zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Salish and Kootenai Water Rights Settlement Act of 2016

This bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation of Montana. Specified claims of the tribes against the United States are waived and released.

The Department of the Interior shall allocate specified amounts of storage water in Hungry Horse Reservoir for use by the tribes.

In addition, the bill: (1) establishes provisions related to the development of hydroelectric power within the reservation; (2) requires the Bureau of Reclamation to carry out specified activities related to the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project; (3) establishes, for purposes of carrying out the bill, the Selis-Qlispe Ksanka Settlement Trust Fund and the Salish and Kootenai Compact Fund; and (4) confirms certain instream flow water rights of the tribes.

Date: 2016-05-26
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Tribal Forestry Participation and Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 and the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act to establish:

 a timeframe for consideration of tribal requests to protect Indian forest land or rangeland; a tribal forest management demonstration project; and pilot authority for the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to, upon request of an Indian tribe, treat certain federal forest land as Indian land for purposes of specified land management activities.

Date: 2016-05-26
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Plymouth 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to issue up to 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the landing and settlement of Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, the signing of the Mayflower Compact, and the role of the indigenous Wampanoag tribes in the realization of the settlement.

These coins may be issued only during a two-year period beginning January 1, 2020.

Sales of such coins shall include specified surcharges, which shall be paid by Treasury as follows:

 50% to Plymouth 400, Inc., to support the its work to develop, implement, and provide oversight for the commemorations surrounding the events of 2020-2021 and to be distributed, at the organization's discretion, to local historical preservation and cultural organizations to support their work in educating the public about the settlement of 1620 and their continued existence for the benefit of future generations; 15% to Plimoth Plantation to support its effort to maintain the replica of the 1627 Plantation, the Mayflower II, and the replica of the Wampanoag Village; 15% to a Wampanoag tribal organization to continue programs to educate people about the life of the Wampanoag people prior to the Plymouth settlement and their interactions with the settlers; 10% to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants to support the continued restoration of the main facility in Plymouth, to provide funding for its research library at that site, and for educational purposes; and 10% to the Pilgrim Society to continue its work in displaying the story of the settlement and settlement artifacts.

Date: 2016-06-28
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016

This bill increases the maximum term of imprisonment from 5 years to 10 years for individuals convicted more than once of illegal trafficking in Native American human remains or cultural items.

This bill bans the export of illegally obtained Native American cultural objects and sets penalties for violations of this ban.

A person is immune from criminal prosecution under laws regarding Native American cultural objects if the person voluntarily repatriates to the appropriate tribe all the Native American cultural objects in the person's possession not later than two years after enactment of this bill. This immunity does not apply to a person under active investigation or prosecution relating to Native American cultural objects.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report on the number of Native American cultural objects illegally trafficked and the extent to which the Department of Justice has prosecuted cases of trafficking. The GAO must recommend actions to eliminate such trafficking and to secure the repatriation of Native American cultural objects.

The Department of the Interior must facilitate the convention of a working group to contribute information to the GAO report and to advise on implementation of the GAO's recommendations.

Date: 2016-07-06
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Alaska Economic Development and Access to Resources Act

This bill addresses oil and gas production on federal lands in Alaska.

The bill also authorizes the establishment of a state forest in Alaska.

Date: 2016-07-13
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
This bill repeals the act entitled "An Act to confer jurisdiction on the State of Iowa over offenses committed by or against Indians on the Sac and Fox Indian Reservation."

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2016

This bill amends the Native American Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism Act of 2000 to establish duties for the Office of Native American Business Development (ONABD), including: (1) advising the Department of Commerce regarding the relationship between the United States and Indian tribes; and (2) serving as the point of contact for tribes, tribal organizations, and members of tribes regarding economic development.

The ONABD, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, and the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund must coordinate to support economic development in Native American communities.

CDFI Fund assistance for Native American communities provided through certain entities does not require matching funds.

For purposes of financing and economic or community development, the essential governmental functions of a tribe are the same as those of a state or local government with general taxing authority.

The bill establishes the Indian Economic Development Fund to provide credit subsidies for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) loan guarantee program and for certain community development financial institutions.

This bill amends the Buy Indian Act, including to require the Department of Health and Human Services to use Native American labor and purchase Native American products.

