a long-term national-scale mercury monitoring program that monitors long-term changes in: (1) mercury levels in air and watersheds, and (2) mercury and methylmercury levels in water and soil and in aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Requires the Administrator to: (1) select multiple monitoring sites representing different U.S. ecoregions that include national parks, wildlife refuges, national estuarine reserves, and other sensitive ecological areas in which substantive changes are expected from reductions in domestic mercury emissions; (2) establish and publish standardized measurement protocols for the program; and (3) establish a centralized database for environmental mercury data. Establishes a Mercury Monitoring Advisory Committee to advise the Administrator on the establishment, site selection, measurement, recording protocols, data integration, standardization protocols, reporting, funding, and operation of the program. Requires the Administrator to report on the program every two years and include, every four years, an assessment of the reduction in mercury deposition rates that must be achieved in order to prevent adverse human and ecological effects.

Date: 2011-11-04
Topic: Environment (Other)
Subject: Environmental protection
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from conducting aerial surveillance in exercising any authority for one year after enactment of this Act.

Date: 2012-08-01
Topic: Environment (Other)
Subject: Environmental protection
Colonias Improvement Act of 2014 - Directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue, in consultation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), a rule defining colonia (a type of settlement along the border of the United States and Mexico) that:

 is the same for any program of the EPA, HUD, or USDA that specifically includes assistance for colonias (covered program); is limited to a community that is located within 75 miles of the border or that has applied for or received funding under a covered program before this Act's enactment; reflects and preserves the historic, geographic, and cultural character of the communities served by the covered program; and may be used to determine whether an applicant qualifies for assistance under a program. Directs the EPA, HUD, and USDA to establish and update an online clearinghouse with information relating to covered programs and links to information specific to each state.

Requires EPA to establish a working group that includes HUD and USDA to review covered programs, record information relating to each award made under a covered program, hold public hearings, and make recommendations to Congress for improving the programs.

Date: 2014-06-26
Topic: Environment (Other)
Subject: Environmental protection
Quiet Communities Act of 2016

This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and Control; and (2) arrange for independent scientists who have expertise in noise measurements, noise effects, and noise abatement techniques to carry out a study of airport noise.

The Quiet Communities Program must include: (1) establishing and implementing training programs on the use of noise abatement equipment, and (2) implementing noise abatement plans.

Date: 2016-07-13
Topic: Environment (Other)
Subject: Environmental protection
Prohibits the use of federal funds for the design, renovation, construction, or rental of any U.N. headquarters in the United States unless the President transmits to Congress a certification that the United Nations has adopted internationally-recognized best practices in contracting and procurement.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: International Affairs (Organizations)
Subject: International affairs
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United Nations Human Rights Council should: (1) be a body that upholds the ideals enumerated in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights; (2) allow full participation by Israel in Council operations; and (3) be made up of countries that hold regular democratic elections, permit freedom of expression, and have a credible civil society. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should not support the Council, and should withhold financial support for the Council until meaningful human rights reforms are carried out. Directs the Secretary of State to withhold from a U.S. contribution to a regularly assessed biennial U.N. budget an amount equal to the percentage of such contribution that the Secretary determines would be allocated by the United Nations to the Council.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: International Affairs (Organizations)
Subject: International affairs
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United Nations should: (1) ensure that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) enforces its rules regarding financing, staffing, accounting, and auditing of its activities in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea); (2) authorize an external investigation of all UNDP activities in North Korea; and (3) ensure that any UNDP local staff in North Korea who committed crimes are prosecuted or who violated regulations are sanctioned. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should use U.S. influence to ensure that UNDP: (1) ceases activities in North Korea that are in violation of UNDP regulations; (2) conducts a full audit of UNDP activities in North Korea since 1998; and (3) establishes regulations to ensure that no funds allocated to UNDP activities in North Korea are provided to the government of North Korea. Directs the Secretary of State to withhold U.S. contributions to the general funds of UNDP until the Secretary certifies to Congress that UNDP meets such provisions.

Date: 2007-02-08
Topic: International Affairs (Organizations)
Subject: International affairs
American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2007 - Repeals the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 and other specified related laws. Directs the President to terminate U.S. participation in the United Nations, including any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other affiliated body. Requires closure of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Prohibits: (1) the authorization of funds for the U.S. assessed or voluntary contribution to the United Nations; (2) the authorization of funds for any U.S. contribution to any U.N. military operation; and (3) the expenditure of funds to support the participation of U.S. Armed Forces as part of any U.N. military or peacekeeping operation. Bars U.S. Armed Forces from serving under U.N. command.

