zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety and Roadway Enhancement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to implement a roadway safety enhancement program for older drivers and pedestrians to: (1) improve roadway safety infrastructure in states that is consistent with recommendations of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the "Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians"; and (2) achieve significant reductions in roadway fatalities and serious injuries among drivers and pedestrians 65 years old or older on all public roads. Sets forth project eligibility requirements and project identification and selection priorities. Requires the Secretary to finalize revision of the Handbook for publication. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to repeal its program for roadway safety improvements for older drivers and pedestrians. Requires the Secretary to: (1) appoint a Special Assistant for Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety within the Office of the Secretary; and (2) establish national goals for increasing driver, passenger, and pedestrian safety for persons 65 years old or older. Requires the Secretary to revise the manual on uniform traffic control devices to include a standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity for pavement markings on all public roads.

Date: 2009-07-27
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 - (Sec. 3) Delineates passenger vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) vessel design, equipment, construction, and retrofitting; (2) video surveillance to monitor crime; (3) access to security guide; (4) posting of U.S. embassy locations; (5) maintenance of equipment, medications, and medical personnel for sexual assaults on board; (6) confidentiality of sexual assault information; (7) restrictions on crew access to passenger staterooms; and (8) log book entry and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, thefts, and other crimes. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for persons who willfully violate such requirements. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to develop minimum training standards for the certification of passenger vessel security personnel, crew members, and law enforcement officials on methods for the prevention, detection, evidence preservation, and reporting of criminal activities in the international maritime environment. Prohibits a vessel carrying U.S. citizens from entering a U.S. port unless there is at least one crew member on board who has met such training and certification requirements. Subjects persons who violate such requirements to certain civil penalties. (Sec. 4) Repeals certain maritime reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard (CG) is operating to combine into a single annual report for FY2010 and thereafter the separate reports of the CG concerning: (1) its annual fisheries enforcement plans; and (2) steps it will take to improve significantly the detection and interdiction of illegal incursions by foreign fishing vessels into the U.S. exclusive economic zone.

Date: 2009-07-28
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Vessel Repair Enhancement Act of 2009 - Expands, for capital construction fund provisions, the definition of "qualified vessel" to include: (1) a vessel documented under U.S. laws and maintained or repaired in a privately owned shipyard in the United States; and (2) any floating dry dock and related shipyard infrastructure (including marine railways) located in the United States and used to build, maintain, or repair U.S.-documented vessels. Amends federal merchant marine law and the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow capital construction funds to be used for maintenance or repair of vessels documented under the laws of the United States; (2) establish the order of withdrawal for purposes of the tax treatment of qualified withdrawals from such funds; and (3) disallow a basis reduction for maintenance or repair withdrawals.

Date: 2009-07-29
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
United States Mariner and Vessel Protection Act of 2009 - Shields an owner, operator, time charterer, master, or mariner who uses, or authorizes the use of, force to defend a vessel of the United States against piracy from liability for any resulting injury to or death of any person participating in the piracy. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to work through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish agreements to promote coordinated action among flag- and port-states to deter, protect against, and rapidly respond to acts of piracy against the vessels of, and in the waters under the jurisdiction of, those nations, and to ensure limitations on liability similar to those established by this Act.

Date: 2009-07-29
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Clean Low-Emission Authorization Nationwide (CLEAN) Ports Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to award competitive grants to seaport governing bodies (including harbor commissions and port authorities) for the acquisition of fuel efficient and low-emission equipment and systems at port facilities, with a preference to seaport governing bodies that can demonstrate a pattern of successful implementation of energy use and pollution reduction activities. Sets aside up to 10% of federal funding to carry out this Act for research and development of fuel efficient port vehicle or vessel technologies that reduce carbon dioxide emissions, increase fuel efficiency in local port fleets, and lead to increased domestic production of fuel efficient or clean vehicles. Sets the federal share of costs for such activities at no more than 90%.