This bill amends the Indian Trader Act to permit the BIA, under specified conditions, to waive the requirement for persons to be licensed to engage in trade with a tribe.

This bill amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to permit the BIA to provide financial assistance to certain community development financial institutions for Native American projects.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Native American Business Incubators Program Act 

This bill requires the Department of the Interior to establish a grant program in the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development for establishing and operating business incubators that serve Indian reservation communities, including Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs. A business incubator is an organization that: (1) provides physical workspace and facilities resources to startups and established businesses, and (2) is designed to accelerate the growth and success of businesses through a variety of business support resources and services.

Interior must facilitate the establishment of relationships between grant recipients and educational institutions serving Native American communities.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Improvement Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Barrow Gas Field Transfer Act of 1984 to require the Department of the Interior to convey to the Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation, an Alaska Native village corporation, sand and gravel deposits underlying a surface estate owned by the corporation.

 Interior must grant the Shishmaref Native Corporation, a village corporation, an easement between Shishmaref, Alaska, and the area of Ear Mountain, Alaska.

Shee Atika Incorporated, an urban Native corporation, may opt to receive credits from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the sale of Cube Cove in Admiralty Island, Alaska, that may be used to acquire federal property sold at public sales.

The bill authorizes a land exchange between the USDA and the Sealaska Corporation, an Alaska Native regional corporation.

Cook Inlet Region, Inc., a regional corporation, may satisfy its claim land under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).

The bill amends ANCSA to require Interior to convey: (1) a surface estate to Kian Tr'ee Corporation, a village corporation, for the Native village of Canyon Village; and (2) a subsurface estate to Doyon Limited, a regional corporation.

Upon application by the village of Kaktovik or Nagamut, Interior must convey land within the National Wildlife Refuge System to the village.

The bill makes land held by Alaska Native corporations subject to the National Historic Preservation Act, the Tribal Forest Protection Act, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Native residents of the villages of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, Alaska, may organize as urban corporations. Upon incorporation, Interior must offer each corporation 23,040 acres of land.

Alaska Native veterans who served during the Vietnam War may receive an allotment of federal land.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
This bill amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to transfer investment and interest income from the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Water Rights Development Fund and Operation and Maintenance Fund to the tribes for use in accordance with the Water Rights Development Fund and Operation and Maintenance Fund.

Date: 2016-09-07
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2016 

This bill: (1) ratifies and modifies the Hualapai Tribe water rights settlement agreement negotiated between the tribe, the United States, Arizona, and others; and (2) satisfies the claims of the tribe for water rights and injury to water rights under all law with respect to the Hualapai land.

The bill enumerates the tribe's water rights in the Bill Williams, Colorado, and Verde River basins. The tribe may divert, use, and store the tribe water from the Central Arizona Project, but the tribe must pay charges associated with the delivery of the water as well as the tribe's water project costs.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) must plan, design, and construct the Hualapai Water Project, which must be designed to divert, treat, and convey no less than 3,414 acre-feet per year of water from the Colorado River for municipal, commercial, and industrial uses on the Hualapai Reservation. Reclamation must convey to the tribe title for the project once it is substantially complete.

The bill establishes the: (1) Hualapai Water Project Account for constructing the project; and (2) Hualapai OM&R Trust Account for the operation, maintenance and replacement charges associated with the project.

The Department of the Interior must accept certain parcels of land to hold in trust for the benefit of the tribe. In the future, land located outside the boundaries of the reservation may only be taken into trust by the United States for the benefit of the tribe through an act of Congress.

The bill outlines: (1) waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States under the settlement agreement; and (2) a limited waiver of sovereign immunity by the United States and the tribe with respect to certain claims.

Date: 2016-09-08
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Native American Health Savings Improvement Act

 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that receiving hospital care or medical services under a medical care program of the Indian Health Service or a tribal organization does not disqualify an individual from being eligible for a health savings account.

Date: 2016-09-20
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to treat employee benefit or pension plans maintained by Indian tribes and domestic relations orders issued pursuant to tribal law in the same manner as plans maintained by states and domestic relations orders issued pursuant to state law.

Date: 2016-09-20
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Labor and employment
Serving our Rural Veterans Act of 2016

This bill authorizes payment by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the costs associated with service by Veterans Health Administration medical residents and interns at facilities operated by Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or the Indian Health Service (covered facilities).

