zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Assuring Private Property Rights Over Vast Access to Land Act or the APPROVAL Act

This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to prohibit the Secretary of Energy and the Administrators of the Western Area Power Administration and of the Southwestern Power Administration from using the power of eminent domain to implement modernization of electricity transmission infrastructure, unless they have received explicit permission to do so by: (1) the state governor and the head of each applicable public utility commission or public service commission of the affected state, and (2) the head of the governing body of each Indian tribe whose land would be affected.

 An electricity transmission infrastructure project, to the greatest extent practicable, must be sited upon either an existing federal right-of-way or upon federal land managed by either: (1) the Bureau of Land Management, (2) the Forest Service, (3) the Bureau of Reclamation, or (4) the Corps of Engineers.

Date: 2015-02-12
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Energy
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the "Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building."

Date: 2015-04-16
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates the U.S. courthouse located at 501 East Court Street in Jackson, Mississippi, as the "Charles Clark United States Courthouse."

Date: 2015-04-21
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Point Reyes Coast Guard Housing Conveyance Act

This bill directs the Coast Guard to convey 32 acres of federal land (including all buildings, structures, utilities, and facilities on the land) known as CAMSPAC Housing in Point Reyes Station to Marin County, California, to be used for affordable housing or to provide a public benefit approved by the County.

The property must be sold at fair market value.

The Coast Guard may deposit the proceeds in the Coast Guard Housing Fund.

The Coast Guard's authority to convey the property expires after four years.

Date: 2015-05-05
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Transportation and public works
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on March 15, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill directs the General Services Administration, on behalf of the Archivist of the United States, to offer to convey to the city of Anchorage, Alaska, for not less than fair market value, a parcel of U.S. property in such city consisting of approximately nine acres and improvements located at 400 East Fortieth Avenue that is administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.

The city shall be responsible for paying the costs of a survey, an appraisal, and any other costs relating to the conveyance of the federal property.

Any net proceeds received by the Archivist as a result of the conveyance shall be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction.

Date: 2015-06-03
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2082 Stringtown Road in Grove City, Ohio, as the "Specialist Joseph W. Riley Post Office Building."

Date: 2015-06-17
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Plum Island Conservation Act

This bill amends the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 to repeal provisions requiring the sale of federal property and assets supporting the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York.

The bill requires DHS, in conjunction with other specified agencies, to submit a report to Congress, including: (1) recommendations for transferring jurisdiction over Plum Island from DHS to another federal agency, and (2) an analysis of remediation responsibilities, costs associated with assuming jurisdiction over Plum Island, the timing of the transfer, and the need for legislation to execute the transfer.

Date: 2015-06-24
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 99 West 2nd Street in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, as the Lieutenant Colonel James "Maggie" Megellas Post Office.

Date: 2015-07-22
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to: (1) redesignate the Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking as the Bureau to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, and (2) require an Assistant Secretary to head the Bureau.

Date: 2015-07-28
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: International affairs
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to convey to the Danville Area Community College of Danville, Illinois, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to certain real property, including improvements, known as Building Number 48, which is part of the VA Illiana Health Care System.

As consideration for such conveyance the VA shall require the College to convey to the United States all right, title, and interest in and to certain real property, including improvements, near the College Library Building.

Date: 2015-08-05
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Ariel Rios Federal Building Designation Act

(Sec. 2) This bill designates the federal building housing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives headquarters located at 99 New York Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C., as the "Ariel Rios Federal Building."

Date: 2016-04-20
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located at 704 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Oregon, as the "Loren R. Kaufman Memorial Veterans' Clinic."

Date: 2016-04-20
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 525 North Broadway in Aurora, Illinois, as the "Kenneth M. Christy Post Office Building."

Date: 2016-04-28
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3031 Veterans Road West in Staten Island, New York, as the "Leonard Montalto Post Office Building."

