zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Prevention Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish requirements and authorities for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) related to: (1) preventing identify theft and tax refund fraud, and (2) the electronic filing of tax returns.

With respect to identity theft and tax refund fraud, the IRS must:

 develop and implement guidelines for stolen identity refund fraud cases, provide specified notifications and materials to suspected victims of identity theft, examine certain statements and returns for evidence of employment-related identity theft, and establish procedures to ensure that taxpayers are not penalized for the underreporting of income due to identity theft. The bill also increases civil and criminal penalties associated with identify theft, permits the IRS to transfer funds between accounts to combat tax fraud, and reinstates streamlined critical pay authority for certain IRS information technology positions.

The bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to: (1) require the Social Security Administration to annually request certain information from the IRS to ensure the accuracy of records regarding wages and self-employment income, and (2) permit the IRS to access the Department of Health and Human Service's National Directory of New Hires for the purpose of identifying and preventing fraudulent tax return filings and claims for refunds.

The IRS and the Government Accountability Office must submit to Congress specified reports regarding identify theft and tax refund fraud.

With respect to the electronic filing of returns, the IRS must:

 establish a program to issue identity protection personal identification numbers to any individual after the individual's identity has been verified, establish an Internet platform for Form 1099 filings, require electronically prepared paper returns to include a scannable code for converting the form to an electronic format, and verify the identity of individuals opening an e-Services account. The bill also expands the authority of the IRS to require certain taxpayers to file electronic returns.

Date: 2016-07-12
Topic: Government Operations (Tax Administration)
Subject: Taxation
Closing Loopholes Against Money-Laundering Practices Act or the CLAMP Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require U.S. entities to obtain and have an employer identification number (EIN) assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The bill defines a "U.S. entity" as any business entity created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of a U.S. state, possession, or territory. The term excludes tax-exempt organizations.

The bill establishes: (1) civil penalties for the failure to have an EIN or provide required information, and (2) a criminal penalty for the willful failure to obtain an EIN.

The IRS may disclose to federal law enforcement officials taxpayer identify information, including an EIN and information from an application for an EIN, for use in investigations and prosecutions of specified offenses related to money laundering and supporting or financing terrorism.

Prior to disclosing the information, the IRS must determine that the disclosure would not seriously impair federal tax administration and consider whether the information requested: (1) is being sought exclusively for use in a federal criminal investigation or proceeding pertaining to the specified offense, (2) is or may be relevant to a matter relating to the offense, and (3) cannot be reasonably obtained from any other source.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Government Operations (Tax Administration)
Subject: Taxation
Electronic Signature Standards Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Internal Revenue Service to publish guidance to establish uniform standards and procedures for the acceptance of signatures in digital or other electronic form for the purposes of: (1) disclosures of tax returns and return information to a designee of the taxpayer, and (2) any power of attorney executed by the taxpayer.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Government Operations (Tax Administration)
Subject: Taxation
Arts Education Advancement Act of 2007 - Amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to require, when appropriations for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) exceed a certain level, that all of the excess funds be used for the arts education program. (Current law requires the use of only half such excess NEA funds for arts education, and allows the NEA to use a greater amount for other purposes before such set-aside for arts education is triggered.) Requires half the funds for the arts education program in any fiscal year to be used in formal systems of elementary and secondary education.

Date: 2007-01-24
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Arts, culture, religion
Artist-Museum Partnership Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers who create literary, musical, artistic, or scholarly compositions or similar property a fair market value (determined at the time of contribution) tax deduction for contributions of such properties, the copyrights thereon, or both, to certain tax-exempt organizations, if such properties are properly appraised and are donated no sooner than 18 months after their creation. Limits the amount of such deduction based upon the donor's artistic adjusted gross income, as defined by this Act.