The bill requires the VA to carry out a pilot program to establish graduate medical education residency training programs at such facilities that have an existing reimbursement agreement with the VA under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and that are located in rural or remote areas, including at one facility in each of Alaska and Montana. The VA shall reimburse each covered facility participating in the program for costs of:

 curriculum development; recruitment, training, and retention of residents and faculty; accreditation of programs of education; faculty salaries; and certain other expenses relating to providing medical education under the program. Each medical resident who participates in the program must agree to two years of obligated service at a covered facility or a VA facility for each year in the program. A program participant who fails to satisfy the period of obligated service shall be liable to the United States for prorated portion of the amount paid for program participation.

A medical resident who participates in the program shall be eligible for participation in the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program.

Date: 2016-09-27
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special depreciation rules for property used predominantly within an Indian reservation and to permit a taxpayer to revoke an election to exclude any class of property from the rules for any taxable year.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Taxation
Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act of 2016

This bill (1) ratifies the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Agreement negotiated between the Navajo Nation, the United States, and Utah; and (2) satisfies the claims of the tribe for water rights and injury to water rights under all laws with respect to the Navajo Nation Reservation.

The bill enumerates Navajo Nation's right to use water from water sources located within Utah and adjacent to or encompassed within the the boundaries of the reservation resulting in depletion of no more than 81,500 acre-feet annually.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) must plan, design, and construct the water diversion, delivery, and conservation features of the Navajo water development projects. Reclamation must convey title to those Navajo water development projects described as water supply and water distribution systems once they are complete, in operation, and if applicable, delivering potable water.

The Department of the Interior must facilitate the formation of a project management committee to review cost factors and budgets and improve management of the Navajo water development projects.

The bill establishes: (1) the Navajo Operation, Maintenance, and Replacement (OM&R) Trust Account for the operation, maintenance, and replacement of the Navajo water development projects authorized to be constructed and described in the agreement as water supply systems and water distribution systems; and (2) the Navajo Water Development Fund to plan, design, and construct the Navajo water development projects.

The bill outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the Navajo Nation and the United States under the agreement.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Justice for Native Survivors of Sexual Violence Act

This bill amends the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 to revise provisions regarding tribal jurisdiction over crimes of domestic violence, including to expand tribal criminal jurisdiction to include sex trafficking, sexual violence, stalking, and related conduct.

Date: 2016-12-08
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Establishes a pilot program in certain U.S. district courts under which: (1) those district judges who request to hear cases involving patent or plant variety protection issues are designated by the chief judge to hear them; (2) such cases are randomly assigned to the district court judges, regardless of whether they are designated; (3) a judge not designated to whom such a case is assigned may decline to accept the case; and (4) a case so declined is randomly reassigned to one of those judges so designated.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Judicial District of the Virgin Islands Act of 2007 - 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: 2007-01-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2007 - Divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into: (1) the Ninth Circuit, composed of California, Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Mariana Islands; and (2) the Twelfth Circuit, composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.Directs the President to appoint two additional judges for the former Ninth Circuit, three additional judges for the new Ninth Circuit, and two temporary judges for the former Ninth Circuit. Specifies the locations where new circuits are to hold regular sessions. Assigns active circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to the new circuits. Allows senior circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to elect assignment. Provides for the disposition of cases pending in the former Ninth Circuit before the effective date of this Act as follows: (1) proceedings in matters that have been submitted for decision shall continue without regard to this Act; (2) matters not yet submitted for decision must be transferred to the court to which they would have been submitted under this Act; and (3) proceedings on petitions for rehearing or rehearing en banc in matters submitted or decided shall continue without regard to this Act. Authorizes the temporary assignment of circuit and district judges of the former Ninth Circuit between the new circuits. Authorizes administrative coordination between any two contiguous new circuits. Directs that the former Ninth Circuit shall cease to exist for administrative purposes two years after enactment of this Act.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Requires the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, one additional district judge for the district of Nebraska.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Prohibits an individual (or a survivor or beneficiary thereof) from receiving federal annuity or retired pay if such individual is convicted, indicted, or has outstanding charges against him under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for specified offenses concerning: (1) bribery, graft, or conflicts of interest related to public officials and witnesses, Members of Congress, government officers or employees, or obtaining appointive public office; (2) embezzlement or theft of public money, property, or records; (3) the solicitation or use of gifts; (4) fraud and false statements or entries; (5) perjury; (6) subornation of perjury; or (7) false declarations before a grand jury or court. Refunds annuity contributions and deposits, excluding interest earned, to a convicted individual.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Military Commissions Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to repeal the restriction on the jurisdiction of courts, justices, and judges to hear or consider applications for writs of habeas corpus filed by or on behalf of aliens: (1) properly detained by the United States as enemy combatants; or (2) awaiting a determination of whether their detention as enemy combatants is proper.