Date: 2009-07-31
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to provide that amounts in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund shall be available for expenditures, without further appropriation. Requires the Secretary of the Army to submit to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works an annual report on expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and the economic benefits of harbor dredging projects.

Date: 2009-07-31
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act of 2009 or the ALERT Drivers Act - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 25% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway program funds for the fiscal year if the state has not enacted or is not enforcing a law that: (1) prohibits, except in an emergency, an operator of a motor vehicle from writing, sending, or reading a text message using a hand-held mobile telephone (excluding a vehicle-integrated, voice-activated device); and (2) requires, upon conviction of a violation of such prohibition, the imposition of certain minimum penalties.

Date: 2009-09-08
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Fighting Occupied Cell Use So Everyone Drives More Safely Act of 2009 or the FOCUS Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 25% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway program funds for the fiscal year if the state has not enacted or is not enforcing a law that: (1) prohibits, except in an emergency, an operator of a moving motor vehicle from using any communication device if he or she is under 21, and a hand-held communication device if he or she is 21 or older; and (2) requires, upon conviction of a violation of such prohibition, the imposition of certain minimum penalties. Defines "communication device" to mean any mobile telephone or other portable electronic communication device which a user engages in a call or writes, sends, or reads a message.

Date: 2009-10-15
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Requires the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), if in periodic transportation safety investigative reports and studies it recommends replacement of major equipment or operating systems that require significant funding or time, to include, if available, alternative safe interim recommendations and corrective actions that a state or local government authority is able to afford and implement in a timely manner.

Date: 2009-10-29
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Emergency Responders Highway Safety Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a highway emergency responders safety grant program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations for projects to: (1) increase awareness of state laws that require a motorist to change lanes or reduce speed if passing a highway emergency responder, including the penalties for noncompliance with such laws; and (2) provide highway emergency responders with training on the prevention of injuries and fatalities resulting from roadside collisions. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a multidisciplinary advisory group to make program recommendations; and (2) an incident reporting system to compile information on roadside collisions involving highway emergency responders.

Date: 2009-11-18
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Replaces the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security in the Department of Transportation (DOT) with the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security as head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Increases the term of office of the Assistant Secretary from 5 to 10 years.

Date: 2010-01-13
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Active Community Transportation Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out an active transportation investment program to encourage a mode shift to active transportation within selected communities that have development plans that provide safe and convenient opportunities to travel by bicycling and walking. Requires the Secretary to make grants to communities through local or regional governmental organizations, multi-county special districts, or Indian tribes to carry out active transportation (bicycling and walking) infrastructure projects that connect people with public transportation, workplaces, residences, businesses, recreation areas, and other community activity centers.

Date: 2010-03-02
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to waive competitive bidding requirements in the award of federal-aid highway construction projects performed by state transportation departments if such waiver is determined to be in the public interest.

Date: 2010-03-17
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Research of Alcohol Detection Systems for Stopping Alcohol-related Fatalities Everywhere Act of 2010 or the ROADS SAFE Act of 2010 - Directs the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to carry out a collaborative research effort to continue to explore, and report to specified congressional committees on, the feasibility and the potential benefits of, and the public policy challenges associated with, more widespread deployment of in-vehicle technology to prevent alcohol-impaired driving.

Date: 2010-03-19
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2012 the alternative motor vehicle tax credit for advanced lean-burn technology, hybrid, and new alternative fuel motor vehicles; (2) increase the amounts of such credit; (3) increase the threshold (the number of qualified vehicles manufactured by the manufacturer after December 31, 2005) for initiating the phaseout period for the eligibility of hybrid and advanced lean-burn technology vehicles for such credit; and (4) deny such credit to a taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 in the case of married couples filing jointly).

Date: 2010-03-25
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Taxation
National Shipbuilding Budget Policy Act - Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for: (1) construction of vessels to meet Navy force requirements; and (2) loan guarantees and commitments for the construction of new vessels to replace and expand the U.S. fleet of commercial vessels.