Date: 2007-03-14
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Taxation
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to one or more nonprofit educational organizations established to research, display, interpret, and collect artifacts relating to the history of the Underground Railroad. Requires each grant agreement to require the organization to: (1) establish a facility to house, display, and interpret the artifacts related to the history of the Underground Railroad; (2) demonstrate substantial private support for the facility through the implementation of a public-private partnership between a state or local public entity and a private entity providing certain matching funds; (3) create an endowment to fund shortfalls in the costs of ongoing facility operations; (4) establish a network of satellite centers throughout the United States to help disseminate information regarding the Underground Railroad; and (5) establish the capability to link the facility electronically with other local and regional facilities with interpretive Underground Railroad collections and programs.

Date: 2007-06-12
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Social sciences and history
Biofuels Pipeline Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the definition of qualifying income for publicly traded partnerships to include income and gains from the transportation, storage, or marketing of any fuel which meets certain registration requirements for fuels and fuel additives established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act.

Date: 2008-07-21
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Taxation
Honoring Female Congressional Pioneers Act of 2009 - Directs the Postal Service to provide for the issuance and sale of a semipostal in order to afford the public a convenient means to contribute towards the acquisition (for public display) of works of art honoring Jeanette Rankin, Mary Teresa Norton, Patsy Mink, Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, and other female pioneers in government service.

Date: 2009-02-23
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Artist-Museum Partnership Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers who create literary, musical, artistic, or scholarly compositions or similar property a fair market value (determined at the time of contribution) tax deduction for contributions of such properties, the copyrights thereon, or both, to certain tax-exempt organizations, if such properties are properly appraised and are donated no sooner than 18 months after their creation. Limits the amount of such deduction based upon the donor's artistic adjusted gross income, as defined by this Act.

Date: 2009-02-10
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Taxation
Improving the Teaching and Learning of American History and Civics Act of 2009 - Creates a new part E (American History and Civics Education) under title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), under which are placed the existing Teaching of Traditional American History, Civic Education (containing the We the People and Cooperative Civic Education and Economic Education Exchange programs), and Close Up Fellowship programs. Establishes, under part E of title II of the ESEA, programs requiring the Secretary to award competitive matching grants to IHEs, museums, libraries, research centers, or certain other educational institutions to establish Presidential Academies for Teaching of American History and Civics and Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics which offer seminars or institutes for teachers and outstanding students of such subjects, respectively. Creates, under part E, a program authorizing the Secretary to provide grants or contracts to National History Day, Inc. for specified activities promoting and improving the study of history. Repeals the American History and Civics Education Act of 2004, which contained a version of the Presidential Academies, Congressional Academies, and National History Day programs. Reauthorizes part E programs through FY2015. Amends the ESEA to require states to: (1) establish challenging academic content and student achievement standards in U.S. history, beginning in the 2011-2012 school year; and (2) measure the achievement of students against such standards at least one time during grades 3 through 5, grades 6 through 9, and grades 10 through 12, beginning in the 2012-2013 school year. Improving the Teaching and Learning of American History and Civics Act of 2009 - Amends the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act to direct the Commissioner for Education Statistics to: (1) give priority to conducting national assessments of student achievement in history at least once every four years in grades 4, 8, and 12; and (2) conduct trial state academic assessments of student achievement in U.S. history and civics in grades 8 and 12.

Date: 2009-03-19
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Education
International Documentary Exchange Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to make grants to U.S. nongovernmental organizations that use independently produced documentary films to promote a better understanding of the United States among individuals in other countries and a better understanding of global perspectives and other countries among individuals in the United States.

Date: 2010-03-18
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: International affairs
National Jazz Preservation and Education Act of 2011 - Establishes a National Jazz Preservation Program, to be carried out by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution through the National Museum of American History and in collaboration with other Smithsonian museums, to preserve knowledge and promote education about jazz. Requires the Secretary to: (1) record audio and video interviews with leading jazz artists; (2) acquire, preserve, and interpret jazz artifacts; (3) continue to recognize Jazz Appreciation Month; and (4) establish collaborative agreements with specified entities for the sharing of such artifacts. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow certain funds to be made available under the Act for programs to promote jazz education, which may include: (1) a Jazz Artists in the Schools program; (2) a program for the development of lesson plans and other educational materials about jazz, the distribution of such materials, and teacher training on jazz education; and (3) an Ambassadors of Jazz program.