Date: 2007-01-05
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
We the People Act - Prohibits the Supreme Court and each federal court from adjudicating any claim or relying on judicial decisions involving: (1) state or local laws, regulations, or policies concerning the free exercise or establishment of religion; (2) the right of privacy, including issues of sexual practices, orientation, or reproduction; or (3) the right to marry without regard to sex or sexual orientation where based upon equal protection of the laws.Allows the Supreme Court and the federal courts to determine the constitutionality of federal statutes, administrative rules, or procedures in considering cases arising under the Constitution. Prohibits the Supreme Court and the federal courts from issuing any ruling that appropriates or expends money, imposes taxes, or otherwise interferes with the legislative functions or administrative discretion of the states.Authorizes any party or intervener in matters before any federal court, including the Supreme Court, to challenge the jurisdiction of the court under this Act.Provides that the violation of this Act by any justice or judge is an impeachable offense and a material breach of good behavior subject to removal.Negates as binding precedent on the state courts any federal court decision that relates to an issue removed from federal jurisdiction by this Act.

Date: 2007-01-05
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Congressional Pension Accountability Act - Prohibits a Member of Congress, or a survivor or beneficiary, from receiving an annuity or retired pay if such Member is: (1) convicted of bribery of public officials and witnesses, conspiracy either to commit any offense against the United States or to defraud the United States, perjury, or subornation of perjury; or (2) indicted or has outstanding charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Defines "Member of Congress" as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.

Date: 2007-01-12
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Congress
Marriage Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to deny federal courts jurisdiction to hear or decide any question pertaining to the interpretation of, or the validity under the Constitution, of the provision of the Defense of Marriage Act declaring that no state shall be required to give effect to any marriage between persons of the same sex under the laws of any other state.

Date: 2007-01-30
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to establish the Office of Inspector General for the Judicial Branch of the U.S. government, to be headed by an Inspector General appointed by the Chief Justice. Sets a term of four years, which may be extended by additional reappointments. Authorizes the Chief Justice to remove an Inspector General from office. Requires the Office, except with respect to the Supreme Court, to: (1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct in the Judicial Branch; (2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations; and (3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse. Provides for whistleblower protection.

Date: 2007-01-31
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to add a program for student loan repayment for prosecutors and public defenders. Defines "prosecutor" as a full-time state or local agency employee who: (1) is continually licensed to practice law; and (2) prosecutes criminal or juvenile delinquency cases, including an employee who supervises, educates, or trains other attorneys prosecuting such cases.Defines "public defender" as a licensed attorney who is a full-time state or local agency employee or a full-time employee of a nonprofit organization who provides legal representation to indigent persons in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases, including an attorney who supervises, educates, or trains other attorneys to provide such representation. Includes in such definition a full-time federal defender attorney.Directs the Attorney General to establish a program to assume the obligation to repay the student loans of any borrowers who are employed as prosecutors or public defenders and who are not in default on their loans. Sets forth requirements for such program, including that: (1) the borrower will remain employed as a prosecutor or public defender for not less than three years; and (2) the borrower will repay to the Attorney General any repayment benefits received if the borrower is fired from employment for misconduct or voluntarily separates from employment.Limits the amount payable under such program for any borrower to $10,000 per year andan aggregate total of $60,000.Authorizes the Attorney General to enter into subsequent agreements with a borrower for another three-year period or a lesser period.Requires the Attorney General to give priority in granting repayment benefits to borrowers who have the least ability to repay their loans.Authorizes the Attorney General to issue regulations to carry out this Act.Requires the Inspector General of the Department of Justice to report to Congress on the cost of loan repayment program under this Act and the impact of such program on the hiring and retention of prosecutors and public defenders.Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the impact of law school accreditation requirements and other factors on law school costs and access, including the impact of such requirements on racial and ethnic minorities.Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2013.

Date: 2007-02-08
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Requires the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court unless it decides by majority vote that allowing such coverage in a particular case would violate the due process rights of any of the parties involved.

Date: 2007-03-01
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Peremptory Challenge Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to require: (1) reassignment to another appropriate judicial officer of any civil or criminal case to be tried in a federal district court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, or a bankruptcy court if all parties on one side file a reassignment request within 20 days (with certain exceptions) after initial assignment of a judicial officer; and (2) the chief judge of the court of appeals for the circuit in which the case is to be tried, or another judge designated by the chief judge, to determine any question arising as to which parties should be grouped together as a side for such purpose.

Date: 2007-03-09
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Directs the President to appoint four additional district judges for the eastern district of California. Makes Bakersfield an additional place of holding court for the eastern district. Directs the chief judge of the eastern district to designate one district judge whose official duty station shall be in Bakersfield, and another whose official duty station shall be in Redding.

Date: 2007-03-09
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Sons and Daughters of America Act - Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States to provide that the remedies for a civil action for deprivation of rights are limited to injunctive and declaratory relief where the deprivation: (1) consists of a violation of the right to freedom of speech secured by the Constitution; and (2) is the result of a statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage which prohibits or restricts picketing, protesting, or demonstrating at a funeral or any other ceremony, procession, or memorial service held in connection with the burial or cremation of the dead.Prohibits the award of attorney's fees with respect to the prevailing party in such a claim, including one in any action brought against the United States or any federal agency or official acting in his or her official capacity in any court.

Date: 2007-03-20
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Training for Realtime Writers Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make competitive grants to eligible entities to promote recruitment, training, and placement of individuals, including individuals who have completed a court reporting training program, as realtime writers providing closed captioning in video programming. Sets forth priorities in making grants. Limits grants to $1.5 million for a two-year period. Repeals this Act five years after funds are appropriated to carry it out.

Date: 2007-03-26
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Federal Criminal Immigration Courts Act of 2007 - Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the following permanent judgeships: (1) four additional district judges for the district of Arizona; (2) one additional district judge for the district of New Mexico; (3) two additional district judges for the southern district of Texas; and (4) one additional district judge for the western district of Texas. Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the following temporary judgeships: (1) one additional district judge for the district of Arizona; and (2) one additional district judge for the district of New Mexico. Provides that, for each of the judicial districts named in this Act, the first vacancy arising on the district court 10 years or more after a judge is first confirmed to fill the temporary district judgeship created by this Act shall not be filled.

Date: 2007-04-18
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2007 - Authorizes the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court or U.S. district court to permit the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising to the public of court proceedings over which that judge presides except when such action would constitute a violation of the due process rights of any party. Directs: (1) a district court, upon the request of any witness in a trial proceeding other than a party, to order the face and voice of the witness to be disguised or otherwise obscured to render the witness unrecognizable to the broadcast audience of the trial proceeding; and (2) the presiding judge in a trial proceeding to inform each witness who is not a party of the right to make such request. Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to promulgate advisory guidelines to which a presiding judge may refer in making decisions regarding the management and administration of photographing, recording, broadcasting, or televising described in this Act.

Date: 2007-05-03
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Bail Bond Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit a judicial officer from declaring forfeited a bail bond for violation of specified collateral release conditions other than failing to appear in court. Makes forfeiture of a bail bond for violation of such collateral release conditions unavailable as a sanction.Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to provide that if a defendant fails to appear physically before the court (currently, if there is a breach of a condition of a bond), the court shall declare a forfeiture of the bail.

Date: 2007-05-10
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Enhanced Financial Recovery and Equitable Retirement Treatment Act of 2007 - Imposes surcharges for unpaid criminal monetary penalties and for unpaid balances on money judgments obtained by the United States. Increases special assessments on persons convicted of certain criminal offenses against the United States.Establishes in the Treasury the Department of Justice Enhanced Financial Recovery Fund to support Department of Justice debt collection activities.Requires assistant U.S. attorneys to be treated in the same manner as federal law enforcement officers for purposes of federal employee retirement benefit provisions.

Date: 2007-06-27
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Judicial Conduct Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to define the treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors for which a justice or judge of the United States, according to Articles II and III of the U.S. Constitution, shall be removed from office.