Date: 2010-04-15
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include qualified carsharing and ridesharing reimbursement as a qualified transportation fringe benefit for purposes of the tax exclusion for such benefits.

Date: 2010-04-22
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Taxation
Event Data Recorder Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to modify certain federal motor vehicle safety standards to require that passenger automobiles (except trailers) be equipped with: (1) an event data recorder (EDR) meeting certain requirements; and (2) a standardized port for accessing and retrieving data stored in any EDR regardless of the manufacturer or model of the motor vehicle. Requires manufacturers of passenger automobiles to include EDRs in: (1) at least 25% of their fleet beginning in model 2013; (2) at least 65% of their fleet beginning in model year 2014; and (3) 100% of their fleet beginning in model year 2015. Requires the owner's manual of new motor vehicles sold or leased in the United States to indicate clearly the presence of EDRs. Prohibits the retrieval of information recorded or transmitted by an EDR by any other person than the owner of the motor vehicle in which such device is installed unless: (1) authorized by court order, the owner consents, or the information is retrieved by a government motor vehicle safety agency; and (2) the personally identifiable information of the owner or driver of the vehicle or vehicle identification number (VIN) is not disclosed in the retrieval of information.

Date: 2010-04-28
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Securing Protections for the Injured from Limitations on Liability Act - (Sec. 2) Amends the Death on the High Seas Act to permit the personal representative of a decedent to bring a civil action in admiralty or law (limited to admiralty under current law) against the person or vessel responsible for the decedent's death when the death was caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas beyond three nautical miles from the shore of the United States. Limits the right to bring such an action to the decedent's survivors only (including, as under current law, spouse, parent, child, or dependent relative). Allows recovery in such an action for fair compensation for nonpecuniary loss (limited to pecuniary loss under current law), plus a fair compensation for the decedent's pain and suffering. Defines "nonpecuniary loss" as loss of care, comfort, and companionship. (Sec. 3) Amends the Jones Act to allow recovery for the loss of the care, comfort, and companionship of a seaman who died in the course of employment. Removes restrictions on the bringing of actions under U.S. maritime law by workers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents against a mineral or energy company for personal injury or death occurring in the territorial waters or continental shelf of a foreign country. (Sec. 4) Repeals specified general limitations on a shipowner's liability (the Limitation of Liability Act) for personal injury or death on seagoing vessels. (Sec. 5) Amends the bankruptcy code to prohibit a trustee in bankruptcy from selling or leasing, except in the ordinary course of business, significant property of the estate of a debtor liable for a claim for wrongful death, personal injury, or property damage arising from an incident under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 unless: (1) more than one-half of the creditors, holding at least two-thirds the dollar aggregate amount of the claims not paid by the debtor, consent to such sale or lease; or (2) the court finds, after notice and a hearing, that all such claims will be paid because sufficient property will remain in the estate or the debtor's anticipated future income will be sufficient.

Date: 2010-06-10
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the SAFE Port Act to make non-asset based third party logistics providers who arrange international transportation of freight (including motor carrier brokers of property licensed by the Department of Transportation [DOT] ) eligible to enter into partnership with DOT under the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program to strengthen overall security of the international supply chain and U.S. border.

Date: 2010-06-28
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Emergency management
Transportation Efficiency Act - Directs the President to create a National Intermodal Transportation Planning Task Force to: (1) study the nation's transportation needs and priorities for the next 30 years; (2) convene a conference on National Transportation Planning; and (3) draft a National Intermodal Transportation plan that includes short- and long-term goals for meeting those priorities and improving intermodal transportation planning for all modes of the national transportation system.

Date: 2010-07-20
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Reduces from 180 days to 90 days after publication of a final action notice in the Federal Register the deadline for filing a claim seeking judicial review of a permit, license, or approval issued by a federal agency for a highway or public transportation capital project.

Date: 2010-09-23
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Smart Technologies for Communities Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish the Smart Communities Technology Initiative to provide grants to eligible entities to develop pilot programs to serve as model deployment sites for large scale installation and operation of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to improve safety, mobility, and the environment.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Jobs Through Environmental Safeguarding and Streamlining Act of 2010 - Modifies the prohibition, under the surface transportation project delivery pilot program, against assignment to a state of the responsibility of the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) for any conformity determination under the Clean Air Act with regard to highway projects in the state. Allows the Secretary to assign a state that responsibility for an individual project. Treats any project as a highway project if the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the lead agency for it. Allows the Secretary to assign a state authorities relating to the FHWA and another DOT modal administration with regard to any highway project involving such agencies. Eliminates the limitation to Alaska, California, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas of state participation in the program. Allows program participation by any state meeting the selection criteria. Revises requirements for the written agreement under the pilot program between the Secretary and a state governor to include agreement to carry out the Secretary's assigned responsibilities using the best available science. Limits such an agreement to a five-year renewable term. Allows the agreement to list projects excluded from the program. Prohibits the agreement from imposing on the state a limitation on the use of a project delivery method, if the limitation would not otherwise apply to the state. Treats as a project delivery method state authority to acquire rights-of-way and conduct final design work for a project with state funds on an at-risk basis before completion of the project's environmental review process. Authorizes the Secretary to monitor state compliance with an agreement, instead of conducting an audit, if the state has been participating in the program pursuant to the agreement for ten consecutive years. Requires the Secretary to commence the auditing process, however, if a state, while participating in the monitoring program, repeatedly fails to comply with all aspects of the agreement.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Prevention of Unreasonable Fees Act - Prohibits an operator of a transportation terminal that uses federal funds for terminal construction, or for the purchase or lease of equipment installed there, from charging a fee to a provider of pre-arranged ground transportation service that meets state vehicle and intrastate passenger licensing requirements. Exempts from such prohibition: (1) fees charged to the general public for access to, or use of, the terminal; (2) any fee for the availability of ancillary facilities located there; or (3) any fee for such access or use that the Secretary has approved in advance as reasonable, nonburdensome, nondiscriminatory, and necessary to the provision of prearranged ground transportation service. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) prohibit or restrict a transportation terminal operator from requiring vehicles that cannot safely use public parking facilities to use segregated facilities provided the fee for segregated facilities is no more than that charged to the public for similar facilities; or (2) restrict the right of a state or its political subdivisions to require a license or fee (other than a prohibited transportation terminal fee) for a motor vehicle providing certain other prearranged ground transportation.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the alternative tax on qualifying shipping activities to treat a corporation electing such tax as continuing to use a qualifying vessel in the U.S. foreign trade during any period of use in the U.S. domestic trade, thus eliminating the 30 day limitation on operating in U.S. domestic trade under current law.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2012 the alternative motor vehicles tax credit for advanced lean burn technology, hybrid, and new alternative fuel motor vehicles; (2) increase the amounts of such credit; (3) repeal limitations on the number of hybrid and advanced lean-burn technology vehicles eligible for such credit; and (4) deny such credit to a taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 in the case of married couples filing jointly).

Date: 2009-01-12
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Taxation
Build America Bonds Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for any Build America bond issued by the Transportation Finance Corporation as part of an issue, if 100% of the available project proceeds from such issue are to be used for expenditures incurred for one or more qualified projects. Requires proceeds from the sale of bonds issued under this Act to be held in a Build America Bonds Trust Account. Defines "qualified project" as the capital improvements to any transportation infrastructure project (including roads, bridges, rail and transit systems, ports, and inland waterways) proposed by one or more states and approved by the Transportation Finance Corporation. Grants Congress' consent and recognition to the establishment by two or more state infrastructure banks of the Transportation Finance Corporation. Authorizes the Transportation Finance Corporation to: (1) issue Build America bonds for the financing of qualified projects; (2) establish and operate the Build America Bonds Trust Account; (3) leverage resources and stimulate public and private investment in transportation infrastructure; and (4) perform any other function the sole purpose of which is to carry out the financing of qualified projects through Build America bonds. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend certain customs fees for the processing of merchandise entered into the United States through specified dates in 2046.