Date: 2011-08-19
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Arts, culture, religion
National Program for Arts and Technology Act of 2011- Directs the Secretary of Education to establish and implement a national program for arts and technology that addresses the complex needs of the poor and undereducated by awarding competitive grants to qualifying centers (private, nonprofit educational entities) and interested communities to provide: (1) financial support to establish new qualifying centers; and (2) management expertise to guide such centers and communities. Prohibits federal funds received under this Act from being used for capital expenditures or endowment gifts. Requires a qualifying center or an interested community to match federal contributions.

Date: 2011-09-22
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Labor and employment
John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2012 - Allows the Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (the Board) to undertake such activities as may be necessary for the construction of a specified addition to the south end of the building of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (the expansion project). Authorizes the Board to construct the expansion project and makes the Board responsible for the planning, design, engineering, and construction of the project. Requires the costs of those activities to be paid for using nonappropriated funds. Declares that, all activities carried out under this Act shall be within the mission of the John. F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (the Kennedy Center) to serve as the national center for such arts. Instructs the Board: (1) before awarding a contract for the construction of the expansion project, to estimate any additional annual operations and maintenance costs (or savings) associated with the project; and (2) to account for any such additional costs in making a budget request for FY2014 and each fiscal year thereafter. Requires a final determination to proceed with such project to be based on the ability of the Board to accommodate any such identified additional costs within its other budget priorities. Permits the Board to acknowledge private contributions used to carry out the interior portion of the expansion project, but prohibits the acknowledgement of private contributions used on the exterior portion. Requires any acknowledgements of private contributions under this Act to be consistent with requirements under the John. F. Kennedy Center Act regarding the designation or installation of additional memorials or plaques in the nature of memorials in public areas of the Kennedy Center. Authorizes appropriations for FY2013-FY2014 to the Board for: (1) maintenance, repair, and security; and (2) capital projects.

Date: 2012-02-28
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Arts, culture, religion
National Program for Arts and Technology Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish and implement a national program for arts and technology that addresses the complex needs of the poor and undereducated by awarding competitive grants to qualified centers (private, nonprofit educational entities) and interested communities to provide: (1) financial support to establish new qualified centers, and (2) management expertise to guide such centers and communities. Prohibits federal funds received under this Act from being used for capital expenditures or endowment gifts. Requires a qualified center or an interested community to match federal contributions.

Date: 2012-03-29
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Labor and employment
Artist-Museum Partnership Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers who create literary, musical, artistic, scholarly compositions, or similar property a fair market value (determined at the time of contribution) tax deduction for contributions of such properties, the copyrights thereon, or both, to certain tax-exempt organizations, if such properties are properly appraised and are donated no less than 18 months after their creation. The bill limits the amount of the deduction based upon the donor's artistic adjusted gross income, as defined by this bill.

Date: 2016-04-14
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Taxation
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

John F. Kennedy Centennial Commission Act

(Sec. 2) This bill establishes the John F. Kennedy Centennial Commission, which shall:

 plan, develop, and carry out activities to honor John F. Kennedy on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth; and provide advice and assistance to federal, state, and local governmental agencies and civic groups to carry out activities to honor Kennedy on such occasion. (Sec. 7) The commission shall submit to the President and Congress annual reports on its revenue and expenditures, such interim reports as appropriate, and a final report by August 31, 2017.

(Sec. 8) The commission shall terminate by September 30, 2017.

(Sec. 9) The Inspector General of the Department of the Interior may perform an audit of the commission.