Date: 2007-06-28
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007 - Declares that no predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of: (1) an employment, consumer, or franchise dispute, or (2) a dispute arising under any statute intended to protect civil rights or to regulate contracts or transactions between parties of unequal bargaining power. Declares, further, that the validity or enforceability of an agreement to arbitrate shall be determined by a court, under federal law, rather than an arbitrator, irrespective of whether the party resisting arbitration challenges the arbitration agreement specifically or in conjunction with other terms of the contract containing such agreement. Exempts arbitration provisions in collective bargaining agreements from this Act.

Date: 2007-07-12
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Effective Law Enforcement through Transparent Interrogations Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to render inadmissible as evidence in felony prosecutions statements by an individual obtained in an unrecorded custodial interrogation.

Date: 2007-07-12
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Whistleblower Recovery Act of 2007 - Amends the False Claims Act regarding a federal civil action ("whistle blower" or qui tam action) brought by private persons. Revises the definition of "original source" relating to the requirement that, for any court to have jurisdiction over such an action based upon the public disclosure of allegations or transactions in a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing, in a congressional, administrative, or Government Accountability Office report, hearing, audit, or investigation, the person bringing the action (if not the Attorney General) be an original source of the information. Redefines "original source" as an individual who has direct and independent knowledge of information that the individual has voluntarily provided to the government before filing an action that is the basis for either: (1) the allegations or transactions; or (2) public disclosure of the allegations or transactions. (Thus allows an individual who publicly discloses allegations or transactions of false claims to recover a portion of any awards following legal proceedings under the False Claims Act for those public disclosures, even though the individual does not know the precise way in which the wrongdoing occurs.)

Date: 2007-07-25
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Prosecutorial Tools Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to impose enhanced criminal penalties for serious violent felonies committed during and in relation to any drug trafficking crime.Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) impose additional restrictions on the release of persons charged with certain firearms offenses; and (2) establish limitation periods for prosecuting certain noncapital crimes of violence and terrorism.

Date: 2007-08-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Federal Judgeship and Administrative Efficiency Act of 2007 - Federal Judgeship Act of 2007 - Directs the President to: (1) appoint additional circuit judges for the first, second, sixth, and ninth circuit courts of appeals and temporary judges for the eighth and ninth circuit courts of appeals; and (2) appoint additional permanent and temporary district judges for districts in specified states. Establishes a federal judicial district in the Virgin Islands. Revises provisions relating to the jurisdiction of courts of the Virgin Islands.Enhanced Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2007 - Provides for additional permanent and temporary bankruptcy judgeships in specified states. Judicial Administration and Improvements Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to divide the Ninth Judicial Circuit into the Ninth Circuit (to be composed of California, Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands) and the Twelfth Circuit (to be composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington). Declares that the former Ninth Circuit shall cease to exist for administrative purposes two years after the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2007-09-10
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Amends the federal judicial code to change the composition of the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois. Removes Whiteside County from the Western Division of the Northern District and places it in the Central District.

Date: 2007-10-30
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Amends the federal judicial code to provide for an additional judgeship for the western district of Michigan, increasing the number of judgeships from four to five.

Date: 2007-11-14
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
IDEA Fairness Restoration Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to include expert witness fees, including the reasonable costs of any test or evaluation necessary for the preparation of the parent or guardian's case in the action or proceeding, within the definition of "attorneys' fees" that may be awarded to the prevailing party in a civil action brought under such Act.

Date: 2007-11-14
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Education
Amends the federal criminal code to require the judge in the trial of every criminal case, or at sentencing if there is no trial, to read in open court the rights of crime victims as provided by federal law.

Date: 2007-12-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Tory Jo's Loophole AMBER Response Act of 2007 - Amends the PROTECT Act to: (1) require the minimum standards for the issuance and dissemination of alerts through the AMBER Alert communications network to allow local law enforcement officials to issue and provide for the dissemination of an alert to facilitate the recovery of an abducted newborn; and (2) define "child" to mean an individual under age 18 or a newborn.

Date: 2007-12-12
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines delineating when U.S. attorneys should enter into deferred prosecution agreements, including appropriate factors for U.S. Attorneys to consider in determining whether to enter such agreements. Requires a deferred prosecution agreement to be approved by a U.S. district court judge or a U.S. magistrate judge in the U.S. district court where criminal charges would be prosecuted by a U.S. attorney. Requires oversight of a deferred prosecution agreement by a federal monitor appointed by an independent third party (a U. S. district court judge or a U.S. magistrate judge) from a pool of pre-qualified firms or individuals (or both). Requires the presiding judge in the district court where a deferred prosecution agreement was approved, upon request by a U.S. Attorney, to determine if the deferred prosecution agreement has been breached.

Date: 2008-01-22
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
The Pornography Jurisdiction Limitation Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to provide that no court created by Act of Congress shall have jurisdiction, and the Supreme Court shall have no appellate jurisdiction, to hear or decide a question of whether a state pornography law imposes a constitutionally invalid restriction on the freedom of expression. Provides that a decision of a federal court, to the extent the decision relates to such a question, is not binding precedent on a state court.

Date: 2008-02-28
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Amends the federal criminal code to require the judge, at arraignment or at the commencement of a criminal trial, or at sentencing if there is no trial, to read in open court the rights of crime victims as provided by federal law.

Date: 2008-04-22
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Save our Border Communities Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide payment to first responders for costs associated with providing emergency services at U.S. international borders, but only to the extent that such costs are not otherwise reimbursed through any federal program and cannot otherwise be recovered.

Date: 2008-04-23
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Emergency management
Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit a court from entering an order restricting the disclosure of information obtained through discovery, approving a settlement disagreement that would restrict such disclosure, or restricting access to court records in a civil case, unless the court has found that: (1) such order would not restrict the disclosure of information which is relevant to the protection of public health or safety; or (2) the public interest in the disclosure of potential health or safety hazards is outweighed by a specific and substantial interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the information, and the requested protective order is no broader than necessary to protect the privacy interest. Prohibits any party from requesting, as a condition for the production of discovery, that another party stipulate to an order that would violate this Act. Prohibits a court from: (1) approving or enforcing an order prohibited under this Act, or any provision of an agreement between parties to a civil action, that restricts a party from disclosing information to any federal or state agency with authority to enforce laws regulating an activity relating to such information; or (2) enforcing any provision of a settlement agreement that prohibits a party from disclosing that a settlement was reached or the terms of the settlement, other than the amount paid, or from discussing a case or evidence that involves matters related to public health or safety, except where the court finds that the public interest in disclosure of potential health and safety hazards is outweighed by a confidentiality interest. Makes it a rebuttable presumption that the interest in protecting personally identifiable information relating to an individual's financial or health, or other similar information, outweighs the public interest in disclosure. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to permit, require, or authorize the disclosure of classified information.

Date: 2008-04-23
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Protecting Americans from Unsafe Foreign Products Act - Amends the federal judicial code to provide for service of process on foreign citizens or subjects (nationals), or their agents, in cases involving defective products causing injury in the United States which were manufactured by the foreign national outside the United States. Conditions jursidiction for service of process on the fact that the foreign national: (1) knew or reasonably should have known that the product or component would be imported for sale or use in the United States; or (2) had contacts with the United States, whether or not such contacts occurred in the place where the injury occurred.

Date: 2008-04-29
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) award a grant to a nonprofit organization (such as the National District Attorneys Association) for a national training program to improve the professional skills of state and local prosecutors and to enhance the ability of federal, state, and local prosecutors to work together; and (2) provide assistance for carrying out such training program, including comprehensive continuing legal education in trial practice, substantive legal updates, and support staff training. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2012.

Date: 2008-05-19
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit a domestic court from recognizing or enforcing a foreign judgment for defamation that is based upon a publication concerning a public figure or a matter of public concern, unless the domestic court determines that the judgment is consistent with the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Date: 2008-05-22
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law
Responsive Government Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to authorize the chief judge of a district or court of appeals to delay, toll, or otherwise grant relief from time deadlines applicable to pending civil and criminal cases in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency situation requiring the closure of courts or rendering it impracticable to comply with such deadlines. Grants the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office authority to: (1) waive statutory provisions governing the filing, processing, renewal, and maintenance of patents, trademark registrations, and patent and trademark applications in certain emergencies; and (2) accept late application filings for patent extensions in certain cases of unintentional delay. Prescribes filing fees for patent extensions, including: (1) $65 million for an anticoagulant drug intended for use in humans; and (2) a formula for other items.

Date: 2008-06-23
Topic: Law and Crime (Court Administration)
Subject: Law