Date: 2007-02-16
Topic: International Affairs (Organizations)
Subject: International affairs
United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act of 2007 - Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to: (1) shifting the funding mechanism for the regular budget of the United Nations from an assessed to a voluntary basis; (2) reform of U.N. peacekeeping operations; and (3) Security Council expansion. Withholds nonvoluntary U.S. contributions to the regular budget of the United Nations: (1) unless the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that 80% of the the total regular budget of the United Nations is apportioned on a voluntary basis; and (2) to a U.N. human rights treaty monitoring body or committee that was established by a convention or a covenant to which the United States is not party. Establishes the Office of the United States Inspector General for Contributions to the United Nations System. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of a U.S. contribution to any U.N. entity unless the entity has provided the Inspector General with a transparency certification and is in compliance with such certification. Directs the Secretary to audit and report to the appropriate congressional committees respecting duplicative entities and efforts related to Israeli-Palestinian issues. Withholds funds for such entities until any report recommendations are implemented. Directs the President to use U.S. influence at the United Nations with respect to: (1) publication of all U.N. subsidiary bodies and their functions, budgets, staff, and contributions; (2) employee, agency, and funding financial disclosure; (3) waiver of immunity; (4) adoption of a definition of terrorism and a comprehensive convention on terrorism; (5) anti-Semitism at the United Nations; and (6) Israel's inclusion in the Western European and Others Group. Directs the President to use U.S. influence at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to: (1) establish an Office of Compliance in the Secretariat of the IAEA; and (2) prohibit Iran's access to nuclear material, technology, equipment, or assistance until the IAEA determines that Iran is providing full access to IAEA inspectors and has permanently ceased and dismantled all nuclear-enrichment and reprocessing activities. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding U.N. reforms and personnel. Limits annual U.S. contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Withholds U.S. contributions to the United Nations Human Rights Council until the Secretary certifies to Congress that the Council does not include a member state: (1) subject to Security Council sanctions; (2) under a Security Council-mandated investigation for human rights abuses; (3) subject, within the prior five years, to a country-specific resolution passed by the former U.N. Human Rights Commission; (4) which the Secretary has determined is a government that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism; or (5) which the President has designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom.

Date: 2007-06-14
Topic: International Affairs (Organizations)
Subject: International affairs
Amends the American Servicemembers' Protection Act of 2002 to repeal the prohibition on military assistance to a country that is a party to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005 and the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006 to repeal limitations on Economic Support Fund assistance to a country that is a party to the ICC and has not entered into an agreement with the United States preventing ICC proceedings against U.S. personnel present in such country, including limitations on FY2007 funds that are unobligated and unexpended as of the date of enactment of this Act.

Date: 2007-06-21
Topic: International Affairs (Organizations)
Subject: International affairs
United Nations Economic and Social Council Accountability Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to withhold from the U.S. contribution to the regularly assessed biennial budget of the United Nations an amount equal to the percentage of such contribution that would be allocated to support the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) until the Secretary certifies to Congress that the United Nations and ECOSOC have withdrawn consultative status for all terrorist-affiliated organizations.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: International Affairs (Organizations)
Subject: International affairs
Defend the Olympic Spirit Act of 2008 - Prohibits the expenditure of appropriated funds to enable any U.S. officer or official to attend the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games in the People's Republic of China. Permits expenditures to provide security during the Games to any U.S. athlete or associated support staff.

Date: 2008-04-03
Topic: International Affairs (Organizations)
Subject: International affairs
United Nations Durban Review Conference (Durban II) Funding Prohibition Act of 2008 - States that: (1) no funds may be made available to support the 2009 United Nations Durban Review Conference (Durban II Conference) or any other activity relating to the planning, preparation, or implementation of a follow-up meeting to the 2001 United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban I Conference); and (2) the United States shall withhold from its assessed contributions to the U.N. regular budget the proportional amount allocated for the Durban II Conference and any other activity relating to the planning, preparation, or implementation of a follow-up meeting to the Durban I Conference.

Date: 2008-04-17
Topic: International Affairs (Organizations)
Subject: International affairs