Date: 2016-07-11
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Government operations and politics
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the expensing allowance for qualified film, television, and live theatrical productions.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the expensing allowance for qualified film, television, and live theatrical productions.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Taxation
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the John F. Kennedy Center Act to reauthorize appropriations for FY2017-FY2020 for maintenance, repair, and security, and capital projects for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Date: 2016-04-18
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Arts, culture, religion
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016

(Sec. 4) This bill establishes the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to plan, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of U.S. history leading up to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

(Sec. 5) The Commission shall: (1) prepare an overall program for the commemoration; (2) plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate observances and activities commemorating the historic events associated with the Semiquincentennial; (3) emphasize the planning of events in locations of historical significance to the United States; (4) give special emphasis to the role of persons and locations with significant impact on U.S. history beginning on the date of execution of the Declaration of Independence and to the ideas associated with that history; and (5) submit to the President a comprehensive report that includes its specific recommendations for such commemoration.

(Sec. 6) The Department of the Interior shall study and report to the Commission on appropriate actions that might be taken to further preserve and develop historic sites and battlefields to ensure that fitting observances and exhibits may be held at such sites during the celebration.

 The Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Archives shall cooperate with the Commission. The Secretary of State shall coordinate the participation of foreign nations in the celebration.

(Sec. 9) All expenditures of the Commission shall be made solely from donated funds and from funds specifically appropriated for the Commission.

The Commission shall seek to enter into an arrangement with USA 250, Incorporated, to house the administrative offices of the Commission, assume responsibility for Commission funds, and provide financial and administrative services.

The Commission shall submit a report annually on its activities, including an accounting of funds received and expended.

(Sec. 10) The Commission shall terminate on December 31, 2027.

Date: 2016-04-19
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 13, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 to reauthorize through FY2026 the national sound recording preservation program of the Library of Congress and the National Recording Preservation Foundation in an amount not to exceed the lesser of $1 million or (as under current law) the amount of private contributions whether in currency, services, or property made to the Foundation by private persons and state and local governments.

The number of members of the Board of Directors of the National Recording Preservation Foundation shall be increased from 9 to 12, at least 8 of whom (currently, at least 6) must be knowledgeable or experienced in sound recording production, distribution, preservation, or restoration.

(Sec. 3) The bill amends the National Film Preservation Act of 1996 to reauthorize through FY2026 the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress and the National Film Preservation Foundation.

Date: 2016-04-28
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Arts, culture, religion
Plymouth 400th Commemoration Commission Act of 2016

This bill establishes the Plymouth 400th Commemoration Commission to:

 assist in the planning, development, and implementation of programs and activities to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Mayflower and the founding of Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts; facilitate such activities throughout the United States; encourage civic, military, historical, educational, religious, economic, and other organizations to organize and participate in commemoration activities to expand the understanding and appreciation of the significance of the founding and early history of Plymouth Colony; coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly research and publications regarding, and interpretation of, the cultures present in 17th Century Plymouth Colony, including the English colonists and the indigenous Wampanoag tribes; and ensure that the 400th anniversary of Plymouth provides a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit by assisting in the development of appropriate programs and facilities. The commission shall: (1) prepare a strategic plan and an annual performance plan; and (2) submit a final report by December 31, 2021, that includes a summary of its activities, a final accounting of its funds, and its findings or recommendations.

The commission shall terminate on December 31, 2021.

Date: 2016-06-28
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Social sciences and history
John F. Kennedy Centennial Commission Act

This bill establishes the John F. Kennedy Centennial Commission, which shall:

 plan, develop, and carry out activities to honor John F. Kennedy on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth; and provide advice and assistance to federal, state, and local governmental agencies and civic groups to carry out activities to honor Kennedy on such occasion. The commission shall submit to the President and Congress annual reports on its revenue and expenditures, such interim reports as appropriate, and a final report by August 31, 2017.

The commission shall terminate by September 30, 2017.

The Inspector General of the Department of the Interior may perform an audit of the commission.

Date: 2016-07-07
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act

This bill establishes a museum to be known as the Smithsonian American Latino Museum in the Smithsonian Institution.

The Arts and Industries Building of the Smithsonian Institution, which is located on the National Mall in Washington, DC, including a new underground annex facility, is designated as the location of the museum.

The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution may plan and construct the museum and may prepare a plan of action for the museum.

The Secretary of the Interior and the Board of Regents shall enter into an agreement that allows for the construction of the underground annex facility by the Board in a manner that is harmonious with, and protects the open space and visual sight lines of, the National Mall.

Date: 2016-09-13
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Arts, culture, religion
National Historic Vehicle Register Act of 2016

 This bill directs the National Park Service (NPS) to establish and maintain a National Historic Vehicle Register which shall include: (1) a narrative describing each historic vehicle and its historical significance, (2) a photographic record of the vehicle, and (3) a line drawing or engineering drawing of the vehicle. Such register shall be archived in the Library of Congress.

 The NPS shall: (1) coordinate with the Historic Vehicle Association, American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, and other appropriate organizations in order to invite owners of historic vehicles to participate in the register; and (2) develop criteria for the inclusion of historic vehicles on the register.

 When developing such criteria, the NPS shall consider whether a vehicle is: (1) associated with an important event or a significant individual in automotive or U.S. history; (2) distinctive based on design, engineering, craftsmanship, or aesthetic value; or (3) of a particular type that was the first or last produced or among the most well-preserved or authentically restored examples of that type.

Date: 2016-09-22
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Arts, culture, religion
Museum and Library Services Act of 2016

This bill makes amendments to and reauthorizes the Museum and Library Services Act.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the 21st Century Museum Professional Program established by this bill, may enter into arrangements, including grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other forms of assistance, with museum, museum consortia and associations, institutions of higher education, and other entities that are determined appropriate, for projects that further the bill's purposes, such as projects that:

 increase the number of students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds enrolled in graduate and undergraduate museum-related programs, as well as other relevant programs offered through other education-focused entities; recruit future museum professionals from such backgrounds; develop new or enhance current professional development and retention programs for museum professionals and the museum workforce; and support and conduct research, needs assessments, pilot programs, and evaluation of education and professional development programs to explore approaches that can successfully recruit, prepare, educate, and retain the next generation of museum professionals.

Date: 2016-09-22
Topic: Culture (General)
Subject: Arts, culture, religion
National Nuclear Security Administration Accountability Act - Amends the National Nuclear Security Administration Act (NNSA) to subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Energy each officer or employee of the NNSA, or of a contractor of the NNSA, who carries out activities related to safeguards and security (including cyber security), emergency management, integrated safety management, or environment, safety, and health operations. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act with respect to delegation only to the Deputy Secretary of Energy, without redelegation, of the Secretary's authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security. Excepts NNSA activities enumerated in this Act from the exclusive scope of such delegation. (Thus allows the Secretary to delegate oversight of such activities elsewhere within the Department of Energy.)

Date: 2007-01-29
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
International Nuclear Fuel for Peace and Nonproliferation Act of 2007 - Title I: International Regime for the Assured Supply of Nuclear Fuel for Peaceful Means - (Sec. 103) States that it is U.S. policy to: (1) support the establishment of an international regime for the assured supply of nuclear fuel for peaceful means under multilateral authority, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); (2) oppose the development of a capability to produce nuclear weapons by any non-nuclear weapon state; (3) encourage Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) states to interpret the right to "develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes" as a qualified right conditioned by the overall purpose of the NPT to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons capability; and (4) strengthen the Nuclear Suppliers Group guidelines concerning consultation by members regarding violations of supplier and recipient understandings by instituting the practice of a timely and coordinated response to such violations, including termination of nuclear transfers to an involved recipient. (Sec. 104) Directs the President to report to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on U.S. activities to support the establishment of an international regime for the assured supply of nuclear fuel for peaceful means at current market prices under multilateral authority, including an assessment of the feasibility of establishing an international fuel services center within the United States. Title II: International Fuel Bank - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the President to make voluntary grant basis contributions to the IAEA for an international nuclear fuel bank to maintain a low-enriched uranium reserve of reactor fuel for eligible countries. Requires the President, prior to making such contributions, to certify to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that: (1) the IAEA has received specified monetary pledges for the international nuclear fuel bank; (2) the bank will be established in a nonnuclear weapon state under IAEA oversight; (3) the bank will provide nuclear reactor fuel only to a country that is in full compliance with IAEA and other safeguards, agrees to use the nuclear reactor fuel in accordance with IAEA safeguards, does not operate uranium enrichment or spent-fuel reprocessing facilities, and is not a state sponsor of terrorism (which may be waived by the President for national security reasons); (4) the bank will not contain uranium enrichment or spent-fuel reprocessing facilities; and (5) the nuclear reactor fuel will be provided at current market prices. Authorizes FY2008 appropriations, which shall remain available until September 30, 2010.

Date: 2007-02-07
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: International affairs
Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to report to Congress regarding: (1) a focused, in-depth Independent Safety Assessment of the design, construction, maintenance, and operational safety performance of certain systems at the Indian Point Energy Center, Units 2 and 3, Westchester County, New York; and (2) a comprehensive evaluation of the radiological emergency plan for the Center, conducted by the NRC and the Department of Homeland Security. Requires that such Independent Safety Assessment be: (1) conducted by an Independent Safety Assessment Team; (2) monitored by an Independent Safety Assessment Observation Group and by an Independent Safety Assessment Citizens' Review Team; and (3) equal in scope, depth, and breadth to the Independent Safety Assessment of the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, located near Bath, Maine, conducted by the NRC in 1996. Prescribes conditions for a final NRC decision to renew the operating licenses for Units 2 and 3 at the Center.

Date: 2007-02-12
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Nuclear Power Licensing Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require, for a commercial license for an atomic power production or utilization facility, that: (1) the facility does not pose an unreasonable threat to persons or the environment because of safety or security vulnerabilities (including vulnerability to terrorist attacks); and (2) there exist adequate evacuation plans for emergency events which have been approved by the relevant federal agencies and states within 50 miles of the facility.Conditions renewal of any such license on the same criteria and requirements applicable for an original application for initial construction.Instructs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure that any changes in the size or distribution of the surrounding population have not resulted in the facility's being located at a site at which a new facility would not be allowed to be built.

Date: 2007-05-03
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to make loan guarantees for 100% of the cost of construction of new domestic nuclear power production facilities.

Date: 2007-06-21
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to retain amounts collected for safety-related fines, and distribute them to counties for maintaining radiological emergency preparedness plans required in connection with the nuclear facility with respect to which the fines were collected.

Date: 2007-07-30
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Renewing Our Commitment to Safe and Clean Power Act - Requires fees collected and deposited by the Secretary of Energy into the Nuclear Waste Fund to be credited to such Fund as discretionary offsetting collections each year in amounts not to exceed the amounts appropriated from the Nuclear Waste Fund for that year.Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 governing uses of such Fund to authorize costs incurred by the Secretary in connection with infrastructure activities to support construction or operation of a repository at the Yucca Mountain site or transportation to such site of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Instructs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), when it decides whether to permit construction or operation of a nuclear reactor, to deem without further consideration that sufficient capacity will be available in a timely manner to dispose of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste resulting from the operation of the reactor and related facilities.

Date: 2007-08-03
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to: (1) develop an independent safety assessment procedure for nuclear facilities; and (2) create a team to inspect the design, construction, maintenance, and operational safety performance of a facility. Declares that a final NRC decision on whether to extend an operating license, approve an extended power uprate, or continue to operate a facility shall not be made until: (1) the NRC has completed the independent safety assessment of the facility; and (2) the licensee has fully accepted and implemented each NRC-approved finding and recommendation of the assessment report

Date: 2007-09-06
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Federal Accountability for Nuclear Waste Storage Act of 2007 - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to require commercial nuclear power plant operators to transfer, within six years after enactment of this Act, spent nuclear fuel from spent nuclear fuel pools into spent nuclear fuel dry casks at an independent spent fuel storage facility generally licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and located at the power reactor site.Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) make grants to compensate a contractor for expenses incurred in carrying out such transfer; and (2) accept conveyance of title to a spent nuclear fuel dry cask (including its contents) from the contractor following certification of compliance by the NRC. States that conveyance of title confers upon the Secretary full responsibility for the possession, stewardship, maintenance, monitoring, and ultimate disposition of all transferred spent nuclear fuel. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with the holder of an NRC operating license for power reactors located on or adjacent to the spent nuclear fuel dry cask for the performance of such tasks.

Date: 2007-11-01
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Directs the Secretary of Energy to contract with the operator of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Facility for the transfer from the Department of Energy's enrichment facility at Piketon, Ohio, to the Paducah facility of cylinders of uranium tailings with an assay of such value as the Secretary finds economically suitable for re-enrichment. Requires such contract to provide for re-enrichment at the Paducah facility of the materials in the cylinders and in similar cylinders of comparable value. Requires the Secretary to sell or contract for the sale of the product of such re-enrichment, whose net proceeds shall be deposited into the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund (UEDD Fund) and disbursed by appropriation for environmental remediation at the Paducah, Kentucky, and Portsmouth, Ohio, uranium enrichment facilities. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to reauthorize the UEDD Fund for an additional three years.

Date: 2007-11-14
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Amends Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prohibit the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) from issuing a license authorizing the importation into the United States of: (1) low-level radioactive waste; or (2) specific radioactive waste streams exempted from regulation under the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act. Exempts from such prohibition low-level radioactive waste: (1) that is being returned to a U.S. government or military facility authorized to possess it; or (2) resulting from the use in a foreign country of nuclear material obtained by the foreign user from an entity in the United States that is being returned to the United States for management and disposal. Authorizes the President to waive the prohibition and authorize the grant of a specific license only after finding that such importation would meet an important national or international policy goal.

Date: 2008-03-13
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Nuclear Used Fuel Prize Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to implement a program to award cash prizes competitively for research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of nuclear used fuel storage. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer the prize competition.

Date: 2008-05-01
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide health care benefits for workers who: (1) have been employed by a Department of Energy (DOE) contractor to perform duties under a contract for environmental remediation, waste management, decontamination and decommissioning, maintenance, security, and administrative activities at the Fernald Closure Project (Harrison, Ohio), the Mound Closure Project (Miamisburg, Ohio), or the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (Golden, Colorado); and (2) would have qualified for health care benefits available for retirees had the individual's employment not been terminated as a result of the accelerated closure of the site.

Date: 2008-05-21
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to use amounts in the Nuclear Waste Fund to make competitive grants to or enter into long-term contracts with private sector entities for the recycling of spent nuclear fuel. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to complete a rulemaking establishing a process for licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, of facilities for the recycling of spent nuclear fuel. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to provide that the receipt and disbursements of the Nuclear Waste Fund shall not be counted as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficits or surplus for purposes of the executive budget, the congressional budget, or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) (thereby moving the Fund off-budget).

Date: 2008-05-22
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Nuclear Facility and Material Security Act of 2008 - Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue a final rule requiring: (1) all commercial nuclear power reactors approved for construction after enactment of this Act to be designed to withstand a large commercial aircraft impact; and (2) certain spent fuel security enhancements.Directs the NRC to issue an Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation security final rule that: (1) makes such installations subject to specified security evaluation requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954; and (2) incorporates such installations into a certain design basis threat rule.Requires the NRC to consider the likely consequences of a potential terrorist attack in any review it is required to undertake under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.Amends the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 to repeal the statement that certain requirements to make potassium iodide tablets available to state and local governments for stockpiling shall cease to apply if the President determines that there is an alternative and more effective prophylaxis or preventive measures for adverse thyroid conditions that may result from the release of radionuclides from nuclear power plants.Vests the Secretary of Health and Human Services with all federal authority over the distribution of potassium iodide as a medical prophylaxis for radiological exposure in humans.Directs the Secretary to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for studies on appropriate emergency response plans to nonroutine releases of radioactive materials, including from nuclear power plants, spent fuel storage facilities, radiological dispersal devices, and improvised nuclear explosive devices. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines for the stockpiling and distribution of potassium iodide tablets in the event of a nuclear incident.Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to establish within the Office of the Inspector General of the NRC a unit with appropriate and adequate technical staff with nuclear power plant experience to audit NRC regulatory oversight regarding civilian nuclear facilities.Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require the NRC to promulgate final rules governing radiation source protection measures.Directs the NRC to publish final rules: (1) revising regulations on security requirements for transportation of radiation sources; (2) requiring carriers and transporters transporting radiation sources within the United States to be licensed by the NRC; (3) revising National Source Tracking System regulations to require technologies and systems that can provide real-time tracking and enable locating of specified radiation sources; and (4) establishing requirements leading to the replacement of all high-risk radiation sources.Authorizes appropriations for the acceptance, storage, and disposition of high-risk radiation sources by the Department of Energy United States Radiological Threat Reduction Program.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy
Fast Track Nuclear Act of 2008 - Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to approve or deny an application for a license under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 within one year after its receipt if: (1) the application incorporates a facility design approved by the NRC; (2) the facility will be built by a company with a proven history of building safe and efficient power plant facilities; and (3) an appropriate authority from the local jurisdiction within which the facility is proposed to operate has asked the NRC to approve the license application. States that construction and operation of such a facility is not subject to challenge or delay under the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, or any other federal or state environmental law.Authorizes appropriations for research, to be carried out through the Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, on new and innovative designs for nuclear facilities that: (1) produce more energy than current designs; (2) reduce output nuclear waste; and (3) increase safety features.

Date: 2008-09-15
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Pathway to Nuclear Power Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to: (1) revise terms and conditions governing federal loan guarantees for innovative technology projects; (2) modify the contract authority of the Secretary of Energy; (3) convert the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative into the Nuclear Power 2010 Program; and (4) instruct the Secretary of Labor to promulgate regulations to implement workforce training programs for the nuclear industries. Creates an interagency working group to make recommendations to coordinate federal actions and programs to promote domestic manufacture and export of nuclear energy products and services. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe: (1) a qualifying nuclear power manufacturing credit; (2) a nuclear power facility construction credit; (3) a five-year accelerated depreciation for new nuclear power facilities; and (4) a special rule for the allocation of credit among public-private partnerships that own an advanced nuclear power facility. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 revise administrative procedures for licensing new nuclear power plants. Establishes a Joint Committee on Nuclear Energy to make recommendations to promote domestic nuclear energy. States that, for the period following the licensed operation of any facility for the treatment or storage of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste, no consideration of the public health and safety, common defense and security, or environmental impacts of such storage is required regarding the development, construction, and operation of, or any permit, license, or siting approval for, a civilian nuclear power reactor or any facility for nuclear fuel or waste treatment or storage. United States High Level Nuclear Waste Management Corporation Act - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to establish the United States High Level Nuclear Waste Management Corporation.Terminates the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Requires the Secretary of Energy, in specified circumstances, to propose an adjustment to the fee for electricity generated from civilian nuclear power reactors. Replaces the Nuclear Waste Fund with a Nuclear Waste Revolving Fund and a Nuclear Waste Legacy Fund. Revises contract requirements with respect to such Funds following issuance of a license to construct and operate facilities to receive and store spent nuclear fuel at the Yucca Mountain site, Nevada.

Date: 2008-09-25
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to report to Congress regarding: (1) an in-depth Independent Safety Assessment of the design, construction, maintenance, and operational safety performance of the systems at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, Reactors 2 and 3, located in Westchester County, New York; and (2) a comprehensive evaluation of the radiological emergency plan for Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, Reactors 2 and 3, conducted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Homeland Security. Requires the Independent Safety Assessment conducted at Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant to equal in depth and breadth the Independent Safety Assessment of the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, located near Bath, Maine, conducted by the NRC in 1996.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Energy (Nuclear)
Subject: Energy