Date: 2009-01-14
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Taxation
Captive Primate Safety Act - Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to add nonhuman primates to the definition of "prohibited wildlife species" for purposes of the prohibition against the sale or purchase of such species in interstate or foreign commerce.Makes it unlawful for a person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase a live animal of any prohibited wildlife species in interstate or foreign commerce (i.e., for pet trade purposes). Sets forth exceptions to such prohibition, including, under certain conditions, for: (1) transporting a nonhuman primate to or from a veterinarian; (2) transporting a nonhuman primate to a legally designated caregiver as a result of the death of the preceding owner; and (3) transporting a single primate of the genus Cebus that was obtained from and trained by a charitable organization to assist a permanently disabled individual with a severe mobility impairment. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of the requirements of this Act. Extends the authorization of appropriations to carry out such prohibition for FY2010-FY2014. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY2010 for use in hiring additional law enforcement personnel of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to enforce the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981.

Date: 2009-02-24
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Animals
Working Waterfront Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to award a grant to a state or local government of a coastal state, a nonprofit organization, or a fishing cooperative for projects to: (1) acquire real property in a coastal state to provide access to commercial fishermen or persons in the aquaculture industry to coastal waters in working waterfront areas; or (2) make improvements to real property owned by an eligible entity in a coastal state to provide access to such persons to coastal waters in working waterfront areas.

Date: 2009-03-05
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 - Delineates passenger vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) vessel design, equipment, construction, and retrofitting; (2) video surveillance to monitor crime; (3) posting of U.S. embassy locations; (4) maintenance of equipment and medical personnel for sexual assaults on board; (5) confidentiality of sexual assault information; (6) crew access to passenger staterooms; and (7) log book entry and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, thefts, and other crimes. Prescribes penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to develop minimum training standards for the certification of passenger vessel security personnel, crew members, and law enforcement officials on methods for the prevention, detection, evidence preservation, and reporting of criminal activities in the international maritime environment. Prohibits a vessel carrying U.S. citizens from entering a U.S. port unless there is at least one crew member on board who has met such training and certification requirements. Subjects persons who violate such requirements to certain penalties. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the security needs of a passenger vessel depending on the number of passengers on the vessel, with recommendations for security improvements.

Date: 2009-03-12
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Surface Transportation Safety Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to modify certain federal regulations to: (1) allow fire services personnel to wear high visibility apparel meeting certain requirements; and (2) ensure that positive protective measures (including temporary longitudinal traffic barriers) are used to separate workers on highway construction projects from motorized traffic. Directs the Secretary to approve the use of federal-aid highway funds for patented or proprietary items that further the goals of state strategic highway safety plans. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to revise the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to include a standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity that must be maintained for pavement markings, which shall apply to all roads open to public travel. Revises requirements for the highway safety improvement program to count installation, replacement, and upgrade of highway signs and pavement markings as a highway safety improvement project. Authorizes: (1) states to obligate highway safety improvement program funds apportioned to them for projects to maintain minimum levels of retroreflectivity in highway signs or pavement markings on public roads, whether or not such projects are included in state plans; and (2) a federal share of costs of 100% for such projects. Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a program to improve traffic signs and pavement markings for older drivers and pedestrians in all states; (2) review the safety of all highway-rail grade crossings in the United States and, based on such review, compile a list of the ten highway-rail grade crossings having the greatest need for safety improvements; (3) establish a national database of information on the safety of highway-rail grade crossings in the United States; and (4) allocate $20 million to each state with a population density of less than 20 persons per square mile for each fiscal year beginning with FY2010 for rural highway safety improvement projects.

Date: 2009-04-02
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Transportation Access for All Americans Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow accelerated depreciation of applicable leased highway property; and (2) provide for amortization of intangibles relating to such property. Defines "applicable leased highway property" as property subject to a lease between a taxpayer and a governmental entity under which the taxpayer leases a highway and associated improvements, receives a right-of-way on public lands underlying such highway and improvements, and receives a grant of a franchise or other intangible right to receive payments relating to the operation of such highway. Prohibits private activity bond financing of applicable leased highway property.

Date: 2009-04-23
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Taxation
Port Authority of New York/New Jersey Port Security Task Force Implementation Act of 2009 - Revises mandatory elements of the secure system of transportation program. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, to establish minimum program standards and procedures for verifying, at the point goods are placed in a cargo container for shipping, that such container is free of unauthorized contents, including hazardous chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear material, and is securely sealed after verification of its contents. Prohibits the entry of any container that has not complied with such standards and procedures. Requires Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans to establish regional response and recovery protocols for transportation security incidents. Amends the SAFE Port Act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that the Port Security Exercise Program utilizes Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans in conducting port security exercises. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to develop and utilize a national standard for prioritizing and assessing security risks at U.S. ports, such as the Maritime Assessment Strategy Tool. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) use of the U.S. Coast Guard's Maritime Security Risk Assessment Model tool to conduct vessel and port facility security risk assessments; (2) establishment of maritime and cargo security integrated project teams; (3) sharing of port facility vulnerability assessments and integration of port security plans and systems with local port authority and law enforcement agencies; (4) policy for advanced notice of Coast Guard boarding of vessels for security or Port State Control inspections; (5) confiscation of fraudulent transportation worker identification cards (TWICs); (6) Federal Maritime Commission training and licensing of steamship agents; (7) designation of a U.S. person to be responsible for notifying emergency response entities in the event of a transportation security incident involving a U.S. or foreign vessel; (8) minimum incident command system training and performance standards for maritime security guards; (9) consideration of regional strategic risk management priorities for tier 1 and tier 2 ports in grant awards; and (10) the submission of security plans for supply, bunker, and fuel deliver and launch vessels conducting activities or providing services to other vessels at anchorage.

Date: 2009-04-28
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Federal Surface Transportation Policy and Planning Act of 2009 - Declares it is U.S. policy to develop a national surface transportation system that advances the national interest and defense, interstate and foreign commerce, the efficient and safe interstate mobility of people and goods, and the protection of the environment. Sets forth certain U.S. policy objectives and goals, including to: (1) reduce national per capita motor vehicle miles traveled annually; (2) reduce national surface transportation-generated carbon dioxide levels by 40% by 2030; (3) reduce national surface transportation (including passenger and freight) delays and congestion at U.S. points of entry; (4) increase the total usage of public transportation, intercity passenger rail services, and non-motorized transportation; and (5) ensure adequate transportation of domestic energy supplies. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) develop performance criteria and data collections systems to evaluate the effectiveness of federal surface transportation programs; (2) implement such programs to meet the policy, objectives, goals, and performance criteria established by this Act; and (3) develop and implement a National Surface Transportation Performance Plan. Authorizes the Secretary to amend the goals established under this Act.

Date: 2009-05-14
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Drive America Forward Act of 2009 - Establishes in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a Drive America Forward Program through which the Secretary of Transportation shall: (1) authorize the issuance of an electronic voucher to offset the purchase or lease price for a new fuel efficient automobile upon the surrender of an eligible trade-in vehicle to a participating dealer; (2) certify dealers for Program participation; (3) make electronic payments to them for vouchers they accept between March 30, 2009, and one year after Program implementing regulations are promulgated; (4) provide for the payment of rebates to qualifying persons; and (5) establish and provide for the enforcement of measures to prevent and penalize fraud under the Program. Prescribes requirements, including combined fuel economy, for $3,500 and $4,500 vouchers to offset the purchase or lease price for a qualifying passenger automobile or truck. Limits the number of vouchers to one per customer, including joint registered owners of a single eligible trade-in vehicle. Requires a dealer to certify about each eligible trade-in vehicle that the dealer: (1) has not and will not sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of the vehicle for use as an automobile in the United States or in any other country; and (2) will transfer the vehicle to an entity that will ensure that the vehicle will be crushed or shredded within the Program period, and has not been, and will not be, sold, leased, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of for use as an automobile anywhere in the world. Makes any person who purchased or leased a new fuel efficient vehicle after March 30, 2009, and before the enactment of this Act eligible for a cash rebate equivalent to the appropriate voucher amount. Prescribes standards which any regulations issued by the Secretary for the Program must meet. Makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly violate this Act or any regulations issued under it, particularly by fraud. Prescribes civil penalties for any such violation. Directs the Secretary to make Program information available on an Internet website and through other means.

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Exempts residents or nonresidents who assist, accompany, transport, guide, or aid persons in the taking of fish for monetary or other consideration on Lake Texoma (located on the border between Texas and Oklahoma): (1) who are licensed by the state in which they are operating from any related requirement established or administered by the Coast Guard; and (2) who are licensed by the Coast Guard from state regulation so long as the Coast Guard license remains valid. Prohibits an individual with a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariners document and serving under the authority of such license, certificate, or document on a vessel that is required to have a vessel security plan from entering an area designated as a secure area in such a plan unless the individual has (or is accompanied by an individual who has) a biometric transportation security card issued by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. (Current law contains the same prohibition, but without referring to serving under the authority of such license, certificate, or document.) Removes a provision prohibiting an individual engaged on a towing vessel that pushes, pulls, or hauls alongside a tank vessel from entering a secured area without having (or without being accompanied by an individual who has) such a card.

Date: 2009-06-08
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
American Communities' Right to Public Information Act - Amends the SAFE Port Act with respect to existing prohibitions against the disclosure of information contained in maritime transportation security plans (including facility security plans, vessel security plans, and port vulnerability assessments) and other information related to security plans, procedures, or programs for vessels or facilities. Declares that such prohibitions shall not be construed to authorize the designation of information as sensitive security information to: (1) conceal a violation of law, inefficiency, or administrative error; (2) prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency; (3) restrain competition; or (4) prevent or delay the release of information that does not require protection in the interest of transportation security.

Date: 2009-06-16
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Highway Investment Protection Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to transfer remaining unobligated stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) to ensure its solvency through FY2010. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the expenditure authority of the HTF through FY2010.

Date: 2009-06-24
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the requirement that obligations held by the Highway Trust Fund be non interest-bearing; (2) appropriate additional amounts to such Fund and allow such amounts to remain available without fiscal year limitation; and (3) extend until March 31, 2011, the authority to make expenditures from such Fund (including the Mass Transit Account).

Date: 2009-07-20
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to extend through FY2010 and the period October 1, 2010-March 31, 2011, the authorization of appropriations funded by the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) (other than the Mass Transit Account) for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highway safety programs, including: (1) highway safety research and development; (2) the occupant protection incentive grants program; (3) the safety belt performance grants program; (4) state traffic safety information system improvements; (5) the alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures incentive grant program; (6) the National Driver Register; (7) the high visibility enforcement program; (8) the motorcyclist safety program; (9) the child safety and child booster seat safety incentive grants program; and (10) NHTSA administrative expenses. Extends funding through FY2011 for: (1) drug-impaired driving enforcement; and (2) programs to improve older driver safety and provide law enforcement training. Extends through FY2010 and the period October 1, 2010-March 31, 2011, the authorization of appropriations funded by the HTF (other than the Mass Transit Account) for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) motor carrier safety programs, including: (1) the motor carrier safety grants program; (2) FMCSA administrative expenses; (3) a set-aside for high priority activities and projects that improve commercial motor vehicle safety and compliance with commercial motor vehicle safety regulations; (4) a set-aside for new entrant motor carrier audits; (5) state commercial driver's license information system modernization; (6) a motor safety outreach and education program; and (7) a grant program to train commercial motor vehicle operators in the safe use of commercial vehicles. Extends through March 31, 2011: (1) the motor carrier safety advisory committee; and (2) the working group for development of practices and procedures to enhance federal-state relations. Extends through FY2010 and the period October 1, 2010-March 31, 2011, the funding for hazardous materials research projects. Amends the Dingell Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to extend through FY2010 and the period October 1, 2010-March 31, 2011, the current requirements for distribution of appropriations for fish restoration and management projects.

Date: 2009-07-22
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2009 - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) (other than the Mass Transit Account) for the federal-aid highway, surface transportation research, and transportation planning programs under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) for: (1) FY2010, with a limit on obligational authority for the programs equal to the total authorized for such programs for FY2009; and (2) the period from October 1, 2010, through March 31, 2011, with a limit on obligational authority for the programs equal to one-half of the total amount authorized for such programs for 2009. Sets forth certain exceptions to such limits. Requires authorizations of appropriations for FY2010 and the period from October 1, 2010, through March 31, 2011, to be allocated to a state for certain federal-aid highway programs in the same proportion as the amount apportioned to the state for that program for FY2009 bears to amounts apportioned to the state for FY2009 for all programs. Authorizes appropriations out of the HTF (other than the Mass Transit Account) for administrative expenses of the federal-aid highway program for FY2010 and the period from October 1, 2010, through March 31, 2011.

Date: 2009-07-22
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act of 2009 or the ALERT Drivers Act - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 25% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway program funds for the fiscal year if the state has not enacted or is not enforcing a law that: (1) prohibits, except in an emergency, an operator of a motor vehicle from writing, sending, or reading a text message using a hand-held mobile telephone (excluding a voice-activated device); and (2) requires, upon conviction of a violation of such prohibition, the imposition of certain minimum penalties.

Date: 2009-07-29
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Transportation Low Emissions Energy Plan 2020 Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT), in coordination with the Secretary of Energy (DOE) and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to establish a stakeholder-driven process to develop a national transportation low emissions energy plan. Requires such plan to: (1) project the near- and long-term need for and location of electric drive vehicle refueling infrastructure at strategic locations across all major national highways, roads, and corridors; (2) identify infrastructure and standardization needs for electricity providers, infrastructure providers, vehicle manufacturers, and electricity purchasers; (3) establish a goal of achieving strategic deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure by 2020; (4) prioritize the development of standardized public charge access ports with wireless or smart card billing capability and level I and level II charge port systems (that charge an electric vehicle over a period of 8 to 14 hours and 4 to 8 hours, respectively) that will meet the energy requirements of the majority of plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles; (5) examine the feasibility of level III charge port systems that can charge over a period of 10 to 20 minutes; and (6) focus on infrastructure that provides consumers with the lowest cost while providing convenient charge system access. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate within DOT a LEEP coordinator to oversee Plan development and the implementation of regional pilot projects; and (2) establish four pilot projects to demonstrate electric drive vehicles and infrastructure in rural locations and in commercial use.

Date: 2009-09-25
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Energy
Prevention of Unreasonable Fees Act - Prohibits an operator of a transportation terminal that uses federal funds for terminal construction, or for the purchase or lease of equipment installed there, from charging a fee to a provider of prearranged ground transportation service that meets state vehicle and intrastate passenger licensing requirements, except fees charged to the public to access the terminal or for use of ancillary facilities located there. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) prohibit or restrict a transportation terminal operator from requiring vehicles that cannot safely use public parking facilities to use segregated facilities provided the fee for segregated facilities is no more than that charged to the public for similar facilities; or (2) restrict the right of a state or its political subdivisions to require a license or fee (other than a prohibited transportation terminal fee) for a motor vehicle providing certain other prearranged ground transportation.

Date: 2009-10-08
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the temporary suspension of duty on marine sextants of metal designed for use in navigating by celestial bodies.

Date: 2009-10-29
Topic: Transportation (Maritime)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance