zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
American Samoa Protection of Industry, Resources, and Employment Act or ASPIRE Act - States that the federal government should provide American Samoa with employment stabilization and economic development assistance, including incentives for the operation and development of its tuna processing industry. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide technical assistance to American Samoa through grants in specified per metric ton amounts to sellers and buyers of whole tuna directly delivered to tuna processors located within American Samoa for processing in American Samoa. States that a grantee may be eligible either as a seller of direct-delivered whole tuna or as a processor buying direct-delivered whole tuna. Exempts such grants from inclusion as gross income under the Internal Revenue Code. Establishes: (1) an annual fee for vessels that make less than three direct deliveries of whole tuna to processors on American Samoa for processing in American Samoa; and (2) a per ton fee for each delivery by a U.S.-documented vessel that delivers tuna to another vessel or other location for transshipment. Establishes within the Treasury the American Samoa Economic Development Trust Fund.

Date: 2009-09-16
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Makes December 1, 2010, the effective date for applying U.S. immigration laws to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to Congress regarding such laws' application to the CNMI.

Date: 2009-09-24
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Castle Nugent National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2010 - Establishes the Castle Nugent National Historic Site on the island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, as a unit of the National Park System in order to preserve, protect, and interpret a Caribbean cultural landscape spanning over 300 years of agricultural use, significant archeological resources, mangrove forests, endangered sea turtle nesting beaches, an extensive barrier coral reef system, and other outstanding natural features. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands and interests: (1) within the boundaries of the Historic Site by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange; and (2) owned by the U.S. Virgin Islands or any political subdivision thereof by donation or exchange only. Authorizes the Secretary to lease certain lands within the boundary of the Historic Site to the University of the Virgin Islands for the purpose of continuing the University's operations for breeding Senepol cattle. Instructs that such a lease contain terms and conditions necessary for the protection of the values of the Site. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to prepare a general management plan for the Historic Site.

Date: 2009-10-06
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the economic situation in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Extends by one year the date for beginning the transition period of U.S. immigration laws to the CNMI. States that during such one-year period the CNMI visitor entry program shall be administered under CNMI law.

Date: 2009-10-08
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Longline Catcher Processor Subsector Single Fishery Cooperative Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, upon the request of eligible members of the longline catcher processor subsector holding at least 80 percent of the licenses issued for that subsector, to approve a single fishery cooperative for the longline catcher processor subsector in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). Requires an approved cooperative to include a limitation prohibiting any eligible member from harvesting a total of more than 20% of the Pacific cod available to be harvested in the longline catcher processor subsector, the violation of which is subject to the penalties under section the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Excepts from such limitation harvest amounts from quota assigned explicitly to a western Alaska community development quota group. Provides procedures for the submission of a contract by the longline catcher processor subsector to implement the single fishery cooperative and Department of Justice review. Sets forth BSAI Pacific cod harvest and prohibited species allocations for a single fishery cooperative approved under this Act and eligible members that operate in a non-cooperative limited access fishery. Authorizes the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to recommend for approval by the Secretary harvest limitations of Pacific cod by the longline catcher processor subsector in the Western Gulf of Alaska and the Central Gulf of Alaska necessary to protect coastal communities and other Gulf of Alaska participants from potential competitive advantages provided by this Act to the longline catcher processor subsector.

Date: 2009-10-22
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Interior may provide technical assistance to the government of Guam for public education regarding political status options only if those options are consistent with the U.S. Constitution. Amends the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 to deny: (1) the Northern Mariana Islands the 2011 increase in its minimum wage; and (2) American Samoa the 2010 and 2011 increase in its minimum wage. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess the impact of the minimum wage increases for the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa and report its findings to Congress by September 1, 2011. Requires the GAO to submit subsequent reports by April 1, 2013, and every two years thereafter until both territory's minimum wage meets the federal minimum wage.