Date: 2016-05-12
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 229 West Main Cross Street in Findlay, Ohio, as the "Michael Garver Oxley Memorial Post Office Building."

Date: 2016-05-23
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7802 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, New York, as the "Jeanne and Jules Manford Post Office Building."

Date: 2016-06-16
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Government operations and politics
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to convey, without consideration, to the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska, the reversionary interests of the United States in and to specified nonfederal land in Anchorage for the purpose of unencumbering its title and enabling its economic development.

Date: 2016-06-23
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Public Buildings Renewal Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the tax-exempt financing of certain government-owned buildings by expanding the definition of "exempt facility bond" to include bonds used for qualified government buildings.

A qualified government building is a government-owned building or facility that consists of one or more of the following:

 an elementary or secondary school; facilities of a state college or university used for educational purposes; a public library; a court; hospital, health care, laboratory, or research facilities; public safety facilities; or offices for government employees. The bill excludes buildings or facilities that include specified recreational equipment or are used for the primary purpose of providing retail food and beverage services, recreation, or entertainment.

The bill establishes: (1) a $5 billion limit on the amount of tax-exempt financing which may be provided for government buildings, and (2) procedures for allocating and applying for the financing.

The bill exempts the bonds for government buildings from the volume cap on private activity bonds.

Date: 2016-07-13
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Taxation
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Pueblo, Colorado, as the "PFC James Dunn VA Clinic."

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Historic Routes Preservation Act

This bill allows any state, county, political subdivision or agency of a state, company, or other person that asserts public acceptance of a right-of-way granted for the construction of highways over public lands to 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: 2016-09-15
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
This bill designates the federal building and U.S. courthouse located at 719 Church Street in Nashville, Tennessee, as the "Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and United States Courthouse."

Date: 2016-09-22
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Government operations and politics
This bill directs the Commissioner of Reclamation to: (1) provide to the holder of a permit for a cabin site located on federal property around the Dickinson Reservoir in North Dakota the first option to purchase the site for fair market value; and (2) convey to a permittee who exercises such option all U.S. interest in the site, easements for access to the site, a dock for the site, and the improvements on it.

Beginning two years after enactment of this bill: (1) if a permittee has not exercised such option, the Commissioner shall transfer the site to Dickinson Parks & Recreation in Dickinson, North Dakota (the Department), without cost; and (2) the Commissioner shall transfer to the Department, without cost, land currently managed by the Department on which no cabin is located.

Each such conveyance and transfer shall be made subject to specified mineral rights and rights-of-way of third parties.

A permittee may not build any new permanent structure below an elevation of 2,430 feet. If a permittee builds such a structure, the permittee's site shall revert to the Department.

 Revenues from a sale of federal land pursuant to this bill shall be made available to the Commissioner for: (1) the costs of carrying out this bill, and (2) deferred maintenance activities relating to the operation of the dam in the Dickinson Reservoir.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill designates the Traverse City VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Traverse City, Michigan, as the "Colonel Demas T. Craw VA Clinic."

Date: 2016-12-01
Topic: Government Operations (Property Management)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Amends titles XI and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) remove the cap on Medicaid payments for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa; and (2) adjust the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for those territories.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Health
Virgin Islands National Park School Lease Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain Virgin Islands National Park land on the island of Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands, to the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands for the purpose of establishing a school on such island. Limits the lease authorized by this Act to a 99-year term. Allows the Secretary to require such additional terms and conditions in connection with the lease as the Secretary considers appropriate to protect U.S. interests.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make Guam and the Virgin Islands eligible for the Supplemental Security Income program for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled under SSA title XVI.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Social welfare
Repeals specified provisions pertaining to real property taxation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Deems such amendment to have taken effect on July 22, 1954.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to authorize the legislature of the Virgin Islands to create units of local government in the Virgin Islands.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make residents of Puerto Rico eligible for the refundable portion of the child tax credit.

Date: 2007-01-11
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Minimum Wage for All Americans Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to apply federal minimum wage requirements to American Samoa.Increases the minimum wage in American Samoa: (1) to $3.55 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after enactment of this Act; and (2) by $0.50 an hour (or such lesser amount necessary to equal the federal minimum wage), beginning six months after enactment of this Act and every six months thereafter until such minimum wage equals the federal minimum wage. Provides that, if an employee is employed in an industry in American Samoa that, on enactment of this Act, is required under regulations concerning industries in American Samoa to pay a minimum wage rate that is higher than the minimum wage rate required by this Act, the minimum wage applicable to such employee shall be: (1) the minimum wage rate for the industry under the regulations on such enactment; and (2) increased by $0.50 an hour (or such lesser amount necessary to equal the federal minimum wage), beginning six months after enactment of this Act and every six months thereafter until such minimum wage equals the federal minimum wage.

Date: 2007-01-17
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Labor and employment
Amends titles XI and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to remove the cap on Medicaid payments for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

Date: 2007-01-22
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Health
Puerto Rico Karst Conservation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants, enter contracts, and exercise specified authorities to acquire, protect, and manage land and forest resources in and adjacent to the Karst Region of Puerto Rico for the purpose of protecting and conserving the water quality and aquifers and the geological, ecological, fish and wildlife, and other natural values of the Region. Establishes the Puerto Rico Karst Conservation Fund which shall be available to the Secretary for purposes of this Act. Makes all lands in the Region eligible for inclusion in the Forest Legacy Program.

Date: 2007-01-24
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007 - Directs the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission to conduct a plebiscite in Puerto Rico no later than December 31, 2009, giving voters the option to vote to continue Puerto Rico's present territorial status and relationship with the United States or to pursue a constitutionally-viable permanent non-territorial status. Recognizes the authority of the people of Puerto Rico, if a majority of the ballots favor pursuing a non-territorial status, to: (1) call a Constitutional Convention for the purpose of proposing to the people of Puerto Rico a self-determination option which, if approved in a referendum, would be presented to Congress; or (2) conduct a plebiscite administered by the Commission to consider a self-determination option, with the results presented to Congress.Prescribes the eligibility requirements for voting in the plebiscite. Requires the Commission to certify plebiscite results to the President and Congress. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate certain funds for the self-determination process.

Date: 2007-02-07
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
United States Territories Infrastructure Bond Bank Authorization Act - Directs the Secretary to establish a United States Territories Infrastructure Bond Bank to provide low-cost financing for the governments of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands to construct infrastructure or to refinance debt acquired to construct infrastructure. Directs the Secretary to incorporate the Bank in a U.S. jurisdiction and organize the initial meeting of its Board of Directors, which shall consist of five members, with one appointed by the Secretary and each of the governors of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Allows the Secretary, after the initial five years of the Bank's existence, to invite the governor of another U.S. territory to appoint a Board member, at which time eligibility for Bank services shall be extended to that territory. Authorizes the interception of federal aid intended for a U.S. territory that has defaulted on an obligation to the Bank. Exempts Bank activities and income from taxation.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Puerto Rico Economic Stimulus Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make residents of Puerto Rico eligible for the earned income tax credit. Phases in the full amount of such credit between 2008 and 2012.

Date: 2007-03-06
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that questions on the ballot of the 2008 general election in American Samoa ask whether: (1) individuals born in American Samoa should become citizens of the United States; (2) the Senators of the American Samoa Fono should be elected by the qualified electors from the respective counties that they are to represent; and (3) American Samoa should have its own federal district court with limited jurisdiction.

Date: 2007-03-29
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Requires the Governor of the Virgin Islands to appoint a Chief Financial Officer, with the advice and consent of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, from a list required by this Act. States that if: (1) the Legislature has not confirmed a nominee within 90 days the Governor shall appoint an Acting Chief Financial Officer until the Legislature consents to a Chief Financial Officer; and (2) a Chief Financial Officer has not been appointed within 180 days the Virgin Islands Chief Financial Officer Search Commission shall appoint from such list an Acting Chief Financial Officer until a Chief Financial Officer is appointed. Sets forth the Chief Financial Officer's duties. Transfers the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to the Chief Financial Officer. Alters the position of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to that of the Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Implements such changes for a five-year period. Establishes the Virgin Islands Chief Financial Officer Search Commission to recommend at least three candidates for the Chief Financial Officer position. Terminates the Commission 210 days after its first meeting. Prohibits anything in this Act from being construed to permit the Governor and Legislature of the Virgin Islands to delegate or otherwise alter the powers and authority of the Office of Management and Budget established under the laws of the Virgin Islands.

Date: 2007-05-02
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to make an additional payment to the State Election Commission of Puerto Rico to assist it to meet federal election administration requirements under the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA).Requires the EAC to make such a requirements payment in an amount that would treat Puerto Rico in the same manner as each of the several states and the District of Columbia.Amends HAVA to revise the formula for determining the minimum amount of requirements payments to Puerto Rico.

Date: 2007-06-06
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Title I: Northern Mariana Islands Immigration, Security, and Labor Act - Northern Mariana Islands Immigration, Security, and Labor Act - (Sec. 103) Extends U.S. immigration laws, as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act, to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), subject to a transition period through December 31, 2013. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) numerical limitations for nonimmigrant workers (parallel provisions for Guam and the CNMI); (2) nonimmigrant investors and nonimmigrant workers; and (3) removal. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress respecting nonresident guestworkers in the CNMI. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for CNMI nonimmigrant visitor visa waivers (as currently provided for Guam) for stays of up to 45 days (current law provides for 15-day stays) in Guam or the CNMI. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to monitor such admissions and suspend the entry of nationals from a country whose nationals have created an unacceptable number of program violations or pose security or law enforcement risks. Provides that a person: (1) seeking U.S. entry from the CNMI shall be processed under existing immigration authority regarding entry from Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and (2) denied admission shall be immediately removed. Authorizes: (1) additional countries to be added to such visa waiver program; (2) creation of additional Guam or CNMI-only nonimmigrant visas; and (3) the Attorney General, the Secretary, and the Secretary of Labor to establish CNMI immigration operations offices. Directs the President and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress respecting the transition program. Authorizes the Governor of CNMI to report to the President respecting the program. States that the CNMI government shall: (1) not permit an increase in the number of alien workers in the CNMI as of the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) administer its non-refoulement protection program in accordance with its September 2003 agreement with the Department of the Interior. Exempts hospitals in Guam, the CNMI, and the U.S. Virgin Islands from certain nurse admissions requirements. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Northern Mariana Islands Delegate Act - Northern Mariana Islands Delegate Act - (Sec. 202) States that: (1) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall be represented in the U.S. Congress by the Resident Representative to the United States (authorized by the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United States of America); and (2) the Resident Representative shall be a nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives and elected as provided for by this Act.

Date: 2007-07-18
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Immigration
Permits statues honoring deceased citizens of U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) to be placed in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. Limits such statues to one per jurisdiction.

Date: 2007-07-19
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Congress
Puerto Rico Work and Empowerment Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make residents of Puerto Rico eligible for the earned income tax credit.

Date: 2007-08-03
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt prescription drugs that have been shipped directly from a state to the U.S. Virgin Islands from restrictions on importation of exported drugs.

Date: 2007-12-19
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Health
Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to condition further increases in the federal minimum wage applicable to the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa on a determination by the Secretary of Labor that such increases will not have an adverse impact on any further increases on living standards and rates of employment in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Requires the Secretary to make the determinations each year 60 days before the scheduled increase in such minimum wage and to publish it in the Federal Register. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress biennially (currently, within eight months after the enactment of such Act) on the impact of: (1) such minimum wage increases; and (2) any further increases on living standards and rates of employment in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa.

Date: 2008-01-29
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Labor and employment
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify corporations and partnerships created or organized as community development entities in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands for the new markets tax credit.

Date: 2008-04-09
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Vieques Bioluminescent Bay Conservation Act of 2008 - Designates certain submerged lands and waters of Puerto Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico, as the Puerto Mosquito Bay National Marine Sanctuary under specified provisions of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. Gives the governor of Puerto Rico veto power over the designation of any part of that area and over the related management plan and regulations. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to issue a comprehensive management plan and implementing regulations.

Date: 2008-04-22
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Maritime Administration, to establish a Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Program for the planning, design, and construction of projects for the Port of Guam to improve port facilities, relieve congestion, increase port security, and provide greater access to port facilities. Expands intermodal surface freight transfer facility project eligibility for federal loans, loan guarantees, and lines of credit to include an intermodal or marine facility project under the Program. Establishes the Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Fund.

Date: 2008-05-08
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Repeals specified provisions pertaining to real property taxation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Makes such amendment effective on July 22, 1954.

Date: 2007-01-12
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2007 - Amends the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 with respect to the provision of emergency and disaster assistance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Provides with respect to the Republic of Palau that: (1) students from Micronesia and the Marshall Islands attending universities or colleges in Palau shall remain eligible for specified higher education assistance; and (2) government, institutions, and people of Palau shall be eligible for education assistance through FY2009 that they were eligible for in FY2003. Provides for the continuation of legal services to the citizens of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands legally residing in the United States (including territories and possessions). Authorizes Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands to transmit videotaped programming. Authorizes the government of Palau to deposit the payment otherwise payable to the U.S. government under P.L. 101-219 (a law concerning the implementation of the Palau Compact of Free Association and insular area matters) into a trust fund if: (1) trust fund earnings are expended solely for maintenance of the road system constructed pursuant to the Compact of Free Association between the U.S. government and the government of Palau; and (2) the trust fund is established and operated pursuant to an agreement between the U.S. government and the government of Palau. Provides that in the U.S.-RMI Compact (Marshall Islands), the U.S.-FSM Compact (Micronesia), and their respective trust fund subsidiary agreements, for the purposes of taxation by the United States or its subsidiary jurisdictions, the term "state" means state, territory, or the District of Columbia.

Date: 2007-01-12
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: International affairs
Northern Mariana Islands Covenant Implementation Act - Extends U.S. immigration laws, as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act, to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, subject to a transition period through December 31, 2017.

Date: 2007-06-15
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to extend to citizens of the Freely Associated States (Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau) who reside in the United States eligibility for non-emergency food stamps and benefits under titles XIX (Medicaid), XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) , and part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act.

Date: 2007-06-21
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Social welfare
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from employment and unemployment taxes payments made on behalf of Puerto Rican residents participating in tax-exempt employee benefit cafeteria plans established under Puerto Rican law.

Date: 2007-11-15
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Amends titles XI and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) remove the cap on Medicaid payments for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa; and (2) adjust the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for those territories.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Health
Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make Guam and the Virgin Islands eligible for the Supplemental Security Income program for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled under SSA title XVI.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Social welfare
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify corporations and partnerships created or organized as community development entities in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands for the new markets tax credit.

Date: 2009-01-13
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, if the long-term benefit to the Virgin Islands National Park would be greater by entering into a lease than by authorizing a concession contract, to enter into a lease with the owner of the retained use estate for the operation and management of the Caneel Bay resort on the island in the Park. Allows the Secretary to acquire associated property. Sets forth the terms and conditions for the lease authorized by this Act, including provisions ensuring protection of the natural, cultural, and historic features of the resort and associated property, consistent with the laws and policies applicable to property managed by the National Park Service (NPS). Instructs the Secretary, in determining the fair market value rental of the lease, to take into consideration: (1) the value of any associated property conveyed; and (2) the value, if any, of the relinquished term of the retained use estate. Makes rental amounts paid to the United States under the lease available for visitor services and resource protection within the Virgin Islands National Park. Requires the Secretary to submit a proposed lease to Congress at least 60 days before the award of the lease. Prohibits the extension or renewal of a lease entered into under this Act. Requires, upon the termination of such a lease, that if the Secretary determines the continuation of commercial services at the resort to be appropriate, such services shall be provided in accordance with the National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998. Requires the owner of the retained use estate to terminate, extinguish, and relinquish to the Secretary all rights under the retained use estate and transfer, without consideration, ownership of improvements on the retained use estate to the NPS. Requires an appraisal that is agreed to by the Secretary and the owner to determine the value, if any, of the relinquished term of the retained use estate, to be conducted in accordance with this Act.

Date: 2009-01-27
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Act conveying certain submerged lands to Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa (P.L. 93-435) to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on the same basis as Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. (Conveys to the government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands certain submerged lands extending three geographical miles from the coastline.)

Date: 2009-02-10
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from employment and unemployment taxes payments made on behalf of Puerto Rican residents participating in tax-exempt employee benefit cafeteria plans established under Puerto Rican law.

Date: 2009-02-12
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include the Territory of Guam among the affected areas for which health claims relating to atmospheric nuclear testing are allowed. Sets forth periods of required presence during testing periods for persons in Guam filing leukemia or specified disease claims. Authorizes assistance for residents of Guam not otherwise covered, to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the National Cancer Institute. Makes covered individuals eligible for the costs of screening, follow-up referrals, work-up diagnosis, and disease-specific treatment. Directs the Health Resources and Services Administration to conduct an education program about the health risks of fallout exposure from the U.S. nuclear-weapons testing.

Date: 2009-03-19
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Law
Includes Puerto Rico and Guam within the coverage area of TRICARE Prime (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program).

Date: 2009-03-31
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reserve 0.5% of state pollution control revolving fund assistance for projects in American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

Date: 2009-04-02
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Environmental protection
Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to increase (from .33 to .5) the percentage of the aggregate amount made available for state drinking water treatment revolving loan funds in a fiscal year that shall be allotted to American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

Date: 2009-04-02
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Environmental protection
Judicial District of the Virgin Islands Act of 2009 - Amends the federal judicial code to establish a two-judge Article III court in the Virgin Islands (with court held in Christiansted for the Saint Croix Division, and in Charlotte-Amalie for the Saint Thomas and Saint John Division). Requires pleadings and procedures to be conducted in the English language. Amends the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to state that: (1) the judicial power of the Virgin Islands shall be vested in an appellate court and lower local courts as may have been or may hereafter be established by local law (eliminates references to the district court of the Virgin Islands); and (2) the U.S. district court of the Virgin Islands shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all income-tax related criminal and civil proceedings in the Virgin Islands, except for ancillary tax laws enacted by the Virgin Islands legislature. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) assignment of additional judges; and (2) relations between U.S. courts and local courts under such Act.

Date: 2009-04-21
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Law
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the forfeiture of any amount covered into the treasury of either the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands with respect to an article containing distilled spirits if the Secretary of the Treasury determines that either jurisdiction provided an unreasonable subsidy with respect to the production of such distilled spirits.

Date: 2009-04-27
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to extend the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program under SSA title XVI to American Samoa.

Date: 2009-04-30
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Social welfare
Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2010 - Authorizes the government of Puerto Rico: (1) to conduct a plebiscite giving voters the option to vote to continue Puerto Rico's present political status or to have a different political status; (2) if a majority of ballots favor continuing the present status, to conduct additional such plebiscites every eight years; and (3) if a majority of ballots favor having a different status, to conduct a plebiscite on the options of becoming fully independent from the United States, forming with the United States a political association between sovereign nations that will not be subject to the Territorial Clause of the Constitution, being admitted as a state of the Union, or continuing its present political status. Prescribes the eligibility requirements for voting in a plebiscite. Requires the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission to: (1) certify plebiscite results to the President and Congress; and (2) ensure that all ballots used for a plebiscite include the full content of the ballot printed in English. Directs the Commission to inform persons voting in a plebiscite that if Puerto Rico retains its current political status or is admitted as a state: (1) the official language requirements of the federal government shall apply to Puerto Rico; and (2) it is the best interest of the United States for the teaching of English to be promoted in Puerto Rico as the language of opportunity and empowerment in order to enable students in public schools to achieve English language proficiency. Requires the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to pay all costs associated with such plebiscite (including the costs of printing, distribution, transportation, collection, and counting of all ballots).

Date: 2009-05-19
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1972 to extend the Supplemental Security Income program under title XVI of the Social Security Act to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and America Samoa.

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Social welfare
Conveys to the U.S. Virgin Islands specified submerged lands in the area between the island of Saint Croix and the islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John. States that for purposes of U.S. laws, and except as otherwise provided by international law or any international agreement in force for the United States, the territorial waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands shall consist of all waters in the belt of the seas measured from the line of ordinary low water along that portion of the coast which is in direct contact with the open sea and the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters, and extending seaward a distance of nine miles.

Date: 2009-06-02
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Territorial Health Parity Act of 2009 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to sunset at the end of FY2009 the limitation on Medicaid payments to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) repeal, as of the end of FY2011, the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) of 50% that applies to such territories; and (2) set the new FMAP for such territories at one determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior. Specifies a transitional FMAP for such territories for FY2010-FY2011. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the per capita income data used to promulgate the FMAP in the territories and how such data differ from the per capita income data used to promulgate FMAPs for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Requires the report to include recommendations on how FMAPs can be calculated for the territories to ensure parity with the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to extend the Medicaid program to the citizens of the Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau). Amends SSA title XIX to set a 100% FMAP for otherwise qualified services rendered to such citizens.

Date: 2009-06-03
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Health
Gives the High Court of American Samoa the jurisdiction over any criminal case arising under any law of the United States applicable to American Samoa in which a defendant resides in American Samoa and the violation occurred in the territory of American Samoa. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to appoint: (1) two or more justices to the High Court of American Samoa as needed; and (2) a special prosecutor for American Samoa, whose responsibility shall be to prosecute all criminal violations of laws of the United States over which the High Court of American Samoa has jurisdiction under this Act.

Date: 2009-06-10
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Permits statues honoring deceased citizens of U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) to be placed in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. Limits such statues to one per jurisdiction.

Date: 2009-06-10
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Congress
Prohibits a naval vessel (or any other vessel under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy) that has its home port in the United States, Guam, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands from being overhauled, repaired, or maintained in a shipyard outside the United States, Guam, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, except for voyage repairs. (Under current law, the prohibition does not cover a naval vessel with a home port in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.)

Date: 2009-07-27
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to treat American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as separate states for purposes of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.

Date: 2009-07-27
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Northern Mariana Islands College Access Act of 2009 - Directs the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands to use federal funds authorized by this Act to award grants to public four-year institutions of higher education (IHEs) located in the states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or Guam to cover the difference between the in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees for students who have: (1) been domiciled in the Northern Mariana Islands for at least the 12 months preceding their enrollment in the IHE; and (2) received on or after January 1, 2008, a secondary school diploma or its equivalent while domiciled there. Requires the Comptroller General to monitor the progam's effectiveness in expanding educational opportunities for such students. Directs the Secretary of Education to provide financial assistance to Northern Marianas College so it can award a subgrant to an IHE to plan and implement a vocational training program at the College that awards certificates of completion in areas that include: (1) food preparation, services, and the culinary arts; (2) hospitality management; (3) carpentry; (4) electrical skills; (5) plumbing; and (6) other construction skills.

Date: 2009-07-29
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Education