Date: 2009-10-27
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Virgin Islands Improvement Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a reduction of taxes on distributions from certain retirement savings plans designated by an individual under the age of 61 as being under investment by the Virgin Islands Investment Program for at least 30 years. Defines "Virgin Islands Investment Program" for purposes of this Act as a fund with managed amounts of $50 billion or less. Imposes a 1.5% annual tax for 10 years, and 1% thereafter, on managed funds to benefit Virgin Island infrastructure development.

Date: 2010-02-24
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Directs the Election Assistance Commission to make a single payment to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the payments which would have been made to the Commonwealth under title I of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 for election administration improvement activities if: (1) the Commonwealth had been treated as a state at the time payments were made under such title to other states; and (2) the Commonwealth had been subject to the same minimum payment amounts applicable to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands. Directs the Commonwealth to use such payment to carry out the same election administration improvement activities for which states received similar payments under the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to treat the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as a state.

Date: 2010-05-06
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to make available more funding to Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for Older American community service employment programs for unemployed low-income persons over age 55, while decreasing from 30% to 25% the amount of funding reserved for Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and increasing from 10% to 25% the amount reserved for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Date: 2010-06-24
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Labor and employment
Requires the Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce to publish an annual report on the gross domestic product of the following U.S. territories and freely associated states: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau. Revises provisions concerning the Guam and Northern Mariana Islands Visa Waiver Program to require the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide for an alternative procedure for the inclusion in the Program of tourists from countries providing a significant economic benefit.

Date: 2010-07-30
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Virgin Islands National Park Land Acquisition Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation approximately three acres of land that is located at 6S Hansen Bay and known as Pleasant Lookout in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Permits the acquisition of the property only if the addition of such property to the Virgin Islands National Park would contribute to the range of natural, cultural, or historic resources that the Park protects and makes available for the benefit of the public. Adds the acquired land to the Virgin Island National Park and adjusts the boundary of the Park accordingly. Requires such land to be administered as part of the Park.

Date: 2010-09-14
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to apply it specifically to American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or the United States Virgin Islands. Applies to such jurisdictions specified criminal penalties relating to the intimidation of voters, interference by government employees, and voting by aliens.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Republic of the Marshall Islands Supplemental Nuclear Compensation Act of 2010 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 to direct the Secretary of Energy, as a part of the Marshall Islands program, to conduct at least every four years: (1) a visual study of the concrete exterior of the Cactus Crater containment structure on Runit Island; and (2) a radiochemical analysis of the groundwater surrounding, and in, the Cactus Crater containment structure on Runit Island. Makes specified funds available to conduct such radiochemical groundwater analysis. (Sec. 3) Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include a citizen or national of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or the Federated States of Micronesia within the definitions of "covered employee," "atomic weapons employee," and "Department of Energy contractor employee." Reduces compensation awarded to an individual under such Act who also received compensation under the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands for the same illness by any compensation received under such Compact, other than medical benefits and benefits for vocational rehabilitation that the individual received by reason of the illness, after deducting the reasonable costs of obtaining those benefits. (Sec. 4) Amends the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to provide to the Republic of the Marshall Islands an annual supplemental health care grant to: (1) provide enhanced primary health care, with an emphasis on providing regular screenings for radiogenic illnesses by upgrading existing services or by providing quarterly medical field team visits in Enewetak, Bikini, Rongelap, Utrik, Ailuk, Mejit, Likiep, Wotho, Wotje, and Ujelang Atolls, which were affected by the U.S. nuclear testing program; (2) enhance the capabilities of the Marshall Islands to provide secondary treatment for radiogenic illness; and (3) operate a whole-body counting facility on Utrik Atoll. Appropriates FY2009-FY2023 funds. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to assess the health impacts of the U.S. nuclear testing program conducted in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the residents of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2010-01-20
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Health
Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act - Recognizes the suffering and the loyalty of the people of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make specified payments to: (1) living Guam residents who were raped, injured, interned, or subjected to forced labor or marches resulting from, or incident to, such occupation and subsequent liberation; and (2) survivors of compensable residents who died in war (such payments to be made after payments have been made to surviving Guam residents). Directs the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to specify injuries that would constitute a severe personal injury or a personal injury. Authorizes the Commission to adjudicate claims and determine payment eligibility. Requires: (1) claims to be filed within one year after the Commission publishes public notice of the filing period in the Federal Register; and (2) the Commission to make filing period information available to the public through the media in Guam. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program for research, educational, and media activities that memorialize the events surrounding the occupation of Guam during World War II or honor the loyalty of the people of Guam during such occupation, or both.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Law
Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Fellowship Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Fellowship Program to award local government and federal government fellowships to qualified students from American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Allows a fellow to receive either a specified stipend or academic credit toward graduation for participating in an internship. Defines a "qualified student" as a student who is a U.S. citizen, domiciled in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, and enrolled in a degree or certificate program at an institution of higher education.

Date: 2011-01-26
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Education
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a team of technical, policy, and financial experts to: (1) develop an energy action plan addressing the energy needs of each of the insular areas (the American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands) and Freely Associated States (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau); and (2) assist each of the insular areas and Freely Associated States in implementing such plan. Requires such plan to include: (1) recommendations to reduce reliance and expenditures on imported fossil fuels, to develop indigenous, nonfossil fuel energy sources, and to improve performance of energy infrastructure and overall energy efficiency; (2) a schedule for implementation of such recommendations and identification and prioritization of specific projects; (3) a financial and engineering plan for implementing and sustaining projects; and (4) benchmarks for measuring progress toward implementation.

Date: 2011-02-09
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Energy
Conveys to the U.S. Virgin Islands specified submerged lands in the area between the island of Saint Croix and the islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John. States that for purposes of U.S. laws, and except as otherwise provided by international law or any international agreement in force for the United States, the territorial waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands shall consist of all waters in the belt of the seas measured from the line of ordinary low water along that portion of the coast which is in direct contact with the open sea and the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters, and extending seaward a distance of nine miles.

Date: 2011-02-09
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make Guam and the Virgin Islands eligible for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled under SSA title XVI.

Date: 2011-02-09
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Social welfare
Conveys to the government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands submerged lands surrounding such Islands and extending three geographical miles outward from their coastlines.

Date: 2011-02-11
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to treat American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as separate states for purposes of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.

Date: 2011-03-09
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Increases from 5 to 15 the authorized number of annual appointments to each of the military service academies from nominations made by the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.

Date: 2011-03-10
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Medicaid Coverage for Citizens of Freely Associated States Act of 2011 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 to permit coverage under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for citizens of the Freely Associated States lawfully residing in the United States under the Compacts of Free Association between the United States Government and the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Permits Medicaid coverage also to lawful residents, in accordance with such Compacts, but only at the option of the governor, of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa. Exempts such citizens from the five-year limited eligibility of qualified aliens for federal means-tested public benefits with respect to Medicaid benefits.

Date: 2011-03-11
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Health
Fairness for the U.S. Territories Under STELA Act - Amends the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA) to include the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as separate designated market areas for the purposes of specified statutory copyright licensing provisions related to low power television stations. Subjects to such licensing requirements certain secondary transmissions of a performance or display of a work embodied in a primary transmission of a television broadcast station if the secondary transmission is of the primary transmission of a television broadcast station that: (1) qualifies as a specialty station pursuant to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations in effect on June 24, 1981; and (2) is licensed as a low power television station located in such territories, to a subscriber residing within the same territory as the station originating the transmission.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Commerce
Puerto Rico Medicare Part B Equity Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the enrollment of residents of Puerto Rico under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to: (1) extend to three years the initial enrollment period; and (2) limit the Medicare part B late enrollment penalty. Directs the Administrator of Social Security to implement a plan to: (1) better inform individuals residing in Puerto Rico who are potential beneficiaries under Medicare part B about their eligibility to enroll and of the consequences of late enrollment; and (2) facilitate the enrollment of those desiring to so enroll.

Date: 2011-04-04
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Health
Assuring You Uniform Dietary Assistance (AYUDA) Act of 2011 - Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (formerly the Food Stamp Act of 1977) to provide the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands with the same food assistance benefits as are nationally available.

Date: 2011-04-08
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Vieques Recovery and Development Act of 2011 - Directs the President to acquire or convert real property located within the Municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico, for the purpose of constructing: (1) a specialty hospital that provides treatment for the sick and injured; and (2) a toxins research center that studies the existence, prevalence, and impact of toxins in Vieques, provides recommendations regarding the prevention of exposure to harmful levels of such toxins, and shares findings with medical personnel at such hospital. Requires the President to: (1) operate and maintain the quality of the hospital and research center; (2) develop an interagency plan to ensure that such residents benefit from improved access to federal programs, federal discretionary funding sources, and federal agency technical assistance; and (3) appoint a federal ombudsman for Vieques, who shall monitor the development and implementation of such plan. Prohibits the President from carrying out this Act until the administrative claims filed on May 18, 2009, by the Mayor of Vieques for money damages against the Department of the Navy have been settled or compromised. Authorizes a $10,000 award for settlement of any personal injury claim filed before enactment of this Act by an individual who was a resident of Vieques during or after the Navy's use of chemical weapons, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals for military training operations on the island, including for illness or death arising from such use. Increases awards for individuals who submit medical documentation of contracting a disease that is life-threatening, chronic, or related to heavy metals toxicity. Deems any award payment to be full settlement of the claim and a complete release by the individual of such claim against the United States or its employees.

Date: 2011-04-15
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Investing in U.S. Territories, Not Corporations Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to shipments of rum to the United States from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, to: (1) limit during a two-year period the amount of direct and indirect government assistance by the governments of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to rum producers from rum excise taxes covered-over into the treasuries of such governments to 15% of the amounts covered-over, (2) impose limitations on the allocation of rum excise taxes between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and (3) deny any payment of rum excise taxes covered over into the treasuries of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands for rum redistilled into cane neutral spirits after being brought into the United States.

Date: 2011-05-12
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends titles XI and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate funding limitations for the territories of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa with respect to payments for medical assistance for certain individuals eligible for it only on the basis of being breast or cervical cancer patients; and (2) apply to such assistance a federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for the highest state.

Date: 2011-06-03
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Health
Northern Mariana Islands College Access Act of 2011 - Directs the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands to use federal funds authorized by this Act to award grants to public four-year institutions of higher education (IHEs) located in the states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or Guam to cover the difference between the in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees for students who have: (1) been domiciled in the Northern Mariana Islands for at least the 12 months preceding their enrollment in the IHE; and (2) received on or after January 1, 2008, a secondary school diploma or its equivalent while domiciled there. Requires the Comptroller General to monitor the progam's effectiveness in expanding educational opportunities for such students.

Date: 2011-06-03
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Education
Derek M. Hodge Virgin Islands Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a reduction of taxes on distributions from certain retirement savings plans designated by an individual under the age of 61 as being under investment by the Virgin Islands Investment Program for at least 30 years. Defines "Virgin Islands Investment Program" for purposes of this Act as a fund with managed amounts of $50 billion or less. Imposes a 1.5% annual tax for 10 years, and 1% thereafter, on managed funds to benefit Virgin Island infrastructure development.

Date: 2011-06-16
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to permit the establishment of Job Corps centers in outlying areas (U.S. territories).

Date: 2011-06-24
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Labor and employment
Establishes the St. Croix National Heritage Area in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Designates St. Croix United for Community, Culture, Environment, and Economic Development (SUCCEED) Inc., as the local coordinating entity for the Area. Requires SUCCEED Inc. to submit a management plan that provides for the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the natural, cultural, historic, scenic, and recreational resources of the Area.

Date: 2011-07-07
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Child Tax Credit Equality for Puerto Rico Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make residents of Puerto Rico with less than three children eligible for the refundable portion of the child tax credit. Requires a phase-in of the full credit amount between 2011 and 2015.

Date: 2011-07-07
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Territories Economic Development Opportunity Act of 2011 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to allocate to the U.S. territories discretionary federal-aid highway program funds out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Fund).

Date: 2011-08-01
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Authorizes the establishment of units of the National Guard in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Requires that there be an adjutant general in such Commonwealth. Directs the Secretary of the Army and Secretary of the Air Force, respectively, to detail commissioned officers and enlisted members of the Regular Army and Regular Air Force to such Commonwealth.

Date: 2011-08-01
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Revises the federal judicial code to remove provisions: (1) exempting any U.S. attorney or assistant U.S. attorney appointed for the Northern Mariana Islands who at the same time is serving in the same capacity in another district from the requirement that such attorney reside in the district for which he or she was appointed, and (2) allowing any U.S. marshal appointed for the Northern Mariana Islands to serve as marshal in another judicial district at the same time. Requires each U.S. marshal for the Northern Mariana Islands to reside within such district.

Date: 2011-08-16
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Puerto Rico Investment Promotion Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a corporation incorporated under the laws of Puerto Rico and deriving at least 50% of its gross income from sources within Puerto Rico to elect to be treated as a domestic corporation for U.S. tax purposes.

Date: 2011-09-22
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to apply it specifically to American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or the United States Virgin Islands. Applies to such jurisdictions specified criminal penalties relating to the intimidation of voters, interference by government employees, and voting by aliens.

Date: 2011-10-26
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Requires, for purposes of the Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2009 and any amendments made by such Act, that certain U.S. Postal Service (USPS) officers and employees whose duty station is within American Samoa be entitled to the same cost-of-living allowance provided to USPS officers and employees in other non-foreign areas (thereby increasing the allowance for such officers and employees within American Samoa).

Date: 2011-10-31
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Northern Mariana Islands Federal Depository Library Act - Authorizes the Delegate of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to designate two libraries in the Northern Mariana Islands as federal depository libraries. Requires the distribution of U.S. government publications selected from lists prepared by the Superintendent of Documents to such libraries upon request.

Date: 2011-11-01
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Compact-Impact Reimbursement Act of 2011 - Amends the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 to authorize and appropriate FY2012-FY2014 funds to the Secretary of the Interior for grants to Guam, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa for the costs of increased demands placed on health, educational, social, or public safety services, or infrastructure related to such services due to the residence of qualified nonimmigrants. Directs the Secretary to provide for periodic enumerations of qualified nonimmigrants in Guam, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Defines "qualified nonimmigrant" as a person admitted to the United States pursuant to: (1) section 141 of the Compact of Free Association set forth in title II, or (2) section 141 of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the government of Palau.

Date: 2011-11-02
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Vests title to real property and equipment acquired using funds provided by a grant under the Alaska Kiln Drying Grant Program in the grant recipient in accordance with the compensation provisions in this Act.

Date: 2012-01-17
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Supplemental Security Income Equality Act - Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1972 to extend the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program under title XVI of the Social Security Act to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

Date: 2012-01-24
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Social welfare
Prohibits federal funding for any construction project in the Northern Mariana Islands which has a cost in excess of $100,000, unless the workforce for such project is composed of at least 60% U.S. workers (defined as nationals of the United States, aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or nationals of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau who are eligible for nonimmigrant admission and are employment-authorized under the Compacts of Free Association between the United States and those nations).

Date: 2012-02-15
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend the trade adjustment assistance for workers program to the U.S. territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Date: 2012-03-29
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Amends the Wagner-Peyser Act to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the U.S. Employment Service of the Department of Labor's program of providing public employment services through a one-stop services delivery system. Directs the Secretary of Labor to allot to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands an amount equal to the allotment percentage Guam received for employment services under the Act in FY1983.

Date: 2012-03-29
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Labor and employment
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2013 the eligibility of taxpayers in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities in such jurisdiction.

Date: 2012-04-24
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Territorial TANF Equity Act of 2012 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to remove the limitation on payments by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa under grants for assistance to the aged, the blind, and the permanently and totally disabled, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) under SSA title XVI, as well as for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) under SSA title IV part A and for foster care and adoption assistance under SSA title IV part E. Replaces entitlement to a matching grant with entitlement to a supplemental grant for such territories of: (1) 10% of the payable family assistance grant to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam; and (2) $100,000 to American Samoa. Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of SSA title XI to make such territories: (1) eligible for the TANF Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs; (2) Needy States if they satisfy alternative eligibility criteria established by the Secretary; and (3) eligible for child care entitlement funds. Prescribes a formula for allotment of child care entitlement funds to such territories. Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of SSA title XI to increase the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for foster care and adoption assistance in such territories.

Date: 2012-05-17
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Social welfare
Continued Free Association with Palau Act of 2012 - Approves, with specified exceptions, the agreement and appendices signed by the United States and the Republic of Palau on September 3, 2010, in connection with the Compact of Free Association between the United States and Palau. Extends funding for: (1) infrastructure maintenance and projects, (2) the Fiscal Consolidation Fund (at a reduced level for FY2012), and (3) specified federal entities. Assents to specified amendments to the Compact subsidiary agreements. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for postal services related to Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. States that Congress finds that Palau is eligible for certain U.S. domestic programs. Prohibits specified funds from being used for: (1) assistance to China or Argentina, (2) the development innovation ventures program, and (3) contributions to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Date: 2012-06-27
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: International affairs
Amends federal armed forces provisions, National Guard provisions, and military pay provisions to include American Samoa as a territory, thereby authorizing the establishment of National Guard units in American Samoa, as well as related authority with respect to National Guard personnel.

Date: 2012-08-02
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to extend to U.S. territories a program requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a temporary high risk health insurance pool program to provide health insurance coverage to eligible individuals with a preexisting condition.

Date: 2012-11-06
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Health
Virgin Islands Energy Crisis Relief Act - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), through the Rural Utilities Service, to make a grant to the Water and Power Authority of the U.S. Virgin Islands for energy generation, transmission, and distribution in rural communities with extremely high energy costs. Provides related funding through FY2015. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to the Authority to convert base power production in the Virgin Islands from fuel oil to liquefied natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. Authorizes appropriations through FY2017. Increases, through FY2018, the number of Virgin Islands households eligible for low-income energy assistance.

Date: 2012-12-04
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Energy
Conveys to the government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands submerged lands surrounding such Islands and extending three geographical miles outward from their coastlines.

Date: 2011-03-15
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Authorizes the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to offer to enter into a binding agreement with the city of Tracy, California, under which the Administrator may convey to the city any reversionary interest retained by the United States in a specified parcel of land conveyed to the city for educational or recreational purposes and all other terms, conditions, reservations, and restrictions imposed in connection with the conveyance of such parcel. Requires the city to pay to the Administrator not less than the appraised fair market value of the parcel, as determined by the Administrator pursuant to an appraisal, based on the highest and best use of the parcel. Treats such determination regarding the value of such parcel as being final. Makes the city responsible for reimbursing the Administrator for costs associated with the implementation of this Act, including the costs of each applicable appraisal and survey. Requires the net proceeds from such conveyance to be deposited into the Federal Buildings Fund and made available for expenditure for any lawful purpose consistent with the Administrator's authority. Prohibits anything in this Act from affecting or limiting the application of or obligation to comply with any environmental law.

Date: 2011-06-29
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from awarding grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other financial assistance under the national research and development program for the prevention and control of air pollution for any program, project, or activity carried out outside the United States, including its territories and possessions.

Date: 2012-03-22
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Environmental protection
Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act - Recognizes the suffering and the loyalty of the residents of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a Fund for the payment of claims submitted by compensable Guam victims and survivors of compensable Guam decedents.

Directs the Secretary to make specified payments to: (1) living Guam residents who were raped, injured, interned, or subjected to forced labor or marches, or internment resulting from, or incident to, such occupation and subsequent liberation; and (2) survivors of compensable residents who died in war (such payments to be made after payments have been made to surviving Guam residents).

Directs the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to specify injuries that would constitute a severe personal injury or a personal injury and adjudicate claims and determine payment eligibility.

Requires claims to be filed within one year after the Commission publishes notice of the filing period in the Federal Register and in the Guam media.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program for research, educational, and media activities that memorialize the events surrounding the occupation of Guam during World War II or honor the loyalty of the people of Guam during such occupation.

Date: 2013-01-03
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Law
Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make residents of Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa eligible to participate in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled under SSA title XVI.

Date: 2013-01-03
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Social welfare
Virgin Islands Energy Crisis Relief Act - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), through the Rural Utilities Service, to make a grant to the Water and Power Authority of the U.S. Virgin Islands for energy generation, transmission, and distribution in rural communities with extremely high energy costs. Provides related funding through FY2015.

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to the Authority to convert base power production in the Virgin Islands from fuel oil to liquefied natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. Authorizes appropriations through FY2017.

Increases, through FY2018, the number of Virgin Islands households eligible for low-income energy assistance.

Date: 2013-01-03
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Energy
Supplemental Security Income Equality Act - Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1972 to extend the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program under title XVI of the Social Security Act to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

Date: 2013-01-23
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Social welfare
Territorial TANF Equity Act of 2013 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to remove the limitation on payments by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa under grants for assistance to the aged, the blind, and the permanently and totally disabled, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) under SSA title XVI, as well as for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) under SSA title IV part A and for foster care and adoption assistance under SSA title IV part E.

Replaces entitlement to a matching grant with entitlement to a supplemental grant for such territories of: (1) 10% of the payable family assistance grant to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam; and (2) $100,000 to American Samoa.

Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of SSA title IV to make such territories: (1) eligible for the TANF Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs, (2) Needy States if they satisfy alternative eligibility criteria established by the Secretary, and (3) eligible for child care entitlement funds. Prescribes a formula for allotment of child care entitlement funds to such territories.

Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of SSA title IV to increase the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for foster care and adoption assistance in such territories.

Date: 2013-01-23
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Social welfare
Derek M. Hodge Virgin Islands Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a reduction of taxes on distributions from certain retirement savings plans designated by an individual under the age of 61 as being under investment by the Virgin Islands Investment Program for at least 30 years. Defines "Virgin Islands Investment Program" for purposes of this Act as a fund with managed amounts of $50 billion or less. Imposes a 1.5% annual tax for 10 years, and 1% thereafter, on managed funds to benefit Virgin Island infrastructure development.

Date: 2013-01-23
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Taxation
Northern Mariana Islands Federal Depository Library Act - Authorizes the Delegate of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to designate two libraries in the Commonwealth as federal depository libraries.

Requires the distribution of U.S. government publications selected from lists prepared by the Superintendent of Documents to such libraries upon request.

Allows the Delegate to designate only libraries able to provide custody and service for depository materials and located in areas where they can best serve the public's need and within areas not already adequately served by existing depository libraries.

Date: 2013-01-25
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Territorial Fellowship Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Fellowship Program to award local government and federal government fellowships to qualified students from American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Allows a fellow to receive either a specified stipend or academic credit toward graduation for participating in an internship.

Defines a "qualified student" as a student who is a U.S. citizen, domiciled in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, and enrolled in a degree or certificate program at an institution of higher education.

Date: 2013-02-05
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Education
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Conveys to the government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands submerged lands surrounding such Islands and extending three geographical miles outward from their coastlines.

 Includes the Northern Mariana Islands among the islands where the President may establish naval defensive sea areas and airspace reservations when necessary for national defense.

Date: 2013-02-06
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Rota Cultural and Natural Resources Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) study and report to Congress on the feasibility of designating prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest sites on the island of Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as a unit of the National Park System; and (2) consider management alternatives for Rota.

Date: 2013-02-13
Topic: Public Lands (Dependencies & Territories)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources